SAC & FOX INDIANS Treaty of 1842

AutographsRemarkable 1842 Contract Furnishing Beef, Flour & Lard to the Sac and Fox Indians Ceding Their Land to the U.S.

(NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS), Provisions for the Sac and Fox Indian Treaty of 1842.
A truly remarkable Indian-related item, being a contract to furnish provisions to Sac and Fox Indians once they gave up their land to the United States. This two-page Manuscript Contract between an Indian Agent and suppliers of goods for the Sac and Fox Indians is Signed twice by Commissioner John Chambers and U.S. Indian Agent, Major John Beach. The document is dated September 28, 1842 and measures 8" x 19", doublesided, with light age wear, mostly Fine.
When the Indians ceded their land to the United States Government two weeks later, relinquishing their claim to any lands in Iowa, agents were contracted to provide them with beef, flour, and lard--all for $800:
"For the sum of 800.00 lawful money of the United States, for which payment well and truly be made we bind ourselves… William Wright, Thomas Charlton, William Meek Sr. & William Meek Jr…. The condition of this obligation... entered into contract with John Beach, U.S. Indian Agent to furnish provision for the Treaty with the Sacs and Foxes…" Signed "John Chambers" also signed by Wright, Charlton and both Meeks. On the back are the Articles of Agreement: "…that the said Wright and Charlton shall furnish and deliver at such places near the Sac and Fox Agency… under the superintendence and direction of the Commissary daily and every day commencing on the 2nd day of October, 1842 and in such subsequent day as the Agent may require. The following provisions to wit: 2000 pounds of fat, merchantable Beef neatly slaughtered, Eleven barrels of Superior Flour, 55 pounds of Lard… the provisions shall be in good quality and in case the commissary shall consider them inferior that they shall be submitted to the inspections of two persons… their decision shall be final… we have herewith set our hands and seals at the Sac and Fox Agency this 28th day of September, 1842… John Beach, U.S. Indian Agt., W.S. Wright, Thomas Charlton."
The treaty of 1842, signed October 2nd, "ceded to the United States all their lands west of the Mississippi to which they had any claim or title." It was stipulated that the Sac and Fox Indians were to be removed from the country to a reserve in Kansas just south of present-day Topeka. At the expiration of three years, all who remained after that were to be removed at their own expense. Many refused to leave Iowa and the Indians kept the army very busy trying to find them.

JOHN CHAMBERS (1780-1852) Congressman & Second Territorial Governor of Iowa, received an appointment on the staff of General William H. Harrison with the rank of major. Appointed commissioner to negotiate treaties with the Sac and Fox Indians and interested himself in protecting several tribes of Indians from frauds of agents and traders.
MAJOR JOHN BEACH, U. S. Indian agent. Son-law to General Joseph Street. Beach hosted the week-long council that resulted in the signing of the Oct 11, 1842 treaty.