I was at the City when the Convention with the Cherokees was made settling their boundary line: The Secretary of War at that time made a proposition to the Cherokees then there as a deputation, to [unclear: unk ] cede to the U [United] States all their claims to lands lying west of a line to be run due South from that point on the Tennessee river [River] which intersected by the Eastern boundary of Madison County to the line agreed upon by the said convention. The Cherokee Deputation did not Consider themselves authorised [authorized] to cede land. Before I came away the secretary told me that a treaty would be ordered to be held in order to obtain some cessions of land from the Cherokees & that I must make my best exertions to effect the Objects. I am now instructed

to open negotiations with the Cherokees for the purpose afordd. [aforesaid] and shall omit nothing in my power to obtain the Cession of the lands mentioned also [the the] cherokee [Cherokee] lands lying on the North side of the Tennessee river [River] . nothing but a cession of the lands first mentioned will put an end to the Chickesaw [Chickasaw] claim to the same lands, or most of them; that is one reason why they aught [ought] to sue. Another reason is they hold too much land, this only retards their improvement in civilization onother [another] reason is they are in Debt they want money to pay their debts & to make provisions for[unclear: selcoots? ] & other improvements — The Cherokee chiefs particularly those who were in the Army all know & and respect you; your opinion & advise [advice] would have more effect on them than that of any other man on the face of the earth and should it be in your

way to express your sentiments to colo [colonel] Richard Brown & Colo [Colonel] I Lowry on the subject of one or of both these cessions you would lay me [unclear: under ] vary [very] great obligations whch [which] if in my power I would make proper return in any way you should command me.

I have the honor to be
with greatest respect
Yr Obt [Your Obedient] Servant

Return J. [Jonathon] Meigs

Major Genl [General] Andrew Jackson

Copy of R J [Return Johnathon] Meigs
letter
To Genl [General] Jackson