For the purpose of perpetuating the friendship which has heretofore existed, as also to remove all future cause of discussion or dissension, as it respects trade and friendship between the United States and their citizens, and the Crow tribe of Indians, the President of the United States of America, by Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the United States’ army, and Major Benjamin O’Fallon, Indian agent, with full powers and authority, specially appointed and commissioned for that purpose, of the one part, and the undersigned Chiefs, Head men and Warriors, of the said Crow tribe of Indians, on behalf of their tribe, of the other part, have made and entered into the following Articles and Conditions; which, when ratified by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall be binding on both parties—to wit:
Article I. It is admitted by the Crow tribe of Indians, that they reside within the territorial limits of the United States, acknowledge their supremacy, and claim their protection.—The said tribe also admit the right of the United States to regulate all trade and intercourse with them.
Article II. The United States agree to receive the Crow tribe of Indians into their friendship, and under their protection, and to extend to them, from time to time, such benefits and acts of kindness as may be convenient, and seem just and proper to the President of the United States.
Article III.All trade and intercourse with the Crow tribe shall be transacted at such place or places as may be designated and pointed out by the President of the United States, through his agents; and none but American citizens, duly authorized by the United States, shall be admitted to trade or hold intercourse with said tribe of Indians.
Article IV. That the Crow tribe may be accommodated with such articles of merchandise, &c. as their necessities may demand, the United States agree to admit and license traders to hold intercourse with said tribe, under mild and equitable regulations: in consideration of which, the Crow tribe bind themselves to extend protection to the persons and the property of the traders, and the persons legally employed under them, whilst they remain within the limits of their district of country. And the said Crow tribe further agree, that if any foreigner or other person, not legally authorized by the United States, shall come into their district of country, for the purposes of trade or other views, they will apprehend such person or persons, and deliver him or them to some United States’ Superintendent or Agent of Indian Affairs, or to the commandant of the nearest military post, to be dealt with according to law. And they further agree to give safe conduct to all persons who may be legally authorized by the United States to pass through their country, and to protect in their persons and property all agents or other persons sent by the United States to reside temporarily among them; and that they will not, whilst on their distant excursions, molest or interrupt any American citizen or citizens, who may be passing from the United States to New Mexico, or returning from thence to the United States.
Article V. That the friendship which is now established between the United States and the Crow tribe, should not be interrupted by the misconduct of individuals, it is hereby agreed, that for injuries done by individuals, no private revenge or retaliation shall take place, but instead thereof, complaints shall be made, by the party injured, to the superintendent or agent of Indian affairs, or other person appointed by the President; and it shall be the duty of said Chiefs, upon complaint being made as aforesaid, to deliver up the person or persons against whom the complaint is made, to the end that he or they may be punished, agreeably to the laws of the United States. And, in like manner, if any robbery, violence, or murder, shall be committed on any Indian or Indians belonging to the said tribe, the person or persons so offending shall be tried, and, if found guilty, shall be punished in like manner as if the injury had been done to a white man. And it is agreed, that the Chiefs of said Crow tribe shall, to the utmost of their power, exert themselves to recover horses or other property, which may be stolen or taken from any citizen or citizens of the United States, by any individual or individuals of said tribe; and the property so recovered shall be forthwith delivered to the agents or other person authorized to receive it, that it may be restored to the proper owner. And the United States hereby guaranty to any Indian or Indians of said tribe, a full indemnification for any horses or other property which may be stolen from them by any of their citizens: Provided, That the property stolen cannot be recovered, and that sufficient proof is produced that it was actually stolen by a citizen of the United States. And the said tribe engage, on the requisition or demand of the President of the United States, or of the agents, to deliver up any white man resident among them.
Article VI. And the Chiefs and Warriors, as aforesaid, promise and engage that their tribe will never, by sale, exchange, or as presents, supply any nation, tribe, or band of Indians, not in amity with the United States, with guns, ammunition, or other implements of war.
Done at the Mandan Village, this fourth day of August, A. D. 1825, and of the independence of the United States the fiftieth.
In testimony whereof, the said commissioners, Henry Atkinson and Benjamin O’Fallon, and the chiefs and warriors of the said tribe, have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals.
H. Atkinson, Brigadier-General U. S. Army
Benj. O’Fallon, U. S. Agent Indian Affairs
Chiefs:
E-she-huns-ka, or the long hair, his x mark
She-wo-cub-bish, one that sings bad, his x mark
Har-rar-shash, one that rains, his x mark
Chay-ta-pah-ha, wolf’s paunch, his x mark
Huch-che-rach, little black dog, his x mark
Mah-pitch, bare shoulder, his x mark
Esh-ca-ca-mah-hoo, the standing lance, his x mark
Che-rep-con-nes-ta-chea, the little white bull, his x mark
Ah-mah-shay-she-ra, the yellow big belly, his x mark
Co-tah-bah-sah, the one that runs, his x mark
Bah-cha-na-mach, the one that sits in the pine, his x mark
He-ran-dah-pah, the one that ties his hair before, his x mark
Bes-ca-bar-ru-sha, the dog that eats, his x mark
Nah-puch-kia, the little one that holds the stick in his mouth, his x mark
Bah-da-ah-chan-dah, the one that jumps over every person, his x mark
Mash-pah-hash, the one that is not right
In presence of:
A. L. Langham, Secretary to the Commission
H. Leavenworth, Colonel U. S. Army
S. W. Kearny, Brevet Major First Infantry
D. Ketchum, Major U. S. Army
R. B. Mason, Captain First Infantry
G. C. Spencer, Captain First Infantry
John Gantt, Captain Sixth Infantry
Thos. P. Gwynne, Lieutenant First Infantry
S. MacRee, Lieutenant and Aid-de-Camp
Thomas Noel, Lieutenant Sixth Infantry
William L. Harris, First Infantry
John Gale, Surgeon U. S. Army
J. V. Swearingen, Lieutenant First Infantry
R. Holmes, Lieutenant Sixth Infantry
M. W. Batman, Lieutenant Sixth Infantry
R. M. Coleman, U. S. Army
J. Rogers, Lieutenant Sixth Infantry
Wm. Day, Lieutenant First Infantry
G. H. Kennerly, U. S. Indian Agent
B. Riley, Captain Sixth Infantry
Wm. S. Harney, Lieutenant First Infantry
James W. Kingsbury, Lieutenant First Regiment Infantry
George C. Hutter, Lieutenant Sixth Infantry
Wm. Armstrong, Captain Sixth Regiment Infantry