Near Birchwood in Meigs County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

"Not a treaty at all"

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

1. "Not a treaty at all" Marker

Inscription. Although American legislation declared an end to Cherokee sovereignty, most of those remaining in the Nation continued to resist. In December 1835, however, a small party of Cherokee signed the Treaty of New Echota.

The agreement promised that the Cherokee would quit their land and relocate to the Indian Territory within two years of the laws ratification by two-thirds majority, in May 1836. The majority of Cherokee, however, fought to overturn the false treaty.

"The instrument in question [Treaty of New Echota] is not the act of our Nation; we are not parties to its covenants; it has not received the sanction of our people. The makers of it sustain no office nor appointment in our Nation, under the designation of Chiefs, Head men, or any other title, by which they hold, or could acquire, authority to assume the reins of Government, and to make bargain and sale of our rights, our possessions, and our common country." - Principal Chief John Ross to the United States Congress, September 1836

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1836.

Location. 35° 24.423′

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N, 85° 0.383′ W. Marker is near Birchwood, Tennessee, in Meigs County. It can be reached from Blythe Ferry Road 2 miles north of Hiwassee Highway (Tennessee Highway 60), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birchwood TN 37308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: General Winfield Scott (here, next to this marker); "Orders No. 25" (here, next to this marker); "To Learn and not Forget" (here, next to this marker); "Your Fate is Decided" (here, next to this marker); "Chains of Friendship" (here, next to this marker); "Given by the Great Spirit above" (here, next to this marker); "A Desire to Possess" (here, next to this marker); "Forced from this country" (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birchwood.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

2. "Not a treaty at all" Marker

Left caption - The Treaty of New Echota proved to be the final cession of Cherokee land in the east.
Right caption - John Ross hand delivered a petition with thousands of signatures to Washington protesting the Treaty of New Echota.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011

3. "Not a treaty at all" Marker

Third from right in this view.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 743 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 6, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.