Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-15
SLICE OF TEXAS
Claimed by the Cherokee In
diansf a Big Slice, Too.
DOCUMENTS SUPPORTING IT
Found Among the Papers of the Late
Chief Ross-Sam Houston's Name to
One OF Them-A Spanish Prom
Use to the Indians.
special . tl1e Gazette.

Special to the Gazette.
TAHLEoUAH. 1. r., Feb 1.-THE Chero-
KEGS have for a long time laid claim TO q
large tract of land in Texas, but have lost
the deed which they assert was given them
10 the property, they having been unable TO
prove the genuinenesS of their claim. A
few days ago, however, while looking
through the papers of the old Cherokee
chief John Ross, who died in 1853 docu-
ments were found which they believe viii
constitute sufficient evidence to prove their
ownership TO the land.
The most important part of the find was
\ set Of declarations on the part of the
people Of Texas. Besides these declara-
lions other written instruments by the gov
eruments of Spain and Mexico were found,
the following being an extract from one OF
them: >
Your father, the Spaniard, feels for you
the most sincere affection, and rest assured
that he all the time fiatters himself with
the conviction that the Cherosees feel for
him and his people the most unalterable
fidelity. / repeat it, you will always find
in the bosom of your father, the Spaniard,
protection against your enemies, and ref
uge in your misfortunes. He will give YOU
lands where your steps will not be OBJ
structed by willy and faithless foes, where
game of all kinds is to be found, where
your villages can be built in advantageous,
salubrious and pleasant localities -
The document from which the above is
taken was signed and sealed at a Spanish
fort on the 10th day of July, 1875. There is
still another document emanating from the
republic of Texas, carrying out in good
faith the declaration given below:
Be it solemnly decreed, that we, the
chosen delegates of the consultation of all
Texas in general convention assembled,
sOlemnly declare
u nhatsol~na Tn
ISOLATED bands, twelve tribes in number,
acreeably TO their last general council in
Texas, have derived their first claims 10
lands included within the bounds hereinaf-
ter mentioned from the government of
Mexico, from whom we have also derived
our rights TO the sale by grant and oc-
Cupancy.
We solemnly declare, that the boundary
of the claim of the said Indians to lands is
as follows, to-wit: Lying north of the San
Antonio and Matches road and west of the
Sabine river.
We solemnly declare that the governor
and general council shall Immediately in its
organization appoint commissioners TO treat
with the said Indians to establish the defin-
tie boundary of their territory and secure
their confidence and friendship.
We solemnly declare, that we will guar
antee to them the peaceable enjoyment of
their rights to their lands as we do our
own.
We solemnly declare, that all grants,
surveys or location of lands within the
bounds hereinbefore mentioned made after
the settlement of the said Indians are and
of right ought to be utterly null and void,
and that the commissioner issuing the same
be and is hereby ordered immediately to
recall and cancel the same as having been
made upon lands already appropriated By
the Mexican government
We SOlemnly declare, that it is our sincere
desire that the Cherokee Indians and their
associated bands should remain our friends
In peace and war, and if they do SO we
pledge the public faith for the support of
Inc foregoing declarations.
We solemnIy declare, that they are en-
titled to our commiseration and protection
rs the just owners of the soil and as an un-
fortunate race of people that we wish to
hold as friends and trust with Justice.
Deeply and solemnly impressed with theses
sentiments, and as a mark OF our sinceriKg,
your committee would very respectfully
recommend the adoption of the following
resolution:
Resolved, that all the members Of this
convention now present sign this declara-
ton and pledge of the public faith on the
part of the people of Texas.
Done in convention at San Felipe deSAus-
tin, this 18th day of November, A. D., 1855
Signed B. F. ARTHUR, President.
T. 3. DEATER, Secretary.
The document contains also the sigma
lures of Sam Houston and between thirty
or forty others.
The discovery has created no little ex-
element among the Cherokees, and it is
intelligent men that their claim will be
prOypd