204 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 196 



whites continued, and no wonder, for no less than sixteen treaties 

 were made with the United States, each one requiring land to be given 

 up, and likewise, each one promising to protect the Cherokees in 

 their homes. 



Companies of Emigrants were very frequently seen, on their way 

 to the "Far West." Reluctant, indeed, they were to leave their 

 loved homes, and the "graves of their Dead." Love of peace urged 

 them on. And they believed that only by seeking a new Country, 

 they could build up permanent homes for their children. Sequoyah, 

 whose English name was George Guess, went with that division of 

 his people who emigrated prior to the "Treaty of 1834-35." PI and 

 continued to be one of their leading men. Aaron Price P°l for quite 

 a number of years, was Principal Chief of the "Western Cherokees," 

 who after the Union were called, "Old Settlers." After Price, John 

 Jolly was chosen Principal Chief and filled the oflBce acceptably to his 

 people. Black Coat and Col. Walter Webber were elected Second 

 and Third Chiefs; the three Chiefs were invested with equal authority 

 and received the same Salary, — one hundred dollars each. 



The Western Cherokees manifested the same zeal in improvement, 

 in civilization, and educational advantages as before their emigration. 

 The difference of climate was a severe tax on their health, and many of 

 them died.p^] 



Besides this, they were obliged to be always on their guard, on 

 account of the Osages, who were continually committing depredations, 

 as driving away their horses and cattle, &c. 



All this led to long and troublesome wars with the Osages. The 

 difficulty was eventually settled by a Treaty with the United States, 

 and the lines of boundary between the two Nations settled decided. P^] 

 In a few years the Western Settlers began to be very prosperous; and 

 were very much pleased with their change. During all this time, the 

 majority of the Tribe continued in their homes, looking to their Chiefs 

 for advice and protection. 



The Chiefs and Headmen relied on the good faith of the Government 

 of the United States, who had in the Treaty gauranteed to them their 

 Country for ever, using the expression, "As long as grass grows, and 

 water runs." 



In no case had the Cherokees signed away their inheritance. 



" Treaty of New Echota, December 29, 1835. 



so Tahlonteesgee immediately preceded Joiin Jolly. This personal name and also designation for the Old 

 Settler capital near what is now Vian, in Sequoyah County, Okla., is possibly derived from afdhalv*di:sgi 

 ('One-Who-Makes-a-Notch-in-a-Tree'). 



81 The reports of missionaries attest to the high incidence of malaria. 



8« It Is not clear which treaty is in reference here— the Treaty of St. Louis. June 3, 1825, or the Treaty of 

 Fort Gibson, January 11, 1839. 



