INDIAN TRIBES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 
423 
the Cascades. So far, therefore, as the tribes inhabiting that country are concerned, no difficulty 
has as yet sprung up. It is entirely in the power of the government to obviate its future occur¬ 
rence. 
But in order to avoid the rejection of future treaties, a course almost impossible to explain 
satisfactorily, and which is rendered still more unfortunate by the length of time required to 
amend or renew them, it is necessary to procure in advance from Congress some expression of 
its views on the subject. This is in fact requisite under any circumstances, because the law 
gives no power to the superintendent to make even provisional reserves, and lands set aside for 
Indian use may be taken up without remedy before a satisfaction can be procured. In fact, they 
are very likely to be so, with a view to speculation out of the government. 
It is not believed that extensive reserves would be desirable for these tribes. The nature of 
their country and their own habits make the case entirely different from those of the prairie 
Indians. Although some of them cross the mountains in search of buffalo, they are not generally 
hunters; nor is their country any longer a game country. They require the liberty of motion 
for the purpose of seeking, in their proper season, roots, berries, and fish, where those articles 
can be found, and of grazing their horses and cattle at large; but they do not need the exclusive 
use of any considerable districts. A large portion of their territory will, in all human probability, 
never be occupied by white men ; and so far nature has provided reserves. What is necessary 
for them, and just in itself, is, that small tracts of good land should be set apart as permanent 
abodes, where they may raise their vegetables and bury their dead, secure that they will not be 
driven off at the pleasure of the first comer. 
This is especially so, because their main resource during a portion of the year is speedily 
destroyed in the neighborhood of settlements. A drove of hogs belonging to one white man will 
consume the winter provision of a tribe of Indians. In like manner, the use of their customary 
fisheries, and free pasturage for their stock on unenclosed lands, should be secured. 
The subject of the right of fishery, in its present position, is believed to be one concerning 
which difficulties may arise. It is certain that the intention of Congress never was that the 
Indians should be excluded from them; but as no condition to this effect was inserted in the 
donation act, the question has been started whether persons taking claims, including such fisheries, 
do not possess the right of monopolizing them. It is, therefore, proper that this also should be 
set at rest by law. 
A tract of a mile square would, it is believed, be sufficient for each of the before-mentioned 
tribes, or, where deemed more convenient, four quarter-sections at different points. This amount, 
however, should not include the land required for agencies; and authority ought to be given to 
the superintendent to set aside for this purpose not exceeding another square mile, (to be in one 
body,) in the territory of each tribe, which shall be exempted from individual claim. It is not 
supposed that it will be requisite to occupy them all at once; but, in anticipation of the future 
settlement of the country, it is desirable to secure suitable positions, that the United States may 
not be compelled to buy back what is required for public uses. 
No conventional arrangements, strictly so speaking, are known which need action on the part 
of the government; but the assurance has everywhere been given by the whites, settling among 
the Indian tribes, that Congress would compensate them for the lands taken. Those among 
whom establishments have been made for any length of time, finding themselves crowded out of 
their houses, and fast dwindling away, ask often when this promise will be fulfilled, for they have 
but a little time left to employ it, and they leave no children behind. Distrust thus attaches to 
the country, and the advance of settlement into new districts is looked upon with suspicion. 
As regards treaties for the purchase of their lands and other purposes, it would be most advan¬ 
tageous simply to acquire the right of settlement at pleasure in their territory, except upon the 
tracts reserved for their own use, leaving the remainder as lands common to both. Payment 
should be made to them in goods, for although most of them understand the value of money per- 
