Five Slave Holding Tribes: Side with Confederacy Because of the Economic Growth

The Red Wing Sentinel September 24, 1859 p1c2

When we look at the history of chattel slavery among the Five Slave Holding Tribes, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek-Muskogee and Seminole it is important to consider the context of our ancestor’s actions and why they chose certain methods to resolve critical issues: like slavery?

The climate in the United States and its attitude toward the Slave Holding Tribes was said to be part of the decision they considered when they decided to fight on the side of the Confederacy. 

 In this little article that was published just before the outbreak of the rebellion, Congressman W.W. Boyce of South Carolina gave a speech that compared territories on the continent like Nebraska, Washington, Utah and New Mexico and their suitability for the business of agricultural production maintained by the institution of slavery.

 Because of climate, geography and proximity to distribution routes none of the territories mentioned had the suitability to maintain the institution of slavery like “the country west of Arkansas,” Indian Territory.

Congressman Boyce ends his presentation by expounding on the sanctity of “treaties” and how bound the parties involved are to maintain those treaties. 

 Over a century later, the descendants of their “freedmen” are asking that the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, maintain the Treaty of 1866 and grant “full rights and privileges of citizenship” to the descendants of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Freedmen.