1

Knoxville 20th March 1 April 1804

To the Inhabitants and people said to be settled on the
Indian Lands

Gentlemen

The Executive of the State of Tennessee
have been officially informed by the Agent of the War department
and Indian affairs, that a number of Persons contrary to
the existing laws treaties between the United States and Cherokee
Indians, are settled on, and improving, and cultivating a part
of the lands allotted and reserved for the use of the Cherokee
aforesaid tribe or nation of Indians: You must be well
informed Gentlemen that such encroachments are contrary to the
laws of the United States and in open violation to of the treaties
already existing entered into ^between the [? ? ? ?] the Cherokees and that if you continue the Aggression
an armed force under the Authority of the General Government will
enivitably be employed for the purpose of removing all those who
may be found trespassing on the Aforesaid lands. It is with
extreme sensibility I am under the compulsion of addressing
You on this Occasion, but my official duty as cheif magistrate
of the state, and the duties I owe to the General Government, and
also the regard I have for humanity, impels and constrains me, to
give you this notice, and warn you in due time, in order that you may evade
and abandon the dangers, that you consequently must ^be involved into
Should you not relinquish decline the ^intrusion which I earnestly recommend
to be done agreeably to the your promises and engagements entered into
with the officer that who Visited your settlements on the occasion here
=tofore - I have the pleasure of informing you that I expect on this