424 
INDIAN TRIBES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 
fectly, the former mode is preferable, as it does not furnish an inducement to go into the towns, 
and as it confers a greater benefit at less cost. The merchandise should consist chiefly of blan¬ 
kets, coarse warm clothing, agricultural tools, &c., with as few of what is termed “ Indian goods” 
as possible. In respect to presents, the indiscriminate distribution of considerable amounts is to 
be avoided as useless if not injurious. Small presents are proper on the occasional visits of chiefs 
to the agencies, but these should be discouraged when not on business. 
In negotiating treaties, as the distance from the settlements to the residences of the different 
tribes is very considerable, and the cost of transporting merchandise for presents to the interior 
would be enormous, it is recommended that none whatever be given, with the exception of a little 
tobacco for the council smoke, and on the conclusion of the treaty a beef-ox or two to each tribe. 
If the reason is explained to them, as they will of course know what to expect when the treaty 
is ratified, they will be perfectly contented. Should the suggestions elsewhere made be adopted, 
arrangements may be in progress before the first distribution, which will much reduce the cost of 
delivering the annuities. The estimates in other respects have been made for a small party of 
officers and their necessary attendants. No troops are required, and every additional person 
only adds to the expense and prevents celerity of movement. 
As nearly two years must elapse after the conclusion of a treaty before a ratification can take 
place, an appropriation be made, the goods purchased, forwarded, and transported to the place 
of distribution in the usual course, it is recommended that an appropriation for the first pa} 7 ment 
be made in advance, that the goods may be on hand as soon as the ratification takes place. 
Goods for the eastern part of the Territory should be shipped to Portland or Fort Vancouver; 
those for the western, to Puget sound. But most of the necessary articles can now to better 
advantage be purchased in San Francisco than imported from the Stales, and it is recommended 
that this course be pursued. 
In every treaty concluded with these tribes, it should expressly be stipulated that for offences 
committed against the persons or property of the whites, the chiefs in the first instance shall be 
held responsible for the delivery of the offender and the restoration of the goods, and that, 
further, the amount of all damages shall be deducted from the annuity of the tribe. The chief 
should receive some compensation for his responsibility, and be assured of the support of the 
government in maintaining his authority. 
With proper judgment and care, no difficulty is to be apprehended in managing the relations 
with any of the tribes east of the Cascade mountains. They are none of them disposed to 
hostilities against the wffiites, and the most that is to be feared is an occasional theft. Parties of 
two or three might traverse the wffiole country wdthout annoyance. Neither are they at variance 
with one another, but pass fearlessly from tribe to tribe. Petty jealousies of course exist, as 
they do between band and band in the same tribe; but there is no serious dissension, calculated 
to lead to warfare among themselves. Policy requires that some military force should be main¬ 
tained in the neighborhood of the great emigrant trails, and perhaps hereafter a post may be 
required on the main Columbia, at or near Fort Colville; but for this there is no present neces¬ 
sity. Whatever force is employed should, however, be cavalry, and during the summer should 
be kept constantly in motion. , 
One principle of policy, in particular, should be observed—the union of small bands under a 
single head. The maxim of divide and conquer does not apply among these people. They 
are never so disposed to mischief as when scattered and beyond control; whereas it is always in 
the power of the government to secure the influence of chiefs, and through them to manage their 
people. Those who at present bear the name have not influence enough, and no proper oppor¬ 
tunity should be spared of encouraging and supporting them in its extension. This policy, 
long pursued by the Hudson’s Bay Company, was one secret of their former great influence. 
It has been mentioned that a portion of the Wallah-Wallahs, together with the Nez Perces 
and the Cajmses, live upon the borders of the two Territories, and partly in each. 
