The removal of 16,000 Southern Indians along the Trail of Tears to present day Oklahoma did not conclude the U.S. government’s attempts to rid the Southern states of Indian tribes, indeed, ongoing efforts were persistent and unfortunately, misguided.
December 29, 1835 in New Echota, Georgia, a small remaining minority of the Cherokee Nation signed a treaty promising to evacuate their homeland in the South and migrate west. Remaining Cherokee under the leadership of Principal Chief John Ross were adamantly against the treaty and managed to avoid removal by hiding or becoming citizens of their home states.
In “The Abortive Second Cherokee Removal, 1841-1844”, John R. Finger describes the struggles face by remaining Cherokee Indians as they tried…show more content… Throughout this time period, the second Cherokee removal occurred in the middle of a political crisis, ultimately complicating Indian Policy. Furthermore, bitter factionalism ensured between tribes inhabiting the Qualla Boundary territory against mixed-blood Indians living on other lands.
Fingers narrative describes in great length the political leaders and Indian advocates as well as a clear understanding of the struggles faced by the Cherokees East. In fact, Finger gives detailed accounts of the minimal financial incentives offered to Indians that emigrated west as well as the means in which it was to be paid out, how much will be provided per person and concludes that the small amounts offered were part of what doomed the emigration program.
At the root of the failure to remove the Indians, Finger acknowledges – Indians occupied poor lands in remote areas of North Carolina. Had they occupied fertile, desirable land in the center of white communities, the results may have been different furthermore, President Tyler, a nominal Whig and states right advocate believed his approach would contrast favorably with the Jacksonian era’s aggressive and coercive
