The Cherokee resided in Indian Territory to the west of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. The Arkansas River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, ran through their reservation. (See Articles of a Treaty [29 Dec. 1835], Public Statutes at Large, vol. 7, pp. 479–480, art. 2.)

The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845. . . . Edited by Richard Peters. 8 vols. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1846–1867.

An 1834 federal law declared that all land claimed by the United States west of the Mississippi and outside of Missouri, Arkansas Territory, and Louisiana was to be considered “Indian country.” This act prohibited non-Indians from settling on these lands and established fines up to $1,000 for violators. In addition, the act allowed the president of the United States to remove unauthorized settlers, by military force if necessary. (An Act to Regulate Trade and Intercourse with the Indian Tribes, and to Preserve Peace on the Frontiers [30 June 1834], Public Statutes at Large, 23rd Cong., 1st Sess., chap. 161, pp. 729–730, secs. 1, 11.)

The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845. . . . Edited by Richard Peters. 8 vols. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1846–1867.