The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-01-20
EX-CHIEF SUSHYHEAD.

GUTHRIE, o. T., Jan. 19-Among the
communications read at the strip conven-
ton held in this city yesterday was the
following from ex-Chief Bushyhead of the
Cherokee nation:
''TAHLEQUAH, I T., Jan. u. 1893.
Bon Board T. Of i Trade aRs-S0' A'oH- F''' 'D'
DEAR SIR am informed that con-
| vention Is expected TO be held at Guthrie
| on Jan. is, for the. purpose OF urging upon
the present congress the necessity Of rati-
| flying the treaties already entered into by
| the Indian commission with the Cherokee,
| kickapOo, Wichita and other tribes; also
| that the people OF the various localities
| embraced within the country occupied by
the five tribes will be invited and expected
| to be present and participate in the pro-
ceedings, in order TO add strength and
| effect to the action of the convention.
$50 far as the object of the convention
| above stated, is concerned, it may interest
| you and your friends to know that Table
| Quah and vic nity-iu fact. this whole
| country, is heartily in sympathy with the
| purpose of the projected movement That
| the Cherokees are disposed to stick to
what they agreed to in reference TO the
sale of the Cherokee strip, and therefore
would be much pleased to have their
agreement made with United States COM
missioners ratified by congress, / can af-
firm without qualification. They know,
too that their own interests would be su b.
served by ratification. The rich and valu-
able lands they would thereby paIt with
would supply thousands of their white
brothers with homes uneXcelled any
where for fertility, and they are more
than willing to join with those who are
interested on that account to urge favor
able action upon congress.
But you may not be aware that the
ard
selling by far the best part of the wholt
tract covered by their patent in fee; that
the price they have agreed to take for it is
not more than half its value and that the
increase of the nation and adopted pOpuls-
tion of the tribe has already reduced the
share ofeach member of the tribe-were
all the remainder of the lands divided
equally among them-to less than the
amount allowed to the miners of other
tribes which have sold to the government
under the same act Of congress under
which we have agreed under certain con-
ditions To cede back the Cherokee strip.
If it be asked why in their view of the
matter, as stated, they have made the
agreement at all, the answer is on account
of the Importance they attach to these con-
dltlons az means by which their
grasp upon the country they will
have left to them and their
own government and institutions will be
SO urmIy HA6u anu cSUaDilSneQ GB9b Jnty
need have no further fear on account
thereof, il they, the Cherokees, keep up
with the march OF progress.
''IJ will be seen from this that the same
reason that inspired desire in the Chero-
KEGS to aid and be aided to obtain ratifi- |
cation of their agreement with the United
States commissioners must render them
adverse to any proposition towards max
ing any other changes in their situation
and relations than the great change the
agreement itself will effect when ratified. |
1t is to prevent any misunderstanding and |
perhaps consequent want of harmony in |
the joint efforts Of all interested to ac- |
compiish the common object that / have |
yentured to address you this letter
IF it is necessary for the Cherokees to |
add their voices TO those of others who |
expect to be benefited by the ratification |
Of their agreement with the United |
States commissioners, they will continue !
TO abide by their agreement with the |
steadfastness that becomes an honorable !
people, and that they hope and trust
thai the agreement Will be ratified by
Much time and labor were ex-
pended by the respective commissions in
concluding it and 1T was ratified by the
Cherokee legislature as it was submitted
by the commissioners, III the hope that
the labor aud time would not be thrown
away and the conclusion OF the momen-
tous work indefinitely deferred in order
to consider untimely suggestions or prop !
osiJions
Il have the honor to be very respect
fully,
"D. W. BUsHYHEAD."