Treaty with The Chippewa - Bois Fort Band
April 7, 1866
Articles of a treaty made and concluded at Washington,
District of Columbia, this seventh day of April, in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, by and
between the United States, party of the first part, by their
commissioners, D. N. Cooley, Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
and E. E. L. Taylor, thereunto duly authorized, and the Bois
Forte band of Chippewa Indians, parties of the second part,
by the undersigned chiefs, head-men, and warriors of said
bands, thereunto duly authorized.
Article 1.
The peace and friendship now existing between the United
States and said Bois Forte bands of Indians shall be perpetual.
Article 2.
In consideration of the agreements, stipulations, and undertakings
to be performed by the United States, and hereinafter expressed,
the Bois Forte bands of Chippewas have agreed to, and do hereby,
cede and forever relinquish and surrender to the United States
all their right, title, claim, and interest in and to all
lands and territory heretofore claimed, held, or possessed
by them, and lying east of the boundary line mentioned and
established in and by the first article of the treaty made
and concluded by and between the United States of the one
part, and the Chippewas of Lake Superior and the Mississippi
of the other part, on the 30th day of September, A. D. 1854,
and more especially in and to all that portion of said territory
heretofore claimed and occupied by them at and near Lake Vermillion
as a reservation. The Bois Forte band of Chippewas in like
manner cede and relinquish forever to the United States all
their claim, right, title, and interest in and to all lands
and territory lying westerly of said boundary line, or elsewhere
within the limits of the United States.
Article 3.
In consideration of the foregoing cession and relinquishment,
the United States agree to and will perform the stipulations,
undertakings, and agreements following, that is to say:-
1st. There shall be set apart within one year after the date
of the ratification of this treaty, under the direction of
the President of the United States, within the Chippewa country,
for the perpetual use and occupancy of said Bois Forte band
of Chippewas, a tract of land of not less than one hundred
thousand acres, the said location to include a lake known
by the name of Netor As-sab-a-co-na, if, upon examination
of the country by the agent sent by the President of the United
States to select the said reservation, it is found practicable
to include the said lake therein, and also one township of
land on the Grand Fork River, at the mouth of Deer Creek,
if such location shall be found practicable.
2d. The United States will, as soon as practicable after
the setting apart of the tract of country first above mentioned,
erect thereon, without expense to said Indians, one blacksmith's
shop, to cost not exceeding five hundred dollars; one school-house,
to cost not exceeding five hundred dollars; and eight houses
for their chiefs, to cost not exceeding four hundred dollars
each; and a building for an agency house and storehouse for
the storage of goods and provisions, to cost not exceeding
two thousand dollars.
3d. The United States will expend annually for and in behalf
of said Bois Forte band of Chippewas, for and during the term
of twenty years from and after the ratification of this treaty,
the several sums and for the purposes following, to wit: For
the support of one blacksmith and assistant, and for tools,
iron, and steel, and other articles necessary for the blacksmith's
shop, fifteen hundred dollars; for one school-teacher, and
the necessary books and stationery for the school, eight hundred
dollars, the chiefs in council to have the privilege of selecting,
with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the religious
denomination to which the said teacher shall belong; for instructions
of the said Indians in farming, and the purchase of seeds,
tools, &c., for that purpose, eight hundred dollars; and
for annuity payments, the sum of eleven thousand dollars,
three thousand five hundred dollars of which shall be paid
to them in money per capita, one thousand dollars in provisions,
ammunition, and tobacco, and six thousand five hundred dollars
to be distributed to them in goods and other articles suited
to their wants and condition.
Article 4.
To enable the chiefs, head-men, and warriors now present
to establish their people upon the new reservation, and to
purchase useful articles and presents for their people, the
United States agree to pay them, upon the ratification of
this treaty, the sum of thirty thousand dollars, to be expended
under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior.
Article 5.
In consideration of the services heretofore rendered to the
said Indians by Francis Roussaire, senior, Francis Roussaire,
jr., and Peter E. Bradshaw, it is hereby agreed that the said
persons shall each have the right to select one hundred and
sixty acres of land, not mineral lands, and to receive patents
therefor from the United States; and for the like services
to the Indians, the following named persons, to wit: Peter
Roy, Joseph Gurnoe, Francis Roy, Vincent Roy, Eustace Roussaire,
and D. George Morrison shall each have the right to select
eighty acres of land, not mineral lands, and to receive from
the United States patents therefor.
Article 6.
It is further agreed that all payments of annuities to the
Bois Forte band of Chippewas shall be made upon their reservation
if, upon examination, it shall be found practicable to do
so.
Article 7.
It is agreed by and between the parties hereto that, upon
the ratification of this treaty, all former treaties existing
between them inconsistent herewith shall be, and the same
are hereby, abrogated and made void to all intents and purposes;
and the said Indians hereby relinquish any and all claims
for arrears of payments claimed to be due under such treaties,
or that are hereafter to fall due under the provisions of
the same; except that as to the third clause of the twelfth
article of the treaty of September 30, 1854, providing for
a blacksmith, smith-shop, supplies, and instructions in farming,
the same shall continue in full force and effect, but the
benefits thereof shall be transferred to the Chippewas of
Lake Superior.
Article 8.
The United States also agree to pay the necessary expenses
of transportation and subsistence of the delegates who have
visited Washington for the purpose of negotiating this treaty,
not exceeding the sum of ten thousand dollars.
In testimony whereof, the undersigned, Commissioners on behalf
of the United States, and the delegates on behalf of the Bois
Forte band of Chippewas, have hereunto set their hands and
seals the day and year first above written.
- D. N. Cooley, Commissioner of Indian Affairs. [L.S.]
- E. E. L. Taylor, Special Commissioner. [L.S.]
- Gabeshcodaway, or Going through the Prairie, his x mark. [L.S.]
- Babawmadjeweshcang, or Mountain Traveller, his x mark. [L.S.]
- Adawawnequabenace, or Twin-haired Bird, his x mark. [L.S.]
- Sagwadacamegishcang, or He who Tries the Earth, his x mark. [L.S.]
- Neoning, or The Four Fingers, his x mark. [L.S.]
- Wabawgamawgau, or The Tomahawk, his x mark. [L.S.]
- Ganawawbamina, or He who is Looked at, his x mark. [L.S.]
- Gawnandawawinzo, or Berry Hunter, his x mark. [L.S.]
- Abetang, or He who Inhabits, his x mark. [L.S.]
In presence of-
- Luther E. Webb, [L.S.]
- United States Indian agent for Chippewas, Lake Superior.
- Joseph D. Gurnoe, [L.S.]
- United States interpreter, Lake Superior.
- J. C. Ramsey. [L.S.]
- Benj'n Thompson. [L.S.]
- Peter Roy. [L.S.]
- D. Geo. Morrison. [L.S.]
- Vincent Roy, jr. [L.S.]
- W. H. Watson. [L.S.]
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