The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-12-08
THE INDIAN TERRITORY.

The Cherokee Advocate, of Novem-
Der 25th, publishes the Message OF tho
Principal Chief, Lewis Downing. tits
a somewhat elaborate statement,'of the
condition of affairs in the Indian Terri
tory. We copy the following:
Since the adjournment last session of
the National Council, the Missouri,
Kansas Sc Texas railroad has entered
our country on the north, and passed
through it and gone several miles south
into the Creek Nation.
The Atlantic and Pacific railroad has
also entered our Nation on the east, en-
tering it at the corner of the Seneca Ma
ton, and it has been completed to it's
junction with the Missouri, Kansas s.
Texas railroad. AT this point, on the
west side, the A. s. u. railroad company
have established depot, and on both
sides of that road the commissioners
provided for by an act of the National
Council at its last session, have laid off
the town of Downingville. Also four
miles east of the confluence of Spring
River with the Neosho, or Grand river,
on the A & P. railroad, they have laid
ont the town of RossVille. Lots have
been sold at a good price in each of
these towns, and there is prospect of
their becoming places of importance.
The NJ. X. & T. is blamed for avoid
ing Fort Gibson and for its exorbitant
rates of fare aud freight, and both roads
are censured for taking wood and ties
illegally.
AS remedy, would suggest, First,
That we confer with other tribes or In
dian nations through whose country
this road may pass, and by the acts of
the National Councils of the several
Nations, establish uniform and reason
able rates of fare and freight on the
railroad, through the whole Indian
country, for citizens of the country.
Secondly, That the Cherokee Nation
charter, in some form or other, another
railroad to run from north to south,
through the Nation on the east side of
Grand river, and if possible have Tah-
lequah and Fort Gibson designated as
points through which it shall run, and
thus bring down the high rates by COM
petition. D.t
This second proposition probably
contemplates an extension of the NJ. r.
Fl. S. s. G. railroad.
The Atlantic and Pacific railroad COM
pany requires more than the two hun.
dred additional feet granted by treaty,
at stations, at the junction of the two
roads, in order to form Y, or switch
to connect the Atlantic and Pacific rail,
} road with the Missouri, Kansas and
Texas railroad, as will be seen by refer.
ence to the plat of Downingville. This
! seems to be a necessity, and would
recommend that it should receive your
: sanction under certain restrictions.
BOUNDARY LINE.
Mr.. John l.. Adair, who was elected
bV the National Council at its last ses
. sion, as commissioner on the part of tn,
Cherokee Nation to survey and mari
the boundary lines, separating this ma
ton from the States of Arkansas, Mis-
. souri,, and Kansas, has been diligently
. engaged in the work assigned him, il
, connection with Hon. James N. Ash
> ley, commissioner on part of the Unitst
: States.
The work of surveying said bOun
4 dairy line is now completed, and tn
making and setting up of monument
will be completed in q short time.
learn that portions of what was claim
ed as parts of the adjoining States haV
= fallen into the Cherokee Nation, q
= several important points, and carryin
. with them several valuable improve
u ments which by law of the Nation, 81
y proved November Sth, 1859, are publ
: property, and are subject to be sold {
> the highest bidder by the sheriff of til
/ district in which they are situated afte
= fifteen days notice. But the circun
u stances are of such q nature that
would suggest suspension of the La
~ in respect TO these improvements for
j" definite period, while 1 would suggei
that means be taken to secure these in
provements to the use and benefit
the Nation