From Thomas Jefferson to Puckshunubbee and Others, 13 March 1805
To Puckshunubbee and Others
March 13. 1805.
My children.
I learn with great satisfaction that you have leased to us three stations of one mile square each on the road from the Chickesaws to Natchez, and one on the Pearl river: and you desire me to send you a paper under my own hand to shew to your warriors that these lands are not sold, but lent. I now accordingly declare that the property in these lands remains in your nation, that they are lent to us for a rent of four hundred pounds weight of powder annually, and that your nation has a right to take them back at their pleasure: and this paper, now signed by my own hand will be evidence of these things to future generations. we will, according to your desire, settle but one white family on each station, and take care that they conduct themselves peaceably & friendly towards you; or being made known to me that they do otherwise, they shall be removed. they will be placed there merely for the accomodation of our paper carriers and travellers.
My children. You have asked whether I did not promise to send you ploughs to enable you to improve in husbandry? I did promise it, & immediately sent the ploughs: but by a mistake in forwarding them, they were delayed some time before we knew of it. you must however have recieved them before this time.
You ask if I did not promise to send to your deputation ten rifles for yourselves and other deserving warriors? I did not promise it. you said they would be acceptable: but I said nothing in reply. but altho I did not promise, yet, to shew my good will to you, I will send you the rifles.
You ask if we will allow commissions to you according to your rank, and medals and commissions to such chiefs as you may appoint to assist in the government of your country? it has not been a custom with us to give commissions to our friends among the red men: and as it is a new thing; we will take it into consideration. we wish to do what is agreeable to you if we find we can do it with prudence.
We shall be willing to give medals to a certain number of the distinguished chiefs who aid you in the government of your country, and who manifest dispositions to preserve peace & friendship between your nation and ours. we wish you therefore to recommend such to us.
My children, persevere in your friendship to the United States. we will never injure you, nor permit you to be injured by any white people, and we trust you will take care that none of our people are injured by yours. encourage among you the cultivation of the earth raising of cattle, spinning and weaving, and we will assist you in it. with plenty of food & cloathing you will raise many children, multiply, be strong and happy. may the great spirit protect & prosper you in all your just pursuits. farewell.
Th: Jefferson
PoC (DLC); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States to Pukshanubby, Mingo-Humastubbe, Oakchummy, Tuskamiabby and Pushamattaha, Chiefs of the Choctaw nation.” Notation in SJL: “Choctaws. a letter.”
For Puckshunubbee, Homastubbee, Oak Chummy, and Tuskamiubbee, see Vol. 41:402n; Vol. 42:111n. Pushmataha (ca. 1764-1824) rose to prominence among the Choctaws through his prowess as a warrior and eloquence as a speaker. By 1805 he had joined Puckshunubbee and Homastubbee as one of the three principal Choctaw chiefs, playing a leading role in treaty negotiations with the United States in 1805, 1816, and 1820. A steadfast ally of the United States, Pushmataha opposed Tecumseh’s call for a Native American confederacy and later sided with U.S. forces combating the Creeks and Seminoles. He died in Washington while visiting as part of a Choctaw delegation and was buried in the Congressional Cemetery with military honors (; , Indian Affairs, 1:749; Greg O’Brien, Choctaws in a Revolutionary Age, 1750-1830 [Lincoln, Neb., 2002], 32, 100, 111; Gideon Lincecum, Pushmataha: A Choctaw Leader and His People [Tuscaloosa, Ala., 2004], 72-4).
I learn with great satisfaction: agent Silas Dinsmoor recently forwarded several communications from the Choctaws to the War Department. A 27 Aug. 1804 letter from Dinsmoor (received 9 Oct.) enclosed “a Conference with the Chactaws & their Petition to the President.” Letters written on 5 and 8 Jan. 1805 (both received 20 Feb.) enclosed, respectively, an “address of Cultivators of lands &c” and “a talk of the Chiefs relative to lease of lands &c.” Neither Dinsmoor’s letters nor their enclosures have been found (recorded in DNA: RG 107, RLRMS).
In December 1803, Dearborn discussed the establishment of stations on Choctaw lands with a visiting delegation that included Puckshunubbee and Homastubbee (Vol. 42:108-12, 130-1n). For the delayed shipment of plows and other implements and tools promised to the Choctaws, see Vol. 42:130n.