Contentions in the Eastern Cherokee Nation

      Agent Meigs, over the years developed a close working relationship with Charles Hicks , Richard Taylor , John Walker, Daniel Ross , John Ross, John McIntosh , Walter Adair and many other White and predominantly white men who resided within the Cherokee nation. These individuals; located within the jurisdiction of the central division or better known as the ten towns division; Elljay , Sugar town , fighting town , Spring place mission ,Ustanale Coosawattee , Chicamauga, (Rossville), Red Clay and pine log were educated businessmen who because of their enterprising way’s held a considerable influence over the Chiefs and Cherokee citizens of this geographical and jurisdictional division The head council location ”Ustanale” led by Kita-tha -hee ( Badgers son) and Kela-chu-la ;was eventually to be overshadowed- in the eye‘s of the U.S, Federal Government by New Town/ New Echota . The Annuity payments from the various treaties totaling 16,000 dollars annually, was; by the time it was payable to the nation, owed to these in house traders. The Western Cherokee were in much the same position. Due one third of this yearly stipend, they had yet to receive their monies in the year 1822, this eventually worsened as time went on. The formation of the nationalist committee in the east, was comparable to what is called the Business committee by modern tribes. The National Committee’s consisted of the individuals mentioned above and included others such as Cabbin Smith, George Lowery, Thomas Forman, John Baldridge, Sleeping Rabbit, Roman nose and others. Following the treaty of Feb. 27th 1819, in the year 1822, the eastern Cherokee of the central division, began to show signs of its own centralization, of the powers vested in them, from the 1819 treaty. Its initial sign of these symptoms became apparent amid the Creek path Cherokee party not being allowed to participate in the recognized councils at New town.

     Ex. 1 and 1 B ( National archives) the central divisions letter concerning future land treaty’s. The first page Ex. 1 titled Cherokee Council and committee Date Oct. 22, 1822. The second page Ex. 1 B illustrates the council members and the line segregating them from the National ( Eastern) committee EI., John Ross, Richard Taylor , Thomas Forman, Roman Nose, Sleeping Rabbit. Etc. This was one of the final meetings with the authentic Cherokee Chiefs for this Division as Chiefs such as Big half Breed, Soo-ee-cular, The Feather , Three Killer, Old Turkey and White path ( not listed) were to experience the similar fate as the Chiefs of the Creek path Cherokee.

     Ex. 2 a memorial from the Creek path Cherokee including George Guess ( Sequoyah) who was not apart of the party of John Ross. Here they state their contentions with the participants of the treaty of 1819 Ross, Hicks and co. Ex. 2 B their desire to be able to redeem their lands at the Creek path for lands in Arkansas.

     Ex. 3 A list (circa. 1809) of the White men who held prominent positions within the Nationalist party beginning 1825 IE., Daniel Ross father to John Ross , John Lowery, father to George Lowery, John Walker and John MCintosh.

    Ex. 4 The creation and the rebellion against the constitution. The full bloods ( at least 75 percent of the Eastern Cherokee) did not approve of the above named Individuels and their sons and piers creating this form of Government, as they were not chosen to represent the Cherokee people. This activity was probably the catalyst for formation of the Keetoowha Society later named the United Keetoowha band of Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma .

     Ex. 5( Emmit Starr Hist of Cher. Ind.) Constitution of the Eastern Cherokee.

     Ex. 6 Section 23 clearly show’s the intent to engage in a future treaty’s as it gives this party full powers to draft the language in future treaty’s.

     Ex. 7 Rev. Johann Schmidt sites extreme rebellion at Spring place mission.

     Ex. 8 75% full bloods against the constitution.

     Ex. 9 These individuals and their immediate party elected themselves to the constitutional convention John Ross, George Lowery, Thomas Forman after which John Ross was elected as principal chief and George lowery as Second Chief.

    Note: the traditional Chiefs were now considered as “ rebels” only five of the traditional full bloods attended a council regarding their issue’s with the Ross, Taylor, Lowery constitutionalist party and matters of these issues regarding power and jurisdiction were compounded following the election as the full bloods were now out of power and forced to submit to the nationalist party as none of them could speak nor write in the English language and for years depended on the members of this party to do all transactions and conduct business at Washington. Note: The 1828 Arkansas Cherokee treaty took place at this time also.