Kocky Mountains. 271 



ters whom they murdered by way of retaliation. This cir- 

 cumstance tended to widen the breach between them, till at 

 length both parties were resolved on war, which was for the 

 present prevented, by the interference of governor Miller, 

 and by the check imposed by the presence of an armed force 

 at Belle Point, on the frontiers of the two nations. At the 

 time of our visit, it was hoped the influence of governor 

 Miller would effect the establishment of a permanent peace. 

 The first of the ensuing month, (October,) had been ap- 

 pointed for the surrender of the prisoners, and governor 

 Miller was said to be then on his way to Belle Point, to en- 

 sure the fulfilment of the conditions stipulated between the 

 contending parties. The Osages were to give up the men 

 concerned in the murder on Red river, in exchange for the 

 women and children then prisoners with the Cherokees.* 



The Cherokees were taught the culture of cotton many 

 years since by governor Blount of North Carolina, who of- 

 fered them a stipulated price for all they would deliver at 

 the trading house. They were for several years paid regu- 

 larly for their cotton, but the factor at length refusing any 

 longer to receive it, they complained to governor Blount, 

 who advised them to manufacture it into clothing for their 

 own use, which they consented to do, on condition of 

 being furnished with a person to give the requisite instruc- 

 tions. They now raise considerable quantities of cotton, and 

 many of them are comfortably clad in garments of their own 

 manufacture. 



The introduction of a considerable degree of civilization 

 among the Cherokees, has been attended with the usual con- 

 sequence of inequality in the distribution of property, and a 

 larger share of the evils resulting from that inequality, than 

 are known among untutored savages. Encroachments upon 

 the newly established rights of exclusive possession have 



* A treaty of peace was concluded between the Osages and Cherokees 

 ?it Belle Point in August, 18'22v Arkansa Paper. 



