Red
Clay Cherokee Nation
March 10, 1838
Beloved
Martha, I have delayed writing to you so long I expect you have
relinquished all thought of receiving anything from me. But
my Dear Martha I have not forgotten my promise. I have often
wishes to enjoy your company once more but it is very uncertain
whether I shall ever again have that pleasure.
If we Cherokees are to be driven to the west by the cruel hand
of oppression to seek a new home in the west, it will be impossible.
My father is now in Washington City. He was one of the delegates
who went to Florida last Oct. We do not know when he will return.
Not
long since Mr. Stephen Forman received a letter from father.
He was absent when the letter came home and before he arrived
the troops had been there and taken it to the Agency, given
it to General Smith and he handed it around for all to read.
It is thus all our rights are invaded.
About two months ago my youngest brother died. He was sick almost
two months. I was not at home when he died but they sent for
me to attend his funeral. He was burnt very badly last fall
and it is very likely his death was occasioned by it, however
we do not exactly know.
It
will not be long before our next (school) vacation. Then we
expect to go home. Perhaps it may be the last time we shall
have the privilege of attending school in this nation. But we
are not certain. If we should remove to the Arkansas I should
still hope to continue our correspondence. Please to present
my best respects to your father & family, Miss E. Jones
and Miss Betsey Tirtle. Write with me in love to you.
Your
Sincere friend,
Jane
Bushyhead
