Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-08-22

aud exact offer on the jar, OF the
United States to pay the Cherokee
nation 81 % per acre for its title,
claim or interest. good OF bad, "a
all the lands embraced i'm what is
known as the Cherokee outlet,
west Of the Arkansas river, includ.
ing the land on which other In.
dians are now located, deducting
from the computed amount of pur-
chase money the sums the United
States has paid the Cherokees on
account Of the lands in the outlet
west Of that river; and that offer
covered all the lands west of the
Arkansas river within the bounda-
ries OF the Cherokee patent or the
18th article OF the treaty of 1866.
Your government knows, so
does the government Of the United
States know, just what lands lie
west Of the Arkansas river to
which the Cherokee nation makes
any claim. There can be no mis-
understanding ON that point.
Your government Knows, and
so does the government Of the
United States know, Just how
much money has been heretofore
paid on account Of lands in the
outlet west of the Arkansas river.
There can be no misunderstanding
on that point.
The act Of congress and the in
structions of this commission
which have been cited in a former
letter-shows exactly the exter. Il
authority Of this commission, 80
there can be no misunderstanding
on that point.
We note your observations upon
the history Of the claim, title or
interest of the Cherokee nation in
or to the lands, but we must re.
spectfully call your attention to
the fact that this offer does not
raise the question Of title. The
Offer is s1.25 per acre, whether the
title, claim or interest is good,
bad or indifferent. The question
as to what, If any, title the Chero-
kee nation has TO those lands,
would come up for discussion. If
the United States was negotiating
for this purchase with the ques-
tions of title in view; but in max
ing this offer and for the purposes
of this offer only il valves any and
all advantages it might have in
such negotiations, giving to the
Cherokee nation for this occasion
the advantage of any doubt or
question which may exist as TO the
nature of their title, claim or in
terest in or to the outlet.
We also note your observations
as TO the lands of the Pawnces.
Poncas, Nez Percss, Otues and
The object Of the
United States in including those
lands in its offer was 10 clear away
any possible claim of title OIL part
Of the Cherokees 10 those lands
now or hereafter and to make the
title Of those tribes to those lands
perfect beyond question, and to
give to the Cherokee nation the
Of receiving sl.25 per
lcre for such lands, waiving for the
occasion the right of the United
States TO settle for those lands at
he appraisal thereof, heretofore
made by the president, as also for
he remainder of the outlet, which
)y the same treaty and appraisal
he government has the right to
'ettle friendly Indians upon. The |
'eason for including those lands in |
he offer was 50 apparent that we
lid not think and do no. think |
low any explanation was necessa.
y. We do not see how any mis-
understanding is possible on that
,oint.
We also note your observations |
IS TO the necessity of a change Of /
provisions of your consti-
ution dating from 1899, before the
,herokee nation can take effective
ction upon this offer. This
is a surprise to us.
he treaty since 1889 made trans
ers of lands in Kansas and lands
n this territory and provide for
ransfer by the national council of
ther Cherokee lands in Arkansas
nd states east Of the Mississippi.
he validity Of those transfers has
ever been questioned by the
nation, and il has re-
eived and retained the purchase
money therefor without question.
he transfer under the present Of
,r would, we think, be as
aid as those were and the United
tates will be entirely satisfied
18th a transfer confirmed by the
ational council.
1t will be the duty Of the com.
will give the men,
ers thereof pleasure-to return to
ahlequah when the Cherokee ma
onal council meets in November
ext and be ready TO complete a
'eaty embodying this offer, in
lse the offer is accepted by that
ody.
The commission will leave Tah-
'quah tomorrow morning 10
rosecute its labors in other parts
the territory. Its address will
e, for some time, at Muskogee, in
are Of DR.. Bennett, the Indian
gent.
rendering our thanks for the
entertainment which
as served to render our STAY in
iis nation so agreeable TO us, we
ave the honor to be, yours very
,spectfully,
LUCIUs FAIRcHLD,
A. NJ. WILSON,
Commissioners.
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