Document: WT022
[Letter] 1839 July 4, Washington City, D.C. [to] Jason L. [and] Saith Hyatt, Fort Hembree, North Carolina / W[illiam] H[olland] T[homas]
author: Thomas, William Holland, 1805-1893
date: July 4, 1839
extent: 2p
summary: Letter dated July 4, 1839 from William Holland Thomas to Jason L. and Saith Hyatt. Thomas tells the Hyatts that he forwarded their claims to T. Hartley Crawford, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, but that Crawford has yet to act on them because his department is busy with claims relative to treaties with the Creeks and other tribes.
repository: Hoskins Special Colections Library, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
collection: MS2058 William Holland Thomas
box: 1
folder: 1
document: wt022
subject headings:Letters
Cherokee Indians--Claims
Creek Indians--Treaties
United States. Office of Indian Affairs
Cherokee Indians--Government relations
Fourth of July celebrations
North Carolina
Page: [1] [djvu image | jpg image]
Washington City DC July 4, 1839
Dear Sir,
I called the attention of Mr Crawfordto your claims and Mr Loves, immediately after his return to the city but owing to the great quantity of business arrising [arising] under the Creekand other treaties he has not yet acted on it but I presume he will in the course of this month, he is progressing with the investigation of the business transacted by the board of Commissioners under the Cherokeetreaty of 1835 respecting which he seems not to have come to any conclusion as to their decisions on claims being final. Though yesterday in conversation he informed me he thought it probable he would decide their decisions on claims provided for by the treaty in the opinion of this Department would be final but if claims had been allowed which in the opinion of the Department had not been provided for in that case the decisions would be reversed and as to the rejected claims he was [deleted: of] inclined to think none could be allowed by the Department, but it is obvious Mr Crawfordmust in some respects change his opinion as to the decisions of the Commissioners for if he decids [decides] that a part of the decisions on claims allowed are not final it follows that their decisions can not be regarded as final on any and a reinvestigation must take place of all the claims, which would no doubt be the advantage of the claimants, I am engaged in making out a report to the Department of all the money due the Cherokeesremaining under the provisions of the treaty, with a view if I can do nothing more that it may be retained and not sent west, I expect to have to remain here until the first of next month, I will endeavor in the meantime to promote the interest of those who have intrusted me with their business as much as in my power, your claim will be disposed of in some way before I leave and I am in hopes will be in a manner satisfactory to you
This is an Idle day here as relates to business transactions this and christmas are days on which clerks and all public officers are allowed by act of Congress to suspend business. This morning the fire and church Bells commenced ringing at light accompanied by a
Page: [2] [djvu image | jpg image] discharge of small cannon, at ten the infantry paraded in uniforms & march to the Baptist Church where an oration was delivered and the declaration of Independence read accompanied at intervals by a Band of Music, but it would afford me much more happiness to be with my friends in Cherokeethan to be here where there is such a display of the fashionable and gay, give my respects to your friends
yours & c [et cetera]
[Signed] WHT [William Holland Thomas] .
Jason L& Saith Hyatt
Fort HembreeHiywasseeNC [North Carolina]
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