Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-07-30


we submit the account for occupied
tracts as II stands. (Here follows
statement of account signed by
Messrs. Wolfe, Ross and Phillips.
This letter is in some respects a
most remarkable document. The
very curious manner in which, il
jumbles the two branches of the
business, the sale Of the unoccupied
lands with the settlement for the
occupied tracts, cannot fail to ex-
te the most unfavorable criticism
in the minds of any discerning
reader. The interest which at
taches to this letter naturally, is
still further enhanced by the re-
Election that these gentlemen had
not been authorized TO sell the un-
occupied tract, notwithstanding
their solemn official assertion TO
the contrary. 1t is true they had
asked the authority to sell these
unoccupied lands but when the bill
of instructions came up for consid-
Grafton in the senate, this provis-
ion, on motion Of Hon. G. V. Rog.
ers, was stricken out. This ad-
verse action on part Of the senate
was in effect to admonish the dele
cation and the special agent to let
this land alone and not to "mon-
key" with it in any way.
But Phillips and the delegation
as we have always seen besought
the secretary of the interior to rec
ommend these two measures (the
settlement for the occupied tracts
and also the sale Of the unoccupied
portion) to the congress, and this
he did in the following letter un-
der date of January 18th, 1888,
addressed to the president;
Sif:-I have the honor to submit
herewith two communications dat
ed respectively the 4th and 9Th
instant, addressed to this depart
ment by Messrs. Wolfe and Ross,
Cherokee delegates and w. A.
Phillips, special agent and counsel
for the Cherokee nation of Indians,
each of which is in relat IN to the
lands west of the 900 west longi-
tude in the Indian Territory, COW
cred by the sixteenth article of the
treaty of July 10Th, 1866. These
communications present separate
propositions for the payment of
moneys claimed to be due the
Cherokees for lands already taken
by the United States for the settle
ment of friendly Indians, and for
the sale of the remainder Of the
lands not yet so occupied, to the
United States. The valuation of
the lands in the Indian Territory
west of $50 west longitude already
taken for the settlement of friendly
Indians thereon as provided in the
treaty, having thus been fixed by
the president as the price TO be
paid therefor by the United States,
and he having fixed the price to be
paid for the balance of the lands in
saij Indian Territory west of 96o
west longitude which may be so
taken and occupied; l am of opin-
ion that it will be to the interest
of the Cherokee Indians as well as
to the interest of the United States
and will settle many questions
growing out Of this matter, which
have been and are now very troub-
lesome and annoying, if an appro.
priation were made by congress in
a sum sufficient TO pay the Chero-
kee nation for the whole body OF
land in question at the price above
fixed by the president.
II. NJ. TELLER, Secretary.
The President.
Let it now be noticed right here
that the secretary does not only
advise the purchase of these un-
occupied lands, but recommends
that the appropriation be made on
the basis Of the presidents ap-
praisement, namely, 47.49 cents
per acre. There is nothing said
here about raising the valuation of
any lands whatsoever TO s1.25 per
acre. That matter is nowhere
head of, out Of and beyond the
secretary's office.
On the Goth day of January, 1888,
the president transmits to congress
the correspondence Of the delega-
ton and the secretary Of the in
terror, including the latter's
recommendation with the following
message:
"To the Senate and House of
Representatives, transmit here
with a communication, dated the
18th instant, from the secretary of
the interior, with accompanying
papers in relation TO the request OF
the Cherokee Indians, in the In
dian Territory, for payment for
lands in that territory, west Of the
96th degree, west longitude, the
cession Of which to the United
States, for the settlement Of
friendly Indians thereon, is pro-
yided for, in the sixteenth article
of the treaty OF July 10, 1866.
"CHEsTRR A. ARTHUR"
The whole matter is now before
congress for consideration, and on
the Sd day OF March following, the
100000 was appropriated. This
il the act.
"That the sum Of three hundred
thousand dollars is hereby appro-
priated to be paid into the treasury
Of the Cherokee nation, out Of
funds due under appraisement for
Cherokee lands west Of the Arkan-
sas river, which sum shall be
as the act of the Chero-
kee legislature directs, the amount
TO be Immediately available, pro-
81 Ind 4kot a.. II.o.SI.. -