Treaty of Chicago

In 1795, in a then minor part of the Treaty of Greenville, a Native American confederation granted treaty rights to the United States in a six-mile parcel of land at the mouth of the Chicago River.

[3] The first treaty of Chicago was signed by Michigan Territorial Governor Lewis Cass and Solomon Sibley for the United States and representatives of the Ottawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi (Council of Three Fires) on August 29, 1821, and proclaimed on March 25, 1822.

The treaty ceded to the United States all lands in Michigan Territory south of the Grand River, with the exception of several small reservations.

Also ceded by the Native Americans was a tract of land, an easement between Detroit and Chicago (through Indiana and Illinois), around the southern coast of Lake Michigan, and specific Native Americans were also granted property rights to defined parcels.

Potawatomi Chief Metea gave the following speech in defense of his land at the signing of the Treaty of Chicago:[4] My Father,—We have listened to what you have said.

You know that we first came to this country, a long time ago, and when we sat ourselves down upon it, we met with a great many hardships and difficulties.

This has caused us to reflect much upon what you have told us; and we have, therefore, brought all the chiefs and warriors, and the young men and women and children of our tribe, that one part may not do what others object to, and that all may be witnesses of what is going forward.

A long time has passed since we first came upon our lands, and our old people have all sunk into their graves.

When you first spoke to us for lands at St. Mary's, we said we had a little, and agreed to sell you a piece of it; but we told you we could spare no more.

I am an Indian, a red-skin, and live by hunting and fishing, but my country is already too small; and I do not know how to bring up my children, if I give it all away.

The Great Spirit, who has provided it for our use, allows us to keep it, to bring up our young men and support our families.

The 1833 treaty had Native Americans (Chippewa, Odawa, and Potowatomi) in return receive promises of various cash payments and tracts of land west of the Mississippi River.