Two page letter from Israel Folsom, son of Choctaw noblewoman Aiahnichih Ohoyah and Anglo-American fur trader Nathaniel Folsom, sent from Mineral Bayou, Choctaw Nation, in present-day Oklahoma. Dated August 8, 1855, the letter is addressed to fellow Choctaw Council member Thompson McKenney (also spelled McKinney, 1815-1859) and describes in detail the negotiating tactics to be used in the process for the ratification of the 1855 Treaty with the Choctaw and Chickasaw, particularly with regard to the potential for the Chickasaw Council to reject the treaty. The letter reads:
I write you these few lines to keep you well posted on the subject of our late treaty with the U States + the Chickasaw tribe of Indians. There is a probability of its being much opposed by some of the Chickasaws + also some of the Coctaws, to its approval by the General Council. Some of the Chickasaws appear to be dissatisfied with $150,000 to be paid to the Choctaws almost for nothing they say. And some appear to be against the the lease for the permanent location of the Wachitas + other bands or tribes of Indians. On the other hand, some of the Choctaws oppose the idea of giving the Chickasaws the right of independent self government within the limts of their own distrct. On thing, it seems, is cetain; that there will be an effort made to defeat the passage of the treaty. But there is one main thing in relation to this matter, to which I wish to direct your careful attention. Viz. the General Council out not to be precipitate + disapprove + reject the Treaty before that of the Chickasaws: for then it will be fatal + ruinous to the interests of the Choctaws with the U. States. All hopes of further arrangement for the settlement of our claims with the Government will then be at an end. But let the Chickasaws first reject the Treaty, then the Choctaws will be excused, even if they do not act in the matter. The General Council could send our delegation to Washington again to enter into treaty with the Government without the Chickasaws + make settlement for all claims. We have too much at stake to lose + we should be very cautious in this matter. But if we approve the treaty, + the Chickasaws reject it. Still we shall gain by this action. We can go on to Washington with good face, + make an other treaty, leaving the Chickasaws out, and wind up our important business with the department + come home rejoicing. We have got the Government committed now + we must try to hold it - but if we reject first, we shall ruin everything - - Please talk with Col. [Jackson] McCurtain on this subject but this a secret - let it not go out. Keep it to yourself until I see you - let me hear from you.
Israel Folsom (1802-1870) was present at the Treaty with the Choctaw and Chickasaw in Washington on June 22, 1855, signing below Peter Pitchlynn as representative to the Choctaws. The treaty was eventually ratified by the Choctaws in November 1855 and by the Chickasaws in December, following an amendment was put forward and then rescinded by the Chickasaw Council, and the full treaty was ratified by the United States Government in February 1856.
Folsom received his education at the Foreign Mission School in Cornwall, Connecticut, and migrated to the Choctaw Nation cession of Indian Territory in 1831, taking on a leadership role in Choctaw affairs along with his younger brother, David Folsom, the first Choctaw chief to be elected by ballot. He served as both a Presbyterian minister and diplomat, frequently working hand in hand with Peter Pitchlynn in handling negotiations with the United States government.
The present letter is an extraordinary record of a private discussion between indigenous leaders regarding treaty negotiations with the United States.
