The New Echota Treaty of 1835
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The New Echota Treaty of 1835 negotiated what is commonly called the Cherokee Removal. Because the treaty was not supported or sanctioned by the majority of the Cherokee Nation, its enforcement was costly to the U.S. Government and deadly to the Cherokee people. President Andrew Jackson found a way to negotiate an agreement with subchief John Ridge, who apparently did not represent the wishes of the Indians. Cherokee Chief John Ross opposed any treaty to expulse the Cherokees from their land. After Senate ratification in 1836, several U.S. leaders as well as Ross approached the president and Senate about modifying the treaty. Unable to reach a compromise with Ross two years later, the new president, Martin Van Buren, ordered the Indians forcibly removed with great loss of life. Historical accounts differ regarding the culpability of both Ridge and Ross in the less-than-smooth negotiation and execution of the treaty. What is generally agreed upon is that the Cherokee Removal as spelled out in the New Echota Treaty was not the wishes of the Nation nor in their long-term best interests. Basically, the Cherokee Nation sold to the United States its remaining territory east of the Mississippi for $5 million. The price also included a common interest in west Indian territory and part of what is now Kansas. The United States government also agreed to pay for the Indians' move and their living expenses for one year after settlement in the west. The Cherokees were given two
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of calculated strategy, as he revealed in a letter written at the time to Governor Lumpkin: ". . . the plan is to make a treaty in December." With Ross first jailed and then travelling to Washington, D.C. to lobby for Cherokee protection, there was no real debate at the New Echota December council. Since there were few Cherokee leaders in support of the treaty, the treaty signers needed some clout so Ridge, his father, and others formed the Committee of Twenty to draft a final version as representatives of the Nation. The December version differed little from the rejected October version.
In another account, Ridge is an independent thinker trying to help his people. and using more foresight than Ross. Ridge had been negotiating a treaty with President Jackson and his secretary of war, Lewis Cass, but negotiations were stalled by attempts to reach an agreement with Chief Ross. Ridge's negotiations with the U.S. produced a treaty praised as "generous by treaty standards." John Ridge is seen as understanding the futility of fighting the government. In working with them, he tried for the best deal for his people. Also, in some historical versions, Ridge is not at all involved in Ross' arrest in Tennessee. In fact, when
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Approximate Word count = 2508
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)
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