Treaty with The Makah Tribe
October 6, 1825
FOR the purpose of perpetuating the friendship which has
heretofore existed, as also to remove all future cause of
discussion or dissension, as it respects trade and friendship
between the United States and their citizens, and the Maha
tribe of Indians, the President of the United States of America,
by Brigadier General Henry Atkinson, of the United States'
Army, and Major Benjamin O'Fallon, Indian Agent, with
full powers and authority, specially appointed and commissioned
for that purpose, of the one part, and the undersigned Chiefs,
Head-men and Warriors, of the said Maha tribe of Indians,
on behalf of their tribe, of the other part, have made and
entered into the following articles and conditions, which,
when ratified by the President of the United States, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall be binding
on both parties - to wit:
Article 1.
It is admitted by the Maha tribe of Indians, that they reside
within the territorial limits of the United States, acknowledge
their supremacy, and claim their protection. The said tribe
also admit the right of the United States to regulate all
trade and intercourse with them.
Article 2.
The United States agree to receive the Maha tribe of Indians
into their friendship, and under their protection, and to
extend to them, from time to time, such benefits and acts
of kindness as may be convenient, and seem just and proper
to the President of the United States.
Article 3.
All trade and intercourse with the Maha tribe shall be transacted
at such place or places as may be designated and pointed out
by the President of the United States, through his agents:
and none but American citizens, duly authorized by the United
States, shall be admitted to trade or hold intercourse with
said tribe of Indians.
Article 4.
That the Maha tribe may be accommodated with such articles
of merchandise, . as their necessities may demand, the
United States agree to admit and license traders to hold intercourse
with said tribe, under mild and equitable regulations: in
consideration of which, the Maha tribe bind themselves to
extend protection to the persons and the property of the traders,
and the persons legally employed under them, whilst they remain
within the limits of their particular district of country.
And the said Maha tribe further agree, that if any foreigner,
or other person not legally authorized by the United States,
shall come into their district of country, for the purposes
of trade or other views, they will apprehend such person or
persons, and deliver him or them to some United States'
superintendent or agent of Indian Affairs, or to the Commandant
of the nearest military post, to be dealt with according to
law. - And they further agree to give safe conduct to all
persons who may be legally authorized by the United States
to pass through their country; and to protect in their persons
and property, all agents or other persons sent by the United
States to reside temporarily among them; nor will they, whilst
on their distant excursions, molest or interrupt any American
citizen or citizens who may be passing from the United States
to New Mexico, or returning from thence to the United States.
Article 5.
That the friendship which is now established between the
United States and the Maha tribe should not be interrupted
by the misconduct of individuals, it is hereby agreed, that,
for injuries done by individuals, no private revenge or retaliation
shall take place, but instead thereof, complaints shall be
made by the party injured, to the superintendent or agent
of Indian affairs, or other person appointed by the President;
and it shall be the duty of said Chiefs, upon complaint being
made as aforesaid, to deliver up the person or persons against
whom the complaint is made, to the end that he or they may
be punished agreeably to the laws of the United States. And,
in like manner, if any robbery, violence, or murder, shall
be committed on any Indian or Indians belonging to said tribe,
the person or persons so offending shall be tried, and if
found guilty shall be punished in like manner as if the injury
had been done to a white man. And it is agreed, that the Chiefs
of said Maha tribe shall, to the utmost of their power, exert
themselves to recover horses or other property, which may
be stolen or taken from any citizen or citizens of the United
States, by any individual or individuals of said tribe; and
the property so recovered shall be forthwith delivered to
the agents or other person authorized to receive it, that
it may be restored to the proper owner. And the United States
hereby guarranty to any Indian or Indians of said tribe, a
full indemnification for any horses or other property which
may be stolen from them by any of their citizens: Provided,
That the property stolen cannot be recovered, and that sufficient
proof is produced that it was actually stolen by a citizen
of the United States. And the said Maha tribe engage, on the
requisition or demand of the President of the United States,
or of the agents, to deliver up any white man resident among
them.
Article 6.
And the Chiefs and Warriors, as aforesaid, promise and engage,
that their tribe will never, by sale, exchange, or as presents,
supply any nation, tribe, or band of Indians, not in amity
with the United States, with guns, ammunition, or other implements
of war.
Done at fort Atkinson, Council Bluffs, this 6th day of October,
A. D. 1825, and of the independence of the United States the
fiftieth.
In testimony whereof, the said commissioners, Henry Atkinson and Benjamin O'Fallon, and the chiefs, head men, and warriors of the Maha tribe, have hereunto set their hands, and affixed their seals.
- H. Atkinson, brigadier-general U. S. Army, [L. S.]
- Benj. O'Fallon, U. S. agent Indian affairs, [L. S.]
- Opa-ton-ga, the big elk, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Oho-shin-ga, the man that cooks little in a small kettle, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Wash-ca-ma-nee, the fast walker, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Shon-gis-cah, the white horse, his x mark, [L. S.]
- We-du-gue-noh, the deliberator, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Wa-shing-ga-sabba, the black bird, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Ta-noh-ga, the buffalo bull, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Esh-sta-ra-ba, - , his x mark, [L. S.]
- Ta-reet-tee, the side of a buffalo, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Sa-da-ma-ne, he that arrives, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Mo-pe-ma-nee, the walking cloud, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Momee-shee, he who lays on the arrows from the number that pierce him, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Ma-sha-ke-ta, the soldier, his x mark, [L. S.]
- Te-sha-va-gran, the door of the lodge, his x mark, [L. S.]
In the presence of -
- A. L. Langham, secretary to the commission,
- A. R. Wooley, lieutenant-colonel U. S. Army,
- J. Gantt, captain Sixth Infantry,
- John Gale, surgeon U. S. Army,
- George C. Hutter, lieutenant Sixth Infantry,
- M. W. Batman, lieutenant Sixth Infantry,
- G. H. Kennerly, U. S. S. Indian agent,
- Michael Burdeau, his x mark, interpreter,
- William Rodgers.
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Native American Legends A-B