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Show 48 Unfulfilled Promises: Negotiations with the Intruders, 1849-1882 So it was with the Ute People. The People occupied lands in what became New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. Through a series of negotiations, they gave up most of that land to the intruders. These treaties and agreements became part of the legal justification for the loss of land and freedom. Several treaties and agreements were made between the federal government and the Colorado and New Mexico Ute People. But only six (1849, 1863, 1868, 1873, 1880, 1895) were ratified by the United States Congress and signed by the President. And only one treaty was negotiated between a United States treaty commission and the Utah Ute People. It was not ratified by Congress. However, important rights were guaranteed to the Ute People by treaties, agreements, executive orders, and legislation. These federal statutes have been the basis of claims the People have made against the government. Congress does have the power to change or repeal treaties and other statutes. And Congress has used that power against the Ute People. However, many rights secured to the People by treaty, agreement, and other statutes continue to be enforceable today. Unratified Doniphan Treaty, 1846 In May 1846 the United States Congress declared war on Mexico, and President James Polk sent troops into New Mexico. The United States Army under Colonel Stephen W. Kearney captured Santa Fe 18 August 1846. Major William Gilpin was sent north one month later to confer with the Ute People and other Indian groups. Gilpin brought back a group of Ute People from the San Luis Valley. They met with Colonel A. W. Doniphan October 13 and made a treaty of peace with him.2 (Gilpin and Doniphan also made treaties of peace with the Navajo and the Zuni.) This treaty was the first negotiation between Ute People and federal officials. However, the treaty was not formalized or ratified by Congress. Treaty with the Utah, 1849 At the conclusion of the Mexican War in 1848 the lands of the Ute People came under the control of the United States. That control was slowly imposed on the People by taking their land and |