ssioners
on the part of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations together with those of other nations embraced in the Indian Confederation,
with their respective executives and commissioners met commissioners on the part of the United States in council at Ft. Smith
on the 15th of September last. The result of which was a general treaty of peace and friendship between the United States
and all the Indian nations represented at said council and the submission of a project or outline of a treaty, which the Gov't
of the United States wishes to make with the various Indian Nations, for which purpose and to arrange and settle all matters
with the government of the United States growing out of their connection with the so-called Confederate States, which tend
to interrupt or interfere with the resumption of their former relations with the Government of the United States, it is proposed
that commissioners be sent to Washington City by the several Indian Nations. * * *.
"Among the subjects presented by the Gov't of the United States for your consideration the slave question stands prominently
forth. It is plain that emancipation is inevitable and it is a part of wisdom to meet the question fairly and that means be
bring about the manumission of slaves at the earliest practicable period, and in the meantime, to secure the peace and quiet
of that unfortunate class of persons and render them by suitable provisions and arrangements, useful to the community.
"There is at present great diversity of opinion among the people as to the status of the negro among us. In my opinion the
good of the community requires that the Legislature shall lay down a uniform rule of action for all in reference to slaves,
so that there be no confusion growing out of the subject among the people or among the slaves themselves. Their emancipation
is now a mere question of time and the sooner, in accordance with the constitution, the better for all parties. * * *.7
Upon receipt of the governor's message the legislature passed a resolution empowering the governor to issue a proclamation
calling upon the people to effect some sort of independent agreement with the slaves. According to the Federal Census of 1860,
the Chickasaws held 917 negro slaves. On October 11, 1865 Governor Colbert issued his proclamation in accordance therewith;—
Whereas the Legislature of the Chickasaw Nation at its last session, in view of the unsettled state of affairs within said
Nation and more especially in reference to the slaves, did by resolution direct that the governor issue his proclamation informing
the people of the present position of the Nation in relation to the United States Government and authorizing all slaveholders
to make suitable arrangements with their negroes, such as may be most conducive to the interest and welfare of both owners
Now, Therefore, I, Winchester Colbert, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, do issue this my proclamation informing the people
of said Nation that a treaty of peace and friendship, repudiating all treaties with any forign nation or power, was concluded
between the Commissioners on the part of the United States and the Commissioners on the part of the Chickasaw Nation, at Ft.
Smith, Ark. on the 18th of September, A. D. 1865 and I do hereby require all persons subject to the jurisdiction of the Chickasaw
Nation to observe and conform to the same until other treaties securing the rights and interests of the Chickasaw people can
be negotiated by the commissioners appointed by the Legislature to visit Washington City for that purpose.
In view of the fact that under the treaty of peace concluded at Fort Smith, the United States reserved jurisdiction over the
question of slavery within Indian Territory and in conformity with the authority given me by the Legislature, I hereby advise
all slaveholders within the Chickasaw Nation to make suitable arrangements
with the negroes—such as will be most conducive to the interests and welfare of both owners and slaves. * * *.
The Ft. Smith engagement of September 18, 1865 was practically an armistice agreement, but