Pages
1
Extract from Articles of Agreement between the United States and the Cherokee Nation, for opening a Road from the State of Tennessee to the State of Georgia through the Cherokee Nation, dated 20th October 1803
Article 1st We the Head Men and warriors of the Cherokee Nation do consent that the United States may open a Communication from the State of Tennessee to the State of Georgia, solely at the expense of the United States commencing at two points, to wit, on the Cherokee ground at South-West Point, and Tellico, also on the Cherokee Ground; and continued on the most practicable ground for a good road, until they shall intersect on the South Side of the Highwassee river, and it's two great branches, thence to be continued in one road to Jackson County in the State of Georgia, in the direction of the site of the College at Athens in said County the said road shall not exceed forty feet in width
Article 2nd The Cherokee Nation reserve to themselves the income of the Ferries, and the Stands on the road for houses of Entertaiments, and agree that one ferry shall be kept, at South- West Point, one at Tellico, and one at the river Chatahachea where the said road shall cross the said River. The ferry at South-West Point shall
2
shall be put unto the hands of our beloved Chief Double-Head, the other two shall be rented by our agents to Citizens of the United States, to the highest bidder the preferences in renting these ferries shall be in favour of the persons having connexions to the Cherokee Nation, other things being equal.
Article 3rd The Cherokee Nation shall establish houses of Entertainment on the said road at three places, to wit, at South West Point, Tellico and Chatahuches, at the Ferries aforesaid, and it is hereby Stipulated that, after the said road shall be opened by the United States, the Cherokee Nation, with their connexions will form a Turnpike Company for keeping the said road constantly in good repair for travellers with carriages and horses and in order to preserve good order on the said road, it is the request of the Cherokee Nation that the United States will place not less than a Subaltern's Command at or near the point where the said road shall intersect the Georgia Line as aforesaid, for the conviences of said command a sufficient quantity of ground shall be appropriated for wood? & the United States shall make such regulations as may be found proper to
3
to prevent persons from evading the payments of ferriage or toll, and shall [pass?] the rates of ferriage and toll according to custom in such cases
Article 4th In order to prevent disorders from being communicated to the Cherokees liveStock, no Neat Cattle from the Southern States shall be driven through the said Nation, and in order to prevent the stealing of Horses, or puschasing them without license, or other impositions affecting the horses & cattle of the Cherokees, a description of horses & cattle, and their number shall be inserted in the passports of those persons who may be taking them through the said Nation, and the Cherokee shall not be answerable for estrays from the Citizens of the United States on said road.
Article 5th All officers, civil and military, and all military Men of the United States, when on public service, Mail Carriers, with their horses and carriages shall be exemted from paying toll or ferriage on said road, also all Cherokees, with their horses Cattle etc, and all white men residing in the Cherokee Nation shall be exempted from any demands for tolls or ferriage on said road
article
4
Article 6th Commissioners shall be appointed by the United States to explore, survey and mark the trees where the said road shall be opened, and the Cherokkees shall appoint four of their chiefs to attend with the said Commissioners on that business.
"Extract of the agreement made with the Cherokee Indians