Head Quarters Division of the South Nashville 19.th Augt. 1817 Sir Your communication of the 30.th July & 1st of Aug.t have this moment come to hand. The necessary directions will be forthwith given to carry into effect your order for the establishment [struck: &] of garrison[inserted: s]; a Military Post on the Arkansas. I am happy to find that the treaty lately concluded at Hewassee has met your approbation. The opposition anticipated in their Senate, on the ground that it has not met with the unbiassed sanction of a majority of that portion of the nation east of the Mississippi, must vanish what it is know that, with the exception of the Path Killer who was too sick to attend, it is signed by every Principal Chief in the nation, and also by the Council of Thirteen, chosen by the nation to regulate their concerns. The opposition, further anticipated by you, on the ground "that no right to any portion of the Cherokee lands had accrued to the U. S. in consequence of the transaction which took place in 1809" can be answered. The moment the Cherokees took possession under the promise [2] made them by the President in 1809, the right to a proportionate part, (agreeably to their numbers) of their lands. They had left, accrued to the United States. The priviledge asked for by the Indians was an exchange of lands, and it was under that consideration that the President made the agreement, and the act of their emigrating & settling on the Arkansas, was, on their part, the execution thereof; - and the late treaty is merely a gaurunty that those who remain on this side of the Mississippi will carry into effect the agreement made with the President in 1809 with good faith. I am happy to find that the rifles will be furnished, this will ensure the removal of 19/20 of the whole Chrokee Nation; - and I trust their then voluntary removal will be received as full evidence of their entire approbation of the treaty. Believing the word "Plattsburg" in your letter of the 30.th was intended Pittsburg, orders have been given Genl Smith to meet this company at the mouth of the Ohio, with such orders as he may deem best calculated to carry into effect the intentions of the War Dep.t I am Sir [3] Very Resp.y Yo. Mo. Ob.t S.t Andrew Jackson Major Genl Comdg D. of the South - Geo. Graham Esqr Actg Secy of War [docket] Nashville 19 Aug 1817 Genl Andrew Jackson, relative to the Military Port on the Arkansas - The Indian Treaty of Highwassee &c &c - Sepr [inserted: 7] 1817