The Neah Bay Land Grab

A Washington correspondent writes to the Bulletin, calling attention to the fact that vessels taking shelter at Neah Bay can get no supplies because the entire waterfront is embraced within an Indian reservation. Some time ago, a respectful request in writing was made by responsible parties to the Military Commander of the District, Gen. Howard, for leave to erect on the land reserved for military purposes (which has never yet been utilized) a temporary storehouse, to be used in connection with a schooner afloat for commercial purposes. This request was promptly refused. It is said that the removal of the Indians to Quinalt Bay would entail no hardship, but the truth is that there is ample waterfront on Neah Bay for trade without removing them. The interests of the government, the rights of citizens, and the welfare of the Indians have been sacrificed to official greed and private speculation. A few years ago, Mr. H. A. Webster held a pre-emption claim on unreserved public lands fronting upon Neah Bay, where he carried on a highly profitable fur trade. His lucrative business was coveted by the licensed trader and others connected with the Indian department. Upon the representations of the Superintendent for this Territory, President Grant issued a proclamation extending the reservation over the possessions and improvements of Mr. Webster and other white settlers. A file of soldiers were ordered to summarily eject the settlers at the point of the bayonet. This extension gave the reservation trader a monopoly on the most valuable fur seal trading post on the coast, which is believed to be under the control of the great Alaska monopoly, in which Grant and his immediate friends are supposed to have stock. Congress passed a bill of relief for Mr. Webster, under which he received the value of his improvements—about $20,000—but nothing for his pre-emption claim, of which he was deprived without due process of law.