On this day, November 28, in 1785

The Treaty of Hopewell was signed between the Cherokee Nation and the United States. The treaty established equality and protection for all Cherokee people provided that they notify the United States of any possible threats from other tribes. Article 12 in the Treaty of Hopewell said, quote, the Indians may have full confidence in the justice of the United States respecting their interests. The treaty eventually gave rise to the Cherokee phrase, "Talking Leaves", since they claimed that when the treaties no longer suited the Americans, they would blow away like talking leaves. This accurately describes the fate of the Cherokee who went on to endure torture and genocide at the hands of the United States.