Throughout the 18th century the Cherokee Nation was under assault whether it was with the British or later the up start American’s. At one time before 1730, the lands claimed by this powerful tribal nation included most of what is now Virginia, parts of Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Georgia. By 1768 and then again in 1770, their vast domain was reduced primarily to set a boundary whereby white settlers would not cross into lands held by the Cherokees. With these two treaties, tribal leaders such as Oconostota and Attakullakulla signed their names ceded all claims to lands in Virginia. The rationale for this was…