No further formal attempt was made to secure a compliance with the
wishes of the Government until the winter and spring of 1831-'32. A
delegation of Cherokees had visited Washington in the interests of
their people, and though nothing was accomplished through them, the
language used by some members of the delegation had led the Government
authorities to hope that a change of sentiment on the subject of
removal was rapidly taking place in their minds. In pursuance of
this impression the Secretary of War, in the spring of 1832,[369]
intrusted Mr. E. W. Chester with a mission to the Cherokees, and with
instructions to offer them as a basis for the negotiation of a treaty
the following terms:
1. The United States to provide them with a country west of Arkansas
sufficiently large for their accommodation.
2. This country to be conveyed to them by patent under the act of
Congress of May 28, 1830, and to be forever outside the limits of any
State or Territory.
3. The Cherokees to retain and possess all the powers of
self-government consistent with a supervisory authority of Congress.
4. To have an agent resident in Washington to represent their interest,
who should be paid by the United States.
5. With the consent of Congress they should be organized as a Territory
and be represented by a delegate in that body.