Letter-1825, November 10

Typed Copy of Letter to James Barbour, Secretary of War, from William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, transmitting the Treaty made with the Shawnee Tribe and describing the Agreement

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Superintendency of Ind: Affrs.
St. Louis Novr 10 1825
Clark W.

Sir

    I have the honor to inclose [sic] herewith a Treaty made with the Shawonees [sic] late of Cape Gerodeau [sic] in the State of Missouri by which they cede to the United States the tract of County in which they settled under a grant from the Spanish Government in exchange for which I have assigned to them Lands West of the State of Missouri at the South West corner with a witdth [sic] of 25 miles extending West 100 miles, with the plivaledge [sic] of selecting in exchange the like quantity of Lands on the Kansas river on or before the month of April next – For their improvements which they abandoned on the Land ceded and to enable that Tribe and the Delewares [sic] who had occupied the Land, to reistablish [sic] themselves in their new settlement, I have promised $9000, & domestic annimals [sic], utensils of husbandry, and provisions to the amount of $5000—Their losses by White people in horses cattle implements of husbandry money provisions &c &c, have been very considerable as will be seen by the accompanying paper for which I have stipulated to allow them $11,000; which amount is considered by many more acquainted with their misfortunes, to be greatly under their just claims – In the negotiation I have been governed by a regard to economy and what I considered strict justice. Those unfortunate people abandoned their Lands under assurances of being permitted to occupy other lands on Current River which a part of that Tribe settled and made valuable improvements and by the encroachments of the Whites have been compelled to remove and scatter into small bands, since which time they have experienced much loss and great distress for want of food; indeed, I have had several time to supply parties of them with corn to prevent them from starving.

    A Deputation of those Showonees and Delewares with some Chiefs form Ohio intende [sic] to examine the County assigned to the Showonees, and also the Country purchased of the Kansas, and make kown [sic] to me what portion of the Country West of this state they may wish to have assigned to them, I think it more that probable they will prefer the country about the Kansas River, as the several Tribes of Showonees Delewares, Kickapoos, Senacas &c,  will be enabled to settle nearer each other in that quarter then they can near the Arkansas, as there is more front on the State line and Country greatly preferable.

    Several of the Chiefs of Showonees of Ohio, Senecas and Cherokees attended and the Treaty just concluded with the Showonees of Cape Geredeau -. Those Several Chiefs of Showonees & Semecas having brought with them their families, followed by a large part of Men Women & Children from the State of Ohio; those Indians late from Ohio with a few Showonees of Cape Geredeau will sustain themselves this winter from the wild game they can take in the Swamps on the St Francis river and 200 Bushels of Corn which I have promised to furnish them with in the settlements.

I have the Honor to be
With sentiments of High
respect & esteem
Yr Mo Obt Huml Sevt
Wm Clark

The Hon:
James Barbour
Secty of War

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[From the National Archives Catalog, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/169371356.]