The following monograph on the history of the Cherokees, with its accompanying maps, is given as an illustration of the character of the work in its treatment of each of the Indian tribes. In the preparation of this book, more particularly in the tracing out of the various boundary lines, much careful attention and research have been given to all available authorities or sources of information. The old manuscript records of the Government, the shelves of the Congressional Library, including its very large collection of American maps, local records, and the knowledge of "old settlers," as well as the accretions of various State historical societies, have been made to pay tribute to the subject.

The Drennan Roll is a census of Cherokees who were removed to Oklahoma. It was taken in 1852, and Cherokees received payments from the United States government based on this roll the following year to somewhat compensate for their loss of property and suffering during the removal.