It having been extensively rumored, during the few months immediately
succeeding the conclusion of the treaty, that John Ross and other evil
disposed persons were seeking to incite the Cherokees to outbreak and
bloodshed, the militia of the surrounding States were called into
service for the protection of life and property from the supposed
existing dangers. Brig. Gen. R. G. Dunlap commanded the East Tennessee
volunteers. In a speech to his brigade at their disbandment in
September, 1836, he used the following language:
I forthwith visited all the posts within the first three States
and gave the Cherokees (the whites needed none) all the protection
in my power. * * * My course has excited the hatred of a few of
the lawless rabble in Georgia, who have long played the part of
unfeeling petty tyrants, and that to the disgrace of the proud
character of gallant soldiers and good citizens. I had determined
that I would never dishonor the Tennessee arms in a servile service
by aiding to carry into execution at the point of the bayonet a
treaty made by a lean minority against the will and authority of
the Cherokee people. * * * I soon discovered that the Indians
had not the most distant thought of war with the United States,
notwithstanding the common rights of humanity and justice had been
denied them.[428]