Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/170



of the State of Iowa since it became known to the whites. All of these tribes occupying Iowa and claiming portions of it, either moved away or ceded their lands by treaty to the United States, as white settlers crowded upon them from the east. All, with the exception of the Mascoutins, Dakotas and Sioux, were finally provided with lands in Kansas or the Indian Territory.

This Territory was created by act of Congress June 30, 1834, and solemnly dedicated by that and subsequent acts as a final home for the Indians. It has since been reduced in size by successive formation of territories and states until its area has been diminished to sixty-nine thousand square miles. Subsequent acts of Congress have provided that no states or territories shall ever have a right to pass laws for the government of the tribes occupying this Territory and that no part of the lands granted to the Indians shall ever be embraced in any state or territory. The lands occupied by each tribe are the absolute property of such tribe and the unoccupied lands are held in reserve for other Indian tribes who may in the future agree to settle in the Territory. White settlers are not permitted to occupy any portion of the Territory without the consent of its Indian owners. It has been set aside for the exclusive use and permanent homes of the Indians for all time to come, where they shall be unmolested and protected by the general Government.

By terms of the treaty negotiated by Governor Chambers at Agency City, October 11, 1842, the Sac and Fox Indians ceded to the United States all of the remainder of their lands in Iowa, but retained possession until October 11, 1845. It was feared that hostilities might arise between these Indians and the Sioux or Pottawattamies on the north and west, who still held lands in that portion of the State.

A band of outlaws also had penetrated the upper Des Moines Valley, built rude cabins in the woods along the river, traded and sold whisky to the Indians in defiance