Treaty with The Chasta, etc
November 18, 1854
Articles of a convention and agreement made and concluded
at the council-ground, opposite the mouth of Applegate Creek,
on Rogue River, in the Territory of Oregon, on the eighteenth
day of November, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four,
by Joel Palmer, superintendent of Indian affairs, on the part
of the United States, and the chiefs and head-men of the Quil-si-eton
and Na-hel-ta bands, of the Chasta tribe of Indians, the Cow-nan-ti-co,
Sa-cher-i-ton, and Na-al-ye bands of Scotons, and the Grave
Creek band of Umpquas, to wit, Jes-tul-tut, or Little Chief,
Ko-ne-che-quot, or Bill, Se-sel-che-tel, or Salmon Fisher,
Kul-ki-am-i-na, or Bush-head, Te-po-kon-ta, or Sam, and Jo,
they being duly authorized thereto by said united bands.
Article 1.
The aforesaid united bands cede to the United States all
their country, bounded as follows:
Commencing at a point in the middle of Rogue River, one mile
below the mouth of Applegate Creek; thence northerly, on the
western boundary of the country heretofore purchased of the
Rogue River tribe by the United States, to the head-waters
of Jump-Off-Jo Creek; thence westerly to the extreme northeastern
limit of the country purchased of the Cow Creek band of Umpquas;
thence along that boundary to its extreme southwestern limit;
thence due west to a point from which a line running due south
would cross Rogue River, midway between the mouth of Grave
Creek and the great bend of Rogue River; thence south to the
southern boundary of Oregon; thence east along said boundary
to the summit of the main ridge of the Siskiou Mountains,
or until this line reaches the boundary of the country purchased
of the Rogue River tribe; thence northerly along the western
boundary of said purchase to the place of beginning.
Article 2.
The said united bands agree that as soon after the ratification
of this convention as practicable, they will remove to such
portion of the Table Rock reserve as may be assigned them
by the superintendent of Indian affairs or agent, or to whatsoever
other reserve the President of the United States may at any
time hereafter direct.
Article 3.
In consideration of and payment for the country herein ceded,
the United States agree to pay to the said united bands the
sum of two thousand dollars annually for fifteen years, from
and after the first day of September, one thousand eight hundred
and fifty-five, which annuities shall be added to those secured
to the Rogue River tribe by the treaty of the 10th September,
1853, and the amount shared by the members of the united bands
and of the Rogue River tribe, jointly and alike; said annuities
to be expended for the use and benefit of said bands and tribe
in such manner as the President may from time to time prescribe;
for provisions, clothing, and merchandise; for buildings,
opening and fencing farms, breaking land, providing stock,
agricultural implements, tools, seeds, and such other objects
as will in his judgment promote the comfort and advance the
prosperity and civilization of said Indians. The United States
also agree to appropriate the additional sum of five thousand
dollars, for the payment of the claims of persons whose property
has been stolen or destroyed by any of the said united bands
of Indians since the first day of January, 1849; such claims
to be audited and adjusted in such manner as the President
may prescribe.
Article 4.
When said united bands shall be required to remove to the
Table Rock reserve or elsewhere, as the President may direct,
the further sum of six thousand five hundred dollars shall
be expended by the United States for provisions to aid in
their subsistence during the first year they shall reside
thereon; for the erecting of necessary buildings, and the
breaking and fencing of fifty acres of land, and providing
seed to plant the same, for their use and benefit, in common
with the other Indians on the reserve.
Article 5.
The United States engage that the following provisions, for
the use and benefit of all Indians residing on the reserve,
shall be made:
An experienced farmer shall be employed to aid and instruct
the Indians in agriculture for the term of fifteen years.
Two blacksmith-shops shall be erected at convenient points
on the reserve, and furnished with tools and the necessary
stock, and skilful smiths employed for the same for five years.
A hospital shall be erected, and proper provision made for
medical purposes, and the care of the sick for ten years.
School-houses shall be erected, and qualified teachers employed
to instruct children on the reserve, and books and stationery
furnished for fifteen years.
All of which provisions shall be controlled by such laws,
rules, or regulations as Congress may enact or the President
prescribe.
Article 6.
The President may, from time to time, at his discretion,
direct the surveying of a part or all of the agricultural
lands on said reserve, divide the same into small farms of
from twenty to eighty acres, according to the number of persons
in a family, and assign them to such Indians as are willing
to avail themselves of the privilege and locate thereon as
a permanent home, and to grant them a patent therefore under
such laws and regulations as may hereafter be enacted or prescribed.
Article 7.
The annuities of the Indians shall not be taken to pay the
debts of individuals.
Article 8.
The said united bands acknowledge themselves subject to the
Government of the United States, and engage to live in amity
with the citizens thereof, and commit no depredations on the
property of said citizens; and should any Indian or Indians
violate this pledge, and the fact be satisfactorily proven,
the property shall be returned, or if not returned, or if
injured or destroyed, compensation may be made therefor out
of their annuities. They also pledge themselves to live peaceably
with one another, and with other Indians, to abstain from
war and private acts of revenge, and to submit all matters
of difference between themselves and Indians of other tribes
and bands to the decision of the United States or the agent,
and to abide thereby.
It is also agreed that if any individual shall be found guilty
of bringing liquor into their country, or drinking the same,
his or her annuity may be withheld during the pleasure of
the President.
Article 9.
This convention shall be obligatory on the contracting parties
from and after its ratification by the President and Senate
of the United States.
In testimony whereof, Joel Palmer, superintendent aforesaid,
and the undersigned chiefs and headmen of said united bands,
have hereunto set their hands and seals at the place and on
the day and year herein written.
(Signed in duplicate)
- Joel Palmer, Superintendent. [L. S.]
- Jes-tul-tut, or Little Chief, his x mark. [L. S.]
- Ko-ne-che-quot, or Bill, his x mark. [L. S.]
- Se-sel-chetl, or Salmon Fisher, his x mark. [L. S.]
- Bas-ta-shin, his x mark, [L. S.]
- For Kul-ke-am-ina, or Bushland.
- Te-po-kon-ta, or Sam, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Jo (Chief of Grave Creeks), his x mark. [L. S.]
Executed in presence of us -
- Edward R. Geary, Secretary.
- John Flett, Interpreter.
- Cris. Taylor.
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Native American Legends A-B