Cherokee Control

Throughout the spring and summer of 1838, Principal Chief John Ross and a group of Cherokee delegates negotiated with the United States War Department to take control of conducting the parties west. As the first groups departed under United States Army control, Cherokee leaders gained government approval to conduct the remaining groups. On July 23, 1838, the National Committee and Council and People of the Cherokee Nation in General Council declared that the emigration of their people should be undertaken by the Nation and advised the delegation to negotiate the necessary arrangements with the commanding general for that purpose.

Tennessee · United States