, 1855-06-29
Treaties with the Indians.

Treaties with the Indians.
By the arrival at this place, last week,
of Mr.. W. H. PIERsoN, from the Walla-
walla valley, we are informed of the rati-
fcation of treaties with four of the princi-
pal tribes in the vicinity of the Walla-walla
valley, consisting of the Mes Perce, Wala-
walla, Cayuse and Umatilas, by Gov.
Stevens, Superintendent of Indian A fairs,
for this territory, and Gen. Palmer, Su-
perintendent of Indian Affairs for Ore
gou. 1t was the determination Of Gov
Stevens to press forward towards Ft. Ben
ton, in about ten days from the date that
Mr.. Pierson left the Council ground
June 18th, in order to reach that place
by the middle of July. Entire success had
thus far attended the action of the joint
commission--all are sanguine as to the
future-and no exertion will be spared by
Gov. Stevens to terminate all things ami
cably, and return to this section of the ter
ritory in good season. Considerable diff
Guilty was experienced for several days after
the opening Of the negotiations, in conse-
quence of the backwardness of some of
the tribes to receive presents of tobacco,
provisions, &c, or enter freely into terms;
but everything terminated satisfactorily
The Mes Perce tribe have agreed to send
a delegation of some one hundred men
through to Ft. Benton, and the other tribes
will probably send each small dclega-
ton. .."
The first treaty concluded was with
the Yakima nation-Kam-ai-a-kur, head
chief. This nation includes the Pischouse,
the Psharon-wappan, the Yakima people,
and the Palouse tribes, and the bands
on the banks of the Columbia and back to
the mountains, from about opposite the
mouth of the Umatilla, to below the white
salmon river. The cession Of land amounts
to about 1900 square miles The land
reserved is about 1850 square miles
About two thousand Indians are parties to
the treaty, which was concluded June 9th,
by Gov. Stevens, in behalf of the govern
ment. ail.ii
On the same day the Walla-waIlas signed a
joint treaty, entered into by>Gov Stevens
and Gen. Palmer, confedcratiBg the Whlla-
wallas, the Cayuses and Umatillas on a
single reservation at the head Of the Una
tilla river, and on the llth day Of June,
the Cayuses and Umatillas gave their as
sent 10 the treaty. "Pa-pu.mux," is con-
sidered the head chief Of the confederated
bands. On the same day, the Mes Perces
signed joint treaty with Gov. Stevens
and Gen. Palmer, placing them on res
ervation on the Clearwater, Snake, and
Salmon rivers Lawyer !" is their head
chief. ..I,.. t.a t..
In the Wallarwalla treaty about 6,l00
square miles of country, were ceded to the
United States, and 750 square miles Of
country retained as reservation. DO
In the Mes Perce treaty, about SO, 200
square miles were ceded, and about 500
held in reservation. The confederated
Walla-wallas, Cayuse and Umatilla tribes
and bands, numbering about 800, and
the Mes Perce tribe about $500. 1t will
thus be seen that at single gathering Of
the Indians, treaties were made with tribes
numbering about six thousand souls, and a
purchase made Of about $4,000 square
miles.of territory.
By their treaties, the land ceded is now
open for settlement, except that by a
special provision the Indians are secured
in the possession Of their building, and i'm
provements till removed to the reserva-
ton.
The whole scope of country watered by
the WalIa-walla river and its tributaries
by the Tukanon, by the Umatilla, except
the reserve at its head; the beautiful coun-
try north Of the Columbia river, from
some forty miles west Of Walla-walla, to
the white Salmon river, presents great
attractions to settlers, particularly to stock
raisers, and no doubt need now be enter
tanned but that settlements will be exten-
sively made around the neucleus at Walla-
walla, Clearwater, &C., and that the over
stocked valley of the Willamette, will
find in the ceded territory, convenient
and profitable pasture ground for the sub
sistence and increase of their stock. .,
Byreference to the notices in the adverl
Using columns of the present issue, de-
scription of the country ceded, and of the
reservations, will be found for the informa-
tion of the public. ... ... .