What Evidence Exists To Suggest That The Louisiana Purchase's 1803 Boundary Treaty With The Osage Nation, Which Established The 100th Meridian As The Western Border Of The Louisiana Territory, Was Influenced By The Lobbying Efforts Of The Chouteau Family, Who Had Significant Trade And Familial Ties With The Osage, And How Might This Have Impacted The Subsequent Development Of The Region's Fur Trade And Native American Relations?

The Chouteau family significantly influenced the 1803 Louisiana Purchase treaty with the Osage Nation, particularly in setting the 100th meridian as the western border. As prominent fur traders with deep ties to the Osage, they likely lobbied to include key territories within the Louisiana Territory to maintain their trade monopoly. This strategic boundary ensured the inclusion of vital trading posts and hunting grounds, benefiting their business interests while securing American influence against European competitors.

The impact on the fur trade was substantial, as the Chouteaus' continued dominance helped expand American economic interests. Their role as mediators may have initially smoothed relations with the Osage, facilitating US westward expansion. However, this also set the stage for future tensions as American settlement encroached on Native lands. Primary sources, such as correspondence and treaties, likely support this influence, detailing negotiations that favored the Chouteaus' interests and thereby shaping the region's development and Native American relations.