Whereas it has become known to me that certain evil-disposed persons have,
within the territory and jurisdiction of the United States, begun and set
on foot preparations for an organized and forcible possession of and
settlement upon the lands of what is known as the Indian Territory, west of
the State of Arkansas, which Territory is designated, recognized, and
described by the treaties and laws of the United States, and by the
Executive authorities, as Indian Country, and as such is only subject to
occupation by Indian tribes, officers of the Indian Department, military
posts, and such persons as may be privileged to reside and trade therein
under the intercourse laws of the United States;
And whereas those laws provide for the removal of all persons residing and
trading therein, without express permission of the Indian Department and
agents, and also of all persons whom such agents may deem to be improper
persons to reside in the Indian Country;
And whereas, in aid and support of such organized movement, it has been
represented that no further action will be taken by the Government to
prevent persons from going into said Territory and settling therein, but
such representations are wholly without authority:
Now, therefore, for the purpose of properly protecting the interests of the
Indian nations and tribes, as well as of the United States, in said Indian
Territory, and of duly enforcing the laws governing the same, I, Rutherford
B. Hayes, President of the United States, do admonish and warn all such
persons so intending or preparing to remove upon said lands, or into said
Territory, without permission of the proper agent of the Indian Department,
against any attempt to so remove or settle upon any of the lands of said
Territory; and I do further warn and notify any and all such persons who
may so offend that they will be speedily and immediately removed therefrom
by the agent, according to the laws made and provided, and that no efforts
will be spared to prevent the invasion of said Territory, rumors spread by
evil-disposed persons to the contrary notwithstanding; and if necessary the
aid and assistance of the military forces of the United States will be
invoked to carry into proper execution the laws of the United States herein
referred to. /C/ /D/ /E/
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this twelfth day of February, in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty, and of the Independence
of the United States the one hundred and fourth.
Signed/ R. B. HAYES.
By the President:
WM. M. EVARTS, Secretary of State. A/ 21 Stat., 798. B/ Preamble. C
Settling in the Indian Territory. D/ See Proclamation April 26, 1879. E/ 21
Stat., 797.
