THE CHOCTAW NATION VS. THE UNITED STATES: IS AN AWARD AGAINST THE UNITED STATES, MADE UNDER A TREATY THAT DECLARES IT SHALL BE FINAL, BINDING UPON THE CONSCIENCE OF THE NATION de Pike, Albert) - 1872

Washington: David M'Intosh, printer, 1872. 8vo. 205 pp. Bound with: (Pike, Luther H.) IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WARD H. LAMON, ET AL., VS. HENRY E. MCKEE:, NO. 11,238, EQUITY DOC. 28: A BRIEF [caption title]. Leather and marbled boards and endpapers, gilt title on spine; lacking outer wrappers, older endpapers repaired. First edition of both titles. The first is the author's own copy, inscribed by him on the title page, "Wholly prepared by me, and printed for and at the cost of myself and Gen. Denver; Henry E. McKee having nothing to do with it, and knowing nothing about it. Albert Pike, July 27, 1890." Additionally inscribed and signed by him at the caption title of seven other sections to the book (e.g., "Prepared wholly by me in 1856. Albert Pike"). Pike (1809-1891), largely self-educated, travelled through the West, published several books of poetry, was a leader in the American masonic movement, made important contributions in journalism and law in his adopted state of Arkansas, and served as a brigadier general in the Confederate army. Native American troops fought with him at the Battle of Pea Ridge, in Arkansas. (see DAB). OCKC: "Compilation of documentary material on the United States Treaty of 1830 with the Choctaw Nation and the Treaty of 1855 with the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations." By these treaties' terms, the tribes ceded their lands in the Southwest in exchange for land in the new Indian Territory. Pike had represented the Creek Nation of Indian Territory in 1852 in their suit against the United States regarding ceded tribal land. Both the Choctaw and the Chickasaw employed him similarly in 1854. According to his brief biography by Ingrid Westmoreland on the Oklahoma Historical Society's website, "Although Pike won the cases, insufficient reparations were awarded to the tribes in 1856 and 1857." Pike evidently was continuing his efforts on behalf of the Native American tribes following the Civil War. Rare; OCLC locates but three copies (New York Public, Yale, Library of Congress).