Letter-1865, January 17-B

Shawnee Agency, Kansas
January 17, 1865

To the Hon. Wm. P. Dole
Commissioner of Indian Affairs Washington D. C.

Sir

   We the undersigned Chiefs and Council of the Shawnee tribe of Indians upon further consideration with reference to a clause in the treaty made by us with the Government of the United States in the Spring of 1864, which said treaty is now before the Senate of the United states for ratification, which said clause authorizes the sale of three sections of land known as the “Shawnee Mission farm,” and being the same three sections of’ land the sale of which, is authorized by 6th article of the treaty of 1854. In pur[su]ance of said authority so granted the said land was subsequently sold to the Methodist Episoopa1 Church

   We the aforesaid chiefs and council would respectfully request, that you use your influence with the Senate of the U. s. that said treaty be so amended, by stricking out the said clause, as to secure a compliance with the stipulations of’ the treaty of 1854 for the following reasons—

   1^st. Because said sale would be in conflict with and in violation of vested rights acquired under the stipulations of certain contract made by virtue of’ the authority of said 6th Section of the treaty of 1854 by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

   2^nd. Because we as a tribe desire to act in good faith towards said Church or its assigns believing that said church has to the best of its ability fulfilled its part of said contract–

   3^rd. Should the said land be sold as provided in said treaty, Thomas Johnson would be the sufferer. Mr. Johnson has spent near 26 years of the prime of his life in teaching us and our children: 18 years of which was without pay from us or the United States.

   4th. It was the wish and intent ion of our tribe at the time of making said treaty of 1854 to give said Johnson said three sections of land.

   5th. We do not desire the insertion of said clause in said treaty of 1864, but were advised contrary to our wishes to assent thereto–

   6^th. We do not believe that said land would sell for a sum sufficient to pay for the improvements made by said Church upon said land, thereby leaving the tribe in debt.

   Having been informed that there is a balance due and unpaid to said Johnson as the agent or assignes of said Church, for keeping a school in pursuance of the Contract made on the 5th day of March 1855, we would respectfully request your Honor·to settle with and pay said Johnson any balance that may be found due.

Witness
MW King U.S. Interpreter
James B Abbott U. S. Agent

[Photostat copy in MSS, Dept. K. S. H. S.]