[Letter] 1871 Mar. 31, Stekoa Fields, [North Carolina] to the chiefs of [the] N[orth] C[arolina] Cherokees / W[illiam] H. Thomas of an image

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Stekoa Fields
March 31, 1871
[added text: To be read by one of the annexed persons } ] To the chiefs of NC [North Carolina] Cherokees E G Hyatt & T. K. Welch, J B Sherill A [unclear text: D ] Rutter
Dear sirs
I am compelled to go up to Webster and may not return tomorrow, The Hon [Honorable] John Pool enclosed to me a Newspaper which shows that the delegation from the North Carolina Cherokees have been bought up by the western Cherokees. And they represent all the North Carolina Cherokees in favor of removal, Hence the application made to Congress for an appropriation to pay the expenses of a delegation from the East. This proves that arrangements are made to sell the Cherokees, with the explanation of my friend the Hon, [Honorable] John Pool the appropriation was rejected, And the [illegible text] proves that delegations of Indians to be paid have to be invited to come by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, other delegations such as Bushey Head James Taylor and others of that description, vagabonds and Swindlers are not to be paid, And Mr Pool informs me that he has twice defeated the proposed Treaty because it did not embrace the Eastern Cherokees.
Mr Terrill informs me that there would be no difficulty in getting the Interest paid were it not for the numerous powers of attorney, Since I have been in bad health the Indians have been like bees without a king, In the hands of Bankrupts swindlers and vagabond Indians,


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And they have been very much like the Israelites in the days of Moses where they worshiped the calf They have become deaf to the advice of their old friends and blind to the [deleted text: advice of ] their best interest, Hence they believe in false prophets and all kinds of Slanders against me. This has been the policy of the Indians who wish to Sell them ever Since
1836. To carry out the policy of selling the North Carolina Cherokees by their removal the vagabonds and bankrupts represent their lands gone, and money too, Both are base false hoods [falsehoods], And I demand of Wm [William] Johnston and my accusers to meet me at Qualla Town next tuesday. I will prove that on my part I have complied with the contract made with You nugaska Willnota Long Blanket Big [document damaged] Tom Canought, in
1835, And have not only paid out for land the money recieed [received] but, advanced a large amount of my own funds for the Indians. And through my influence have Secured to them a permanent home in their native country, A right now admitted by the Federal as well as the State Government, And this plan of getting up powers of attorney to bring Suits against the whites by Jas [James] Taylor and other Bankrupts is for the purpose of pulling up the Tree that Younaguska and I planted, which from covering one small piece of land now extends its branches over fifty thousand acres of land. To which will be added and is nearly paid for fifty thousand acres more, And when paid for to me not to Johnston. the Indians owe him nothing, the titles will be arranged under a government like that of their ancestors to secure a home to the Indians who pay for the land and their descendan [descendants]


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unless they of their own accord desire to leave it while grass Grows on their native mountains and the waters flow through their beautiful valleys, Such Indians as want to remain with me must follow the advice of their old chief younaguska, given in my absence when on his death bead. they must open their ears to the truth and then like the Isrealites they will return to their old friends and abandon the bankrupts and Swindlers and all will come right. I will write to Wm [William] Johnston to bring on his papers and meet us at the Echota Mission or Big meeting House next tuesday, 12 oclock.
I have made arrangements to have clothing for the orphan children in next month. Also for a School for their education.
I have also made arrangements for clothing for the old and infirm Indians who are unable to work I have at this place salt to give for ashes at ten cents per bushels, And design keeping it as well as powder and lead to give for ashes,
I dont want any more taxes paid to the Sheriff until I settle with him, which I will do next Monday.
The Indian women are not entitled to pay a poll tax, only a tax on their property.
And under the 'old treaty of
1783 and grant made by the State to the NC [North Carolina] cherokees in my opinion they are


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not liable to pay taxes to the State or the Federal government, And I will take steps to have the question decided, by the United States courts.
A memorial to Congress will be prepared and Signed by the Indians who wish to remain in their native country, And a list will also be prepared of those who wish to remove west of their own accord, And both will be forwarded to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, So that the United States troops can know who to remove and the amount of provisions that will be necessary on their journey, I presume that such as remove will remove in
April or
May.
The Cheioh Indians can do as they please come and reside in Qualla Town or go west as they prefer. I am of opinion that the lands of the cherokees west will all be sold by the chiefs in a few years,
The chiefs of the different Towns can select three white men to examine Johnstons papers and mine next tuesday.
I have his receipts for $20,000 I let him have in gold And I was not to pay him money but bonds on the State of North Carolina or United States bearing 6 percent interest, And the sum I let him have in gold would be worth $30,000 in bonds.
[added text: Read by EG Hyatt to the Indians ]

Yours truly

[Signed] Wm. [William] H. Thomas