treaty of 1*17 the western Cherokee acquired
title to a definite territory and official standing under Government pro-
tection and supervision, the lands assigned them Inning been acquired
by treaty from the Osage. The great body of the Cherokee in the
East were strongly opposed to any recognition of the western hand,
seeing in such action only the beginning of an effort looking toward
the ultimate removal of the whole tribe. The Government lent sup-
port to the scheme, however, and a steady emigration set in until, in
lM'.t. the emigrant^ were said to number several thousands. Unsuc-
cessful endeavors were made to increase the number by inducing the
Shawano and Delaware* of Missouri and the Oneida of New York to
join them.'
In L818 Tollunteeskee (Ata'lunti'ski), principal chief of the Arkan-
sas Cherokee, while on a visit to old friendsin the East, had become
acquainted with one of the officers of the American Board of Commis-
sioners for Foreign Missions, and had asked for the establishment of
a mission among his people in the West. In response to the invitation
the Reverend Cephas Washburn and his assistant. Reverend Alfred
Finney, with their families, set out the next year from the old Nation.
and after a long and exhausting journey reached the Arkansas country,
where, in the spring of 1820, they established Dwight mission, adjoin-
ing the agency at the mouth of Illinois creek, on the northern bank
of the Arkansas, in what is now Pope county, Arkansas. The name
was bestowed in remembrance of Timothy Dwight. a Yale president
and pioneer organizer of the American Hoard. Tollunteeskee having
died in the meantime was succeeded as principal chief by his