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Treaty of Washington February 27, 1819
7 Stat. 195
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Articles of a convention made between John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, being specially
authorized therefor by the President of the United States, and the undersigned Chiefs and
Head Men of the Cherokee nation of Indians, duly authorized and empowered by said nation,
at the City of Washington, on the twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and nineteen. /A/
WHEREAS a greater part of the Cherokee nation have expressed an earnest desire to remain on
this side of the Mississippi, and being desirous, in order to commence those measures which
they deem necessary to the civilization and preservation of their nation, that the treaty
between the United States and them, signed the eighth of July, eighteen hundred and
seventeen, might, without further delay, or the trouble or expense of taking the census, as
stipulated in the said treaty, be finally adjusted, have offered to cede to the United
States a tract of country at least as extensive as that which they probably are entitled to
under its provisions, the contracting parties have agreed to and concluded the following
articles. /B/
ARTICLE 1. The Cherokee nation cedes to the United States all of their lands lying north and
east of the following line, viz: Beginning on the Tennessee river, at the point where the
Cherokee boundary with Madison county, in the Alabama territory, joins the same; thence,
along the main channel of said river, to the mouth of the Highwassee; thence, along its main
channel, to the first hill which closes in on said river, about two miles above Highwassee
Old Town; thence, along the ridge which divides the waters of the Highwassee and Little
Tellico, to the Tennessee river, at Tallassee; thence, along the main channel, to the
junction of the Cowee and Nanteyalee; thence, along the ridge in the fork of said river, to
the top of the Blue Ridge; thence, along the Blue Ridge to the Unicoy Turnpike Road; thence
, by a straight line, to the nearest main source of the Chestatee; thence, along its main
channel, to the Chatahouchee; and thence to the Creek boundary; it being understood that
all the islands in the Chestatee, and the parts of the Tennessee and Highwassee, (with the
exception of Jolly's Island, in the Tennessee, near the mouth of the Highwassee,) which
constitute a portion of the present boundary, belong to the Cherokee nation; and it is also
understood, that the reservations contained in the second article of the treaty of Tellico,
signed the twenty-fifth October, eighteen hundred and five, and a tract equal to twelve
miles square, to be located by commencing at the point formed by the intersection of the /C/
boundary line of Madison county, already mentioned, and the north bank of the Tennessee
river; thence, along the said line, and up the said river twelve miles, are ceded to the
United States, in trust for the Cherokee nation as a school fund; to be sold by the United
States, and the proceeds vested as is hereafter provided in the fourth article of this
treaty; and, also, that the rights vested in the Unicoy Turnpike Company, by the Cherokee
nation, according to certified copies of the instruments securing the rights, and herewith
annexed, are not to be affected by this treaty; and it is further understood and agreed by
the said parties, that the lands hereby ceded by the Cherokee nation, are in full
satisfaction of all claims which the United States have on them, on account of the cession
to a part of their nation who have or may hereafter emigrate to the Arkansaw; and this
treaty is a final adjustment of that of the eighth of July, eighteen hundred and seventeen.
/D/
ARTICLE 2. The United States agree to pay, according to the stipulations contained in the
treaty of the eighth of July, eighteen hundred and seventeen, for all improvements on land
lying within the country ceded by the Cherokees, which add real value to the land, and do
agree to allow a reservation of six hundred and forty acres to each head of any Indian
family residing within the ceded territory, those enrolled for the Arkansaw excepted, who
choose to become citizens of the United States, in the manner stipulated in said treaty.
/E/
ARTICLE 3. It is also understood and agreed by the contracting parties, that a reservation, in
fee simple, of six hundred and forty acres square, with the exception of Major Walker's,
which is to be located as is hereafter provided, to include their improvements, and which
are to be as near the centre thereof as possible, shall be made to each of the persons
whose names are inscribed on the certified list annexed to this treaty, all of whom are
believed to be persons of industry, and capable of managing their property with discretion,
and have, with few exceptions, made considerable improvements on the tracts reserved. The
reservations are made on the condition, that those for whom they are intended shall notify,
in writing, to the agent for the Cherokee nation, within six months after the ratification
of this treaty, that it is their intention to continue to reside permanently on the land
reserved. /F/ /G/
The reservation for Lewis Ross, so to be laid off as to include his house, and out-buildings
, and ferry adjoining the Cherokee agency, reserving to the United States all the public
property there, and the continuance of the said agency where it now is, during the pleasure
of the government; and Major Walker's, so as to include his dwelling house and ferry: for
Major Walker an additional reservation is made of six hundred and forty acres square, to
include his grist and saw mill; the land is poor, and principally valuable for its timber.
In addition to the above reservations, the following are made, in fee simple; the persons
for whom they are intended not residing on the same: To Cabbin Smith, six hundred and forty
acres, to be laid off in equal parts, on both sides of his ferry on Tellico, commonly called
Blair's ferry; to John Ross, six hundred and forty acres, to be laid off so as to include
the Big Island in Tennessee river, being the first below Tellico - - which tracts of land
were given many years since, by the Cherokee nation, to them; to Mrs. Eliza Ross, step
daughter of Major Walker, six hundred and forty acres square, to be located on the river
below and adjoining Major Walker's; to Margaret Morgan, six hundred and forty acres square,
to be located on the west of, and adjoining, James Riley's reservation; to George Harlin,
six hundred and forty acres square, to be located west of, and adjoining, the reservation
of Margaret Morgan; to James Lowry, six hundred and forty acres square, to be located at
Crow Mocker's old place, at the foot of Cumberland mountain; to Susannah Lowry, six hundred
and forty acres, /H/ /I/ to be located at the Toll Bridge on Battle Creek; to Nicholas Byers
, six hundred and forty acres, including the Toqua Island, to be located on the north bank
of the Tennessee, opposite to said Island.
ARTICLE 4. The United States stipulate that the reservations, and the tract reserved for a
school fund, in the first article of this treaty, shall be surveyed and sold in the same
manner, and on the same terms, with the public lands of the United States, and the proceeds
vested, under the direction of the President of the United States, in the stock of the
United States, or such other stock as he may deem most advantageous to the Cherokee nation.
The interest or dividend on said stock, shall be applied, under his direction, in the manner
which he shall judge best calculated to diffuse the benefits of education among the Cherokee
nation on this side of the Mississippi. /J/ /K/
ARTICLE 5. It is agreed that such boundary lines as may be necessary to designate the lands
ceded by the first article of this treaty, may be run by a commissioner or commissioners to
be appointed by the President of the United States, who shall be accompanied by such
commissioners as the Cherokees may appoint, due notice thereof to be given to the nation;
and that the leases which have been made under the treaty of the eighth of July, eighteen
hundred and seventeen, of land lying within the portion of country reserved to the Cherokees
, to be void; and that all white people who have intruded, or may hereafter intrude, on the
lands reserved for the Cherokees, shall be removed by the United States, and proceeded
against according to the provisions of the act passed thirtieth March, eighteen hundred and
two, entitled "An act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and to
preserve peace on the frontiers." /L/ /M/ /N/
ARTICLE 6. The contracting parties agree that the annuity to the Cherokee nation shall be paid,
two-thirds to the Cherokees east of the Mississippi, and one-third to the Cherokees west
of that river, as it is estimated that those who have emigrated, and who have enrolled for
emigration, constitute one-third of the whole nation; but if the Cherokees west of the
Mississippi object to this distribution, of which due notice shall be given them, before
the expiration of one year after the ratification of this treaty, then the census, solely
for distributing the annuity, shall be taken at such times, and in such manner, as the
President of the United States may designate. /O/
ARTICLE 7. The United States, in order to afford the Cherokees who reside on the lands ceded
by this treaty, time to cultivate their crop next summer, and for those who do not choose
to take reservations, to remove, bind themselves to prevent the intrusion of their citizens
on the ceded land before the first of January next. /P/
ARTICLE 8. This treaty to be binding on the contracting parties so soon as it is ratified by
the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. /Q/
Done at the place, and on the day and year, above written.
J.C. Calhoun.
Ch. Hicks, (L.S.)
Jno. Ross, (L.S.)
Lewis Ross, (L.S.)
John Martin, (L.S.)
James Brown, (L.S.)
Geo. Lowry, (L.S.)
Gideon Morgan, jr. (L.S.)
Cabbin Smith, his x mark, (L.S.)
Sleeping Rabbit, his x mark, (L.S.)
Small Wood, his x mark, (L.S.)
John Walker, his x mark, (L.S.)
Currohee Dick, his x mark, (L.S.)
Witnesses:
Return J. Meigs,
C. Vandeventer,
Elias Earle,
John Lowry.
List of persons referred to in the 3d article of the annexed Treaty.
Richard Walker, within the chartered limits of North Carolina.
Yonah, alias Big Bear, do.
John Martin, do. Georgia.
Peter Linch, do. do.
Daniel Davis, do. do.
George Parris, do. do.
Walter S. Adair, do. do.
Thos. Wilson, do. Alab. Ter.
Richard Riley, do. do.
James Riley, do. do.
Edward Gunter, do. do.
Robert McLemore, do. Tenn.
John Baldridge, do. do.
Lewis Ross, do. do.
Fox Taylor, do. do.
Rd Timberlake, do. do.
David Fields, (to include his mill,) do. do.
James Brown, (to include his field by the long pond,) do. do.
William Brown, do. do.
John Brown, do. Tennessee.
Elizabeth Lowry, do. do.
George Lowry, do. do.
John Benge, do. do.
Mrs. Eliz. Peck, do. do.
John Walker, Sr. do. do.
John Walker, Jr. (unmarried,) do. do.
Richard Taylor, do. do.
John McIntosh, do. do.
James Starr, do. do.
Samuel Parks, do. do.
The Old Bark, (of Chota) do. do.
No. of reservees within the limits of
North Carolina, 2
Georgia, 5
Alabama Terr. 4
Tennessee, 20
Total No. of reservees, 31
I hereby certify, that I am, either personally, or by information on which I can rely,
acquainted with the persons before named, all of whom I believe to be persons of industry,
and capable of managing their property with discretion; and who have, with few exceptions,
long resided on the tracts reserved, and made considerable improvements thereon.
RETURN J. MEIGS,
Agent in the Cherokee nation.
(COPY.) Cherokee Agency, Highwassee Garrison.
We, the undersigned Chiefs and Councillors of the Cherokees in full council assembled, do
hereby give, grant, and make over unto Nicholas Byers and David Russell, who are agents in
behalf of the states of Tennessee and Georgia, full power and authority to establish a
Turnpike Company, to be composed of them, the said Nicholas and David, Arthur Henly, John
Lowry, Atto. and one other person, by them to be hereafter named, in behalf of the state of
Georgia; and the above named persons are authorized to nominate five proper and fit persons,
natives of the Cherokees, who, together with the white men aforesaid, are to constitute
the company; which said company, when thus established, are hereby fully authorized by us,
to lay out and open a road from the most suitable point on the Tennessee River, to be
directed the nearest and best way to the highest point of navigation on the Tugolo River;
which said road, when opened and established, shall continue and remain a free and public
highway, unmolested by us, to the interest and benefit of the said company, and their
successors, for the full term of twenty years, yet to come, after the same may be open and
complete; after which time, said road, with all its advantages, shall be surrendered up,
and reverted in, the said Cherokee nation. And the said company shall have leave, and are
hereby authorized, to erect their public stands, or houses of entertainment, on said road,
that is to say: one at each end, and one in the middle, or as nearly so as a good situation
will permit: with leave also to cultivate one hundred acres of land at each end of the
road, and fifty acres at the middle stand, with a privilege of a sufficiency of timber for
the use and consumption of said stands. And the said Turnpike Company do hereby agree to
pay the sum of one hundred and sixty dollars yearly to the Cherokee nation, for the
aforesaid privilege, to commence after said road is opened and in complete operation. The
said company are to have the benefit of one ferry on Tennessee river, and such other ferry
or ferries as are necessary on said road; and, likewise, said company shall have the
exclusive privilege of trading on said road during the aforesaid term of time. /R/
In testimony of our full consent to all and singular the above named privileges and
advantages, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals, this eighth day of March,
eighteen hundred and thirteen.
Outahelce, his x mark, (L.S.)
Naire, above, his x mark, (L.S.)
Theelagathahee, his x mark, (L.S.)
The Raven, his x mark, (L.S.)
Two Killers, his x mark, (L.S.)
Teeistiskee, his x mark, (L.S.)
John Boggs, his - - mark, (L.S.)
Quotiquaskee, his - - mark, (L.S.)
Currihee, Dick, his - - mark, (L.S.)
Ooseekee, his - - mark, (L.S.)
Toochalee, (L.S.)
Chulio, (L.S.)
Dick Justice, (L.S.)
Wausaway, (L.S.)
Big Cabbin, (L.S.)
The Bark, (L.S.)
Nettle Carrier, (L.S.)
Seekeekee, (L.S.)
John Walker, (L.S.)
Dick Brown, (L.S.)
Charles Hick, (L.S.)
Witnesses present:
Wm. L. Lovely, assistant agent,
William Smith,
George Colville.
James Carey,
Richard Taylor,
Interpreters.
The foregoing agreement and grant was amicably negotiated and concluded in my presence.
Return J. Meigs.
I certify I believe the within to be a correct copy of the original.
Charles Hicks.
WASHINGTON CITY, March 1, 1819.
CHEROKEE AGENCY, January 6, 1817.
We, the undersigned Chiefs of the Cherokee nation, do hereby grant unto Nicholas Byers,
Arthur H. Henly, and David Russell, proprietors of the Unicoy road to Georgia, the liberty
of cultivating all the ground contained in the bend on the north side of Tennessee river,
opposite and below Chota Old Town, together with the liberty to erect a grist mill on Four
Mile creek, for the use and benefit of said road, and the Cherokees in the neighbourhood
thereof; for them, the said Byers, Henly, and Russell, to have and to hold the above
privileges during the term of lease of the Unicoy road, also obtained from the Cherokees,
and sanctioned by the President of the United States. /S/
In witness whereof, we hereunto affix our hands and seals, in presence of - -
John McIntosh, (L.S.)
Charles Hicks, (L.S.)
Path Killer, (L.S.)
Tuchalar, (L.S.)
The Gloss, (L.S.)
John Walker, (L.S.)
Path Killer, jr. (L.S.)
Going Snake. (L.S.)
Witness:
Return J. Meigs, United States agent.
The above instrument was executed in open Cherokee council, in my office, in January,
1817.
Return J. Meigs.
CHEROKEE AGENCY, 8th July, 1817.
The use of the Unicoy road, so called, was for twenty years.
Return J. Meigs.
I certify I believe the within to be a correct copy of the original.
Ch. Hicks.
WASHINGTON CITY, March 1, 1819.
A/ Proclamation, Mar. 10, 1819. B/ Preamble.
C/ Cession of lands by the Cherokees. D/ The lands hereby ceded are in full satisfaction,
etc. E/ United States to pay for improvements on ceded lands. F/ Grant of land to each
person on the list annexed to this treaty, except Major Walker. G/ Notice to be given of
intention to continue residence. H/ Reservations. I/ Additional reservations. J/ The
reservations, etc., to be sold, and proceeds vested in stock. K/ Interest, how to be
applied. L/ Boundary lines to be run by commissioners. M/ White intruders to be removed.
N/ 1802, ch. 13. O/ Division of annuity to Cherokee Nation. P/ Intrusion of citizens to be
prevented. Q/ Treaty binding when ratified. R/ Mar. 8, 1813. S/ Jan. 6, 1817.
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