The Van Buren press., 1861-02-08
Hon. John Ross Letter.

JoHx Ross. Principal Chief of the Chero
kea Nation. The extract from the Gazette
e alluded to appeared in . column which W
: have disposed of for time, and over whicl
we have no control. 1t is true as Mr.. Ros
asserts. that the most friendly relations ex
list between the citizens of the Cheroke,
Nation and those of Arkansas and tn,
same is also true of the Chocts1xs. Chicka
saws and Creeks. The citizens o. West
ern Arkansas have daily. social and bust
ness intercourse with the citizens of the ad-
joining Nations-their interests are simila,
and in the event of any disturbance. grow
ing out of the existing state of federal af
fairs, they will be found acting in concert
with us. The people of Western Arkan-
sas. do not endorse the article of the Gazette.
at least so far as relates to our neighbors Of
the adjoining Nations.
LETTER FROM HON. JOHN ROSS.
TAHLEoUAH, sCHERoKEE NArIoH.l
February lst, 1861.
EDITOR VAN BUREs PREss:
SIR-A portion of the extract from
an editorial in the Arkansss State Gazette,
appeared in your issue Of the 25th inst,
prompts me to make the following remarks.
That article assumes, that "in the event
Arkansas secedes from the Union, q war on
her Western frontier is inevitable. That
Abolition enemies of the South will hiss
the Indians upon her; that murderers, in
cendiaries and robbers will look upon the
opportunity as the best that has offered dur
ing life time for the indulgence of their
hellish passions and to save her from be-
ing over-run and devastated by savages and
worse than sarages, she must look to Ten
nessee, Kentucky and Missouri
The Indians upon tine western frontier of
Arkansas are the Cherokees. Greeks. Chick
asaws and Choctaws, and are doubtless the
" savages who are to be Kissed on the
citizens of that State by her abolition ene-
mics. Upon what authority this charge is
made, by 50 respectable . sheet as the Ga
zette is, am at loss to conceive. / am
aware Of nothing in the condition of the In
dians named. that justi6es any suspicion
even of the kind. So far as the Cherokees
are involved, feel authorized to say, that
the imputation does them great, though in.
territorial wrong. However savage and un-
civilized they may be in the opinion of gen.
tlemen of the press abroad, the fact cannot
be denied that they have important interests
at stake, in the issue of the present crisis
The most friendly relations exist on both
sides of the line" and fair-play and
sound policy should not allow the creating
of unfounded prejudices and animosity
against them, among the citizens of the
State. 1t is true their political relations are
with the Government of the u States, but
that they have been faithful to their treaties
in the past, ought not to he cause of appre-
hension in regard to item for the future
1.-The Stars and Stripes though an en-
blem of superior power, is also the Shield
of their protection. They all know ,ba,
Fiag-many of them have fought beneath
it, and they hope that it NV continue to
wave over an unbroken onion. Their frs,
wish is for peace and nrotect;on bv ,be
General Govern, .u,rnI, as rney nave known
it: But If ambition. passion and prejudice
blindiy and wickelly destroy it-with faiI
guarantee for their rights. they will &c
, where their institutions and their geograph-
ical position place them with Arkansas
and Missouri.
This is doubtless, the prevailing senti-
ment among all the savages" ON the
Frontier OF Arkansas. They have as valu-
able interests at stake as the people of the
States. and will be disposed. when the
proper time arrives. to assist and maintain
them to the best of their humble abilities
They have no hostility to any part of the
United States, and last of all to the people
of the Frontier, with whom they hold dai-
ly commerce. They are also at peace
among themselves and in the quiet enjoy
ment of their rights of person and proper
ty. and the reports of certain Government
Officials, to the contrary notwithstanding
No combinations exist here to interfere with
either. Arkansas has nothing to apprehend
from the Cherokees, and no selfish effort
should be made to create alarm among hel
citizens. Our relations are intimate and
corlial-our interests not unlike. Lei
them remain SO by the exercise of justice
confidence and honorable treatment.
Your ob't servant,
JNO. ROSS.