Meusebach-Comanche Treaty
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The Meusebach-Comanche Treaty was a treaty between the private citizens of the Fisher-Miller Land Grant, who were predominantly German in nationality, and the Bands of the Comanche Tribe [1]. The treaty is unique in that it is the only treaty officially recognized by the United States and the Comanche which was made between private citizens and the Comanche, yet endorsed by the Federal government.
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[edit] Background
The Fisher-Miller land grant consisted of lands between the Llano and Colorado Rivers, which was in the heart of the Comancheria. These lands constituted part of the hunting grounds of the Comanche Indians. This land was was earmarked for the settlement of immigrants who arrived in Texas under the sponsorship of the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants. Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, the first Commissioner of the society, had made it clear from the onset of the settlement plans that he was determined to find a way to coexist peacefully with the fierce Comanche. He was unable to do so, however, until John O. Meusebach took charge of the affairs of the German immigrants. Under Meusebach's leadership, and with the help of Indian Agent Robert Neighbors, regular expeditions into Indian-controlled lands took place both to survey the lands the Society wished to settle, and to find and negogiate with the Comanche [2].
[edit] Role of the United States
Except for Neighbors, who regularly traveled safely into the Comancheria and who could offer anyone with him safe passage, other state and federal Government officials could not provide a guarantee of safe passage. Since military escorts for surveyors were unavailable, surveyors refused to enter the grant for fear of being attacked by the Indians. Thus, the United States played no role in this treaty, except to later recognize it. It remains the only treaty made between the Plains Tribe and settlers as private parties [3].
[edit] Dr. Friedrich A. Schubert
Dr. Friedrich A. Schubert's expedition into the area, done without prior consent by the Comanche, enraged the Indians. He greatly exaggerated the number of Indians inhabiting the area between the Llano and San Saba Rivers, claiming between 40,000 and 60,000 Comanche and Kiowa lived in that area, when the true numbers were a fraction of that. This report further discouraged any attempts to survey or settle the grant [4].
[edit] Meusebach and the Comanche
The Fisher-Miller land grant awarded by the state of Texas contained provisions that the land had to be settled, or at least surveyed and settlement begun, by fall of 1847. Given these provisions, the Society realized it must either enter the Indian territory or forfeit the land grant. Meusebach raised a private mounted company including well-armed Germans and Mexicans, to protect American surveyors, who subsequently set out from Fredericksburg on January 22, 1847. Meusebach convinced Indian Agent Robert Neighbors, well respected by the Comanche, to join the party, and himself joined them in camp two days after their journey into the Comancheria began. Noted geologist Ferdinand von Roemer wrote a vivid and accurate account of the expedition which is still available. The Governor of Texas, James Pinckney Henderson, had sent a messenger to warn Meusebach of the possible consequences of entering Indian territory. Unknown to the Governor, however, contacts with the Indians had already been made; Neighbors was able to convince Buffalo Hump to join, and the negotiations were fruitful. The final negotiating sessions took place on March 1 and 2 at the lower San Saba River Basin, about twenty-five miles from the Colorado River [5].
[edit] Roemer's description of the Comanche Chiefs
Roemer, a noted German scientist who was traveling in America at the time of the meetings in the mid- and late 1840s between the Society and the Comanche Chiefs, attended the council between the chiefs and white representatives. He described the three Comanche chiefs as 'serene and dignified,' characterizing Old Owl as 'the political chief' and Santa Anna as an affable and lively-looking 'war chief'.
Roemer characterizes Buffalo Hump vividily as:
| “ | The pure unadulterated picture of a North American Indian, who, unlike the rest of his tribe, scorned every form of European dress. His body naked, a buffalo robe around his loins, brass rings on his arms, a string of beads around his neck, and with his long, coarse black hair hanging down, he sat there with the serious facial expression of the North American Indian which seems to be apathetic to the European. He attracted our special attention because he had distinguished himself through great daring and bravery in expeditions against the Texas frontier which he had engaged in times past.[6] | ” |
[edit] The Treaty parties
The treaty was made between the powerful chiefs Buffalo Hump, Santa Anna, Old Owl for the Comanche, and Meusebach for the Societey. Meusebach was called "El Sol Colorado" by the Comanches. (The name came from his long, flaring red beard). The Treaty was ratified in Fredericksburg two months later. The treaty's provisions allowed Meusebach's settlers to go unharmed into the Comancheria, and the Comanche and Kiowa to go to the white settlements. It also promised mutual reports on wrongdoing, and promised that both sides would curtail their lawbreakers. It also provided for survey of lands in the San Saba area with a payment of at least $1,000 to the Indians. The treaty opened more than 3,000,000 acres (12,000 km²) of land to settlement by the Society.
[edit] The Treaty today
The original Meusebach-Comanche treaty document was returned to Texas from Germany in 1970 by Mrs. Irene Marschall King, the granddaughter of John Meusebach. The document was presented to the Texas State Library in 1972, where it remains on display [7].
