the john wool trail of tears archive

1) 

ALS. 2pg. 8” x 10”. July 21, 1836. Athens [Tennessee].  An autograph letter signed “John E Wool” addressed to Colonel Archibald R.S. Hunter.  Writing from the Head Quarters of the Army of East Tennessee, General Wool wrote: “I have just received your communication of the 18th inst. by Preston Starrett Esqr.  I approve of all you have done & for which you will please accept my thanks.  Instead of meeting the deportation of Cherokees as mentioned by you at Athens [Tennessee], I will meet them at or near the mouth of Valley River on Wednesday or Thursday next – say Thursday.  I will send notice to Bushey Head and invite him to be present.  I have also requested Preston Starrett Esqr. to be present.  I understand that John Ross still encourages the Cherokees with the hope of a rehearing and will eventually set aside the treaty.  I hope you will undeceive them and say to them it is altogether vain to entertain any such hope.  The treaty has been made & ratified and the requisite appropriations passed for carrying it into effect and it must be executed.  They must no longer confide in the representations of John Ross if he advocates anything else than a fulfillment of the treaty.  Any other course will lead to their destruction and of all those who are concerned with them.  I will however hear them with patience and do all I can to relieve their distress and afford them all the comfort & convenience in my power.  Fourteen teams left yesterday with rations for the Cherokees & troops and Genl Smith will leave tomorrow with his Regiment for the mouth of Valley River, when they are to arrive on Wednesday next…John E Wool Brig Genl Commdg”.  John Ross (1790-1866) was the chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828 to 1866.  He led his people through the Trail of Tears and the Civil War and later drafted the nation’s constitution.  Colonel Hunter (1783-1844) was a veteran of the War of 1812 and he was a white trader located in western North Carolina (now Cherokee County).  Preston Starrett was a Federal enrolling agent who was married to a Cherokee citizen.  When Cherokees were required to move west, Starrett wrote exemption certificates for people who held dual citizenship in both North Carolina and the Cherokee Nation.  The letter has toning, mailing folds, and other light faults.  A terrific letter about the Cherokee Removal.
 

“THE VOLUNTEERS FROM GEORGIA ARE DAILY EXPECTED WHEN I OUGHT TO BE HERE TO RECEIVE THEM; THE GOODS FROM NEW YORK FOR THE INDIANS ARE COMING IN…”

 
2) 

ALS. 2pg. 8” x 10”. New Echota, Georgia. November 12, 1836.  An autographed letter signed “John E Wool” addressed to Dr. Hitchcock.  General Wool wrote from the site of the Treaty of New Echota: “My dear Sir, Your favor of the 12th instant was received by express from Athena three days since. I regret extremely that it will not be in my power to visit you, and the family of Colonel Hunter, and more especially Miss Hunter, on the 25th Instant.  My peculiar situation precludes the possibility of affording myself so much pleasure.  My horses are both sick or lame; the Volunteers from Georgia are daily expected when I ought to be here to receive them; the goods from New York for the Indians are coming in and [General William] Lenoir is not here.  All these together with other duties will necessari1y keep me at this place for some days to come. As soon however as I can leave I shall visit my command at Valley River, when I shall not fail to make you and particularly Miss Hunter who I anticipate at that time will be Mrs. Hitchcock, my respects.  Respect however is entirely too cold for lovers, or for those who I like as well as I do you and Miss Hunter.  By the Mr Paschal sent me a paper containing an article headed The Romantic Girl.  I must confess I like Kate who makes so a fine figure in the scene.  Give my love to her and accept for yourself the best wishes of a sincere friend John E. Wool”.  The letter is in good condition.
 

“THE ACCOUNT YOU GIVE OF THE INDIANS IS TRULY DISTRESSING – THEIR OPPRESSIONS BY THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT, IS THE PRICE PAID TO GEORGIA FOR ITS SUPPORT OF, AND ALLEGIANCE TO JACKSON.  IT IS A FOUL STAIN ON THE CHARACTER OF OUR NATION.  BUT NOTHING COULD STAY THE HAND OF THE OPPRESSOR.  THEY HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY SYMPATHY, AND HUMBLE EFFORTS TO DO THEM JUSTICE”

 
3) 

ALS. 2pg. 8” x 10”. January 17, 1839. Washington.  An autographed letter signed “John Taliaferro” was sent to Colonel Archibald R.S. Hunter.  Congressman Taliaferro, from Virginia, penned: “My dear Sir, It is some days since I had the pleasure to receive your very kind, and acceptable letter, and I should have acknowledged it sooner, but for a pressure of other unavoidable concerns, connected with my position here, which leave me scarcely a moment for the social indulgence of any description - your continued kind remembrance of me is exceedingly gratifying, and I can assure you, nothing could afford more pleasure to me, and such of your old friends as remain, then to see you once more amongst us.  However great changes have occurred since you were here,  Our neighborhood, for a long time so social, is now desolated - I am the only one remaining of those you left here. My Brother is living, but he does not reside in Oakland, and no one has succeeded him.  The account you give of the Indians is truly distressing - Their oppression by the general government is the price paid to Georgia for its support of and allegiance to Jackson.  It is a foul stain on the character of our Nation.  But nothing could stay in the hand of the oppressor.  They have always had my sympathy, and humble efforts to do them Justice - Do write to me again, and let me know all about yourself and your family, and especially where your Daughter is, how she is, and all about her…John Taliaferro”.  The letter is in fine condition.