My troops already occupy many positions in the country that you are to abandon, and thousands and thousands are approaching from every quarter to render assistance and escape alike hopeless.  All those troops, regular and militia, are your friends.  Receive them, and confide in them as such.  Obey them when they tell you that you can remain no longer in this country.  Soldiers are as kind-hearted as brave, and the desire of every one of us is to execute our painful duty in mercy.  We are commanded by the President to act toward you in that spirit, and such is also the wish of the whole people of America.

“Chiefs, headmen, and warriors, will you then by resistance compel us to resort to arms?  God forbid!  Or will you by flight seek to hide yourselves in mountains and forests, and thus oblige us to hunt you down?  Remember, that in pursuit it may be impossible to avoid conflicts.  The blood of the white man or the blood of the red man may be spilt, and if spilt, however accidentally, if may be impossible for the discreet and humane among you or among us to prevent a general war and carnage.  Think of this, my Cherokee brethren!  I am an old warrior, and have been present at many a scene of slaughter; but spare me, I beseech you, the horror of witnessing the destruction of the Cherokees.

“Do not, I invite you, even wait for the close approach of the troops; but make such preparations for emigration as you can, and hasten to this place, to Ross’s Landing, or to Gunter’s Landing, where you will be received in kindness by officers selected for the purpose.  You will find food for all, and clothing for the destitute, at either of those places, and thence at your ease and in comfort be transported to your new homes according to the terms of the treaty.

“This is the address of a warrior to warriors.  May his entreaties be kindly received, and may the God of both prosper the Americans and Cherokees, and preserve them long in peace and friendship with each other.  WINFIELD SCOTT.”

There was some delay in bringing in the mountain Indians of North Carolina, but the Indians of Tennessee and Alabama were readily collected for emigration.  General Scott remained with the Georgians, and followed up his printed addresses by suggestions which proved to be invaluable.

In a short time the Indians, excepting a few parties, were collected at the place of rendezvous.  The camp selected was twelve miles in length, with a breadth of four miles.  It was well shaded by large forest trees, and had a large number of springs furnishing an abundance of the best of water.