Year: 1865

feet...COnditiOns of the Treaty.


FORT BENTON, Nov 18th, 1865


on the 18th OF October, 1855 treaty was made with
the Blackfoot Indian Nation a. Cumming and Isaac
Stevens acng as Commissioners the part of the United
States by which nearly the whole of what now Montana
was given TO their exclusive use the northern portion
Tor dwelling place and the part south of the MuscleShe
ryer Tor hunting ground. Gold had then been dis
covered here and Government thought itself perperang


master stroke of policy when it appropriated the
Indians lands that seemed would good for
thing to the whites. No one needs be told that il has
become desirable to extngush the Indian title to these
lands, since nearly fifty thousand whites have settled upon
them attracted hther by the magnetic influence of the
precious metals Realizing the necessity of this change
the General Government in March last specially empow-
cred and authorized Major Cad E. Upson the Indian
Agent at this point to enter into treaty with the
Nation mentioned and to obtain, if possible cesson of
the lands now occupied and likely be settled by
whites. This treaty, after the usual delays which are
always necessary when dealings had with the Indians
was finally concluded yesterday, at this place Arriving
here the day before the ceremonies found the place all
alive with preparation for the whites getting
in readiness to astonsh the natives and the Indians back
IN their camps upon the Teton and Missouri fully expect
ing to surprise the whites.


The morrow came and with It bright bracnp day. and
to the Council House about noon went orty-three chiefs
and head-men with their wild retinues delegates being
present from the Pegans Venres Bloods and Black
Feet all embraced under the general name of the Black
foot Nation With regard to the Boods be noticed
that the hostile band by whom the murder of the eleven
whites was perpetrated last spring. the Maras river
not represented these savages since the murder
having 0utawed themselves beyond the British line The





pranclng along at the head of quite troop of young
rors, drawn out in line who chanted song of peace as
they advanced The room selected for the holding the
council had been finely decorated the whole interior of the
building being lined with cotton cloth the white ground
work upon which esooned long strips of red and
blue flannel producing with fine effect the national coors
wherever the wandered The four pillars the center
of the served embematic columns which to
arrange the insignia of both and peaee-the rifle the
bow the tomahayk and as the opposite of all these the
only olive branch to be obtained in these regions the
green bough.


Upon the blankecoveed seats the red delegates seated
themselves and upon the platform at the head Of the
and in front of the beautiful national decorations
were seated the Commissioner Major Upson and by his
side General Thomas Francis Meagher Superintendent
of Indian Affairs for the Territory United States Judge
L. E. MunsOn as legal counsel for the Government The
interpreters and other whites having influence among the
natives also occupied seats on the platform.


AS the artillery firing ceased the outside the parley
commenced within The pipe Of peace was passed and
was received with thanks. Perfect harmony seemed to
prevail both the and the pipe being stroked
afectonatey some of the chiefs going far as to
pat each other on the head in token of amity


The talk which was carried on through the means of a
French and BlackfoOt interpreter necessarily
what tedious and cannot be repeated at length. The
Indians assured that desired permanent peace
and that we wished peaceful relations to exist between the
varos tribes The treaty was then read by Judge MunsOn
and interpreted Its principal provision and the which
will most interest your readers is contained in Article Ill
which provides for ceSon of all lands heretofore claimed
by the Backeet excepting those lying north of 4o north
lattude-the Teton, Marias and Missouri rivers far
east as Milk verthe Indians agreeing that other tribes
is
what modified by the next which allows the Government
to build roads and telegraphs, establish military POSTS
agencies mission schools etc. in the reserved territory
and permits the whites free privilege travel it, but
whites prohibited from making settlements trading
uness specially censed within the limits of the reserva
ton and intoxicating liquors. and all persons dealing
them TO be strictly debarred entrance thereon The
and their obligation to obey laws thereof and they
agree themselves to the utmost of their ability for
the purpose of enforcing them promising to deliver all
offenders the proper authorities whenever called upon
to do As recUmpense for the lands ceded the United
States agree to eXpend for the Black0O Nation in add
ton to the goods distributed at the time of signing the
treaty, S5OOOO annually for twenty years such portion
Of this money may be deemed proper by the President
be used in promoting civilization among the Blackfeet


After the reading of the treaty, Little Dog head chief
of the PeganS arose. and spoke for his tribe follows
We pleased with what we have heard to-day. One
why am glad TO hear what have had to say
because there three nations here to listen With regard
the Indians the words strong that You have told
The land here belongs to raised upon it
are glad to give portion to the United States, for we get
something for it. We don't intend put aside the whites
who have married in the nation want to give the half
breeds share of our annuties. They own the land as
much ourselves and want them to get their proper
ton OF what we receive for it. Am very glad that you
have told to-day that you going send mechanics
physicians and teachers among Everything told us to-
day willing TO agree to- nothing bad in the
treaty Whatever Piegans have promised shall try
perform that the Great Father below will be pleased


Bulls Back Fat spoke to the same effect ON behalf
of the Bloods.


'Farmasee," or Sitting Squaw" head chief of the
Gros-V -Venres, said: I'VE have been with the





day my heart swes up is glad the earth big
account of this peace For part done going to
want to be at peace with all nations, and all be
| brothers"


Fish Child" the sole representative of the Backfoot
tribe present agreed in sentiment with Little Dog" and
the others.


pleasure that their pledges of peace and am had given
him said he should expect all agreements made to be fully
performed by them in the good faith that the prom
ises made by the Government would be kept He hoped
that the pipe they had smoked to-day might indeed prove
pipe of peace not only between the tribes but between
the Indians and the whites and that when they looked
upon face represented the medals about be pre-
them they would remember that the por
trait of their Great Father at Washington who would be
displeased with them if they did not keep the word they
had given Certain designated chiefs then invested
by General Meagher with the large silver medals sent
them from Washington, and in conclusion the treaty was
signed each chief touching the pen in turn as token
his assent.


And so was concluded treaty in the highest degree
advantageous the whites which gives to al
that vast extent of country embracng between and
three hundred thousand square mes) in which are sla
ted our largest towns-Heena, Virginia City, Bannack
etc-and containing all rich mines, best agrcul
tua lands of our largest rivers fact all those
portions of Territory that have been proved to be
any worth Too much commendation cannot be bestowed
upon Major Upon the who has had the treaty
matter charge only for the with which
he has syen effect it. but for the thorough manner il
which his work has finally been accomplished While ht
has used every effort obtain such representation from
the various tribes would insure true expression of thu
Indian sentiment and consequent regard of treaty spua
u0ns-Wnlle ne mas enuefNOreu 10
satisfy the natiyesthe best interests of the whites hav
ever been uppemost in his mind acknowledging that al
treaties made up of mutual concessions he has mad
those concessions part few and light as possible
The treaty itself revised by the Hon. Judge Munson
who has been ndeagabe in his efforts to render clear
emphatic, and of unquestionable validity.


The General the Governor, the Secretary his Excel
lency, the Hon. Thomas Francis Meagher has not only
with his many titles served add dignity all the treaty
ceremonies but Superintendent Of Indian Affairs for tn
Territory has materially assisted in the work by his promp
decision and ready counsel.


Bad men exist in all nations; there road agents wit
red skins well with white and it is possible
indeed probable that Indian depredations will not imme
diaely become unknown From the friendly feeling exhb
ited have reason to believe however that they will
greatly diminished in number, and that will only be tn
red mans allowance of that human depravty common
all people and hostility to the whites, that will here
after find vent in an occasional crime NJ.


PROLIFIC SPRINGs.-On the He'll Gate trail, abou
twenty-five miles from Backfoot City, there are some
the prolific springs in the world They burst for
the bluffs in hundred inexhaustibe fountains any one
which would be thought unusually large spring outsd
of mountain region. These numerous crystal rivule
unite few yards below the bluff into common eurren
which flows off through wide and beautiful valley,
mill following tn