We have a NEW! addition starting with Volume XIV, there is a short bio for Cherokee Chief Lewis Downing. It talks about his life as a post-Civil War reconstructionist and makes you aware that he was also a soldier, chaplain, politician and much more. Also a small picture of him in his uniform for the Union Indian Home Guards where he achieved the rank of Lt. Col is shown.He was also involved with the "Memorial Of The Principal Chief And Delegates Of The Cherokee Nation Of Indians" and a copy of that is included as well. Within these pages, the theme throughout every Cherokee case came down to one final conclusion; a stamp, applied to every citizenship or enrollment card, "Granted." The whole thing was mass hysteria. The Cherokee were being flooded with non-citizens for decades, it had to stop. They wanted their own government run by their own laws, their own courts. Many rightful citizens were being doubted as to being Cherokee themselves.The Cherokee packets transcribed in this series prove they were up to the task of showing who they were. Their testimony often intriguing, frustrating, yet never showing weakness or defeat. Time and again the Cherokee stood their ground showing their ability to be warriors, man or woman. Their words were for their descendants, they fought to save their heritage while encasing it in integrity for the future, no matter who asked the questions. Inside these pages you will find not only testimony but copies of the actual "Doubtful" cards and in most cases a copy of the Cherokee by blood enrollment card for each individual defending their heritage.
