TREATY WITH THE NEW YORK INDIANS, 1838.
Jan. 15, 1838. | 7 Stat., 550. | Proclamation, Apr. 4, 1841
Articles of a treaty made and concluded at Buffalo Creek in the State of New York, the fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, by Ransom H. Gillet, a commissioner on the part of the United States, and the chiefs, head men and warriors of the several tribes of New York Indians assembled in council witnesseth:
WHEREAS, the six nations of New York Indians not long after the close of the war of the Revolution, became convinced from the rapid increase of the white settlements around, that the time was not far distant when their true interest must lead them to seek a new home among
their red brethren in the West: And
whereas this subject was agitated in a
general council of the Six nations as
early as 1810, and resulted in sending a
memorial to the President of the United
States, inquiring whether the Government
would consent to their leaving their
habitations and their removing into the
neighborhood of their western brethren,
and if they could procure a home there, by
gift or purchase, whether the Government
would acknowledge their title to the lands
so obtained in the same manner it had
acknowledged it in those from whom they
might receive it; and further, whether the
existing treaties would, in such a case
remain in full force, and their annuities
be paid as heretofore: And whereas, with
the approbation of the President of the
United States, purchases were made by the
New York Indians from the Menomonie and
Winnebago Indians of certain lands at
Green Bay in the Territory of Wisconsin,
which after much difficulty and contention
with those Indians concerning the extent
of that purchase, the whole subject was
finally settled by a treaty between the
United States and the Menomonie Indians,
concluded in February, 1831, to which the
New York Indians gave their assent on the
seventeenth day of October 1832: And
whereas, by the provisions of that treaty,
five hundred thousand acres of land are
secured to the New York Indians of the Six
Nations and the St. Regis tribe, as a
future home, on condition that they all
remove to the same, within three years, or
such reasonable time as the President
should prescribe: And whereas, the
President is satisfied that various
considerations have prevented those still
residing in New York from removing to
Green Bay, and among other reasons, that
many who were in favour of emigration,
preferred to remove at once to the Indian
territory, which they were fully persuaded
was the only permanent and peaceful home
for all the Indians. And they therefore
applied to the President to take their
Green Bay lands, and provide them a new
home among their brethren in the Indian
territory. And whereas, the President
being anxious to promote the peace,
prosperity and happiness of his red
children, and being determined to carry
out the humane policy of the Government in
removing the Indians from the east to the
west of the Mississippi, within the Indian
territory, by bringing them to see and
feel, by his justice and liberality, that
it is their true policy and for their
interest to do so without delay.
Therefore, taking into consideration the
foregoing premises, the following articles
of a treaty are entered into between the
United States of America and the several
tribes of the New York Indians, the names
of whose chiefs, head men and warriors are
hereto subscribed, and those who may
hereafter give their assent to this treaty
in writing, within such time as the
President shall appoint.
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
ARTICLE 1.
The several tribes of New York Indians, the names of whose chiefs, head men, warriors and representatives are hereunto annexed, in consideration of the premises above recited, and the covenants hereinafter contained, to be performed on the part of the United States, hereby cede and relinquish to the United States all their right, title and interest to the lands secured to them at Green Bay by the Menomonie treaty of 1831, excepting the following tract, on which a part of the New York Indians now reside: beginning at the southwesterly corner of the French grants at Green Bay, and running thence southwardly to a point on a line to be run from the Little Cocaclin, parallel to a line of the French grants and six miles from Fox River; from thence on said parallel line, northwardly six miles; from thence eastwardly to a point on the northeast line of the Indian lands, and being at right angles to the same.
ARTICLE 2.
In consideration of the above cession and relinquishment, on the part of the tribes of the New York Indians, and in order to manifest the deep interest of the United States in the future peace and prosperity of the New York Indians, the United States agree to set apart the following tract of country, situated directly west of the State of Missouri, as a permanent home for all the New York Indians, now residing in the State of New York, or in Wisconsin, or elsewhere in the United States, who have no permanent homes, which said country is described as follows, to wit: Beginning on the west line of the State of Missouri, at the northeast corner of the Cherokee tract, and running thence north along the west line of the State of Missouri twenty-seven miles to the southerly line of the Miami lands; thence west so far as shall be necessary, by running a line at right angles, and parallel to the west line aforesaid, to the Osage lands, and thence easterly along the Osage and Cherokee lands to the place of beginning to include one million eight hundred and twenty-four thousand acres of land, being three hundred and twenty acres for each soul of said Indians as their numbers are at present computed. To have and to hold the same in fee simple to the said tribes or nations of Indians, by patent from the President of the United States, issued in conformity with the provisions of the third section of the act, entitled “An act to provide for an exchange of lands, with the Indians residing in any of the States or Territories, and for their removal west of the Mississippi,” approved on the 28th day of May, 1830, with full power and authority in the said Indians to divide said lands among the different tribes, nations, or bands, in severalty, with the right to sell and convey to and from each other, under such laws and regulations as may be adopted by the respective tribes, acting by themselves, or by a general council of the said New York Indians, acting for all the tribes collectively. It is understood and agreed that the above described country is intended as a future home for the following tribes, to wit: The Senecas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Tuscaroras, Oneidas, St. Regis, Stockbridges, Munsees, and Brothertowns residing in the State of New York, and the same is to be divided equally among them, according to their respective numbers, as mentioned in a schedule hereunto annexed.
ARTICLE 3.
It is further agreed that such of the tribes of the New York Indians as do not accept and agree to remove to the country set apart for their new homes within five years, or such other time as the President may, from time to time, appoint, shall forfeit all interest in the lands so set apart, to the United States.
ARTICLE 4.
Perpetual peace and friendship shall exist between the United States and the New York Indians; and the United States hereby guaranty to protect and defend them in the peaceable possession and enjoyment of their new homes, and hereby secure to them, in said country, the right to establish their own form of government, appoint their own officers, and administer their own laws; subject, however, to the legislation of the Congress of the United States, regulating trade and intercourse with the Indians. The lands secured to them by patent under this treaty shall never be included in any State or Territory of this Union. The said Indians shall also be entitled, in all respects, to the same political and civil rights and privileges, that are granted and secured by the United States to any of the several tribes of emigrant Indians settled in the Indian Territory.
ARTICLE 5.
The Oneidas are to have their lands in the Indian Territory, in the tract set apart for the New York Indians, adjoining the Osage tract, and that hereinafter set apart for the Senecas; and the same shall be so laid off as to secure them a sufficient quantity of timber for their use. Those tribes, whose lands are not specially designated in this treaty, are to have such as shall be set apart by the President.
ARTICLE 6.
It is further agreed that the United States will pay to those who remove west, at their new homes, all such annuities, as shall properly belong to them. The schedules hereunto annexed shall be deemed and taken as a part of this treaty.
ARTICLE 7.
It is expressly understood and agreed, that this treaty must be approved by the President and ratified and confirmed by the Senate of the United States, before it shall be binding upon the parties to it. It is further expressly understood and agreed that the rejection, by the President and Senate, of the provisions thereof, applicable to one tribe, or distinct branch of a tribe, shall not be construed to invalidate as to others, but as to them it shall be binding, and remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE 8.
It is stipulated and agreed that the accounts of the Commissioner, and expenses incurred by him in holding a council with the New York Indians, and concluding treaties at Green Bay and Duck Creek, in Wisconsin, and in the State of New York, in 1836, and those for the exploring party of the New York Indians, in 1837, and also the expenses of the present treaty, shall be allowed and settled according to former precedents.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE ST. REGIS.
ARTICLE 9.
It is agreed with the American party of the St. Regis Indians, that the United States will pay to the said tribe, on their removal west, or at such time as the President shall appoint, the sum of five thousand dollars, as a remuneration for monies laid out by the said tribe, and for services rendered by their chiefs and agents in securing the title to the Green Bay lands, and in removal to the same, the same to be aportioned out to the several claimants by the chiefs of the said party and a United States' Commissioner, as may be deemed by them equitable and just. It is further agreed, that the following reservation of land shall be made to the Rev. Eleazor Williams, of said tribe, which he claims in his own right, and in that of his wife, which he is to hold in fee simple, by patent from the President, with full power and authority to sell and dispose of the same, to wit: beginning at a point in the west bank of Fox River thirteen chains above the old milldam at the rapids of the Little Kockalin; thence north fifty-two degrees and thirty minutes west, two hundred and forty chains; thence north thirty-seven degrees and thirty minutes east, two hundred chains, thence south fifty-two degrees and thirty minutes east, two hundred and forty chains to the bank of Fox river; thence up along the bank of Fox river to the place of beginning.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE SENECAS.
ARTICLE 10.
It is agreed with the Senecas that they shall have for themselves and their friends, the Cayugas and Onondagas, residing among them, the easterly part of the tract set apart for the New York Indians, and to extend so far west, as to include one half-section (three hundred and twenty acres) of land for each soul of the Senecas, Cayugas and Onandagas, residing among them; and if, on removing west, they find there is not sufficient timber on this tract for their use, then the President shall add thereto timber land sufficient for their accommodation, and they agree to remove; to remove from the State of New York to their new homes within five years, and to continue to reside there. And whereas at the making of this treaty, Thomas L. Ogden and Joseph Fellows the assignees of the State of Massachusetts, have purchased of the Seneca nation of Indians, in the presence and with the approbation of the United States Commissioner, appointed
by the United States to hold said treaty, or convention, all the right, title, interest, and claim of the said Seneca nation, to certain lands, by a deed of conveyance a duplicate of which is hereunto annexed; and whereas the consideration money mentioned in said deed, amounting to two hundred and two thousand dollars, belongs to the Seneca nation, and the said nation agrees that the said sum of money shall be paid to the United States, and the United States agree to receive the same, to be disposed of as follows: the sum of one hundred thousand dollars is to be invested by the President of the United States in safe stocks, for their use, the income of which is to be paid to them at their new homes, annually, and the balance, being the sum of one hundred and two thousand dollars, is to be paid to the owners of the improvements on the lands so deeded, according to an appraisement of said improvements and a distribution and award of said sum of money among the owners of said improvements, to be made by appraisers, hereafter to be appointed by the Seneca nation, in the presence of a United States Commissioner, hereafter to be appointed, to be paid by the United States to the individuals who are entitled to the same, according to said apprisal and award, on their severally relinquishing their respective possessions to the said Ogden and Fellows.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE CAYUGAS.
ARTICLE 11.
The United States will set apart for the Cayugas, on their removing to their new homes at the west, two thousand dollars, and will invest the same in some safe stocks, the income of which shall be paid them annually, at their new homes. The United States further agree to pay to the said nation, on their removal west, two thousand five hundred dollars, to be disposed as the chiefs shall deem just and equitable.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE ONONDAGAS RESIDING ON THE SENECA RESERVATIONS.
ARTICLE 12.
The United States agree to set apart for the Onondagas, residing on the Seneca reservations, two thousand five hundred dollars, on their removing west, and to invest the same in safe stocks, the income of which shall be paid to them annually at their new homes. And the United States further agree to pay to the said Onondagas, on their removal to their new homes in the west, two thousand dollars, to be disposed of as the chiefs shall deem equitable and just.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE ONEIDAS RESIDING IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ARTICLE 13.
The United States will pay the sum of four thousand dollars, to be paid to Baptista Powlis, and the chiefs of the first Christian party residing at Oneida, and the sum of two thousand dollars shall be paid to William Day, and the chiefs of the Orchard party residing there, for expenses incurred and services rendered in securing the Green Bay country, and the settlement of a portion thereof; and they hereby agree to remove to their new homes in the Indian territory, as soon as they can make satisfactory arrangements with the Governor of the State of New York for the purchase of their lands at Oneida.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE TUSCARORAS.
ARTICLE 14.
The Tuscarora nation agree to accept the country set apart for them in the Indian territory, and to remove there within five years, and continue to reside there. It is further agreed that the
Tuscaroras shall have their lands in the
Indian country, at the forks of the Neasha
river, which shall be so laid off as to
secure a sufficient quantity of timber for
the accommodation of the nation. But if on
examination they are not satisfied with
this location, they are to have their
lands at such place as the President of
the United States shall designate. The
United States will pay to the Tuscarora
nation, on their settling at the West,
three thousand dollars, to be disposed of
as the chiefs shall deem most equitable
and just. Whereas the said nation owns, in
fee simple, five thousand acres of land,
lying in Niagara county, in the State of
New York which was conveyed to the said
nation by Henry Dearborn and they wish to
sell and convey the same before they
remove West: Now therefore, in order to
have the same done in a legal and proper
way, they hereby convey the same to the
United States and to be held in trust for
them, and they authorize the President to
sell and convey the same, and the money
which shall be received for the said
lands, exclusive of the improvements, the
President shall invest in safe stocks for
their benefit, the income from which shall
be paid to the nation, at their new homes,
annually; and the money which shall be
received for improvements on said lands
shall be paid to the owners of the
improvements when the lands are sold. The
President shall cause the said lands to be
surveyed, and the improvements shall be
appraised by such persons as the nation
shall appoint; and said lands shall also
be appraised, and shall not be sold at a
less price than the appraisal, without the
consent of James Cusick, William
Mountpleasant and William Chew, or the
survivor, or survivor of them; and the
expenses incurred by the United States in
relation to this trust are to be deducted
from the moneys received before investment.
And whereas, at the making of this treaty,
Thomas L. Ogden and Joseph Fellows, the
assignees of the State of Massachusetts,
have purchased of the Tuscarora nation of
Indians, in the presence and with the
approbation of the commissioner appointed
on the part of the United States to hold
said treaty or convention, all the right,
title, interest, and claim of the
Tuscarora nation to certain lands, by a
deed of conveyance, a duplicate of which
is hereunto annexed: And whereas, the
consideration money for said lands has
been secured to the said nation to their
satisfaction, by Thomas L. Ogden and
Joseph Fellows; therefore the United
States hereby assent to the said sale and
conveyance and sanction the same.
ARTICLE 15.
The United States hereby agree that they
will appropriate the sum of four hundred
thousand dollars, to be applied from time
to time, under the direction of the
President of the United States, in such
proportions, as may be most for the
interest of the said Indians, parties to
this treaty, for the following purposes,
to wit: To aid them in removing to their
homes, and supporting themselves the first
year after their removal; to encourage and
assist them in education, and in being
taught to cultivate their lands; in
erecting mills and other necessary houses;
in purchasing domestic animals, and
farming utensils and acquiring a knowledge
of the mechanic arts.
In testimony whereof, the commissioner and
the chiefs, head men, and people, whose
names are hereto annexed, being duly
authorized, have hereunto set their hands,
and affixed their respective seals, at the
time and place above mentioned.
R. H. Gillet, Commissioner.
Senecas:
Dao-nepho-gah, or Little Johnson,
Da-ga-o-geas, or Daniel Twoguns,
Gee-odow-neh, or Captain Pollard,
Joh-nes-ha-dih, or James Stevenson,
Hure-hau-stock, or Captain Strong,
So-ne-a-ge, or Captain Snow,
Hau-neh-hoy's-oh, or Blue Eyes,
Haw-naw-wah-es, or Levi Halftown,
Goat-hau-oh, or Billy Shanks,
Hau-sa-nea-nes, or White Seneca,
Howah-do-goh-deh, or George Bennet,
Hays-tah-jih, or Job Pierce,
Sho-nan-do-wah, or John Gordon,
Noh-sok-dah, or Jim Jonas,
Shaw-neh-dik, or William Johnson,
Gaw-neh-do-au-ok, or Reuben Pierce,
Shaw-go-nes-goh-sha-oh, or Morris Halftown,
Shaw-go-za-sot-hoh, or Jacob Jameson,