346 CHEROKEE NATION OF INDIANS. 
because of the insufficient area of the Canadian district, and because 
they were unwilling to trust themselves under the jurisdiction of their 
enemies’ laws and courts. 
Factious conduct of both parties.—Kach faction was desirous of mak- 
ing a treaty with the Government, and each was fearful lest the United 
States should recognize the other as the proper party with which to 
conclude that treaty. he United States officials were convinced that 
the Ross party represented the rightfully constituted authorities of 
the nation, and their delegates were thus the only really authorized 
persons with whom a treaty could with strict propriety be made. But 
they were also convinced that it would be highly improper to conclude 
any treaty which should leave the Southern Cherokees in any degree 
subject to the malice and revengeful disposition of their enemies. It 
was the desire of the United States to secure from the Cherokees a 
cession of sufficient land upon which to colonize the Indian tribes then 
resident in Kansas. The Southern party therefore agreed to cede for 
that purpose all of the Cherokee domain west of 96° west longitude, 
and to sell the “neutral land” for the sum of $500,000, provided the 
Government would treat with them. The loyal party, however, re- 
fused to cede any territory for purposes of colonization east of 97° west 
longitude, and demanded $1,000,000 for the ‘‘neutral land,” at the same 
time assuming that the United States had no right or authority to en- 
tertain any proposition from any other source whatever involving the 
disposition of the domain or funds of the Cherokee Nation.! 
Interviews, consultations, and discussions followed each other in rapid 
succession, covering a period of several months, with no apparent ap- 
proach toward a final agreement. 
Treaty concluded with Southern Cherokees—At length the United 
States commissioners despairing of success with the loyal element, 
concluded a treaty with the Southern party.? 
Among other things, this treaty provided that a quantity of land 
equal to 160 acres for every nan, woman, and child, ineluding the freed- 
men belonging to the Southern party, and also for each North Caro- 
lina Cherokee who should, within one year, remove aad join them, 
should be set apart in that portion of their territory known as the Ca- 
nadian district, for their sole use and occupancy. In ease this district 
should afford an insufficient area of land, there sbould be added a fur- 
ther tract extending northward and lying between Grand River and 
the Creek boundary, and still further northward and westward between 
that river and the line of 95° 30/ west longitude, or a line as far west 
if necessary as 96° west longitude, until the necessary complement of 
land, based upon a census of their people, should be secured. It was 
further agreed that the Southern Cherokees should have exclusive 

‘Sundry interviews between Commissioners Cooley and Sells and the loyal and 
Southern delegations, from March to June, 1866. 
? June 13, 1865. 
