New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-11
From the (Arkansas) New Era.]
The Indian Territory.
Convention of the Colored People of the
ChOctaw Nation-They See the Shadow Of
Coming Events and Prepare for it-Reso-
buttons, Addresses, SC.

Convention of the COlOred People of the
Choctaw Nationality See the shadow Of
Coming Events and Prepare for it-Reso-
buttons, Addresses, SC.
A large portion of the lawful inhabitants
of the Indian Territory west of Arkansas is
composed of cOlored people, the former slaves
of the Indians and an Industrious, quiet set
of people. In the treaty of 1866 certain pro-
visions were made for these people which,
however, were never fulfilled. Since then
they have been continuing to live in the Ter
ritory merely on sufferance.
In the early part of 1870 the cOlored men
of the Choctaw and Chickasaw country held
meetings and addressed a memorial to Con-
gress, stating their condition and asking re-
dress and a political status in accordance
with the results of the war and subsequent
events.
This memorial was introduced in Congress
through the instrumentality of the editor of
this paper, who went to Washington for that
purpose and Immediately afterwards the Ok
lahOma bill was introduced, which bill is
again at the present time before Congress,
though considerably amended from the first.
There can be no doubt in the minds of in
telligent men, that the Indian Territory must
soon be thrown open to the world and the
negro inhabitants instinctively feel, that now
is their time to strike for obtaining equal
rights with the other inhabitants and come in
for share of the heritage.
Below we give the proceedings of conven-
ton held on the 10th day of February, 1872,
at the Methodist Church, Fort Coffee Prairie,
Scullyville county, Choctaw nation, by the
colored people of the Choctaw country.
PROCEEDINGS.
The meeting was called to order by James
Al
which had been made duly known all over
the country by means of posters, to be to
bring to the notice of the Government their
condition and to secure to themselves in the
event of the Territory being opened, all the
rights which belong to them as citizens of the
Territory.
On motion, Lewis Gordon was elected
President of the Convention; Edmund Bra
shears Vice President, and Nelson Coleman
Secretary.
On motion, a committee on resolutions
was appointed, as follows: James Ladd, AL
bert Garrett, and Richard Wilson.
The meeting was then addressed at length
on the subject of the probable opening of the
Territory and the interest of the colored peo-
pie therein by Rev. Ben. Clarke and Mr..
Geo. L. Lincoln, the former a colored man
the latter a white man intermarried with one
of the best Choctaw families. The commit
| tee on resolutions then reported the following
which were unanimously and enthusiastically
| adopted:
Resoloed, /. That we recognize the fact
that the time has come when a change must
take place in the inevitable course of events
in our relation and that of all other lawful resi-
dents of this Territory to the General Gov.
eminent and to the States of the Union.
2. That, being native citizens of this Indian
| fraa nrd 10 rIs
not having been carried out, we claim the
same rights, privileges, and immunities "a
other lawful citizens of this country, includ
ing share in all moneys due from the United
States Government.
8, That we reiterate our sentiments con
tanned in the memorial submitted to Congress
in March, 1870, and ask the Government
earnestly to secure to us our rights as citizens
of the United States to which we are entitled
by virtue of the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments to the United States Constltu
ton.
4. That we sincerely desire to live in peace
and friendship with all the inhabitants OF tins
country, and pledge ourselves that nothing
shall be done on our part to disturb friendly
relations between ourselves and them.
8. That we earnestly beseech the Nationa
Government. until the status of this TelritOr,
is definitely fixed, to grant us the boon o
schools. many of whom could be establishe,
in different parts of this country with al
attendance of from twenty to fifty children.
6. That we strongly disprove of the man
ner in which the late census Of the colore,
people of this nation was taken by Il. ID
Griffith, United States agent, requiring tn
people of several counties, under pains o
severe penalties, to go great distance T.
Scullyville to be numbered-a plan which
may have worked well in our Saviour's tim
under Roman rule, but which we think can
not be carried out now, and by which yer.
defective census was obtained.
I. That we earnestly pray Congress to Civ
heed to these our just claims, and see u
righted in all that is justly due us.