The Treaty of Chicago, 1821

The Treaty of Chicago refers to two treaties of the same name signed in the settlement that became the city of Chicago, Illinois. The agreement was made between the U.S. government and the Council of Three Fires; an alliance of the Ottawa, Chippewa and Potawatomi nations. The first Treaty of Chicago, signed in 1821, sold all land in what was then the Michigan Territory south of the Grand River in southern Michigan. Also sold was a piece of land connecting the settlements of Detroit and Chicago. In exchange the nations of the Council of Three Fires were given annuity payments for limited time. The nations would also be given the support of, “a Blacksmith, of a Teacher, and of a person to instruct the Ottawas in agriculture and in the purchase of cattle and farming utensils”. Each of the three nations was given similar support.

A surviving record of the treaty negotiations includes a speech by the Potawatomi Chief Metea giving rare insight into how a Native leader saw such negotiations, treaties, and the state of the world in 1821.

“Our country was then very large; but it has dwindled away to a small spot, and you wish to purchase that!” Metea also clearly states his own conflict with the treaty, “We are fearful we shall offend their spirits, if we sell our lands; and we are fearful we shall offend you, if we do not sell them.” Metea continues to speak on how his people have been driven from their hunting grounds and that he fears for the future survival of his nation. He mentions how little land his people have left and how much has already been sold already, “Now you ask us again. You are never satisfied! We have sold you a great tract of land already; but it is not enough! We sold it to you for the benefit of your children, to farm and to live upon. We have now but little left.”