Cherokee Editor

Description

This volume collects most of the writings published by the accomplished Cherokee leader Elias Boudinot (1804?-1839). Founding editor of the Cherokee Phoenix| Boudinot is the most ambiguous and puzzling figure in Cherokee history. Although he first struggled against the removal of his people from their native Southeast| Boudinot later reversed his position and signed the Treaty of New Echota| an action that cost him his life. Together with Theda Perdue’s biographical introduction and in-depth annotations| these letters| articles| pamphlets| and editorials document the stages of Boudinot’s religious| philosophical| and political growth| from his early optimism that the Cherokees could completely assimilate into white society to his call for a separate nation of “civilized” Cherokees.