Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-07-16
ACOMMUNICATIoN FROM COL
BOUDINOT.


His Views Tersely Expressed on
the Loading Questions Now Be-
fore the People of this Territory.
RussELL CREEK, q. n, July Is, lss5.
EDITORS OF CHIEFTAIN:-The
late meeting Of the so-called repre-
sentatives of the five civilized ma
tions at Eufala, Creek nation, is
significant in one important par
ticular. 1t shows that those in
authority in this nation, as well as
those in other nations, appreciate
the gravity of the situation. 1t
has been the fashion Of some of
our prominentmen TO sneer at any
attempt to expose the frauds and
dishonesty Of public servants.
Such efforts have been stigmatized
as sensational splutter" and the
people Of this nation and the
country abroad have been assured
that all is lovely among us and no
one but few unpatriotic persons
make any complaint Of the con-
dition of our affairs. The Eufala
convention cannot be considered a
representative body. There were
some good and able men in it
Pleasant Porter, Campbell LAHORE
and others whose names l do not
now recall. They doubtless pos
sess the confidence of their people
and their advice will have great
weight. But who does William p.
Ross represent? OF what conse-
quence will his counsel and judg-
mcnt be to the Cherokee people2
They have repeatedly repudiated
his ambition to be chief.
OKLAHOMA.
Before many weeks the presi-
dent of the United States will send
commission to the Creeks and
Seminoles and Cherokees TO nego-
tiate for the purchase of two
millions of acres ceded to the
United States by the two first
named nations by their treaties of
1866, called "Oklahoma" and of
over six millions of acres belong
ing to the Cherokees called the
Cherokee strip" These two
tracts of land stand in entirely
different attitudes. The Creeks
and Seminoles sold the Oklahoma
lands to The United States for n
specified price and have received
the money for them. 1t was the
understanding at the time of such
sale that the lands were to be used
for a particular purpose, and be-
cause of such understanding the
Creeks and Seminoles no doubt
agreed TO and did receive much
less than the lands were really
worth. It is true these lands are
worth much more now than in 1866,
but it is also true that they were
really worth more then than what
they were sold for. The Chero-
KEGS sold the neutral lands" in
Kansas for sl.25 per acre the same
year that the Creeks sold their
lands for thirty cents and the
SeminOles theirs for fifteen cents
per acre; but the Cherokees sold
their land for white settlement and
the Creeks and Seminoles theirs
for friendly Indians and freed
men. The quality of the lands
did not warrant this wide differ
ence in price.
The United States now proposes
TO pay an additional amount for
the unoccupied lands of the Creek
and Seminole purchase called the
"0klahoma lands" and to open
them up to white settlement.
There is no half way ground in the
negotiations which will soon be
proposed by the commissioners.
If the Creeks aud Seminoles are
willing 10 negotiate there will be
no difficulty in agreeing upon the
additional amount 10 be paid them.
If they refuse 10 negotiate the
commissioners will report such re-
fusal TO the president and he will
lay the matter before congress. As
TO the Cherokee strip j believe an
overwhelming majority of the
Cherokee people are opposed TO
selling an acre OF il. Through the
basest misrepresentation Of Phil
lips, Bushyhead and the Cherokee
delegation they have been hum
bugged into receiving 1884 900 on
the "strip" at a valuation Of
AZ. 40 cents per acre. The misera-
BILE ringsters who have thus i'm
posed upon the people have a grave
account 10 settle with their mas
ters. The bold and clear cut res
olutions of the Delaware and Coo
weescoowee Union party conyen-
tions show that the people are
determined TO call their dishonest
public servants to account. Their
battle-cry of "no more Z l-2 per
cent. steals; no more leasing Of the
common domain to cattle mOnopO-
lies; no more money TO be received
on a basis Of 47.49 cents per acre,
or any other sum, on unOcdupied
lands; and a strict account by pub
lie officials for public moneys
intrusted 10 them" will echo
through every district in the ma
ton and result in the election Of a
council which viii give William A.
Phillips and his gang Of public
plunderers their walking papers.
THE SETTLEMENT or OKLAHOMA.
II the Greeks and Seminoles de-
eide 10 accept more money for
their ceded lands, one hundred