Final answer:
The false statement is B: "The Cherokee were working as agents for the Mexican government." The Cherokee faced forced removal through U.S. policies like the Indian Removal Act resulting in the Trail of Tears, which does not involve any actions as agents for Mexico.
Step-by-step explanation:
The false statement in the provided options is B: "The Cherokee were working as agents for the Mexican government." The historical events surrounding the treatment of the Cherokee people predominantly involve the United States government and the state governments, particularly Georgia. Forced removals like the Trail of Tears were the result of U.S. federal policy, namely the Indian Removal Act of 1830, and not due to any relationship with the Mexican government. The conflicts mentioned in the other options relate to events like the Cherokee people's resistance to removal from their lands and subsequent conflicts such as the one at Neches River and interactions with U.S. leaders like Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar.
Relevant Historical Background:
- Lamar did indeed initiate military force against the Cherokee which led to the conflict at the Neches River, resulting in the death of many Cherokee people, including their leader Chief Bowles.
- Chief Bowles was known to be a friend of Sam Houston, although this did not save the Cherokee from the policies enacted under President Lamar's administration.