any act of violence.  Twenty-four thousand five hundred and ninety-four were removed, two hundred and thirty-six having lost their lives on the steamboat Monmouth.  Only seven hundred and forty-four remained east of the Mississippi River.  The Cherokees occupied territory in the States of Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee.  Many of their leaders were well educated and were men of ability, and some of them were wealthy, owning fine farms and negro slaves.  General Scott in his Memoirs says:  “The North Carolinians and Tennesseeans were kindly disposed toward their red brethren.  The Alabamians much less so.  The great difficulty was with the Georgians (more than half the army), between whom and the Cherokees there had been feuds and wars for many generations.  The reciprocal hatred of the two races was probably never surpassed.  Almost every Georgian on leaving home, as well as after arrival at New Echota—­the center of the most populous district of the Indian Territory—­vowed never to return without having killed at least one Indian.”

General Scott arrived at the Cherokee agency, a small village on the Hiawassee River in Tennessee, in the early part of May, 1838.  He published and circulated two addresses—­one to the troops and the other to the Indians—­but had them circulated together.

Following is the address to the troops: 

“HEADQUARTERS, EASTERN DIVISION,

“CHEROKEE AGENCY, May 17, 1838.

“Considering the number and temper of the mass to be removed, together with the extent and fastnesses of the country occupied, it will readily occur that simple indiscretions, acts of harshness, and cruelty on the part of our troops may lead, step by step, to delays, to impatience, and exasperation, and in the end to a general war and carnage—­a result in the case of these particular Indians, utterly abhorrent to the generous sympathies of the whole American people.  Every possible kindness compatible with the necessity of removal must therefore be shown by the troops; and if in the ranks a despicable individual should be found capable of inflicting a wanton injury or insult on any Cherokee man, woman, or child, it is hereby made the special duty of the nearest good officer or man instantly to interpose, and to seize and consign the guilty wretch to the severest penalty of the laws.  The major general is fully persuaded that this injunction will not be neglected by the brave men under his command, who can not be otherwise than jealous of their own honor and that of their country.

“By early and persevering acts of kindness and humanity, it is impossible to doubt that the Indians will soon be induced to confide in the army, and, instead of fleeing to the mountains and forests, flock to us for food and clothing.  If, however, through false apprehensions, individuals or a party here and there should seek to hide themselves, they must be pursued and invited to surrender, but