- Collection:
- Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
- Title:
- [Letter] 1839 Dec. 29, Washington City, D.C. [to] Preston Starritt, Peach tree [i.e., Peachtree] p[ost] o[ffice], Cherokee C[oun]ty, N[orth] C[arolina] / W[illia]m H. Thomas of an image
- Creator:
- Thomas, William Holland, 1805-1893
- Publisher:
- Manuscript held by the Special Collections Library, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, MS2058 William Holland Thomas , box 1, folder 1, document wt138.
- Date of Original:
- 1839-12-29
- Subject:
- Cherokee Indians--Claims
Cherokee Indians--Government relations
Cherokee Indians--Treaties
United States. Office of Indian Affairs - Location:
- United States, North Carolina, 35.50069, -80.00032
- Medium:
- business letters
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- text/html
image/jpeg - Description:
- This is a letter from William Holland Thomas to Preston Starritt (also Starrett), dated December 29,1839. Thomas updates Starritt on the status of the Eastern Cherokee claims and informs him that Chief John Ross requested the War Department to delay payment of claims until matters relative to the murders of Major Ridge, his son John and Elias Boudinot are settled. He mentions that several prominent Western Cherokees are in Washington, and Ross, who is expected to push for a new treaty, will arrive shortly.
Digital image and encoded transcription of an original manuscript, scanned, transcribed and encoded by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Libraries in 2001, as part of GALILEO, funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. - Local Identifier:
- wt138
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_wt138
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_wt138#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_wt138/presentation/manifest.json
- Language:
- eng
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: [title of item], MS2058 William Holland Thomas , Special Collections Library, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, presented in the Digital Library of Georgia
- Extent:
- 2 pages/leaves
- Holding Institution:
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Special Collections
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
(Extract)
Washington City DC
Dec 29 -1839
Preston Starritt Peach tree po [post office] Cherokee Cty [County] NC
Commissioners report was completed about the
1st of this month, since then the Secretary has has [has] it under consideration, calculates to complete his action in a few days it may require longer than he now anticipates. until he gets through but little can be known or said respecting it. I presume however there is no danger of the claims which have been allowed -- and it is possible that principles may be settled which may hereafter enable us to gain some which were rejected by them. But I dont calculate any thing [anything] can be done with that class of claims after the secretary Completes his action until some time next spring. I therefore calculate on starting home unless something occurs more than I know of at present immediately after the Secretarys action and make the necessary arrangements to return here so soon as I shall be informed by my friends that it is necessary. I am in favor of our persevering and not giving up any claims until every ground it can be placed on has been tried. Jno [John] Ross and his Chiefs shortly after the murder of the Ridges and Boudenott worte [wrote] to the commissioner of IA [Indian Affairs] . requesting him to make no payments under the treaty until their difficulties among themselves were settled, a similar request has also been made by the other party The Department has made out an order suspending payment until the Cherokees with requests made of them, How soon they will comply if ever is at present uncertain. William & Johnson Rogers S Watie & J [John] A Bell are here and Ross and his Delegation are expected here in a few days they may agree on some terms but I scarcely think it probable It is ascertained here that Ross has procured the consent of a majority of the Cherokee people to have all the percapita [per capita] placed into the hands of the treasurer of the nation in this possible he may suceed [succeed] so far as those who have given their consent are concerned, but in this I think I shall dis appoint [disappoint] him as relates to the claims of those I have pled and procured a decision thereon by the C I.A. [Commissioner of Indian Affairs] in their favor, though he may give me some trouble as I understand his intention is to make a new treaty to answer his
Page: [2]
purpose and to have that of
1835 declared void. The secretary of War President & proninent [prominent] members of the Senate, are opposed to doing any thing [anything] further to accommodate him, and unless he can in some way effect a change in their opinions I am at a loss to percive [perceive] how he will effect anything. The House of Representatives has not yet organised [organized] -- If you calculate on bringing your Quarter M. [Quartermaster] claims before Congress, In
Feb is as soon as I presume you need come on to attend to it.
I think it probable a census will have to be taken of the cherokees East whose claims are included and whose names I have exhibited on the list made out and filed. to represent these who were included in the Census of
1835. refered [referred] to in the 15th act of the treaty.
I some time since brought the question before the Secretary of War in the event of its becoming necessary I had concluded you & Timson as well qualified as any others and intended trying to have the work progrssing [progressing] after the Secretarys decision We have suceeded [succeeded] in getting gen Smiths accounts passed until but a small amount remains which I have no doubt an explanation from him would pass. The amounts he paid which it is believed are unauthorised [unauthorized] by the treaty are suspended until the Secretary fully decides thereon. For some time to come you had better with hold [withhold] your wrath, vinegar and [illegible text] against the Doctor lest in attempting to expose his faults you should injure your old friend who is responsible for his acts. I have delayed writing to you for some time therefore write the more lengthier letter now, which is not intended to be made public as it might be considered improper in me to communicate even this much at present give my respects to enquiring [inquiring] friends
yours & c [et cetera]
[Signed] Wm. [William] H. Thomas
last mail recd [received] from JW King powers of atto [attorney] which will enter on [illegible text] list tomorrow