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Cherokee chief (1790–1866) who helped draft the Cherokee Constitution of 1827. During his tenure as chief he opposed displacement of the tribe from its native lands, but this resistance would prove futile in 1838, when President Andrew Jackson ordered the removal of the tribe to present-day Oklahoma in what was to become known as the 'Trail of Tears.' Important manuscript document, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 12.5, September 15, 1865, endorsed on the reverse in ink, "Copy of charge made by the U.S. Commissioners at Fort Smith. J. Ross, Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation." The document, a manuscript copy boasting the secretarial signatures of five United States commissioners, outlines charges of disloyalty against the Cherokee leader. In part: "Whereas John Ross, an educated Cherokee formerly chief of the Nation, became the emissary of the States in rebellion and by means of his superior education and ability as such emissary induced many of his people to abjure their allegiance to the United States and to join the States in rebellion, inducing those who were warmly attached to the Government to aid the enemies thereof; and whereas, he now sets up claim to the office of Principal Chief, and by his subtle influence is at work poisoning the minds of those who are truly loyal: and whereas, he is endeavoring by his influence as pretended first chief to dissuade the loyal delegation of Cherokees now at this council, from a free & open expression of their sentiments of loyalty to the U.S….
We believe him still at heart an enemy of the United States & disposed to breed discord among his people, and that he does not represent the will & wishes of the loyal Cherokees; and is not the choice of any considerable portion of the Cherokee Nation for the office which he claims, but which by their law we believe he does not in fact hold; now therefore we the undersigned Commissioners sent by the President of the United States to negotiate treaties with the Indians of the Indian Territory refuse as commissioners in any way or manner to recognize said Ross as Chief of the Cherokee Nation."
The reverse is endorsed in Ross's own hand, and also bears a contemporary provenance caption: "This paper is a copy of the charges against John Ross, Chief Cherokees, wh. led to his removal from that position, in consequence of wh. it is said his death was hastened. It has the writing of Ross upon it, written whilst on his sick bed, shortly before his death & is one of his last signatures. It was given me directly by Hon. D. N. Cooley, Com. Ind. Affairs, Oct. 9, 1866." In fine condition.
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