Stockbridge at Stockbridge, Wisconsin (1848)

What happened

On November 24, 1848, commissioners for the United States signed an agreement at Stockbridge, Wisconsin, with the Stockbridge tribe of Indians. The preamble sets out the background. An 1843 act of Congress had provided for dividing the tribe's township on the east side of Lake Winnebago among individuals, who would become citizens. A part of the tribe refused to recognize that act, and an 1846 act repealed it. The agreement says it was impractical to divide the land as the 1846 act required without infringing private rights.

In Article 1 the tribe renounced the benefits of the 1843 act and declared itself under the protection and guardianship of the United States, as other Indian tribes. In Article 3 it sold and relinquished the township east of Lake Winnebago, secured to it by the 1831 treaty with the Menomonee. Article 4 confirmed lands already allotted to members who had become citizens. The treaty states no acreage.

The United States agreed to pay $16,500 to settle affairs and prepare a new home, $14,504.85 for improvements, and $3,000 for the chiefs' expenses since 1843. Another $16,500 was to be invested at not less than five per cent. Under Article 7 the tribe could remain for one year after ratification and would then remove to the country set apart for them, or other land west of the Mississippi that they could secure. The agreement was ratified on March 1, 1849.

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