Articles
1851 Land Cession
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The Dakota ceded all their land in Iowa and much in Minnesota, as well as some in South Dakota. The eastern boundary was the Mississippi River, and the northern was an imaginary line drawn between the mouths of the Watab and Buffalo Rivers. The cession consisted of nearly 3 million acres in Iowa, over 1.75 million in South Dakota, and more than 19 million in Minnesota.
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A strip of land extending ten miles on each side of the Minnesota River was saved as a permanent reservation for the tribes.
The government agreed to pay the tribes a total sum of $1,665,000 for the land, or about 7.5 cents per acre. The chiefs would receive $275,000; another $30,000 was to be used for agricultural purposes--getting the Dakota to change from a hunting mindset to a farming mindset. The remaining $1,360,000 would be held by the government, with a 5% yearly interest, amounting to $68,000, being paid to the Indians each year for 50 years. The interest would be used for agricultural and educational purposes, goods and provisions, and money given directly to the bands.
The Indians agreed to the amount paid, but they did not think it was a generous amount.
“Fathers, you think it is a great deal you are giving for this country. I don’t think so, for both our lands and all we get for them, will at last belong to the white man. The money comes to us, but it will all go to the white men who trade with us.”
-Chief Curlyhead
-Chief Curlyhead
All laws prohibiting liquor would be in effect in the newly ceded land.
“I have grown old, without whiskey, and I want you to take care that it does not come among us.”
-The Orphan, a head Sisseton chief
-The Orphan, a head Sisseton chief
The President or Congress could make and enforce laws to protect people and property among the Indians.