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Show 36 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. ahong this people are remembered still, and the Ross, Ridge, and Boudinot difficulties have never been healed. This portion of the nation was ably rep resented in council by Boudinot and others, and having learned from the action of those representing the loyal party that if they came back it must be as beg-gars and outlaws, asked the protection and good offices of the commission. Ef- ' forts were then made on the part of the commission to e@ecta reeonciliation, but all that could be brought about was a promise upon the part of those represent-ing the loyal party topresent the question to their council, which is now in session, and I entertain the hope that soon I shall beable to furnish yon a report of their proceedings, in which they offer fair and honorable terms of adjnswent. If, however, I should be disappointed in this reasonable expectation, I trust the government will.take the matter in hand, and, by a just and equitable division of their property, make a final settlement of all their difficulties. Wben the majority of this nation returned to their allegiance to the govern- '.$ ment, in 1863, action was taken by their council, under direction of John Ross, confiscating the property of those who still continued in the service of the con-federacy, thus cutting off about fie thousand fivehundred of thenation, leaving them homeless and houseless. This destitute portion of the tribe are still refu-gees on the Red river, suffering from the want of every necessary of life, and existing only upon the charity of the humane people of northeastern Texas. The department has, however, sent a special agent to look into the wants of these refugees, and must rely upon Congress for the necessary means to relieve their necessities. The commission did not adjourn without having made valuable progress to-wards the consummation of treaty arrangements with several of the most impor-tant tribes. With the Osages a treaty was made, signed hy the lately disloyal party at the council, and by the loyal chiefs afterwards at their agency, by wh~cht hey cede to the United States a very large area of valuable laud, which may be used for colonization of other tribes if it shall be needed for the purpose, or sold for their benefit. That treaty has just reached this office by the hand of Superintendent Sells, and will hesubmitted to you with his report. ! The terms of a treaty were agreed upon with both parties of the Creeks, whereby they cede to the United States,for the use of the friendly Indians from Kansaa or elsewhere, all of their lands north of the Arkansas river, and one-half . of the remainder lying south of that river, on terms which I trust will meet the approval of the government. This treaty is to he signed in this cityby dele- , gates properly accredited by the united Creek nation. With the Choctaws and Chickasaws a treaty was aereed nDou. noon thebasis of the stren propoaitiolis Lzretoforr srztrd, and in ad(i;tiuo to'whic6 tho~ctri 1je.r agrerd to a rhoro~rgla~n d friendly uoion among their owu people, and forgerfi~l-neJs of ~ a , t differrrlres: to thc oaeuine uf the .'lrasnl laud^ " to the st:ttlerneut of any tribes whom thegovernmknt 07 the United States may desire to place thereon; and to the cession of one-third of their remaining area for the same purpose; the United States to restore these tribes to their rights forfeited by the rebellion. This treaty, after its approval by the councils of the Choctaws and Chickasaws, is to be signed in this city by three delegates from each nation sent here for that purpose. It is not intended to hold any general council in this city, but it was nnder-stood that delegates would, if necessary, visit Washington on behalf of any of the tribes owning lmds in the Indian country which the government might de-sire to purchase for the nse of other Indians, so that, by properly accredited aelegates, all necessary arrangements with the several tribes might be made. I t became sufficiently evident, in the course of the council, that one great ob-ject in view by the government, the colonization of such of the tribes or portions of tribes from further north as should desire a permanent home in the Indian country, would be secu~edwhenth e policy of the government in regard to them |