Treaty with The Sioux
September 29, 1837
Articles of a treaty, made at the City of Washington,
between Joel R.Poinsett, thereto specially authorized by the
President of the United States, and certain chiefs and braves
of the Sioux nation of Indians.
Article 1st.
The chiefs and braves representing the parties having an
interest therein, cede to the United States all their land,
east of the Mississippi river, and all their islands in the
said river.
Article 2d.
In consideration of the cession contained in the preceding
article, the United States agree to the following stipulations
on their part.
First. To invest the sum of $300,000 (three hundred thousand
dollars) in such safe and profitable State stocks as the President
may direct, and to pay to the chiefs and braves as aforesaid,
annually, forever, an income of not less than five per cent.
thereon; a portion of said interest, not exceeding one third,
to be applied in such manner as the President may direct,
and the residue to be paid in specie, or in such other manner,
and for such objects, as the proper authorities of the tribe
may designate.
Second. To pay to the relatives and friends of the chiefs
and braves, as aforesaid, having not less than one quarter
of Sioux blood, $110,000 (one hundred and ten thousand dollars,)
to be distributed by the proper authorities of the tribe,
upon principles to be determined by the chiefs and braves
signing this treaty, and the War Department.
Third. To apply the sum of $90,000 (ninety thousand dollars)
to the payment of just debts of the Sioux Indians, interested
in the lands herewith ceded.
Fourth. To pay to the chiefs and braves as aforesaid an annuity
for twenty years of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) in goods,
to be purchased under the direction of the President, and
delivered at the expense of the United States.
Fifth. To expend annually for twenty years, for the benefit
of Sioux Indians, parties to this treaty, the sum of $8,250
(eight thousand two hundred and fifty dollars) in the purchase
of medicines, agricultural implements and stock, and for the
support of a physician, farmers, and blacksmiths, and for
other beneficial objects.
Sixth. In order to enable the Indians aforesaid to break
up and improve their lands, the United States will supply,
as soon as practicable, after the ratification of this treaty,
agricultural implements, mechanics' tools, cattle, and
such other articles as may be useful to them, to an amount
not exceeding $10,000, (ten thousand dollars.)
Seventh. To expend annually, for twenty years, the sum of
$5,500 (five thousand five hundred dollars) in the purchase
of provisions, to be delivered at the expense of the United
States.
Eighth. To deliver to the chiefs and braves signing this
treaty, upon their arrival at St. Louis, $6,000 (six thousand
dollars) in goods.
Article 3rd.
[Stricken out by Senate.]
Article 4th.
This treaty shall be binding on the contracting parties as
soon as it shall be ratified by the United States.
In testimony whereof, the said Joel R. Poinsett, and the
undersigned chiefs and braves of the Sioux nation, have hereunto
set their hands, at the City of Washington, this 29th day
of September A. D. 1837.
Medawakantons:
- Tah-tape-saah, The Upsetting Wind,
- Wah-keah-tun-kah, Big Thunder,
- Mah-zah-hoh-tah, Grey Iron,
- Tautunga-munne, Walking Buffalo,
- Eu-hah-kaakow, He that comes last,
- Mah-kuah-pah, he that shakes the Earth,
- Tah-mah-zah-hoh-wash-taa, The Iron of handsome voice,
- Watt-chu-dah, The Dancer,
- Mah-zah-tunkah, The Big Iron,
- Mau-po-koah-munnee, He that runs after the clouds,
- Tah-chunk-wash-taa, Good Road,
- Mare-pu-ah-nasiah, Standing Cloud, Koi-moko, Afloat,
- Mau-pu-wee-chastah, White Man,
- Mau-pu-ah-mah-zah, Iron Cloud,
- Tah-chunek-oh-dutah, The Red Road,
- Wasson-wee-chastish-nee, The Bad Hail,
- Hoe-yah-pah, the Eagle Head Annon-ge-nasiah, He that Stands on Both sides,
- Chaudus-ka-mumee, the Walking Circle,
- Tee-oh-du-tah, the Red Lodge.
In presence of -
- Chauncy Bush, secretary.
- Mahlon Dickerson, Secretary of the Navy.
- W. J. Worth, lieutenant-colonel.
- Geo. W. Jones, of Wisconsin.
- Lau. Taliaferro, U. S. agent at St. Peters.
- Wm. Hawley.
- C. A. Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
- S. Cooper, chief clerk War Department.
- D. Kurtz, chief clerk Indian Office.
- Charles Calvert.
- S. Campbell, interpreter.
(To the Indian names are subjoined marks.)
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