USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 2
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When at last all was ready, the European skies were darkened with impending war. In the meantime, trouble was brewing in America. Spain controlled both banks of the Mississippi, at New Orleans, and claimed the right to close the river to all commerce except the Spanish. The settlers
67
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
of Kentucky, Tennessee and other parts of the Mississippi valley, were demanding an open outlet through New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico and the rest of the world wherever they wished to trade. This controversy was serious. Could Napoleon, with all of his power and resources, afford in an altercation with America, when every resource might soon be de- manded at home? A weaker man might have felt that he was committed to the American trade and pushed it through, let the cost be what it might ; but Napoleon measured the crisis accurately, gave up the plan so long wished and worked for and entered at once upon a new scheme. He determined, that if he could not rule two continents, he would at lease be the master of Europe.
When Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States was inaugurated in A. D. 1801, he was confronted with more difficulties than any of his predecessors, among them was the necessity of placating the South and West sections that had rendered him such powerful aid in his election, which were exasperated, almost beyond endurance, because their outlet to the sea was blocked by the Spaniards. When it became known that Louisiana had been retroceded by Spain to France, the excitement increased, for it was thought that the more vigorous policy upon which Spain had entered had been inspired by France, which expected soon to be in possession and would certainly embarrass the United States.
Mr. Jefferson was a man of peace, wise, humane and of good moral courage. The very air was full of war talk. Congress, under Federalist influence, considered a plan for appropriating $5,000,000.00 and enlisting. an army of 50,000 men to seize the mouth of the Mississippi before the French could get possession of the country. Mr. Jefferson had loved the French and could not believe they had any animosity toward America. That confidence, and his desire that the peaceful relations then existing between France and America should be maintained, caused him to try to reach another way out of the trouble, rather than appeal to the Court of Arms.
Soon after his inauguration, he sent Livingston to Paris, with instruc- tions to arrange, if possible, a settlement of all controversies upon a friendly basis. In the meantime, the turmoil increased and besides, Mr. Livingston, he sent Mr. James Monroe, giving him $2,000,000.00 cash in hand and giving him full power to contract for the purchase of New Orleans and Florida. He had no thought of purchasing the great country West of the Mississippi, River. He had in mind, however, a plan to make explorations of it, although it was nominally Spanish territory. That part
68
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
of the country was almost as little known at that time, as the antarctic regions are today. Mr. Jefferson's private secretary, at that time was Captain Meriwether Lewis, of the regular army. Captain Lewis was a finely educated man, very enterprising, and filled with all the ambition that young officers usually have. He and Mr. Jefferson had discussed plans for an expedition into the untracked desert. Mr. Jefferson's appointee, Mr. Livingston, had worked on his mission for many months in vain. When his co-laborer, Mr. Monroe, arrived in Paris, they were met with a much larger proposition than either of them had ever considered, or dreamed of. The policy of the French government had been completely changed.
The old friend of the negotiation, Barbe Marbois, Minister of the Treasury, who had lived in America, came to them from Napoleon demand- ing that they should buy, not simply New Orleans and the mouth of the river, but the vast Louisiana Territory ; that the purchase price should not be $2,000,000 but $15,000,000 and that the bargain should be signed and sealed at once. While they had no specific instructions to make such a purchase, they yielded to the will of Napoleon, assumed the risk and con- summated the deal. As soon as the deal was closed, Napoleon knowing that the Louisiana Territory would never fall into the hands of England, began to threaten them, as well as Austria.
In due time news reached Mr. Jefferson of what had been done. He believed fully that the Constitution gave the President no authority to make such purchase. He, along with a great many other Americans, be- lieved what had been bought was worthless. The administration was sick at heart over the situation. The opposition was furious and raised a great roar of denunciation and objection.
On April 30th, A. D. 1805, France deeded it to the United States for and in consideration of the agreed amount to-wit: $15,000,000.00. The payments were made as follows: $11,250,000 cash, the remainder, $3,750,000, in liquidated claims, that certain citizens of the United States held against France.
From the foregoing it will be learned, that France has twice, and Spain once, held sway over the territory now occupied by the State of Missouri.
The great financial needs of Napoleon gave the government of the United States the chance to acquire another vast part of North America to itself. As months passed by the confusion and anger that the purchase had caused subsided. It made no difference how much the Eastern people saved and served, the South and West were well pleased with the result.
69
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
The mouth of the Mississippi River was opened to commerce to and from the whole world, and the great West was opened to whosoever wished to enter therein.
The vast stretch of wilderness, an unknown country, lying west of the great river, where the foot of white men had scarcely been set. Its re- sources and boundaries were only to be known from explorations and ob- servations. When Congress met in October, A. D. 1803, a great majority sustained the purchase, and on the 31st day of that month, authorized the President to take possession of it and provide a temporary government for the same. As soon as all matters had been finally arranged Mr. Jeffer- son, commissioned Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to organize a party, and explore the country from the Mississippi River to. the Pacific. These two young men were Virginians and had descended from the hardy pioneers that had conquered the wilderness of their native state. They had not been raised in the lap of luxury and idleness, but had grown up with the idea installed into them that when called upon for duty, they must respond and carry into their work every ounce of force and energy of which they were capable.
Immediately after their appointment, or detail was ordered, they began their preparation for the long, arduous and unknown duty. They selected a force of about forty young, strong, healthy men and swore them into the service of the United States army. On the 14th day of May, A. D. 1804, they set out from St. Louis to cross the continent. They had a boat 55 feet long rowed by 22 oars. It was so made, that by raising the sides built up in the center, it could be made into a kind of stockade for protection in case of an attack from the Indians.
The party started from what is known as the mouth of Wood River, a small stream that empties into the Mississippi River, just opposite the mouth of the Missouri River. Captain Lewis followed his instructions to the letter and kept a diary of every day's trails, together with a report of what he saw. On the 23rd day of June, we find the following: "The winds were against us this morning and became so violent that we made only three and one-half miles and were obliged to lie to during the day at a small island. This is separated from the northern side of the narrow channel which can not be passed by boats, being choked by trees and drift wood. Directly opposite on the south is a high commanding position, more than seventy feet above high water mark and overlooking the river, which is here of but little width. This spot has many advantages for a fort and trading house with the Indians."
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
This is the spot where the government located Fort Clark, the name of which was afterward changed to Fort Osage, in the year A. D. 1808. When Fort Osage was built it was the furtherest west of any military establishment in North America.
During all the time that England, France and Spain were claiming to own all of Louisiana, there were another set of claimants that had to be dealt with, that is, the Indians. They based their claims upon the grounds of "discovery and possession". When Columbus discovered America he found them in this country and in absolute possession of it, and by all laws of fairness and justice, it was theirs.
CHAPTER II
INDIAN TREATY OF 1808.
INDIAN TERRITORIAL CLAIMS-RELINQUISHED BY TREATY NOV. 10, 1908-TERRI- TORY EAST OF FORT CLARK-TEXT OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENT-PETER CHAUTEAU, COMMISSIONER-SIGNED BY CHIEFS AND WARRIORS OF GREAT AND LITTLE OSAGE NATIONS.
Some facetious writer has said that the first thing the Pilgrim Fathers did when they landed from the Mayflower was to fall upon their knees, the next thing was to fall upon the "Aboriginees". The Osage Indians laid claim to all that part west of the Mississippi River and north of the Arkansas River. The government, wishing to maintain friendly relations with them entered into a solemn treaty with them, in which they relin- quished their claim to all the land lying east of a line beginning at Fort Clark and running south to the Arkansas River, down said river to the Mississippi, up the same to the mouth of the Missouri River, up same to the beginning. That line embraced a strip of land three miles wide on the eastern side of Jackson County.
This treaty was made on November 10, 1808, and in order to give a clear idea of the whole transaction it is given here in full.
TREATY WITH THE OSAGES, 1808, NOVEMBER 10.
Articles of a treaty made and concluded on the right bank of the Mis- souri, about five miles above Fire Prairie in the territory of Louisiana, the tenth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hun- dred and Eight, between Peter Chauteau, esquire, agent for the Osage, and specially commissioned and instructed to enter into same by his excel- lency Meriwether Lewis, Governor and Superintendent of Indian affairs
-
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
for the territory aforesaid, in behalf of the United States of America, of the one part, and the chiefs and warriors of the Great and Little Osage, for themselves and their nations, respectively on the other part.
ARTICLE I.
The United States being anxious to promote peace, friendship and intercourse with the Osage tribes, to afford them every assistance in their power and to protect them from the insults and injuries of other tribes of Indians, situated near the settlements of the white people, have thought proper to build a fort on the right bank of the Missouri, a few miles above the Fire Prairie, and do agree to garrison the same with as many regular troops as the President of the United States may, from time to time, deem necessary for the protection of all orderly, friendly and well disposed Indians of the Great and little Osage nations, who reside at their place, and who do strictly conform and pursue the counsels or administra- tions of the President of the United States through his subordinate officers.
ARTICLE II.
The United States being also anxious that the Great and Little Osage, resident as aforesaid, should be regularly supplied with every species of merchandise, which their comfort hereafter require, do engage to establish at this place, and permanently to continue at all seasons of the year, a well assorted store of goods, for the purpose of bartering with them, on moderate terms, for their peltries and furs.
ARTICLE III.
The United States agree to furnish at this place, for the use of the Osage nations, a blacksmith shop and tools to mend their arms and uten- sils of husbandry and engage to build them a horse-mill or water-mill; also to furnish them with ploughs and to build for the great chief of the Little Osage, a strong block house in each of their towns, which are to be established near this fort.
ARTICLE IV.
With a view to quiet the animosities which, at the present exist between the inhabitants of the territory of Louisiana and the Osage nations, in consequence of the lawless depredations of the latter, the United States do further agree to pay their own citizens, the full value of such property
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
as they can legally prove to have been stolen or destroyed by the said Osage, since the acquisition of Louisiana, by the United States provided the same does not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars.
ARTICLE V.
In consideration of the lands relinquished by the Great and Little Osage, to the United States as stipulated in the sixth article of this treaty, the United States promises to deliver at Fire Prairie, or at St. Louis yearly, to the Great Osage nation, merchandise to the amount or value of One Thousand Dollars, and to the Little Osage nation, merchandise to the amount of value of Five Hundred Dollars, the value of said merchandise at the first cost thereof, in the city or place in the United States, where the same shall have been procured.
And in addition to the merchandise aforesaid, the United States have and before the signature of these articles, paid to the Great Osage nation the sum of Eight Hundred Dollars and to the Little Osage nations, the sum of Four Hundred Dollars.
ARTICLE VI.
And in consideration of the advantages which we derive from the stipulations contained in the foregoing articles, we, the chiefs and war- riors of the Great and Little Osage, for ourselves and our nations respec- tively, covenant and agree with the United States, that the boundary line between our nations and the United States shall be as follows, to-wit:
Beginning at Fort Clark on the Missouri, five miles above Fire Prairie and running thence a due South course to the river Arkansas, and down the same to the Mississippi, thereby ceding and relinquishing for ever to the United States all the lands which lie East of said line and North of the southwardly banks of the said river Arkansas, and all lands situated north- wardly of the river Missouri. And we do further cede and relinquish to the United States forever, a tract of two leagues square, to embrace Fort Clark, and to be laid off in such manner as the President of the United States shall think proper.
ARTICLE VII.
And it is mutually agreed by the contracting parties, that the bound- ary lines hereby established, shall be run and marked at the expense of the United States, as soon as circumstances or their convenience will per- mit, and the Great and Little Osage promise to depute two chiefs from each
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
of their respective nations, to accompany the commissioner or commis- sioners who may be appointed on the part of the United States to settle and adjust the said boundary line.
ARTICLE VIII.
And the United States agree that such of the Great and Little Osage Indians, as may think proper to put themselves under the protection of Fort Clark, and who observe the stipulations of this treaty, with good faith, shall be permitted to live and hunt, without molestation on all that tract of country, west of the north and south boundary line on which they, the said Great and Little Osage, have usually hunted, or resided ; Provided, the same be not the hunting ground of any nation or tribe of Indians in amity with the United States; and on any other lands within the territory of Louisiana, without the limits of the white settlement. until the United States may think proper to assign the same as hunting ground to other friendly Indians.
ARTICLE IX.
Lest the friendship which is now established between the United States and the said Indian Nations should be interrupted by the miscon- duct of individuals, it is hereby agreed that for injuries done by individ- uals, no private revenge or retaliation shall take place, but instead thereof complaints shall be made by the party injured to the other, by the said nations, or either of them to the superintendent or other person appointed by the President to the chiefs of the said nation; and it shall be the duty of the said chiefs, upon complaints being made, as aforesaid, to deliver up the person or persons, against whom the complaint is made to the end that he or they may be punished agreeably to the laws of the State or territory, where the offense may have been committed; and in like man- ner, if the robbery violence or murder shall be committed on any Indian or Indians, belonging to either of said nations, the person or persons offending shall be tried, and, if found guilty, shall be punished in like manner as if the injury had been done to a white man. And it is agreed that the chiefs of the Great and Little Osage shall to the utmost of their power, exert themselves to recover horses or other property which may be stolen from any citizen or citizens of the United States, by any individual or individuals, of either of their nations; and the property so recovered, shall be forthwith delivered to the superintendent or other person author- ized to receive it, that it may be restored to the proper owner ; and in cases
75
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
where the exertions of the chiefs shall be ineffectual, in recovering the property stolen, as aforesaid, if sufficient proof can be adduced, that such property was actually stolen, by any Indian, or Indians, belonging to the said nations, or either of them the superintendent, or other proper officer, may deduct from the annunity of the said nations respectively, a sum equal to the value of the property which has been stolen. And the United States hereby guarantee to any Indian or Indians of the said nations respectively, a full indemnification for any horses, or other property, which may have been stolen from them by any of their citizens; Provided, that the prop- erty so stolen can not be recovered, and that sufficient proof was provided that it was actually stolen by a citizen of the United States, and the said nations of the Great and Little Osage engage on the requisition or demand of the President of the United States, or of the superintendent to deliver up any white man resident among them.
ARTICLE X.
The United States receive the Great and Little Osage Nations into their friendship and under their protection ; and the said nations, on their part, declare that they will consider themselves under the protection of no other power, whatsoever; disclaiming all right to cede, sell or in any man- ner transfer their lands to any foreign power, or to citizens of the United States or inhabitants of Louisiana, unless duly authorized, by the Presi- dent of the United States to make the said purchase, or accept the said purchase or accept the said cession on behalf of the government.
ARTICLE XI.
And if any person or persons, for hunting or other purposes shall pass over the boundary line as established by this treaty, into the country re- served for the Great and Little Osage nations, without license of the super- intendent, or other proper officer, they, the said Great and Little Osage, or either of them, shall be at liberty to apprehend such unlicensed hunters, or other persons, and surrender them together with their property, but without other injury, insult or molestation to the superintendent of Indian affairs, or to the agent nearest the place of arrest, to be dealt with accord- ing to law.
ARTICLE XII.
And the chiefs and warriors, as aforesaid, promise and engage that neither the Great nor Little Osage nations will ever, by sale, exchange or
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
as presents, supply any tribe of Indians, not in amity, with the United States, with guns, ammunitions or other implements of war.
ARTICLE XIII.
This treaty shall take effect and be obligatory on the contracting par- ties, as soon as the same shall have been ratified by the President by and with the advice of the Senate of the United States.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the said Peter Chauteau, commis- sioned and instructed as aforesaid and the chiefs and the warriors of the Great and Little Osage nations of Indians, have hereunto set their hand and affixed their seals.
Done at Fort Clark the day above mentioned.
P. Chouteau (L. S.)
E. B. Clemenson, Captain, First Regiment Infantry (L. S.)
L. Lorimer, Lieutenant, First Regiment Infantry (L. S.)
Reazen Lewis, Sub-agent Indian affairs (L. S.)
Papuisea, the Grand Chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Nichu Malli, the grand chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Voithe Vaihe, the second chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Voithe Chinga, the second chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Ta Voingare, the little chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Osa he, the little chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Vichinodhe, the little chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Vio Nache, the little chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Voi Nonpache, the little chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Quihi Ramaki, the little chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Voi Nache, the little chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Paula Voitasuga, the little chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Caygache, the little chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Pahevrogussi, the little chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Miaasa, the little chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Mangaguida, the little chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Mautsa, the little chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Nicagaris, the little chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Dogachinga, the little chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Taraingare, the little chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.) Naguemari, the war chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Nicanauthi, the war chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Chanmelase, the war chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Nononbas, the war chief of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
The Pograngue, the war chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
The Cagque, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Nonpevoit, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Vesache, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Touchananque, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Caygache, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Lehibi, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Grinachie, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Ni Couil Bran, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Chononsogin, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Lisansandhe, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Mequaque, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Manhegare, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Megahe, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Meghe, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Nudhetavai, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Trecaygue, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Vaitasean, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Cahapiche, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Manhevoi, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Taheohiga, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Pedhechiga, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Cheganansas, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Nesaque, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Lalechiga, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Panevoiguanda, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Tavoinhihi, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Mithechinga, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Voidhanache, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Manquisa, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Chingavoisa, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Talevoile, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Voiengran, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Scamani, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.) .
Nura Hague, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
Mi Chinga, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark
(L. S.)
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Pashique, little chief of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Bonda Niqui, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Ne Paste, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Voibisandhe, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Nihi Sanga, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Nehuahe, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
The Pagranque, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Chahetonga, warrior of the Little Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
Mangenpee, warrior of the Big Osage, his X mark (L. S.)
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