The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-09
CHEROKEES CLAIM
PAY FOR A LARGE QUANTITY OF LAND 3yOO0.OO0 ACRES IN TEXAS. Historic Record Turns Up-COvenans Between People of Texas and Cher-i
 oIees Made fin 1882 is of

LAND 100000 ACRES IN TEXAS. Historic Record Turns Up-COvenans
 Between People of Texas and Cher-
 okees Made fin 1882 is of
 Interest.
 Muscogee Phoenix.
 An agreement between the Cherokees and Texas the republic. drawn in 1885, a copy of which is in possession of the United States Indian Agent in Musko- zee, brings out some interesting hiss tory of a band of Cherokees who at one time lived in Texas. The agree ment was signed by General Sam Hous- ton and members of a convention of the Republic of Texas.
 About 1929, band of Cherokees im- migrated to what is commonly known as the Cherokee Valley. between the Neches and Angelina Riers. in the State of Texas. At taat time Texas was under the sovereignty of Mexico. and was struggling for independence. :
 The Indians were highly educated and under the leadership of their Chiefs, Mowls and BiRmush. had built villages, put much land in cultivation and were living very comfortably in their fertile valley. The Mexican gov ernment had promised them a grant of this land if they and their associates who had Joined them from various other Indian tribes. would remain in the valley as settlers.
 There were at that time about 5000 Indians in what was vartously esu" mated from eight to eighteen hundred, which was quite a considerable light ing force, and in that sparsely settled country was equally sought for by both the Mexicans and Texans for the furtherinE of their own interests.
 The MexIcans finally entered into an agreement with the Cherokees, by which the Cherokees were to have the whole territory of Taxes, provided thev would assist in driving out the Americans. The Cherokees were, how over, a very clever people. noted for their duplfcity and though they had entered into this alliance, they still kent up their friendly alliance toward the Texans, making them believe all the time that they were friendly to them. The capture of some spies sent by the Mexican government to the Cherokees, however, revealed the con- spiracy.
 General Sam Houston, who had mar ried A Cherokee woman, at Fort Gao- son, was the controlling factor in rex as affairs at this time. and through his good influences, even though this con spiracy had been discovered, conven- tion of Texans and Cherokees was call ed during which 1t was agreed that the Cherokees. in consideration of their friendship, should have the Cherokee valley as their own for all time. This convention, however. dtd not have plen- ary powers, and 1t exceeded its author ity in making this grant. AS result the Texas Senate, in secret session, ois- E- affirmed it. The feeling or aninnosiss aeainst the Indians was very strong Throughout the State. and the TexanS were looking for some opportunity to axpel the Cherokees by force.
 The stealing of cattle, and the mur- aAr of white families was used as pretext, and the Cherokees were o.oeI ed at once to leave the valley ana re- move from the State of Texas; tnls lnes :. rafused to do and made very desperals efforts to save their homes; the Texahs were unrelenting in their demanos Gho refused to allow them to remain uhoet any conditions: they would, however nav them for their Improvements. SeV- eral regiments of soldiers was nnally dispatched under the command or Gen eral Burleson and the Cherokees uttSr lv routed, their villages burned ana tns Texans left in undisputed possession.
 The treaty was never ratihed by the oaonIe of Texas In fact, they were oDposed to ie The land grant IS saio to have been 3.2O0.000 acres. Tne ma ter has recently been taken up oy ths C-herokees who will endeavor 10 ge' l the United states G"sO s
 l imburse them for the lano'
 Following is a copy of the agree ment made in 1S32; .L
 Be 1t solemnly decreed, we. tne chosen delegates of the consultation of all Texas in general convention soi- emnly declare
 "That the Cherokee Indians and their associate bands, twelve tribes in num- Der, agreeably to their last general | council in Texas. have derived their lust claims to lands included within the bounds hereinafter mentioned from | vve have also derived our rights to the soil, by grant and occupancy.
 we solemnly declare that the boun- diary of the claims of the said Indians to lands Is as follows. to wit' Laylng Naches. and west of the Angelina riv-
 ""we sOlemnly declare that the Gov