The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-01-06
A New Treaty.

Our enterprising aboriginal neighbors,
the Wyandotts, who are located at the
mouth Of the Kansas river, it appears
are not always willing TO remain unrepre-
scented in our national councils, with no
influence whatever IN controlling the af-
fairs of State They have thrown off the
rowing habits of their ancestors, adopt
ed the arts of peace, aud are now engaged
in agricultural and pastoral life to as full
an extent as their more favored white
brethren. We have found among them
gentlemen of the highest mental culture,
and able to put to blush many persons
who claim to be wise BY their superior
wisdom. The following letter from WV.
WALKER, Esq, hte Provisional Governor
of the Tribe, giving synopsis of a treaty
now under adyisement at Washington,
will be read with interest. We feel con-
fident all viii be pleased TO learn that
our neighbors desire to become citizens.
We hope the example will be soon fol-
lowed by the Shawnees. believing it for
the best interest of both races. The truth
is, our government has labored too long
to preserve these people as distinct race:
WYASDorT, Kansas Territory.l
Dee, IL, 1856.
Mr. EDITOR In pursuance of the
promise | made when you called upon me
last week, | proceed to give YOU the gen
eral features of the pr@et of treaty
about to be negotiated by the authorities
of the Wyando1t tribe with the United
States; and for which purpose deputa-
ton, composed of six of their ablest and
most distinguished men, has gone on to
Washington, viz: Tauroomee, the prin-
cipal chief, Matthew Mudeater, John
Hicks, George ]. Clark, Silas Armstrong,
and Joel Walker. Is
Not having copy of the document, l
am compelled to give, from memory, the
general outlines.
ART. /. Cedcs to the United States
their territory, consisting of one town
ship aud three sections of land.
ART. 2. The United States retrocedes
the land to the individuals composing the
tribe, entitled, by their laws and usages,
to share in the public domain.
ART. g. The United States shall cause
the said ceded lands to be surveyed into
forty acre lots, unavoidable fractions ex-
cepted: and patents, in fee simple, shall
issue from the General Land Office to
each individual and family declared en-
titled, the government relinquishing
its reversionary right over the lands.
ART. 4. Provides for the appointment
of three Commissioners two by the Wy
andott Council, and one by the President
of the United States.
ART. 5. Points out and defines the du-
ties and powers of the Commissioners.
Among these, they will be required TO
make out an accurate register of the in
dividuals and families composing the
tribe, their ages, general condition DE.
They shall then proceed to make a Just
and equitable allotment to each individual
and head of family of their respective
shares of the land.
ART. 6. Provides that in the division
of the land, each individual and head
of a family shall be assigned due pro-
portion of bottom. swamp, or refuse land
and fractional.lois and in all cases the
previous locations and occupation shall
be respected, and the Improvements made
thereon to be included in the lands as
signed as near as the surveyed lines will
admit of With a variety of other pru-
dental arrangements.
ART. z. Stipulates for Communication
of the national annuity, amounting to
s93, 10000, and other minor claims on
the United States. That is to say, the
United States pay the principal, instead
ofthe per cent, in the shape of an un-
ending annuity.
ART. 8. Provides that the Commits
sioners shall also make an equal and just
dividend, TO the parties entitled, of the
commuted money, when paid by the gov
ernment.
ART. 9. Provides that for all such per-
sons as shall be declared, by the Com
missioners, incompetent TO take charge
and possession of their individual, and
the shares of their minor children, from
insanity, idiocy. or irreclaimable profliga-
cy, proper guardians shall be appointed
for them.
ART. 10. Provides that all male MEM
bcrs of the tribe aged twenty-one years
and over, shall be admitted TO, and enjoy
all the privileges and immunities of, eiii-
zens of the United States.
Such, in brief, is the plan adopted by
the tribe 1t is not to be supposed it viii
be carried out to the letter. 1t is but
reasonable to suppose that some variations
will be made in the arrangement of the
details. am, respectfully, yours,
WIN. WALKER.