Treaty of Fort St. Stephens



The Treaty of Fort St. Stephens or Treaty of Choctaw Trading House was signed between the United States and the Choctaws at Fort St. Stephens. The treaty was signed at the Choctaw trading house on October 24, 1816. It ceded 10000 acre of Choctaw land east of the Tombigbee River. The land was exchanged for 6,000 US dollars annually for twenty years. In 2008 dollars that would be nearly $80,000.

Terms


The preamble begins with,

"James Madison, president of the United States of America, by general John Coffee, John Rhea, and John M'Kee, esquires, commissioners on the part of the United States, duly authorized for that purpose, on the one part, and the mingoes, leaders, captains, and warriors, of the Choctaw nation, in general council assembled, in behalf of themselves and the whole nation, on the other part, have entered into the following articles, which, when ratified by the president of the United States, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall be obligatory on both parties ..."

- Treaty of Fort St. Stephens, 1816

1. Lands to be ceded. 2. Pay the Choctaw $6000 US dollars annually for 20 years and $10000 worth of merchandise.

Signatories
John Coffee, John Rhea, John McKee, Mushoolatubbee, Pooshamallaha, Pukshunnubbu, General Terror, Choctaw Eestannokee, General Humming Bird, Talking warrior, David Folsom, Bob Cole, Oofuppa, Hoopoieeskitteenee, Hoopoieemiko, and Hoopoieethoma.

Witness: Tho. H. Williams, secretary to the commission; John Pitchlynn, interpreter; Turner Broshear, interpreter; M. Mackey, interpreter; Silas Dinsmoor; and R. Chamberlin.