The Senate Ratifies the Treaties That Remade the Northwest

As our readers were informed in our last issue, says the Daily Journal, the treaties made in 1855 with many of the Indian tribes in Oregon and Washington Territory have been ratified by the Senate of the United States—an event of incalculable importance and advantage to our community, inasmuch as all difficulties in the way of the settlement of the country have been effectually removed, while in the execution of these treaties more than a million dollars will gradually be disbursed in this region. Moreover, the Indians themselves must be materially benefited by the change in their mode of life, which will be attempted under the provisions of these treaties with the simple means to that end placed at the disposition of the Indian Department. We append certain of the details of these treaties:

That with the Walla Wallas and Indians of this section west of John Day's River was concluded on the 9th of June, 1855. By it 3,000,000 acres of land were ceded for the consideration of $100,000, to be paid in annuities through twenty years; $50,000 to be expended for agricultural implements, with the further provision of one saw mill and sawyer; one flour mill and miller; one schoolhouse and teacher; one superintendent of farming and one farmer; blacksmith, carpenter, wheelwright, and other mechanics, with shops; one house for employees, and other aids for the several bands. These Indians, in 1855 numbering 1,770, have reserved for their own use 510,400 acres of land, including some small tracts in the mountains, about seventy-five miles directly to the south of this place. Quite 1,300 souls are already collected in one of their villages, where considerable improvements have already been made by Col. Dennison, and some 400 acres are now under cultivation, chiefly in gardens.

The Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Umatilla bands united in one treaty, signed on the 9th of June, 1855, by which they ceded a large tract for settlement, and in consideration thereof are to receive $150,000 in annuities through twenty years; and are to be provided for the same period with two schoolhouses and two teachers; a blacksmith, carpenter, wheelwright, and other mechanics and shops; a flour and saw mill, with millwright, miller, superintendent of farming, and farmer, with other aids. These Indians were estimated at 1,700 souls in 1855. Their reserve covers some 611,000 acres within the following boundaries: Commencing at a certain corner of Wm. C. McKay's claim, lying upon and near to the mouth of How-to-me Creek on the Umatilla; thence running up the main channel of the Umatilla River to the mouth of Wild Horse Creek; thence up Wild Horse Creek to the mountains; thence in a direct course through that region known as the Blue Mountains to the head of How-to-me Creek; and thence down said creek to Wm. C. McKay's claim, the place of beginning.

The Yakimas, etc., by their treaty, signed June 9th, 1855, ceded 10,820,000 acres of land, receiving therefore $200,000 in annuities; two schools and three teachers; a blacksmith, gunsmith, tinner, carpenter, wheelwright and shops; other provisions; and a saw mill and a flour mill. The extent of their reservation is not known to us as we write. Fort Simcoe, however, is located on it, and will hold in a short time, and control the winter movements of the Indians, as well as their fisheries.

The Nez Perces signed their treaty on the 11th of June, 1855, and secured for themselves 15,080,000 acres of land, including the homes and lands of their people. For that land they are to receive $200,000 in annuities; and are to be provided with mills, mechanics, and other aids for the amelioration of their condition. Another treaty was made on the 16th of July, 1855, with the Flatheads, Kootenais, etc., who ceded some 14,720,000 acres of land for the sum of $190,000 in annuities. They are to be provided with a physician, hospital and books for a term of years. Their reservation covers about 100,000 acres, and they number some 1,700 souls.