Sioux (Hunkpapa) at Arikara Village (1825)

What happened

On 16 July 1825, at the Auricara (Arikara) Village, Brigadier General Henry Atkinson and Major Benjamin O'Fallon, Indian agent, signed a treaty for the United States with the chiefs, head men and warriors of the Hunkpapas band of the Sioux tribe.

In Article 1 of the treaty, the Hunkpapas band admit that they live within the territorial limits of the United States, acknowledge its supremacy, and claim its protection, and they admit the right of the United States to regulate all trade and intercourse with them. In return the United States agrees to receive them into its friendship and under its protection, and to extend such benefits and acts of kindness as the President thinks convenient, just and proper.

Trade is to happen only at places the President designates, and only American citizens the United States has authorized may trade with them. The United States agrees to license traders under mild and equitable regulations; the tribe agrees to protect those traders and to arrest unauthorized outsiders. For injuries by individuals there is to be no private revenge. Chiefs must deliver accused persons to be punished under United States law, and try to recover stolen horses. The United States guarantees indemnity if its own citizens steal from them and the property cannot be recovered. The tribe also promises never to supply guns or ammunition to any nation not in amity with the United States.

The treaty cedes no land. The treaty was proclaimed on 6 February 1826.

Good to know. The promised protection and benefits were left to what the President found "convenient" and "just and proper", and the text gives only the U.S. commissioners' view.

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