Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek

The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was a treaty signed on September 27, 1830 (and proclaimed on 24 February 1831) between the Choctaw (an American Indian tribe) and the United States Government. This was the first removal treaty carried into effect under the Indian Removal Act. The treaty ceded about 11 million acres (45,000 km²) of the Choctaw Nation (now Mississippi) in exchange for about 15 million acres (61,000 km²) in the Indian territory (now the state of Oklahoma). The principal Choctaw negotiators was Chief Greenwood LeFlore, Musholatubbee, and Nittucachee; U.S. negotiators were Colonel John Coffee and Secretary of War John Eaton. Site of the signing of this treaty is located in the south west corner of Noxubee County, Mississippi in the United States; the site was known to the Choctaws as "Chukfi Ahihla Bogue" ("Dancing Rabbit Creek"). The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was the last major land secession treaty the Choctaws signed.

Overview

On August 25, 1830, the Choctaws were supposed to meet with Andrew Jackson in Franklin, Tennessee, but Greenwood Leflore informed Secretary of War John H. Eaton that the warriors were fiercely opposed to attending. cite book
last = Remini
first = Robert
title = Andrew Jackson
origdate = 1977, 1998
publisher = History Book Club
chapter = "Brothers, Listen ... You Must Submit"
page = 272
id = ISBN 0965063107 ] U.S. President Andrew Jackson was upset. Journalist Len Green writes "although angered by the Choctaw refusal to meet him in Tennessee, Jackson felt from LeFlore's words that he might have a foot in the door and dispatched Secretary of War Eaton and John Coffee to meet with the Choctaws in their nation." cite web
url = http://www.tc.umn.edu/~mboucher/mikebouchweb/choctaw/chotreat.htm
title = Choctaw Treaties
accessdate = 2008-03-21
author = Len Green
last = Green
first = Len
month = October | year = 1978
format = HTML
publisher = Bishinik] Jackson appointed Eaton and General John Coffee as commissioners to represent him to meet the Choctaws where the "rabbits gather to dance."

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left|thumb|300px| The approximate areas where the Choctaw Nation and the United States leaders were seated."> cite book
last = Sledge
first = Broox
title = Dancing Rabbit
origdate = 1986
publisher = Noxubee County Historical Society
chapter =
page =
id = ]

The commissioners met with the chiefs and headmen on September 15, 1830, at Dancing Rabbit Creek. cite book
last = Remini
first = Robert
title = Andrew Jackson
origdate = 1977, 1998
publisher = History Book Club
chapter = "Brothers, Listen ... You Must Submit"
page =
id = ISBN 0965063107 ] In carnival-like atmosphere, the policy of removal was explained to a audience of 6,000 men, women and children. The Choctaws would now face migration or submit to U.S. law as citizens. The treaty would sign away the remaining traditional homeland to the United States; however, a provision in the treaty made removal more acceptable.

The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was one of the largest ever signed between the United States Government and American Indians in time of peace. The treaty signed away the remaining traditional homeland of the Choctaw to the United States. Article 14 of that treaty allowed for some Choctaws to remain in the state of Mississippi:

:"ART. XIV. Each Choctaw head of a family being desirous to remain and become a citizen of the States, shall be permitted to do so, by signifying his intention to the Agent within six months from the ratification of this Treaty, and he or she shall thereupon be entitled to a reservation of one section of six hundred and forty acres of land, to be bounded by sectional lines of survey; in like manner shall be entitled to one half that quantity for each unmarried child which is living with him over ten years of age; and a quarter section to such child as may be under 10 years of age, to adjoin the location of the parent. If they reside upon said lands intending to become citizens of the States for five years after the ratification of this Treaty, in that case a grant in fee simple shall issue; said reservation shall include the present improvement of the head of the family, or a portion of it. Persons who claim under this article shall not lose the privilege of a Choctaw citizen, but if they ever remove are not to be entitled to any portion of the Choctaw annuity." cite web
url = http://www.choctaw.org/history/treaties.htm
title = Treaties
accessdate = 2008-02-06
author = Bob Ferguson
last = Ferguson
first = Bob
coauthors =
year = 2001
format = HTML
work =
publisher = Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians]

The Choctaw would become the first of the "Five Civilized Tribes" to be removed from the southeastern United States, as the federal and state government desired Indian lands to accommodate a growing agrarian Anglo society. Along with the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Seminole, the Choctaw attempted to resurrect their traditional lifestyle and government in their new homeland. In 1831, tens of thousands of Choctaw walked the 800km journey to Oklahoma and many died. Fact|date=February 2008

The Choctaw at this crucial time became two distinct groups-- the Nation in Oklahoma and the Tribe in Mississippi. The nation retained its autonomy to regulate itself, but the tribe left in Mississippi had to submit to state and U.S. laws. Under article XIV, Mississippi Choctaws would become the first major non-European ethnic group to become U.S. citizens in 1830. cite web
url = http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/cho0310.htm#mn15
title = INDIAN AFFAIRS: LAWS AND TREATIES Vol. II, Treaties
accessdate = 2008-04-16
author = Charles Kappler
last = Kappler
first = Charles
year = 1904
format = HTML
publisher = Government Printing Office] cite book
last = Baird
first = David
title = The Choctaw People
origdate = 1973
publisher = Indian Tribal Series
location = United States
chapter = The Choctaws Meet the Americans, 1783 to 1843
page = 36
id = Library of Congress 73-80708] The Choctaws also sought to put a representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Terms

The preamble begins with,

The following terms of the treaty were:

1. Perpetual peace and friendship.
2. Lands (in what is now Oklahoma) west of the Mississippi River to be conveyed to the Choctaw Nation.
3. Lands east of the Mississippi River to be ceded and removal to begin in 1831 and end in 1833.
4. Autonomy of the Choctaw Nation (in Oklahoma) and descendants to be secured from laws of U.S. states and territories forever.
5. U.S. will serve as protectorate of the Choctaw Nation.
6. Choctaw or party of Choctaws part of violent acts against the U.S. citizens or property will be delivered to the U.S. authorities.
7. Offenses against Choctaws and their property by U.S. citizens and other tribes will be examined and every possible degree of justice applied.
8. No harboring of U.S. fugitives with all expenses to capture him or her paid by the U.S.
9. Persons ordered from Choctaw Nation.
10. Traders require a written permit.

11. Navigable streams will be free for Choctaws, U.S. post-offices will be established in the Choctaw Nation, and U.S. military posts and roads may be created.
12. Intruders will be removed from the Choctaw Nation. U.S. citizens stealing Choctaw property shall be returned and offender punished. Choctaw offending U.S. laws shall be given a fair and impartial trial.
13. U.S. agent appointed to the Choctaws every four years.
14. Choctaws may become U.S. citizens and are entitled to convert|640|acre|km2 of land (in Mississippi) with additional land for children.
15. Lands granted to the Choctaw chiefs (Greenwood LeFlore, Musholatubbee, and Nittucachee) with annuities granted to each of them.
16. Transportation in wagons and steamboats will be provided at the costs of the U.S. Ample food will be provided during the removal and 12 months after reaching the new homes. Reimbursements will be provided for cattle left in Mississippi Territory.
17. Annutities to Choctaws to continue from other treaties. Additional payments after removal.
18. Choctaw Country to be surveyed
19. Lands granted to I. Garland, Colonel Robert Cole, Tuppanahomer, John Pytchlynn, Charles Juzan, Johokebetubbe, Eaychahobia, and Ofehoma.
20. Improve the Choctaw condition with Education. Provide tools, weapons, and steel.
21. Choctaw Warriors who fought with U.S. General Wayne during the American Revolution and Northwest Indian War will receive an annuity.
22. Choctaw delegate on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

ignatories

The main signatories included John Eaton, John Coffee, Greenwood Leflore, Musholatubbee, and Nittucachee. Nearly 200 other signatures are on the treaty.

Aftermath

After ceding nearly convert|11000000|acre|km2, the Choctaw emigrated in three stages: the first in the fall of 1831, the second in 1832 and the last in 1833. cite book
last = Remini
first = Robert
title = Andrew Jackson
origdate = 1977, 1998
publisher = History Book Club
chapter = "Brothers, Listen ... You Must Submit"
page = 273 ] The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was ratified by the U.S. Senate on February 25, 1831, and the President was anxious to make it a model of removal. George W. Harkins wrote a letter to the American people before the removals began.

cquote|"It is with considerable diffidence that I attempt to address the American people, knowing and feeling sensibly my incompetency; and believing that your highly and well improved minds would not be well entertained by the address of a Choctaw. But having determined to emigrate west of the Mississippi river this fall, I have thought proper in bidding you farewell to make a few remarks expressive of my views, and the feelings that actuate me on the subject of our removal ... We as Choctaws rather chose to suffer and be free, than live under the degrading influence of laws, which our voice could not be heard in their formation ... Much as the state of Mississippi has wronged us, I cannot find in my heart any other sentiment than an ardent wish for her prosperity and happiness."|20px|20px|-George W. Harkins, "George W. Harkins to the American People" cite web
url = http://anpa.ualr.edu/trailOfTears/letters/1831DecemberGeorgeWHarkinstotheAmericanPeople.htm
title = 1831 - December - George W. Harkins to the American People
accessdate = 08-02-13
author = George W. Harkins
last = Harkins
first = George
year = 1831
format = HTML]

Around 15,000 Choctaws left the old Choctaw Nation for the lands in what is called Oklahoma today.cite book
last = Satz
first = Ronald
editor = Samuel J. Wells and Roseanna Tubby
title = After Removal, The Choctaw in Mississippi
origdate = 1986
publisher = University Press of Mississippi
location = Jackson and London
chapter = The Mississippi Choctaw: From the Removal Treaty to the Federal Agency
page = 7] The Choctaw word "Oklahoma" means red people. Between 5,000–6,000 Choctaws remained in Mississippi in 1831 after the initial removal efforts.cite book
last = Walter
first = Williams
title = Southeastern Indians: Since the Removal Era
origdate = 1979
publisher = University of Georgia Press
location = Athens, Georgia
chapter = Three Efforts at Development among the Choctaws of Mississippi] For the next ten years they were objects of increasing legal conflict, harassment, and intimidation. The Choctaws describe their situation in 1849, "we have had our habitations torn down and burned, our fences destroyed, cattle turned into our fields and we ourselves have been scourged, manacled, fettered and otherwise personally abused, until by such treatment some of our best men have died." Joseph B. Cobb, who moved to Mississippi from Georgia, described Choctaws as having "no nobility or virtue at all, and in some respect he found blacks, especially native Africans, more interesting and admirable, the red man's superior in every way. The Choctaw and Chickasaw, the tribes he knew best, were beneath contempt, that is, even worse than black slaves."cite book
last = Hudson
first = Charles
title = Red, White, and Black; Symposium on Indians in the Old South
origdate = 1971
publisher = University of Georgia Press
chapter = The Ante-Bellum Elite
page = 80
id = SBN 820303089] The removals continued well into the early 20th century. In 1903, three hundred Mississippi Choctaws were persuaded to move to the Nation in Oklahoma.

The Choctaw Nation continued to thrive until Oklahoma was created as a state. The descendants of the Choctaws who stayed in their ancient homeland in Mississippi re-organized themselves as the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in 1945.

See also

* List of Choctaw Treaties
*Treaty of Hopewell
*Treaty of Fort Adams
*Treaty of Fort Confederation
*Treaty of Hoe Buckintoopa
*Treaty of Mount Dexter
*Treaty of Fort St. Stephens
*Treaty of Doak's Stand
*Treaty of Washington City
*List of treaties

Citations

External links

* [http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/cho0310.htm Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties (Treaty with the Choctaw, 1830)]
* [http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/naind/html/na_040300_treatyofdanc.htm Article about the treaty from "Encyclopedia of North American Indians"]
* [http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v007/v007p323.html 1929 account of the treaty]