Land Cessions in Illinois:

Name: Definition of the Vincennes Tract

Date: June 7, 1803

Location and Extent:

Beginning at Point Coupee on the Wabash, and running thence by a line north seventy-eight degrees, west twelve miles, thence by a line parallel to the general course of the Wabash, until it shall be intersected by a line at right angles to the same, passing through the mouth of White river, thence by the last mentioned line across the Wabash and towards the Ohio, seventy-two miles, thence by a line north twelve degrees west, until it shall be intersected by a line at right angles to the same, passing through Point Coupee, and by the last mentioned line to the place of beginning.

Modern Counties Affected:

Crawford, Lawrence, Wabash, Edwards, Richland

Compensation:

Participants:

"Delawares, Shawanoes, Putawatimies, Miamies, Eel River, Weeas, Kickapoos, Piankashaws, and Kaskaskias nations of Indians"

Commentary:

Although this treaty looks small and unimportant, it gave the U.S. control over the valuable Saline springs in southern Illinois. As compensation, the Native signatories were to receive "a quantity of salt not exceeding one hundred and fifty bushels, and which shall be divided among the several tribes in such manner as the general council of the chiefs may determine."