Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-02-28
ON TIE OKLAHOMA BILL.
Chief Mayes GWEN a Hearing by
the Senate Committee.

4
become somewhat alarmed. We
have come here before you to pro-
test againstl any action on your
part TO extend your territorial
jurisdiction over any portion of
our country. The country that
you propose to take west Of the
Arkansas river the Chorokees abso-
lutely claim it as their property,
claim the right to use it the same
as any other people claim the right
to use what belongs to them. We
earnestly and honestly protest
against the extension of your
territorial lines over that country.
We refer you to the treaties in
which you have solemnly agreed
not to extend your terrific
rial rights over US without our con-
sent. You have agreed not to
extend territorial lines over our
country in any case without the
consent of the Cherokees. II
seems to me, before you take any
action in this matter, that you
should consult US at least with re-
gard to it. We have never been
consulted; it is surprise to our
people. 1t seems to me that if you
want to buy our territory, or
want to do anything with it, we
ought TO be consulted about it.
The territory belongs to us and
we claim it. We claim that we
own it absolutely. We have beon
living on it for years, and the title
has never been disputed.
We would simply ask you to
send a committee down there and
tell our people what you want.
| think that is fair.
Senator Cullom. We are not
proposing to to very much without
your consent finally.
Mr. Mayes. But you put us in
place where we do not want to be.
We claim that the territory belongs
to us, and we claim that you have
agreed not to extend those lines
without our consent. You want
to place us inside of a territorial
government and you want to fix a
price on our land. We claim that
if there is any price to be fixed on
our land we must fix it. 1t is ours,
the same as your land is yours.
The chairman. Has there ever
been any negotiations between the
government and you for the sxtin-
guishmert of the title, whatever it
is to this outlet7
Mr.. Mayes. No, sir; only the
treaty of 1865.
The chairman. That il, the gov
crnment mas never come to you
through any agent and asked you
what you would do?
No, sir; they never have; by the
treaty of 1885 we agreed to sell
friendly Indians a portion Of our
territory.
The chairman. ] understand
that; but there has never been any
talk between you or between the
Indians and the government?
No, there never has; we gave the
title to the land; the government
never gave a title. We gave the
deeds. 1t seems to me you people
ought TO treat US with some respect
and come down and ask US what
we want to have done about it.
Senator Cullom. That is the only
point you present, is it?
We also make the point that you
violate the treaty whenever you
place your territorial lines over us.
Besides that, we object to the price.
If we have lands that are to be
sold we want something to say
about the price; VIC have been Of
fered So an acre for them.
Senator Cullom. By whom?
l believe l have the proposition
here in my pocket.
Senaton Cullom. If il is not too
long l should like to hear it read.
Senator Stewart. Do you claim
that you have a right to sell the
land by any treaty of law?
Not without your consent; of
course we could not sell it to any
foreign power. We would not pre-
tend to violate a treaty stipulation;
we do not want to do that, and VIC
do not want you to do it.
Senator Stewart. Then, If you
have no right to sell Of what use
is an offer?
Well, it goes to show what the
land is worth.
The chairman. The paper is not
very long; will read il; it is dated
Nov. 2S, 1888:
[The offer made by the "syndi.
cate" for the entire 100000 acres
was .hen read.
Senator Cuilom. Did you lease
the land actually for 100000.
No sir; we made a contract to
Craze cattle there for 100000 a
year.
Senator Cullom. You are get
ting 100000 a year now?
We are getting 5000, 900 for the
land to-day.
The chairman. l would like to
know how you understand that this
bill will affect you. Suppose il
passes, and you should agree to
take sl.25 an acre, when do you
understand you are to get your pay
afishow are are you going to get it
under the>hill2
We understand we may get part
Of it aud mayAeYer get the other-
part. A---~--s--'-
The chaiTfnan. You get nothing
under the bin as You understand,
untifthe land is sold and paid for
~ seitlers2
y Yes, part Of it we maynever get.
SENATOR Hutler see bv the