The Treaty with the Choctaws and Cherokees.July 29, 1865
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From the Leavenworth Bulletin.
That is an important treaty made with the Indians on our border, and if the letters from Fort Smith are to be relied upon, it is made and will be kept in good foith.The stipulations were entered into and agreed upon June 23, 1865, between United States Commissioners and Gen. STAND WATIE, representing the rebel Indians. These stipulations are:ARTICLE 1. All acts of hostility on the part of both armies having ceased by virtue of a convention entered into on the 26th day of May, 1865, between Maj.-Gen. E.R.S. CANBY, United States Army, commanding Military Division of the Mississippi, and Gen. E. KIRBY SMITH, Confederate States Army, commanding Trans-Mississippi Department, all the Indians of the Cherokee Nation here represented, and who were lately allied with the Confederate States in acts of hostility against the Government of the United States, do agree with as little delay as possible to return to their respective homes, and there remain at peace with the United States, and offer no indignity whatever, nor commit any act of hostility against the whites and the Indians of the various tribes who have been friendly to or engaged in the service of the United States during the war.
ART. 2. It is stipulated by the undersigned commissioners on the part of the United States, that as long as the Indians aforesaid observe Article 1 of this agreement, they shall be protected by the United States authorities in their persons and property, not only from encroachments on the part of the whites, but also from the Indians who have been engaged in the service of the United States.
ART. 3. The above articles of agreement to remain and be in full force and effect until the meeting of the Grand Council, to meet at Armstrong's Academy, Choctaw Nation, on the 1st of September, A.D., 1865, and until such time as the proceedings of said Grand Council shall be ratified before the proper authorities, both of the Cherokee Nation and the United States. In testimony whereof the said Lieut.-Col. A.C. MATTHEWS, and Adjt. WM.H. VANCE, Commissioners on the part of the United States, and Brig.-Gen. STAND WATIE, Governor and Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, hereunto set their hands and seals.
A.C. MATTHEWS, Lieut.-Col.
WM.H. VANCE, Lieut. and Adjt. U.S. Vols.
STAND WATIE, Brig.-Gen. and Principal Chief, Commissioners
Gen. WATIE gave the Commissioners every assurance, and so did Gov. PICHLYNN, of the Choctaws, and Lieut. PORTER, of the Creeks, who was a delegate to the Grand Council at Armstrong's Academy, that any agreement entered into by Gen. STAND WATIE on behalf of the aforesaid tribes, would be respected by them.The resolutions adopted by the council at Armstrong's Academy, provided for sending commissioners to Washington to negotiate a treaty of peace with the United States. They provide that each tribe should send delegates, and empowered them to effect a treaty, separate for each tribe, or nation, after which each and all of the treaties to be submitted to the councils of the respective nations for ratification. At the time the council was held at which the resolutions referred to were adopted, the delegates were, not officially notified of the surrender. Yet they were aware that negotiations were pending, and anticipated the result; but, not knowing what would be the character of the surrender, provided for sending delegates to Washington.
After the arrival of the commissioners in the Territory, the authorities of the tribes with whom the commissioners conferred asked that a council be called to meet on the 1st of September next, which would supersede the necessity of sending commissioners to Washington.We hope and we fear. The wild Indians are hard to manage; the educated, or those considered such, not always trustworthy. Yet, as they have been subdued; as the Creeks have felt once the power of the nation, (the Choctaws have been friendly to the whites,) we may expect peace. The rebel Indian leaders proposed, for this end, first, a settlement of Indian difficulties among themselves; second, a grand council for this end; and in accordance with this policy, the Governor and principal chief of the Choctaw nation, P.P. PICHLYNN, has issued a proclamation, calling the aforesaid council of all the Indians of the Indian confederation and the Indians of the prairies, to be commenced and held on the 1st day of September, A.D. 1865, at Armstrong's Academy, in the Choctaw nation, at which time and place there will be duly authorized commissioners from the United States to treat on the subject of a permament and lasting peace. THE INDIAN COUNCIL.; Opening of the Convention The Terms Offered by the Government A Return to Loyalty and Peace Demanded and Protection Promised.Sept. 15, 1865 CHICAGO, Thursday, Sept. 14.
A special dispatch to the Republican, dated Fort Smith, Sept. 13, says: "The council was opened at 1 o'clock by Commissioner COOLEY, who asked if the different tribes were ready to sign the treaty of peace. The agents for the Seminoles and Cherokees said their people had read it and would sign it to-morrow. The treaty was read between the commissioners designated by the President and the representatives of the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Osages, Senecas, Seminoles, Shawnees and Omahaws. It is to the effect that they had entered into treaties with the so-called Confederate States, and forfeited all their rights, but the government would exercise clemency and reestablish order among the different tribes, as they had become satisfied that it was for the good of their people to unite and establish the relations with the government which formerly existed between them, and hereafter recognize it as exercising exclusive jurisdiction over them, and not enter into any alliance with any other State, nation, power or sovereignty. In accordance with the above stipulations, the government will afford protection and security for the persons and property of the respective tribes. A message was received from the delegates at Armstrong's Academy, to the effect that the rebels are desirous of coming in to make peace with their loyal brethren. The council adjourned until 10 A.M. to-morrow.
FORT SMITH, Ark., Thursday, Sept. 14.
The treaty of general amity and peace was submitted to the Indians to-day, and until to-morrow was given them to examine.
Gov. COLBERT, of Arkansas, has arrived here. He reports large numbers of red men from the different tribes on their way here.
The Seminoles have presented papers showing their relations with the rebellion.
ART. 2. It is stipulated by the undersigned commissioners on the part of the United States, that as long as the Indians aforesaid observe Article 1 of this agreement, they shall be protected by the United States authorities in their persons and property, not only from encroachments on the part of the whites, but also from the Indians who have been engaged in the service of the United States.
ART. 3. The above articles of agreement to remain and be in full force and effect until the meeting of the Grand Council, to meet at Armstrong's Academy, Choctaw Nation, on the 1st of September, A.D., 1865, and until such time as the proceedings of said Grand Council shall be ratified before the proper authorities, both of the Cherokee Nation and the United States. In testimony whereof the said Lieut.-Col. A.C. MATTHEWS, and Adjt. WM.H. VANCE, Commissioners on the part of the United States, and Brig.-Gen. STAND WATIE, Governor and Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, hereunto set their hands and seals.
A.C. MATTHEWS, Lieut.-Col.
WM.H. VANCE, Lieut. and Adjt. U.S. Vols.
STAND WATIE, Brig.-Gen. and Principal Chief, Commissioners
Gen. WATIE gave the Commissioners every assurance, and so did Gov. PICHLYNN, of the Choctaws, and Lieut. PORTER, of the Creeks, who was a delegate to the Grand Council at Armstrong's Academy, that any agreement entered into by Gen. STAND WATIE on behalf of the aforesaid tribes, would be respected by them.The resolutions adopted by the council at Armstrong's Academy, provided for sending commissioners to Washington to negotiate a treaty of peace with the United States. They provide that each tribe should send delegates, and empowered them to effect a treaty, separate for each tribe, or nation, after which each and all of the treaties to be submitted to the councils of the respective nations for ratification. At the time the council was held at which the resolutions referred to were adopted, the delegates were, not officially notified of the surrender. Yet they were aware that negotiations were pending, and anticipated the result; but, not knowing what would be the character of the surrender, provided for sending delegates to Washington.
After the arrival of the commissioners in the Territory, the authorities of the tribes with whom the commissioners conferred asked that a council be called to meet on the 1st of September next, which would supersede the necessity of sending commissioners to Washington.We hope and we fear. The wild Indians are hard to manage; the educated, or those considered such, not always trustworthy. Yet, as they have been subdued; as the Creeks have felt once the power of the nation, (the Choctaws have been friendly to the whites,) we may expect peace. The rebel Indian leaders proposed, for this end, first, a settlement of Indian difficulties among themselves; second, a grand council for this end; and in accordance with this policy, the Governor and principal chief of the Choctaw nation, P.P. PICHLYNN, has issued a proclamation, calling the aforesaid council of all the Indians of the Indian confederation and the Indians of the prairies, to be commenced and held on the 1st day of September, A.D. 1865, at Armstrong's Academy, in the Choctaw nation, at which time and place there will be duly authorized commissioners from the United States to treat on the subject of a permament and lasting peace. THE INDIAN COUNCIL.; Opening of the Convention The Terms Offered by the Government A Return to Loyalty and Peace Demanded and Protection Promised.Sept. 15, 1865 CHICAGO, Thursday, Sept. 14.
A special dispatch to the Republican, dated Fort Smith, Sept. 13, says: "The council was opened at 1 o'clock by Commissioner COOLEY, who asked if the different tribes were ready to sign the treaty of peace. The agents for the Seminoles and Cherokees said their people had read it and would sign it to-morrow. The treaty was read between the commissioners designated by the President and the representatives of the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Osages, Senecas, Seminoles, Shawnees and Omahaws. It is to the effect that they had entered into treaties with the so-called Confederate States, and forfeited all their rights, but the government would exercise clemency and reestablish order among the different tribes, as they had become satisfied that it was for the good of their people to unite and establish the relations with the government which formerly existed between them, and hereafter recognize it as exercising exclusive jurisdiction over them, and not enter into any alliance with any other State, nation, power or sovereignty. In accordance with the above stipulations, the government will afford protection and security for the persons and property of the respective tribes. A message was received from the delegates at Armstrong's Academy, to the effect that the rebels are desirous of coming in to make peace with their loyal brethren. The council adjourned until 10 A.M. to-morrow.
FORT SMITH, Ark., Thursday, Sept. 14.
The treaty of general amity and peace was submitted to the Indians to-day, and until to-morrow was given them to examine.
Gov. COLBERT, of Arkansas, has arrived here. He reports large numbers of red men from the different tribes on their way here.
The Seminoles have presented papers showing their relations with the rebellion.