Manuscript letter from "Stuart," in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Thomas Case, in New Albany, Indiana, approximately 1839 September 30

Containers:

Folder 1

Scope and content:

Stuart writes with an update on the circumstances surrounding him in Fayetteville, describing "this county, and town in particular, has become one of the most lawless and uncivilized places in all creation.... Shooting, stabbing, knocking down and dragging out, appear to be the order of the day and present in this place. In fact the Cherokee Nation is almost (to use a horse racers phrase) distanced, in the race for savageness -- Great many honest well-meaning men are leaving the country, selling their property at considerable discount rather than to stay."

He notes that the Methodists "have rendered themselves rather unpopular with the majority of the people by soliciting the slaves for contributions toward building the church."

He writes that "the Cherokee Indians are still fighting among themselves, council after council has been held and dissolved again, without effecting anything, each of the parties still remaining in a defensive attitude. One of the surviving chiefs or braves of the Ridge party has gone on to Washington City to see if their 'Great Father' Martin will do anything for them, it may be all right and good for Martin to be styled Great Father by the Indians, but if I was in his place I should be sorry for the morals of my children.... I should not be surprised if the war between the two parties doesn't degenerate into such skirmishing altogether, until Ross is killed, whose death will end the war."

Stuart also discusses an "review of the whole available force of Washington County at this place, by order of Colonel Commandant Hon. A. Nell Esq. Great anxiety, and some little excitement is manifested him in regard to the trial of Wallace at the next court, (which is in November) for the murder of Curry, of which I wrote you an account."

He then writes of his upcoming plans, sends well wishes to loved ones, and requests copies of New Albany newspapers.

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