The year 1854 marked a significant, albeit complex, juncture in the relationship between the United States government and several Indigenous tribes residing in the Oregon Territory. This period, characterized by westward expansion and the assertion of American sovereignty, saw the negotiation and signing of numerous treaties intended to define land ownership, establish peace, and facilitate the assimilation of Native populations. One such agreement was the 1854 Treaty with the Chasta (Shasta), Etc., a document that attempted to codify the terms of coexistence between the United States and a coalition of tribes including the Chasta (Shasta), Scotons, and the Grave Creek band of Umpquas. This article delves into the details of this treaty, examining its provisions, the context in which it was created, and its lasting implications.
This document represents more than just a historical artifact; it serves as a window into the aspirations, assumptions, and ultimately, the failures of federal Indian policy during the mid-19th century. Understanding the specifics of the 1854 Treaty with the Chasta (Shasta), Etc. is crucial for comprehending the subsequent history of these tribes and the ongoing challenges they face in preserving their cultural heritage and asserting their sovereign rights.
The Setting: Oregon Territory in 1854
The Oregon Territory in 1854 was a land undergoing rapid transformation. Fueled by the promise of fertile land and economic opportunity, American settlers were pouring into the region, encroaching upon the traditional territories of various Indigenous tribes. This influx of newcomers inevitably led to increased competition for resources, escalating tensions, and outbreaks of violence. The United States government, seeking to maintain order and secure its claim to the territory, embarked on a policy of treaty-making with the Native inhabitants. These treaties, often negotiated under duress and with unequal bargaining power, typically involved the cession of vast tracts of Indigenous land in exchange for promises of protection, annuities, and assistance with adopting an agricultural lifestyle.
Joel Palmer, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Oregon Territory, played a central role in these negotiations. Tasked with implementing federal Indian policy, Palmer was responsible for negotiating treaties, overseeing the establishment of reservations, and managing relations between settlers and Native tribes. His perspective, shaped by the prevailing attitudes of the time, viewed assimilation as the ultimate goal, believing that Native peoples could only thrive by adopting the customs and practices of American society.
The Parties Involved
The 1854 Treaty with the Chasta (Shasta), Etc., brought together representatives of the United States government and several distinct Indigenous groups. On the American side, Joel Palmer represented the interests of the United States, acting under the authority of the President. On the Indigenous side, the treaty was signed by chiefs and headmen representing the following groups:
- The Quil-si-eton and Na-hel-ta bands of the Chasta tribe: The Shasta people, known for their rich cultural traditions and intricate basketry, inhabited the mountainous regions of southern Oregon and northern California. The Quil-si-eton and Na-hel-ta bands were two distinct groups within the larger Shasta tribal structure.
- The Cow-nan-ti-co, Sa-cher-i-ton, and Na-al-ye bands of Scotons: The Scotons, also known as the Takelma, were a Penutian-speaking people who occupied the Rogue River Valley. The Cow-nan-ti-co, Sa-cher-i-ton, and Na-al-ye bands represented different communities within the Takelma linguistic and cultural group.
- The Grave Creek band of Umpquas: The Umpqua people traditionally inhabited the Umpqua River Valley in southwestern Oregon. The Grave Creek band was one of several distinct Umpqua groups, each with its own territory and leadership.
The inclusion of multiple distinct bands within a single treaty reflects the tendency of the United States government to lump together disparate Indigenous groups for administrative convenience, often overlooking the unique cultural and political identities of each community.
Key Provisions of the Treaty
The 1854 Treaty with the Chasta (Shasta), Etc., consisted of nine articles, each outlining specific terms of agreement between the United States and the united bands. These articles covered a range of topics, including land cession, relocation, compensation, and the provision of services.
- Article 1: Land Cession: This article stipulated the cession of a vast territory to the United States. The boundaries of this territory were defined by specific geographical landmarks, including Rogue River, Applegate Creek, Jump-Off-Jo Creek, and the Siskiyou Mountains. In essence, the united bands relinquished their claim to a significant portion of their traditional homeland.
- Article 2: Relocation: This article committed the united bands to relocate to a designated portion of the Table Rock Reservation, or to any other reserve that the President of the United States might direct. This provision effectively mandated the displacement of these communities from their ancestral lands and their confinement to a government-controlled reservation.
- Article 3: Annuities: In exchange for the ceded land, the United States agreed to pay the united bands an annual sum of two thousand dollars for fifteen years, beginning in 1855. These annuities were to be added to those already secured by the Rogue River tribe under a previous treaty, and the combined funds were to be shared jointly by the members of both groups. The annuities were intended to be used for provisions, clothing, merchandise, buildings, agricultural implements, and other items that would promote the "comfort and advance the prosperity and civilization" of the Indians. The United States also agreed to appropriate an additional five thousand dollars to settle claims for property stolen or destroyed by the united bands since 1849.
- Article 4: Relocation Assistance: This article provided for the expenditure of six thousand five hundred dollars to assist the united bands with their relocation. These funds were to be used for provisions during the first year on the reservation, the construction of necessary buildings, and the breaking and fencing of fifty acres of land for cultivation.
- Article 5: Services on the Reservation: This article outlined a range of services that the United States would provide to all Indians residing on the reservation. These included the employment of an experienced farmer to instruct in agriculture, the establishment of blacksmith shops, the construction of a hospital, and the provision of schoolhouses and teachers.
- Article 6: Allotment of Land: This article granted the President the discretion to survey and divide the agricultural lands on the reservation into small farms, ranging from twenty to eighty acres, and to assign these farms to individual Indians who were willing to settle permanently and cultivate the land.
- Article 7: Protection from Debt: This article stipulated that the annuities paid to the Indians could not be used to pay the debts of individuals.
- Article 8: Submission to U.S. Law: This article required the united bands to acknowledge their submission to the Government of the United States, to live in amity with its citizens, and to refrain from committing depredations on their property. It also pledged them to live peaceably with one another and with other tribes, and to submit all disputes to the decision of the United States or its agent.
- Article 9: Ratification: This article stated that the treaty would become binding upon ratification by the President and Senate of the United States.
The Legacy of the Treaty
The 1854 Treaty with the Chasta (Shasta), Etc., like many treaties of its era, ultimately failed to deliver on its promises. The annuities were often insufficient, the services were inadequately provided, and the relocation process was disruptive and traumatic. The pressure of increasing settlement, combined with broken promises and discriminatory policies, led to further conflict and displacement. The tribes who were signatories to the treaty were eventually removed from the Table Rock Reservation and consolidated with other tribes onto the Grand Ronde and Siletz Reservations.
Despite its shortcomings, the treaty remains a significant historical document. It represents a formal acknowledgment of the Indigenous peoples’ prior claim to the land, and it provides a basis for ongoing legal and political claims. The descendants of the Chasta, Scotons, and Umpquas continue to assert their sovereign rights and to work towards the preservation of their cultural heritage. The 1854 Treaty with the Chasta (Shasta), Etc., serves as a reminder of the complex and often unjust history of relations between the United States government and Native American tribes.
The story of the 1854 Treaty with the Chasta (Shasta), Etc., is a reminder of the enduring legacy of treaty-making in shaping the landscape of the American West and the lives of its Indigenous peoples. It underscores the importance of understanding the historical context of these agreements and of working towards a more just and equitable future for all.
