ROYCE. ] TREATY OF AUGUST 6, 1846. 329 
was engaged in promulgating anti-slavery sentiments among his flock.! 
Others were in like manner compelled to leave, and the excitement con- 
tinued to increase daily until the outbreak of hostilities precipitated by 
the attack on Fort Sumter. 
Before the actual outbreak of hostilities, in the winter of 1860, ad- 
herents of the Southern cause, among the most effectual and influential of 
whom were the official agents of the United States accredited to the In- 
dian tribes, were active in propagating the doctrines of secession among 
the Cherokees, as well as among other tribes of the Indian Territory. Se- 
cret societies were organized, especially among the Cherokees, and Stand 
Watie, the recognized leader of the old Ridge or Treaty party, was the 
leader of an organization of Southern predilections known as the 
Knights of the Golden Circle. A counter organization was formed from 
among the loyally inclined portion of the nation, most, if not all, of 
whom were members of the Government or Ross party. The member- 
ship of this latter society was composed principally of full blood Chero- 
kees, and they termed themselves the “ Ki-tu-wha,” a name by which 
the Cherokees were said to have been known in their ancient confed- 
erations with other Indian tribes.’ The distinguishing badge of mein- 
bership in this association was a pin worn in a certain position on the 
coat, vest, or hunting shirt, from whence members were given the des- 
ignation in common parlance of “Pin” Indians. According to the 
statement of General Albert Pike, however (and I think he gives the 
correct version), this ‘ Pin” society was organized and in full operation 
long before the beginning of the secession difficulties, and was really 
established for the purpose of depriving the half-breeds of all political 
power.’ Be this as it may, however, the society was made to represent 
in the incipient stages of the great American conflict the element of 
opposition to an association with the Southern Confederacy and on one 
occasion it prevented the distinctively Southern element under the lead- 
ership of Stand Watie from raising a Confederate flag at Tahlequah.* 
It was also alleged to have been established by the Rey. Evan Jones, a 
missionary of more than forty years’ standing among the Cherokees, as 
an instrument for the dissemination of anti-slavery doctrines.° 
1Letter of Agent R. J. Cowart ve Ghassan Indian Affairs, Septer bers 8, 1860. 
2Letter of S. W. Butler, published in Philadelphia North American, January 24, 
1863. 
3 Letter of General Albert Pike to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866, 
published in pamphlet report of Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the President, bear- 
ing date June 15, 1866. 
4Letter of S. W. Butler, in Philadelphia North American, January 24, 1863, and let- 
ter of General Albert Pike to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866. 
5 Letter of Albert Pike, February 17, 1866. The delegates representing the ‘‘South- 
ern Cherokees,” in their statement to the United States commissioners at the Fort 
Smith conference, September 16, 1865, say: ‘‘ Years before the war one portion of the 
Cherokees was arrayed in deadly hostility against the other; a secret organized so- 
ciety called the ‘Pins,’ led by John Ross and Rey. Jones, had sworn destruction to 
the half-bloods and white men of the nation outside this organization,” ete. 



