treaty was unanimous and irrecon-
cilable, the Cherokee declaring that it could not bind them because
they did not make it. that it was the work of a few unauthorized indi
viduals and that the Nation was not a party to it. They had retained
the forms of their government, although no election had been held
since 1830, having continued the officers then in charge until their gov-
ernment could again be reestablished regularly. Under this arrange-
ment John Ross was principal chief, with influence unbounded and
unquestioned. "The whole Nation of eighteen thousand persons is
with him. the few — about three hundred — who made the treaty having
left the country, with the exception of a small number of prominent
individuals — as Ridge, Boudinot, and others — who remained to assist
in carrying it into execution. Itthe opposition were Henry Clay, Daniel Webster,
Edward K\ erett, Wise of Virginia, and 1 >avid ( Ii'ockett. The speeches
in Congress upon the subject ••were characterized by a depth and bit-
terness of feeling such as had never been exceeded even on the slavery
question." 1 It was considered not simply an Indian question, but an
issue between state rights on the one hand and federal jurisdiction and
the ( institution on the other.
In spite of threats of arrest and punishment, Ross still continued
active effort in behalf of his people. Again, in the spring of I 838, t wo
months before the time fixed for the removal, he presented to Con-
gress another protest and memorial, which, like the others, was tabled
by the Senate. Van Buren had now succeeded Jackson and was dis-
posed to allow