John L. Allen to John H. Eaton, 21 JAN 1831:
[M-234 Roll #136]
Chickasaw Agency
21st January 1831
To the Hon.
John H. Eaton
Secretary of War
Sir:
On the 7th Inst. Tisheming [Tishomingo] one of the principal Chiefs
Arrested and Seezed the goods of a Pedler by the name of John
Walker and gave them up to me; and requested that I would
dispose of them as the 7th Article of the Treaty of 1816 directs.
I heard the Testemony against the Pedler, it was conclusive against
him, he als[o] confessed that he had violated the Law by
selling goods within the limits of the Nation.
I gave the Indians one half of the goods; and have sold the other
half (with the exception of a few articles) to the Chickasaws,
taking particular care that the amount purchased by Individuals
should not exceed what would be due them at the next Annuity.
The amount of sales is 150$. I thought it would be best for the
Govt. that I should sell to the Indians, as they were willing
to take them at a fair price, in prefference to puting the goods
up at Auction, where they may have been sacrafized.
Col Geo Colbert, Tishemingo & Pistalle Tubbe have made
repeated complaints to me (Since Col. Reynolds has been
absent) of Intruders Setling on their Land, Stock drivers Pedlers
&c. In reply, I have sayed them, that I had written to you
on that subject; and was dayly expecting an answer; and probably
instructions to put off Intruders.
I have suggested to them the Multiplicity of business you have
to attend to; and have assured them that you will not forget the
promise you made them at Franklin, (Viz0 that the White should
be kept off of their Land.
A Gentleman by the name of Ireland & Isaac Love who
accompanyed the exploring party returned a few days since, the
account they give of the Country west of the Mississippi is discouraging
to the Chickasaws.
I have been informed that the Love Connection is forming
a settlement at a place called Pidgeon Roost, and is determined
not to move to the new Country.
I was at a Council a few days since, and saw many of the Chief
& Warriors they all express a great desire for the return
of Col Reynolds and his party, as they are anxious to know
the results of the expedition.
According to your Instructions I released the Genl Govt half of
McCowens goods; and advised Pistalle Tubbe to release
the other half, which he accordingly done.
I have the Honor to be
Very respectfully your
Obt. Servt.
John L. Allen
Sub Agent
Benjamin Reynolds & Geo. S. Gaines to John H. Eaton, 29 JAN 1831:
[M-234 Roll #136]
Washington, Hemstead Co.
Arkansas Territory
29th January 1831
Sir,
The Exploring delegations under our respective guidance united
on the South Fort of the Canadian; and having examined the lands
on that stream proceeded together to the Main Canadian with the
intention of examining the lands on it as high up as the Cross
timbers; but above the mounth of the South Fork there is little
or no Cane, and the Woods and Prairies having been recently burned,
our horses began to fail after subsisting for a week on such small
patches of dry grass as we were able to find (what has escaped
the fire) and we were compelled to turn over South West to the
waters of Boggy a branch of the Red River. Continuing our course
we crossed the Leau Bleu and visited Fausse Ouachita. Hence returning
we crossed the Leau Bleu and Boggy lower down occasionally touching
Red River to Kiamechia. Thence down by old Fort Towson to this
place; having spent nearly two months busily examining the lands
on the above mentioned water courses.
We deem it proper without taking time to describe the country
examined particularly to give you a Slight Sketch of our tour
through it and to communicate our opinions as to its capability
of affording convinient and ample settlements for the whole Chaktaw
tribe and for the Chickasaws.
From Fort Smith to the mouth of the Canadian a distance of from
forty to fifty miles the Arkansas bottoms are generally from one
to two miles wide, very rich and will timbered, with a fine undergrowth
of Cane &c. The Canadian bottoms are not so wide and as we
ascend become narrower but are equally rich and well set with
cane until we passed the South Fork, when the bottoms became still
narrower and no longer afforded cane.
The principal streams running into the Arkansas & Canadian
from the south, above Fort Smith, are the Poteau, Sans Bois and
South Fork. These all afford some rich well timbered cane bottoms.
The smaller creeks & Branches have also some good small bottoms
& below South Fork many of them afford fine cane. But the
upland is generally poor Prairie of badly timbered & broken.
The dividing ridge between the waters of the Red River and the
Arkansas & Canadian lays much nearer the latter than the former
& in the event of the Chaktaws becoming desposed to sell a
tract to the Chickasaws this ridge would form a proper boundry.
The bottoms above mentioned would in our opinion produce bread
stuffs, and as much cotton land and timber, be left as would support
the Chickasaws, and grow as much Cotton as they would likely plant
for a century or two to come, but the uplands being so poor and
affording little or no good timber and but few good Springs, and
the want of Cane above S. Fork, make it unfit for a large Indian
population. United with a portion of the lands North of the Canadian
above the North Fork the above division of the Chaktaw tract might
be sufficient for the Chickasaws and comply with the stipulation
in their treaty by which the United States is bound to furnish
them with a country: but we doubt of its giving them satisfaction.
That portion of the Chaktaw tract laying South of the dividing
ridge above mentioned is truly a most valuable country for settlement.
The Fausse Ouachita, Leau Bleu, Boggy and Kiamichia are all navigable
for some 30 to 50 miles up, and afford fine wide rich well timbered
cane bottoms, some of the upland is well timbered and rich and
the Prairies are also generally rich. This section posses all
the advantages desirable for a large settlement either of Hunters,
heards men, aggriculturists or manufactuerers, or a portion of
all. An extensive outlet to the west with an abundance of game,
fine rich cane bottoms for winter, & fine rich Pairies for
summer range or cultivation. All classes may find a convenient
and profitable field for the exercise of their enterprise and
industry. The country abounds in springs & fine streams for
miles &c.
But little has passed between the two Delegations on the subject
of a purchase or an arrangement for an union of the two Nations
in the settlement of this delightful country. The latter, we consider
most desirable on many accounts and may in our opinion, be most
readily effected if the Chickasaws understood their interest sufficiently
well to desire it.
Maj Colbert enquired of the Chaktaw delegation whether
their Nation could sell a part of their Country to him for the
Chickasaws and was answered that the Chaktaws did not wish to
sell any part of their new country: but there seems to be no objection
on the part of the Chaktaws to receive the Chickasaws as Chaktaw
Citizens. The subject was new to the Chaktaw delegation and was
prematurely introduced by Maj Colbert without our advice.
Having no instructions from their Nation no judgment can be formed
now from what has passed even of the feelings of the members of
the Delegation relative to sale. After the Delegations shall have
returned to their homes and the Chickasaws had time to reflect
on their true situation, and the advantages of sharing this delightful
country with their younger brothers; and the Chaktaws favorable
to such an union to talk over with the nation the advantages that
would result to both tribes from such an union as forming at once
decidedly the strongest, wealthiest and most respectable community
of aborigines on the continent of America with the means in their
own hands of soon becoming civilized educated independent American
citizens, we hope for a favorable result.
As soon as practicable after our return home we will forward you
a detailed report embracing an accurate description of the Country
examined by us, and the information received from Hunters and
others of that part of the Chaktaw country west of Fausse Ouichita
& the Cross Timbers and of the corrections proper to be made
on the map. And at the same time we trust that the parties will
have senabled us to judge of their dispositions to comply with
the wishes of the Government. Our local situations will enable
us to ascertain their feelings on this important subject, and
you will be properly advised of them.
More time has been consumed in the examination of the Country
that we expected and doubtless more than was expected by you.
On meeting and counciling together we deemed a patient and through
examination absolutely necessary in order that both Delegations
should be convinced that it was amply sufficeint for the convenient
& pfofitable settlement of both nations. We regretted that
the want of cane or other food for our horses should have prevented
us from a minute examination of the lands high up on the Canadian:
but we now believe from information derived from Hunters that
nothing will be lost in the general result of our labors or that
accounts as the lands above the point we left the river are not
at all desirable for Indian settlement.
We are withou a dollar left in our pockets, and will be compelled
to draw on you for a much larger sum each than you considered
necessary for our outfits and travelling expenses. We shall use
the utmost dispatch and economy in returning our Delegations to
their homes, but the distance is so great and our horses so worn
down and weak that we cannot reasonably expect at this season
of the year to perform the trip in less than a month. We beg that
our drafts may be duly honored.
We have the honor to be
With great respect
Your Obed. Serv.
Benj. Reynolds
Geo. S. Gaines
The Hon.
J. H. Eaton
Secy of War
Washington
Susan (James) Colbert to President Andrew Jackson, 28 MAR 1831:
[M-234 Roll #136]
Tockshish Chickasaw Nation
March 28. 1831
To the President
of the U. States
Sir
In the articles of the treaty which was made and concluded by
Major John H. Eaton and Genl. John Coffee with the
Choctaw tribe of Indians on the ___ day of September last and
in the supplement to the Main treaty, the undersigned begs leave
to call your attention was granted a reservation of Six hundred
and forty acres of land to be located any where within the limits
of the Choctaw Nation on unappropreated land: and also of selling
the same to whom I might think proper with your consent, or with
the consent of the President of the U. States. Having learned
that the above named treaty has been ratified and having met with
an opportunity of selling my reservation, which is my wish to
do for as great a sum, as I find I shall be able to do within
a considerable length of time time to come, and have the payments
properly secured. I have this day bargained and sold my claim
or reservation to Mess. Paul Gordon and John Bell
of Cotton Gin Port, Monroe County,Miss., the object therefor of
this Communication is to request your consent to the bargain and
sale I have this day made.
My right and interest in said reservation, it may be proper to
say to you, I have sold for the sum of One Thousand five huindred
dollars, two hundred dollars of which has been paid me in hand
-- the balance is well secured to me in three anual installments.
The persons named to whom I have sold, I have long known, and
have no fears but that the money will be paid me punctually to
a day. Your compliance therefore with the above request will confer
on me a great favor.
I am Respectfully
Yours &c
Susan [her X mark] Colbert
We the undersigned beg leave to certify to your Excellancy that
we were present at the signing of the articles of the Contract
thus made and entered into between Susan Colbert of the
Chickasaw Nation and Robert Gordon & John Bell of Cotton
Gin Port, Miss. and that every thing in relation thereto was conducted
with utmost fairness that the Sum of two hundred dollars was paid
her in hand; and that the Credit payments named in the above letter,
and for which they have executed their notes, we believe will
be punctually paid, and that in our opinion no fraud is either
designed nor in any wise intended. We further certify that Mrs.
Colbert is in easy circumstances and is not compelled to sell,
and that it is of her own free will and accord that she makes
this sale.
Thomas C. Stuart
L. M. James
Jn A. Bynum
Benjamin Reynolds to John H. Eaton, 5 MAY 1831:
[M-234 Roll #136]
Chickasaw Agency
5th May 1831
Sir
A council of the Chiefs and head men of the Nation is to convene
this day at the Kings about a hundred miles west of this place.
I presume for the purpose of taking into consideration the subject
of the late Treaty, as John McLish applied to me two days
since in the name of Levi Colbert for the Treaty in order
that they might have it at the council, and also advising me that
early after this council another consisting of the Chiefs would
meet at this place. When I set out to the West last fall I left
the Treaty in the care of Mrs. Reynolds and in my absence
Majr. J. L. Allen the sub agent called on her for it and
she hisitated to give it up. Majr observed that it was a public
paper which he had the right to see and as a public offiver she
surrendered the paper to him, on Mr. McLish's application
I applied to Mrs. Reynolds and she related the circumstances
by which it went out of her possession. I immediately applied
to Majr Allen who reports that it is lost or mislaid, he
recolects taking possession of it to show to a Dr. Bumpass
and others, but says he has no knowledge of what has became of
it. Upon his report I informed Mr. McLish of the circumstances
and promised him that I would immediately write requesting you
to send me a copy.
I exceedingly regreate the nessessity of this communication but
do asure you it has not gone out of my possession by any carlessness
or neglect of mine for I have at all times been mindfull of your
injunction when you intrusted to my a care a copy of the Treaty.
Majr. Allen was apprised that the paper was not for public
examination.
I have the honor to be
With great respect
Your Obt. Sevt.
Benj. Reynolds
Honlb. John H. Eaton
Chickasaws to President Andrew Jackson, 28 MAY 1831:
[M-234 Roll #136]
Chickasaw Agency
May 28th 1831
To Our Father Genl. Jackson
Agreeable to a treaty held at Franklin (Ten) in 1830 between the
Honl. John H. Eaton & Genl. John Coffee commissioners
&c and a delegation of your Chickasaw children, a delegation
was selected by the Nation who proceeded under the guidance and
care of our Agent in search of a country and a home west of the
Mississippi River, we traveled westwardly through the Territory
of Arkansas and through the Cherokee country and seen a small
portion of the Creek country we then traveled South and west going
to the country on the Canadian the Red Rivers and their Tributary
streams as through an examination as the unusual cold weather
would admit.
Father, we met a delegation of our Choctaw brothers under
the care of their Friend Col. George S Gaines on the South
Fork of the Canadian, we traveled with them over their country
and after becoming satisfied as to its extent and quality we saw
not more good lands than what we thought they would want themselves,
not withstanding we proposed to purchase a part for our own People,
they refused to sell and sayd that they had not more good lands
then they wanted and would not sell one Foot.
Father, It is our wish and hope to preserve our independence
& our Nation and our names to the latest generation, and for
this purpose and in order that we might become more than merely
acquainted with the country west of Arkansas as possible, we petitioned
our agent to permit a portion of our delegation to cross the Red
River and examine a portion of the Texes country which was granted
and our agent gave us his purse and all the means in his power
to make our journey comfortable and he afforded us protection
accordingly five of us in number proceeded a cross the Red river
not far above were the east boundrey of the Choctaw country strikes
the Red river and Proceeded to examine the country between the
Res & Sabbeen rivers, this country we are well pleased with.
Father, The tract of country which we explored South of
the Red river lyes along side your Choctaw Nation and between
the Red and Sabbeen rivers and adjoining the west boundry of the
State of Louisiana from river to river. If this country can be
purchased for us our Nation will remove and be satisfied, we see
no other country which we think would suit us so well.
Father, we hope that you will not think that your Chickasaw
children are disposed to remove beyond your controll and protecting
care, we love our white Brothers, and have been a happy people
under your care and protection untill of late, the State of Mississippi
has extended her laws over us and we are threatened and looking
for the same fate from Alabama.
Father, we are told that the laws of these states are written
in more than a hundred big books we cannot read, we cannot understand
them and altho we love our White brothern, we cannot see in the
extention of these state laws over us any thing but injustice
and oppression. We have been taught to look to the east from the
days of our great and beloved Father George Washington
to the days of our great and beloved Father Genl. Jackson
for protection, we have not lost confidence but will wait with
patience for the country which our brothers Majr Eaton &
Genl. Coffee promised us which is to be equal in extent to
the one we now occupy with water soil & timber sufficient
for all the purposes of the Chickasaw people.
Father, we have ever been true and faithful to all treatys
that have been entered into by our Nation and we still have confidence
in our Father the President that when he finds that we are anxious
to comply with the late treaty, that he will not see his Chickasaw
children brought under state laws which we cannot understand.
Your red children is now oppressed by new laws & customs executed
by white officers whose words we do not understand. You have told
us Father that if we remain where we are you cannot prevent this
state of things.
Father, we know that you speak not with a forked toung,
you have told us that you wished to see your Chickasaw children
prosperous and happy. We know that we cannot be so under the existing
state of things and our only hope is that you will provide a home
for us beyond the reach of the white mans laws, where we can again
be happy and free in the enjoyments of our own laws and customs
and under the protecting care of our Father the President of the
United States.
Father, Some of our People are disatisfied and wish to
remain at their old homes and think that injustice has been done
them, we would therefore respectfully ask that the following clauses
& provisions be added to the Treaty --
1st That each Family who may remain shall be entitled to
a reservation of a section and a half of land.
2nd each emigrant whose improvements has added value to
his occupancy to receive in money such valuation from the government
in addition to the sum which he is to receive for his reservation.
Father, we your Chickasaw children being anxious to see
our Father, the President we therefore respectfully ask permition
for a delegation of our People twelve in number to visit Washington
City at your next session of Congress.
Accept Father the fervent wishes of your Chickasaw children for
your health and continuation of your useful labours for your country.
With Greate Respect
Your dutiful Children
Oto cha The King his X mark
Tish a mingo his X mark
Maj. Levi Colbert his X mark
Col. George Colbert his X mark
Capt Wm McGilbery his X mark
Capt Saml Sealy his X mark
Mingo Tush cush his X mark
Pis to lo tubbe his X mark
Esh stimo lut cha his X mark
Capt James Brown his X mark
Capt Isaac Alberson his X mark
To co wah his X mark
Ish sta a tubbe his X mark
Bark a tubbe his X mark
Capt Thos Sealy his X mark
Ohe le nah ubbe his X mark
Oke le he ubbe his X mark
Ma ho la ubbe his X mark
Mah teco sho ubbe his X mark
Tho lo te sho his X mark
Cha watta ha his X mark
E lash sho ubbe his X mark
Ohe cubbe his X mark
Newberry's son his X mark
Tho lah mo tubbe his X mark
Boh me ah tubbe his X mark
Capt Thompson sr his X mark
One ta hi a ka tubbe his X mark
Ah ta kin subbe his X mark
Lewis or Pis to la ubbe his X mark
E bah me hubbe his X mark
Ash shah cubbe Junr. his X mark
Chick a saw nah ubbe his X mark
I. Kemp his X mark
J. McLish
John Glover his X mark
Pitman Colbert
Capt Hayse his X mark
Signed in full Council of the Chiefs and Warriors of the Chickasaw Nation at the Chickasaw Agency this 29th May 1831 in presence of
Benj. Reynolds U.S. Agent
John L Allen U S Sub Agent
W.D. King of Ala
Robertson Childress of Tennessee
Benjamin Reynolds to John H. Eaton, 19 JUN 1831:
[M-234 Roll #136]
Chickasaw Agency
15th June 1831
Sir
Enclosed is the abstract and vouchers of the expenses of the late
Chickasaw exploring Delegation under my care, showing what has
been expended on account of outfit, traveling expenses and advances
made on account of there dayly hay, with an estimate of what is
due on account of that service, if any errour has crept into the
account the loss of some of my papers on the trip and the numerous
difficulties which I had to combat in the performance of that
service must plead my appology.
You will see by the account marked A, that three of the Chickasaws
accompanied me more than was stipulated for by the Treaty of Franklin,
learning this fact at Memphis Tennessee where I met the Delegation
I remonstrated with Maj. Colbert against there accompanying
us and observed that I feared they would not be paid. he insisted
that the Nation had appointed them in full council of the whole
people and to them it was a matter of greate importance, and he
hoped as his greate Father the President was rich he would not
object to so small an additional expense when it was hoped that
some good might result from it to his red children. And to avoid
all unpleasent feelings and particularly in the ouset of the service
I have treated them in all respects as a part of the Delegation
and there accounts are herewith respectfully transmitted with
the rest for your desision. Elap tink bah tubbe No 2, was
carried by Maj. Colbert on account that he had long lived
in the country west of Arkansas and among the Pawnees and other
wild tribes of the west, and spoke the tounge of the Pawnees.
Henry Love No 15, a half brede left me at Cantonment Gibson
without my knowledge or account. Kim hie che No 16, a young
chap of promise was taken sick at St. Francis R. and returned
the third day after leaving Memphis Tennessee. Maj. Colbert
and Shu ma cha Nos. 1 & 8, the two principal chiefs
that crossed the Red river were one month behind the party which
returned with me, say until the 27th March and which is not charged
in there accts but for which they respectfully ask pay, they returned
by water from Natichochies on Red river, leaving Nos. 3-9 &11
in charge of there horses and who has not yet returned but is
dayly expected.
I shall set out this day for Mobille for the annuity.
I have the honor to be
With greate Respect
Your Obt. Sevt.
Benj. Reynolds
United States Agent
Honlb. John H. Eaton
Sec of War
Washington City
President Andrew Jackson to Dept. of War, 18 OCT 1831:
[M-234 Roll #136]
Sir,
Please make out a commission for Genl. John H. Eaton and
Genl. John Coffee empowering them to proceed to the Chickasaw
and Choctaw Nations of Indians to negotiate and arange with the
latter Nation for a surrender of Four and a half Millions of acres
of the tract of Seventeen Millions laid out and patented to the
Indians of that tribe West of the Mississippi. It is of importance
that this should be speedily attempted in order that the Chickasaws
may move with their elder brethern the Choctaws. Without this
arangement there will be no room for the Chickasaws where they
desire to be placed, beyond the limits of the Choctaws and adjoining
them.
Respectfully
Y. Svt.
Andrew Jackson
Dept. of War to John H. Eaton, 19 OCT 1831:
[M-234 Roll #136]
Department of War
October 19th 1831
To
Major Jno. H. Eaton
Sir,
The President of the U. States has appointed you a joint Commission
with Genl John Coffee, to proceed to the Chickasaw &
Choctaw Nations of Indians to negotiate and arrange with the latter
nation for a surrender of Four and a half Millions of acres of
the tract of land of Seventeen Millions laid out & patented
to the Indians of that tribe west of the Mississippi, in order
that the Chickasaws may move with their elder brethern the Choctaws,
to where they desire to be placed, beyond the limits of the Choctaws
and adjoining them.
Very Respectfully
?????
I gave to
Genl Jno. Coffee
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