New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-03
JOHN Ross on his Way to washingten,


John Ress or his Way to Washingtont
Tie Commercial AdAU,iser Of Monday had the
following interesting statement OF fact taken from
the lips Of the Cherokee Chief, John Ross who ID
now on his way 10 Washington:
John Ross, Chief Of the Cherokee Nation, arrived
in this city Last evening and s now staying at the
~. Nichols He will remain here day OF two.
when lie Will visit Washington for the purpose OF
LAYING the Affairs Of his nation before tie Govern.
men. Accompanying him are bis brother Lewil
Ro.s. VIM. Ross, a nephew, and about forty other
members Of the family.
soon after the inaueu ra,on Of Secession, Arkansas
and Missouri having gone ont Of the Union Commis.
.on.rs were sent from Texas and Arkansls TO the
Cherokee TO induce them break of their connec,
ton with the United States and take up arms in
half of the c. 5. A. This John Ross declined TO 90,
aud accordingly -sled proclamation Of neutrality,
advising the Cherokees to take no part in the war,
ana telling them that inasmucb Sc they were bound
TO the United States By ties of governmental rela-
tonahip. while they were bound to the Southern
Confederacy by geographical position, the nation
,hould assume q neutral attitude IL tie matter.
1Ais proclamation received the unanimous favor
of the Iherokees and neutral position was main.
tanned for some time. Afterward Gen. Albert Pike
was appointed Commissioner by the Contederacy to
wait upon the Chief Of the Cberokees and persuade
hinl n n re sides with the Rebels. Gen. Pike ac-
COMMISSIONS of Indian Afars for tie Coniederacy,
visited the Nation and attempts we're more made
to draw tie Cherokees inlo the war, but net with
failure.
A position Of neutrality was observed until the
month Of August 1861. At that time the Cherokees,
OF all the Indian nations alone remained true to the
Union tie Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and
semlnoles having thrown their strength Oh the ride
Of ;he South. Gen. Pike entered into negotiations
with thes. tribes, thus leaving the Cherokees en-
trey surrounded by the armed power Of the Con.
fe ieiucy All along the frontier of tae Rebel terri
ri,ory q large army was maintained, and every
threat was m de induce the CherOkees - enlist on
the i ie of the SecessiOnists.
general convention of the nation was then held,
a; when resolutions were passed authorizing tho
authorities Of the nation 10 enter into negotiations
with the South. A treaty was accordingly signed
on the 7th Of October fOlowingi the Confederacy
promising protection TO the Cherokee people, and
guaranteeing 10 pay The funds that were cue then
from the United States. The Cherokees, on their
part agreed 70 raise regiment of mounted men for
the defense Of the country, which was accordingly
organized aud entered upon Its duties. But the pro.
lection promised by the Confederate States was not
given and the Cherokees, who had been drawn into
the rebell0us movement by actual stress OF ciFcun.
stances became Dissatisfied snd expressed their Gle
pleasure openly.
Some the subsequent 10 this portion Of Gen.
Rlunt'e kausas command under Col. Weir, nun.
boring between g. 900 AID 1900 men, beside TWO In.
dian regiments, moved TO within - miles of Fort
Gibson which located Is miles east Of the seat Of
tie Government.
This movement and near approach Of Union
troops hailed with Joy by the plEessed Chero.
k.e- WHO promptly maiest tel their real sentiments,
ana avOwed their continued hdehty 10 tue United
States. Ills resulted IN much Immediate good 10
the / mon cause. The regiment " hich had been Or
gauz,d under tie auspices OF tie Coniederacy came
over to tie Union army and were enthusiastically
welcomed by the Union troops.
About e middle Of July another regiment, com.
manded by Col Phillips, was mustered into the
Uni cd States service. Eight drea men IL all Of
tie Cberokees now in the Union army. Al this
time tue Union forces under COL W cir tel back
iron their position Fort Gibson. IN The direction
# Fort Scott the Confederate ioioes being III Fort
u Wis uuCer command vi Col. Cooper.
Aboat "A month ago Col. Cloud, with one piece Of
artillery and several hundred troops, marched to
Park Dill tie residence oi John koss about twenty
niles from Font GDson,l and escorted MIR. ROss aud
his family To Fort Scott, from which pace they were
To l.eayenwortb oy company uuder Capt.
Avns Tue archives and funds OF tue ration were
fcuest away. Col. Cloud while at Park In,
PROMISED protection TO the Cherokees who had voiun-
feerud III the Rebel army II they would Jay down
heir arms More than iour iiitas OF tie ChcroAees
accepted tnis proposition, and LAID down down !AeH
arms immediately.
Union forces there ana the prospects Of the nation
were dark indeed. The negroes had all stampeded
" hen Col Weirs forces entered the country, and
here much depression among the inhabitants on
account OF The gloomy state Of affairs. The Rebel
Seusrd Cooper stIll ut Fort Davis and every
.iUn will dOubleiess be made 10 Draw the nation in.
o Il lebelous attitude again.
The korses, WHO OF the class Of nature noble.
neu, hay. lost "a their property by their firm ad.
ference 10 the Union. Tho Welt Of the Cui,f TO
\ aehng ton will probably result in something icing
lone 70 protect the Cherokees in their Maintenance
4 loyal position.