ROYCE, ] TREATY OF AUGUST 6, 1846. 327 
tion for permitting enlistments of Cherokees of Confederate sympathies 
was in accordance with the views expressed to him by Ross in an inter- 
view occurring some eight or ten days previous, wherein the latter had 
observed that in case of an invasion from the North he himself would lead 
the Cherokees to repel it. Ross, in his reply above alluded to, takes 
occasion to assure McCulloch that the latter had misapprehended his 
language. It was only in case of a foreign invasion that he had offered 
to lead his men in repelling it. He had not signified any purpose as to 
an invasion by either the Northern or Southern forces, because he had 
not apprehended and could not give his consent to any. 
Some time in August! a convention was assembled at Tahlequah upon 
the eall of John Ross, to take into consideration the question of the 
difficulties and dangers surrounding the Cherokee Nation and to de- 
termine the most advisable method of procedure. At this convention 
a number of speeches were made, all of which were bitterly hostile in 
tone to the United States and favorable to an open alliance with the 
Southern Confederacy. Ross, among others, gave free expression to 
his views, and according to the published version of his remarks gave 
it as his opinion that an understanding with the Confederacy was the 
best thing for the Cherokees and ail other Indians to secure and that 
without delay; that, as for himself, he was and always had been a 
Southern man, a State rights man; born in the South, and a slave- 
holder; that the South was fighting for its rights against the oppres- 
sions of the North, and that the true position of the Indians was with 
the Southern people. After this speech the convention, which was at- 
tended by four thousand male Cherokees, adopted without a dissenting 
voice a resolution to abandon their relations with the United States and 
to form an alliance with the Confederacy. 
Treaties between Confederate States and various Southern tribes.—General 
Pike did not see Ross again until September.” In the meantime, the lat- 
ter had secured the attendance of alarge number of representatives of 
both Northern and Southern tribes, at a convocation held at Antelope 
Hills, wherea unanimous agreement was reached to maintain astrict neu- 
trality in the existing hostilities between their white neighbors. The 
alleged purpose of this assembly, as stated by General Pike, was to take 
advantage of the war between the States, and form a great independent 
Indian confederation, but he defeated its purpose by concluding a treaty 
with the Creeks on behalf of the Confederate States, while their dele- 
gates were actually engaged in council at the Antelope Hills. Follow- 
ing his negotiations with the Creeks, he concluded treaties in quick 
succession with the Choctaws and Chickasaws, the Seminoles, the Wich- 
itas, and affiliated tribes, including the absentee Shawnees and Dela- 

1 According to the message of John Ross, as principal chief to the Cherokee national 
council, October 9, 1861, this convention was held on the 21st of August, 1861. 
2 Pike’s letter to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866. 
