Treaty of Bird's Fort facts for kids

The Treaty of Bird's Fort was a special agreement signed on September 29, 1843. It was a peace treaty between the Republic of Texas and several Native American tribes living in what is now Texas and Oklahoma. The main goal of this treaty was to stop the fighting and wars that had been happening for many years between the Native Americans and the white settlers in Texas.

The full name of the treaty was "Republic of Texas Treaty with the Indigenous Nations of the Delaware, Chickasaw, Waco, Tawakani, Keechi, Caddo, Anadahkah, Ionie, Biloxi, and Cherokee." The main people who worked for Texas to make this treaty happen were Edward H. Tarrant and George W. Terrell.

Why the Treaty Was Needed

Sam Houston, who was the President of the Republic of Texas, really wanted to end the wars with the Native Americans. He made it one of his most important jobs. On July 1, 1842, President Houston chose a group of people to talk with all the Native American tribes on the Texas borders.

The Native Americans also wanted peace. They had lost many of their young men in battles with the white settlers. In August 1842, the tribes agreed to have a peace meeting. This meeting was first planned for October 26 in Waco. However, the chiefs did not show up for that first meeting.

Later, on March 31, 1843, the chiefs from nine different tribes finally agreed to a peace council. Six months later, the council and the Texas representatives met. They signed the peace treaty on September 29, 1843. The meeting and the signing happened at a place called Bird's Fort. This fort was located on the Trinity River, in what is now Arlington, Texas. The exact spot of Bird's Fort is around 32°47′57″N 97°04′59″W / 32.79917°N 97.08306°W / 32.79917; -97.08306.

The Texas Senate approved the treaty on January 31, 1844. President Houston officially signed it on February 3, 1844, in Washington, Texas.

What the Treaty Said

The Treaty of Bird's Fort had 24 different rules or agreements. Here are some of the most important parts:

Living in Peace

• Both sides agreed to always live in peace and be friends. The fighting was supposed to stop forever.
• Warriors from both sides agreed to protect women and children. They would only fight other warriors.

Rules for Everyone

• Native American tribes promised not to join Texas's enemies or make agreements that would make them fight against Texas.
• If Texas was at war, a Native American chief would talk with the President of Texas.
• Texas would send special agents to listen to Native American complaints. These agents would make sure fairness happened between Native Americans and white settlers. They would also share messages from the President.

Trade and Property Rules

• Only people approved by the Texas government could trade with the Native Americans.
• No white person was allowed to sell or give strong drinks (alcohol) to Native Americans.
• Only licensed traders could buy property from Native Americans, unless the Texas government said it was okay.
• If anyone found property belonging to Native Americans among white settlers, or white settlers' property among Native Americans, it had to be returned to its rightful owner.
• Traders were not allowed to give weapons or things used for fighting to Native Americans without the President's permission.

Crossing the Border

• No one could go past the special "trading houses" (which marked the border of Native American land) without permission from the President. They also couldn't live or stay in Native American territory.
• These "trading houses" were later set up where the Clear Fork and West Fork of the Trinity River meet, in what is now Fort Worth. This is where Fort Worth was built in 1849 to protect the American Frontier after the Mexican–American War. Fort Worth is still known as "where the West begins."
• Native Americans were not allowed to cross the border without permission and a special pass. They also couldn't sell property to white people without permission.

Justice and Safety

• Anyone who bothered or tried to harm Native Americans or their property, while they were peaceful, would be punished by law.
• Any white person who killed or harmed a Native American would be punished by law.
• If a Native American killed a white person, they would face serious consequences. If a Native American stole from a white person, their own tribe would punish them.
• If anyone came among the Native Americans without permission, the tribes would capture them and give them to the Native American agent.

Working Together

• Both sides agreed to exchange any prisoners they had. They also promised not to be friends with any group that took prisoners from Texas.
• The President of Texas could send blacksmiths, other skilled workers, and teachers to live among the Native Americans. These teachers would help Native Americans learn English and about Christianity.
• When the President sent these people, the Native Americans promised to treat them kindly and keep them safe.
• The chiefs and leaders of the Native American tribes agreed to make sure their young men and warriors followed the treaty rules. They would punish anyone who broke the peace between white people and Native Americans.

Solving Problems

• If any problems or reasons for war came up between Texas and the Native Americans, both sides agreed to talk first. The Native Americans would tell their complaints to the President and wait for his answer before starting any fighting. The Texas government would do the same.

Future Agreements

• Once the Native Americans showed they would keep the treaty and not fight the white settlers, the President would let traders sell weapons to them and give them gifts.
• The Texas government would have the right to use any mines found on Native American land.
• The President could make any other rules or plans with the Native Americans that he thought would help them live in peace and be happy.