Chiefs of Nation

Chiefs of Nation’s: First edition
The Cherokee Nation 1730 to 1839
109 years of Dialogue and Treaties

Intellectual

Refuting the Arkansas Department of Heritage historical preservation programs: The Promised Land: The Cherokees, Arkansas and Removal, 1794-1839: [Charles Russell Logan]

Introduction:

The Arkansas Band of Western Cherokee INC., feel that this body of work completed in or around 1995, [Mike Christ in a phone conversation] now published within the Web- site of the Arkansas Department of Heritage, is in many accounts contradictory to the documents of the National Archives and the treaties, arranged in our web-site and book; this story mentioned by the Arkansas Department of Heritage herewith, we consider a rendition that falls within the range of a fictional novel. Because this is not its intent… and has and will be considered as a true and legitimate historical learning resource, we are very concerned, viewing it as both a disgrace to the majority of Cherokee Nations leaders mentioned within this dissertation, and equally insulting to all Cherokee people who did not move further west in 1829.Typically, any story about the Arkansas Cherokee or Western Cherokee, concerns our heritage and present identity as modern Arkansas and Ozarks Cherokee People. There is no question that in all Cherokee history books, including this one mentioned here-to-fore, the object is to separate and undermine the Cherokee Nations governing body in the 1780’s, 1790’s and then again in the 1800’s…by attacking the most prominent chiefs, during this period. In its effect this cast out all Chiefs and their people prior to the 1827 Constitutional Convention, otherwise. If told in a chronologically correct and truthful manner, it would reveal what you are about to read and hopefully learn.

As displayed within our “Chiefs of Nations” web-page within the links for the “critical analysis” for books such as John P. Browns, Old Frontiers, Thurman Wilkins, Cherokee Tragedy and John Ehle’s, Trail of Tears, This Author uses these very same ill contrived books for his sources. This is including, to a profound and excessive degree, The Arkansas Cherokees 1817-1828, by Robert Paul Markham.

Discussion:

This story like most Cherokee stories, begins with the assumption that a group of disgruntled Cherokees; who at the point of the revolution broke away or separated from the main body of the Cherokee, with Chief Dragging Canoe, moved further south and created the towns of Chickamauga, Nick-jack, Running-water, Look-out-mountain and a few others, and later began the process of immigration to modern Missouri and Arkansas. This is simply a take from all the other books that is absolutely fictional untrue. Dragging Canoe along with all these towns Chiefs and their people mentioned herein, were always part of the Cherokee Nation. Within the Indian affairs Page ( click) [45] & [ 46] [ Cherokee National Council at Ustanali November 12th 1788 ] clearly illustrates that Dragon Canoe [ Tsiyu- gansini; translated by the Cherokees personal interpreter James Cerey as otter-lifter or Cheakoneske in the 1791 treaty. ] was in attendance as a member of the National Council held at the Cherokee Nation capitol of Ustanali. Dragging Canoe is also mentioned and honored at the June 26th to July 1st 1792 , Cherokee National Council, e.g. Indian affairs page (click) [271] & [273].

This fabrication has its geneses from the first publications such as Browns old frontiers (1938 , 1970) and other books, and is widely used as a separation of council reference point for both the immigration into Arkansas and to outcast many of the true Chiefs e.g. Glass, Dick Justice, Bloody fellow and Double-head, who comprised the true Cherokee Nations, National Council; thus providing the means to incorporate the story concerning the Cherokee nationalist whom, self appointed, developed a constitution in 1827, and thereafter claimed jurisdiction over the Cherokee people and their lands, and very importantly, delegated themselves authority to make treaties[ Exhibit-link # 6 in the Eastern Cherokee button of this web-site].

On page 7 of The Promised Land, Russell states that agents used chicanery or trickery and bribes to endeavor Cherokee to begin immigrating west in 1809.

Comment: Tohlontuskee, Hummingbird, Taka-toka and 1,200 of there people were compelled to immigrate because their area in an around their residence had become too populated with white settlers; these settlers were territorial citizens who for years had caused problems, even committed unprovoked killings. This is better explained in my book, in Chapter 4, “WE The People,” and Chapter 5, “Essence of Betrayal.”

On page 7, Russell states that Meigs used double dealing . as this was allegedly instrumental in securing numerous land sessions from the lower towns in 1805 and 1806.Russell also states that Double-head and Tohluntuskee were granted special considerations and “violated tribal edict”. Russell also states that the upper towns discovered that in exchange for the land cessions, Double-head was granted a reservation at the Muscle Shoals.

Comment: This has been a favorite reference point for most if not all Authorsto begin the process of assassinating the character of the members of the legitimate Cherokee National Council. To attempt to imply that certain chiefs namely Double-head and Tohlunteseke were given both monetary bribes and land tracts is absolutely wrong. Here the Author states that the upper towns were incensed when they discovered that Double-head was granted a reservation, and that it was against tribal edict. In truth Tohluntuskee was not granted a reservation, he was just allowed to remain at his location and residence. Secondly, Double-head was not the person implied in this treaty, but John Chisholm, Au, tow, we and Cheh, Chuh. The other tract was granted explicitly to Charles Hicks and Moses Melton. This was agreed too in the presence of Double-head, of the Muscle shoals band, James Vann of the central division, John Jolly of the upper band, Bloody fellow of Creek-path or the lower towns, John Walker, John Lowery of the central division, the broom of Creek path as formally agreed to at the previous treaty at the Tellico Block House on Oct. 25 and 27th . The real story is, Charles Hicks went back to his division (central division at Fortville, Hicks town) held a town council , pointed the finger at Double-head ,and lied to the people of this division about this treaty. Charles Hicks was the federally appointed interpreter at this treaty. This caused the assassination of Double-head and caused the rest of the Chiefs to become alarmed. This is fully explained in my book Chiefs of Nations. Note: from 1795, this Muscle shoals land was secretly claimed by proprietors of the Tennessee land company. This included John T. Smith, who befriended Double-head at this time, in 1807. John Smith would in 1831,after they acted on the non-sanctioned 1828 treaty (separated themselves, protected by Fort Smith and Fort Gibson ), petition congress for this very tract of land. Later, he along with James Rogers, represented themselves as Western Cherokee representative or “Chiefs” of the New Western (Oklahoma) Cherokee, at the Treaty of New Echota in 1835-36.Note: James Rogers and John Smith were never Arkansas Cherokee Chiefsthey were interpreters and basically just liaisons/ commissioners and or runners.

On page 8, Russell states that the assassinations suspended the land sessions. Not exactly true as Meigs, showing a sign of his true motives, endeavored the Cherokee Nations Council, (whereas many towns starving in mid December), to agree to a cede to him a six by six mile tract at Chickamaugathis was annulled at Washington, D. C., and was followed by many complaints against agent Meigs.

Russell again attempts to indifferentiat the upper and lower towns, when in fact it was the Central division that was under Badgers-son, Ridge, and their interpreter Charles Hicks of the central division, where the contentions were originating. During this period 1807-1808 Tohluntuskee and Turtle- at- home were constantly disturbed by the white people brought there to live by the request and maneuvering of Meigs and interpreter Samuel Riley. Samuel Riley like Hicks and Richard Taylor, was yet another federal agent on the federal payroll. He was appointed by Agent Meigs.

On page 8, Russell again, in an attempt to hurt the image, memory and legacy of those compelled to immigrate to Arkansas. Russell says that Meigs felt threatened but was reassured because he had Chief Tohluntuskee on his side.

Comment: There is no sign Meigs felt threatened, in fact on Nov. 2nd 1809 he sent a reply to the Chiefs in council at Wills-town (in 1809 the capitol in the lower towns and where subsequent National Councils were conducted) stating that they need to seriously begin considering immigrating to the Arkansas country along the White and Arkansas rivers. Tohluntuskee, Hummingbird, Taka-toka of Highwasee and several other chiefs were now compelled to immigrate. It is true the National Council did not approve by a resolve…but they did understand Tohluntuskees situation. At this point, now that the central division was now reinstated in the councils, Meigs had an ace in his hand, in that these 1,200 Cherokee were going to leave their lands and without formal documentation by census, that would have recorded their tribal connection. This took on an even bigger picture in 1817. Importantly these lands vacated were able to be taken by Tennessee without the acre per acre stipulation per Cherokee citizen, later stipulated within the 1817 treaty.

On page 9, Russell states that Cherokee agent W. Lovely arrived at the Arkansas Cherokee/Arkansas Territory in 1813,but fails to state that on these very letters Tohluntuskee, Keeneetoo or Taka-Toka, Wha-watchee were in the presence of government appointed (Agent Meigs) personnel, were John Ross and Chief Kulsa-tahee, whom on these very letters referred to by Russell, the Arkansas chiefs made statements that were consistent to their untarnished and prominent connection with the Eastern Cherokee. Very importantly, Russell states that Tohluntuskee petitioned Meigs for relief and was denied. Then Russell remarks that Tohluntuskee requested a trade of his lands in Alabama for property along the Arkansas River.

Comment: Russell states that Tohluntuskees request was refused, This is in error. Agent Meigs deployed John Ross with thousands of articles of clothing and sundry items for the Arkansas Cherokee. . These were delivered by trader John Ross. John Ross and chief Kuls-tee-hee recorded and interpreted these messages from Tohlunteskee, Keeneetoo or Taka-Toka, Whawatchee and others at this meeting, at the Post of Ozarks, better known as the Arkansas Post. At this time there were some 24 Chiefs representing the Arkansas Cherokee. This included Chief Bowls. [Full council letter dated March 23rd 1814 in Exhibit 9b in the Immigration button in this web-site]

On page 9 Russell states that Tohluntuskee “ requested a trade of his Alabama lands for lands on the Arkansas River”.

Comment: There is not anything regarding this statement in Lovely’s first letters. Russell tries to imply that Tohluntuskee is basically a loner Chief willing to engage in any transaction to accommodate himself and his following. This would make it appear as such to the reader and very importantly make it appear as though this whole Arkansas operation was one of partisan opinion, objected amongst the Eastern Cherokee, with the primary objective; to underscore and label the Arkansas immigration as a non-consensual endeavor of semi-renegade Indian Chiefs. This is not true as there was a very strong sentiment amongst the Tennessee River towns, for removal to Arkansas, and this was due to encroachments. Also, this was a very good tool for the Charles Hicks band of interpreters and traders to influence the Chiefs of their division, to turn against the Tennessee River towns and the immigration operation! Please refer to the “Immigration “ button on the home page for an in depth explanation. This is better explained in the Chiefs of Nations book.

On page 11, Russell states that the forthcoming treaties in 1816 and the immigration and exchange policy was “ invigorated by seed money and bribes’.

Comment: Again Russell attempts to tell this story, but at the same time create a scenario whereas the immigration treaty was a non-consensual agreement amongst the Cherokee Nation and its chiefs. He attempts to put an emphases on his assertion by stating that path-killer was not in attendance nor the Ridge or John Ross. On this page Russell does remark that the March 1816 treaty was one that was negotiated with bribes but fails to state the who and why. John Ross , Major Ridge, Richard Taylor, John Lowery and John Walker all future nationalists who contributed to the so-called Cherokee Nations Constitution of 1827,agreed to this non-sanctioned treaty. They were commissioned only to receive the payments for the officers and veterans of the war of 1812 and secure the Cherokee, Creek boundary lines. There were no bribes involved in the September 1816 treaty as the Cherokee were compelled to agree to a more northern southern boundary line as a result of the intertribal Congress of which it was decreed that the Creek and Chickasaws had equal rights to these lands of which the Chickasaws ceded on September 20 th 1816.

Comment: In Russell’s attempt to undermine the significance and legitimacy of the 1817 treaty, Russell states that although some of the most powerful Chiefs were not in attendance [John Ross, Ridge and Path-killer] Jackson managed to retain enough signatures. Then Russell states that this treaty had sweeping ramifications for those who were involved. Also, Russell states that members of the eastern Cherokee contested this treaty( again he fails to state whom). The 1817 immigration and land exchange treaty was attended by all Chiefs from all parts of the Cherokee Nation and it was an agreement that was agreed by a quorum of chiefs that included those who were going to immigrate following this treaty: The acting principal chief Toochalar of Wills-town, the number two chief in the Cherokee Nation, The Glass of Running-water-town, the number three chief Dick Justice of look-out-mountain town, Spring Frog, Wassossee, John Jolly, Tuskekeetchee or Long fellow and several others. This treaty also included Sleeping Rabbit, Cabbin Smith, Walter Adair as interpreter, George Saunders, Charles Hicks and Richard Taylor as interpreters, Kelechulee Big Half breed, Going Snake, George Lowery and many others of the future nationalist committee and members of the constitutional party of 1827[see the 1817 treaty in the Treaty 1817-1819 button link- exhibit 6, in this web-site]. These leaders were all from the central division. Note: John Ross nor Ridge attended and it is important to note that the only treaty either one of them were on prior to this treaty was the illegal or non – sanctioned treaty they both signed at Washington in March of 1816.This is because they were just commissioners that did not have authority to engage in treaties. It is true that Path killer was opposed to immigration. Russell also states that the eastern chiefs refused to ratify this treaty, which as you can see is totally false. Following this treaty They did however pretend to disagree to it. They pontificated this at their own councils in December. From Fortville, central division, Richard Taylor, Going Snake and others repudiated this treaty and explained to their audience that they were going to Washington, D. C., to denounce it. [But instead they went to Washington D. C. to see its ratification, crossed paths with all the Chiefs at Knoxville in Feb. 1818 and told them that all was taken care of]. This delegation including Tohluntuskee then went to hear these very words from President James Monroe. Following this, they then began the process of immigration. What transpired after this is the most revolting act ever, prior to the treaty of New Echota.

On page 11, Russell states that the treaty of 1819 was the result of bribes but conspicuously fails to state just who signed this treaty. Following the departure of the Highest Chiefs of the Cherokee Nations National Council, John Ross, Charles Hicks, Lewis Ross, George Lowery, John Walker and several others, upon themselves, in total contempt and disregard of the Cherokee National Council, the people and their chiefs, went to Washington, D. C., and signed away over three million acres of the Cherokee Nations most valued lands, exonerated the 1817 treaty stipulations in articles 2 and 4, regarding a full and complete census of those who wanted a reservation[ with the exception of themselves as they were all given 640 acre tracts.], those who wanted to immigrate and those who were already in the Arkansas Cherokee territory.[ better explained in the 1817-1819 web page of this web-site and thoroughly in the book Chiefs of Nations in Chapter five “ Essence of Betrayal].” Although they signed away these lands, very importantly, they failed to have stipulated the northern and western boundaries for the Arkansas Cherokee lands; this became this single biggest problem for the Arkansas Cherokee and is what lead to the treaty of 1828.The treaty of 1828 served as a filter for the Arkansas Cherokee Chiefs. It is also important to realize that the treaty of 1817 gave equal rights to the Chiefs and their citizens in the Cherokee Nations governmental and societal mechanism and they left on these grounds. The treaty of neither 1819 nor 1828 can be valid based on these agreements in 1817.Unlike the treaty of New Echota, (in hypothetical terms) these treaties were agreed to without tribal authority of both eastern and western councils, collectively in a general National Council.

Lastly, Russell states that John Jolly took the place of Principal chief following the death of Tohluntuskee. This again is untrue, as Taka-Toka was the principal Chief and the most respected active leader of all Indian Nations. In 1825,he was chosen to head an intertribal delegation to Washington to endeavor the United States government to consolidate all lands in the Arkansas Cherokee reservation with the lands in present Southern Missouri, for all the Indian nations involved. click to view [ the Taka-toka letter ] note: It has been a standard amongst all Authors covering this story to undermine the leaders mentioned and at the same time build the Character Of John Jolly, as he was only one of two chiefs of the Arkansas Cherokee council to act on the treaty of 1828.note: This was against the established tribal law enacted in 1825,regarding the idea of land exchange or sale of lands. [exhibit 14 in the treaty of 1817-1819 link of this web-site ] Moreover, John Ross and his constituents just authored their constitution at this point. Now if you add up and summarize all of their activity you will understand the reason to attempt to damage the credibility of all the legitimate Cherokee Chiefs.