Native Americans: 22 Books on History, Mythology, Culture & Linguistic Studies. James Mooney

in fee simple. The commissioner of appraisal appointed and acting under this act of Congress, and under the supervision of Inspector Watkins, selected 15,211.2 acres, the appraised value of which was $20,561.35, being the exact amount, including interest and costs, due upon the judgments up to October 7, 1876, the date of appraisal. Thereupon a deed (known as the Watkins deed) was executed by the parties representing the Johnston and Thomas interests, conveying the lands so selected to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the manner directed by the act of Congress, which deed it was agreed should be supplemented by a new one so soon as a more definite description could be given of the lands after survey. The surveys were made by M. S. Temple, who also surveyed the Qualla boundary tract, a deed for which latter tract (known as the Brooks deed) was executed direct to the Eastern Band of North Carolina Cherokee Indians, and the supplemental deed spoken of above was also executed. Sundry difficulties and complications have continued from time to time to arise in connection with the affairs of these Indians, and as the most effective measure of protection to their interests the Commissioner of Indian Affairs has suggested (April 26, 1882) to Congress the advisability of placing the persons and property of these people under the jurisdiction of the United States district court for the western district of North Carolina.

540. February 17 and March 17, 1853.

541. March 26, 1853.

542. This protest bore date of November 9, 1853, and was filed by Edwin Follin, as their attorney or representative.

543. September 21, 1853.

544. November 22, 1853.

545. Letter of Agent Butler, dated November 30, 1853.

546. Annual report of Agent Butler for 1854.

547. The delegation submitted these propositions in a communication to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated December 28, 1854.

548. Annual report of Agent Butler for 1855.

549. Annual report of Agent Butler for 1857.

550. Annual report of Agent Butler for 1858.

551. October 10, 1860.

552. See reports of Agent Cowart in November, 1860, in Indian Office report of 1860, pp. 224, 225.

553. January 1, 1860.

554. Letter of Agent R. J. Cowart to Commissioner Indian Affairs, September 8, 1860.

555. Letter of S. W. Butler, published in Philadelphia North American, January 24, 1863.

556. Letter of General Albert Pike to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866, published in pamphlet report of Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the President, bearing date June 15, 1866.

557. Letter of S. W. Butler, in Philadelphia North American, January 24, 1863, and letter of General Albert Pike to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866.

558. Letter of Albert Pike, February 17, 1866. The delegates representing the "Southern Cherokees," in their statement to the United States commissioners at the Fort Smith conference, September 16, 1865, say: "Years before the war one portion of the Cherokees was arrayed in deadly hostility against the other; a secret organized society called the 'Pins,' led by John Ross and Rev. Jones, had sworn destruction to the half-bloods and white men of the nation outside this organization," etc.

559. Early in June, 1861.

560. Letter of General Albert Pike to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866.

561. Ibid.

562. June 12, 1861.

563. June 17, 1861.

564. According to the message of John Ross, as principal chief to the Cherokee national council, October 9, 1861, this convention was held on the 21st of August, 1861.

565. Pike's letter to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866.

566. Pike's letter to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866. These treaties were concluded on the following dates respectively: Creek, July 10; Choctaw and Chickasaw, July 12; Seminole, August 1; Shawnees, Delawares, Wichitas, and affiliated tribes resident in leased territory, and Comanches, August 12, 1861.

567. The treaty with the Osages was concluded October 2, that with the Senecas and Shawnees on the same day, and also that with the Quapaws. (See Report Commissioner of Indian Affairs for 1865, p. 318.)

568. The text of this treaty was reprinted for the use of the United States treaty commissioners in 1866.

569. August, 1861. See letter of Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the President, June 15, 1866.

570. General Albert Pike in his letter of February 17, 1866, speaks of being escorted from Fort Gibson to Park Hill on his way to conclude the treaty of October 7, 1861, by eight or nine companies of Colonel Drew's regiment, which had been previously raised as a home guard by order of the national council.

571. This address (printed as document No. 7, accompanying the letter of Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the President, June 15, 1866) bears date of December 19, 1862. This is an evident typographical error for 1861, because the address was in the nature of a censure upon the regiment for its defection on the eve of a battle with the forces of O-poth-le-yo-ho-lo, the loyal Creek leader. This battle occurred at Bushy or Bird Creek, December 9, 1861, and before the expiration of another year Ross had left the Cherokee country under the escort of Colonel Weir.