INDIAN TRIBES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 
483 
either. The first are said by some to amount to two hundred, while the latter may perhaps be 
set down at seventy-five. The next tribe proceeding northward are the Skagits, who live on the 
main around the mouth of the Skagit river, and own the central parts of Whidby’s island, their 
principal ground being the neighborhood of Penn’s cove. They have lately diminished in num¬ 
bers and lost much of their influence since the death, a year or two since, of their chief, S’neet- 
lum, or, as he was commonly called, Snakelum. The tribe has been long at enmity with the 
Clallams, who have attempted to encroach upon their lands. The Skagits raise a considerable 
quantity of potatoes, and have, besides, a natural resource in their kamas, which grows abun¬ 
dantly on the prairies of Whidby’s island. Both of these are now being greatly injured by the 
cattle and hogs of the settlers. The kamas, it is worth mentioning, improves very much by cul¬ 
tivation, and it is said to attain the size of a hen’s egg in land that has been ploughed. Swine 
are exceedingly fond of' it. The Skagits are about three hundred all told ; and there are other 
bands upon the headwaters of their river, amounting probably to as many more. 
Below the Skagits again, occupying land on the main upon the northern end of Whidby’s island, 
Perry’s island, and the Canoe passage, are three more tribes, the Squinamish, Swodamish, and 
Sinaahmish, probably two hundred and fifty or three hundred altogether; and lastly the Samish, 
on the small river of that name and the southern part of Bellingham bay, estimated at one hun¬ 
dred and fifty. With these, according to the best information procurable during a rapid journey 
of inspection, the Nisqually nation terminates, the next tribe to the north speaking a dialect of 
the Clallams. 
It is probable that that of the Samish is a by-word between the two. 
The Lummi, living on a river emptying into the northern part of Bellingham bay and on the 
peninsula, are variously estimated at from four to five hundred. Their chief is Sahhopkan ; in 
general habits they resemble the Clallams. 
Above the Lummi, on the main fork of the river which is said to rise in and carry off'the water 
from Mount Baker, is still another considerable tribe called the Nooksahk. They seem to be 
allied with the Lummi and the Skagit, and, according to Indian account, they speak a mixed 
language. They are supposed to be about equal in numbers to the Lummi. 
The Shimiahmoo inhabit the coast towards Frazier’s river; nothing seems to be known of 
them whatever. They are probably the most northern tribe on the American side of the line, 
the Kowailchew lying principally, if not altogether, in British territory. 
Concerning the tribes north of the Sinahomish, nothing but estimates founded on the opinions of 
the few settlers in that district could be gathered, the opportunity afforded by a hasty voyage 
through the Sound being, of course, very limited. Steps have been taken to correct them. The 
general result, it is believed, will warrant the estimates furnished. 
Accompanying the recapitulation of the tribes in the western district will be found the estimate 
of Captain Wilkes in 1841, and one calculated by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1844, which 
was politely furnished by Dr. Wm. F. Tolmie, at. Fort Nisqually. The latter exhibits what, 
according to the best information, is the decrease since that period in the tribes then known, but 
no adequate data then existed on which to base a reliable comparison. For the purpose of pro¬ 
curing certain returns hereafter, a form is herewith enclosed, and it is recommended that the 
agents be obliged annually to make out as fully as practicable. 
Some variations fiom the plan suggested for the management of the eastern district will neces¬ 
sarily suggest themselves in respect to the western, though it is believed they are not material; 
but owdng to the great number of small bands into which most of the Indian population is broken 
up, the labor of treating wdth and disposing of the latter will be much the greatest. It is there¬ 
fore recommended that a separate commission be appointed for that district. 
In order to bring the whole subject fully before the government, estimates have been prepared, 
based upon the best opinions and information attainable, of the expenses of negotiating treaties 
with the tribes of each district; of the annual payments they may be expected to involve ; of the 
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