Treaty with The Piankeshaw
January 3, 1818
Contract entered into under the authority of the United
States, between governor Thomas Posey, superintendent of Indian
affairs, and Chekommia or Big River, principal chief of the
Piankeshaws.
This indenture, made this third day of January, 1818, between
governor Thomas Posey, superintendent of Indian affairs, on
the one part, and Chekommia or Big River, principal chief
of the Piankeshaw tribe of Indians, acting as well in his
own name, as in the name and behalf of the said Piankeshaw
tribe of Indians, on the other part, witnesseth:
Whereas, at a treaty held under the authority of the United
States, with the chiefs and head men of the said Piankeshaw
nation of Indians, at Vincennes, in the Indiana territory,
the 27th day of August, 1804, [1084] and William Henry Harrison,
governor of the Indiana territory, superintendent of Indian
Affairs, and commissioner plenipotentiary of the United States,
for concluding any treaty or treaties with said tribe, it
was agreed by said William Henry Harrison, on the one part,
and the chiefs and head men of said tribe, on the other; that
the Piankeshaw tribe, for the consideration therein mentioned,
should cede and relinquish to the United States forever, all
that tract of country, which lies between the Wabash and the
tract ceded by the Kaskaskia tribe, in the year one thousand
eight hundred and three, and south of a line to be drawn from
the northwest corner of Vincennes tract, northerly seventy-eight
degrees west, until it intersects the boundary line which
has heretofore separated the lands of the Piankeshaws from
the said tract ceded by the Kaskaskia tribe.
And it was also further agreed by the chiefs of the said
Piankeshaw tribe, on the one part, and the said William Henry
Harrison, on the other part, that the said tribe should reserve
to themselves, the right of locating a tract of two square
miles, or twelve hundred and eighty acres: the fee of which
is to remain with them forever.
And whereas the said Piankeshaw nation, being reduced in
number, and being unable to occupy the land reserved to them,
by the treaty concluded between the chiefs of said tribe,
and William Henry Harrison as aforesaid: therefore be it known,
to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: That the
said Chekommia, commonly called Big River, principal chief
and head man of the Piankeshaw tribe of Indians, as well in
his own name and behalf of the said Piankeshaw tribe, for
the consideration of one thousand dollars received to our
full satisfaction, of governor Thomas Posey, superintendent
of Indian affairs, and with full power and authority from
the President of the United States, to act concerning the
within named premises, have relinquished, and do by these
presents, cede and relinquish to the United States, all that
tract of land two miles square, and containing twelve hundred
and eighty acres, being the same tract which was reserved
to us by the treaty concluded at Vincennes, as aforesaid,
between governor William Henry Harrison, on the one part,
and the chiefs and head men of the said Piankeshaw nation,
on the other.
In testimony whereof, the said Thomas Posey, superintendent
of Indian affairs, and Chekommia, principal chief, and representing
the said Piankeshaw tribe, have hereunto set their hands and
affixed their seals.
Done at Vincennes, this third day of January, in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and of
the independence of the United States the forty-second.
- Th. Posey. [L. S.]
- Chekommia, or Big River, his x mark. [L. S.]
Signed, sealed, and executed, in presence of -
- John Law, attorney at law.
- H. Lasselle.
- Caleb Lownes.
- Joseph Barron, Indian interpreter.
- Macatamanguay, or Loon, a Wea chief, his x mark.
This may certify, that Chehommia, or Big River, who has signed
the above, is principal chief and head man of the Piankeshaw
tribe, and with full power and authority from said tribe,
to sign and execute the above contract, on behalf of said
tribe.
- Macatamanguay, or Loon, a Wea chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
- Little Eyes, or Washington, a Wea chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
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Native American Legends A-B