INDIAN TREATY WITH THE AMERICANS. 



177 



country ; but it is clearly evident that the subject will 

 require close investigation and prompt action in order to 

 avoid troublesome disputes. It is also apparent that the 

 calls of humanity, the interests of the new colony, and 

 the claims of the Indians, imperatively demand that the 

 natives should be paid for their lands in such a manner 

 that the future to them may not possess the sad and hope- 

 less aspect which has too long met the gaze of the Indian 

 race in Canada, whose hunting-grounds have been pur- 

 chased with much apparent commiseration for their con- 

 dition, but with tardy and inadequate attempts to arrest 

 the fate which, under such neglect, inevitably awaits them. 



The Americans have secured a tract of country thirty 

 miles deep on either side of Eed River, extending from 

 the boundary line to Buffalo River on the east bank, and 

 Goose River on the west bank. The area of this tract 

 is between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 acres, and the sum 

 paid for it was $30,000 cash, and ,810,000 per annum for 

 twenty years, ,82000 of this annuity being reserved by 

 the President, and applied to the improvement of the 

 Indians. The date of this treaty is 1851. 



Ross says* that the Assinniboines, Plain Crees, and the 

 Ojibways (Saulteaux) all laid claim to the land, but the 

 title of Ojibways has always been most disputed, they 

 being invaders of the country ; yet, being found by the 

 Americans on the spot, they were recognized as the lords 

 paramount of the soil. Their principal chiefs, however, 

 absented themselves, being distrustful, lukewarm, and un- 

 willing to sell their lands ; and the treaty was ratified 

 with those of secondary rank who attended the meeting, 

 summoned by the Governor of Minnesota. 



* Appendix to the Red River Settlement, &c. 



VOL. II. 



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