Treaty of Medicine Creek, 1854 

Articles of agreement and convention made and concluded on the She-nah-nam, or Medicine Creek, in the 

Territory of Washington, this twenty-sixth day of December, in the year one thousand eight hundred and 

fifty-four, by Isaac I. Stevens, governor and superintendent of Indian affairs of the said Territory, on the 

part of the United States, and the undersigned chiefs, head-men, and delegates of the Nisqually, Puyallup, 

Steilacoom, Squawskin, S'Homamish, Stehchass, T'Peeksin, Squi-aitl, and Sa-heh-wamish tribes and bands 

of Indians, occupying the lands lying round the head of Puget's Sound and the adjacent inlets, who, for the 

purpose of this treaty, are to be regarded as one nation, on behalf of said tribes and bands, and duly 

authorized by them. 

ARTICLE 1.

The said tribes and bands of Indians hereby cede, relinquish, and convey to the United States, all their right, 

title, and interest in and to the lands and country occupied by them, bounded and described as follows, to 

wit: Commencing at the point on the eastern side of Admiralty Inlet, known as Point Pully, about midway 

between Commencement and Elliott Bays; thence running in a southeasterly direction, following the divide 

between the waters of the Puyallup and Dwamish, or White Rivers, to the summit of the Cascade 

Mountains; thence southerly, along the summit of said range, to a point opposite the main source of the 

Skookum Chuck Creek; thence to and down said creek, to the coal mine; thence northwesterly, to the 

summit of the Black Hills; thence northerly, to the upper forks of the Satsop River; thence northeasterly, 

through the portage known as Wilkes's Portage, to Point Southworth, on the western side of Admiralty 

Inlet; thence around the foot of Vashon's Island, easterly and southeasterly, to the place of beginning. 

ARTICLE 2.

There is, however, reserved for the present use and occupation of the said tribes and bands, the following 

tracts of land, viz: The small island called Klah-che-min, situated opposite the mouths of Hammerslev's and 

Totten's Inlets, and separated from Hartstene Island by Peale's Passage, containing about two sections of 

land by estimation; a square tract containing two sections, or twelve hundred and eighty acres, on Puget's 

Sound, near the mouth of the She-nah-nam Creek, one mile west of the meridian line of the United States 

land survey, and a square tract containing two sections, or twelve hundred and eighty acres, lying on the 

south side of Commencement Bay; all which tracts shall be set apart, and, so far as necessary, surveyed and 

marked out for their exclusive use; nor shall any white man be permitted to reside upon the same without 

permission of the tribe and the superintendent or agent. And the said tribes and bands agree to remove to 

and settle upon the same within one year after the ratification of this treaty, or sooner if the means are 

furnished them. 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. If necessary for the public convenience, roads may be run through 

their reserves, and, on the other hand, the right of way with free access from the same to the nearest public 

highway is secured to them. 

ARTICLE 3.

The right of taking fish, at all usual and accustomed grounds and stations, is further secured to said Indians 

in common with all citizens of the Territory, and of erecting temporary houses for the purpose of curing, 

together with the privilege of hunting, gathering roots and berries, and pasturing their horses on open and 

unclaimed lands: Provided, however, That they shall not take shellfish from any beds staked or cultivated 

by citizens, and that they shall alter all stallions not intended for breeding-horses, and shall keep up and 

confine the latter. 

ARTICLE 4.
In consideration of the above session, the United States agree to pay to the said tribes and bands the sum of 

thirty-two thousand five hundred dollars, in the following manner, that is to say: For the first year after the 

ratification hereof, three thousand two hundred and fifty dollars; for the next two years, three thousand 

dollars each year; for the next three years, two thousand dollars each year; for the next four years fifteen 

hundred dollars each year; for the next five years twelve hundred dollars each year; and for the next five 

years one 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. And the superintendent of 

Indian affairs, or other proper officer, shall each year inform the President of the wishes of said Indians in 

respect thereto. 

ARTICLE 5.

To enable the said Indians to remove to and settle upon their aforesaid reservations, and to clear, fence, and 

break up a sufficient quantity of land for cultivation, the United States further agree to pay the sum of three 

thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, to be laid out and expended under the direction of the President, 

and in such manner as he shall approve. 

ARTICLE 6.

The President may hereafter, when in his opinion the interests of the Territory may require, and the welfare 

of the said Indians be promoted, remove them from either or all of said reservations to such other suitable 

place or places within said Territory as he may deem fit, on remunerating them for their improvements and 

the expenses of their removal, or may consolidate them with other friendly tribes or bands. And he may 

further, at his discretion, cause the whole or any portion of the lands hereby reserved, or of such other land 

as may be selected in lieu thereof, to be surveyed into lots, and assign the same to such individuals or 

families 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, so far as the same may be applicable. Any substantial improvements heretofore made by 

any Indian, and which he shall be compelled to abandon in consequence of this treaty, shall be valued 

under the direction of the President, and payment to be made accordingly thereof. 

ARTICLE 7.

The annuities of the aforesaid tribes and bands shall not be taken to pay the debts of individuals. 

ARTICLE 8.

The aforesaid tribes and bands acknowledge their dependence on 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 their annuities. Nor will they 

make war on any other tribe except in self-defence, but will submit all matters of difference between them 

and 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, the same rule 

shall prevail as that prescribed in this article, in cases of depredations against citizens. And the said tribes 

agree not to shelter or conceal offenders against the laws of the United States, but to deliver them up to the 

authorities for trail. 

ARTICLE 9.

The above tribes and bands are desirous to exclude from their reservations 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 
tribes, who is guilty of bringing liquor into said reservations, 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 United States further agree to establish at the general agency for the district of Puget's Sound, within 

one year from the ratification hereof, and to support, for a period of twenty years, an agricultural and 

industrial school, to be free to children of the said tribes and bands, in common with those of the other 

tribes of said district, and to provide the said school with a suitable instructor or instructors, and also to 

provide a smithy and carpenter's shop, and furnish them with the necessary tools, and employ a blacksmith, 

carpenter, and farmer, for the term of twenty years, to instruct the Indians in their respective occupations. 

And the United States further agree to employ a physician to reside at the said central agency, who shall 

furnish medicine and advice to their sick, and shall vaccinate them; the expenses of the said school, shops, 

employees, and medical attendance, to be defrayed by the United States, and not deducted from the 

annuities. 

ARTICLE 11.

The said tribes and bands agree to free all slaves now held by them, and not to purchase or acquire others 

hereafter. 

ARTICLE 12.

The said tribes and bands finally agree not to trade at Vancouver's Island, or elsewhere out of the 

dominions of the United States; nor shall foreign Indians be permitted to reside in their reservations without 

consent of the superintendent or agent. 

ARTICLE 13.

This treaty shall be obligatory on 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, and the 

undersigned chiefs, headmen, and delegates of the aforesaid tribes and bands, 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 Territory of Washington. 

Qui-ee-metl, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sno-ho-dumset, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Lesh-high, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Slip-o-elm, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kwi-ats, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Stee-high, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Di-a-keh, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Hi-ten, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Squa-ta-hun, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kahk-tse-min, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sonan-o-yutl, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kl-tehp, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sahl-ko-min, his x mark. (L.S.) 

T'bet-ste-heh-bit, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Tcha-hoos-tan, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ke-cha-hat, his x mark. (L.S.) 
Spee-peh, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Swe-yah-tum, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Cha-achsh, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Pich-kehd, his x mark. (L.S.) 

S'Klah-o-sum, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sah-le-tatl, his x mark. (L.S.) 

See-lup, his x mark. (L.S.) 

E-la-kah-ka, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Slug-yeh, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Hi-nuk, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ma-mo-nish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Cheels, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Knutcanu, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Bats-ta-kobe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Win-ne-ya, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Klo-out, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Se-uch-ka-nam, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ske-mah-han, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Wuts-un-a-pum, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Quuts-a-tadm, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Quut-a-heh-mtsn, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Yah-leh-chn, his x mark. (L.S.) 

To-lahl-kut, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Yul-lout, his x mark. (L.S.) 

See-ahts-oot-soot, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ye-takho, his x mark. (L.S.) 

We-po-it-ee, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kah-sld, his x mark. (L.S.) 

La'h-hom-kan, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Pah-how-at-ish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Swe-yehm, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sah-hwill, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Se-kwaht, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kah-hum-klt, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Yah-kwo-bah, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Wut-sah-le-wun, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sah-ba-hat, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Tel-e-kish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Swe-keh-nam, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sit-oo-ah, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ko-quel-a-cut, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Jack, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Keh-kise-bel-lo, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Go-yeh-hn, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sah-putsh, his x mark. (L.S.) 

William, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Executed in the presence of us - - 

M. T. Simmons, Indian agent. 

James Doty, secretary of the commission. 

C. H. Mason, secretary Washington Territory. 

W. A. Slaughter, first lieutenant, Fourth Infantry. 

James McAlister, 

E. Giddings, jr. 

George Shazer, 
Henry D. Cock, 

S. S. Ford, jr., 

John W. McAlister, 

Clovington Cushman, 

Peter Anderson, 

Samuel Klady, 

W. H. Pullen, 

P. O. Hough, 

E. R. Tyerall, 

George Gibbs, 

Benj. F. Shaw, interpreter, 

Hazard Stevens. 

Ratified Mar. 3, 1855. Proclaimed Apr. 10, 1855.