The Hopewell Treaties were the first formal treaties after the battles between the United States and the Southern Native American tribes. Gen. Andrew Pickens, also known as "Skyagunsta" or "Border Wizard Owl," negotiated the treaties with Benjamin Hawkins, Joseph Martin and Lachlan McIntosh. The treaties opened western territories to settlement, provided for prisoner exchanges, established boundaries, and sought peace and perpetual friendship between the two sides. The Cherokee negotiations took place under Treaty Oak on the Hopewell property with Great Chief Corn Tassel, 36 other chiefs, and nearly 1,000 men, women and children, including Nanye-hi, also known as Nancy Ward; that treaty was signed on November 28, 1785. The Choctaw treaty was signed on January 3, 1786, with Chief Yockenahoma and 30 other chiefs. The Chickasaw treaty concluded several days later on January 10, with Chief Head Warrior Piomingo, who shared white beads as a token of peace and friendship. Each treaty ended with the same sentence: "The hatchet shall be forever buried, and peace given by the United States of America."
