noycr.] TREATY OF OCTOBER 24, 1804. 187 
Cherokees having refused both these propositions, Agent Meigs was 
directed! to secure the granting of the road privilege, if possible, by 
offering Vann® and other men of influence among them a proper in- 
ducement to enlist their active co-operation in the matter. This latter 
method seems to have been effective, for later in the season* the Sec- 
retary of War transmitted to the governors of Georgia and Tennessee 
an extract from an agreement entered into with the Cherokees pro- 
viding for an opening of the desired road, stating that, as the United 
States had no funds applicable to the laying out and construction of 
such a road, it would be proper for the legislatures of those States to 
make the necessary provision therefor. 
The clamor for more land by the constant tide of immigration that 
was flowing into Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia from the North and 
East became more and more importunate. The desire to settle on In- 
dian land was as potent and insatiable with the average border settler 
then as it is now. 
FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS AUTHORIZED. 
Notwithstanding the recent and oft-repeated refusals of the Chero- 
kees to part with more land, a new commission, consisting of Return J. 
Meigs and Daniel Smith, was appointed and instructed* by the Secre- 
tary of War to negotiate a treaty for the cession of lands in Kentucky, 
Tennessee, or Georgia, and particularly of the tract near the Currahee 
Mountain, including the Wafford settlement. 
They were authorized to pay for the first cession « sum not exceed- 
ing $14,000, coupled with an annuity of $3,000, and for the ‘* Wafford 
tract” not exceeding $5,000, together with an annuity of $1,000, and 
were directed to give ‘* Vann,” a Cherokee chief, $200 or $300 to secure 
his influence in favor of the proposed purchase. 
Purchase of Wafford settlement tract.—In pursuance of these instrue- 
tions a conference was held with the Cherokees at Tellico, Tenn.,° at 
which they concluded the arrangements for the cession of the Wafford 
tract, but failed in their further objects. The treaty was signed on the 
24th of October, and transmitted to the Secretary of War a week 
later,’ two persons haying been appointed to designate and run the 

May 30, 1803. 
2“Vann” was a half-breed of considerable ability and shrewdness, and was at this 
time perhaps the most influential chief among the Cherokees. His home was on the 
route of the proposed Georgia road, and when the road was constructed he opened a 
store and house of entertainment for travelers, from which he derived a considerable 
income. 
3Letter of Secretary of War to governors of Georgia and Tennessee, dated No- 
bember 21, 1803. 
4 April 4, 1804. 
®October 10,1804. Sce letter of Daniel Smith to Secretary of War, October 31, 1504. 
®Oetober 31, 1804. 
