John Ross was a Cherokee chief that represented tribal interests to the Federal government. 'Brothers: The tradition of our Fathers ... tells us that this great and extensive continent was once
the sole and exclusive abode of our race Ever since the whites came) we have been made to drink
of the bitter cup of humiliation;
Treated like dogs ... our country and the graves of our Fathers torn from us ... through a period of
upwards of 200 years, rolled back, nation upon nation (until we find ourselves fugitives, vagrants
and strangers in our own country...
The existence of the Indian Nations as distinct Independent Communities within the limits of the
United States seems to be drawing to a close. . . . You ire aware that our Brethren, the Choctaws,
Chickasaws and Creeks of the South lave severally disposed of their country to the United States
and that a portion of our own Tribe have also emigrated West of the Mississippi but that the
largest portion of our Nation still remain firmly upon our ancient domain. ... the position (sic)
there may be compared to a solitary tree in an open space, where all the forest trees around have
been prostrated (knocked down) by a furious tornado."
http://www. eduplace. com/ss/hmss/8/unit/ac13.1blm. html