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<h1>1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie with Sioux, etc.</h1>

The 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, a pivotal moment in the history of the American West, was signed on September 17, 1851. This landmark agreement involved the United States government and various Native American tribes, including the Dakota Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Assiniboine, Gros-Ventre, Mandan, and Arikara nations. These tribes inhabited the vast territory south of the Missouri River, east of the Rocky Mountains, and north of the lines delineating Texas and New Mexico. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the treaty’s provisions, its historical context, and its long-term consequences.

The treaty aimed to establish peace and delineate tribal territories amidst increasing westward expansion by American settlers. Commissioners D.D. Mitchell, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Thomas Fitzpatrick, an Indian Agent, represented the United States government in these negotiations. The goal was to formalize relations and prevent conflicts arising from the influx of settlers and the establishment of infrastructure across Native American lands. The **1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie** represented a significant attempt to manage the escalating tensions on the Great Plains.

The following is the complete text of the treaty:

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.
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.

This initial article underscores the primary objective of the treaty: the establishment of lasting peace among the signatory Native American nations. By committing to abstain from hostilities, the tribes aimed to create a stable environment for their mutual coexistence. This was particularly important given the historical conflicts and competition for resources among these groups.

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.

Article 2 represents a significant concession by the Native American tribes. It acknowledges the right of the U.S. government to construct roads and establish military posts within their designated territories. This provision facilitated westward expansion and the establishment of infrastructure vital for resource extraction, transportation, and military control. It essentially paved the way for increased American presence and influence in the region.

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.

In return for the concessions made in Article 2, the United States pledged to protect the Native American nations from depredations committed by American citizens. This commitment aimed to safeguard the tribes from violence, theft, and other injustices perpetrated by settlers, miners, and other individuals encroaching on their lands. However, the effectiveness of this protection would prove to be a contentious issue in the years following the treaty’s signing.

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, whilst lawfully residing in or passing through their respective territories.

This article established a reciprocal responsibility, requiring the Native American nations to provide restitution for any wrongs committed by their members against American citizens lawfully residing or passing through their territories. This provision aimed to ensure accountability and prevent retaliatory actions by American citizens against entire tribes for the actions of a few individuals. The definition of “lawfully residing” would later become a point of contention, as many settlers entered Native American lands without permission.

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:
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.
The territory of the Gros 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. 
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 creek 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.
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.
The territory of the Crow Nation, commencing at the mouth of Powder River on the Yellowstone; thence up Powder River to its source; thence along the main range of the Black 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.
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 FÃ© road; thence in a northwesterly direction to the forks of the Platte River, and thence up the Platte River to the place of beginning.
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.

Article 5 is the cornerstone of the treaty, defining and acknowledging the territorial boundaries of each participating Native American nation. The detailed descriptions, using natural landmarks and geographical features, aimed to establish clear and undisputed areas of control. However, the article also included an important caveat: the tribes did not relinquish any existing rights or claims to other lands, nor did they surrender their rights to hunt, fish, or travel across the designated territories. This clause reflected the tribes’ understanding of their traditional usage patterns and their desire to maintain access to resources beyond their formally recognized boundaries. This is a key element of the **1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie**.

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.

Article 6 addressed the issue of leadership and representation. It stipulated that the Native American nations would select principal chiefs to represent them in all national business, and the tribes pledged to support these chiefs and their successors as long as they maintained “good behavior.” This article reflected the U.S. government’s preference for dealing with centralized leadership structures, which they believed would facilitate negotiations and enforce treaty obligations. This attempt to standardize leadership roles sometimes clashed with traditional tribal governance systems.

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.

Article 7 outlined the financial compensation that the United States would provide to the Native American nations in exchange for their adherence to the treaty. The U.S. government committed to delivering $50,000 per year for ten years, with a possible extension of five years at the President’s discretion. This compensation would be provided in the form of provisions, merchandise, domestic animals, and agricultural implements, intended to support the tribes’ maintenance and promote the “improvement of their moral and social customs.” The goods were to be distributed based on population. This provision was later amended by the Senate.

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.

A crucial note highlights that the U.S. Senate ratified the treaty with an amendment to Article 7, reducing the annuity period from fifty years to ten years. This change significantly altered the financial benefits for the tribes. All tribes except the Crows accepted the amended treaty. Despite the amendment, the treaty was subsequently recognized as in force in later agreements. The ratification process and subsequent amendments reveal the complexities and challenges in implementing the **1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie**.

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 withhold the whole or aportion 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.

Article 8 provided a mechanism for enforcing the treaty. It stipulated that if any Native American nation violated the treaty’s provisions, the United States could withhold all or part of the annuity payments until the President deemed that proper satisfaction had been made. This provision gave the U.S. government significant leverage in ensuring compliance with the treaty’s terms. However, it also created the potential for abuse, as the definition of “violation” and “proper satisfaction” could be interpreted subjectively.

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-toe-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:
BÃ¨-ah-tÃ©-a-qui-sah, his x mark.
Neb-ni-bah-seh-it, his x mark.
Beh-kah-jay-beth-sah-es, his x mark.
Crows:
Arra-tu-ri-sash, his x mark.
Doh-chepit-seh-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 ofâ
A. B. Chambers, secretary.
S. Cooper, colonel, U. S. Army.
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.
Robert Meldrum, interpreter for the Crows.
H. Culbertson, interpreter for Assiniboines and Gros Ventres.
Francois LâEtalie, interpreter for Arick arees.
John Pizelle, interpreter for the Arrapahoes.
B. Gratz Brown.
Robert Campbell.
Edmond F. Chouteau.
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