Lanterna Rally

Author: Cayuga Nation of New York

Publisher:

Published: 1911

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

Typescript copy of the petition for mandamus presented to the New York State Supreme Court by the Cayuga Nation of Indians in Sept. 1911, requesting that the Land Office Commissioners be ordered to take steps towards a settlement of the land claims of the Cayugas against the State of New York. Lands of the Cayuga Nation acquired by the state of New York under the treaty of July 27, 1795 were put up for public sale and sold for $247,609.33. On Feb. 27, 1906, the Cayugas filed a claim against the State of New York for the amount of the sale plus interest accrued ; and after the state legislature empowered the land commissioners to negotiate a settlement with the Cayugas, through the enactment of chapter 255 of the Laws of 1909, an agreement was reached whereby the Cayuga Nation would receive an annuity forever of $13,000 per year, to be paid in two installments in Oct. and April. However, upon review by the governor, Charles E. Hughes, and the attorney general, the state decided that there was no legal basis for the Cayugas' claim. In Jan. 1911, a new board of land commissioners was sworn in, and in view of their unwillingness to negotiate any settlement with the Cayugas, counsel for the Indians entered an application for mandamus.