Chippewa Treaty of 1854
Articles of a treaty made and concluded at La Pointe, in the State of Wisconsin, between Henry C. Gilbert and David B. Herriman, commissioners on the part of the United States, and the Chippewa Indians of Lake Superior and the Mississippi, by their chiefs and head-men.
ARTICLE 1.
The Chippewas of Lake Superior hereby cede to
the United States all the lands heretofore owned
by them in common with the Chippewas of the Mississippi,
lying east of the following boundary-line, to
wit: Beginning at a point, where the east branch
of Snake River crosses the southern boundary-line
of the Chippewa country, running thence up the
said branch to its source, thence nearly north,
in a straight line, to the mouth of East Savannah
River, thence up the St. Louis River to the mouth
of East Swan River, thence up the East Swan River
to its source, thence in a straight line to the
most westerly bend of Vermillion River, and thence
down the Vermillion River to its mouth.
The Chippewas of the Mississippi hereby assent
and agree to the foregoing cession, and consent
that the whole amount of the consideration money
for the country ceded above, shall be paid to
the Chippewas of Lake Superior, and in consideration
thereof the Chippewas of Lake Superior hereby
relinquish to the Chippewas of the Mississippi,
all their interest in and claim to the lands heretofore
owned by them in common, lying west of the above
boundry-line.
ARTICLE 2.
The United States agree to set apart and withhold
from sale, for the use of the Chippewas of Lake
Superior, the following-described tracts of land,
viz:
1st. For the L’Anse and Vieux De Sert bands, all
the unsold lands in the following townships in
the State of Michigan: Township fifty-one north
range thirty-three west; township fifty-one north
range thirty-two west; the east half of township
fifty north range thirty-three west; the west
half of township fifty north range thirty-two
west, and all of township fifty-one north range
thirty-one west, lying west of Huron Bay.
2d. For the La Pointe band, and such other Indians
as may see fit to settle with them, a tract of
land bounded as follows: Beginning on the south
shore of Lake Superior, a few miles west of Montreal
River, at the mouth of a creek called by the Indians
Ke-che-se-be-we-she, running thence south to a
line drawn east and west through the centre of
township forty-seven north, thence west to the
west line of said township, thence south to the
southeast corner of township forty-six north,
range thirty-two west, thence west the width of
two townships, thence north the width of two townships,
thence west one mile, thence north to the lake
shore, and thence along the lake shore, crossing
Shag-waw-me-quon Point, to the place of beginning.
Also two hundred acres on the northern extremity
of Madeline Island, for a fishing ground.
3d. For the other Wisconsin bands, a tract of
land lying about Lac De Flambeau, and another
tract on Lac Court Orielles, each equal in extent
to three townships, the boundaries of which shall
be hereafter agreed upon or fixed under the direction
of the President.
4th. For the Fond Du Lac bands, a tract of land
bounded as follows: Beginning at an island in
the St. Louis River, above Knife Portage, called
by the Indians Paw-paw-sco-me-me-tig, running
thence west to the boundary-line heretofore described,
thence north along said boundary-line to the mouth
of Savannah River, thence down the St. Louis River
to the place of beginning. And if said tract shall
contain
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less than one hundred thousand acres, a strip
of land shall be added on the south side thereof,
large enough to equal such deficiency.
5th. For the Grand Portage band, a tract of land
bounded as follows: Beginning at a rock a little
east of the eastern extremity of Grand Portage
Bay, running thence along the lake shore to the
mouth of a small stream called by the Indians
Maw-ske-gwaw-caw-maw-se-be, or Cranberry Marsh
River, thence up said stream, across the point
to Pigeon River, thence down Pigeon River to a
point opposite the starting-point, and thence
across to the place of beginning.
6th. The Ontonagon band and that subdivision of
the La Pointe band of which Buffalo is chief,
may each select, on or near the lake shore, four
sections of land, under the direction of the President,
the boundaries of which shall be defined hereafter.
And being desirous to provide for some of his
connections who have rendered his people important
services, it is agreed that the chief Buffalo
may select one section of land, at such place
in the ceded territory as he may see fit, which
shall be reserved for that purpose, and conveyed
by the United States to such person or persons
as he may direct.
7th. Each head of a family, or single person over
twenty-one years of age at the present time of
the mixed bloods, belonging to the Chippewas of
Lake Superior, shall be entitled to eighty acres
of land, to be selected by them under the direction
of the President, and which shall be secured to
them by patent in the usual form.
ARTICLE 3.
The United States will define the boundaries of the reserved tracts, whenever it may be necessary, by actual survey, and the President may, from time to time, at his discretion, cause the whole to be surveyed, and may assign to each head of a family or single person over twenty-one years of age, eighty acres of land for his or their separate use; and he may, at his discretion, as fast as the occupants become capable of transacting their own affairs, issue patents therefor to such occupants, with such restrictions of the power of alienation as he may see fit to impose. And he may also, at his discretion, make rules and regulations, respecting the disposition of the lands in case of the death of the head of a family, or single person occupying the same, or in case of its abandonment by them. And he may also assign other lands in exchange for mineral lands, if any such are found in the tracts herein set apart. And he may also make such changes in the boundaries of such reserved tracts or otherwise, as shall be necessary to prevent interference with any vested rights. All necessary roads, highways, and railroads, the lines of which may run through any of the reserved tracts, shall have the right of way through the same, compensation being made therefor as in other cases.
ARTICLE 4.
In consideration of and payment for the country hereby ceded, the United States agree to pay to the Chippewas of Lake Superior, annually, for the term of twenty years, the following sums, to wit: five thousand dollars in coin; eight thousand dollars in goods, household furniture and cooking utensils; three thousand dollars in agricultural implements and cattle, carpenter’s and other tools and building materials, and three thousand dollars for moral and educational purposes, of which last sum, three hundred dollars per annum shall be paid to the Grand Portage band, to enable them to maintain a school at their village. The United States will also pay the further sum of ninety thousand dollars, as the chiefs in open council may direct, to enable them to meet their present just engagements. Also the further sum of six thousand dollars, in agricultural implements, household furniture, and cooking utensils, to be distributed at the next annuity payment, among the mixed bloods of said nation. The United States will also furnish two hundred guns, one hundred rifles, five hundred beaver-traps, three hundred dollars’ worth of ammunition,
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and one thousand dollars’ worth of ready-made clothing, to be distributed among the young men of the nation, at the next annuity payment.
ARTICLE 5.
The United States will also furnish a blacksmith and assistant, with the usual amount of stock, during the continuance of the annuity payments, and as much longer as the President may think proper, at each of the points herein set apart for the residence of the Indians, the same to be in lieu of all the employees to which the Chippewas of Lake Superior may be entitled under previous existing treaties.
ARTICLE 6.
The annuities of the Indians shall not be taken to pay the debts of individuals, but satisfaction for depredations committed by them shall be made by them in such manner as the President may direct.
ARTICLE 7.
No spirituous liquors shall be made, sold, or used on any of the lands herein set apart for the residence of the Indians, and the sale of the same shall be prohibited in the Territory hereby ceded, until otherwise ordered by the President.
ARTICLE 8.
It is agreed, between the Chippewas of Lake Superior and the Chippewas of the Mississippi, that the former shall be entitled to two-thirds, and the latter to one-third, of all benefits to be derived from former treaties existing prior to the year 1847.
ARTICLE 9.
The United States agree that an examination shall be made, and all sums that may be found equitably due to the Indians, for arrearages of annuity or other thing, under the provisions of former treaties, shall be paid as the chiefs may direct.
ARTICLE 10.
All missionaries, and teachers, and other persons of full age, residing in the territory hereby ceded, or upon any of the reservations hereby made by authority of law, shall be allowed to enter the land occupied by them at the minimum price whenever the surveys shall be completed to the amount of one quarter-section each.
ARTICLE 11.
All annuity payments to the Chippewas of Lake Superior, shall hereafter be made at L’Anse, La Pointe, Grand Portage, and on the St. Louis River; and the Indians shall not be required to remove from the homes hereby set apart for them. And such of them as reside in the territory hereby ceded, shall have the right to hunt and fish therein, until otherwise ordered by the President.
ARTICLE 12.
In consideration of the poverty of the Bois Forte
Indians who are parties to this treaty, they having
never received any annuity payments, and of the
great extent of that part of the ceded country
owned exclusively by them, the following additional
stipulations are made for their benefit. The United
States will pay the sum of ten thousand dollars,
as their chiefs in open council may direct, to
enable them to meet their present just engagements.
Also the further sum of ten thousand dollars,
in five equal annual payments, in blankets, cloth,
nets, guns, ammunitions, and such other articles
of necessity as they may require.
They shall have the right to select their reservation
at any time hereafter, under the direction of
the President; and the same may be equal in extent,
in proportion to their numbers, to those allowed
the other bands, and be subject to the same provisions.
They shall be allowed a blacksmith, and the usual
smithshop supplies, and also two persons to instruct
them in farming, whenever in the opinion of the
President it shall be proper, and for such length
of time as he shall direct.
It is understood that all Indians who are parties
to this treaty, except the Chippewas of the Mississippi,
shall hereafter be known as the Chippewas of Lake
Superior. Provided, That the stipulation by which
the Chippewas of Lake Superior relinquishing their
right to land west
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of the boundary-line shall not apply to the Bois Forte band who are parties to this treaty.
ARTICLE 13.
This treaty shall be obligatory on the contracting
parties, as soon as the same shall be ratified
by the President and Senate of the United States.
In testimony whereof, the said Henry C. Gilbert,
and the said David B. Herriman, commissioners
as aforesaid, and the undersigned chiefs and headmen
of the Chippewas of Lake Superior and the Mississippi,
have hereunto set their hands and seals, at the
place aforesaid, this thirtieth day of September,
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Henry C. Gilbert,
David B. Herriman,
Commissioners.
Richard M. Smith, Secretary.
La Pointe Band:
Ke-che-waish-ke, or the Buffalo, 1st chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
Chay-che-que-oh, 2d chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
A-daw-we-ge-zhick, or Each Side of the sky, 2d
chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
O-ske-naw-way, or the Youth, 2d chief, his x mark.
[L. S.]
Maw-caw-day-pe-nay-se, or the Black Bird, 2d chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Naw-waw-naw-quot, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Ke-wain-zeence, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Waw-baw-ne-me-ke, or the White Thunder, 2d chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Pay-baw-me-say, or the Soarer, 2d chief, his x
mark. [L. S.]
Naw-waw-ge-waw-nose, or the Little Current, 2d
chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Maw-caw-day-waw-quot, or the Black Cloud, 2d chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Me-she-naw-way, or the Disciple, 2d chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
Key-me-waw-naw-um, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
She-gog headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Ontonagon Band:
O-cun-de-cun, or the Buoy 1st chief, his x mark.
[L. S.]
Waw-say-ge-zhick, or the Clear Sky, 2d chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Keesh-ke-taw-wug, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
L’Anse Band:
David King, 1st chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
John Southwind, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Peter Marksman, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Naw-taw-me-ge-zhick, or the First Sky, 2d chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Aw-se-neece, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Vieux De Sert Band:
May-dway-aw-she, 1st chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Posh-quay-gin, or the Leather, 2d chief, his x
mark. [L. S.]
Grand Portage Band:
Shaw-gaw-naw-sheence, or the Little Englishman,
1st chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
May-mosh-caw-wosh, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Aw-de-konse, or the Little Reindeer, 2d chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Way-we-ge-wam, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Fond Du Lac Band:
Shing-goope, or the Balsom, 1st chief, his x mark.
[L. S.]
Mawn-go-sit, or the Loon’s Foot, 2d chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
May-quaw-me-we-ge-zhick, headman, his x mark.
[L. S.]
Keesh-kawk, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Caw-taw-waw-be-day, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
O-saw-gee, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Ke-che-aw-ke-wain-ze, headman, his x mark. [L.
S.]
Naw-gaw-nub, or the Foremost Sitter, 2d chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Ain-ne-maw-sung, 2d chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Naw-aw-bun-way, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wain-ge-maw-tub, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Aw-ke-wain-zeence, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Shay-way-be-nay-se, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Paw-pe-oh, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Lac Court Oreille Band:
Aw-ke-wain-ze, or the Old Man, 1st chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
Key-no-zhance, or the Little Jack Fish, 1st chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Key-che-pe-nay-se, or the Big Bird, 2d chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Ke-che-waw-be-shay-she, or the Big Martin, 2d
chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Waw-be-shay-sheence, headman, his x mark. [L.
S.]
Quay-quay-cub, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Shaw-waw-no-me-tay, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Nay-naw-ong-gay-be, or the Dressing Bird, 1st
chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
O-zhaw-waw-sco-ge-zhick, or the Blue Sky, 2d chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
I-yaw-banse, or the Little Buck, 2d chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
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Ke-che-e-nin-ne, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Haw-daw-gaw-me, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Way-me-te-go-she, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Pay-me-ge-wung, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Lac Du Flambeau Band:
Aw-mo-se, or the Wasp, 1st chief, his x mark.
[L. S.]
Ke-nish-te-no, 2d chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Me-gee-see, or the Eagle, 2d chief, his x mark.
[L. S.]
Kay-kay-co-gwaw-nay-aw-she, headman, his x mark.
[L. S.]
O-che-chog, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Nay-she-kay-gwaw-nay-be, headman, his x mark.
[L. S.]
O-scaw-bay-wis, or the Waiter, 1st chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
Que-we-zance, or the White Fish, 2d chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
Ne-gig, or the Otter, 2d chief, his x mark. [L.
S.]
Nay-waw-che-ge-ghick-may-be, headman, his x mark.
[L. S.]
Quay-quay-ke-cah, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Bois Forte Band:
Kay-baish-caw-daw-way, or Clear Round the Prairie,
1st chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Way-zaw-we-ge-zhick-way-sking, headman, his x
mark. [L. S.]
O-saw-we-pe-nay-she, headman, his x mark. [L.
S.]
The Mississippi Bands:
Que-we-san-se, or Hole in the Day, head chief,
his x mark. [L. S.]
Caw-nawn-daw-waw-win-zo, or the Berry Hunter,
1st chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Waw-bow-jieg, or the White Fisher, 2d chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
Ot-taw-waw, 2d chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Que-we-zhan-cis, or the Bad Boy, 2d chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
Bye-a-jick, or the Lone Man, 2d chief, his x mark.
[L. S.]
I-yaw-shaw-way-ge-zhick, or the Crossing Sky,
2d chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Maw-caw-day, or the Bear’s Heart, 2d chief, his
x mark. [L. S.]
Ke-way-de-no-go-nay-be, or the Northern Feather,
2d chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
Me-squaw-dace, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Naw-gaw-ne-gaw-bo, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wawm-be-de-yea, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Waish-key, headman, his x mark. [L. S.]
Caw-way-caw-me-ge-skung, headman, his x mark.
[L. S.]
My-yaw-ge-way-we-dunk, or the One who carries
the Voice, 2d chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
John F. Godfroy, Interpreters.
Geo. Johnston, Interpreters.
S. A. Marvin, Interpreters.
Louis Codot, Interpreters.
Paul H. Beaulieu, Interpreters.
Henry Blatchford, Interpreters.
Peter Floy, Interpreters.
Executed in the presence of—
Henry M. Rice,
J. W. Lynde,
G. D. Williams,
B. H. Connor,
E. W. Muldough,
Richard Godfroy,
D. S. Cash,
H. H. McCullough,
E. Smith Lee,
Wm. E. Vantassel,
L. H. Wheeler.