1835 Mackinac Cheifs' Letter to President Andrew Jackson Requesting Aid

To Andrew Jackson, President of the United States

The Petition of the Undersigned Chiefs and headmen of the Chippewa and Ottawa Nations, 
residing in the vicinity of Michilimackinac, respectfully represents that by the treaty 
of Greenville of the 3rd of August 1795, they gave as a gratuity to the United States, 
over and above the other grants recited in that Treaty the island of Bois Blanc, situated
 in Lake Huron near the post of Mackinac.? This island is twelve miles in extent and is 
a valuable repository of wood.? The petitioners respectfully ask, that a compensation may 
now be made to them for it stating as a reason their impoverished condition; and they 
suggest for your consideration, that the blacksmith shop at the Agency of Mackinac, which 
they have been notified by the Agent, it is your order to close, on the 31st of December 
next, may be continued open, for the benefit of themselves and their children resorting 
to that Agency, in lieu of the grant mentioned.? Submitting this petition to your clemency, 
as the great chief of the twenty four fires, we? remain in friendship to your government.? 


Your dutiful Children


Chief of the Chenos????????????????? Chabowawa???????????????????????????? Chemokomon?????????????? L?Arbre Croche

Chief of Oak Point?????????????????? Ance ???????????????????????????????? Kemjiwan???????????????????????? 

Chief of St. Martins???????????????? Saganosh????????????????????????????? Niqweegun?????? 

Chief of Pt. St. Ignace????????????? Akukojeesh??????????????????????????? Waishkee

Chief of St. Marys?????????????????  Wayishkee???????????????????????????? Keenus 

Chief of St. Marys ????????????????? Chegud??????????????????????????????? Deemootawa??????????????? Lake Michigan

Chief of St. Marys?????????????????? Yawatonace??????????????????????????? Wabigeezhig

Chief of St. Marys?????????????????? Shingabawossin??????????????????????? Lapinkeengwa

Chief Pt. St Ignace????????????????? Chibyawbos??????????????????????????? Namushcoda

Chief at Mackinac??????????????????? Chusco??????????????????????????????? Nissowankwat

Chief at Cheboygan?????????????????? Chingasamo??????????????????????????? Edoshcosh

Chief at Pt. St. Ignace????????????? Missatigo???????????????????????????? Sagetamoowee

Branch of Cheboygan????????????????? Nemoeceyee??????????????????????????? Paimossiga?????????????????? Little Traverse Bay

Branch of Cheboygan ???????????????? Missin ush catawa???????????????????? Keminjahgun

Chief of St. Croix?????????????????? Nodin???????????????????????????????? Paimaunkineng

Chief of St. Croix?????????????????? Wiawence????????????????????????????? Aputto

Epoufettes ????????????????????????? Penais neegezhig????????????????????? 

Epoufettes?????????????????????????? Tibbus Egezhig

Chiefs of L?Arbre Croche???????? Nishcadjinine

??????????????????????????????????????????????? Paukozzequm?? 

??????????????????????????????????????????????? Pabaumitabee

??????????????????????????????????????????????? Mukkadday Penaise

 

I certify under seal that the marks to the above signatures were all affixed in my presence.

Michilimackinac 15th 1835 (month omitted)?????????????????? H.R. Schoolcraft