The year 1818 marked a significant juncture in the relationship between the United States government and several tribes of the Illinois Nation of Indians. On September 25th, at Edwardsville, Illinois, a treaty was formalized between Ninian Edwards and Auguste Chouteau, acting as Commissioners on behalf of the United States, and the principal chiefs and warriors representing the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Mitchigamia, Cahokia, and Tamarois tribes. This agreement, known as the 1818 Treaty with the Peoria, Etc., aimed to clarify land claims, establish protection, and ensure peaceful coexistence.
This article delves into the details of the 1818 Treaty with the Peoria, Etc., examining its historical context, key provisions, and long-term implications for the tribes involved and the expansion of the United States.
Historical Context: The Pre-Existing Treaty and the Peoria Exclusion
To fully understand the impetus behind the 1818 Treaty with the Peoria, Etc., it’s crucial to examine the treaty that preceded it: the Treaty of Vincennes, signed on August 13, 1803. This earlier agreement involved the United States and the head chiefs and warriors of what was termed the Kaskaskia tribe. Critically, the Kaskaskia tribe, according to the documents, comprised and rightfully represented the Kaskaskia, Mitchigamia, Cahokia, and Tamarois tribes of the Illinois Nation. The Treaty of Vincennes resulted in the cession of a substantial tract of land to the United States.
However, a significant oversight occurred. The Peoria Indians, a distinct tribe within the Illinois Nation, were neither represented at Vincennes nor did they receive any compensation for the land ceded under that treaty. The Peoria lived separately from the other tribes and maintained their own land claims. This exclusion created a legal ambiguity and a potential source of conflict.
The 1818 Treaty with the Peoria, Etc. was therefore conceived to rectify this omission. The Peoria tribe, "disposed to cede all their land to the United States," agreed to join the other tribes in confirming the cession made in the Treaty of Vincennes. Furthermore, they aimed to extend that cession to encompass all lands claimed by all five tribes collectively. This unification of land claims was intended to prevent future disputes and facilitate the westward expansion of the United States.
Key Provisions of the 1818 Treaty
The treaty comprised five key articles, each addressing specific aspects of the agreement:
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Article 1: Land Cession: This article forms the core of the treaty. It outlines the boundaries of the land relinquished, ceded, and confirmed to the United States by the head chiefs and warriors of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Mitchigamia, Cahokia, and Tamarois tribes. The boundaries were defined using prominent geographical features:
- Beginning at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
- Up the Ohio River to the mouth of Saline Creek (approximately twelve miles below the mouth of the Wabash River).
- Along the dividing ridge between the waters of Saline Creek and the Wabash River to the general dividing ridge between the waters that flow into the Wabash and the Kaskaskia River.
- Along that ridge until it reaches the waters that flow into the Illinois River.
- A direct line to the confluence of the Kankakee and Maple rivers.
- Down the Illinois River to its confluence with the Mississippi River.
- Down the Mississippi River to the point of beginning.
This vast area encompassed a significant portion of present-day Illinois and parts of surrounding states, representing a substantial transfer of land ownership from the tribes to the United States.
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Article 2: Confirmation of the Treaty of Vincennes: This article explicitly stated that all stipulations contained within the Treaty of Vincennes would remain binding and obligatory on both the United States and the tribes involved. This served to solidify the legal foundation of the land cession initiated in 1803 and ensure the continued validity of its terms.
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Article 3: Protection and Peace: The United States pledged to extend its "immediate care and patronage" to the Peoria and other tribes. This included providing protection against other Indian tribes and "all other persons whatever," equivalent to the protection afforded to U.S. citizens. In return, the Peoria tribe agreed to refrain from engaging in war or any offensive actions against other Indian tribes or foreign nations without the prior approval and consent of the United States. This article established a protectorate relationship, effectively placing the tribes under the authority and control of the U.S. government in matters of external relations.
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Article 4: Annuity and Compensation: In addition to two thousand dollars’ worth of merchandise already provided to the tribes, the United States promised to pay the Peoria tribe an annuity of three hundred dollars for a period of twelve years. This annuity could be paid in money, merchandise, or domestic animals, at the tribe’s discretion. The annuity was to be delivered at the village of St. Genevieve in the territory of Missouri. This provision aimed to provide some measure of economic support to the Peoria tribe in exchange for the land cession.
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Article 5: Land Grant to the Peoria Tribe: The United States agreed to cede 640 acres of land to the Peoria tribe, including their village on the Blackwater River in the territory of Missouri. However, this grant was contingent on the land not being subject to a private claim. If the designated tract was already claimed, the President of the United States would designate another tract of equal size and value for the tribe. The Peoria tribe, in turn, agreed to accept this land grant, along with the presents and annuity, as "a full equivalent for all and every tract of land to which they have any pretence of right or title." This article effectively extinguished all remaining land claims of the Peoria tribe in the region.
Signatories and Witnesses
The treaty was signed by Ninian Edwards and Auguste Chouteau, representing the United States, and by numerous chiefs and warriors from each of the five tribes: Peoria, Kaskaskia, Mitchigamia, Cahokia, and Tamarois. The names of these individuals, along with their marks (indicated by "his x mark"), are listed in the treaty document. The presence of "his x mark" suggests that many of the tribal leaders were not literate in English and relied on interpreters to understand the terms of the treaty.
The treaty was also witnessed by a large group of individuals, including Pascal Cerre (secretary to the commissioners) and other prominent figures such as Abraham Prickett, B. Stephenson, and John McKee. The presence of these witnesses served to authenticate the signing of the treaty and provide a record of the event.
Long-Term Implications and Legacy
The 1818 Treaty with the Peoria, Etc. had profound and lasting consequences for the tribes involved. It marked a significant loss of land and sovereignty, effectively opening up vast territories for American settlement and expansion. While the treaty promised protection and compensation, the reality often fell short of these guarantees. The annuity payments were sometimes delayed or inadequate, and the promised protection from other tribes and settlers was not always effectively enforced.
The land grant to the Peoria tribe, while seemingly generous, was relatively small compared to the vast amount of land ceded by the tribes. Furthermore, the condition that the land not be subject to a private claim introduced uncertainty and potential for further displacement.
The 1818 Treaty with the Peoria, Etc. is a complex and controversial historical document. It represents a pivotal moment in the history of the Illinois Nation of Indians and the expansion of the United States. While it aimed to resolve land disputes and establish peaceful coexistence, it ultimately contributed to the displacement and marginalization of the tribes involved. The treaty serves as a reminder of the complex and often fraught relationship between the United States government and Native American tribes during the 19th century. It highlights the importance of understanding the historical context, the perspectives of all parties involved, and the long-term consequences of treaties and agreements that shaped the American landscape.
