We the warriors chiefs and representatives of the cherokee Nation Resident
and living in the following towns of Chota, Toquoh,
Cettico, Little Telliquo Tumotly, Nioh or the Tassell's town, Coettee,
Chilhowah Tallassee, Great Telliquoh, Big Highwassa,
Cheestowa, Eastanora, Chatanugah, Chickamaugah, Stickoe,
Ottilletaraconahah, Catatogah, Nicojackee, Tuskeegah, and
Cheescheehaha, our said towns lying and being on the Great rivers of
tenasee Telliquo, highwassa Ammoah &c. &c.
We the said warriors representatives And Cheifs being Met at our ancient
and beloved town of Chota on Tenasee at our Council
fire having Considered the Nature and Circumstance of our Country And
Nation, Are sorry to inform our Elder brother
General Washington, and the Great Council of the united States That from
the bad Conduct of some of our young and
Inconsiderate men too much encouraged by bad white men, who too often
Frequent our nation under pretentions of doing us
good Services and keeping peace Between us and our Elder Brothers the
Americans: Have darkened our land with war, and
Stained our White Chair of Fre[i]ndship with blood, but to our great Joy
the Great Sperit above have removed the Cloud &
Permits the Sun to Shine again in friendship upon Each party tho the
darkness have lasted so long that Our Country and towns
have been Spoiled, our Selves become Naked, and Suffer much with Hunger.
We still remember and abide by the treaty held with your Commissioners in south Carolina in the year l785. And tho our hunting grounds and towns north of tenesee and holeson rivers is sold unto white people for to Settle upon without our Consent, we still hope Congress will have mercy Upon us: For if our country is all taken from us we shall not be able to raise our children neither is there any place left for us to remove too. We rejoice much to hear that the Great Congress have got new powers And have become Strong. we now Hope that whatever is done hereafter by the Great Council will no more be destroyed and made small by any State: We shall always be ready to listen with open Ears And Willing hearts to you or any one Joined with you & to no other for protection, & regulating all matters. We beg leave to Make it Known to your Great And beloved Council, that we have appointed & Constituted our beloved brother Bennit Balew, to be our Cheife And Representative, in And over all that part of the Cherokee Nation |
Done in Council at Chota the l9th day of May 1789. Signed and Acknowledged before us. |
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X HICKOGESKEE
X AUCOEE X OKILLOLEE X FOTACHAWEE X AOWAYALLOW X KEENERTITER X CUNESU TTEHIE X WOLSCONEE X AMMOCHULOLOCA X OHALUCA X CHENOWEE X TETARTELSEA X CLAUNUSEE X NONTONAKEY X SAYOVOTA X SQUOLLEEOTTE X AMMODANESCA X COOSATEHEE X AIANOHALEE X SUTONIKEI X JOHN STEPHENS: h. Breed X CULFUTTEHEE X UTTANSO X CHEUCONESEE Source: DePauw, l974, 185-187. |