ROYCE. | TREATY OF DECEMBER 29, 1835. 209 
Proposition of John Ross.—On the 25th of February, Rossand his dele- 
gation, finding that the negotiations with Ridge were proceeding, sub- 
mitted a proposition for removal based upon an allowance of $20,000,000 
for the cession of the territory and the payment of a class of claims of 
nneertain number and value. This was considered so unreasonable as 
to render the seriousness of his proposition doubtful at the time, but it 
was finally modified by an assertion of his willingness to accept such 
sum as the Senate of the United States should declare to be just and 
proper.! Thereupon a statement of all the facts was placed in the 
hands of Senator King, of Georgia, who submitted the same to the Sen- 
ate Committee on Indian Affairs on the 2d of March. It was uot con- 
templated that any arrangement made with these Cherokee delegations 
at this time should be definitive, but that the Cherokee people should be 
assembled for the purpose of considering the subject, and their assent 
asked to such propositions as they might deem satisfactory. 
Resolution of United States Senate on John Ross’s proposition.—The Sen- 
ate gave the matter prompt consideration, and on the 6th of March the 
Secretary of War advised Mr. Ross that by aresolution they had stated 
their opinion that ‘‘ a sum not exceeding $5,000,000 should be paid to the 
Cherokee Indians for all their lands and possessions east of the Missis- 
sippi River,’ and he was invited to enter into negotiations upon that 
basis, but declined to do so. 
Preliminary treaty concluded with the Ridge party.—The treaty between 
Schermerhorn and the Ridge party was thereupon completed with some 
modifications and duly signed on the 14th of March, but with the ex- 
press stipulation that it should receive the approval of the Cherokee 
people in full council assembled before being considered of any binding 
force. The consideration was changed to read $4,500,000 and 800,000 
acres of additional land, but in the main its provisions differed but little 
in the important objects sought to be secured from those contained in 
the treaty as finally concluded, December 29, 1835. 
Schermerhorn and Carroll appointed to complete the treaty.—In the 
mean time,? two days after the conclusion of the preliminary Ridge 
treaty, President Jackson issued an address to the Cherokees, inviting 
them to a calm consideration of their condition and prospects, and urg- 
ing upon them the benefits certain to inure to their nation by the ratifica- 
tion of the treaty just concluded and their removal to the western country. 
This address was intrusted to Rev. J. F. Schermerhorn and General Will- 
iam Carroll, whom the President had appointed on the 2d of April as 
commissioners to complete in the Cherokee country the negotiation of 
the treaty. 
General Carroll being unable on account of ill-health to proceed from 
Nashville to the Cherokee Nation, Mr. Schermerhorn was compelled to 
assume the responsibilities of the negotiation alone. The entire suin- 


‘Memorandum delivered by Secretary of War to Senator King, of Georgia, February 
28, 1835. 
2 March 16, 1835. 
