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Fort Laramie Treaty, 1851
TREATY OF FORT LARAMIE WITH SIOUX, Etc, 1851.
December 31st, 1969
11 Stats., p. 749.
Articles of a treaty made and concluded at Fort Laramie, in the Indian
Territory, between D. D. Mitchell, superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Thomas
Fitzpatrick, Indian agent, commissioners specially appointed and authorized by
the President of the United States, of the first part, and the chiefs, headmen,
and braves of the following Indian nations, residing south of the Missouri
River, east of the Rocky Mountains, and north of the lines of Texas and New
Mexico, viz, the Sioux or Dahcotahs, Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, Crows, Assinaboines,
Gros-Ventre Mandans, and Arrickaras, parties of the second part on the
seventeenth day of September, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.{a}
[Peace to be observed.]
ARTICLE 1. The aforesaid nations, parties to this treaty, having assembled for
the purpose of establishing and confirming peaceful relations amongst
themselves, do hereby covenant and agree to abstain in future from all
hostilities whatever against each other, to maintain good faith and friendship
in all their mutual intercourse, and to make an effective and lasting peace.
[Roads may be established.]
ARTICLE 2. The aforesaid nations do hereby recognize the right of the United
States government to establish roads, military and other posts, within their
respective territories.
[Indians to be protected.]
ARTICLE 3. In consideration of the rights and privileges acknowledged in the
preceding article, the United States bind themselves to protect the aforesaid
Indian nations against the commission of all depredations by the people of the
said United States, after the ratification of this treaty.
[Depredations on whites to be satisfied.]
ARTICLE 4. The aforesaid Indian nations do hereby agree and bind themselves to
make restitution or satisfaction for any wrongs committed, after the
ratification of this treaty, by any band or individual of their people, on the
people of the United States, after the ratification of this treaty.
[Boundaries of lands.]
ARTICLE 5. The aforesaid Indian nations do hereby recognize and acknowledge the
following tracts of country, included within the metes and boundaries
hereinafter designated, as their respective territories, viz:
[Sioux.]
The territory of the Sioux or Dahcotah Nation, commencing the mouth of the White
Earth River, on the Missouri River; thence in a southwesterly direction to the
forks of the Platte River; thence up the north fork of the Platte River to a
point known as the Red Bute, or where the road leaves the river; thence along
the range of mountains known as the Black Hills, to the head-waters of Heart
River; thence down Heart River to its mouth; and thence down the Missouri River
to the place of beginning.
[Grosventre, etc.]
The territory of the Ros Ventre, Mandans, and Arrickaras Nations, commencing at
the mouth of Heart River; thence up the Missouri River to the mouth of the
Yellowstone River; thence up the Yellowstone River to the mouth of Powder River
in a southeasterly direction, to the head-waters of the Little Missouri River;
thence along the Black Hills to the head of Heart River, and thence down Heart
River to the place of beginning.
[Assiniboin.]
The territory of the Assinaboin Nation, commencing at the mouth of Yellowstone
River; thence up the Missouri River to the mouth of the Muscle-shell River;
thence from the mouth of the Muscle-shell River in a southeasterly direction
until it strikes the head-waters of Big Dry Creek; thence down that creak to
where it empties into the Yellowstone River, nearly opposite the mouth of Powder
River, and thence down the Yellowstone River to the place of beginning.
[Blackfoot.]
The territory of the Blackfoot Nation, commencing at the mouth of Muscle-shell
River; thence up the Missouri River to its source; thence along the main range
of the Rocky Mountains, in a southerly direction, to the head-waters of the
northern source of the Yellowstone River; thence down the Yellowstone River to
the mouth of Twenty-five Yard Creek; thence across to the head-waters of the
Muscle-shell River, and thence down the Muscle-shell River to the place of
beginning.
[Crow.]
The territory of the Crow Nation, commencing at the mouth of Poweder River on
the Yellowstone; thence up Powder River to its source; thence along the main
range of the Glack Hills and Wind River Mountains to the head-waters of the
Yellowstone River; thence down the Yellowstone River to the mouth of Twenty-five
Yard Creek; thence to the head waters of the Muscle-shell River; thence down the
Muscle-shell River to its mouth; thence to the head-waters of Big Dry Creek, and
thence to its mouth.
[Cheyenne and Arapaho.]
The territory of the Cheyennes and Arrapahoes, commencing at the Red Bute, or
the place where the road leaves the north fork of the Platte River; thence up
the north fork of the Platte River to its source; thence along the main range of
the Rocky Mountains to the head-waters of the Arkansas River; thence down the
Arkansas River to the crossing of the Santa Fe road; thence in a northwesterly
direction to the forks of the Platte River, and thence up the Platte River to
the place of beginning.
[Rights in other lands.]
It is, however, understood that, in making this recognition and acknowledgement,
the aforesaid Indian nations do not hereby abandon or prejudice any rights or
claims they may have to other lands; and further, that they do not surrender the
privilege of hunting, fishing, or passing over any of the tracts of country
heretofore described.
[Head chiefs of said tribes.]
ARTICLE 6. The parties to the second part of this treaty having selected
principals or head-chiefs for their respective nations, through whom all
national business will hereafter be conducted, do hereby bind themselves to
sustain said chiefs and their successors during good behavior.
[Annuities.]
ARTICLE 7. In consideration of the treaty stipulations, and for the damages
which have or may occur by reason thereof to the Indian nations, parties hereto,
and for their maintenance and the improvement of their moral and social customs,
the United States bind themselves to deliver to the said Indian nations the sum
of fifty thousand dollars per annum for the term of ten years, with the right to
continue the same at the discretion of the President of the United States for a
period not exceeding five years thereafter, in provisions, merchandise, domestic
animals, and agricultural implements, in such proportions as may be deemed best
adapted to their condition by the President of the United States, to be
distributed in proportion to the population of the aforesaid Indian nations.
[Annuities suspended by violation of treaty.]
ARTICLE 8. It is understood and agreed that should any of the Indian nations,
parties to this treaty, violate any of the provisions thereof, the United States
may withold the whole or a portion of the annuities mentioned in the preceding
article from the nation so offending, until, in the opinion of the President of
the United States, proper satisfaction shall have been made.
In testimony whereof the said D. D. Mitchell and Thomas Fitzpatrick
commissioners as aforesaid, and the chiefs, headmen, and braves, parties hereto,
have set their hands and affixed their marks, on the day and at the place first
above written.
D. D. Mitchell
Thomas Fitzpatrick
Commissioners.
Sioux:
Mah-toe-wha-you-whey, his x mark.
Mah-kah-toe-zah-zah, his x mark.
Bel-o-ton-kah-tan-ga, his x mark.
Nah-ka-pah-gi-gi, his x mark.
Mak-to-sah-bi-chis, his x mark.
Meh-wha-tah-ni-hans-kah, his x mark.
Cheyennes:
Wah-ha-nis-satta, his x mark.
Voist-ti-toe-vetz, his x mark.
Nahk-ko-me-ien, his x mark.
Koh-kah-y-wh-cum-est, his x mark.
Arrapahoes:
He-ah-te-a-qui-sah, his x mark.
Neb-ni-bah-seh-it, his x mark.
Beh-kah-jay-beth-0sah-es, his x mark.
Crows:
Arra-tu-ri-sash, his x mark.
Doh-chepit-she-chi-es, his x mark.
Assinaboines:
Mah-toe-wit-ko, his x mark.
Toe-tah-ki-eh-nan, his x mark.
Mandans and Gros Ventres:
Nochk-pit-shi-toe-pish, his x mark.
She-oh-mant-ho, his x mark.
Arickarees:
Koun-hei-ti-shan, his x mark.
Bi-atch-tah-wetch, his x mark.
In the presence of--
A. B. Chambers, secretary.
S. Cooper, colonel, U. S. Army.
R. H. Chilton, captain, First Drags.
R. H. Chilton, captain, First Drags.
Thomas Duncan, captain, Mounted Riflemen.
Thos. G. Rhett, brevet captain, R. M. R.
W. L. Elliott, first lieutenant R. M. R.
C. Campbell, interpreter for Sioux.
John S. Smith, interpreter for Cheyennes.
Rober Meldrum, interpreter for the Crows.
H. Culbertson, interpreter for Assiniboines and Gros Ventres.
Francois L'Etalie, interpreter for Arickarees.
John Pizelle, interpreter for the Arrapahoes.
B. Gratz Brown.
Robert Campbell.
Edmond F. Chouteau.
{a}This treaty as signed was ratified by the Senate with an amendment changing
the annuity in Article 7 from fifty to ten years, subject to acceptance by the
tribes. Assent of all tribes except the Crows was procured (see Upper Platte C.,
570, 1853, Indian Office) and in subsequent agreements this treaty has been
recognized as in force (see post p. 776).
[Ed. Note: This footnote is found at the bottom of p. 594.]
{SOURCE: Kappler, Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties. Vol. II. pp. 594-596}.
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