920

INDIAN COUNCIL AT PORTAGE DES SIOUX.

1815.

the United States. This treaty during the next year was followed by treaties with the various Indian tribes of the west and northwest, giving quiet and security to the frontiers once more.

About the middle of July, 1815, a large number of Indians, as 1815.] deputies from the nations and tribes of the North-West, assembled at Portage des Sioux, on the right bank of the Mississippi, a few miles above the mouth of the Missouri, to negotiate treaties of peace with the United States. The commissioners were the Governor of Missouri, and Superintendent of Indian Affairs west of the Mississippi, the Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Illinois, and Auguste Chouteau, of St. Louis. Robert Wash, was secretary to the commission. Colonel Dodge, with a strong military force was present, to prevent any collision or surprise.

The first in order was with the Pottawattamies. Every injury or act of hostility by either party against the other, was to be mutually forgiven; all prisoners to be delivered up; and "in sincerity and mutual friendship," every treaty, contract, and agreement, heretofore made between the United States and the Pottawattamie nation to be recognized, re-established, and confirmed. The same day a similar treaty was made with the Piankeshaics.

On the 19th of July, a series of treaties were made separately with several tribes of the Sioux or Dakotah nation. Similar terms were granted as to the Pottawattamies, and these branches of the Sioux nation acknowledged themselves under the protection of the United States.

On the 20th, a similar treaty was made with the Mahas, from the Upper Missouri.

The next in order was with the Kickapoos, on the 2d of September, and the conditions exactly similar to those of the Pottawattamies.

On the 13th of September, a treaty was made with that portion of the Sac nation of Indians, then residing on the Missouri river, represented by twelve chiefs.

They affirmed that they had endeavored to fulfill the treaty made at St. Louis, on the 3d day of November, 1804, in perfect good faith ; and for that purpose had been compelled to separate themselves from the rest of their nation, and remove to the Missouri river, where they had continued to give proofs of their friendship and fidelity; they propose to confirm and re-establish the treaty of 1804; that they will continue to live separate and distinct from the