The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-21
.TgE cHEaoKEEs AND THE WAR.

~ Ross, Chief OF the Cherokee Nation, and
she Governor or Arkansas, the Rebel
Commander or Fort Smith and hesI-
Gsssts OF 9oonshpro--Hc Regrets the Free
boat Troubles and Declares HIS Neu-
sxalIty.
ne following synopsis Of a correspondence which
ssSEed between the Chief Of the Cherokee Nation ana
r.,ous rebel authorities and citizens Of Arkansas VIII
vve Interesting exhibiting the attitude which those
asns intend assuming reference to the present war
Ia soppgess the rebellion
LsrrsR TO Moss FRoM THE GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS.
S4AIE or ARKANSAS, EyEcyryE prPARTMAST,
LITTLE Rock, jan 20, 1861
81 shs xosIEscy JOHN Ross PRINCIPAL CHEF OF CHERokGs
E--lt may now be regarded as almost certain that the
ss having slave property within their borders will in
Consequence o,repeaed Northern eggressions separate
sSTnsoves and withdraw from the federal government
south Carolina Alabama, Florida, Mississippi Georgia
a2l Louisiana have already by action Of the people, as
EkfaSd this attitude.
Asansss, Missouri Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia,
Rossh Carolina and Maryland VIII probably pursue the
sazss course by the 4tn Of March next
people in, their institutions productions latitude
sad natural symla.hes, allied common brother
AocI Of the sayehoding States Our people and yours
Afe natural allies in war and friends in peace Your
s9onry saubroas aad fertile, and possesses the high
Application Of Hsaye labor.p
.'sides this, the contsGy Of our territory with yours
ksscsa relations Of 30 intimate character as 10 preclude
Me- ioea OF dcordant or separate acsion nswesles-
t1 saed that the Indian country est OF Arkansas is
OF Mr.. lAncoln
ko.fu lelds, ripe for the harvest &C aboltcnsm FREQ
sssrs and Northern Tountebanks. We bope 20 and in
ysa friends wiling 20 cooperate with the south IN defence
~ he's institutions her nonor and her hrestcs and With
Ssoc, the savehodng States are willing 10 share COM
oaiulre, and 70 Afford protection commensurate with
SSar exposed condition ana your s0bsslDg monetary ine
s<zss with the general government.
a direct means Of expressing to you those senti-
rss, have despatched to you my ABIDE Camp, Leute
nst Colonel j. j. Gaines confer with you conhden-
Ay upon these subjects, ana to report TO amy
Dssssons Of kindness and confidence that you may
proper 70 communicate TO the Governor OF Arkansas who
friend and the friend Of your people Respectfully
ysar obedient servant, HENRY u. RECTOR,
Governor Of Arkansas.
THE REPLY OF ROSS.
hresponse TO the above, Ross at length
pressing the regret socude of the Cherokees the
Aahappy relations existing between the sections Of
country and hoping the of peace
harmony. The concluding part Of the letter important,
exhibiting the loyal feelings Of the Cherokees the
federal governments
The reationswbich the Cherokee people sustain towards
sns white brethren have been established by subssting
Estie5 with the United States government and by them
sc=y have placed themselves under the protection the
Waited States and Of no other sovereign whatever
rioy bound to hold treaty with any foreign
tewer, with any Individual State nor with citizens of
aay state. On the other hand, the faith Of the United
Sates solenny pledged to the Cherokee Nation the
l1o.eetioD Of the right title in the lands conveyed to
hsIn BY patent, within their territorial boundaries;
Ss1 or protection Of all other Of their national and ndi
yrai lights and interests Of person and property Thus
brethren Of the United States in and friends in
peace Their Institutions, locality and natural sympa-
tnes are unequvocay with the slavehodpg States And
ho eoatiguity Of our territory 10 your State,
rcn with the daily social ard commercial intercourse be-
tween our respective citizens crbids the idea that they
should ever be other wise than steadiast friends.
am surprised TO be informed by your Excelency that
"n Ia well established that The Indian country west of Ar
kauxae looked 70 by the incoming OF Mr.
lincoln fruitful fields pe for the harvest Of abolition
&n free sellers and Northern nounfebanks - as am sure
Mat aborers will greatly disappointed il they sall
frutf lic
harvest Of abolitionsm &C. and You may rest assured
hat the Cherokee people will never tolerate the propaga
non 81 any such Obnoxious fruit upon their soil And in
snspson have the honor TO rscprocAte the sautaons
" friendship.
lam sir very respectfully, your EsSsIencys obsdient
Eeb. 70, 1851. Principal Chief Of Cherokee Nation
LETTER TO ROSS FROM THE COMMANDER (REBEL) OF
PORT SMITH.
A correspondence was recently opened be-
tween the rebel commander Of Fort Smith and Ross.
sas letter ofthe former exhibits the soictude with which
The rebels Of Arkansas await the attitude Of the Chero
2aee-
HEADQUARTERS, ToRr SIXTH, Nay IL, 1861
S-Informaon has reached this post to the effect that
Senator Lane, of Kansas Is in that State raising
hoops TO operate on the western borders Of Missouri and
Kansas AS it's OF the utmost importance that those
rnstod With the defence Of the Western frontier this
Bate SHOULD understand the position Of Indian tribes
through whose territory the enemy is likely TO pass
md In that capacity representing the State Of Arkansas
nd the Southern coniederaCy Of which she is member
Espec'suy 70 ASK ~ your intention 10 idhere 10 the
united STATES government during the penong conflict OF
you nean 70 support me government OF The southern
ana also whether ia your opinion tue Chero
nee people VIII resist or VIII aid the Southern troops in
any sacn attempt 70 invade ihe sou Of Arkansas
n, on the other hand you think there rs any proba-
q .neir aalns Tue United states iorces N executing
sosH nosthe designs. l nave the honor 10 be, very
sssPectf4iy, your most obedient servant,
.. ~ RANNADf Leu: cSi. Com Eort smith
1on' JOHN moss, fflnclpsi Chei cherokee Nation.
THE REPLY OF ROSS.
IN his reply, Ross under date OF May ~ quotes the in
tsTrogstory part Of the above and concludes
In reply to these inquiries have the honor TO say that
r rights Of soil Of person and Of property, and
n .s ssae,"y, 70 .e peop* ana government OF the
Sasss onvsrn,cnt rr;nr ~, M ,~asant oon,on ~ $50
- shose roatos re,atinn. op a,p;t,, "a ren ;h.
"a ch,,oat,nne were a., sh,ish%S , ~ rs .s.s
Ns.on "a ,ha o, 81 a, @ my T LIZ ,
sons oj ax;st The rh"rnscs has, roua tSar Nv
~ in the nreront denorahe s,ate ~ .srS hn, nv.
1.siv ranair"d nrat TIe ho,,o doro ,"ih,' s.
sS.Sr rehts ~ 20 ds,rrh ,Sa nnrSiai ,r;ndS;, ,
Ssrr and tba,r ,vhita br,hers Wei uea
scstared over large .oc,ion 81 conn,' m ,h oacs
nnrsnts Of aoricnItra ls ,vhont hos;,t, 20 on
md with friendly feelings towards All thew hone 10 he
sNowed TO remain; 90 nnder the soemn convictio that
hey should not be called upon TO participate in the