, 1863-05-02
Nez Perces Treaty.


Nez Perces Treaty.
The tenth of this month is the time fix ed
for holding a Council with the Nez Perces
Indians at Lapwai, with view to treating
for the lands now held by that tribe. 1t
will be remembered that Council was
held with these Indians some two years
ago-soon after the discovery Of gold near
where Pierce city now stap3s-at which an
agreement was entered into (not treaty.
between Supt. Geary and the Head Chiefs
of the Nez Perces nation, by which the
whites we're allowed the privilege of min
ing north and east of the Clearwater river.
This arrangement, though very unpopular
with miners, for time created no conten-
ton; but as the influx to the Orc Fino
mines soon filled them to repletion and
caused desire for further researches. the
unlucky miners after having satisfied them
selves with Improbable prospecting upon
the north fork of the Clearwater and its
tributaries, become discontented, and con-
cluded that the main gold deposits must
be in the region of country watered by the
south fork of that stream. Accordingly.
parties of miners, numbering from fifty to
one hundred, armed and equipped, explored
that region, Notwithstanding it was against
the Council agreement, and in direct oppo-
sition to the wishes and urgent solicitations
of the Nez Perces, many of whom followed
these prospecting parties and coniured
them to adhere to the obligations of the
agreement, and to depart out of their
country. However, no attention was paid
to the Indians, and the whites told them
plainly that they would prospect the South
Fork, peaceably if the could, but forcibly,
if they must The Nez Perces finally
yielded, saying they would not embroil
themselves in a hopeless war with the
whites, but felt aggrieved that our people
had violated their faith and compromised
their honor in breaking the agreement with
them. The appeals and arguments of these
aoorigines en- the occasions alluded to, were
said to be very logical, and could not be
refuted by the miners, who only insisted
that there was gold on the South Fork
and the white people would have it if they
had to exte-minate the whole Nez Pelces
tribe to procure it.
Thus, the agreeme mt was broken and the
reserved lands of this tribe overrun by the
adventurous miner. Still these Indians
have maintained peaceable relations through
out in their intercourse with the whites,
and have nevr, at any time, been at war with
them. They have been aggravated at
times because of receiving their annuities
in old plcws and articles of no value to
them. when they especially desired ready
money so that they could for themselves
purchase such articles as they wished; but
beyond this (f it was fault, they have
manifested disposition of character com
mendable even in highly civilized people.
The country this tribe occupies is very
valuable, not only for its extensive gold
fields, but also for its extensive grazing
lands. We presume it is the intention to
secure, if possible, these lands to the Gov
ernment, and extinguish the Indian title
to them. 1t is to be hoped such result
may be accomplished, in the proposed
Council to be held on the 10th. But we
wish to say to those authorized to act in
the mater: deal with the Nez Perces hon
orably; as an act of humanity, do them
justice; remember their present condition,
and their past generous forbearance with
our people. We say this much because of
the inhuman representations of certain
"high-toned" scoundrels, to the effect that
these Indians will be compelled to relin-
quish their lands and forced TO gire 1oay
TO the lohite man I'm the name of all
the Gods at once = will the Government
permit this thing with these friendly In
dians, when it is so fondling and tender
hearted with the negro