William McIntosh and John Ross had a complex and contentious relationship that revolved around the issues of Native American land rights and governance in the early 19th century. Both men were prominent leaders of the Cherokee Nation, but they represented different factions and approaches regarding the increasingly pressing issue of white encroachment on Cherokee lands.
William McIntosh was a mixed-blood Cherokee, who, despite his heritage, often sided with the U.S. government and favored signing treaties that would cede large portions of Cherokee territory in exchange for compensation. His willingness to negotiate with the U.S. government created deep divisions within the Cherokee Nation, especially among those who were opposed to relocation.
On the other hand, John Ross was a full-blood Cherokee and the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. He advocated for the rights of the Cherokee people and opposed land cessions that would lead to their forced removal from their ancestral lands. Ross believed in negotiating for the rights of his people and resisted pressures from the government to give up their territory.
Their relationship deteriorated significantly after the signing of the Treaty of Indian Springs in 1825, which McIntosh signed without the consent of the Cherokee Council, angering many, including Ross. This act of betrayal led to a significant rift within the Cherokee Nation, resulting in McIntosh being declared a traitor by the council.
Ultimately, the tensions between McIntosh and Ross highlighted the broader conflicts within the Cherokee Nation during a critical period in American history. It illustrated the struggles over cultural identity, governance, and resistance against external pressures, as the Cherokee faced an existential threat from U.S. expansionist policies.