Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-04
An Act of the General Council of the Choctaw Nation, declaring itself free and indenenGent internationally.

WHEREAS The union formerly existing between the United States of America has been dlssoiied' owing to the differences of opinion upon questions arising under the constitution. Eleven ot the States who were members Ot the umon nave con federated themselves together into a separate and ndcDendent government. They have formally asked for d recognition of their independence, based upon the idea that q republican form ol govern ment can only exist q by the consent oi the go- vcened." This has be Il ndenied theul, and bloody and cruel war proclaimed against them ne ChOctaw Nation were under treaty stipulaHohs with the old uior for certain defined purposes, and the destruction of the government Of the United States caves the ChOctawS without any blndlng contract upon them. The government of which Abraham Lincoln claims to be President, has ut terly refused to abide by solemn covenants and treaty stipuations. w. trusted and sincerely hoped that this event would be averted. Our money has been refused us-the military posts laced III our country for protection has been abandoned, ana we are left to the tender mercies of kansas cut throats and higher law leaders from all quarters ot the North: Whereas, we fully believe that all our rights immunities and privileges will be complete Y guaranteed to us by the Confederate States 0f America: And, arhereaa, we feel that the war wag- ed upon them is unjust, inhuman and without q parallel in the annals ol history, and that thelr cause is our cause-we, SO far interest IS con cerned are identical: 4ad, miereas, we hold that
  preservation, the right of sel-goyernment, and thatw we adrlther see general conf grafton sweep over the land, or earthquake sink it, than one ota ot this right be conCeded-therefore,
 1. Be h rcsoired by te General Council of the ChoctaD Nation assembled That the dissolution of the government of the United States leaves the Ch0ctaws free to act for themselves, and deem that the first act we should perform is to declare ourselves absolutely and internationally an inde- pendent people, aside from an! earthly power, which we hereby do.
 J Be 4 furtier resogved, That in consideration of our want of physical power, our exposed cOndi- ton and the identity of our institutions, etc. we are ready and willing to enter into a new treaty of alliance and amtv with the Southern Confederacy.
 g. Be t further reso.red, That the Choctaws are threatened with invasion by the abolition hordes of the North, and that treemen it behooves Us to every effort in power to defend ourselves against their aggresSions, and we cordially unite with all the tribes who are opposed to this threat ened invasion, for common defence and mutual safety
 f. Be t fsrtler resolrcd, That the Principal Chief is hereby authorized and required to appoint one commissioner out of each county, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, with full power on the IArt of tn Nation to meet he commissioner of the Confederate States t0 negotiate a treaty ot alliance and amitv and adopt all means necessary for defence and safety, the majority of which shalt constitute T quorum to do business.
 And [, il tartd- re,olred, The Principal Chief is hereby authorized to appoint the same set of commissioners to act as delegates, with full power to go and meet the Cherokees, Creeks, Semnolcs and Chickasaws i'll convention, 10 be held at Perry vile the 24th day of June, 1861, to enter into q league for mutual protection.
 5 Be t further res1lred, That the commission CTS who shall be appointed to meet the commis- soner from the Con Iederate states for the purpose of making 1T aaty shall be and they are hereby required to submit the treaty and every article of agreement made between them and the said com missioner to the General Council for its ratification or rejection of the same That all offences, con sistng of crimes and misdemeanors, commitsedby white men, Indians, other tribes persons ot any nation whatsoever, either resident nonresident, punishable by the law of the Choctaw Nation, and who may commit any offence violate the laws of the same, shall be subject to arrest, trial and punishment, according to the laws of said Nation
 6. Be 1t further res1Loed, That the Principal Chief is hereby requested to invite Gen. D. Il. Cooper to attend the convention of Indian tribes to be held at Perryville, Choctaw Nation, OH the 2lth day of June, 1861, to aid the Choctaw dele gates with his advice.
 :. That these resolutions and act take effect and be in force from and after their passage.
 Approv cd llth of June. 1881.
 GEO. HUDSON, r. C., c. N.