New Yesterdays by Jim L Wright - HTML preview

Chapter 23

The new nation consisted basically of two independent states; the northern Cherokee state and the southern Seminole state. The Cherokee state was named Unalii which means Friend, signifying the wish of the citizens to be on friendly terms with the United States and the world at large. The Seminoles named their state Chuluata, which means Beautiful View. The borders between the two states were open, and free movement between the states was not only allowed, but encouraged. The plantations left behind by the settlers during the removal became property of the Nation. Because farming was not new to the Cherokee, they planted and exported cotton and other goods helping to form an agrarian economy that lasted well into the early twentieth century. The revenues realized from the cotton exports were used to build factories for the processing of the cotton and weaving of the fabrics that were then be exported to the United States and Europe.

The cities and factories were reinhabited by native people. The factories generated income for the nation and provided employment for the people. The seaports gave access to the entire world for selling their goods. After a time of licking their wounds and nursing their injured pride, the Americans came around and opened trade with the Indian nations.

A Great Council was held and John Ross was acclaimed as the new President. With his education and training he provided the leadership necessary to form an army to protect their borders and to ensure their constitution would be implemented nationwide. Much work was left to be done. Within a few short months it was time to plant the crops. That meant that the factories that ginned the cotton and made it ready for export had to be studied so they could be operational when the cotton began to ripen. It was critical that the crops be processed and made ready for sale on the other side of the Atlantic.

They were fortunate that some of the freed slaves had elected to stay and apply for citizenship in Unalii. Many of them had worked in the

factories and on the docks. They were familiar with the operation of machinery. In addition, they had the knowledge of loading and unloading ships in the port. The new citizens made a tremendous contribution to the new, modern Cherokee society.

John Ross favored setting up a form of government similar to the United States, giving a voice to the people while providing checks and balances to ensure honest representation of the people of the fledgling nation. The constitution that had been in effect for several years before the revolution was in fact, very closely modeled after the American document.

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