Cherokee Advocate
June 18, 1870

GROUND COUNCIL OF INDIANS
What the Indians Say
Memorial of the Grand Council of Nations of the
INDIAN TERRITORY
The President, Congress and People of the United States”

The undersigned, representing the several Indians inhabiting the Indian Territory, 
whose names are hereto appended in view of the perils which surround their people, 
deem it  a solemn duty to make this declaration of their views and wishes in regard 
to their situation.
In the beginning we take occasion to publicly affirm our earnest determination to 
preserve the relations of amity towards the government of United States, now existing.--
our interest all Center in peace, peace with the government and the people of the 
United States, peace with our neighboring breathen, and peace among the members of 
each individual Tribe and Nation, and as the best means of maintaining those relations 
unimpaired, we deem a just and fair observance of existing Treaty stipulations with 
the government of United States as indispensable.  We therefore hereby publicly renew 
our adherence to said Treaties, or to such as may be here after duly negotiated, and 
our purpose to comply faithfully with their stipulations, whether originally favorable 
or otherwise.  And we confidently express our conviction that like a spirit of justice 
and fidelity will mark the conduct of the government towards the owners and inhabitants 
of the Indian Territory.
The people of this territory were uprooted from their ancient homes and placed where 
they now are, through the policy and by the power of the government for the benefit 
and inconveniences of the whites with a assurance and guarantees of ownership in the 
soil and protection from interferences with their privileges of self-government, and 
from upon them was strong and solemn as language could make them.  If the lapse of time, 
the increase of the white population and the march of events has removed us from the 
wilderness in which we were then plunged unwillingly, and placed us in the way of our 
neighbors, the fault is not ours, nor do they invalidate any existing obligations.  We 
asked nothing from the people and authorities of United States, aside from their respect 
and good fellowship, but what they have promised, and observance of their treaties.  
Despite all the vicissitudes of our history, and the terrible ordeal of war by which we 
have been discouraged with fire and sword, through no fault of ours, but weakness and 
inability to sustained ourselves, we feel that we are even now progressing in knowledge 
and improvement and the arts and customs of civilization.  We desired no change for the 
purpose of experiment in the policy of the Government’s dealings towards our people in 
the territory.  We have no fault with their policy as provided by our Treaties.  All 
that we crave is a simple and honest administration of that policy by competent honest 
means.
We have been charged with opposition to progress and improvement; but in refutation of 
that charge, however humble they may seem, we confidently appeal to our houses, our 
farms, our stocks of horses and cattle, our schools, our churches, and our regularly 
organized the Governments.  We are not opposed to progress--we are not opposed to 
improvement--we are not opposed to civilization--we are not opposed to the Christian 
religion.  On the contrary, we acknowledge the conviction that rests upon our minds 
that our highest interest and self-preservation it self depends upon progress and 
improvement.  We feel that we cannot safely step backward, but must press forward-- 
inspired by the spirit of the age in which we live--in the arts, pursuits, and 
achievements of the surrounding civilization.  We desire only not to be overwhelmed 
by the influences brought to bear upon us through the ambition of aspiring man, the 
cupidity of scullery corporations and combinations of what ever name, or the mistaken 
philanthropy of the uninformed.  Our forms of Government are those of our own choice, 
modeled after your own, and such as are adapted to our conditions; under them we have 
prospered when allowed quiet and rest.  The tenure by which we hold our lands is such 
as we prefer, and such as we believe to be for the best of the majority of our people; 
observation and reflection lead as to believe that no change can be made in this 
respect that will not be fraught with mischief and ruin.  We wish no change in regard 
to either an confidently appeal to you to arrest all attempts to enforce them upon us 
except to the extent and in the manner authorized by our Treaties now in force, or 
that may be hereafter concluded; by them we are bound, upon them we rely, and we 
appeal to you as the stronger and more enlightened party to those compacts, to 
honestly and firmly observe their stipulations.  We do not wish any material changes 
in our relations to the Government, but we do wish quiet and security.  The constant 
education of questions which widely affect our welfare, our full of evil influences 
upon our progress; we want a consciousness of protection and security; it is in your 
power to give both; you have promised them.  Grant these and we shall fear no evil, 
we shall apprehend for our race, neither extension nor degradation, but progress and 
civilization will follow, and a brighter page on Indian affairs will be found in the 
history of the United States than has yet been recorded.
Adopted and signed in International Council at Okmulgee in Muskogee Nation on Saturday, 
the fourth day of June, 1870.
William P.  Ross, President.
S. H. Benge, and others, Cherokee Delegation.
Pleasant Porter, and others, Creek Delegation
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ADDRESS OF SAMUEL CHICOTE,
MUSKOGEE CHIEF
Executive Department,
Ok-mul-gee, M. Nation,
June 2nd, 1870

Friends and Brothers:
Not long since I sent a communication to the authorities of the several Indian Nations 
resident in the Indian Territory, suggesting the convention of an international Council 
at this place.  I am pleased to think that my views are accorded with those of the 
authorities of the other Nations of this Territory, as is proven by their prompt 
response to the aforesaid suggestion.
Being convened at my suggestion, you naturally expect of me a communication of my views.  
It seems to me, at this time, that there are great reasons why such a counsel should be 
convened among the several Nations, and in view of these, the present counsel is 
assembled; and we may consider ourselves particularly favored by a kind Providence, 
when we see so many Brothers of the red race, assembled together.  It is well known 
to us that our fathers before us often met in councils of this kind, for consultation 
on matters having for their object the general good of the red man.  One of the good 
results of such meetings was that each nation understood perfectly the relations 
existing between all of the Brother Nations.
The Government of the United States in solemn treaties promised every protection to 
the Indians in their new homes west of the Mississippi-- guaranteeing to them and their 
descendents forever the undisturbed possession of the lands, to which they were removed.  
The Indian, taught by experience and suspecting the intentions of the white man was 
careful to have expressly understood, (in which the white man accorded) that the white 
man should never annexed the Indian lands to any State, nor erect them into territories--
nor to extend over them any laws peculiar to any of the states of the Union or her territories.
Indirect contrariety with the solemn promises and the established policy of the Government 
we see the authorities of the United States, striving to ignore all of her former acts 
and change her policy, as indicated in the Bills introduced into the Congress proposing 
a Territorial form of Government for the Indian country.  We are sensible of the fact, 
that a territorial form of Government will at this time in no wise benefit the Indians, 
but work their certain ruin.  A great majority of the Indians are those termed full-bloods,
who have no education, nor can they even speak English language, and no such race of 
people can take upon themselves the laws made the white man--a people different in 
language, and customs--and prosper under them.  In view of this fact the Indian delegates 
at Washington have protested time and again, and made every effort to stay the impending 
danger.  Now in view of this state of affairs, I would suggest the expediency of the 
passage by this council of resolutions of request that the United States Government 
may not adopt a policy toward the Indians that is so subversive of our relations to 
that Government as is foreshadowed in the Bills so often introduced in the Congress 
of that Government.  The United States in former times acted magnanimously towards 
the Indian and matters of treaty and public policy, and in a manner characteristic 
of a great and Christian Nation, we cannot but still repose implicit confidence in 
her continued sympathy for the helpless Indians.  If the United States will continue 
to pursue the policy practice that thus far, we are convinced that is the most speedy 
way to Christianize and civilized the Indians.  In conclusion I would state that I 
sincerely trust that a beneficent Providence will so direct, that you were present 
mutual consultation, will result in much good to of spent those to come after us.   
Very Respectively, &c.
Samuel Chicote
Chief M. Nation
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OUR CHEROKEE READERS

Unconnected as they are with the great world outside, and what slender communication 
may have in barest as it is by differences in language, our naturally prone to 
entertain some erroneous notions of the general disposition and wishes of their 
white neighbors regarding their condition, and rights, and prospects.  These notions 
are mostly based on their experience in other times, under different circumstances, 
and with, we hopeand sincerely believe, a different class of people from those who 
live at present in the neighboring states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Texas.  
Those times, circumstances and people, are associated in their memory with purity, 
outrage and humiliation.  They know, and no well that the Red man suffered and the 
White man inflicted unprovoked ignominy and wrong.  And in the course of that bad 
business, but colors were never mixed.  The Red was indiscriminately mistreated.  
The imposition and injury was always the work of the White; and the outrage continued 
until the whole Nation was compelled to take refuge in flight to which they had 
been invited by a faithless Government.
We disclaim that feeling any satisfaction and the misfortune's of the descendents 
of our old enemy; but, if such an emotion could be justifiable at all, it might have 
been fully exercised when General Sherman, the Federal Nebuchadnezzar, after laying 
waste, with fire and sword, the country from which the Cherokee or so ruthlessly 
driven, sat down before the Georgia Jerusalem, a seeming instrument of divine 
vengeance.  All that is over, as everything else will be over but the truth and 
goodness, and which we may reckon forgiveness of wrong.  The times, the circumstances, 
and the people have changed; our notions should change also.  The kind reception 
which is given to this unpretending Jobbery Brothers of the press, shows the natural 
spirits of fair play to be as active and strong in the American breast as ever.
When we were driven West there was a shadow of an adverse claim to our lands.  
There is not a shadow now.  To take from is now the land we have purchased, and 
to which we have as good a moral and legal right as have any persons are people 
in the world to theirs, will be nothing but downright, disgraceful, outrage is, 
contemptible robbery, of the worst sort conceivable--and then blushing robbery 
and daylight, for which weakness is the occasion, and nothing the excuse--in 
which the victim may hope neither for restitution or regress.--that a Christian 
People should do such a thing, or suffer it to be done, is simply on conceivable.
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BOUNTY
Good News for Cherokees!

The following letter was received last night from Fort Gibson, and speaks for itself.
	Fort Gibson, C. N.,
	
June 18, 1870--Ed. Cherokee Advocate:-- Will you please notify the persons interested, 
that two hundred and nine checks for additional bounty, due for service in second and 
third Regiments Indian Home Guards, have been placed in my hands to be paid to claimants, 
and that I shall be ready to make the payments on and after Monday, June 20.
Very respectfully,
John W. Craig
Brevet Major, U. S. A.
Agent for Cherokees
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FORT GIBSON ITEMS

Major Craig, the popular and efficient US Agent for the Cherokee, returned from 
Washington Sunday last, and has entered upon the discharge of his duties.  At the 
time of his departure from Washington where he had been detained for some time, at 
the earnest solicitation of the Cherokee Delegation, to aid them in their business, 
the condition of our affairs was regarded as far more favorable than it was at the 
time of his arrival they are we understand that those Bounties which have been 
allowed, and remained unpaid, will be paid by the Agent in the future.
Captain Olmstead, U.S.A., A. Agent for the Choctaws and Chickasaws, and his clerk, 
Captain Thomas Drennon, an old and well-known citizen of Van Buren, Arkansas and of 
the Indian Territory, after spending a few days at this place, left yesterday 
morning for their Agency at Boggy Depot.
The four horse Coach, which left here Tuesday morning, for the terminus of the 
Railroad, at Baxter Springs, when about two miles out, was run away with and upset.  
The Coach was crowded with passengers at the time, and we are gratified that the 
injury to them was not more serious than it was.  The driver and a lady were slightly 
injured.
We understand that Major Field, U. S. A. Agent for the Muskogee has an order from the 
Department of the Interior, two calls all the Indians under his charge to be vaccinated.  
The Major is humane and timely, but the job will not be a light one, when it is 
remembered how sparse and widely spread the people are over the whole extent of their 
country.
Harvesting of Wheat began in this vicinity this week.  There was not a great deal of 
ground seeded with this grain last fall, but the present crop is a good one.  With a 
Flouring Mill going up at this place, under the energetic hands of O .W. Lipe & Son, 
those who have Wheat will find a good market at their door.  Another year we hope to 
see a material increase in the cultivation of this important cereal in our country.  
The flour annually brought in and sold to us, from bordering Arkansas, has been a mine 
of wealth to its toiling farmers and a source of poverty to the Indians.
Indian Agents
The appointment by President Grant, of army officers to Indian Agencies within this 
territory, has worked well up to the present time area the improvement in the character 
of these officials, is both marked and salutary.  We shall much regret any legislation 
by Congress that will deprive us of their services and commit us again to the tender 
mercies of fossil politicians, religious demagogues and seedy and needy adventurers.
Messrs. D. W. Lipe and George O. Sanders, who have been appointed to take the Census 
of this District, will begin their duties next week.

Freights

From Baxter Springs, terminus of Missouri River, Fort Scott and Gulf railroad to this 
place, are now delivered at a $1.25 per hundred pounds.  Goodbye Fort Smith on Arkansas 
River to the business of the Indian Territory!

Railroads

General Hazen and Friend Hoag, super independence of the southern and central Indian 
Superintendencies, Commissioners appointed by the president to determine which, if 
either, of the Railroad Companies that have reached the Indian Territory, from the 
North, with their Roads, has the right to enter and constructed their Road through 
the Territory, are now discharging the duties assigned them, at Chetopa, in Kansas.
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Des Moines County, Iowa, has a Sheriffess.  Her name is Mrs. Latty.  She asked as the 
deputy for her husband. 
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INDIAN NEWS

The Advocate being the sole publication of the Indian Territory, a broad field for the 
collection of news is out our command, if friends of us, of the Advocate, of its readers 
and this country, will only be good enough to send as accounts of local occurrences, 
similar to those which appear in this issue, which have been kindly furnished us by a 
friend in Fort Gibson.  They may be shorter or longer, according to the necessity of 
the narrative and clothed in such a garb of words as soon the means, time and convenience, 
of the source from which they come; if any change in the latter respect to adapted to the 
prevailing fashion, we will undertake to make it.  But, at all events, give us the facts.  
We can only report correctly what comes to our ear from this place and its vicinity; if 
the hundred and one incidents of equal or greater interest occurring in other neighborhoods 
are told, they must be first told by someone else.  And what we have said before, we repeat now.

United States is full of fair, true, and impartial men and women, who will not knowingly 
suffer us to be crushed either representatives, by means of Territorial or Railroad Bills, 
or Judicial and Department decisions, provided, they themselves know what should or should 
not be done, when a question affecting our condition and rights is made a subject of 
discussion and any branch of the Government.  It is nonsense to say that it matters not 
what they labor, the mechanic, the farmer, and in short, the working man, think or know 
of our affairs--that everything depends upon those in power--the Congressmen, the 
Secretaries, the Judges, etc. the United States government is a government of public 
opinion, upon such matters of official action as the people fully understand and entertain 
and an opinion.  What the highest and the most candid, and the best of them all, has said, 
cannot be name nine by any of his fellow servants in authority.  “The will of the people is 
the law of the land."  So it is.
Now, what is the public opinion of the people of the United States in regard to the Indians 
of this Territory and their claims and rights?  Did you say, none?  Well, we believe you, 
in part.  But bear in constant mind one thing; if the people of United States do not form 
their opinions of us and our affairs, from what we and our friends tell them, they will 
form from what our enemyies tell them; and the latter are now, and for some time have been 
at work with their poisonous representatives, to convert that which should be our safety to 
our destruction.  The American people should know the truth.  We must tell them the truth.  
The truth once known, and settled in the public mind, it cannot afterwards be misled.  
It may and will be continually missed and its conclusion, while it has false facts for 
premises, from which to draw them.
Forgive the boast --we promise not to repeat it--this unostentatious little Indian 
Newspaper can do something--a very little--towards this important subject.  Such is 
partly its intention.  Within their narrow bounds, it can do something, with the help 
of miscellaneous contributions from friends.  Our contemporaries of greater pretensions, 
and larger circulation, into whose grand and current of information we in the our little 
rill of "Indian News," must do the rest.  "Every little bit helps," is a simple saying, 
old and origin, but forever new in practice and will be our encouragement and consolation, 
though we may never see the results of our humble labors.