Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) accepts a treaty tribute from the Pamunkey and Mattaponi tribes on November 25, 2015. Photo from Twitter
Two Virginia tribes continue to abide by a treaty that was signed in 1677 even though the other side hasn't always held up its end of the bargain. The Pamunkey Tribe and the Upper Mattaponi Tribe paid their annual tax tribute to the state on Wednesday morning. They presented two deer, pottery, a bracelet and a bolo tie to Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D). “We got a nice one for the governor,” Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray told The Washington Post of the deer that was a part of the tribute. “It was a good day.” The 1677 Treaty of Middle Plantation originally required the tribute to be paid in beaver skins. The provision reads in full:
“That every Indian King and Queen in the Moneth of March every year, with some of their Great Men, shall tender their Obedience to the Right Honourable His Majesties Governour at the place of his Residence, whereever it shall be, and then and there pay the accustomed Tribute of Twenty Beaver Skins to the Governour.Get the Story:
A Thanksgiving ritual: Two Virginia tribes present deer to governor as tribute (The Washington Post 11/25)
McAuliffe accepts tax tribute from Virginia tribes (The Ashland Daily Press 11/25)
A page out of history: Virginia's annual tribute is paid (The Digital Journal 11/22)
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