The 1806 Washington Treaty (Cherokee), formally a convention between the United States and the Cherokee Nation, was a significant agreement negotiated and concluded in the city of Washington on January 7, 1806. Its ratification on May 22, 1807, marked a turning point in the relationship between the two entities, primarily concerning land cession and financial considerations. This article delves into the details of this treaty, exploring its articles, the motivations behind it, and its lasting impact.
Background and Context
The early 19th century was a period of intense westward expansion for the United States. As American settlers pushed further into territories traditionally inhabited by Native American tribes, the federal government sought to secure land through treaties and agreements. The Cherokee Nation, one of the "Five Civilized Tribes," occupied a vast territory spanning parts of present-day Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and North Carolina. The 1806 Washington Treaty (Cherokee) was one such attempt to formalize land cessions and establish boundaries.
Negotiation and Signatories
The convention was brokered between Henry Dearborn, then Secretary of War, acting under the explicit authorization of the President of the United States, and a delegation of Cherokee chiefs and head men, who were duly authorized by their nation to represent its interests. This delegation included prominent figures such as Doublehead, James Vann, Tallotiskee, and others. The presence of these leaders underscored the significance the Cherokee Nation placed on these negotiations, even as they faced increasing pressure from the expanding United States.
Key Provisions of the Treaty
The treaty comprised four key articles, each addressing specific aspects of the agreement:
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Article 1: Land Cession: This article formed the core of the treaty. The Cherokee Nation relinquished to the United States all rights, titles, interests, and claims to a vast tract of land located north of the Tennessee River and west of a designated line. This line ran from the upper part of the Chickasaw Old Fields (near Chickasaw Island) to the eastern headwaters of the Duck River. However, two specific tracts were excluded from this cession:
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The Muscle Shoals area, bounded by the Tennessee River to the south, Cyprus Creek to the west, the Elk River to the east, and a line ten miles north of the junctions of both creeks with the Tennessee River. This area was designated as the common property of the Cherokees residing there, including individuals like John D. Chesholm, Au-tow-we, and Cheh Chuh.
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A two-mile wide strip north of the Tennessee River, extending three miles inland from the mouth of Spring Creek. This tract, where Moses Melton resided, was designated as the property of Melton and Charles Hicks in equal shares.
Furthermore, the Cherokee Nation also relinquished its claim to Long Island in the Holston River. The extensive land cession highlighted the growing pressure on the Cherokee Nation to accommodate American expansion.
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Article 2: Financial Compensation and Provisions: In return for the land cession outlined in Article 1, the United States agreed to provide the Cherokee Nation with certain compensations:
- A payment of $2,000 upon ratification of the treaty.
- Annual payments of $2,000 for the subsequent four years, totaling $10,000.
- The construction of a grist mill within one year, located in a convenient location within the Cherokee territory, for the nation’s use.
- The provision of a cotton cleaning machine.
- An annual payment of $100 to the Cherokee chief, Black Fox, for the duration of his life. This article reflects the U.S. government’s attempt to incentivize the land cession through financial and material benefits.
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Article 3: Chickasaw Boundary: The United States committed to using its influence to persuade the Chickasaw Nation to agree to a specific boundary line south of the Tennessee River. This line would begin at the mouth of Caney Creek (near the Muscle Shoals) and run along the creek to its head, then in a direct line to the "Flat Stone or Rock," which served as the old corner boundary. However, the treaty explicitly stated that the United States did not guarantee the establishment of this boundary, only its best efforts to convince the Chickasaw Nation. This provision underscores the complex relationships between the various Native American tribes and the U.S. government’s attempts to manage those relationships.
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Article 4: Chickasaw Claims: The United States agreed to resolve any claims the Chickasaw Nation might have to the two tracts reserved by the Cherokee Nation in Article 1. The U.S. government pledged to settle these claims equitably and ensure the Cherokees retained title to the reserved areas. This article reflects the ongoing disputes and overlapping claims between different Native American tribes, which the U.S. government often sought to mediate, often to its own advantage.
Significance and Impact
The 1806 Washington Treaty (Cherokee) had several significant consequences:
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Land Loss: The most immediate impact was the significant reduction of Cherokee territory. The cession of land north of the Tennessee River opened up vast areas for American settlement, further encroaching on Cherokee lands and disrupting their traditional way of life.
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Increased Dependence: The financial compensation and provisions outlined in the treaty, while seemingly beneficial, also fostered a degree of dependence on the U.S. government. This dependence could be leveraged in future negotiations and potentially undermine Cherokee sovereignty.
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Inter-Tribal Relations: The treaty’s provisions regarding the Chickasaw boundary and claims highlighted the complex relationships between the Cherokee and Chickasaw nations. The U.S. government’s role as a mediator in these disputes further complicated matters and often exacerbated tensions.
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Seeds of Future Conflict: While the treaty aimed to resolve land disputes and establish boundaries, it ultimately contributed to the growing tensions between the Cherokee Nation and the United States. The increasing pressure on Cherokee lands, coupled with the perceived injustices of the treaty process, laid the groundwork for future conflicts, including the tragic events of the Trail of Tears.
Elucidation of 1807
Recognizing some ambiguity in the original treaty, particularly regarding the eastern boundary of the ceded territory, a subsequent elucidation was issued on September 11, 1807. This clarification, conducted by James Robertson and Return J. Meigs under the authority of the U.S. executive, and with the participation of Cherokee chiefs including Black Fox, aimed to resolve doubts concerning the boundary between the Tennessee River and the Tennessee Ridge.
The elucidation specified that the eastern boundary would be a line running from the upper end of the Chickasaw Old Fields to intersect the first waters of the Elk River, then to the Great Cumberland Mountain, and finally along the mountain’s margin to intersect lands previously ceded to the United States.
In consideration of the Cherokee’s willingness to clarify the limits of the land cession and their expenses in attending the council, the U.S. executive agreed to pay the Cherokee Nation an additional $2,000. Furthermore, Cherokee hunters were granted permission to hunt on the ceded tract until settlement made it impractical. This elucidation underscores the ongoing negotiations and adjustments that characterized the relationship between the United States and the Cherokee Nation.
The 1806 Washington Treaty (Cherokee), along with its subsequent elucidation, represents a pivotal moment in the history of the Cherokee Nation and its relationship with the United States. While it aimed to establish boundaries and resolve land disputes, it ultimately contributed to the erosion of Cherokee sovereignty and the tragic displacement of the Cherokee people.
