BUCHANAN AUTHORIZIES A TREATY BETWEEN THE U.S. AND THE DAKOTA SIOUX. BUCHANAN, JAMES. 1791-1868....

BUCHANAN AUTHORIZIES A TREATY BETWEEN THE U.S. AND THE DAKOTA SIOUX. BUCHANAN, JAMES. 1791-1868. Document Signed ('James Buchanan'), authorizing the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the US to a treaty 'between the United States and the Mendawakanton and the Wahpakoota Bands of Sioux Indians,' 1 p (with integral blank leaf), partially printed and accomplished in manuscript, 8vo (265 x 204 mm), Washington, March 31, 1859, light creasing, toning at extremities. In 1851 the U.S. and the Mdewakanton and Wahpekute Dakota people of Minnesota signed the Treaty of Mendota which stipulated that in exchange for relocating to the Southern Sioux Agency and giving up rights to a large swath of Southern Minnesota, the tribes were to receive over $1.4 million to be dispensed as annuities over time as well as a dedicated reservation. In 1859, Buchanan signed a second treaty (to which this document refers) stipulating how the remaining land and annuity payments were to be distributed. Thanks to corruption within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and costs associated with the Civil War, the U.S. failed to make payments, leading to frustration which triggered the Dakota War of 1862. In response, the United States abrogated all of its treaties with the Dakota Sioux and seized the remaining 10-mile wide strip of reservation lands, exiling the tribes from the state of Minnesota. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing