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Show XXXVIII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. course mt and solemn treaties, is held sacred from the intrusion of white men. A considerable portion of the Territoryis occupied by the civilized Indians embraced in the five following tribes: Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickaeaws, Creeks, and Seminoles, some of whom have had peaceable possession of it for more than forty years. Other portions of the Terri-tory are occupied by semi-civilized tribes; and still other portions, in the western part, are vacant and ready for tho occupation of any tribes that may be removed thereto. This Territory is below the parallel of the great traveled routes be-tween the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and fortiunately it is not in the way of extending civilization westward. There is, however, a scheme on foot to deprive the Indians of the immt~nithyi therto enjoyed by them, and speculators are now agitating the eredion of this unorganized Terri-tory into a Territory of the United States under various specious pleas, mainly intended to act as an entering-wedge to open it to white settle-ment. The experience of more than forty years admonishes us that it is best to let it remain in the future, as it has been in the past, a home for the Indian, where he may live and cultivate the soil mldistmbed by white men. The Indim tribes located there have prospered well and are still prospering under the existing condition of things; and in that Tenitory there is ample room for all the southern tribes of Indians now in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. To erect a Territorial government in it would be to entitle the citizens of other States to reside within its limits. Already a railroad has been chartered and endowed with land grants which they may take possession of i'when the Indian title becomes. extinot," thus looking to tlie spoliation of the Indian wd a profitable administration of his estate. The purpose for which this territory was set apart by solemn treaty shoulld operate to hold it forever sacred from i~~trusiolail,i d the Indian should be left to theun(lispute(1 possession of this small area of his ollce unbounded heritage. I n this con~lectionit is proper to mention, as indicating the increasing prosperity of the civilized tribes, the "Indian international fair" which held its fourth annual exhibition at Muskogee during the first week in October. The object of this fair was not only to stimulate the people to greater exertions in their various purs~uits, but by bringing the mem-bers of many different tribes together once a year in friendly rivalry, to promote killdly feelings and to lead to a union of interests. The display at the fair was such as would compare quite favorably -4th the ave-rage eouuty fair in the States. It was attended by many hundreds of Ii~diansr,e presenting fifteen differentt ribes. There was a remarkably fine display of cattle bred in the Territory, including some thoroughbreds. Cotton, in its various stages, from the partly-matured plant to the bale ready for market, was entered by many competitors. This crop is well adapted to the soil, and 8, ready market is found for it at good prices. The Creeks alone will export cotton to the value of $40,000 this |