Cassville Ga
22d. Sept. 1833.

Dear Sir,

I have been in tending to write to you on the Indian Affairs for some time, but the press of business in conducting the business of our nation at this interesting period, has [deleted: been] prevented. I feel pleasure now to say that our cause prospers, & I believe will result in the general Cession of the Nation. The views taken in a communication by a Gentleman of the bar in the Georgia -- Pioneer on the Cherokee treaty, Should be republished with the correction of misprints in the paper alluded to. John Ross& his party will try to outlive the Administration of Genl. Jackson if they are not forced into the treaty, & it now depends upon the treaty party to take a bold and decided stand. We have gained so much now in Georgia & Alabama, that we shall soon organise head chiefs & a regular Council for those two states and close the treaty. However this is conditioned upon the refusal of the Ross party to Join in a general treaty -- He has requested a Conference, and we have accepted it, & it is possible that we may agree to make a General Cession. This Conference will be held it is proposed on the 2d. Monday in Oct. next in the chartered limits of Tennessee -- If that Council passes by with out our bringing the parties to an understanding, you may depend upon a vigorous course of measures on our part -- How shall we proceed?. It is plain that Indians hold title to Land by the right of occupancy & The Ross party chiefs are about to abandon this & go to Tennessee. We have chiefs & a Council & the President can acknowledge us & treat with us. In the meantime, and all the time the enrollment can go on I will go on which will give us thereby strength. From this purpose the next Legislature ought to pass laws to protect us in our possessions while we are in the act of preperation for the West. Unless this is done our efforts will prove abortive The U. S. promises this protection, but individual avidity to get possession of Indian Improvements, falsifies all these promises. As soon as an Indian enrolls he Georgia claimant presses him -- out -- this stops them from enrolling -- it gives them no time to -- breathe -- no comfort after it -- This should not be -- I know Sir, that by force of circumstances your state will get in possession of the -- whole of our Lands, but it will -- be with great suffering to the Indians. Our exertions will be crippled -- if a favorable legislation is not, had upon this very subject. It is nothing but -- what the dictates of humanity will sanction to allow the Indians to -- go off unmolested, when they evince a desire to do so by enrollment. I cannot close this letter without referring to the great good, which Col. Bishop -- & the Georgia Guard have effected. If the Legislature would grant him certain discretionary powers in relation to the Indians it would be of great service.

The Ross party tried hard to counteract the growth of our party by -- murders -- it is dreadful to reflect on -- the amount of blood which has been shed -- by the savages on those who have only exercised the right of -- opinion -- The Guard has been watchful & they have arrested these -- men who encourage the murders, & some of the murderers themselves. They see now that this course will not do. The amount of other crimes committed in this country is amazing, & I do sincerely believe that this Guard is necessary to be continued in this country until the treaty is consummated. If this guard was not in existence our labors would be inefficient compared to what they are. The lives of the emigrating party would be sacrificed, & also the lives of the citizens of Georgia would be in danger.

I can say that the prospects of a general treaty is flattering, but we must prepare for the work as good generals in time of war. Keep what we have & gain the balance. The officers of the U. S. in this country & myself wrote you a joint letter granting indulgence to the treaty party in their possessions while they remained according to the promises of the U.S. which I hope you have received before this.

Of course this letter is not for publication -- I shall write to you again --

your friend

John Ridge