CHICKASAW LETTERS -- 1848

Chickasaw Chief & Leading Men to A.M.M. Upshaw, 10 MAR 1848:

Chickasaw Council Grounds

March 10th 1848

Our Friend

At our late general Election, the Subject of Subsisting the late Chickasaw Emigrants was reconsidered and it was decided unanimously that they should receive nineteen months subsistance, the same as those who had previously emigrated; had the council not have allowed them nineteen months it would have caused much hard feelings among our people - It is paid for out of our own funds, and each Chickasaw has the right to receive the same subsistance as another; Those who remained so long behind are principally families who had lost their husbands shortly after we emigrated, has large families and were unwillingly detained; It would therefore look very hard, if they were not to receive so good treatment, as those more fortunate; They all desire to have their rations commuted to money.

Please make known our wished to the Department,

	And oblige Your Friends
	James McLaughlin Chief
Jackson Frazier	Benjamin Love
James Wolf his X mark	Isaac Albertson his X mark
Edmund Pickens his X mark	Parker his X mark
Mah Yah tubby his X mark	Ish to chock uth la his X mark
Chickasaw Nah mubby his X mark	William Newberry his X mark
Thomas Seely his X mark	Wm. Gaines his X mark
Lewis his X mark	Nah ho ti che his X mark
Tim ki yeah his X mark	Ah mo she tubby his X mark
Perry his X mark	I ah kah tubby his X mark
Ok lah nah mubby his X mark	Ub bit on no yeah his X mark
Esh te ho to pah his X mark

Col A.M.M. Upshaw

Chickasw Agent

Resolutions of Chickasaw Council, 19 MAR 1848:

8 Sect. Resolved. That a sum not exceeding Four Thousand Eight Hundred dollars be and is hereby approperated to defray the expenses of the proposed Delegation out of any funds belonging to the Chickasaw people, and that arrangement be made to allow them to draw on the Treasury of the United States a sum not exceeding Thirty one Hundred dollars belonging to the Chickasaws, and Seveenteen Hundred Dollars on the Chickasaw District Treasury.

9 Sect. Resolved. That the sum as appropreated shall be subjected only to defray the expenses and meet all needfull purposes either individually or collectively by the Delegation who shall have it under their charge and all expenditures must be kept by any one of the delegation and report the same on their return Home.

Witt
George G. Allen }	James McLaughlin Chief
R. J. Humphreys }	Chickasaw District
D. Colbert }	Col. Isaac Alberson
J. T. Gaines }	Capt. Ish le chock attrta
	" Parker
	" Ish tick lyon ka tubby
	" William Newberry
	" May yah tubby
	" William James
	" Edmund Pickens
	" Lewis
	" May ho ti che
	" Ah mos ho tubby
	" Perry
	" I yah kah tubby
	" Jackson Frazier
	" Winchester Colbert
	Representative G. F. McLish
	" John McGilvery
	" Cut chubby
	" Uth li ka
	" Wikey
	" E bah ma tubby
	" E lah him ba
	" Ish kit ta ha

I certify that the above is a true copy taken from the Record book of the clerk of the Chickasaw Tribe of Indians.

A.M.M. Upshaw CA
Chickasaw Agency

August 3rd 1848

Isaac Albertson, Jr., et al to ?,19 MAR 1848:

Boiling Spring Chickasaw District

March 19th A.D. 1848

We, the undersigned Chief, Captains, and representatives in general Council assembled, and by the unanamous vote and consent of all present, do hereby appoint Commissioners, and have in general terms empowered Col. James McLaughlin Chief of Chickasaw District, Major Pitman Colbert, Col. Isaac Alberson, Capt. Edmund Pickens, Capt. Shup pin way, James Gamble, Davis James and John McGilvery, as Delegates appointed in behalf of the Chickasaw people; to negotiate with the Government of the United States upon all business whatever, that may seem most likely to benefit the general interest of the Chickasaws. And to settle all claims standing unsettled against the government of the United States. And to investigate all funds due the Chickasaws under the super vison of the said Government of the United States.

In testimony wherof we have here unto affixed our names on the day and year as above written.

Test		(signed)	{ Isaac Albertson Jr
D. Colbert			{ Acting Chief Chickasaw District
R. J. Humphreys
James T. Gaines		Captains	{ Isaac Alberson his X mark
			{ Ish te chuck ulth a his X mark
			{ Illap amby his X mark
	(names captains continued)
			Parker his X mark
			Ish tick i o kit tubby his X mark
			Ish kit o ha his X mark
			William Newberry his X mark
			Ebah me tubby his X mark
			William James his X mark
			Edmund Pickens his X mark
			Louis his X mark
			We ka his X mark
			Iukai pe his X mark
			Im ah he tai che his X mark
			Um osh otubby his X mark
			Perry his X mark
			Iuck utubby his X mark
			Cutch ubby his X mark
			Winchester Colbert
			Jackson Frazier
			G. F. McLish
			Sampson Folsom

I certify that the above signatures were made in my presence.
A.M.M. Upshaw CA

N.B. those Captains that were not present were represented by others, with the exception of one Col. Benj Love

A.M.M. Upshaw to William Medill, 28 APR 1848:

Chickasaw Agency

April 28th 1848

Sir

This will be handed you by Col. James McLaughlin who is as the head of a Delegation from the Chickasaws. The Delegates are Col. McLaughlin Chief, Col. Isaac Alberson ex Chief, Mr. James Gamble, Maj. Pitman Colbert, Capt. Edmund Pickens, Capt. Ship pow wa, Davis James and John McGilvery. They will show you their authority as such, signed by the Speaker of the Chickasaw District (who acts as Chief in the absence of the Chief) and the Captains of the Chickasaws.

I have no doubt but you will extend to them the attention the are entitled.

Very Respectfully

yr mo obt sv

A.M.M. Upshaw CA

Honl

William Medill

Comr of Indn Affairs

A.M.M. Upshaw to William Medill, 3 MAY 1848:

Sir

You will herewith receive several papers relating to some property that belonged to the late Mrs. Shelacha Colbert who died on the 1st day of Febry 1846. Dr. McDonna married her daughter Vicy in January or Feby 1840. Mrs. McD and Maj. Pitman Colbert were half brother & sister by their Mothers side. Mrs. S. Colbert lived with her daughter until her daughter died which was about two weeks previous to her own death.

You will see a letter directed to me by Maj. Colbert dated December the 7th which letter Maj. Colbert handed me himself, to that letter I made no answer only that I would send his papers to you, with some remarks.

You will please see my letter dated the 26th of June 1846 to Col. Thos Laflore who is Chief of the Choctaw District in which Maj. Colbert and Dr. McDonna has lived in ever since they have been in the Country; In that letter I observed that I had no right to interfere in the case. I am still of the same opinion. I think the Power would be too great to give any Agent, and if he had power, he would be continually engaged in setting family disputes. I see by examination of the papers that Maj. Armstrong took the same view of the case that I did.

Very respectfully

yr mo ob sr
A.M.M. Upshaw CA

Honl

Wm Medill

Comm of Indn Affairs

Jas Colbert to Pitman Colbert, 25 MAY 1848:

Mr Pitman Colbert }

D. Sir.

I take this opportunity of informing you that we are all well & hopeing these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. I have nothing much to inform you at present only I would ask the favour of you to attend to some of my business thare at Washington, it is this, I want you to consult with the Secretary of War &c to know of him how much money Col. D. Saffarrens did draw on us when we Emigrated to this country in the fall of 1842. You see when I was coming to this country I Borrowed of him Twenty one Hundred Dollars from him to bare our Expenses out here and give him my own Individual note for the amount of money I got from him & it appears from what I can gather, he drew the money thare and still have me Bound for the money &I would be vary glad if you would See in to it there for me and to know whether he did draw the money or not & all so to find out the a mount of moneyhe drew for my old Father of the Incomitant Clame he got him to colect at Washington and Bring the ful a mount So I could make a settlement with him, by doing the above favour you will confer a lasting favour on me.

Your family is all well, crops jenerly Looks very Promissing.

Tell James McLaughlin that I have just hird that one of his negro fellows, I think his name is Tom got drowned a few days a go in Washita, also Robert Turnbull killed Campble his brother in law, few days a go. Turnbull don it in self defence, So I under stand.

nothing more at present

your cousin
Jas Colbert

W. Ty to W. Medill, 29 MAY 1848:

Choctaw Agency

May 29. 1848

Sir

At the request of Genl. R.M. Jones ( a half breed Choctaw) I enclose you a copy of his letter to me of 25 Inst. which fully points out the object of the writer.

I am Respectfully

Your Obt Servt
Act. Supt. W. Ty

Hon

W. Medill

Commissioner Ind. Affrs.

Washington City

D.C.

R. M. Jones to S. M. Rutherford, 25 MAY 1848:

[The copy of the enclosed letter as mentioned above.]

(copy)

Doaksville

May 25, 1848

Col. S. M. Rutherford

Choct. Agt. & Act. Supt.

Sir

From a copy of a letter which I received from the Chickasaw Agent, addressed to the Hon Commissioner of Indian Affairs; I an induced to believe that Maj. Pitman Colbert, one of the members of the Chickasaw Delegation, now on at washington City, design to set up, and bring to the notice of the Department there, a pretended claim to some negro property which I purchased some time since of one Dr. McDonna.

Therefore, the object of this communication is to request that you will forward it by the earlest opportunity to Washington City, So that the Hon. Commissioner, before he acts on the measure (Should he think fit to do so) may be fully in possession of the facts on both sides.

Some time in the year 1839 or 1840, Doctor John McDonna, a white man, married Vicy Colbert, a Chickasaw woman, who was a half sister to Maj. Colbert.

Mrs. Shelicha Colbert, the mother of the Doctors wife and Maj. Colbert, made a written will about two years before her death, in which she bequested to son, Maj. Colbert, seven or eight negroes; to her grand child, the Doctors infant son, thirteen of fourteen negroes; and the remainder of her property to her daughter the Doctors wife.

This will being duly attested, was left in the hands of Col. Folsom, who was appointed exectutor of the will. The Doctors wife died in Feb 1846, and about a week afterwards, her mother, Mrs. Shelicha Colbert also died; not remaking he(r) will. Maj. Colbert then called upon the exectutor for his portion of the property, agreably to the provision of his mothers will; he received, and signed a receipt. The remainder of the property was delivered to Dr. McDonna having been bequeathed to his infant son and deceased wife.

After a lapse of time, Maj. Colbert became dissatisfied with the disposition that had been made of the property, and instituted a suit in our common Court against the Doctor for the recovery of the property, but failed to recover it. He then took an appeal to the Supreme Court of the Chickasaw District, thinking his influence with his own people would be sufficient to secure him success; but he was disappointed again, as the court decided that the property belonged to Doctor McDonna. He then appealed to to U.S. Agents Col. Upshaw and Maj. Armstrong to aid him, who decided that as Government Agents, they had no right or authority to interfere in the local affairs of the Indians.

The matter here seemed to drop, and Dr. McDonna was left in peacable possession of the property for 12 or 18 months. He then offered to sell it to me, and I bought him out, and now own said property. Since which time Maj. Colbert has gone on to Washington City under pretence of attending to business for the Chickasaws, but in fact solely to bring his family feud before the Hon Commissioner. But, I trust the same view will be taken of it there, that Maj. Armstrong and Col. Upshaw took of it here, and he will be referred back to abide the decision of the courts of his own country.

Pardon this lengthy letter as I could not explain this subject satisfactorily in a shorter communication.

Very Respectfully

Your Most Obt Servt
R.M. Jones

Chickasaw Chief & Captains to ?, 7 JUL 1848:

We the undersigned respectfully recommend that in commuting the rations to which the foregoing communication of the Chickasaw Chief & Captains refers, that the value of said rations be estimated and fixed at three cents and four and a half mills.

Isaac Albertson Jr., et al, to ?, 4 NOV 1848:

Boiling Springs Chickasaw District

Nov 4th 1848

We the undersigned Chief Captains and Representatives in General Council Assembled, And by the unamious vote and Concent of all present, Do hereby Appoint Commissioners and have in General terms impower Davis James, J. Frazier, Maxwell Frazier, Gabrial L. Love as Delegates Appointed in behalf of the Chickasaw people to negotiate with the Government of the United States upon all Business Watever, that may seem most likely to benefit the General interest of the Chickasaws. And to Settle all claims standing unsettled against the Government of the United States. And to investigate all funds due the Chickasaws under the Supervision of the Said Government of the United States.

In testimony Where og we have unto Affixed our names on the day and year above written.

Witness	Isaac Alberson Jr	Act Chief
Pitman Colbert }	and Speaker of the Chickasaw District
Sampson Folsom }	Capt. Isaac Albertson Sr	his X mark
	Speaker of the Council
	Capt. We ah tam bee	his X mark
	Capt. E yuk lubby	his X mark
	" Kut ah po tubby	his X mark
	O lah se che	" X mark
	Benjamin Love
	Jackson Frazier
	Wm Kemp
	James T. Gaines
	James Wolf
	Sh up aw way	his X mark
	In kar ya	his X mark
	Imah tai ya	his X mark
	Jerry	his X mark
	Lewis	his X mark
	Wm James	his X mark
	I ah kut ubby	his X mark
	E bah ma hubby	his X mark
	Mak yut ubby	his X mark
	Ilh te ke o kit ubby	his X mark
	New Berry	his X mark
	Chickasaw Nun ubby	his X mark
	Edmund Pekins	his X mark
	Martin She co	his X mark
	Ish te ut ubby	his X mark
	Ah ko chun tubby	his X mark
	Lemuel [Samuel?] Colbert
	Winchester Colbert
	David Burney

The written Power of Attorney to Davis James, Jackson Frazier, Maxwell Frazier and Gabriel L. Love were are regularly signed by the Act Chief, Captains and Warriors of the Chickasaws, Col. James McLaughlin Chief of the Chickasaws resigned the day before the power of attorney was signed.

A.M.M. Upshaw CA

Isaac Albertson Jr., et al, to Wm. Medill, 4 NOV 1848:

Boiling Springs Chickasaw District

Nov 4th A D. 1848

To

The Hon. Commissionor of In. Affairs

Sir

The Chief and Captains and Warriors of the Chickasaw tribe of Indians Do hereby impower the Delegation to draw on any money not otherwise appropreated in the Treasury of the United States belonging to the Chickasaws to defray their Expenses while at Washington attending to business in behalf of the Chickasaw people.

This power is only intended for the Delegation to draw their actual necessary expenses.
A.M.M. Upshaw CA

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