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Chickasaw Freedmen Memorial Part 3
We assume, then, that the Government is pledged, by this treaty, not to remove any of the persons of African descent from the nations who are not willing, or who do not elect to remove; and that the Government has thus graciously given us the privilege of making or not making this election.
For many and grave reasons we do not elect to remove. As natives, we are attached to the localities of our birth and childhood; as men, we are attached to the people among whom we have been born and bred; we like the Chickasaws, as friends; and we know by the experience of the past that we can live with them in the future in the close union of sincere fraternity and brotherly love. It is for these and other grave considerations, that we do earnestly desire to be freemen in fact as well as in theory; for without the elective franchise--a free vote--there can be no real liberty. As things now exist so far as the persons of African descent in the nations are concerned the word freedmen is a sham.
In this connection we here call attention to the latter clause of the said 3rd article of the treaty of 1866:
"And should the said laws, rules, and regulations not be made by the legislatures of the said nations respectively within two years from the ratification of this treaty, then the said sum of three hundred thousand dollars shall cease to be held in trust for the said Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations and be held for the use and benefit of such said persons of African descent as the United States shall remove from the said territory, in such manner as the United States shall deem proper---the United States agreeing, within ninety days from the expiration of the said two years, to remove from said nations all such persons of African descent as may be willing to remove; those remaining or returning after having been removed from said nations to have no benefit of said sum of three hundred thousand dollars, or any part thereof, but shall be on the same footing as other citizens of the United States in the said nations."
Now we're respectfully submitting that, having remained unmolested in the nation for sixteen years after the ratification of this treaty, and having not elected to remove, we are, in the very terms of this clause of the treaty placed upon the same footing as other citizens of the United states in the said nations.
It is true that we are debarred, in so many words from any benefit in the said sum of $300,000, but we do not set up any claims to said money or to any part thereof. We cheerfully abandon every claim which we may or might have had in the said money. But notwithstanding this very clear stipulation, and the legitimacy of the conclusion we draw from it as connected with the facts and the lapse of time, we are still ignored as citizens, and are so likely to remain, without the gracious intervention of the Government of the Untied States on our behalf.
The $300,000---What is the Status of it?:
We have no accurate knowledge as to whether or not any portion of this sum of money has been paid in any way to the nations. This question we respectfully submit to the more enlightened understanding of Congress, within whose reach all such information lies. We are advised, however, and so state our belief, that some part of this money has been paid to and accepted by the Chickasaws. And we here call attention to the 46th article of the treaty of 1866:
Art 46. Of the moneys stipulated to be paid to the Choctaws and Chickasaws under this treaty for the cession of the leased district and the admission of the Kansas Indians among them, the sum of $150,000 shall be advanced and paid to the Choctaws, and $50,000 to the Chickasaws, through their respective treasurers, as soon as practicable after the ratification of this treaty, to be repaid out of said moneys or any other moneys of said nations in the hands of the United States; the residue, not affected by any provision of this treaty, to remain in the Treasury of the United States; the residue, not affected by any provision of this treaty, to remain in the Treasury of the United States at an annual interest of not less than five per cent, no part of which shall be paid out as annuity, but shall be annually paid to the treasurer of said nations respectively, to be regularly and judiciously applied, under the direction of their respective legislative councils, to the support of their government, the purposes of education, and such other objects as may be best calculated to promote and advance the welfare and happiness of said nations and their people respectively.
We make no effort to reconcile this 46th clause of the treaty with the 3rd clause. If the Chickasaw have received any of their proportion of this money, then surely, they are under the greater obligation to carry out the stipulations of the 3rd clause, and to enact such “law, rules and regulations as may be necessary to give all persons of African descent, and their descendants heretofore held in slavery among said nations, all the rights privileges, and immunities---including the right of suffrage.”
Continue to Part 4
We assume, then, that the Government is pledged, by this treaty, not to remove any of the persons of African descent from the nations who are not willing, or who do not elect to remove; and that the Government has thus graciously given us the privilege of making or not making this election.
For many and grave reasons we do not elect to remove. As natives, we are attached to the localities of our birth and childhood; as men, we are attached to the people among whom we have been born and bred; we like the Chickasaws, as friends; and we know by the experience of the past that we can live with them in the future in the close union of sincere fraternity and brotherly love. It is for these and other grave considerations, that we do earnestly desire to be freemen in fact as well as in theory; for without the elective franchise-
"And should the said laws, rules, and regulations not be made by the legislatures of the said nations respectively within two years from the ratification of this treaty, then the said sum of three hundred thousand dollars shall cease to be held in trust for the said Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations and be held for the use and benefit of such said persons of African descent as the United States shall remove from the said territory, in such manner as the United States shall deem proper-
Now we're respectfully submitting that, having remained unmolested in the nation for sixteen years after the ratification of this treaty, and having not elected to remove, we are, in the very terms of this clause of the treaty placed upon the same footing as other citizens of the United states in the said nations.
It is true that we are debarred, in so many words from any benefit in the said sum of $300,000, but we do not set up any claims to said money or to any part thereof. We cheerfully abandon every claim which we may or might have had in the said money. But notwithstanding this very clear stipulation, and the legitimacy of the conclusion we draw from it as connected with the facts and the lapse of time, we are still ignored as citizens, and are so likely to remain, without the gracious intervention of the Government of the Untied States on our behalf.
The $300,000-
We have no accurate knowledge as to whether or not any portion of this sum of money has been paid in any way to the nations. This question we respectfully submit to the more enlightened understanding of Congress, within whose reach all such information lies. We are advised, however, and so state our belief, that some part of this money has been paid to and accepted by the Chickasaws. And we here call attention to the 46th article of the treaty of 1866:
Art 46. Of the moneys stipulated to be paid to the Choctaws and Chickasaws under this treaty for the cession of the leased district and the admission of the Kansas Indians among them, the sum of $150,000 shall be advanced and paid to the Choctaws, and $50,000 to the Chickasaws, through their respective treasurers, as soon as practicable after the ratification of this treaty, to be repaid out of said moneys or any other moneys of said nations in the hands of the United States; the residue, not affected by any provision of this treaty, to remain in the Treasury of the United States; the residue, not affected by any provision of this treaty, to remain in the Treasury of the United States at an annual interest of not less than five per cent, no part of which shall be paid out as annuity, but shall be annually paid to the treasurer of said nations respectively, to be regularly and judiciously applied, under the direction of their respective legislative councils, to the support of their government, the purposes of education, and such other objects as may be best calculated to promote and advance the welfare and happiness of said nations and their people respectively.
We make no effort to reconcile this 46th clause of the treaty with the 3rd clause. If the Chickasaw have received any of their proportion of this money, then surely, they are under the greater obligation to carry out the stipulations of the 3rd clause, and to enact such “law, rules and regulations as may be necessary to give all persons of African descent, and their descendants heretofore held in slavery among said nations, all the rights privileges, and immunities-
Continue to Part 4