These , my royal master’s commands I shall most faithfully adhere to and
when the boundary line is ascertained pursue I have it in command from
his most gracious Majesty King George to inform you of his steady purpose to
support you in you just rights and claims, and he had given me direction to
make use of all necessary means to remove and prosecute every white person who
shall settle upon your lands or unjustly every
measure that may strengthen and brighten the chain which holds fast that peace
and harmony which at present happily subjects between us.” 53 Colonial Gov. Tryon to the Cherokee chiefs June 1st
1767
The Cherokees then replied
in response to Governor Tryon’s speech.
This time it was the Great War Chief Ostenaco
who went to
“ The Man above is He who made the land, and His Majesty over the water desires that the white people and ourselves should mutually possess it. As I said before, the Man above is head of all, He made the land, and none other, and He told me the land I stand on is mine, and all that is on it. The land is good, it affords good water and good timber, as we are going to make a division, I want to do what is right.” “There are rogues among your people and among my people, but I will give my people a good and strong talk to, be so no more, and I hope your excellence will also give your people a talk to. Be honest - the price white people give for land is very small, they give a shirt a match coat and the like. Soon wears out, but the land last always, I am now done talking. The land is given when the line is run, and I will quit all pretensions to it.” 54
Chief Skigusta Ostanaco(
outacite / Mankiller) June
1st 1767