growing out of the removal agitation, but, according to the
testimony of old Cherokee acquainted with the facts, the killing was
due to a more personal motive.*
The Cherokee were now nearly worn out by constant battle against
a fate from which they could see no escape. In February, 1835, two
rival delegations arrived in Washington, One, the national party,
headed by John Ross, came prepared still to tight to the end for home
and national existence. The other, headed by Major John Ridge, a
prominent subchief, despairing of further successful resistance, was
prepared to negotiate for removal. Reverend J. F. Schermerhorn
was appointed commissioner to arrange with the Ridge party a treaty
to he confirmed later by the Cherokee people in general council. On
this basis a treaty was negotiated with the Ridge party by which the
Cherokee were toin full council assembled before being considered
of any binding force. This much accomplished, Mr. Schermerhorn
departed for the Cherokee country, armed with an address from
President Jackson in which the great benefits of removal were set
forth to the Cherokee. Having exhausted the summer and fall in
fruitless effort to secure favorable action, the reverend gentleman
notified the President, proposing either to obtain the signatures of
the leading Cherokee by promising them payment for their improve-
ments at their own valuation, if in any degree reasonable, or to con-
clude a treaty with a part of the Nation and compel its acceptance
by the rest. He was promptly informed by the Secretary of War,
Lewis Cass, on behalf of the President, that the treaty, if concluded
at all, must be procured upon fair and open terms, with no particular
promise