In the spring of 1811[215] Agent Meigs was advised by the Secretary of War of the expediency of having a road opened without delay from the Tennessee to the Tombigbee, and also one from Tellico. Both these propositions would require the consent of the Creeks, and for the purpose of securing the most advantageous routes it was contemplated that Captain Gaines should make a journey of exploration and survey of the country between the Alabama and Coosa Rivers on the south and Tennessee and Hiwassee Rivers on the north. The fruition of these plans was also postponed on account of the ensuing war with the Creeks, and the subject was not again broached until after their subjugation. In the spring of 1814 the legislature of Tennessee transmitted two memorials to Congress on the subject, and, by direction of the Secretary of War, Agent Meigs was again instructed[216] to ascertain the bent of the Indian mind in relation thereto. The result was the conclusion, with the approval of the President, of two agreements between the Cherokees and the agents of certain road companies for the opening of two roads through the country of the latter from Tennessee to Georgia. But when the treaty of March 22, 1816, came to be negotiated at Washington, the United States authorities, after much persuasion, procured the insertion therein of an article conceding to the United States a practically free and unrestrained permission for the construction of any and all roads through the Cherokee country necessary to convenient intercourse between the northern and southern settlements. [Footnote 172: Two treaties appear of the same date and negotiated by the same parties. It is to be noted that the first controls a cession to the State of South Carolina and the second defines certain other concessions to the United States.] [Footnote 173: United States Statutes at Large, Vol. VII, p. 139.] [Footnote 174: United States Statutes at Large, Vol. VII, pp. 138 and 139.] [Footnote 175: February 28, 1807.] [Footnote 176: December 2, 1807. See American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. I, p. 753.] [Footnote 177: Letter of Return J. Meigs to Secretary of War, December 3, 1807.] [Footnote 178: March 10, 1808. See American State Papers, Indian Affairs, Vol. I, p. 752.] [Footnote 179: January 10, 1812.] [Footnote 180: In March, 1812.] [Footnote 181: May 14, 1812.] [Footnote 182: March 24, 1814.] [Footnote 183: February 3, 1815.] [Footnote 184: A full history of Colonel Earle's attempt to secure a site for the erection of iron works will be found among the records and files of the Office of Indian Affairs.] [Footnote 185: United States Statutes at Large, Vol. II, p. 381. See also amendment to this act by act of February 18, 1841, United States Statutes at Large, Vol. V, p. 412.] [Footnote 186: Scott's Laws of North Carolina and Tennessee.] [Footnote 187: March 26, 1808.]