In the 18 th century, the colony of Massachusetts declared that the Mashpee tribe’s settlement on Cape Cod was an Indian “plantation” and appointed white overseers to manage it. Long angered by this interference in their affairs, the Mashpee are encouraged by William Apess, a Pequot minister and writer (see entries for 1829 and 1836), to expel a white minister, take over their council house, and block non-Indians from chopping wood in their forests. Although the Mashpee commit no acts of violence, Apess convinces the Massachusetts governor that bloodshed will follow if the Mashpee’s demands for self-government are not met. In response to the so-called Mashpee Revolt, the governor recognizes the tribe’s right to control their own land.
Mexico secularizes the California missions.
The Mission period (see entry for 1769) ends in California as the Mexican government orders civil authorities to replace priests as administrators of the area’s missions. Many of the 30,000 Mission Indians cheer as officials allow them to leave the missions. The government, however, refuses to grant the newly freed Indians legal equality or, except in rare cases, legal title to any of their former lands. Some Mission Indians move inland to live with Indian tribes there. Others remain in California, working as laborers for minuscule wages on Mexican-owned farms and ranches.
Congress passes the Indian Country Crimes Act.
The Indian Country Crimes Act establishes that federal courts have the responsibility of trying Indians accused of committing most criminal acts. The exceptions cited are crimes committed by an Indian against another Indian, which are to be tried by tribes. This provision will stay in place until the passage of the Major Crimes Act (see entry for MARCH 3, 1885).
June 30
Congress passes the Intercourse Act of 1834.
Intended to protect Indians from ruthless traders, a new intercourse act gives Indian agents greater power in determining who will be licensed to trade with Indian tribes. It also prohibits the use of alcohol during trade negotiations.
To help officials enforce regulations on Indian trade, the law also defines the borders of “Indian Country.” According to its terms, Indian Country includes all U. S. lands west of the Mississippi and any area east of the river that is not part of a state and has not been officially ceded to the U. S. government.
In another important provision, the act gives the War Department the authority to use military force to end wars between Indian groups. This measure effectively reverses the previous U. S. policy of noninterference in conflicts among Indians.
World History
