Letter to General J.E. Wool

Hermitage. September 7, 1836.

General J.E. WOOL,
     East Tennessee.

Sir: Your letter of the 30th ultimo has just been handed to me by Mr. Rogers, the express. Being in a state of preparation for setting out for Washington and surrounded by much company, I have but a moment to reply to it.

In relation to your observations respecting the apportionment of the 10,000 volunteers, I need not say more here than that the requisition on the governor of the State was a sufficient guide for the organization of the part allotted to Tennessee. This requisition was for 2,500 men, to be raised in two brigades, one in the East and the other in West Tennessee, and there could be no authority to muster more into the service. The remainder of the 10,000 had been required from other States and Territories.

I have turned to the letter of the Adjutant-General to which you have called my attention. You will find, I think, that it relates to the volunteers called for agreeably to the requisition on the governor of Tennessee for 2,500. I can not suppose that it was expected of you to receive a greater number than this into the service.

As you have the treaty before you and the instructions of the Acting Secretary of War, I do not see that I can add anything more on this subject at present. The treaty is to be religiously fulfilled. You may assure all concerned that no modification or alteration in it will be made by me. Of this Mr. John Ross is fully advised. His friend, Mr. Standefer, who waited upon me at Washington and made the inquiry whether I would agree to a supplemental article admitting the Rosses and their delegation in as chiefs, was informed that I would not. You will therefore make known to the Cherokee people that no alteration in the treaty will be made, but that all its terms and conditions will be faithfully and fully executed. Should you find any evil-disposed white man in the nation exciting the Indians not to comply with the treaty, you will forthwith order him or them out of the nation, and if they refuse to go, the facts being thoroughly established, you will take the steps necessary to put them out. Such characters must be considered in the light of intruders, prohibited by the treaty from living within the limits of the nation.

You will caution John Ross from calling any council of the Cherokee people with the view of opposing or altering the treaty. He knows that there will be no further negotiation on the subject; that the Cherokees are to emigrate in two years from the ratification of the treaty, and will be obliged to go within that period; that the collisions between them and the whites have been too long continued for the gratification of himself at the expense of the poor in the nation.

I have had a letter from Governor Carroll. He will leave Pontotoc at as early a moment as he can, and expects to meet Governor Lumpkin early in October next.

With these hasty remarks, I remain, your obedient servant,

ANDREW JACKSON