Beschreibung:

"A treaty of peace amnity [sic] and concord made by and between the principal men and Chiefs of certain bands of the Sioux Nation and the Arrickarees [Arikara], Gros Ventres [Hidatsa], and Mandans dwelling in the vicinity of Fort Berthold...." Approx. 8 x 12.5 in., 3pp on two adjoining sheets, Fort Stevenson [Dakota Territory] July 17, 1870. Verso page three "Head Qrs F Stevenson / July 29t /70 / Respectfully forwarded / S. A. Wainwright / Captain 22d Infy / Comdg Post." Though the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes existed independently for centuries, by the nineteenth century the three tribes had formed a strong alliance. This alliance aided in their efforts to withstand the strains put upon them by increasing white settlement in their territory, as well as the threat posed by hostile Sioux. This "Treaty of Peace" represents the text agreed to by multiple bands of the Sioux and the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara at a council held at Fort Stevenson on July 17, 1870, as the tribes sought to end nearly a century of conflict and appease the US government with a commitment to peaceful relations. The Sioux bands participating in the treaty signing consisted of a portion of the Upper and Lower Yanctonais, the "friendly" Unkpapas and Blackfeet, and a Sans Arc Chief whose band was "encamped at the Cheyenne agency." These Sioux bands were represented by the chiefs Two Bear, Medicine Hatchet, Belly Fat, Fire Heart, The Bear That Looks Back, White Bear, Iron Stirrup, Big Elk, One Who Walks Running, and Bob Tail Man. Representing the Arikara were White Shield, Son of the Star, and Medicine Lance; the Gros Ventres were represented by Crows Breast and Lean Wolf; and the Mandan were represented by Red Roan Cow and Parsons of the Eagle. Signed at Fort Stevenson, the treaty explicitly proclaimed the desire of all parties to end warfare, to discourage hostile acts, to work with other tribes to ensure the just punishment for any offenses, and to ensure that proper restitution was rendered in case of offense. Offenders were to be turned over to "the United States authorities at the nearest Military post..." The treaty concludes with a statement that the tribes "desire to live in concord hereafter to rejoice and sorrow with each other and to be bound to each other by the same friendly sentiments which now unite them to the whites." The treaty bears the "x" mark of the seventeen American Indian signatories as well as what appears to be the original signatures of the twelve witnesses. Witnesses include Lt. Col. E. S. Otis, Capt. S. A. Wainwright, 1st Lt. F. E. Parsons, 1st Lt. W. J. Reedy, and 2nd Lt. J. E. Macklin, all of the 22nd US Infantry, as well as Asst. Surgeon Washington Matthews (who later became a well-known linguist and American Indian ethnographer). The recipient of this "respectfully forwarded" treaty is unknown, however, it may have been sent to the commanding officer at another nearby fort such as Fort Randall, Fort Rice, or Fort Buford. This manuscript was originally housed with documents from the William Courtenay/Fort Berthold Archive (see Lot 378). Condition: Ink stain verso page 3 with some bleed into margins on other pages not affecting legibility of text. Minimal toning particularly along edge lines. Creasing at the folds. Overall good condition.