208 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Boll. 196 



of the number that began the journey fell by the way. Many more 

 died after then- arrival. P^] 



As the emigrants arrived too late in the Season for planting, an 

 Appropriation was made for their subsistance dm-ing that year. 



Some of the Missionaries, true and beloved friends of the Cherokees, 

 went with them and shared with them the trials and hardships by the 

 way; others followed them very soon. 



Forever revered be their memory for that Act of Sympathetic 

 Mercy! 



At the time of the Removal, Mr. John Ross was Principal Chief, 

 and Maj . George Lowrey, Assistant Principal Chief. 



Both had occupied these Stations for several years, having been 

 repeatedly elected by the People. 



As soon as practicable after the arrival of the Emigrants a Conven- 

 tion of all the people was held in order to form a union between the 

 two Divisions. P^] 



George Lowi*ey was chosen President of the Eastern Cherokees, 

 and Sequoyah, George Guess President of the Western. 



By an Act of this Assembly, the two parties agreed to form them- 

 selves into one Body. [^^] 



A system of Government was matured, adapted to their changed 

 condition, providing equally for the protection of all in the enjoyment 

 of their rights. An Instrument was modeled, considered and ap- 

 proved by the respective Chiefs; John Ross, Principal Chief of the 

 Eastern Cherokees; and John Looney, Acting Principal Chief of the 

 Western Cherokees, and signed by a great number of Old Settlers and 

 Late Emigrants. The long journey from the Old Home to the New 

 had caused much sufifering and Loss. 



The people, however, were not wholly disheartened; — Friends and 

 kindred welcomed and sympathized with them, the Missionaries were 

 still with them, their leading men were earnestly interested in their 

 welfare and advancement, and in a few years Prosperity again smiled 

 upon them. However, success did not come to them without great 

 effort on their part. 



Besides the usual difficulties, incident to the Settlers of a new 

 Country, the Cherokees were harrassed by internal strife ; Party feeling 

 ran high. Several men, accused of being implicated in the loss of 

 their old home, were killed at the instigation of a Secret Organization, 

 formed by a few who felt themselves called to avenge the wrongs of 

 their people. P*] Anarchy almost prevailed. 



91 Approximately 4,000 Cherokees perished in the course of the removal (Foreman, G., 1932, p. 312). 

 M The Council of June 3, 1839, at Takatoga. 

 «3 There were two Acts of Union— July 22, 1839, and June 26, 1840. 



»« This refers to the Jime 22, 1839, assassination of Elias Boudinot, Major Eidge, and John Ridge, leaders 

 of the faction that had advocated removal. 



