Excerpt of an 1833 letter from John Ridge to Georgia Governor Wilson Lumpkin, urging Wilson to force John Ross into a treaty.

This letter from pro-removal Cherokee leader John Ridge to Georgia Governor Wilson Lumpkin, dated September 22, 1833, criticizes anti-removal Cherokee leader John Ross and suggests that Ross and his followers should be forced into a treaty.

Transcription:

Indian

Cassville Ga 22d. Sept. 1833.

Dear Sir,

I have been intending to write to you on the Indian Affairs for some time, but the press of business in conducting the business of our nation at this interesting period, has prevented. I feel pleasure now to say that our cause prospers, & I believe will result in the general Cession of the Nation. The views taken in a communication by a Gentleman of the bar in the Georgia -- Pioneer on the Cherokee treaty, Should be republished with the correction of misprints in the paper alluded to. John Ross & his party will try -- to outlive the Administration of Genl. Jackson if they are not forced into the treaty, & it now -- depends upon the treaty party to -- take a bold and decided stand. We have gained so much now

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in Georgia & Alabama, that we shall soon organise head chiefs & a regular Council for those two states and close the -- treaty -- However this is conditioned upon the refusal of the Ross party to Join in a general treaty -- He has requested a Conference, and we have accepted it, & it is possible that we may agree to make a General Cession. This Conference will be held it is proposed on the 2d. Monday in Oct. next in the chartered limits of Tennessee -- If that Council passes by with our bringing the parties to an understanding, you may depend upon a vigorous course of measures on our part.