Andrew Jackson to Chickasaw Chiefs, August 23, 1830
The image shows an excerpt of an 1830 letter from Andrew Jackson to the Chickasaw chiefs in which Jackson is encouraging the leaders to move the Chickasaw west.
Excerpts
“…forgotten Brothers if you are disposed to remove, say so and state the terms you may consider just and equitable. Your great father is ready and has instructed his commissioners to admit such as shall be considered liberal. to the extent that he can calculate. The Senate of the United States will sanction and terms of any other character it would be useless for you to insist upon as without their consent and approval no arrangement to be made could prove effectual. Should you determine to remain where you are candidly say so and let us be done with the subject no more to be talked of again. But if disposed to consult your true interest and to remove then present the terms on which you are willing to do so to my friends and your friends the Secretary of War and General John Coffee who are authorized to confer with you and who in the arrangements to be made will act accordingly fairly and liberally towards you. ANDREW JACKSON”
Questions:
What was the purpose of this letter?
What methods of persuasion did Jackson use in writing this letter?
Why might the Chickasaw want to move? Why might they want to stay?