Cherokee Almanac: Treaty of Hopewell

Summary

In autumn 1785, the Treaty of Hopewell was signed at the Keowee River between the Cherokee Nation and the United States, aiming to establish peace post-Revolutionary War. Led by Cherokee chiefs Corn Tassel and Nonya, the negotiations involved about a thousand Cherokees and resulted in significant land cessions. The treaty recognized Cherokee rights, including sending representatives to Congress. Despite its hopeful beginnings, the treaty was broken shortly after, as American settlers began encroaching on Cherokee lands, marking a turbulent chapter in U.S.-Cherokee relations that would lead to numerous treaties, many of which would also be violated.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The Treaty of Hopewell was signed in autumn 1785 on the Keowee River under the Treaty Oak.
• 🤝 The treaty aimed to establish peace between the Cherokee Nation and the United States after the Revolutionary War.
• 🇺🇸 Andrew Pickens, a Revolutionary War general, acted as the Indian agent during the treaty negotiations.
• 👥 Approximately 1,000 Cherokees, including 37 chiefs, attended the treaty discussions.
• 🗣️ Cherokee Chief Corn Tassel was a key negotiator, advocating for his people's interests.
• 🌸 Nancy Ward, known as Nonya, also spoke, promoting friendship between the U.S. and the Cherokee Nation.
• 📜 The treaty defined Cherokee territory boundaries after ceding nearly one million acres across multiple states.
• 🏛️ The treaty allowed the Cherokees to send a representative to Congress for the first time.
• ⚔️ It stated that the Cherokee Nation had the right to enforce laws against non-Indians settling on their lands.
• 🚫 The Treaty of Hopewell was the first of nearly 40 treaties with the Cherokee Nation but was broken shortly after its signing.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Treaty of Hopewell?

The Treaty of Hopewell, signed in 1785, was the first treaty between the Cherokees and the United States, aiming to establish peace and define Cherokee territorial boundaries.

Who was Andrew Pickens, and what was his role?

Andrew Pickens was a plantation owner and a general in the Revolutionary War, appointed as the Indian agent to the Cherokees after the war, playing a key role in the treaty negotiations.

How many Cherokees participated in the treaty discussions?

Approximately one thousand Cherokees attended the discussions, including 37 peace and war chiefs representing various Cherokee towns.

Who was Corn Tassel, and what was his contribution?

Corn Tassel was a Cherokee chief known for his oratory skills; he led many negotiations during the treaty discussions.

What were the main provisions of the Treaty of Hopewell?

The treaty established boundaries for Cherokee territory, ceded nearly a million acres of land, and allowed the Cherokees to send a representative to Congress.

What role did Nancy Ward play in the treaty negotiations?

Nancy Ward, also known as Nonya, was a prominent Cherokee leader who gave a speech advocating for mutual friendship between the U.S. and the Cherokee Nation.

What was the immediate impact of the Treaty of Hopewell?

The treaty was meant to secure peace, but it was soon broken as American settlers began attacking Cherokee towns to seize land.

What phrase was commonly used at the end of treaties signed at Hopewell?

Each treaty concluded with the phrase 'the hatchets shall be forever buried,' symbolizing the commitment to peace.

How many treaties were signed between the U.S. and the Cherokee Nation?

The Treaty of Hopewell was the first of nearly 40 treaties signed between the U.S. and the Cherokee Nation.

What happened shortly after the Treaty of Hopewell was signed?

Just a few months after its signing, American citizens, led by John Severe, began attacking Cherokee towns in an effort to claim their land.