TREATY WITH THE Nez Percé, 1855.
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Treaty is an example of the treaties made between the
United States and the Indian Nations. Excerpt of the treaty taken from FOR Class READing:
NOTE FROM RWJr. Primary Sources are very important when understanding history without them your are "taking someone else's word." Many times the Primary Sources may seem boring and dry, but they are the fundamental basis for history. |
INDIAN AFFAIRS: LAWS AND TREATIES
Vol. II, Treaties
Compiled and edited by Charles J. Kappler. Washington : Government Printing
Office, 1904.
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TREATY WITH THE NEZ PERCÉS, 1855.
June 11, 1855. | 12 Stats., 957. | Ratified Mar. 8. 1859. | Proclaimed Apr. 29,
1859.
Margin Notes
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Cession of lands to the United States.
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Boundaries.
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Reservation.
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Boundaries.
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Reservation to be set apart, and Indians to settle thereon.
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Whites not to reside thereon without, etc.
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Improvements to be paid for by the United States.
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Roads may be made.
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Privileges secured to Indians.
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Payments by the United States.
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Payments, how to be applied.
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The United States to establish schools, etc.
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To build mechanics' shops, etc.
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Sawmill.
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Hospital.
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Salary to head chief; house, etc.
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Reservation may be surveyed into lots and assigned to individuals or families.
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Annuities not to pay debts of individuals.
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Tribes to preserve friendly relations.
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To pay for depredations.
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Not to make war except in self-defense.
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Offenders to be delivered up.
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Annuities may be withheld form those who drink ardent spirits.
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Land of William Craig.
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When treaty to take effect.
Articles of agreement and convention made and concluded at the
treaty ground, Camp Stevens, in the Walla-Walla Valley, this eleventh day of
June, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, by and between
Isaac I. Stevens, governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for the
Territory of Washington, and Joel Palmer,
superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon Territory, on the part of the United
States, and the undersigned chiefs, head-men, and delegates of the Nez Percé
tribe of Indians occupying lands lying partly in Oregon and partly in Washington
Territories, between the Cascade and Bitter Root Mountains, on behalf of, and
acting for said tribe, and being duly authorized thereto by them, it being
understood that Superintendent Isaac I. Stevens assumes to treat only with those
of the above-named tribe of Indians residing within the Territory of Washington,
and Superintendent Palmer with those residing exclusively in Oregon Territory.
ARTICLE 1.
The said Nez Percé tribe of Indians hereby cede, relinquish
and convey to the United States all their right, title, and interest in
and to the country occupied or claimed by them, bounded and described as
follows, to wit: Commencing at the source of the Wo-na-ne-she or southern
tributary of the Palouse River; thence down that river to the main Palouse;
thence in a southerly direction to the Snake River, at the mouth of the Tucanon
River; thence up the Tucanon to its source in the Blue Mountains; thence
southerly along the ridge of the Blue Mountains; thence to a point on Grand
Ronde River, midway between Grand Ronde and the mouth of the Woll-low-how River;
thence along the divide between the waters of the Woll-low-how and Powder River;
thence to the crossing of Snake River, at the mouth of Powder River; thence to
the Salmon River, fifty miles above the place known [as] the “crossing of the
Salmon River;” thence due north to the summit of the Bitter Root Mountains;
thence along the crest of the Bitter Root Mountains to the place of beginning.
ARTICLE 2.
There is, however, reserved from the lands above ceded for the use and
occupation of the said tribe, and as a general reservation for other friendly
tribes and bands of Indians in Washington Territory, not to exceed the present
numbers of the Spokane, Walla-Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla tribes and bands of
Indians, the tract of land included within the following boundaries, to wit:
Commencing where the Moh ha-na-she or southern tributary of the Palouse River
flows from the spurs of the Bitter Root Mountains; thence down said tributary to
the mouth of the Ti-nat-pan-up Creek; thence southerly to the crossing of the
Snake River ten miles below the mouth of the Al-po-wa-wi River; thence to the
source of the Al-po-wa-wi River in the Blue Mountains; thence along the crest of
the Blue Mountains; thence to the crossing of the Grand Ronde River, midway
between the Grand Ronde and the mouth of the Woll-low-how River; thence along
the divide between the waters of the Woll-low-how and Powder Rivers; thence to
the crossing of the Snake River fifteen miles below the mouth of the Powder
River; thence to the Salmon River above the crossing; thence by the spurs of the
Bitter Root Mountains to the place of beginning.
All which tract shall be set apart, and, so far as necessary,
surveyed and marked out for the exclusive use and benefit of said tribe as an
Indian reservation; nor shall any white man, excepting those in the employment
of the Indian Department, be permitted to reside upon the said reservation
without permission of the tribe and the superintendent and agent; and the said
tribe agrees to remove to and settle upon the same within one year after the
ratification of this treaty. In the mean time it shall be lawful for them to
reside upon any ground not in the actual claim and occupation of citizens of the
United States, and upon any ground claimed or occupied, if with the permission
of the owner or claimant, guarantying, however, the right to all citizens of the
United States to enter upon and occupy as settlers any lands not actually
occupied and cultivated by said Indians at this time, and not included in the
reservation above named. And provided that any substantial improvement
heretofore made by any Indian, such as fields enclosed and cultivated, and
houses erected upon the lands hereby ceded, and which he may be compelled to
abandon in consequence of this treaty, shall be valued under the direction of
the President of the United States, and payment made therefor in money, or
improvements of an equal value be made for said Indian upon the reservation, and
no Indian will be required to abandon the improvements aforesaid, now occupied
by him, until their value in money or improvements of equal value shall be
furnished him as aforesaid.
ARTICLE 3.
And provided that, if necessary for the public convenience,
roads may be run through the said reservation, and, on the other
hand, the right of way, with free access from the same to the nearest public
highway, is secured to them, as also the right, in common with citizens of the
United States, to travel upon all public highways. The use of the Clear Water
and other streams flowing through the reservation is also secured to citizens of
the United States for rafting purposes, and as public highways.
The exclusive right of taking fish in all the streams where
running through or bordering said reservation is further secured to said
Indians; as also the right of taking fish at all usual and accustomed
places in common with citizens of the Territory; and of erecting temporary
buildings for curing, together with the privilege of hunting, gathering roots
and berries, and pasturing their horses and cattle upon open and unclaimed land.
ARTICLE 4.
In consideration of the above cession, the United States agree to pay to the
said tribe in addition to the goods and provisions distributed to them at the
time of signing this treaty, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, in the
following manner, that is to say, sixty thousand dollars, to be expended under
the direction of the President of the United States, the first year after the
ratification of this treaty, in providing for their removal to the reserve,
breaking up and fencing farms, building houses, supplying them with provisions
and a suitable outfit, and for such other objects as he may deem necessary, and
the remainder in annuities, as follows: for the first five years after the
ratification of this treaty, ten thousand dollars each year, commencing
September 1,1856; for the next five years, eight thousand dollars each year; for
the next five years, six thousand each year, and for the next five years, four
thousand dollars each year.
All which said sums of money shall be applied to the use and benefit of the said
Indians, under the direction of the President of the United States, who may from
time to time determine, at his discretion, upon what beneficial objects to
expend the same for them. And the superintendent of Indian affairs, or other
proper officer, shall each year inform the President of the wishes of the
Indians in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 5.
The United States further agree to establish, at suitable points within said
reservation, within one year after the ratification hereof, two
schools, erecting the necessary buildings, keeping the
same in repair, and providing them with furniture, books, and stationery, one of
which shall be an agricultural and industrial school, to be located at the
agency, and to be free to the children of said tribe, and to employ one
superintendent of teaching and two teachers; to build two blacksmiths' shops, to
one of which shall be attached a tin- shop and to the other a gunsmith's shop;
one carpenter's shop, one wagon and plough maker's shop, and to keep the same in
repair, and furnished with the necessary tools; to employ one superintendent of
farming and two farmers, two blacksmiths, one tinner, one gunsmith, one
carpenter, one wagon and plough maker, for the instruction of the Indians in
trades, and to assist them in the same; to erect one saw-mill and one
flouring-mill, keeping the same in repair, and furnished with the necessary
tools and fixtures, and to employ two millers; to erect a
hospital, keeping the same in repair, and provided with the necessary
medicines and furniture, and to employ a physician; and to erect, keep in
repair, and provide with the necessary furniture the buildings required for the
accommodation of the said employees. The said buildings and establishments to be
maintained and kept in repair as aforesaid, and the employees to be kept in
service for the period of twenty years.
And in view of the fact that the head chief of the tribe is expected, and will be called upon, to perform many services of a public character, occupying much of his time, the United States further agrees to pay to the Nez Percé tribe five hundred dollars per year for the term of twenty years, after the ratification hereof, as a salary for such person as the tribe may select to be its head chief. To build for him, at a suitable point on the reservation, a comfortable house, and properly furnish the same, and to plough and fence for his use ten acres of land. The said salary to be paid to, and the said house to be occupied by, such head chief so long as he may be elected to that position by his tribe, and no longer.
And all the expenditures and expenses contemplated in this fifth
article of this treaty shall be defrayed by the United States, and shall not be
deducted form the annuities agreed to be paid to said tribe, nor shall the cost
of transporting the goods for the annuity-payments be a charge upon the
annuities, but shall be defrayed by the United States.
ARTICLE 6.
The President may form time to time, at his discretion, cause to whole, or such
portions of such reservation as he may think proper, to be surveyed into lots,
and assign the same to such individuals or families of the said tribe as are
willing to avail themselves of the privilege, and will locate on the same as a
permanent home, on the same terms and subject to the same regulations as are
provided in the sixth article of the treaty with the Omahas in the year 1854, so
far as the same may be applicable.
ARTICLE 7.
The annuities of the aforesaid tribe shall not be taken to pay the debts of
individuals.
ARTICLE 8.
The aforesaid tribe acknowledge their dependence upon the Government of the
United States, and promise to be friendly with all citizens thereof, and pledge
themselves to commit no depredations on the property of such citizens; and
should any one or more of them violate this pledge, and the fact be
satisfactorily proved before the agent, the property taken shall be returned, or
in default thereof, or if injured or destroyed, compensation may be made by the
Government out of the annuities. Nor will they make war on any other tribe
except in self-defence, but will submit all matters of difference between them
and the other Indians to the Government of the United States, or its agent, for
decision, and abide thereby; and if any of the said Indians commit any
depredations on any other Indians within the Territory of Washington, the same
rule shall prevail as that prescribed in this article in cases of depredations
against citizens. And the said tribe agrees not to shelter or conceal offenders
against the laws of the United States, but to deliver them up to the authorities
for trial.
ARTICLE 9.
The Nez Percés desire to exclude from their reservation the
use of ardent spirits, and to prevent their people from drinking the
same; and therefor it is provided that any Indian belonging to said tribe who is
guilty of bringing liquor into said reservation, or who drinks liquor, may have
his or her proportion of the annuities withheld from him of her for such time as
the President may determine.
ARTICLE 10.
The Nez Percé Indians having expressed in council a desire that William Craig
should continue to live with them, he having uniformly shown himself their
friend, it is further agreed that the tract of land now occupied by him, and
described in his notice to the register and receiver of the land-office of the
Territory of Washington, on the fourth day of June last, shall not be considered
a part of the reservation provided for in this treaty, except that it shall be
subject in common with the lands of the reservation to the operations of the
intercourse act.
ARTICLE 11.
This treaty shall be obligatory upon the contracting parties as soon as the same
shall be ratified by the President and Senate of the United States.
In testimony whereof, the said Isaac I. Stevens, governor and superintendent of
Indian affairs for the Territory of Washington, and Joel Palmer, superintendent
of Indian affairs for Oregon Territory, and the chiefs, headmen, and delegates
of the aforesaid Nez Percé tribe of Indians, have hereunto set their hands and
seals, at the place, and on the day and year hereinbefore written.
Isaac I. Stevens, [L. S.]
Governor and Superintendent Washington territory.
Joel Palmer, [L. S.]
Superintendent Indian Affairs.
Aleiya, or Lawyer, Head-chief of the Nez Percés, [L. S.]
Appushwa-hite, or Looking-glass, his x mark. [L. S.]
Joseph, his x mark. [L. S.]
James, his x mark. [L. S.]
Red Wolf, his x mark. [L. S.]
Timothy, his x mark. [L. S.]
U-ute-sin-male-cun, his x mark. [L. S.]
Spotted Eage, his x mark. [L. S.]
Stoop-toop-nin. or Cut-hair, his x mark. [L. S.]
Tah-moh-moh-kin, his x mark. [L. S.]
Tippelanecbupooh, his x mark. [L. S.]
Hah-hah-stilpilp, his x mark. [L. S.]
Cool-cool-shua-nin. his x mark. [L. S.]
Silish, his x mark. [L. S.]
Toh-toh-molewit, his x mark. [L. S.]
Tuky-in-lik-it, his x mark. [L. S.]
Te-hole-hole-soot, his x mark. [L. S.]
Ish-coh-tim, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wee-as-cus, his x mark. [L. S.]
Hah-hah-stoore-tee, his x mark. [L. S.]
Eee-maht-sin-pooh, his x mark. [L. S.]
Tow-wish-au-il-pilp, his x mark. [L. S.]
Kay-kay-mass, his x mark. [L. S.]
Speaking Eagle, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wat-ti-wat-ti-wah-hi, his x mark. [L. S.]
Howh-no-tah-kun, his x mark. [L. S.]
Tow-wish-wane, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wahpt-tah-shooshe, his x mark. [L. S.]
Bead Necklace, his x mark. [L. S.]
Koos-koos-tas-kut, his x mark. [L. S.]
Levi, his x mark. [L. S.]
Pee-oo-po-whi-hi, his x mark. [L. S.]
Pee-oo-pee-iecteim, his x mark. [L. S.]
Pee-poome-kah, his x mark. [L. S.]
Hah-hah-stlil-at-me, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wee-yoke-sin-ate, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wee-ah-ki, his x mark. [L. S.]
Necalahtsin, his x mark. [L. S.]
Suck-on-tie, his x mark. [L. S.]
Ip-nat-tam-moose, his x mark. [L. S.]
Jason, his x mark. [L. S.]
Kole-kole-til-ky, his x mark. [L. S.]
In-mat-tute-kah-ky, his x mark. [L. S.]
Moh-see-chee, his x mark. [L. S.]
George, his x mark. [L. S.]
Nicke-el-it-may-ho, his x mark. [L. S.]
Say-i-ee-ouse, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wis-tasse-cut, his x mark. [L. S.]
Ky-ky-soo-te-lum, his x mark. [L. S.]
Ko-ko-whay-nee, his x mark. [L. S.]
Kwin-to-kow, his x mark. [L. S.]
Pee-wee-au-ap-tah, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wee-at-tenat-il-pilp, his x mark. [L. S.]
Pee-oo-pee-u-il-pilp, his x mark. [L. S.]
Wah-tass-tum-mannee, his x mark. [L. S.]
Tu-wee-si-ce, his x mark. [L. S.]
Lu-ee-sin-kah-koose-sin, his x mark. [L. S.]
Hah-tal-ee-kin, his x mark. [L. S.]
Signed and sealed in presence of us—
James Doty, secretary of treaties, W. T.
Wm. C. McKay, secretary of treaties, O.T.
W. H. Tappan, sub-Indian agent,
William Craig, interpreter,
A. D. Pamburn, interpreter,
Wm. McBean,
Geo. C. Bomford.
C. Chirouse, O. M. T.
Mie. Cles. Pandosy,
Lawrence Kip,
W. H. Pearson.
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