Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1901-09-05

law-abiding citizens; the land being in
a body Of whole to the Cherokee people,
not being divided, yet leaves them as
heirs with a Cherokee title, and no
adoption Of any United States citizen Is
iAstly entitled to this isinvesied rigkt. We
do not deny their children where they
are married to a Cherokee. These inter
married whites now have a bill in con-
gress contending for their rights to a
share Of the Cherokee land. But II the
Cherokee National Council had given
them the right to a share Of this land,
they would not be obliged to 20 to the
United States Congress for their rights.
Therefore, II now becomes our hasty
duty to follow up this petition that IS
already in congress. and which has al
ready been presented 10 both houses Of
congress, and to che Commissioner Of
Indian Affairs This bill is sufficient
without introducing another, and now
had the preference Of time.
No reservator has any right to snare
in the Cherokee lands, as they forfeited
whatever rightsthey mad by Quit claim
release under oath, to ali right and title
or immunities to any lands west Of the
Mississippi River, as they have received
their prorata share east Of the Mississippi
River, also on the so-calicd neutral land,
and such persons would be deemed tres
passers. No sympathy given for their
improvements, for they are intruders
upon the land
An investigation should be made in re-
gard 70 the schools at the expense Of the
Cherokee Nation, for educating the
reservator's children out of the Cherokee
funds; also should deny the children Of
those who are on the doubtful list.
Furthermore, we einphatically deny
the legality Of the Curtis law, as il is en-
forced upon the Cherokee people and
only urged by few Cherokee authori.
ties, but not granting to the Cherokee
people as good a title TO their land as
they already have, for they already have
the fee 70 the land. with guarantee Of a
patent from the nited States Whenever
thevdesireit We therefore DO NOT want
no vary or change whatever rights We al-
ready have until wc are freed absolutely
/ from tnc ciaims ni tic llselssfaiT -ard
[ the whites by marriage. We further
dcuy the Cherokee Freedmen any right
I whatever 20 share in the Cherokee lluds,
as they we're only Acid as slaves, and 81
was the right OF the United States GOV
ernment to investigate the compromise
between the Freedmen and the Chcro.
KEGS, and protect the Chcrokees in the
l title il had already assured them by
treaty, and which they could not share
with any one else.
As 10 the claimant, we had no law 20
compel them to come into court and
establish their right, 20 they remained
here as trespa1sers, and we cannot, by
law, shoW them any sympathy for their
improvements. They have already en-
| loved the speculation and have taken adj
vantage OF the Cherokee people under
this pretended right. They have been
free from tax, or a permit in the Chcro-
kee Nation. Now such persons must not
become offended at the Indians for pro-
tecting their vested rights. as the Curtis
law IS like whip compelling them to a
selection OF lauds before they are ready
for it. When we are ready we want an
equal division in lands and money.
Every one Of you present your petit
lion TO the Honorable J. Blair sheen
felt, United States Indian Agent at
Muscogee, 20 prevent the enforcement
OF the Curtis law.
Sec. 5th., Sharing under the Curtis
Iawl.
lfauy citisen select eighty acres OF
land the appraised value OF which, foi
any reason, Is In excess OF such stand
ard, the excess value shall be charged
against him In the future distrlbutlol
OF lands and funds 90 the tribe arising
from any source whatever, unless b,
has.already paid the same, aud ne shal
not be entitled 60 any further dlstri-
button OF property or funds until all
other citizens have received lands anC
funds equal Ia value 20 hts allotment
and II there be not sunclent property
and funds OF the tribe 20 make ths
allotment OF all other citizens equa
Ia value 70 his, thea for the excess
, there shall exist lien on the rents
aud profits OF hls allotment; and 90
! deed shall issue 10 such all0tee unit
/; Ian charges against the allotment ar,
e lllQuldated. All controversies arising
r between citizens as 10 their night q
select PARTICULAR tracts OF land shal
E be determined by said commission
according 20 law.
We see that under tue treaties al
ready referred 20 tctween the unltel
States and the eherokce., no alloti
ment OF the lands can be made Q
forced upon the CheFokees unless the
: are willing. We therefore, emDhatI
cally deny the right of the Unite
States 70 enforce the above provision
B made under the Curtis law, as We a
G ready have ali the title we want una,
3 our patent liom the United Stale
! We deny that the United States cha
4 dictate h0N and when we may alspol
q % ID or how much we shall each tak
q When we are ready for allottiQe9t y
Z each desire au eQua division ~ u
IS lands ana funds of zoe trlno.
We further desire tnat an perso
uho have perlu'a themselves in q
mrtiae aa il
enk .n't In1 naI
los n
IAf a.