422 
INDIAN TRIBES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 
The only missions now among the eastern tribes are those of the Jesuits and Oblats. There 
are, of the former, two priests at Fort Colville, two among the Pend d’Oreilles and two among 
the Coeur d’Alenes. Of the latter, there is one at Wailatpu, and two on the Yakima. The 
mission of St. Mary’s, among the Flatheads, was given up in 1851, on account of the Blackfeet 
incursions. The Yakima mission is not fixed, but transitory, having two regular stations, one 
occupied in winter, the other in the summer. 
Concerning the influence of the existing missions, there can be no doubt that it is, to a certain 
extent, beneficial in preserving peace among the tribes, as well as in settling private quarrels. 
Beyond a very small number, however, their control over individuals is limited. They have, 
unquestionably, inculcated principles of honesty and morality, which in some cases perhaps have 
taken root, but have essentially failed in accomplishing any great and lasting improvement. 
Many of the Indians have adopted certain forms of Christianity, such as the sign of the cross, the 
repetition of short prayers, or singing of canticles ; but I have failed to notice that this has always 
been a proof of trustworthiness. For the rest, it is evident that the objects of these gentlemen 
are inconsistent with the settlement of the country, or the establishment of fixed agencies. It is 
not intended to be represented that they have used reprehensible means; but in the knowledge 
that their influence must infallibly be shaken whenever contact with the whites becomes general, 
it is not to be doubted that they have discouraged it. 
In this connexion it may be remarked, that under no consideration should agencies be conferred 
on priests or clergymen of any denomination, as the desire to propagate their own peculiar tenets 
cannot fail to embarrass their official relations. The distinction is already drawn among the 
Indians between the “American” and French religions, and, as in the case of the Coeur d’Alenes 
and Spokanes, has already created ill feelings. Any appointments of clerical officers will neces¬ 
sarily be regarded as an endorsement of their peculiar doctrines ; whereas all idea of a connexion 
of religion and government should be discountenanced. 
It is a fortunate circumstance that there has as yet been little or no negotiation with the Indians 
of the Territory, and that their official relations with the government have been but few, and 
those confined to tribes on the Columbia river. The evils arising from the want of a settled and 
consistent policy, from constant changes of agents, and from the rejection of treaties entered into 
with them, have not arisen here. The field is new, and it is highly desirable, both for the sake 
of the whites and the Indians, that it should be entered upon with judgment. 
To remove the Indians altogether into any one district is impracticable, for the western verge 
has been reached. To throw the fishing tribes of the coast back upon the interior, even were 
the measure possible, would destroy them; nor is there any suitable region east of the Cascades 
where all of the tribes now living there could be concentrated and find food. They must, there¬ 
fore, remain as they are, adopting such a plan only as will remedy, so far as may be, the incon¬ 
venience of the contact. 
The great primary source of evil in Oregon and the western part of this Territory is the donation 
act, in which, contrary to established usage and to natural right, the United States assumed to 
grant, absolutely, the land of the Indians without previous purchase from them. It followed, as 
a necessary consequence, that as settlers poured in, the Indians were unceremoniously thrust 
from their homes and driven forth to shift for themselves. No provision was made to support 
them after their former means were taken away; and finally the treaties negotiated by authorized 
agents of the government, in which some small patches of their own territories were secured to 
them, were either rejected or passed over in silence. A consequence of this has been that a 
natural distrust has sprung up in their minds as to the good faith of the government or its agents 
in making treaties at all. The policy has indeed one merit, that of economy. But a few years 
will elapse before a universal escheat will preclude the necessity of any purchase. 
Excepting a few persons south of the Columbia and Snake rivers, and the Hudson’s Bay Com¬ 
pany’s forts, there are few or no white settlers within the limits of Washington Territory east of 
