Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-08-18
4 SPECIAL MESSAGE.
The Chief Favors a Commission to
Negotiate.

Executive Department. C. N.
August sth, 1s9s.
To the National Council:
Gentlemen;-The act of congress
of the United States entitled "An
act for the protection ofthe people
of the Indian Territory, and for
other purposes" approved June
2S, 1898, is in violation of every
provision Of the treaties and agree
ments existing between the United
States and the Cherokee nation.
In violation OF the articles of the
treaty of 1886, the courts OF the
Cherokee nation are abolished,
and the United States courts are
given exclusive jurisdiction over
all classes Of people in the Indian
Territory, regardless ofcitizenship,
and pending cases in the Cherokee
nation are transferred 10 the
United States courts.
The officers of our courts are
prohibited from performing their
duties as required by the law and
receive no compensation.
4 roll of our ciligens is author
ised to be completed, to which
our people should make no objec-
ton in view of the evident fairness
heretofore shown by the United
States commission.
After the roll of citizens is made
and the survey of lands is COM
pleted provision is made in sec-
ton IL, to which your especial
attention is called, for the allot-
ment of the exclusive use and
occupancy oe the surface Of the
lands of the Cherokee nation sus-
ceptible of allotment, among the
citizens thereof. This is very un-
satisfactory way to attempt to set
tie this vital question. The law
practically abolishes our govern
ment, allots the surface of oul
land but does not attempt TO give
any other title. No nation of peo
pie can progress enveloped in suclI
a degree of uncertainty; no perma
nent improvements will be made
in the future upon lands TO which
only a surface occupancy is recog
nized, and such spirit of unres
and uncertainty engenders law
lessness and misgovernment.
Our funds, by another section
are disbursed by the United States
officers, and our revenues, if col
lecied at all, must be collected il
the same way. Again, even tn,
surface allotment may be disturb
ed by mineral leases plastere,
over our country, issued by tn
secretary Of the interior.
: Our legislature is restricted t
such acts as the president of III
, United States desires to approve
What is the cause of this? Wha
; should be done?
At the suggestion OF the grea
mass of our people the nations
: council made provision for larg
delegation TO Washington, b. c.
: during the past session OF congress
and by constitutional prerogativ
by nominating from among th
Cherokee speaking of our peopl
in order that they might inforr
: themselves of the condition of al
) fairs at Washington, and in tn
, hope that they would communicat
he result OF their investigation i
: detail to particularly their class c
our people.
: Their report as yet has not bee
made. Everybody must agre
with me from the legislation c
, congress, from personal knowledg
or information through the press
or from the various late delega
? tions, that the government of th
, United States is determined tina
there should be a change in ou
! system of holding land in common
) to one Of severalty. They openl,
admit that such a policy necessi
tates the violation of our treaties