Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) to John Coffee
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09361 Author/Creator: Jackson, Andrew (1767-1845) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 October 1829 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
To John Coffee, General in the Tennessee state militia. During first year of his administration, Jackson forecasts his support for removal of the southeastern Indians, which would be made public in his message to Congress in 1830 and would result in the Indian Removal Act of 1830. "It has become necessary for the government of the United States, from the urgent complaints of the Cherokee Indians on the one hand, & the Executive of Georgia on the other, that we should cause to be ascertained the true and ancient line between the Cherokee and Creek Indians … and by a commissioner whose standing and character will give satisfaction to all parties concerned. ... we have been induced to call upon you. ... The Executive of Georgia, under a legislative act ... ascertains the line dividing the Creek boundary from that of the Cherokees ... which includes about one million acres of what the Cherokees claim as their ancient boundary. The Georgians have taken possession of it and want the Cherokees removed.... the Cherokees complain of this intrusion & require the removal of the Georgians. All this confusion is occasioned by the restless spirit of Georgia, which the Govt. is taking means to have the Indians reasonably removed beyond the Mississippi, and which we must affect to preserve them."
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