The Brunot Agreement
Felix Brunot (left) and Ouray, about the time the Brunot Agreement was ratified.
Source: Nossaman, Allen. Many More Mountains Volume 1, 2006. Catalog number: 92.21.201.
Because of increasing tensions between the Utes and the miners and settlers, the territorial government tried again to renegotiate with the Utes for the land. Felix Brunot curried the favor of Ouray, a Ute leader who the government erroneously believed was the “chief” of all the Ute bands. Brunot was able to reach an agreement in the fall of 1873 with Ouray which would allow for mining and settlement in the San Juans, La Platas, and the river drainages. A delegation was sent to Washington, D.C. for approval which was ratified and signed by President Grant on April 29th, 1874.
Read the original agreement here.