Treaty with the Nez Perces, 1855 

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, headmen, and delegates of the Nez Perce 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 Perce 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 AI-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 therefore 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 afore- said, 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 tinshop 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 sawmill 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 Perce 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 from the annuities agreed to be paid to said tribes 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 from time to time, at his discretion, cause the 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-defense, 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 Perces desire to exclude from their reservation the use of ardent spirits, and to prevent their people 

from drinking the same; and therefore 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 or her for such time as the President may determine. 
ARTICLE 10.

The Nez Perce 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 Perce tribe of Indians, have hereunto set their hands 

and seals, at the place, and on the day and year herein before written. 

Isaac I. Stevens, [L. S.] Governor and Superintendent of Washington Territory. 

Joel Palmer, [L. S.] Superintendent Indian Affairs. 

Aleiya, or Lawyer, Head-chief of, the Nez Perces, [L. S.] 

Tippelanecbupooh, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Hah-hah-stilpilp, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Appushwa-hite, or Looking-glass, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Cool-cool-shua-nin, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Silish, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Joseph, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Toh-toh-molewit, his x mark. [L. S. 

James, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Tuky-in-lik-it, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Red Wolf, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Te-hole-hole-soot, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Timothy, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Ish-coh-tim, his x mark. [L. S.] 

U-ute-sin-male-cun, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Wee-as-cus, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Spotted Eage, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Hah-hah-stoore-tee, his x ma rk. [L. S.] 

Stoop-toop-nin or Cut-hair, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Eee maht-sin-pooh, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Tow-wish-au-il-pilp, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Tah-moh-moh-kin, his x rnark. [L. S.] 

Kay-kay-mass, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Speaking Eagle, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Kole-kole-til-ky, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Wat-ti-wat-ti-wah-hi, his x mark. [L. S.] 

In-mat-tute-kah-ky, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Howh-no-tah-kun, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Moh-see-chee, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Tow-wish-wane, his x mark. [L. S.] 

George, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Wahpt-tah-shooshe, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Nicke-el-it-may-ho, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Bead Necklace, his x mark. [L. S.] 
Say-i-ee-ouse, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Koos-koos-tas-kut, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Wis-tasse-cut, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Levi, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Ky-ky-soo-te-lum, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Pee-oo-pe-whi-hi, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Ko-ko-whay-nee, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Pee-oo-pee-iecteim, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Kwin-to-kow, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Pee-poome-kah, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Pee-wee-au-ap-tah, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Hah-hah-stlil-at-me, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Wee-at-tenat-il-pilp, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Wee-yoke-sin-ate, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Pee-oo-pee-u-il-pilp, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Wee-ah-ki, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Wah-tass-tum-mannee, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Necalahtsin, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Tu-wesi-ce, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Suck-on-tie, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Lu-ee sin-kah-koose-sin, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Ip-nat-tam-moose, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Hah-tal-ee-kin, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Jason, his x mark. [L. S.] 

Signed and sealed in presence of usJames Doty, secretary of treaties, W.T. 

Wm. McBean, 

Geo. C. Bomford. 

Wm. C. McKay, secretary of treaties, O.T. 

C. Chirouse, O.M.T. 

Mie. Cles. Pandosy, 

W.H. Tappan, sub-Indian agent, 

Lawrence Kip, 

William Craig, interpreter, 

W.H. Pearson. 

A.D. Pamburn, interpreter,