Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 7.djvu/247

ARTICLES OF A CONVENTION, Entered into and concluded at the Indian Springs, between Feb. 12, 1825. Duncan G. Campbell, and James Memwether, Commissioners an the part of the United States of America, duly authorised, March 7, 1825i and the Chiefs of the Creek Nation, in Council assembled. P° *# P` 286* Wmzizeas the said Commissioners, on the part of the United States, Preamble. have represented to the said Creek N ation that it is the policy and earnest wish of the General Government, that the several Indian tribes within the limits of any of the states of the Union should remove to territory to be designated on the west side of the Mississippi river, as well for the better protection and security of said tribes, and their improvement in civilization, as for the purpose of enabling the United States, in this instance, to comply with the compact entered into with the State of Georgia, on the twenty-fourth day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and two: And the said Commissioners having laid the late Message of the President of the United States, upon this subject, before a General Council of said Creek Nation, to the end that their removal might be effected upon terms advantageous to both parties: And whereas the Chiefs of the Creek Towns have assented to the reasonableness of said proposition, and expressed a willingness to emigrate beyond the Mississippi, those of Tolcaubatchee excepted : These presents therefore witness, that the contracting parties have this day entered into the following Convention: Am-. l. The Creek nation cede to the United States all the lands Cessiouby the lying within the boundaries of the State of Georgia, as defined by the Creeks. compact hereinbefore cited, now occupied by said Nation, or to which said Nation have title or claim; and also, all other lands which they now occupy, or to which they have title or claim, lying north and west of a line to be run from the first principal falls upon the Chatauhoochie river, above Cowetau town, to Ocfuskee Old Town, upon the Tallapoosa, thence to the falls of the Coosaw river, at or near a place called the Hickory Ground. Amr 2. It is further agreed between the contracting parties, that the Fm-ther agree- United States will give, in exchange for the lands hereby acquired, the mem b¤¤Wq¤¤ like quantity, acre for acre, westward of the Mississippi, on the Arkansas ;J}:,,f;""°°""g river, commencing at the mouth of the Canadian Fork thereof}and ` running westward between said rivers Arkansas and Canadian Fork, for quantity. But whereas said Creek Nation have considerable improvements within the limits of the territory hereby ceded, and will moreover have to incur expences in their removal, it is further stipulated, that, for the purpose of rendering a fair equivalent for the losses and inconveniences which said Nation will sustain by removal, and to enable them to obtain supplies in their new settlement, the United States agree to pay to the Nation emigrating from the lands herein ceded, the sum of four hundred thousand dollars, of which amount there shall be paid to said party of the second part, as soon as practicable after the ratification of this treaty, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars. And as soon as the said party of the second part shall notify the Government of the United States of their readiness to commence their removal, there shall be paid the further sum of one hundred thousand dollars. (237)