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DISTRIBUTION OF SEMINOLE JUDGMENT FUNDS

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
p. 230
(Scanned Image Archive)
BEFORE THE
UNITED STATES SENATE
SELECT COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
NINETY-FIFTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ON
S. 2000

 Letter from General Council
to
Legal Counsel
October 1, 1953

October 1, 1953 - Written directions from Ingraham Billie, Head Medicine Man of the "General Council of the Seminole Indians of the State of Florida" in a notarized letter of instructions to Morton H. Silver, re-affirming the eternal position of "no money, only land," and stated instructions to fight the "money claim," filed in the name of ALL Seminoles of Florida, without the authority of the General Council, and acknowledgement of Morton's advise as to the inadvisability of taking such action, translated and interpreted by Buffalo Tiger.

230

October 1, 1953

Morton H. Silver Esq.

1112 Biscayne Building

Miami 32, Florida

Dear Mr. Silver,

We, the General Council of the Seminole Indians of the State of Florida, understand that two petitions have been filed before the Indian Claims Commission supposedly an behalf of the Seminal Indians of the State of Florida.

Since it is not our desire or intention to accept any money from the United States of America, now or in the future, we have agreed that this thought should be conveyed to the proper United States Government officials. (emphasis added)

Furthermore, we wish to have the fact made known that such petitions have never been authorized by this Council.

We will also acknowledge that we have been advised by you as to the inadvisability of this course of action, but we have made our decision.

Witness:                                                      Very truly yours,

_________________                                  Ingraham Billie,

                                                                  Head Medicine Man
_________________
 

STATE OF FLORIDA )
                                         SS.
COUNTY OF DADE   )

     Personally appeared before me, a Notary Public of the State of Florida,
at Large, on this ____day of October 1953, BUFFALO TIGER, who, being by
me first duly sworn deposed as follows:

1. That he is the official interpreter for the General Council of the Seminole Indians of the State of Florida; and

2. That he has read and translated the above and foregoing letter to the said General Council to the best of his ability; and

3. That the above and foregoing letter correctly states the views and decision of the said General Council

     By his Sgn    
BUFFALO TIGER

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the date first above mentioned.

_______________
Notary Public

My Commission expires:

EXHIBIT 31b

See also: October 1, 1953 - Letter to Attorney General, registered mail, return receipt, c/o Mr. J. Edward Williams.  Same letter sent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Secretary of Interior, Washington D.C. from Morton H. Silver.

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