Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-07-26
INDIAN TREATIES IN OREGON.

,. INDIAN TREATIES IN OREGON.
We learn that intelligence Of an interesting cha
racter has been just received at the Indian Bureau
from Oregon.
] Four treaties have been concluded by the Com
missioners, Messrs. GAINES, SKINNER, and ALLEN,
with Indian bands in that country, to the great
lief doubtless of the numerous and fast increasing
settlers there.
| One treaty was with the KamhiU band OF the
Callapooya tribe whereby they stipulate to become
subject and faithful to the laws and regulations of
the United States governing the intercourse between
the whites and the Indians, and to continue the
friends and allies of the same. referring all cases
of difference or aggression arising between the
whites and themselves to the Government of the
United States for adjustment; the latter agreeing
to indemnify them for all losses and injuries in
ficted on them by citizens of the United States.
The Yamhills cede tract Of the south fork Of the
Callapooya, tributary of the Willamette occupied
by numerous white population, and accept a re-
servation in small isolated valley among the Coast
Mountains, offering pasturage for their horses
and supply of roots, which form their principal
support. Besides this reservation they are 10 re-
ceive compensation, partly in cash, and the remain
der in clothing, household utensils, and agricultural
implements, with the reserved right Of changing
these implements for other articles of equal value,
on giving one years notice to the Territorial Su-
perintendent Of Indian Affairs Of their wish to do
so. Ten rifles and three Indian horses are also to
be given to the Chiefs Of the bands and seven sub
stanial log huts, built within the reservation, as
speedily practicable after the ratification Of the
| treaty.
second treaty is with the Luckamias band Of
the same tribe having the same general stiPuations
as the foregoing. The Luckamiutes cede tract
along the river from which they take their name,
also tributary of the Willamette, keeping reser-
vation for their own special use, saving the right to
the authorities Of the Territory to locate highways
through the reservation whenever public conve-
nience might appear to require it. The treaty
stipulates money compensation in the same pro-
portions of cash and articles as in the treaty with
the Yamhills. A horse and bride is also to be
delivered to each of the Chiefs of the band
A third treaty with the Santiam band of the
Mooalle tribe, similar in general respects to the
foregoing cedes to the United States tract abutting
on Silver Creek, tributary of the Willamette. 1t
makes a reservation neighboring former reserva-
ton to the Santiam band, with similar provisos as
in the treaty with the Luckamiutes. They also get
compensation, part money and goods. Ten rifles
to be delivered to the band at large, and good
Indian horse to the principal chief.
The fourth treaty is with the principal band of
the Moolale tribe, and agrees in general terms with
the former. 1t cedes a tract of land commencing
at point within mile Of the Falls of the Walla-
mette, at Oregon city, and occupying valuable por-
ton of the country. They too are to have re-
servation with money and clothing, similar to the
foregoing also, fifteen rifles, and five horses TO the
chiefs, with good Lighthouse for the principal Chief
Guai-eck-e-te.
The reservations made in these treaties are, in
the judgment of the Commissioners, well suited to
the character and condition of these Indians. Lit
tie conflict will be had with any rights of property
acquired by white men and in the very few cases
where reservations for the Indians cover lands in
occupancy of whites, it is recommended that the
latter be bought out at fair valuation. The In
dians themselves have got to be almost wholly de-
pendant the whites for protection assistance, and
money, and are unwilling to be removed far from
them. On the other hand, they are Of no little
service to the white emigrant in country where
labor is So that all interests and wishes arc
served by the measures the Commissioners have
/ taken.
So much, it might be remarked have these In
dans fallen into white habits and ideas, that they
have altogether abandoned their original costume
anu duOptcQ Ildt OF the WnlteS retaining only lLe
blanket. They evidence strong desire yet more
to assmilate themselves to their white neighbors.
These Indians seem to be constitutionally attached
to the homes and haunts of their progenitors.
Their habitations, such as they are, are not only
permanent, but hereditary. They seem to have
universally imbibed the idea that the doom of their
race is sealed, and rather than move from the
places their forefathers occupied will submit to die
on the beloved soil.
i With this deep-rooted, or rather ineradcable,
principle the Commissioners had to contend, and
only effected the favorable treaties they have by
granting reservations in situations the very least OBJ
jectionable to the white man. The lands so re-
served are not well fitted for cultivation, though
suited to the peculiar habits of the Indians. The
Callapooyas have little taste for hunting or fishing,
but live on low and marshy spots, where the kamass
and wappattoo abound, whilst the Moolalles, a
harder and more vigorous race, inhabit the wooded
slopes of the Cascade Mountains, and subsis chiefly
on game.
/ The Democratic members Of the late New YORK
Legislature, upon separating, agreed to issue no
address, has been customary, and to pass no re.
solutions. The reason was that the leaders of both
the divisions are absolutely for the spoils
of Office once more, but know they cannot enjoy
f them without harmony in their own ranks. Bu
there is no single resolution in which both sides
could agree, and no solitary plank Of platform on
: which they could both stand. They therefore &C
into the next Falls contest with the anomalous Po