Treaty of Point Elliott, 1855 

Articles of agreement and convention made and concluded at Muckl-te-oh, or Point Elliott, in the territory 

of Washington, this twenty-second day of January, eighteen hundred and fifty-five, by Isaac I. Stevens, 

governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for the saidTerritory, on the part of the United States, and the 

undersigned chiefs, head-men and delegates of the Dwamish, Suquamish, Sk-kahl-mish, Sam-ahmish, 

Smalh-kamish, Skope-ahmish, St-kah-mish, Snoqualmoo, Skai-wha-mish, N'Quentl-ma-mish, Sk-tah-lejum, Stoluck-wha-mish, Sno-ho-mish, Skagit, Kik-i-allus, Swin-a-mish, Squin-ah-mish, Sah-ku-mehu, 

Noo-wha-ha, Nook-wa-chah-mish, Mee-see-qua-guilch, Cho-bah-ah-bish, and othe allied and subordinate 

tribes and bands of Indians occupying certain lands situated in said Territory of Washington, on behalf of 

said tribes, 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: 

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

between Commencement and Elliott Bays; thence eastwardly, running along the north line of lands 

heretofore ceded to the United States by the Nisqually, Puyallup, and other Indians, to the summit of the 

Cascade range of mountains; thence northwardly, following the summit of said range to the 49th parallel of 

north latitude; thence west, along said parallel to the middle of the Gulf of Georgia; thence through the 

middle of said gulf and the main channel through the Canal de Arro to the Straits of Fuca, and crossing the 

same through the middle of Admiralty Inlet to Suquamish Head; thence southwesterly, through the 

peninsula, and following the divide between Hood's Canal and Admiralty Inlet to the portage known as 

Wilkes' Portage; thence northeastwardly, and following the line of lands heretofore ceded as aforesaid to 

Point Southworth, on the western side of Admiralty Inlet, and thence around the foot of Vashon's Island 

eastwardly and southeastwardly to the place of beginning, including all the islands comprised within said 

boundaries, and all the right, title, and interest of the said tribes and bands to any lands within the territory 

of the United States. 

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 amount of two sections, or twelve hundred and eighty acres, surrounding the small 

bight at the head of Port Madison, called by the Indians Noo-sohk-um; the amount of two sections, or 

twelve hundred and eighty acres, on the north side Hwhomish Bay and the creek emptying into the same 

called Kwilt-seh-da, the peninsula at the southeastern end of Perry's Island, called Shais-quihl, and the 

island called Chah-choo-sen, situated in the Lummi River at the point of separation of the mouths emptying 

respectively into Bellingham Bay and the Gulf of Georgia. 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 said tribes or bands, and of the superintendent or agent, but, if 

necessary for the public convenience, roads may be run through the said reserves, the Indians being 

compensated for any damage thereby done them. 

ARTICLE 3. 

There is also reserved from out the lands hereby ceded the amount of thirty-six sections, or one township of 

land, on the northeastern shore of Port Gardner, and north of the mouth of Snohomish River, including 

Tulalip Bay and the before-mentioned Kwilt-seh-da Creek, for the purpose of establishing thereon an 

agricultural and industrial school, as hereinafter mentioned and agreed, and with a view of ultimately 

drawing thereto and settling thereon all the Indians living west of the Cascade Mountains in said Territory. 

Provided, however, That the President may establish the central agency and general reservation at such 

other point as he may deem for the benefit of the Indians. 
ARTICLE 4. 

The said tribes and bands agree to remove to and settle upon the said first above-mentioned reservations 

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 land not in the actual claim and occupation of citizens of 

the United States, and upon any land claimed or occupied, if with the pe-mission of the owner. 

ARTICLE 5. 

 

The right of taking fish at 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 and gathering roots and berries on open and unclaimed lands. 

Provided, however, That they shall not take shell-fish from any beds staked or cultivated by citizens. 

ARTICLE 6. 

In consideration of the above cession, the United States agree to pay to the said tribes and bands the sum of 

one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, in the following manner - - that is to say: For the first year after the 

ratification hereof, fifteen thousand dollars; for the next two year, twelve thousand dollars each year; for 

the next three years, ten thousand dollars each year; for the next four years, seven thousand five hundred 

dollars each years; for the next five years, six thousand dollars each year; and for the last five years, four 

thousand two hundred and fifty 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 7. 

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

of the said Indians be promoted, remove them from either or all of the special reservations hereinbefore 

make to the said general reservation, or such other suitable place within said Territory as he may deem fit, 

on remunerating them for their improvements and the expenses of such 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 suc 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 made 

accordingly therefor. 

ARTICLE 8. 

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

ARTICLE 9.

The said tribes and bands acknowledge their dependence on the Government of the United States, and 

promise to be friendly with all citizens thereof, and they pledge themselves to commit no depredations on 

the property of such citizens. Should any one or more of them violate this pledge, and the fact be 
satisfactorily proven before the agent, the property taken shall be returned, or in default thereof, of 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 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 depredations on 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 trial. 

ARTICLE 10.

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 

tribe 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 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 further 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. 

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 

fifteen thousand dollars to be laid out and expended under the direction of the President and in such manner 

as he shall approve. 

ARTICLE 14. 

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 like term of twenty years to instruct the Indians in their respective occupations. And the 

United States finally 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 said school, shops, persons 

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

annuities. 

ARTICLE 15. 

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 of Indians, have hereunto set 

their hands and seals, at the place and on the day and year hereinbefore written. 

 

Issac I. Stevens, Governor and Superintendent. (L.S.) 

Seattle, Chief of the Dwamish and Suquamish tribes, his x mark. (L. S.) 

Pat-ka-nam, Chief of the Snoqualmoo, Snohomish and other tribes, his x mark. (L.S.) Chow-its-hoot, Chief 

of the Lummi and other tribes, his x mark. (L. S.) 

Goliah, Chief of the Skagits and other allied tribes, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kwallattum, or General Pierce, Sub-chief of the Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

S'hootst-hoot, Sub-chief of Snohomish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Snah-talc, or Bonaparte, Sub-chief of Snohomish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Squush-um, or The Smoke, Sub-chief of the Snoqualmoo, his x mark. (L.S.) 

See-alla-pa-han, or The Priest, Sub-chief of Sk-tah-le-jum, his x mark. (L.S.) 

He-uch-ka-nam, or George Bonaparte, Sub-chief of Snohomish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Tse-nah-talc, or Joseph Bonaparte, Sub-chief of Snohomish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ns'ski-oos, or Jackson, Sub-chief of Snohomish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Wats-ka-lah-tchie, or John Hobtsthoot, Sub-chief of Snohomish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Smeh-mai-hu, Sub-chief of Skai-wha-mish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Slat-eah-ka-nam, Sub-chief of Snoqualmoo, his x mark. (L.S.) 

St'hau-ai, Sub-chief of Snoqualmoo, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Lugs-ken, Sub-chief of Skai-wha-mish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

S'heht-soolt, or Peter, Sub-chief of Snohomish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Do-queh-oo-satl, Snoqualmoo tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

John Kanam, Snoqualmoo sub-chief, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Klemsh-ka-nam, Snoqualmoo, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ts'huahntl, Dwa-mish sub-chief, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kwuss-ka-nam, or George Snatelum, Sen., Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Hel-mits, or George Snatelum, Skagit sub-chief, his x mark. (L.S.) 

S'kwai-kwi, Skagit tribe, sub-chief, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Seh-lek-qu, Sub-chief Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

S'h'-cheh-oos, or General Washington, Sub-chief of Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Whai-lan-hu, or Davy Crockett, Sub-chief of Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

She-ah-delt-hu, Sub-chief of Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kwult-seh, Sub-chief of Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kwull-et-hu, Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kleh-kent-soot, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sohn-heh-ovs, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

S'deh-ap-kan, or General Warren, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Chul-whil-tan, Sub-chief of Suquamish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ske-eh-tum, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Patchkanam, or Dome, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sats-Kanam, Squin-ah-nush tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sd-zo-mahtl, Kik-ial-lus band, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Dahtl-de-min, Sub-chief of Sah-ku-meh-hu, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sd'zek-du-num, Me-sek-wi-guilse sub-chief, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Now-a-chais, Sub-chief of Dwamish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Mis-lo-tche, or Wah-hehl-tchoo, Sub-chief of Suquamish, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sloo-noksh-tan, or Jim, Suquamish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Moo-whah-lad-hu, or Jack, Suquamish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Too-leh-plan, Suquamish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ha-seh-doo-an, or Keo-kuck, Dwamish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Hoovilt-meh-tum, Sub-chief of Suquamish, his x mark. (L.S.) 
We-ai-pah, Skaiwhamish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

S'ah-an-hu, or Hallam, Snohomish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

She-hope, or General Pierce, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Hwn-lah-lakq, or Thomas Jefferson, Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Cht-simpt, Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Tse-sum-ten, Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Klt-hahl-ten, Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kut-ta-kanam, or John, Lummi tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ch-lah-ben, Noo-qua-cha-mish band, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Noo-heh-oos, Snoqualmoo tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Hweh-uk, Snoqualmoo tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Peh-nus, Skai-whamish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Yim-ka-dam, Snoqualmoo tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Twooi-as-kut, Skaiwhamish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Luch-al-kanam, Snoqualmoo tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

S'hoot-kanam, Snoqualmoo tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sme-a-kanam, Snoqualmoo tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sad-zis-keh, Snoqualmoo, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Heh-mahl, Skaiwhamish band, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Charley, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sampson, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

John Taylor, Snohomish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Hatch-kwentum, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Yo-i-kum, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

T'kwa-ma-han, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Sto-dum-kan, Swinamish band, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Be-lole, Swinamish band, his x mark. (L.S.) 

D'zo-lole-gwam-hu, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Steh-shail, William, Skaiwhamish band, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Kel-kahl-tsoot, Swinamish tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Pat-sen, Skagit tribe, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Pat-teh-us, Noo-wha-ah sub-chief, his x mark. (L.S.) 

S'hoolk-ka-nam, Lummi sub-chief, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Ch-lok-suts, Lummi sub-chief, his x mark. (L.S.) 

Executed in the presence of us - - 

M. T. Simmons, Indian agent. 

C. H. Mason, Secretary of Washington Territory. 

Benj. F. Shaw, Interpreter. 

Chas. M. Hitchcock. 

H. a. Goldsborough. 

George Gibbs. 

John H. Scranton. 

Henry D. Cock. 

S. S. Ford, jr. 

Orrington Cushman. 

Ellis Barnes. 

R. S. Bailey. 

S. M. Collins. 

Lafayetee Balch. 

E. S. Fowler. 

J. H. Hall. 

Rob't Davis. 

S. Doc. 319, 58-2, vol 2 43 

Ratified Mar. 8, 1859. Proclaimed Apr. 11, 1859.