Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of Cessions of Land by Indian Tribes to the United States: Illustrated by Those in the State of Indiana: First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 247-262

Cessions of Land by Indian Tribes to the United States: Illustrated by Those in the State of Indiana: First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 247-262

Written by Charles C. Royce

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it
Indians of North AmericaIndian land transfers

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

"Cessions of Land by Indian Tribes to the United States: Illustrated by Those in the State of Indiana" by C. C. Royce is a historical account written during the late 19th century. This work explores the complex legal and historical relationships between Native American tribes and the United States government regarding land cessions. It focuses specifically on the treaties negotiated with various Indian tribes in Indiana, detailing the process and implications of these land cessions. The book illuminates the legal debates surrounding Indian title and the rights of indigenous peoples to their land, explaining how the United States claimed sovereignty over territories formerly occupied by Native Americans. Royce meticulously documents specific treaties and cessions, providing a chronological and geographic overview of land transfers from Indian tribes to the government. Through maps and detailed descriptions of the boundaries established in these treaties, the author highlights the challenges faced in identifying historic land claims amid changing names and boundaries, revealing a narrative of negotiation, conflict, and the eventual relinquishment of Native lands.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Cessions of Land by Indian Tribes to the United States: Illustrated by Those in the State of Indiana: First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 247-262, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • informative
  • historical
  • analytical

Charles C. Royce's "Cessions of Land by Indian Tribes to the United States: Illustrated by Those in the State of Indiana" is a pivotal late 19th-century historical and ethnographic report detailing the complex process of land transfer from Native American tribes to the U.S. government. Focusing on Indiana, Royce meticulously chronicles the treaties, negotiations, and legal frameworks that facilitated the relinquishment of indigenous territories. The work illuminates the legal debates surrounding Indian title and sovereignty, providing a chronological and geographic account of how the United States asserted control over vast tracts of land. Through detailed documentation and maps, Royce reveals the challenges of mapping historical claims and the profound implications of these cessions for both the tribes and the burgeoning American nation.

“"The title of the Indian tribes to their occupancy of the soil was recognized, but not their right to its absolute disposal."”

Key themes

Dispossession and Land Rights
This is the central theme, exploring the systematic transfer of land from Native American tribes to the United States. Royce meticulously documents how indigenous peoples were gradually dispossessed of their ancestral territories through a series of treaties, highlighting the vast scale of land loss.
Sovereignty and Colonialism
The report implicitly examines the clash of sovereignties: the inherent sovereignty of Native American tribes versus the asserted sovereignty of the United States. It illustrates the colonial project of the U.S. government to expand its dominion and displace indigenous nations, often through legalistic means.
Legal Interpretation and Treaty Law
Royce's work delves into the legal frameworks and interpretations that governed land cessions. It highlights the complexities of treaty language, the challenges of enforcing agreements, and the evolving legal precedents regarding 'Indian title' and the rights of indigenous peoples within the U.S. legal system.

Worth discussing

How does Royce's report reflect the prevailing legal and historical perspectives on Native American land rights in the late 19th century?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Sign up freeLog in

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!