, 1857-04-03

and on one OF the Islands near their usual
encampments and ranging grounds, which
were to be the permanent homes Of the
Indians, and it guarateed them the right
Of fishing at all usual and accustomed
places-Of pasturing their animals, of dig
ging roots, of gathering berries and Of
hunting on all open and unclaimed land, in
common with the whites.
Moreover, it was provided that each
Indian within the limits Of the reservation
should have a homestead, whenever he had
acquired that steadiness of purpose and
knowledge Of civilized life which would
enable him to improve it properly, and
take care Of it,
As, however, the progress Of settlement
might make such changes in the condition
Of the country as to make a different per
manent home desirable for the Indians,
provision was inserted in the treaty, au'
thorizng the President TO make change
in the reservation whenever the public ad-
vantage or the good Of the Indian might
require it.
The treaty also made very liberal pro-
vision for instructing the Indians in ogri-
cultural and mechanical arts, and for teach
ing them the rudiments of education and
in common with the treaties subsequently
made with the remaining Indians on the
Sound, provided for an industrial and agri-
cultural school.
This school, and the instruction in agri-
culture, the mechanic arts, and in the rudi-
ments Of education, was 10 be kept up by
the government, at its own expense, for
twenty years, and without being a charge
upon the annuities. 1t contemplated the
instruction of every Indian boy and girl.
A sum was provided for establishing the
Indians on their reservations to be applied
in building houses, clearing, enclosing and
breaking up land, and furnishing seed. The
fields were then assigned 10 the several
Indian families-the necessary seed distrib-
uted, and they were then required to bring
to maturity the crops on the ground thus
prepared for them.
The annuities Of the treaty, also for
twenty years, are TO be expended for
clothing, repairs, buildings, farming uten-
sis, seed, and for any other object which
may be conducive to their comfort.
The above are the main provisions, as
understood by us, Of the treaty made with
the Indians at the head of Puget Sound,
as referred to, in December, 1854 and
the treaties made in January and Febru-
ary following, with the remaining Indians
of the Sound, as also those of the Straits
of Fuca, are, as we are informed, identical
in character. In consequence Of the Indian
war, we presume il is, that the treaty at
the head Of the Sound, only, has been con-
frmed aud as portion of the Nisqually
and Puyallup tribes were hostile, only the
Squaxen Indians have participated fully in
Its advantages.
On the Squaxen reservation, the Indian
houses are nearly completed. A large
field is enclosed, ready for cultivation.
This field is being enlarged-a blacksmith
shop is in full operation, supplying tools
and impliments to the Indians They will
be supplied with clothing in the course Of
the season. Each family that will till,
properly, the plowed field allotted to it,
will have a bountiful supply of potatoes,
peas, and other vegetables in the fall. On
this reservation is an excellent OK team,
with wagon, plOw, and other tools.
The same operations are now in hand at
both the Nisqually aud Puyallup reserya-
tions. II no further difficulties occur, by
fall all the Indians of these tribes will be
comfortably housed, clothed, aud provided
with vegetables. The same policy will be
pursued with all the other tribes of the
settlements, should the government confirm
the treaties.
Do not such treaties meet the case ?
Are they not adapted to the actual condi-
ton Of the indians and the settlements ?
Are not their provisions good-looking to
great increase Of the white population ?
Are they not creditable to the government,
as evncing its paternal care 2 Ought not
every good citizen to give them his ccun-
tenance and support
East Of the Cascades, where the settle
ments had hardly commenced, but which,
in consequence Of its mining, grazing, and
agricultural advantages, was attracting
the attention of the citizens of the two
Territories, not by scores or by hundreds,
but by thousands, and where, though no
sDecial nsane or convention had crown m