Chippewa (Swan Creek and Black River Bands in Michigan) at Washington, DC (1836)

What happened

On May 9, 1836, Henry R. Schoolcraft, commissioner for the United States, signed a treaty at Washington with the chiefs of the Swan Creek and Black River bands of the Chippewa, living in Michigan. The preamble says these bands had held reservations since the 1807 treaty at Detroit. It says they wished to fix their residence at a place more favorable to their permanent improvement and happiness, and authorized their chiefs to go to Washington to arrange this.

Article 1 ceded four tracts near Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River. They were three miles square (5,760 acres) on Swan Creek, a section and three quarters near Salt Creek, a quarter section at the mouth of the Au Vaseau, and two sections near the mouth of the Black River. The treaty estimates the total at 8,320 acres, more or less.

In Article 2 the United States agreed to pay the net proceeds of selling the land. Ten thousand dollars would be paid in annuities of $1,000 a year for ten years, and the rest invested in State stock. Article 3 advanced $2,500 and $4,000 in goods. In Article 4 the United States agreed to furnish 8,320 acres, or thirteen sections, west of the Mississippi or northwest of St. Anthony's Falls, to be located by a government agent. The treaty was proclaimed on May 25, 1836. The sources used here do not say what followed.

Good to know. The 8,320-acre figure is the treaty's own estimate ("more or less").

Summarized with AI assistance from 3 sources and checked against their words; not yet reviewed by historians or by the nations. Report an error