Documentary References

IV
Documentary References

     Much will be said in the quotations we shall now make concerning Col. Ward and his method of dealing with the Indians. Wherein the quotations bear upon his conduct, they are not made for the purpose of showing what his general conduct was, or what manner of man he was, for these things are well known to this department.  They are made for the purpose of showing how much was done to rndr difficult the establishment of even just claims upon the part of those now endeavoring to establish their rights as Mississippi Choctaw.
     The Dawes Commission, in a report of date March 10, 1899, with reference to the identification of Mississippi Choctaws, and which appears as appendix No. 7 to their report of September 1st 1899.
     " Col. William Ward, Agent of the United States for the Choctaws in Mississippi, at the date of the ratification of said treaty, was authorized to make record of the names of Choctaw heads of families, who desired to declare their intention to remain in Mississippi and become citizens of the states, but this authority did not reach him until late in June, 1831, within about two months of the expiration of the time in which Choctaws were required, or permitted, to make such declaration of their intentions.  This of itself worked almost a total denial to Choctaw citizens of the rights secured to them under the treaty.  And when in connection therewith we take into consideration the condition of the country at that time; the want of means of conveyance and the difficulty of travel over a new country, in which the roads were not the best, and where the streams were not bridged, as also the condition and character of the people who were required to appear before the agent, it can be readily appreciated why the record made by Colonel Ward is so meager and unsatisfactory.
     "To all this, however, may be added the fact, well authenticated by the records, the Colonel Ward was a person wholly unfited for this duty.  He was intemperate, insolent and abusive to the Indians, and treated them in such manner as to drive them from him, and thus defeat the purpose of the treaty, which it was his duty to promote.  In numerous cases he refused to make any note of the declarations of Indians who appeared before him.  The government afterwards recognized this injustice to the Choctaws and endeavored to remedy the wrong, by subsequent legislation, in the appointment of other persons to make an investigation before whom the Indians might make proof of their efforts to comply with the treaty, and secure the rights to which they were entitled thereunder.  Such legislation extended from 1833 to 1842 but while only a few years had elapsed since the ratification of the treaty and the expiration of the time given thereunder for the Choctaws to declare their intentions to remain and become citizens of the state, it was found impossible to adjust the claims of beneficiaries and settle their rights with even approximate justice, from which fact it may be at once understood why, at this remote date, it is impossible to trace descendants now bearing English names to ancestors bearing Indian names, upon whom was imposed the duty of complying with the treaty at that time, and to connect persons not living with the fulfillment of the requirements of the provisions of article fourteen of said treaty.  Were this attempted, few, if any, would be able to answer the requirements, but from all the circumstances of the case and the best and clearest information that may be gleaned from the records, it is fair and reasonable to assume that the body, if not in fact the whole of the Choctaw people, who then remained in Mississippi, intended to declare, and under favorable conditions and fair treatment would have declared, their intentions to remain east of the Mississippi River and become citizens of the states." (Hou. Doc. 56 Congress, Vol 19, page77.)
     This conclusion of the Cimmissioners is abundantly borne out by the original documents.
     On May 10, 1836, Mr. Bell, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, made the report to Congress concerning land claimed under the fourteenth article of the treaty.  Among other things the Committee reported:

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