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Timeline of events connected to Choctaw Removal

 

1829

February 4, 1829: The State of Mississippi asserts jurisdiction over Chickasaw and Choctaw lands within its borders

March 4, 1829: Andrew Jackson is sworn in as seventh president of the United States

July 30, 1829: Secretary of War John H. Eaton writes Choctaw chief David Folsom on Jackson’s behalf, informing him that the president “cannot interpose to save them” from Mississippi’s laws and encouraging the Choctaws to remove west 

July 31, 1829: Eaton instructs the federal Choctaw Indian agent William Ward to urge the Choctaws to agree to a removal treaty

ca September 15, 1829: Choctaw agent William Ward delivers Jackson’s “talk” encouraging the Choctaws to sell their lands and remove

November 7, 1829: Choctaw chief David Folsom responds to Jackson’s overture by stating that the Choctaws have no desire to sell their lands or remove

1830

March 18, 1830: Choctaw chiefs David Folsom and Greenwood Leflore submit to Jackson a removal treaty of the Choctaws’ own drafting for the consideration of the U.S. government

May 6, 1830: Jackson submits the Choctaws’ treaty proposal to the U.S. Senate for its advise and consent as well as a treaty counterproposal drafted by Jackson himself

May 27, 1830: The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs issues a report and resolution against approving either the Choctaws’ or Jackson’s treaty proposals

May 28, 1830: Jackson signs into law the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which authorizes the president to negotiate removal treaties with Indian Nations located east of the Mississippi River and allocates money and western lands for that purpose

May 29, 1830: The U.S. Senate votes against approving either the Choctaws’ or Jackson’s treaty proposals

June 1, 1830: Eaton writes the Choctaws to inform them that the Senate has rejected their treaty proposal but that Jackson would like to meet them at Franklin, Tenn., over the summer to negotiate and conclude a removal treaty

August 10, 1830: Choctaw chiefs assembled in Council write Eaton to inform him that they will not meet with Jackson and Eaton at Franklin, Tenn.

August 15 and 27, 1830: Jackson formally appoints John Coffee and Eaton commissioners to meet with the Choctaws to negotiate a treaty

August 26, 1830: Jackson writes the Choctaws from Franklin, Tenn., asking them to receive commissioners at Dancing Rabbit Creek in Mississippi on September 15

September, 15, 1830: Negotiations between the Choctaw Nation and U.S. commissioners John H. Eaton and John Coffee begin at Dancing Rabbit Creek in Mississippi

September, 27, 1830: The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek is formally signed