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Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842

Document: WT119

[Letter] 1839 Nov 26, Washington City, [D.C. to] Jno. [i.e., John] F. Gillaspie, Nashville, Ten[nessee] / W[illiam] H[olland] T[homas]

author: Thomas, William Holland, 1805-1893
date: November 26, 1839
extent: 1p
summary: This is a letter, dated November 26, 1839, from William Holland Thomas to John F. Gillaspie in which Thomas discusses some of the difficulties in settling the Eastern Cherokee claims. Thomas says that he believes the Commissioner of Indian Affairs will reject the claims that he is presently reviewing and that they will have to go before Congress. He also mentions that the War Department has decided to delay payments to Cherokees because of strife among the Cherokees who emigrated and that delegates of the Cherokees in the West are soon expected in Washington.
repository: Hoskins Special Colections Library, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
collection: MS2058 William Holland Thomas
box: 1
folder: 1
document: wt119
subject headings:

Letters

Cherokee Indians--Claims

Cherokee Indians--Government relations

Cherokee Indians--Legal status, laws, etc.

United States. Office of Indian Affairs

North Carolina

Page: [1] [djvu image | jpg image]

Washington City Nov 26, 1839

Jno. [John] F. Gillaspie
NashvilleTen,
Dear sir.

I am yet here and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs has not yet completed his decisions he will probably get through next week. I am still of opinion the decisions made by the board of Commissioners will be confirmed, and the rejected claims we will have to go to Congress for. But it will probably be advisable to obtain payment for the claims allowed before that application is made. In consequence of the existing difficulties with the western Cherokeesgrowing out of the [added: murders of the] Ridges& Boudinottthe Department has come to the [deleted: Conclusion] determination not to pay them any of their money due under the treaty of 1835 until those difficulties are settled. But as both delegations will be here in a short time it is [deleted: presumable] probable they may effect a compromise -- which may be satisfactory unless they do it is not probable any payment will be made nor is it in my opinion advisable to bring the rejected claims before Congress. when the Commissioner completes his decisions I will inform you

yours &c [et cetera]
[Signed] WHT [William Holland Thomas]