TREATY WITH THE CHOCTAW – 1805
(Treaty of Mount Dexter)
A
Treaty of Limits between the United States of America and the Chaktaw Nation of Indians.
THOMAS JEFFERSON,
President of the United States of America, by James Robertson, of
Tennessee, and Silas Dinsmoor, of New
Hampshire, agent of the United States to the Chaktaws,
commissioners plenipotentiary of the United States, on the one part, and the Mingoes, Chiefs and warriors of the Chaktaw
nation of Indians, in council assembled, on the other part, have entered into
the following agreement, viz:
ARTICLE
1. The Mingoes, chiefs, and
warriors of the Chaktaw nation of Indians in behalf
of themselves, and the said nation, do by these presents cede to the United
States of America, all the lands to which they now have or ever had claim, lying
to the right of the following lines, to say. Beginning at a branch of the Humacheeto where the same is intersected by the present Chaktaw boundary, and also by the path leading from Natchez
to the county of Washington, usually called M'Clarey's
path, thence eastwardly along M'Clarey's path,
to the east or left bank of Pearl river, thence on such a direct line as would
touch the lower end of a bluff on the left bank of Chickasawhay
river the first above the Hiyoowannee towns, called
Broken Bluff, to a point within four miles of the Broken Bluff, thence in a
direct line nearly parallel with the river to a point whence an east line of
four mines in length will intersect the river below the lowest settlement at
present occupied and improved in the Hiyoowannee
town, thence still east four miles, thence in a direct line nearly parallel
with the river to a point on a line to be run from the lower end of the Broken
Bluff to Faluktabunnee on the Tombigbee
river four miles from the Broken Bluff, thence along the said line to Faluktabunnee, thence east to the boundary between the
Creeks and Chaktaws on the ridge dividing the waters
running into the Alabama from those running into Tombigbee,
thence southwardly along the said ridge and boundary to the southern point of
the Chaktaw claim. Reserving a tract of two miles
square run on meridians and parallels so as to include the houses and
improvements in the town of Fuketcheepoonta, and
reserving also a tract of five thousand one hundred and twenty acres, beginning
at a post on the left bank of Tombigbee river
opposite the lower end of Hatchatigbee Bluff, thence
ascending the river four miles front and two back one half, for the use of Alzira, the other half for the use of Sophia,
daughters of Samuel Mitchell, by Molly, a Chaktaw
woman. The latter reserve to be subject to the same laws and regulations as may
be established in the circumjacent country; and the said Mingoes
of the Chaktaws, request that the government of the
United States may confirm the title of this reserve to the said Alzira and Sophia.
ARTICLE
2. For and in consideration of the foregoing cession
on the part of the Chaktaw nation, and in full
satisfaction for the same, the commissioners of the United States, do hereby
covenant, and agree with the said nation in behalf of the United States, that
the said States shall pay to the said nation fifty thousand five hundred
dollars, for the following purposes, to wit:
Forty eight thousand
dollars to enable the Mingoes to discharge the debt
due to their merchants and traders; and also to pay for the depredations
committed on stock, and other property by evil disposed persons of the said Chaktaw nation; two thousand five hundred dollars to be
paid to John Pitchlynn, to compensate him for
certain losses sustained in the Chaktaw country, and
as a grateful testimonial of the nation's esteem. And the said States shall
also pay annually to the said Chaktaws, for the use
of the nation, three thousand dollars in such goods (at neat cost of Philadelphia)
as the Mingoes may choose, they giving at least one
year's notice of such choice.
ARTICLE
3. The commissioners of the United States, on the part
of the said States, engage to give to each of the three great Medal Mingoes, Pukshunubbee-Mingo, Hoomastubbee, and Pooshamattaha,
five hundred dollars in consideration of past services in their nation, and
also to pay to each of them an annuity of one hundred and fifty dollars during
their continuance in office. It is perfectly understood, that neither of those
great Medal Mingoes is to share any part of the
general annuity of the nation.
ARTICLE
4. The Mingoes, chiefs, and
warriors of the Chaktaws, certify that a tract of
land not exceeding fifteen hundred acres, situated between the Tombigbee river and Jackson's creek, the front or
river line extending down the river from a blazed white oak standing on the
left bank of the Tombigbee near the head of the
shoal, next above Hobukentoopa, and claimed by John
M'Grew was in fact granted to the said M'Grew by Opiomingo
Hesnitta, and others, many years ago, and they
respectfully request the government of the United States to establish the claim
of the said M'Grew to the said fifteen hundred
acres.
ARTICLE
5. The two contracting parties covenant and agree that
the boundary as described in the second (first) article shall be ascertained
and plainly marked, in such way and manner as the President of the United
States may direct, in the presence of three persons to be appointed by the said
nation; one from each of the great medal districts, each of whom shall receive
for this service two dollars per day during his actual attendance, and the Chaktaws shall have due and seasonable notice of the place
where, and time when, the operation shall commence.
ARTICLE
6. The lease granted for establishments on the roads
leading through the Chaktaw country, is hereby
confirmed in all its conditions, and, except in the alteration of boundary,
nothing in this instrument shall affect or change any of the pre-existing
obligations of the contracting parties.
ARTICLE
7. This treaty shall take effect and become
reciprocally obligatory so soon as the same shall have
been ratified by the President of the United
States of America, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate of the United States.
Done
on Mount Dexter, in Pooshapukanuk, in the Choctaw
country, this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred arid five, and of the independence of the United States of America the thirtieth.
Commissioners:
James Robertson,
Silas Dinsmoor,
Great Medal Mingos:
Pukshunnubbee, his x mark,
Mingo Hoomastubbee, his x mark,
Pooshamattaha, his x mark,
Chiefs and warriors:
Ookchummee, his x mark,
Tuskamiubbee, his x mark,
James Perry, his x mark,
Levi Perry, his x mark,
Isaac Perry, his x mark,
William Turnbull,
Witnesses present at signing and sealing
Thomas Augustine Claiborn, secretary to the
commissioners,
John M' Kee,
Samuel Mitchell, United States
agent to the Chickasaws.
William Colbert, of the Chickasaws, his x mark,
Lewis Ward,
Charles Juzan,
John Carnes, his x mark,
Tooteehooma, his x mark,
Hoosheehooma, his x mark,
Tootuhooma, 2d. his x mark,
George James, his x mark,
Robert McClure, his x mark,
Tuskeamingo, his x mark,
Hattukubbeehooluhta, his x mark,
Fishoommastubbee, his x mark,
Anoguaiah, his x mark,
Lewis Lucas, his x mark,
James Pitchlvnn, his x mark,
Panshee Eenanhla,
his x mark,
Pansheehoomubbu, his x mark,
Garrud E. Nelson,
David Chore,
Nathaniel Folsom,
Mdl. Mackey,
Lewis Lefto,
John Pitchlynn, United
States interpreter,
Will. Tyrrell,
assistant interpreter.