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Treaty

Winnebago at St. Louis (1816)

In June 1816, a Winnebago group on the Wisconsin River, separated from their nation, made peace with the United States.

Signed
June 3, 1816
Senate
Ratified

What happened

On 3 June 1816, William Clark, Ninian Edwards and Auguste Chouteau, commissioners of the United States, signed a treaty of peace and friendship with the chiefs and warriors of one part of the Winnebago nation, those residing on the Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) River.

The preamble says these chiefs and warriors, and the portion of the nation they represent, had separated themselves from the rest of the nation, live in a village on the river, and wished to return to friendly relations with the United States. Article 1 forgives every injury or act of hostility on either side and renews the friendly relations that existed before the late war.

In Article 2 they confirmed to the United States every land cession made by their nation to the British, French or Spanish government within the limits of the United States, and every treaty with the United States, as far as their interest in them extended. In Article 3 they acknowledged themselves under United States protection and that of no other power.

In Article 4 they promised to remain distinct and separate from the rest of their nation, giving it no aid, until peace was also concluded between the United States and the whole Winnebago nation. Article 5 had both sides deliver all prisoners to the officer commanding at Prairie du Chien. The page lists a proclamation on 30 December 1816.

Summarized with AI assistance from 4 sources and checked against their words; not yet reviewed by historians or by the nations. Report an error

What the sources say, and how this was checked

Well supported by the sources below.

  1. have separated themselves from the rest of their nation, and reside in a village on the Ouisconsin riverTreaty with the Winnebago, 1816, Tribal Treaties Database
  2. do further promise to remain distinct and separate from the rest of their tribe or nation, giving them no aid or assistance whateverTreaty with the Winnebago, 1816, Tribal Treaties Database
  3. confirm to the United States all and every cession of land heretofore made by their nation to the British, French, or Spanish governmentTreaty with the Winnebago, 1816, Tribal Treaties Database
  4. to the officer commanding at Prairie du ChienTreaty with the Winnebago, 1816, Tribal Treaties Database

Research notes. This treaty speaks for only the group on the Wisconsin River, not the whole Winnebago nation, as the text says. Which of today's Ho-Chunk or Winnebago communities descend from this group is not stated on the page. The earlier cessions are not described.

What happened next

Everything the record holds about this land and this treaty, in order: what earlier agreements said, what this one did, and what the United States, the courts and the nations did afterwards.

Who is doing the work today

The nations connected to this treaty come first, then groups returning land and defending treaty rights. Support goes directly to them.

This history belongs to living nations. Start with them:

Native legal and land defense, nationally

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Sources

  1. treaties.okstate.edu/treaties/treatywiththewinnebago1816reference work
    June 3, 1816. | 7 Stat., 144. / scan: 130 TREATY WITH THE WINNEBAGO, 1816.

Shapes are approximate and are not legal descriptions of land, title or jurisdiction.