Beschreibung:

ROOSEVELT, THEODORE An interesting correspondence pertaining to the Honorable T.M. Buffington, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, including one document signed by Theodore Roosevelt as President. The correspondence pertains to a suit bought by the Cherokee Nation against the Secretary of the Interior in the Supreme Court requesting an injunction to restrain the Secretary from issuing oil leases on the public domain of the Cherokee Nation in 1902-3. It consists of a printed cover letter on "Executive Office Cherokee Nation" stationery stamped in blind with the seal of the Cherokee Nation, transmitting an act (not present) of the National Council of the Cherokee Nation for presidential approval, signed by T.M. Buffington, the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, submitted to Theodore Roosevelt for approval on December 6, 1902 from Tallequah I[ndian]. T[erritory]. (now Oklahoma). On February 28, 1903, Roosevelt had the document marked "Disapproved," and signed the rejection. Included with this is the original paper wrapper (this appears to have served as an envelope) with dated stamps of the Department of the Interior, the Indian Office, and other entities. Also included is a typed letter (signed by J. W. Zevely, Acting Inspector) of the Department of the Interior United States Indian Inspector for Indian Territory; this accompanied the disallowed "Act making an appropriation to reimburse the Principal Chief for money paid by him as costs in an injunction suit against the Secretary of the Interior..." and explains that the reason for the Presidential disapproval was that the amount requested for reimbursement was excessive, and states that the adjusted amount should be itemized. Finally, there is a two-page autograph letter dated November 2, 1903, addressed by Buffington to the [Cherokee] National Council detailing the personal expenses he had incurred pertaining to the suit, presumably as advised by the Acting Inspector in the preceding letter. Tear to the upper fold of the first document extending in from the margin, some minor wear and soiling overall . Thomas Mitchell Buffington (born 1855) served as Principal Chief of the Cherokee from 1891 to 1903. These letters were written during difficult times for the Cherokee, as their Nation was dissolving. The U.S. Government was in the process of incorporating the lands of the Indian Territory that were under Cherokee governance into the new state of Oklahoma. The correspondence offers a fascinating insight into the troubled relations between the Federal and Tribal governments during this period. C