The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-06-07

and in pursuance Of them Sam Hous-
ton, who had few years previous liv-
ed among the cherokees west Of the
Mississippi, and one Forbes. on be-
half OF the republic Of Texas. journey
ed TO ~Bowles' Village" SO named in
honor of Chief Bowles. and there they
concluded the treaty Of February 29.
1886.
But the Cherokees were destined
soon to experience the turning against
them of the Texans, for in the year
1889 the forces of Texas fiercely at
tackled the Cherokees in their reser-
yaton and after two bloody battles.
in which many Indians were killed.
the Cherokees fed from their country.
leaving all their property and effects.
The cause for this unexpected assault.
according to the historian, was that
the white settlers desired the fertile
lands of the district ceded to the
Cherokees. The settlers, or many of
them, as excuse pleaded that the Cher
okees had proved treacherous and aid
ed the Mexieans. the action Of BoWles
and his band being In mind.
History of Acquisition.
In summing up the entire matter
the historian remarks: "The facts
are these: that in 1922, long before
any colonist had settled in eastern
Texas or any colony contract had been
made for that section, the Cherokees
emigrated to Texas. They establish.
ed a village north of Nacadoches, the
town at that time being waste, late
ly swept by the forces of Lory and
PERI. On November of that year
the Cherokees, by Captain Richards
and others of their head men, entered
into an agreement with the govern
ment of Texas by which 1t is stipulated
that certain Cherokee chiefs should
proceed with their Interpreter to
Mexico to treat with the Emperor
lturbide for the settlement of their
tribe where 1t was then located. In
the meantime this agreement guaran-
teed to the Cherokees the free and
right to cultivate their crops
and the privileges of natives. The
chiefs proceeded to Mexico and the
imperial government having satisfied :
them-whether verbally or in writing
1t matters not-they returned. An ,
order from the supreme government 1
was dispatched to the eommandant
general of the eastern provinces and
by him to the governor of Coahuila l
and Texas, and by the latter to the 9
political chief of Bexar, directing g
with the promises made /
by the supreme government to the Q
Cherokees. The governor states in 6
his communication that for the pre- v
iervation of peace with the agricul- lii
ura tribes he had offered them their h
on fixed tract of lRnd I
ind they had selected it,, He requested 7
he political chief to put them in pos h
ession. with corresponding titles. !,
The reply of the political chief was A
hat the matter should be attended to ii
With the prescribed forms. N
Were Not lntruders. II
For fourteen years the Cherokees S,
coupled this land, holding it in quiet IL
nd undisputed possession. They were HI
OF intruders on the white settlers for IL
hey were there first. The Mexican Vi
oyernment recognized them as an I'll
tribe, with Mexican priv al
eyes, and Colonel Piedras was Off 81
Ial agent for them and no voice had til
cen raised against their rights. Their is
aim was deemed both legal and sc
luitable. To give weight and dig of
ity to their claim. the consultation til
November. 1885. at a time when 70
eXas was weak and when a heavy W.
ar cloud hung over her hopes. and TT
n liberties We're suspended upon ed
ost unequal and unjust war; made EN
very solemn pledge to those Indians, tn
their claim sto their ca
nds, setting forth the boundaries wi
ereof and saying further; We sol by
anly declare that we will guarantee his
them the peaceable enjoyment of or
cir rights to their lands as we do prt
our own. We solemnly declare that An
grants, surveys, etc. made after SUI
e settlement of the Indians are and Ike,
right ought to be utterly null and age
H. And to make it still stronger. err
3 consultation resolved that each me
smber sign it as pledge of the dia
blic faith on the part of the people col
Texas, And it was so signed. The ap
mes of Houston, Wharton, Zayala Te
nth Mitchell, Grimes and others of ira
, heroes of the revolution were plae- loo