Draft copy of letter from Chief John Ross to John Howard Payne regarding arrest experience, the Memorial, a pamphlet 'To a Gentleman of Philadelphia', the Seminole Delegation, and the Billingsgate Pamphlet of Elias Boudinot. (Moulton) Sheets of paper with handwritten text in ink. Folder 294

Inscribed in ink, "Copy of a letter"

Washington City January 27th 1838 1 My dear Sir I have been honored with the company of your friend Mr. Clarke of the Navy – and permit me to say that I am highly pleased with his acquaintance – for your kind remembrance of me, thro’ the politeness of that Gentleman, I return you my sincere thanks – as you are aware, I have been in this City for nearly four months! Shame and confusion overcome me for my negligence in not writing you before this – In justice to my feelings however, I can, notwithstanding this inexplicable neglect, in truth say, that the remembrance of my worthy friend J. Howard Payne has ever been warm in my heart – and I trust, so as long as the vital spark shall exist to give an impulse to that heart – that ­he never can, never will and never shall be forgotten by John Ross – aye, my dear Sir, there are incidence in our acquaintance, which never, never can be obliterated from my mind – and in looking back to the tempestuous scenes which we have experienced together, from the ruffian hand of tyranny, my feelings of personal attachment for you as a compatriot of injured innocence, is awakened for your future welfare and happiness -. I took the liberty of sending you a few days since, a document containing the Memorial of the Cherokee Delegation [Page 2] to the present congress with accompanying papers in relation to Cherokee affairs – these papers will show what has been said and done by the Cherokee Nation since I had the pleasure of seeing you – I presume, our mutual friend Mr. Tyson has also sent you the pamphlet containing my letter “to a Gentleman of Philadelphia.” The dark cloud and threatening storm, which has time past been gathering in the horizon o’er my my [sic] Native lands, seem now to be fully charged & is on the eve of exploding its combustible elements. In this awful crisis, we can but resign one destiny in the hands of Him “who directs the storm and rides upon the whirlwind” – how peculiarly mysterious is the will of Providence in the fate of mortal man! in reflecting upon my own career in public life, my mind is imperceptibly drawn into the scenes I have encountered, and the perils which I have escaped, and thus in attempting to scan the fortuitous events of my humble life, I have been forced to stretch my view over the extended field of Nations, where I see a mighty people once had risen in Glory; and at last, in degradation, been sunk in the depth of oblivion! And where others from insignificance has risen up into splendor and renown -. In these things I behold in wonder! The power and glory of omnipotent God – and I am lost in amazement. When obeying the will of my people I have been grossly [Page 3] charged by others with controling [sic] that will – when I advised the observance of patience and forbearance under the reliance of the faith of treaties, with the hope that the U. States would in the end be just – I have been unblushingly accused with holding out false hopes to the Cherokee people and a betrayal of their confidences! And this too by public functionaries of the U. S. Govt. – On a recent occasion and in compliance with the desire of the Govt. I appointed a special deputation to penetrate the deep swamps and hammocks of Florida and there to visit the Seminole Chiefs & Warriors, in the character of peace makers – the deputation to whom this duty was assigned, consisted of a Cherokee preacher of unblemished character, Jesse Bushyhead of the Baptist denomination – with his bible in his pocket for his shield – and three other gallant men, Messr. [sic] Hair Conrad, Richard Fields, and Thomas Woodward – with their interpreter. Conrad and Woodward during the last war under Genl. Jackson signalized themselves in the tented field for their unsurpassed bravery – and Mr. Fields when but a youth just from school, had also served under Genl. Jackson in his campaign against the Florida Indians – and whose father Capt. George Fields commanded a Company of Cherokee volunteers under Genl. Jackson in the last war, & was severely wounded in a battle fought at Talledega [sic] – and who is now receiving a pension for said wound -. This deputation, regardless of the hazardous enterprise, cheerfully [Page 4] and successfully performed the duty entrusted to their charge – they met the Chiefs and warriors of the Seminoles in Council in the midst of their fastness – delivered them the peace talk, & held out the hand of friendship to them – it was received and the pipe of peace was smoked between them. Micanopy the Principal Chief with 12 other Chiefs and a number of warriors then forthwith accompanied the Cherokee Mediations under the white flag of peace into the lines of the American Army – but alas! They have all been seized and confined as prisoners of war by the American General and under his order transported to Fort Augustine and from thence to Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. The Cherokee mediation upon leaving Florida brought a letter from the Comdg. General to the Hon. Secry. [sic] of War highly approving of their faithful conduct in Florida, and a similar letter from the Genl. to themselves has also been received by them. Since their arrival here for the purpose of reporting their proceedings in Florida. The affairs of the Cherokee Nation have been presented before Congress for adjustment – and the pen of the secret calumniator has been employed and the voice of slander is now raised against the Cherokee Mediators in the Hall of Congress under the solemn charge of treachery! And to cap the climax the billingsgate pamphlet of Elias Boudinot which has been [Page 5] published for more than twelve months since as a private affair, has been ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate at the instance of Mr. Lumpkin of Georgia. How superlatively disgraceful and degrading to the American Character must it be – if such base and perfidious acts should finally triumph over truth honor and justice in the termination of the Cherokee case. Heretofore as you are aware, I considered to treat this libelous pamphlet of Boudionots [sic] with silent contempt. Knowing that it would not be believed by the Cherokees who might read it, because they could themselves detect the falsehoods inserted in it – but since the August Senate of the United States has deigned, to order its republication for the use of its Honorable Members – it may now be proper that I should present a reply to it, thro’ the Senate – Justice to myself, as well as to truth, at least seems to require this, if it does not, imperiously demand it of me. I regret that I have not, at hand, such documentary facts, as will be necessary to refer to, in refuting certain paragraphs of misrepresentations contained in this pamphlet. I will send you a copy of the pamphlet and if your convenience and inclination will justify you in doing so, and in as much as you have some important Cherokee documents in your possessions, which I have not; may I be permitted to ask the favor of you to draw up such a rejoinder, as in your judgment [Page 6] would be proper to be submitted to the Senate, and send the same to me by mail – please to accept my sincere thanks for the newspapers you had the goodness to send me some time since, and permit me in conclusion to add, that I was much gratified in the perusal of the articles they contained. Is there no probability of you being in Washington during Congress? Did Mr. Catlin hand you a copy of my Talk to the Chiefs & warriors of the Seminoles? And is he gone to Charleston with the view of painting the exiled Chiefs of that Nation? I should be gratified to be informed upon these points – and at all times be happy in hearing from you. My associate delegates here are all in good health, and as are the late Mediators to the Seminoles – and all of whom, remember you with respect and esteem – I am Dear Sir, very respectfully And sincerely yr. [sic] friend & Obt. [sic] Servt. [sic] John Ross John Howard Payne Esq. New York [Page 7] P.S. Yours old friend Going Snake was in moderate health – and he has very often enquired of me respecting you, and with the purest feelings of friendship the patriot Speaker, will ever hold the mane of Oowahestahnahee in remembrance – his brother, Sleeping Rabbit, is no more, he died last fall, and also Sicketawee is dead – he died last winter. Mr. Lowrey was in the enjoyment of good health. Yrs. Truly John Ross

[Transcribed by Jerry Thompson., 2014-09-02]