To the Honorable Senators and Representatives
      in the Congress of the United States
      Representing the State of Arkansas.—

Gentlemen,
      We the undersigned Petitioners; Members of the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, do most respectfully represent that information has been received that there are three thousand persons of African descent living and residing in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, who were formerly held in servitude by Said Nations, and who are desirous of remaining in said Nations and enjoying all the rights and privileges of Citizens thereof. Therefore. We request that you use your influence for the passage of an Enabling Act by the Congress of the United States, to allow the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations to amend or rescind Article III of a Treaty entered into by and between the Government of the United States and the said Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations dated April 26th 1866, so that all persons of African descent may remain in said Nations; select and hold forty (40) acres of Land each—and be entitled to all the rights and privileges of any other class of Citizens in said Nations, including the right of Suffrage.—