The Van Buren press., 1870-06-28
Grand Council of Indians.
What the Indians Say.

What the Indians Say.
ADDRESS OF SAMUEL CHiCoTE, MuscosEE
CHIEF.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Ok MuL GEE, NJ. NATION, June 10.
FRIENDS AND BROTHERS:
Not long since sent communication
to the authorities Of the several Indian
Nations resident in the Indian Territory,
suggesting the convention Of an inter
national Council at this place. ! am
pleased to think that my views accorded
with those ofthe authorities Of the other
Nations Of this Territory, as is proven
by their prompt response to the afore.
said suggestion.
Being convened at my suggestion, you
naturally expect of me a communication
Of my views. 1t seems to me, at this
time, that there are great reasons why
such council should be convened among
the several Nations, and in view of fthese,
the present council is assembled; and we
may consider ourselves particularly fa-
vored by a kind providence, when we
see so many brothers of the red race, as
sembled together. 1t is well known to
us that our fathers before US often met In
councils Of this kind, for consultation on
matters having for their object the gene
raj good of the red man One Of the
good results OF such meetings was, that
each nation understood perfectly the re-
lations existing between all OF the brother
Nations, which enabled them to under
stand and respect each others rights.
producing harmony and peace in our
brotherhood.
sSThe Government Of the United States
in solemn treaties promised every pro
lection to Indians in their new homes
West OF the Mississippi. Guaranteeing
to them and their descendants forever the
undisturbed possession OF the lands to
which they were removed. The Indian,
taught by experience and suspecting the
to have 1t expressly understood, (in
which the white man accorded) that the
white man should never annex the Indian
lands to any State, nor erect them into
to extend over them any
laws peculiar to any Of the States of the
States OF the Union or her Territories.
In direct contrariety with the solemn
promises and the established policy of
the Government, we see the authorities
of the United States. striving to ignore
ali of her former acts and change her
policy, as is indicated in the Bills intro
duced into Congress proposing Terri.
torial form Of Government for the Indian
Country. We are sensible OF the fact,
that Territorial form Of Government
will at this time in no wise benefit the
great sais"l majority i Of si 'lHai.sdg dRdfnose
termed full. bloods, who have no eduea-
ton, nor can they even speak the Eng
lsh language, and no such race OF peo'
pie can take upon themselves the laws
made by the white man-a people differ.
ent in language, and customs--and pros.
per under them. In view Of this fact the
Indian delegates at Washington have pro
tested time and again, and made every
effort to stay the impending danger
Now in view Of this state OF affairs, l
would suggest the expcdiency ofthe pas
sage by this council Of resolutions Of re
quest that the United States Government
may not adopt policy toward the Ind.
ians that is so subversive Of our relations
to that Government as Is foreshadowed
in the Bills so often introduced in the
Congress Of that Government. The Uni
ted States in former times acted magnan-
imously towards the Indian IN matters
Of treaty and public policy, and in man
ner characteristic Of agreat and Christian
Nation, and We cannot but still repOse
implicit confidence in her continued sym
pathy for the helpless Indians. il the
United States will continue to pursue the
policy practccd thus far, we are convinc-
ed that Is the most speedy way to CHRIS
tianize and civlize the Indians. In con
clusion / would state that l sincerely
trust that q beneHcent Providence will 50
direct. that your present mutual consulta.
ton will result in much good to us and
those to come after us.
Very respectfully. DC.
SAMUEL CHICoTE,
Chief NJ. Nation.