He urged the government to resolve the question of citizenship in the Indian Nation and he supported the freedman's claims to citizenship in the Cherokee Nation. John Q. Tufts also asked that laws be passed to provide imprisonment of intruders  who return after being removed for the theft of coal and timber.
A prominent figure called on the government to clarify the status of Native Americans, particularly regarding citizenship. He also backed the claims of former slaves seeking citizenship in the Cherokee Nation. Additionally, John Q. Tufts advocated for legislation that would hold accountable individuals who re-entered after being removed for committing crimes such as coal and timber theft.