Chapter V - Division Among the Osage.
This chapter was written on about eleven and one-half pages of the many composition books he used to record his memoir. Written when he was approaching eighty years of age, most of the memoir pages are written smoothly in what one author referred to as 'his diamond fine script." [1] But as he started Chapter V, it appears as though he was still 'thinking about it' as he wrote. Thus, there are quite a few margin corrections and scratch-outs. You will see some of these in other chapters, but normally his pages are very clean.
This chapter was written on about eleven and one-half pages of the many composition books he used to record his memoir. Written when he was approaching eighty years of age, most of the memoir pages are written smoothly in what one author referred to as 'his diamond fine script." [1] But as he started Chapter V, it appears as though he was still 'thinking about it' as he wrote. Thus, there are quite a few margin corrections and scratch-outs. You will see some of these in other chapters, but normally his pages are very clean.
Chapter V
Division among the Osage — First Osage Treaty — Second Treaty
1796
As long as the Osage kept united together forming as, it were, one family, having but one common interest, they were considered as a strong and powerful nation. In the year 1796 the spirit of division found its way among them, private interest began to be considered by some, as being more importance than general advantage. The traders were the cause of this demoralization among the Osage. For wishing to get the custom (business) of Indians living far off in the west, or down south, on the borders of Texas they would hire bands of Osage to go to locate far on the western plains, as well as on the banks of the Arkansas, that they might get from the wild Indians, living there, a big supply of rare pelts.
The first two branch out from the main body of the nation were the Osage called the Chaneers. These went to establish themselves along the Arkansas River, and were under chief, by the name of Clermont. They’re settlement except some 70 miles north from the junction of the Virdigris with the Arkansas. They were generally nicknamed Chaneers by the Creoles because they had built their villages on the bluffs covered with light, slender oak trees, which, in their language they call “chene” and the Americans are used to calling blackjack. Some families of this band having formed a settlement on the tributary of the Verdigris called Big Hill Creek, were called Big Hill Osage. They were all stalwart men, the flower of the nation, and had been organized by an enterprising St. Louis trader by the name Pierre Chouteau [2] who wanted through their agency to secure the fur trade of the west.
1803
Next to separate from the main body were the so-called Little Osage, who declared themselves independent in the year, 1803. Separation made them weak and were very soon attacked by different northern tribes. The perils they now saw they were exposed to opened their eyes, they understood how foolishly they had acted, and reunited as quick as possible with the balance of their nation. Their separation from the main body did not last long, however, the United States government from that time looked at them as a nation formed of two distinct clans, and the Grand-Osage, under their great chief Pawhuska, always figure in their treaties as the principal clan.
1806
In 1806 a body of Osage as well as Pawnee we’re acting as guides to Lieutenant Z. M. Pike [3] numbering altogether 51. These Pawnee had been in captivity among the Pottawatami. Lieutenant Pike having succeeded in obtaining their liberty was now going to restore them to their respective nation at the sources of the Osage River. On the same occasion, he was also trying to reconcile the Osage with the Kansas who long since were at variance among themselves. He was very successful in his peaceful expedition, and since that time the Kansas and the Osage have been on very good terms.
1808
From the book of treaties made by the Indians with the US government it appears at the first treaty that the Osage ever did sign was held at Fort Clark on the right bank of the Mississippi about 5 miles above a place that was called Fire Prairie. This treaty was made between Peter Chouteau Esq. agent of the Osage [2] and especially commissioned and instructed to enter into it by his Excellency Merriweather Lewis, governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for the territory then held by the Osage, on behalf of the United States of North America on one side and the Grand and Little Osage for themselves and their nation, respectively, on the other side. This treaty was largely signed by the above mentioned on the 10th day of November in the year 1808.
By this treaty, the Grand and the Little Osage, ceded to the US government no less than 48 million, 3 thousand and 432 acres, which were included in the states of Missouri and Arkansas.
1818
From the date of this treaty down to the year 1818 we find hardly anything remarkable in the Indian records concerning the Osage, except that on different occasions some of them were chosen to serve US officers as pilots (guides) in their western expeditions.
By a second treaty, the Osage held in this year in St. Louis they again ceded to the US government another large track of land, viz 7 million, 392 thousand acres, which were included in the state of Arkansas and west thereof.
Since the Osage did sign these two treaties, they seem to have gained in the esteem of the public. People now conceived a great opinion of them for having given up such a large track of land, a thing so much looked for, for the extension of new colonies, which were being formed every day. The Osage were sensible of this good feeling prevailing on their regard, and some of the Chiefs and Braves most every day, would be noticed riding through the streets of St. Louis making show of themselves in a most grotesque attire.
1796
As long as the Osage kept united together forming as, it were, one family, having but one common interest, they were considered as a strong and powerful nation. In the year 1796 the spirit of division found its way among them, private interest began to be considered by some, as being more importance than general advantage. The traders were the cause of this demoralization among the Osage. For wishing to get the custom (business) of Indians living far off in the west, or down south, on the borders of Texas they would hire bands of Osage to go to locate far on the western plains, as well as on the banks of the Arkansas, that they might get from the wild Indians, living there, a big supply of rare pelts.
The first two branch out from the main body of the nation were the Osage called the Chaneers. These went to establish themselves along the Arkansas River, and were under chief, by the name of Clermont. They’re settlement except some 70 miles north from the junction of the Virdigris with the Arkansas. They were generally nicknamed Chaneers by the Creoles because they had built their villages on the bluffs covered with light, slender oak trees, which, in their language they call “chene” and the Americans are used to calling blackjack. Some families of this band having formed a settlement on the tributary of the Verdigris called Big Hill Creek, were called Big Hill Osage. They were all stalwart men, the flower of the nation, and had been organized by an enterprising St. Louis trader by the name Pierre Chouteau [2] who wanted through their agency to secure the fur trade of the west.
1803
Next to separate from the main body were the so-called Little Osage, who declared themselves independent in the year, 1803. Separation made them weak and were very soon attacked by different northern tribes. The perils they now saw they were exposed to opened their eyes, they understood how foolishly they had acted, and reunited as quick as possible with the balance of their nation. Their separation from the main body did not last long, however, the United States government from that time looked at them as a nation formed of two distinct clans, and the Grand-Osage, under their great chief Pawhuska, always figure in their treaties as the principal clan.
1806
In 1806 a body of Osage as well as Pawnee we’re acting as guides to Lieutenant Z. M. Pike [3] numbering altogether 51. These Pawnee had been in captivity among the Pottawatami. Lieutenant Pike having succeeded in obtaining their liberty was now going to restore them to their respective nation at the sources of the Osage River. On the same occasion, he was also trying to reconcile the Osage with the Kansas who long since were at variance among themselves. He was very successful in his peaceful expedition, and since that time the Kansas and the Osage have been on very good terms.
1808
From the book of treaties made by the Indians with the US government it appears at the first treaty that the Osage ever did sign was held at Fort Clark on the right bank of the Mississippi about 5 miles above a place that was called Fire Prairie. This treaty was made between Peter Chouteau Esq. agent of the Osage [2] and especially commissioned and instructed to enter into it by his Excellency Merriweather Lewis, governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for the territory then held by the Osage, on behalf of the United States of North America on one side and the Grand and Little Osage for themselves and their nation, respectively, on the other side. This treaty was largely signed by the above mentioned on the 10th day of November in the year 1808.
By this treaty, the Grand and the Little Osage, ceded to the US government no less than 48 million, 3 thousand and 432 acres, which were included in the states of Missouri and Arkansas.
1818
From the date of this treaty down to the year 1818 we find hardly anything remarkable in the Indian records concerning the Osage, except that on different occasions some of them were chosen to serve US officers as pilots (guides) in their western expeditions.
By a second treaty, the Osage held in this year in St. Louis they again ceded to the US government another large track of land, viz 7 million, 392 thousand acres, which were included in the state of Arkansas and west thereof.
Since the Osage did sign these two treaties, they seem to have gained in the esteem of the public. People now conceived a great opinion of them for having given up such a large track of land, a thing so much looked for, for the extension of new colonies, which were being formed every day. The Osage were sensible of this good feeling prevailing on their regard, and some of the Chiefs and Braves most every day, would be noticed riding through the streets of St. Louis making show of themselves in a most grotesque attire.
Some Reference Information:
1) "Diamond fine script" from Beacon on the Plains, by Sister Mary Paul Fitzgerald, S.C.L, PH.D. Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, Kansas.
2) Jean-Pierre Chouteau (1758-1849)
https://missouriencyclopedia.org/people/chouteau-jean-pierre
3) Zebulon Montgomery Pike (1779–1813)
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zebulon-Pike
Transcribed by: Christopher Hunt
1) "Diamond fine script" from Beacon on the Plains, by Sister Mary Paul Fitzgerald, S.C.L, PH.D. Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, Kansas.
2) Jean-Pierre Chouteau (1758-1849)
https://missouriencyclopedia.org/people/chouteau-jean-pierre
3) Zebulon Montgomery Pike (1779–1813)
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zebulon-Pike
Transcribed by: Christopher Hunt
