CONTRACT TO SUPPLY PROVISIONS FOR THE HISTORIC TREATY WITH THE SAC AND FOX INDIANS

JOHN CHAMBERS (1780-1852) Congressman & Second Territorial Governor of Iowa, received an appointment on the staff of General William H. Harrison with the rank of major. Appointed commissioner to negotiate treaties with the Sac and Fox Indians and interested himself in protecting several tribes of Indians from frauds of agents and traders.

MAJOR JOHN BEACH U. S. Indian agent. Son-law to General Joseph Street. Beach hosted the week long council that resulted in the signing of the Oct 11, 1842 Treaty for the purchase of much of Iowa from the Sac and Fox Indians.

2 pp. Manuscript contract between an Indian Agent and suppliers of goods for the Sac and Fox Indians. Signed twice by John Chambers and in the hand Major John Beach, also containing his signature.

The contract details the provisions to be supplied for the historic treaty with Sac and Fox Indians. Two weeks later, the Indians would cede their land to the United States Government, relinquishing their claim to any lands in Iowa.

“For the sum of 800.00 lawful money of the United States, for which payment well and truly be made we bind ourselves…William Wright, Thomas Charlton, William Meek Sr. & William Meek Jr….The condition of this obligation...entered into contract with John Beach, U.S. Indian Agent to furnish provision for the Treaty with the Sacs and Foxes…”

Signed “John Chambers” also signed by Wright, Charlton and both Meeks. On verso are the Articles of Agreement:

 “…that the said Wright and Charlton shall furnish and deliver at such places near the Sac and Fox Agency…under the superintendence and direction of the Commissary daily and every day commencing on the 2nd day of October, 1842 and in such subsequent day as the Agent may require. The following provisions to wit: 2000 pounds of fat, merchantable Beef neatly slaughtered, Eleven barrels of Superior Flour, 55 pounds of Lard…the provisions shall be in good quality and in case the commissary shall consider them inferior that they shall be submitted to the inspections of two persons…their decision shall be final…we have herewith set our hands and seals at the Sac and Fox Agency this 28th day of September, 1842…John Beach, U.S. Indian Agt., W.S. Wright, Thomas Charlton.”

John Chambers signed as witness. The treaty of 1842 “ceded to the United States all their lands west of the Mississippi to which they had any claim or title.”

It was stipulated that they were to be removed from the country to a reserve in Kansas just south of present-day Topeka. At the expiration of three years, all who remained after that were to remove at their own expense. Many refused to leave Iowa and the Indians kept the army very busy trying to find them. A truly remarkable Indian treaty related item. 8x19" Light age wear, mostly Fine.           $2,000 - up