Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-06-26

ever, elapsed before any thing NOR. was heard from
Ross and ~hisparty. that MI. Schermcrborn was requested
to open the discussions with RIDGE and his Marty
lheoe nave Terminated in u general understanding re-
sPeeting The basis of the arrangement, leaving, however,
many ot The Details yet Ia be filled up. The total
amount OF the various stipulations provided for is g $3.50
wv dollars as a full consideration tor the ceSsion 10 be
meae oy them. In addition to which, the sum of LOO, 900
sonars $ 10 be allowed tor certain claims for injuries,
&c, which they al!ege have been committed upon them.
besides these pecuniaIy stipulations, n tract of very
Vaiuaole lanu, estimated to contain about soc, GOO acres.
west OF the Mississippi, is to be added to the territory
already possessed by them. This territory originally
contained about 1000, 900 acres. In addition ia which
they were entitled to the use of another tract. contain,
ing about 100000 acres, for the purpose of am outlet or
communication with the tribes and country west of ,bcu,
us proposed, IN the arrangement with Ridge and his
party, to grant them the entire property of this tract of
o,oooVoo acres for their unconditional use. This will
make for the whole country given and proposed to be
OF land. ''0Voi0'0 "''
It's computed that the quantity of land claimed by the
Shcrokees IN Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and North
Carolina, is about 1000, 900 acres. The ultimate lille
OF that portion of this tract which lies within the State
VI Georgia, VIII pass to that State; and, in like manner.
the State OF North Carolina is entitled 10 the fee simple
oithe Indian lands within its jurisdictions. IL is under
stood that u similar claim is asserted on the mart of Ten.
nessee; bot upon what ground it rests, is not known at
the Department. 1t is not certain, therefore, that the
extinction Ut the Indian title in all those States
wouid transfer 10 the U. States any right of property. OK.
cept IN the State of Alabama and it certainly wonld not in
any other State, exceptin Tennessee. The quantity in
Aiaoa' IA II estimated at less than | 500. 600; and that i'm
'9 % teoi tennessee at about / 100000 acres.
It'll not contemplated that any ARRANGEMENT made with
.nose parues n I TINS time should be deinitive. 1t is in.
"hued uat tue Cherokee people should assemble. for the
purpose OF considering this matter; and that a Commits.
sioner should be sent TO them to explain the whole sub.
Ject, and to ask their assent to such propositions ny thew
may deem equitable and satisfactory; and after their an.
provai, II Is proposed to lay the arrangement before the
Senate for their constitutional action.
The history of the matter is too well known 10 rcopirc
any observations at this time. Among other difficulties
which have attended it, it has introduced intestine feuds
among the Cherokees themselves, and arraved them into
two parties, with embittered and excited feelinps towards
one another: Next to settling this affair justly and s.
usfactorlly, it is the wish of the President so to arrange
a u unite these people, and to put u stop to the divi-
siohs that nave prevailed among them, and no effort ON
the part of the Government win be spared to accomplish
.nat desirable object. Ridge and his party have accedcd
TO distinct propositions, while Ross and his party have
eecined TO accept such as the President deems reasonn.
Ole: But Ross party have this day made a supgestion
whlch VIII be found in the accompanying letter from
thefhj ard which, if acted on, may lead 10 q satisf,ctory
adjustment OF the whole matter. He proposes to accept
such Pecuniary terms as the basis of Il negotiation. as The
Senate may think proper to fix; leaving the subsequent
details Tor their removal, security, Sc, TO be arranged
by personal or written communication with this Deport.
nicnt. l WIZ be found that the party pledge themselves
TO accept, and recommend to their people to agree TO
Y, : terms the Senate may think proper to fix as
Tue total vaiue OF their claims and il is believed that if
toss and his party act with good faith, their recon-.
mendation will be decisive. A copy of the memorandum
handed to Ross Immediately after the recent of his let.
ter, is also transmitted. 1t will be seen by this. Thai if
an arrangement can be made, which will secure the lust
interest OF both parties, and give satisfaction to ali of
them, that course, which is a most desirable one will bc
adopted, and the subject presented in that form to the
Cherokee people. But the President would not consent
80 hohich " puI hazard the pecunIlrv Intprpstn or
personal safety of those who have been endsa vorino m
promote the views of the Government, and at the same
time TO secure the welfare of their own people. Their
.nterest must under any circumstances be provided for
ii, therefore, in the further prosecution OF this mater
with Ross and his party, difficulties should be interposed
10 n satisfactory adjustment which shall secura ali ,ntar
esis, then the propositions made by both parties will he
submitted to the Cherokee people and thev can froeIy
aeclos upon the whole matter and accept the one which
they deem the best for their interest. Il is proper TO re.
mark, however, that should both propositions be laid he.
Iore me Cherokee people, the President would feel it his
euty 10 oiler In the proposition TO Ridge and his party
for the value of the whole Cherokee cession.
IL would be desirable, should the Senate think proper
10 act upon the subject, that their opinion should be ex.
pressed IN the alternative. That is, that the gross amount
TO be allowed to the Cherokees, as the value of theirc es.
SONS IN the above mentioned States, should be stated
without any reference TO a proposed increase of the ter
ritory West of the Mississippi, as it may be that Ross
ano ms party may wish to provide a country for them
serves. And also, that the amount should be estimated
after deducting the value of the cessions proposed. me-
aforementioned, TO be made West of the Mississippi. in
"ioi"i win the demands OF Ridge and his PARTY.
LEWIS CASS.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Feb. 2sth, 1895.
Copy
MEMoRASDuM b.
For Mr.. Ross and his partu
Before submitting to the Committee on Indian A a,;ro
me ietteroi MI. Toss, on the subject of the opinion of
the Senate concerning the amount 10 be given for their
iancs, IT'S proper to remark that the President 10 ox.
uemeiy DESTROYS of so arranging the matter connected
with the Cherokees as to effect an union amonp all their
people sop ana no efforts on the part of the Government
tAo CoAIuD GDtCl III
therefore, a single s9rE2aoemep can oe meade which viii
secure the just rights OF all parties, and which sAsNN -
the opinion of the President, be satisseHcfoss - N ~ -
that arrangement VII be submitted to the Cbero.
kee PeoPe<4of their consideration. Bnt If II sbonld No,
beIaSdnd practica5le;so TO arrange their affairs then The
President would submit to the Cherokee peonle for their
decision the two propositions which may be agreed on.
DEPARTMENT or WAR, Feb. %, 1895.
We publish the whole of Ross's letter of the OH or
March, IN which he qualities and strives to eyode his
promise of the 18th February
WAsHfScrOY CRY, March 8, 1886
10 the Hon. LEWIS CAss, Secretary If mar.
SIK;-We desire not to inirude upon your time. nor
are we disposed TO trouble you With any further written
ton, inasmuch as you have signifed to us in your
letter OF the 9TH inst, that that letter closes the inter.
course IN writing between us but from what has passed
between Us at our interview in your Office on this dav
we are constrained, by every consideration of duty as
well as of self-respect, to address you again. and 10 re-.
peat IN writing what we have said verbally. that. n Il, we
the duly authorised Delegation of the Cherokee nation
are prepared IN good faith to redeem every PROMISE
which we have made To the Department. so far 3 re-
commencing TO our nation the expcdiency of closing our
unhappy difficulties by a treaty with the United SIates
tonly before the Cherokee people, we PROPOSED that the
whole matter should be referred TO our nation. and tbrrc
in general council, TO deliberate and determine m live
SUBJECT and in order to insure harmony and rood feel.
ing among ourselves, it was greatly 10 be desired that the
Cherokee people and their representatives should not lie
trammened by any premature act on OuT part. and uat
the whole subject should be brought before them. fee
from any suspicion, or unjust imputations against our.
selves or others. BY such a fair and open course as tbis.
there would be some ground to hope that the aorravated
controversy will be terminated in a proper manner Such,
Unra Anf nwn uaanfa a~I Ils-I - -