Treaty of Chickasaw Bluffs

In 1801, Chickasaws signed a treaty allowing the U.S. to build a wagon road through their land between the settlements of Metro District (Nashville) in the state of Tennessee and those of Natchez in the Mississippi Territory. This was to serve as a highway for the citizens of the United States and the Chickasaw Nation. While no land cession was involved, it was a big foot in the door. The price to the U.S. for this access was only $700 in goods. It was the most direct route north from the port of Natchez on the Mississippi to Nashville and became one of the most heavily traveled roads in the region. In between were 500 miles of "wilderness" to the Americans but home to the Chickasaws.