His adopted father and some other Cherokee had received land reserves of by an earlier treaty of 1819. They no longer resided in what was considered the Cherokee Nation, under consideration in the new treaty. Although technically the New Echota Treaty should not apply to them, the Qualla Cherokee were apprehensive. While most Cherokee opposed ceding their lands in the Southeast, the men negotiating the New Echota Treaty ple. believed that removal was inevitable, and hoped to make the best deal possible for their people. Seeking assurances, the "reservation" Cherokee and some others asked Thomas to represent them in Washington, D.C.