ADVERTISEMENT. 



THE following memoir on the Makah Indians was prepared at the request of the 

 Smithsonian Institution by Mr. James G. Swan, who, for several years, resided 

 among them in the capacity of teacher and dispenser of medicines under the 

 Government of the United States. Mr. Swan had previously become well 

 acquainted with the Indian tribes of the Pacific, and had published a small work 

 detailing his adventures among them. In 1855 he accompanied the late Maj. Gen. 

 Stevens, then Governor of Washington Territory, while making treaties with the 

 Makahs and other tribes, and was subsequently appointed to the position above 

 mentioned. 



For the information of those not acquainted with the relation of the United 

 States to the Indian tribes it may be remarked that where lands occupied by them 

 are required for settlement, or where their proximity to the whites is found inex 

 pedient, it has been the practice to extinguish their possessory rights by treaty, 

 paying them generally in annuities of money or goods, and setting apart a portion 

 of land, sometimes within their original territory, in other cases at a distance, for 

 their exclusive occupation, upon which no white settlers are allowed to intrude.. 

 These tracts are known as reservations, and are under charge of government 

 &quot; agents,&quot; often assisted by teachers, mechanics, &c. 



In the absence of Mr. Swan, the editorial supervision of the work was committed 

 to Mr. George Gibbs, who has added a few notes. 



JOSEPH HENRY, 



Secretary S. I. 

 SMITUSONIAN INSTITUTION, 

 1869. 



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