Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma

The Provisional Government of Nebraska Territory and the Journals of William Walker Provisional Governor of Nebraska Territory

DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF NEBRASKA TERRITORY.

of the Wyandot Nation, and is a record of the official views of the Legislative Committee, the highest tribunal of the government. It is a legal document, and was probably handed to the Council of Chiefs during a joint session of the two bodies. As all parties were present it is possible that it was not considered necessary to have the paper signed by the members of the Legislative Committee. While it is not dated, it is evident that it was written during the time when the Wyandots were working for the organization of a Territorial Government for Nebraska. And it would seem that this document conclusively shows that the Government of the Wyandot Nation was then taking part in this movement.

The paper was given to me by Hon. Allen Johnson, Jr., Head Chief of the Wyandot Nation in the Indian Territory.]

The Legislative Committee previous to adjournment deemed it necessary to make some formal and official expression of its views upon our Indian relations as they now exist, and upon our relation with the United States in the present aspect of affairs.

First, then, it is well known that for the last hundred years a league has existed between the following tribes, viz: Wyandott, Delaware, Chippewa, Ottawa, Pottawottomie, Shawnee and Miami. This League unanimously elected the Wyandott the Keeper of the Council fire, where all diplomatic and other important matters involving the interests of the several tribes composing this league were to be discussed. Whether in peace or War this league maintained a unity of mind and action in all important measures. On the happening of any important event interesting to them, it appears from past history that the Keeper of the Council fire was the member whose duty it was to apprise the members by a confidential runner bearing the official wampum, of the nature of the information received.

In pursuance of this understanding mutually entered into, the tribes composing this Confederacy naturally looked to the Wyandott for all official information of importance to them. Thus the principles of

this compact were kept up till by the action of the U. S. Gov't the tribes composing this Confederacy removed from the North and East to the west of the Mississippi. This caused some derangement in our intercourse with each other - caused an interruption of the usual interchange of friendly messages. Thus matters continued till the autumn (Oct) of 1848, when the members of the league assembled for the first time in the West and demanded "Where is the Council fire" ? The Keeper promptly responded: "When I rose from my seat in the East with my face to the West, I snatched the only fire brand yet burning in the Council fire and bro't it with me; and here my brethren I rekindle it in the West. Light the pipe and scour up my dish and Camp kettle again." At this first session West, all the former arrangements of the league were solemnly renewed and two other tribes joined us and agreed to incur the responsibilities and abide by the regulations and joint acts of the league, viz: the Kickapoos and Kansas. It is well known the Sacs and Foxes played an unmanly part on this occasion and we have had no explanation.1 The Wyandott being thus formally re-appointed the Keeper of the Council fire in the West, the obligation still rests upon him to discharge faithfully those obligations he incurred when originally invested with this mark of distinction.

Second. Our relations with the U. S. Gov't. It would seem from present indications that the present Indian policy is about to undergo an important, and to us emigrant tribes, vital change. Heretofore the general policy has been to purchase the domain of the Red men little by little and confining him to narrower limits with the view, as the Gov't said, of compelling him by the extinction of game, to resort to agricultural and civilized pursuits. This not working well, or rather it was the excuse, the injurious and demoralizing effects of

1) This incident is mentioned by Clarke in his "Traditional History of the Wyandotts," page 132.

"A group of Fox Indians were noticed to be rather reserved and distant at this general Council, and who knew of a certain dark bead belt then in the hands of the Wyandotts with the shape of a tomahawk of a red colour on it, indicating some contemplated warfare whenever it was exhibited in a general Council. They knew, too, of the hostile incursions their forefathers used to make against the Wyandotts and other tribes about Detroit, over a century ago; how they were chastised by them at different times, and that they never made peace with each other.

"The group of Fox Indians watched the Wyandotts with an eagle eye, and no sooner than they observed the crimson tomahawk exhibited than they were off to their homes an their ponies, followed by wolfish-looking dogs."

being surrounded by a dense white population being so palpable, induced the government again to change the whole policy to that of colonizing the Red race in a new country West, to be assigned them. by the Gov't and to be theirs "as long as, grass grows and water runs." Where they could have their choice of pursuits, either the chase or agricultural and where they and their descendants would be free from the trammels of State or territorial laws, and be governed by their own laws, usages and customs. And in order to this the government threw around the emigrant tribes its strong protecting arm. This change in its policy took place about twenty two years ago. The next and present apprehended change is that of purchasing of us emigrant tribes the lands assigned, or rather sold to us to be our perpetual home. This presents to us a new question. If we submissively fall into this new line of policy, what is to become of us? further west we can not go - nor indeed to any other point of the compass, as the Gov't has no more rich-soiled, timbered and watered territory on this continent to bestow upon the Red man. What are the emigrant tribes to do? In this exigency the Committee would respectfully suggest to the Executive Council the propriety of sending the messenger with the Wampum to the tribes composing the Confederacy and such other tribes as emigrated from the East as we may be upon friendly terms with, apprising them of this apprehended change with a view to a consultation upon the propriety of uncovering the great Council fire, and devising the measures necessary to be adopted in this new case.

LETTER FROM GOVERNOR WALKER TO SOME UNKNOWN PERSON IN OHIO.

WEST JERSEY1, NEBRASKA, Jan 19, '54.

DEAR SIR --

Your letter dated the 4th inst was rec'd yesterday, and although pretty well over run with similar letters, some yet unanswered, yet I

1) Governor Walker bestowed the name "Jersey" upon the creek running through Kansas City, Kansas, into the Missouri River. He named his homestead "West Jersey," why, I do not know; his home in Ohio may have been "Jersey." Governor Walker's house stood on what are now lots 4, 5, 6 and 7, in block 4, Sunnyside Addition to Kansas City, Kansas. The grounds and garden enclosed with the house included the remainder of block 4, the south half of block 3, the north half of block 6, lots 1 to 25 inclusive in block 5, and all streets and alleys included in these bounds. His house had been the

feel bound to give precedence to enquiries from the "Buckeye State." I will endeavor to give you such information in regard to the character of this frontier and this Territory as 1 can command. My travels in the Territory have been chiefly through the Southern portion; therefore, cannot give you much from personal observation in regard to other parts but must rely upon information derived from other sources for a general description.

Then fancy me Chief Magistrate of this wild and untamed territory, seated upon a bleak boundless prairie, with a furious wind from the mountains whirling snow, leaves, grass &c in circling eddies round my head, with an icicle pendant from my proboscis, as long as a 10d nail, with my saddle on my lap for a writing desk, pouring my warm breath into my pen to thaw the congealing ink - anon thrashing my arms round my body to quicken circulation in my chilled fingers, while my company, composed of Wyandotts Shawnees Delawares and a quadroon Frenchman as Fort man, are attending to our animals. The devil and Phoenix bitters! how can I write in this fix? 0 here's a mitigant. Antoine appor [part of this sentence torn away at this point] ici votre Boutielle de eau de vie et um cruche aussitot. Your good health, Sir. Ahem, Tres bien. Taut mieux. But stop. I forget myself. I am not on an exploring tour, taking notes of observation. Sure enough I'm in my own domicile, at my own comfortable fire side. Yes, I faix, there's Mrs W. seated cosily in her arm chair and the girls one reading the latest Novel (sorry to say it, but 'tis true) and the other gleaning political news from the National Intelligencer and your humble servant at the writing table. My negro domestic enters and announces "the Thermomaker 10o below Nero." But I'm wandering from the matter on hand - no more digressions episodes &c, but to the point. Nebraska Ter extends to the 43rd parallel of N. lattitude and running S. to the parallel of 36o

old Delaware pay-house, where the Delawares came to receive their annuities from the agents. Governor Walker improved it and built additions to it until it was two stories high and contained ten or twelve large rooms. The building and most of the additions were of logs, but it was weather-boarded, and was a comfortable, roomy, delightful old home. Nothing remains of it now except a few stones of one corner of the foundation. The heavy door which had a square hole cut in it, through which the agent passed out the money to the Delawares, was always retained in use by Governor Walker. It was a rough, rude piece of workmanship, and Mrs. Walker wished to replace it with a more respectable looking one, but the Governor would not suffer this to be done.

30'', bounded on the E. by Mo & Iowa and on the west by the spurs of the Rocky Mountains.

It is a rich champaign country; beautifully undulating. and well watered & generally well supplied with stone and I have no doubt but time will develop large and rich pits of coal. The chief deficiency is the want of good building timber. The timbered lands are confined to the streams. These wending their ways to their points of debouchment are fringed with timber. There are exceptions to this rule. There are some high rolling ridges timbered with a somewhat stunted growth of Bur Oak & Hickory, but these are valueless except for fuel. These immense praries are doubtless produced by the annual conflagrations of the tall grasses, weeds and undergrowth of wild shrubbery, rendering it impossible for a young growth of timber to survive these fearful ravages produced by the brand of the wild and tame incendiary; as often by the latter as the former. This scarcity of timber will always be a drawback - indeed an insurmountable obstacle to a compact settlement. But there are to be found, as will be more abundantly proved, whenever a geological survey shall be made, all the elements provided by the god of nature, to supply these deficiences, such as an abundance of stone for building houses and fences, added for the latter purpose Osage thorn, Stone coal for fuel. There is every variety of soil. The high rolling lands after a crop or two of corn yield fine wheat, Rye and Oats crops. The lower lands for corn, Hemp, Tobacco &c and the soil [is] inexhaustible. There is one important item that I cannot omit mentioning which operates seriously against the durability of the soil, especially in hilly or broken lands. There being the want of substantial clay or marl basis and the upper soil being [of] a light loamy character, the heavy rains peculiar to this country, sweep away, when tilled, the soil to the bottoms, rivers or ravines, presenting in a few years an unseemly sight of sterile knobs, fissures & gutters. This obj does not apply to the slightly undulating or level lands.

37TH CONGRESS,

2D SESSION.

}HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Report

No. 67.

ABELARD GUTHRIE.

[To accompany bill H. R. No. 381]

Mr. Loomis, from the Committee of Elections, made the following

REPORT.

April 3, 1862. - Ordered to be printed.

The Committee of Elections, to whom was referred the memorial of Abelard Guthrie, praying to be allowed mileage and per diem as delegate from Nebraska to the thirty-second Congress, have had the same under consideration and respectfully report:

On the second Tuesday of October, A. D. 1852, the people of Nebraska, (then an unorganized Territory,) desiring to secure a territorial government, elected the memorialist as their delegate to the thirty-second Congress.

In pursuance of this election he came to Washington, and on the 17th day of December, 1852, presented his memorial to the House of Representatives, asking to be admitted as a delegate. This memorial was duly referred, and a report was made thereon and ordered to be printed, but no further action was had upon it. But a bill was immediately introduced for the organization of a government for that Territory, which passed the House of Representatives on the 18th day of February, 1853, by a vote 98 yeas to 43 nays. The bill was sent to the Senate, and there received the approval of the Committee on Territories, but as the session terminated on the 4th of March following it failed to become a law, and the memorialist was never admitted as a delegate, nor was any compensation ever allowed him for coming and remaining here for the purposes aforesaid.

The memorial now under consideration asks for the usual per diem and mileage, as before allowed in similar cases. This claim has long been pending before Congress.

On the 19th of July, 1856, the Hon. Israel Washburn, as chairman of the Committee of Elections, made a report in favor of the claim, accompanied with a bill granting the memorialist mileage not

to exceed two thousand dollars, and his per diem of five dollars per day from the time of presenting his memorial at the 2d session, 32d Congress, to the close thereof, but no further action was had thereon.

Your committee find that several claims similar to the one now under consideration have received the sanction of both houses of Congress.

In 1850 Hugh N. Smith petitioned the House to admit him as delegate from New Mexico, and A. W. Babbitt made application to be admitted as delegate from Utah. To these applications it was objected, among other things, that the Territories which they claimed to represent were unorganized, and that their boundaries had never been defined; and, further, that these gentlemen were appointed by delegates to territorial conventions or assemblies, and not chosen by the people in their primary meetings. The decision of the House was adverse to the claimants, but Congress passed an act to pay them mileage and per diem.

These cases are similar in principle to that of the memorialist, or, if there be any difference, it is in favor of the latter, as he was designated or elected by the people themselves in their primary assemblies.

Your committee believe that it was important to have an organized government for Nebraska at the time the people of that Territory sent the memorialist here as their delegate.

In the years 1849 and 1850 it is estimated that more than one hundred thousand emigrants passed through that Territory on their way to California, Utah, New Mexico, and Oregon.

The memorialist came here in good faith and with good reason to believe that the Territory would be organized, and he admitted as a delegate. The vote of the House before mentioned recognized in a most emphatic manner the propriety of its organization, and must have made the memoralist feel confident that he would be admitted to his seat as a delegate before the close of the session.

Your committee, therefore, recommend the passage of the accompanying bill.

To the House of Representatives of the United States now in session:

GENTLEMEN: Your memoralist begs leave to represent to your honorable body that be was elected by the people of Nebraska Territory

as their delegate to the second session of the 32d Congress; that he accepted the trust, came to Washington, presented his credentials and exerted his best abilities to serve his constituents, but was not admitted to a seat in the House, for the reason that there had been no Territorial government for Nebraska established, and therefore the election was unauthorized by law. A bill, however, was immediately introduced into the House for the organization of a government for Nebraska, and passed the House of Representatives, but was lost in the Senate.

It was confidently believed by the friends of the measure that the bill would pass the Senate, and that I would then be immediately admitted to a seat in the House as delegate, and this confidence continued up to the last day of the session, when it was too late, amidst the general press of business, to take the necessary, steps to obtain an appropriation for my per diem and mileage; and since that time a long and painful illness has made it impossible for me to bring the matter to your notice. I am fully aware that there is no law authorizing payment in such cases, and therefore I throw myself upon the generosity of Congress, as did the delegates from Utah and New Mexico, who came here under similar circumstances, before governments were organized for those Territories, and were paid. And I respectfully ask to be treated with the same liberality.

Very respectfully,
ABELARD GUTHRIE.

Washington City, D. C., June 14, 1856.

Personally appeared before me, Thomas J. Williams, a justice of the peace for the District of Columbia and county of Washington, Abelard Guthrie, who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that, in pursuance of public notice, an election was held in the Territory of Nebraska on the second Tuesday of October, 1852, for a delegate to represent the said Territory in the Congress of the United States, and that at the said election he received a majority of all the votes given, and was declared duly elected. That the evidences of his election, consisting of the poll-books and tally-lists of each precinct, or certified copies thereof, were handed, together with a memorial setting forth the

facts of said election and praying to be allowed a seat in Congress, to the Hon. Mr Phelps, of Missouri, to be presented to the House; and that Mr Phelps afterwards told him that he had presented them, which he believes to be the fact, for in subsequent conversations with the Hon. Mr Ashe, then chairman of the Committee of Elections, be alluded to them as being before his committee. The deponent further states that he has caused search to be made for these papers in the office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and they cannot be found.

Given under my hand and seal this 2nd day of July, 1856.

THOS. J. WILLIAMS, [L. S.]
Justice of the Peace.

WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., June 30, 1856.

SIR: I called upon Mr. Buck, who made a search for my papers, but they can nowhere be found. The following is an extract from the journal of the House of Representatives, second session of the thirty-second Congress:

"FRIDAY, December 17, 1852.

. . . . . . . . . .

"By Mr Phelps: The petition of Abelard Guthrie, praying to be admitted to a seat in this House as a delegate from the Territory of Nebraska; which was referred to the Committee of Elections."

This record does not state, as it should have done, that my credentials were with the memorial. The committee to whom they were referred did not, I believe, make a report, for the reason, as I stated in my former letter, that I desired it kept back until the bill organizing the Territory should have passed both houses.

I was in Washington a short time during the latter part of the winter of 1854, when I memorialized Congress for my pay and per diem, but left soon after, and no action was had upon my application. In the journal of the House of Representatives, first session thirty-third Congress, is the following entry:

"THURSDAY, February 23, 1854.

. . . . . . . . . .

"By Mr Edgerton: The memorial of Abelard Guthrie, to be allowed mileage and per diem as delegate from Nebraska Territory.

Ordered that said petitions, letters and memorial be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary."

I think it quite probable that among these "said petitions, letter, and memorial" were the original evidences of my election presented by Mr Phelps on the 17th December, 1852. They were, however, referred to the wrong committee. I was told when I started home that they would, if opportunity offered, be reported back to the House and be referred to the Committee of Elections. This was probably never done, and yet they are not on file with the papers of the Judiciary Committee.

There was evidently culpable neglect in some quarter, but I do not know who was to blame. But I do not think it reasonable or right that I should lose my claim from this cause. The records of the House present facts enough, I think, to justify the hope that you will grant the relief I ask.

My credentials consisted of one of the poll-books and tally-list from each precinct, or certified copies thereof; I am not certain now which. These, under the circumstances, were thought to be the best evidences of election that I could present. They, and my memorial accompanying them, were, I believe, all the papers submitted to the House on the occasion of my, asking a seat as a delegate from Nebraska.

I am, sir, very respectfully, yours,
ABELARD GUTHRIE.

Hon ISRAEL WASHBURN,
Chairman Committee of Elections.

P. S. - Enclosed herewith is an affidavit setting forth the facts of my election.

WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., June 26,1856.

SIR: I desire to say a few words explanatory of the circumstances connected with my application for mileage and per diem as delegate to Congress from Nebraska Territory, showing the necessity of sending a delegate to Congress at the time I was elected, in doing which I will quote from a speech delivered in the House of Representatives on the 16th May, 1854, (see Appendix to Congressional Globe, p. 715,) by the Hon. S. Mayall, of Maine. Mr Mayall says:

"In accordance with the recommendations of the Secretary of War, Mr Douglas, of the House Committee on Territories, gave notice on the 11th December, 1844, of a bill, and the 17th of the same month introduced the same, (H. R. 444,) to establish the Territory of Nebraska, and it was referred to the Committee on Territories. Mr Aaron V. Brown, on the 7th of January, 1845, reported back an amendatory bill, and it was referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and no further action was had thereon.

"The next movement in favor of Nebraska was made by Mr Douglas, in the Senate, by the introduction of a bill, (No. 170,) which, on the 20th April, 1848, was made the order of the day for Monday, the 24th of the same month, but no further action was had thereon.

"In the Senate, December 4, 1848, Mr Douglas gave notice of another Nebraska bill, and also a bill for Minnesota and New Mexico; and on the 20th of the same month the Minnesota and Nebraska bills were referred to the Committee on Territories of that body, when another opiate was administered to Nebraska. Four years of dead silence on the part of Congress in relation to Nebraska now ensued.

. . . . . . . .

"In October, 1852, the people of Nebraska elected a delegate, (Mr Guthrie,) who came to this capital, and, as all know who were members of the last Congress, urged with great zeal the organization of a government for that Territory. A bill was reported, and on the 18th of February, 1853, it passed the House of Representatives, by a vote of 98 to 43. It went to the Senate, received the sanction of the Committee on Territories, but was never brought to vote, but on the morning of the 4th of March was consigned to its grave."

Thus it will be seen that four years had elapsed since the last abortive attempt to organize a government for Nebraska, and the people of that Territory had but little reason to believe their interests would be attended to until they sent a delegate to urge them upon the consideration of Congress. They had observed that this course had been pursued by the people of Oregon, of Utah, of New Mexico, and of Minnesota, with success.

Under these circumstances, and with these examples before them., the people of Nebraska held an election, and I was chosen delegate. At Fort Leavenworth, however, (where the largest body of citizens resided,) the officer in command of the post forbade an election. Sub-

sequently however, certain persons proposed holding another election, to overturn the first. This election was held at Fort Leavenworth, (the commanding officer having abandoned his opposition,) and resulted in a large majority for me - I think 54 to 16.

This second election I gave no attention to, knowing that it was contrary, to all law and usage regulating popular elections; but my friends at the fort, (not soldiers,) having been prevented from voting at the first election, determined to remove all shadow of a right of my opponent to contest my claim to a seat in Congress, by giving me a very decided majority at this election also. But the judges never sent me the returns; nor would I have presented them had they done so, for the reason already given. I was now universally admitted to be the rightfully elected delegate, and met with no further opposition.

The number of votes given at my election was not large, for the reason I have already stated. Besides, the citizen population of the Territory was very small, and could not increase under the restrictions of the law of 1834, "regulating trade and intercourse among the Indians," which, you will remember, formed the ground of opposition to the passage of the Nebraska bill, on the 18th of February, 1853, but which was satisfactorily answered by the friends of the bill on that occasion.

In addition to what I stated in my memorial, I will add, that, anxious to get my mileage and per diem, I went to Judge Douglas on the last night of the session, when the "civil and diplomatic bill" was before that body, and asked him if the appropriation could not be put on the bill. To which he replied, that if the House Territorial committee would recommend it, he would try to get it on, adding some reasons why it should come from the House. I immediately went to the chairman of that committee, Colonel Richardson, and stated the facts to him, and he and all the other members of the committee then in the House, (a majority of the whole,) signed the recommendation, and I took it to Judge Douglas, who showed it to the members of the Senate committee; but some of these objecting, on the ground that the appropriation should be made in the House, the judge thought it better to let it drop for the present; and nothing more was said about it.

I have spent much money in obtaining a government for Nebraska, and that, too, from the best motives, and though evil has grown out of it, both for myself and the country, it was not my desire it should

be so; and I think I am entitled to the same remuneration that other informal delegates received, and I ask nothing more, but would respectfully urge that, should your committee favor my application, the most speedy course will be pursued to enable me to get the money.

I am, Sir, with great respect, yours,
ABELARD GUTHRIE.

Hon. ISRAEL WASHBURN,
Chairman Committee of Elections.

WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., July 20, 1861.

Mr. CHAIRMAN: Understanding your committee have doubts of the propriety and necessity of a government for Nebraska, (now Kansas,) at the time I came here as its delegate, I desire to say a few words on the subject. I need not remind you that this Territory lies immediately west and south of the State of Missouri, but it may be well to call your attention to the fact that the vast emigration to California, Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico had to pass through its whole length. At that time the usual landing for emigrants starting from the states by water was at Kansas City, about one mile from the northeast corner of Nebraska, (Kansas,) and, although many went across the States by land, they all directed their course to this point or neighborhood. Here the overland journey commenced, and the sudden change from the comforts of civilized life to the exposures of such a journey produced much sickness which, from the fatigues of travel and the want of care, generally ended in death, for the country was uninhabited, except very sparsely, by Indians, and the journey of more than two thousand miles, to be performed by ox teams before the fall of the early mountain snows, admonished the emigrants of the dangers of delays, even to nurse their sick. This great thoroughfare was strewn with their graves. Only those familiar with the hardships and dangers of such a journey can form a just conception of the embarrassments and fatal consequences of this condition of things. By the organization of this Territory it was opened to settlement, and soon the hospitable door of the pioneer was opened along the route for a distance of two hundred miles, where the invalid could enter and be cared for. Had the Territory been organized several years earlier, as

it should have been, I think I may safely say thousands of human lives would have been saved and a vast amount of human suffering prevented. For you will remember that during the years 1849 and 1850 more than one hundred thousand emigrants crossed this Territory on their way to California, Utah, Oregon, and New Mexico, and yet not one word was said in Congress about establishing, a government for it or even opening it to settlement. Was not this silence significant? Under such circumstances, is it reasonable to urge that it was not time to move in this matter? Has there, in the history of this country, been a more urgent case of the kind? Congress was evidently impressed with its importance; for in the House the bill for the organization, after a violent but brief struggle, passed by a vote of nearly two to one, and even in the Senate there was an ascertained majority in its favor. It may not be improper here to state, that of the southern members who voted for the measure, I think less than half a dozen were returned to Congress.

Allow me also, if you please, to submit the following propositions:

If your committee have any sufficient evidence, or can obtain any, that it was the intention of the party then in power, or any other party, to organize this Territory within any reasonable or definite period, I will abandon my claim.

If the committee have any sufficient evidence, or can procure any, that there was any other course as likely to succeed in securing an organization as that of sending to Congress a man acquainted with the condition, wants, soil, climate, and resources of the Territory, I will give up my claim.

If the committee have any sufficient evidence, or can get any, that it was not the design of the slave power to secure this Territory, by quiet and stealthy legislation and colonization, for the benefit of its favorite institution, I will abandon my claim. But here I wish you to examine the law of 30th June, 1834, annexing this Territory to the State of Missouri for judicial purposes; and the law of 1836, annexing to the same State forever and for all purposes the very large and fertile portion of this Territory lying between the Iowa State line and the Missouri river, cutting us off entirely from contiguous free Territory, the effects of which were disastrously felt during our civil troubles, and to the present day; and also to the several abortive attempts of the late Mr Douglas to organize this Territory.

If the committee have any sufficient evidence, or can obtain any, that this Territory would not eventually have been received into the Union as a slave State under the skillful management and well matured plans of southern statesmen and their northern friends, I will abandon my claim.

If the committee have any evidence, or can get any, that my movement for a government for Nebraska did not frustrate this design, I will abandon my claim.

If your committee have any sufficient evidence, or can obtain any, that the republican party would have been in existence but for this very act of mine in forcing upon the consideration of Congress the policy of erecting a territorial government over this magnificent region, (which the slave power had already practically grasped, and was guarding with jealous care,) I will abandon all claim to per diem and mileage.

In this connection it is proper I should state that I am not a candidate for any office whatever, as my senators and representatives will bear me witness. But when I get the money I ask at your hands, and to which I think myself justly, though not legally, entitled, I will return to the cultivation of my grapes and gooseberries.

I will only add that I am fully aware of the apparent extravagance of the pretensions I have here put forth, but I am also fully pursuaded of their entire justice, and that the humbleness of the instrument employed is the weightiest objection that can be urged against them.

ABELARD GUTHRIE.

Hon. HENRY L. DAWES,
Chairman Committee of Elections, U. S. House of Representatives.

LETTER FROM ABELARD GUTHRIE TO GOVERNOR WALKER.

CINCINNATI, OHIO, December 1st 1852.

William Walker, Esq.

DEAR SIR,

Having a little leisure I drop you a line to tell you how I am getting along. Thus far I have traveled faster than I expected and if I had felt well enough I could have taken the cars this morning and have arrived in Washington City tomorrow night - such are the wonderful facilities for travelling from this point eastward. From St. Louis I travelled in company with Senators Geyer and Atchison of

Mo. and Representatives Richardson and Bissil of Ills. I am sorry to say our Missouri Senators are by no means favorable to our Territorial projects. The slavery question is the cause of this opposition. I regret that it should interfere-it ought not. Mr. Atchison thinks the slaves in Nebraska1 are already free by the operation of the Missouri Compromise Act, and asks a repeal of that act before any thing shall be done for Nebraska; this would put us back till doomsday for no Congress as our Government now stands will ever repeal that act.2 But for myself I do not consider it binding upon the people in moulding their State institutions. However since the South take a different view of it we must fight it out. I foresee the struggle will be a fierce one but it will be short and therefore not dangerous. I did not expect to accomplish this object without trouble; and I feel prepared for it. One incentive to determined perseverance is the fact that I beat Banow at his own election, so Mr. Atchison informs me. I shall certainly endeavor to merit the good opinion my friends have formed of me. I am full of hope and confidence as I have been from the start. I called to see Col. Benton but he had gone to Washington, this is fortunate for he is our friend and can do us great service. The measure will succeed! short as the time is, and with an opposition where we ought to have support. I think you, Garret, Matthew and Isaiah Walker should locate your sections very soon,3 for after the Territorial organization I apprehend they will not be recognized there will be no land set apart for Indian purposes as now. I will tell you in confidence that no treaty with the Wyandots can be confirmed until the Territory be organized. You need not tell this to any one because the folks in that country are so jealous of me that they would attribute the declaration to unfriendly feeling when God knows that I have been but too warmly their friend and still am. I want you to write to me soon and often. I shall be in Washington about Sunday. My respects to Mrs. Walker.

Very respectfully
Your Obedient Servant.
ABELARD GUTHRIE

1) Governor Walker, Matthew R. Walker, Francis A. Hicks, the Garretts, and other Wyandots owned slaves. There may have been slaves held in other emigrant tribes, but I do not know whether there were or not.
2) How he was mistaken! In less than three years from that time Congress repealed the Missouri Compromise.
3) This refers to land guaranteed to many individuals of the Wyandot Nation by the treaty by which they ceded their lands in Ohio.

LETTER FROM ABELARD GUTHRIE TO GOVERNOR WALKER.

WASHINGTON CITY 9th Dec. 1852. Wm. Walker, Esq.

Wm. Walker, Esq.

MY DEAR SIR, Although I have but little to communicate I feel very much like trying to say something if only to drive away the blues. There is no business that tries a man's patience and good nature so much as trying to do business with men who feel that their self interests are not intimately connected with your projects. I have ascertained almost to a certainty that I shall not get my seat. But that is a small matter. I never expected it and am not disappointed, but my faith is still strong that much will be effected. Mr Hall has proposed a Bill organizing one1 Territory, he has given it the name of Platte which I don't like but don't care much about the name though I shall try to have the old name retained. His bill has not yet been introduced but it is already and I think will be presented next week; if not another will be introduced by the Committee on Territories. The Chairman of that Committee has given me assurances to that effect. Mr Hall's bill says nothing about slavery but leaves untouched the Missouri Compromise. The Territory it is pretty confidently believed will be free. Another measure highly beneficial to our interests will be the appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars to enable the President to negotiate with the different tribes for their surplus lands and other purposes. You will therefore have Commissioners authorized to treat early in the spring. This is important and you may regard it as a "fixed fact." I forgot to state to you the boundaries prescribed for our Territory by Mr Hall's bill; they are these: On the South thirty sixth degree and thirty minutes on the north the forty third degree on the west by the summit of the rocky mountains east by Missouri these are ample boundaries and just what we want.

I have paid so little attention to politics since I came here that I am entirely in the dark about the distribution of offices after the fourth of March and indeed it is [a] thing I care d---d little about. Nebraska and its interests are the all absorbing topics with me. I am already housed. I wish you would write to me very soon and I

1 There had been discussion at this early date of organizing two or more Territories from the "Indian Country" or "Indian Territory."

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