The Treaty of Hopewell was signed by the Choctaw at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains on January 3, 1786. The ceded mounted to 69,120 acres, and the compensation to the Choctaw took the form of protection by the United States. To elaborate, the plenipoteniaries were Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Pickens and Joseph Martin representing the U.S. while representing the Choctaw were 13 small medal and 12 medal and gorget captains.
1785
On November 28, 1785, the first Treaty of Hopewell was signed between the U.S. representative Benjamin Hawkins and the Cherokee Indians. The treaty laid out a western boundary for American settlement. The treaty gave rise to the sardonic Cherokee phrase of Talking Leaves, since they claimed that when the treaties no longer suited the Americans, they would blow away like talking leaves. A description of the boundary is found on Article 4 of the accord: Included in the signatures of the Cherokee delegation were several from leaders of the Chickamauga, including two from the town of Chickamauga itself and one from Lookout Mountain Town. The Cherokee complained at the treaty that some 3,000 white settlers of the de factoState of Franklin were already squatting on the Cherokee side of the agreed line, between the Holston and French Broad Rivers, and they continued to dispute that region until a new border was defined by the 1791 Treaty of Holston.
1785–1786
Cherokee
On November 28, 1785, the first Treaty of Hopewell was signed between U.S. representatives Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Pickens, and Joseph Martin and members of the Cherokee People.
Cherokee treaty terms
The preamble begins with, The following lists the terms of the treaty: 1. Indians to restore prisoners, slaves, and property.
3. Cherokees acknowledge protection provided by the United States.
4. Boundaries defined.
5. No citizen of United States shall settle on Indian lands and Indians may punish violators as they please.
6. Indians to deliver criminals who commit robbery, murder, or capital crimes.
7. Citizens of United States committing crimes against Indians to be punished.
8. Retaliation restrained.
9. United States to regulate trade.
10. Special provision for trade.
11. Cherokees to give notice of any known designs against United States by tribes or any person.
12. Indians may send a "deputy," i.e., representative, to Congress.
13. Peace and friendship perpetual.
Choctaw
On January 3, 1786, the Treaty of Hopewell was signed between U.S. representatives Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Pickens, and Joseph Martin and members of the Choctaw People.
Choctaw treaty terms
The preamble begins with, The following lists the terms of the treaty: 1. Indians to restore prisoners, slaves, and property.
2. Choctaws acknowledge protection provided by the United States.
3. Boundaries defined.
4. No citizen of United States shall settle on Indian lands and Indians may punish violators as they please.
5. Indians to deliver criminals who commit robbery, murder, or capital crimes.
6. Citizens of United States committing crimes against Indians to be punished.
7. Retaliation restrained.
8. United States to regulate trade.
9. Special provision for trade.
10. Choctaws to give notice of any known designs against United States by tribes or any person. 11. Peace and friendship perpetual.
Chickasaw
On January 10, 1786, the Treaty of Hopewell was signed between U.S. representatives Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Pickens, and Joseph Martin and the Chickasaw leaders Taski Etoka, Piomingo, and Lotapaia.
Chickasaw treaty terms
The preamble begins with, The following lists the terms of the treaty: 1. Indians to restore prisoners, slaves, and property.
2. Acknowledge the protection of United States.
3. Boundaries defined.
4. No citizen of United States shall settle on Indian lands and Chickasaws may punish them as they please.
5. Indians to deliver up criminals.
6. Citizens of United States committing crimes against Indians to be punished.
7. Retaliation restrained.
8. United States to regulate trade.
9. Special provision for trade
10. Indians to give notice of any known designs against United States.
