TREATY OF MOUNT DEXTER,
IN POOSHAPUKANUK, IN CHOCTAW WITH THE CHOCTAW
NOVEMBER 16, 1805
7 Stat., 98.
Proclamation, Feb. 25, 1808.
A Treaty of Limits between the United States of America and the Chaktaw Nation of Indians.
THOMAS JEFFERSON, President of the United States of America, by James Robertson, of Tennessee, and
Silas Dinsmoor, of New Hampshire, agent of the United States to the Chaktaws, commissioners
plenipotentiary of the United States, on the one part, and the Mingoes, Chiefs and warriors of the
Chaktaw nation of Indians, in council assembled, on the other part, have entered into the
following agreement, viz:
ARTICLE 1. The Mingoes, chiefs, and warriors of the Chaktaw nation of Indians in behalf
of themselves, and the said nation, do by these presents cede to the United States of America, all
the lands to which they now have or ever had claim, lying to the right of the following lines, to
say. Beginning at a branch of the Humacheeto where the same is intersected by the present Chaktaw
boundary, and also by the path leading from Natchez to the county of Washington, usually called
M'Clarey's path, thence eastwardly along M'Clarey's path, to the east or left bank of Pearl river,
thence on such a direct line as would touch the lower end of a bluff on the left bank of
Chickasawhay river the first above the Hiyoowannee towns, called Broken Bluff, to a point within
four miles of the Broken Bluff, thence in a direct line nearly parallel with the river to a point
whence an east line of four mines in length will intersect the river below the lowest settlement
at present occupied and improved in the Hiyoowannee town, thence still east four miles, thence in
a direct line nearly parallel with the river to a point on a line to be run from the lower end of
the Broken Bluff to Faluktabunnee on the Tombigbee river four miles from the Broken Bluff, thence
along the said line to Faluktabunnee, thence east to the boundary between the Creeks and Chaktaws
on the ridge dividing the waters running into the Alabama from those running into Tombigbee,
thence southwardly along the said ridge and boundary to the southern point of the Chaktaw claim.
Reserving a tract of two miles square run on meridians and parallels so as to include the houses
and improvements in the town of Fuketcheepoonta, and reserving also a tract of five thousand one
hundred and twenty acres, beginning at a post on the left bank of Tombigbee river opposite the
lower end of Hatchatigbee Bluff, thence ascending the river four miles front and two back one
half, for the use of Alzira, the other half for the use of Sophia, daughters of Samuel Mitchell,
by Molly, a Chaktaw woman. The latter reserve to be subject to the same laws and regulations as
may be established in the circumjacent country; and the said Mingoes of the Chaktaws, request that
the government of the United States may confirm the title of this reserve m the said Alzira and
Sophia.
ARTICLE 2. For and in consideration of the foregoing cession on the part of the Chaktaw
nation, and in full satisfaction for the same, the commissioners of the United States, do hereby
covenant, and agree with the said nation in behalf of the United States, that the said States
shall pay to the said nation fifty thousand five hundred dollars, for the following purposes, to
wit: Forty eight thousand dollars to enable the Mingoes to discharge the debt due to their
merchants and traders; and also to pay for the depredations committed on stock, and other property
by evil disposed persons of the said Chaktaw nation; two thousand five hundred dollars to be paid
to John Pitchlynn, to compensate him for certain losses sustained in the Chaktaw country, and as a
grateful testimonial of the nation's esteem.
And the said States shall also pay annually to the said Chaktaws, for the use of the nation, three
thousand dollars in such goods (at neat cost of Philadelphia) as the Mingoes may choose, they
giving at least one year's notice of such choice.
ARTICLE 3. The commissioners of the United States, on the part of the said States,
engage to give to each of the three great Medal Mingoes, Pukshunubbee-Mingo, Hoomastubbee, and
Pooshamattaha, five hundred dollars in consideration of past services in their nation, and also to
pay to each of them an annuity of one hundred and fifty dollars during their continuance in
office. It is perfectly understood, that neither of those great Medal Mingoes is to share any part
of the general annuity of the nation.
ARTICLE 4. The Mingoes, chiefs, and warriors of the Chaktaws, certify that a tract of
land not exceeding fifteen hundred acres, situated between the Tombigbee river and Jackson's
creek, the front or river line extending down the river from a blazed white oak standing on the
left bank of the Tombigbee near the head of the shoal, next above Hobukentoopa, and claimed by
John M'Grew was in fact granted to the said M'Grew by Opiomingo Hesnitta, and others, many years
ago, and they respectfully request the government of the United States to establish the claim of
the said M'Grew to the said fifteen hundred acres.
ARTICLE 5. The two contracting parties covenant and agree that the boundary as described
in the second (first) article shall be ascertained and plainly marked, in such way and manner as
the President of the United States may direct, in the presence of three persons to be appointed by
the said nation; one from each of the great medal districts, each of whom shall receive for this
service two dollars per day during his actual attendance, and the Chaktaws shall have due and
seasonable notice of the place where, and time when, the operation shall commence.
ARTICLE 6. The lease granted for establishments on the roads leading through the Chaktaw
country, is hereby confirmed in all its conditions, and, except in the alteration of boundary,
nothing in this instrument shall affect or change any of the pre-existing obligations of the
contracting parties.
ARTICLE 7. This treaty shall take effect and become reciprocally obligatory so soon as
the same shall have been ratified by the President of the United States of America, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States. Done on Mount Dexter, in Pooshapukanuk,
in the Choctaw country, this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred arid five, and of the independence of the United States of America the thirtieth.
Commissioners:
James Robertson,
Silas Dinsmoor.
Great Medal Mingos:
Pukshunnubbee, his x mark,
Mingo Hoomastubbee, his x mark,
Pooshamattaha, his x mark.
Chiefs and warriors:
Ookchummee, his x mark,
Tuskamiubbee, his x mark,
James Perry, his x mark,
Levi Perry, his x mark,
Isaac Perry, his x mark,
William Turnbull.
Witnesses present at signing and sealing:
Thomas Augustine Claiborn, secretary to the commissioners,
John M' Kee,
Samuel Mitchell, United States agent to the Chickasaws,
William Colbert, of the Chickasaws, his x mark,
Lewis Ward,
Charles Juzan,
John Carnes, his x mark,
Tooteehooma, his x mark,
Hoosheehooma, his x mark,
Tootuhooma, 2d. his x mark,
George James, his x mark,
Robert McClure, his x mark,
Tuskeamingo, his x mark,
Hattukubbeehooluhta, his x mark,
Fishoommastubbee, his x mark,
Anoguaiah, his x mark,
Lewis Lucas, his x mark,
James Pitchlvnn, his x mark,
Panshee Eenanhla, his x mark,
Pansheehoomubbu, his x mark,
Garrud E. Nelson,
David Chore,
Nathaniel Tolsom,
Mdl. Mackey,
Lewis Lefto.
John Pitchlynn, United States interpreter,
Will. Tyrrell, assistant interpreter.
Source: Indian Affairs. Laws and Treaties. Vol. II. (Treaties.) Compiled and Edited by Charles J.
Kappler, LL. M., Clerk to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Washington: Government Printing
Office. 1904.