John Howard Payne Letters, 1832-1852

John Howard Payne visited the Cherokee country in the 1830's, and two of these letters are introductions to John Ross, the Cherokee Chief. There is an exchange of seven letters between them, mostly personal. Some letters and photostats concern the arrest of Ross and Payne.

One letter from John Ridge offers his regrets that Payne cannot visit his house and mentions sending him various Cherokee papers. Payne was planning to write a history of the Cherokees and there is correspondence concerning this as well as his commission to work on a permanent treaty with the Cherokees.

One letter, written in 1835, is from Clara B. Catlin, George Catlin's wife, telling Payne how deeply she is impressed with his song, "Home Sweet Home."