Three page bifolium handwritten and signed letter from Joseph McMinn (1758-1824), fourth Governor of Tennessee from 1815 to 1821, Hiwassee Garrison, TN, addressed to Major General Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837, Nashville, TN, dated December 31, 1817. Written just after the Treaty with the Cherokee, also know as the Jackson and McMinn Treaty, was proclaimed on December 26, 1817, McMinn mostly writes in regard to the treaty, specifically to the distribution of arms to the Arkansas Native Americans, stating "…am on my way to Knoxville with the Arkansas delegation consisting of [Leyestisky](?), the old Gla[s]s, Capt. Spears, Toochalar, Colo Brown and Jack Thompson, with James Rogers interpreter the three [other](?) chiefs have not yet arrived tho[sic] they will overtake us in Knoxville. I have not yet determined by whom they will be conducted, I am extremely sorry they are going on so late, and now expect they will be detained at least 15 days in Knoxville in procuring clothing saddles [etc.] I have furnished the greater part in horses, and I am determined to have them…& fixed in first order. On my arrival at the agency I found the opposition very formidable, but fortunately having recd[sic] the Presidents [James Monroe] instructions to take the…contraband and dissection(?) of of the agency…and to use my utmost exertions in suppressing the opposition which I have done in some instances by threats, in others by arguments with the most astonishing good effort…". The majority of the remainder of the letter is comprised of a transcription by McMinn of a letter than he had received from Secretary of War John Caldwell Calhoun (1782-1850), also in regard to the removal of the Cherokee and the involvement of Samuel Houston (1793-1863), first and third president of the Republic of Texas, the sixth governor of Tennessee, and the seventh governor of Texas, who was also Jackson's protege and his first lieutenant, writing "…The Light horse with a view to break down the Arkansas party, attended on the day the arms [etc] was to be distributed for the purpose of seizing them for old debts. So soon as the communication was made to me by old Jolly [likely John Jolly (Cherokee: Ahuludegi; also known as Oolooteka), a leader of the Cherokee and later the Principal Chief President of the Cherokee Nation-West who acted as a foster-father to Houston] I directed Mr. Houston to issue an order in my name forbiding[sic] all attempts of taking the property under any pretense..Mr. Houston obeyed the order with the most becoming promptness, and made the pleasing report that only one blanket had been taken…which was returned without a moments [hesitation]…the Horsemen immediately dispersed and [we have] not seen them since…". McMinn concludes his letter by summarizing his supplies in their possession, stating "…the immigrants have come here almost from every section of the nation, and all are prodigiously pleased with the quality of the arms blankets [etc]…" He also includes a postscript, asking Jackson to write to him in receipt to Knoxville and ends the letter by writing "…with sentiments of our esteem and regard your [obedient servant] Jos McMinn". Handwritten address panel to Jackson with ink inscription summarizing contents, likely added later, en verso of bifolium. 10" H x 8" W. Note: "The 1817 treaty was the first Cherokee treaty that included a provision for their removal from North Carolina lands. The treaty proposed exchanging Cherokee lands in the Southeast for territory west of the Mississippi River." (source: "Cherokee" by William L. Anderson and Ruth Y. Wetmore, additional research provided by John L. Bell. From the Encyclopedia of North Carolina, edited by William S. Powell, published by the University of North Carolina Press, 2006).

PROVENANCE: By descent from the estate of Stanley Horn, Nashville, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Letter in overall good condition with light toning, areas of dampstaining, largest 4" x 4 1/4", does slightly affect writing. Faint traces of red wax seal, lower center of last page with resulting tears, largest 1" x 1/4", does affect writing. Two restored tears across width of bifolium, likely professionally restored. Other minor tears and areas of loss to fold lines and edges of bifolium. Later pencils inscriptions, including inscription reading "Jos. McMinn to Andrew Jackson" with numerals and letters, top left of first page, inscription reading "Monroe" to bottom left of first page, inscription reading "Sam" to bottom right of second page, and inscription reading "Gov of Tenn" to bottom right of last page.