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Agreements between 15 Indian Chiefs and the settlers during the Gold Rush 1865
Agreements between 15 Indian Chiefs and the settlers during the Gold Rush 1865
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Description:

Native American 0 - 0 Agreements between 15 Indian Chiefs and the settlers during the Gold Rush of 1865 in Cave Creek, Arizona
Three bi-fold letters and manuscripted documents, representing a total of 12 pages, on lightly lined paper, 7" x 9". Accompanied by a fully typed transcription.


The first ALS bi-fold is scripted on 3 pages with the last page blank. Dated "Cave Creek Ranch / 23rd August 1865" and signed twice by "JSA Leavenworth / U.S. In. Agent". Expected folds, with small corner piece of paper missing affecting two words of text on the inside pages.

The second bi-fold is a manuscripted contract, scripted on two sides with the other pages blank. Expected folds with slight separation at folds. Signed by 15 Indian Chiefs in the Leavenworth's hand, and "JSA Leavenworth / U.S. In. Agent".

The third bi-fold is also a manuscripted contract, scripted on two sides with the other pages blank. Expected folds with slight separation at folds. Signed by 10 Indian Chiefs in Leavenworth's hand and "JSA Leavenworth / U.S. In. Agent".

An important and fascinating accounting of the period during the Civil War, shortly after Lincoln created the Arizona Territory in 1863, separating the future 48th state from the Territory of New Mexico. Mining began to become a focal point in central Arizona history in 1863. The call "Gold in the Bradshaws" rang out. Fabulous rich gold outcroppings were found in high peaks such as Antelope Hill. In 1864, Henry Wickenburg uncovered the richest strike, the Vulture Mine. Miners were sure that the Aqua Fria River, New River, Cave Creek and the stream of the Tonto were also rich with gold. A few miners tried to find the treasures, but met the Apaches who ran them out of the area. The Tonto Apaches controlled the area, so for the time being, mining had to wait. Ranchers and farmers followed lured by reports of mild climate, plentiful water, tall timbers and lush grass. All of the reports failed to mention that hostile Indians surrounded the area.

Of all the tribes in the area, the Tonto Apaches were the most feared. They ate animals they captured including horses, mules, oxen, and burros. The Tontos were highly mobile, unpredictable, and difficult to capture. New comers to the State appealed to the Federal Government for assistance. The Civil War was demanding the need for every soldier. Washington leaders decided they did not want to lose the potential gold production capabilities of Arizona. In 1863, Arizona was declared a new and separate territory, splitting off from the territory of New Mexico. A Governor was sent to Arizona along with a small force of troops to Fort Whipple in Prescott.

By 1865, the army sent a small force of 300 volunteers from California to establish Fort McDowell. The fort originally known as Camp McDowell and later as Fort McDowell was established by President Abraham Lincoln and the 37th Congress in 1865. The Fort's purpose was to protect early miners and ranchers in central Arizona (including the future Cave Creek town-area) from the formidable and fierce Tonto Apaches and Yavapai. Fort McDowell was located 18 miles east of Cave Creek. One year after the Californians arrived, a regular army infantry unit settled into Fort McDowell. This ALS, including the manuscripted agreements demonstrate this intended progress, and we believe the signed agreements between Col Leavenworth and the numerous Indian Chiefs, was to seek safe passage and tranquility for the travelers who were emigrating to both Arizona as well as passing through to California. However in actuality history showed it did not fully accomplish its intended purpose.

For 15 more years, skirmishes, ambushes, and bloody confrontations raged between the soldiers and the Tonto Apaches. On December 1, 1873, Lieutenant Walter S. Schuyler, of the 5th Cavalry, led a scouting expedition out of Fort McDowell that resulted in the first skirmish along Cave Creek. After weeks of searching for Indians, Lt. Schuyler and his troops found a band of Tontos held up on the West bank of Cave Creek. On Christmas morning the troops attacked the Tontos, killing 9, including one of the most fearless leaders named Nanotz..

LETTER TO HON JR DOOLITTLE:

"Cave Creek Ranch

23rd August 1865

Hon. J.R. Doolittle / U.S. Senate

Dear Sir

I have just returned to this place, after a hard summers work, the result of which the enclosed papers will, I trust, satisfy you. The time and place to hold the council was fixed by the Indians, I thought it best to let them do so - it could not be otherwise, without much trouble. When I met Little Raven, Black Kittle and Little Robe and the other chiefs in Council Black Kittle said "Father, where are the little children the whites hold as prisoners, that belong to us? if our father had known how our hearts would have danced at seeing them, he would have had them here. When the Soldier Chief came to our camp we had the white prisoners then, and we gave them - "This was the first time I had thought of the

little ones taken at Sand Creek and now, I believe at Dinner - Black Kittle said they wanted them more than anything else. I promised that they should have them at Bluff Creek on 4th Oct. next. Now it is my wish that you would take such measures as you think best to get them - but get them at

all costs. Send some trusty person that they are here at the

council. There is two little girls, and I believe, one boy. Please don't fail to act on this point, as my word to them must be kept if possible. The opposition I have had has been great. When we meet I shall try and explain things, that will surprise you - in haste.

Yours truly

JSA Leavenworth

U.S. In. Agent

After writing the above I concluded to send Capt. John Smith to D.... For the children - he will go directly to Gen. of Cvl. Co'l. Territory. Who is the Superintendent of them Indians and the proper person to see to their rights...We have here at Cave Creek a post office called "Beach Bailey" but no postmaster. Will you please request the P.M. General to appoint William Mathewson - A Mr. Stanton was the former postmaster, since he removed from here there has been no one to act. My Indian Agency is here and will be for some time, and an office for mail matters would be a great convenience.

Yours &c / JSA Leavenworth/ U.S. In. Agent"

MANUSCRIPT AGREEMENT #1 OF PEACE SIGNED BY NUMEROUS INDIAN CHIEFS AND CO. LEAVENWORTH:

"Be it known to all, that we the Chiefs and head men of the Apacha, Comancha and Kiowa tribes of Indians of the upper Arkansas, and the Arrappahoes now South of the Arkansas river, have agreed and do hereby agree with our agent

Col. JSA Leavenworth and Brvt. Major General John B. Sanborn Commanding the District of the upper Arkansas, to cease all acts of violence or to the frontier settlements, and to travelers on the Santa Fe's road, or other lines of travel and to remain at Peace. We further agree to meet and council on the 4th day of October 1865 at Bluff Creek about 40 miles south of the Little Arkansas, with such commissioners as the President of the United States may appoint for a Perpetual peace between the Government of the United States and our various tribes, and we do further agree to use all our influence with the Cheyenne Indians now south of the Arkansas river

to induce them to join us in this perpetual peace and if they do not we will compel them to cease all acts of violence towards the citizens of the United States or from our country.

In witness whereof we have herewith set our hand, and affixed our mark this 15th day of August 1865, at the Mouth of the Little Arkansas, in council with the Officers of the Government above named.

In consideration of the above agreement and understanding, made by the chiefs and Head men by the tribes above mentioned, I agree on the part of the Government to suspend all acts of hostility towards the various tribes above mentioned, so long as they observe in good faith the stipulations and agreements on their part as herein above set forth."

(signed by numerous chiefs of the Kiowa, Apache, and Commanche tribes; and by Col. Leavenworth.)

MANUSCRIPT AGREEMENT #2 OF PEACE SIGNED BY NUMEROUS INDIAN CHIEFS AND CO. LEAVENWORTH:

"We the undersigned Chiefs and head men of the bands of Arrappahoes & Cheyenne Indians now South of the Arkansas river, having been forced in self protection to fight the U.S. troops under the command of Col. J.M. Chivington at Sand Creek, Colorado Territory, and having through the inter position of a Kind Providence escaped our intended, and

having heard from our friend Col. JST Leavenworth, through his runners & agents that we could in safety visit him at the mouth of the Little Arkansas rivers, have come to him to ask that he will use his influence to restore Kindship between our bands, & if possible between our whole tribes and the Government of the United States, and we do agree with him, and our great father the President of the United States, to the frontier settlements, and to territory on the Santa Fe's road or other lines of travel, and that we will remain at Peace; and we do further agree to meet and council on the 4th day of October 1865 at Bluff Creek, about forty miles south from the mouth of the Little Arkansas river or at such other time and place as the President of the United States may appoint, for a perpetual peace, and to settle such questions as may arise between our bands, or whole tribes, and the Government of the United States.

In witness whereof, we have herewith set our hands and affixed our mark this 18th day of August 1865 at the Mouth of the little Arkansas river, in the State of Kansas

JSA Leavenworth

U.S. In. Agent"

(signed by 8 Arrapahoe & Cheyenne Chiefs)

Ex-William Burger collection.

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