The 1855 Treaty with the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Etc. stands as a pivotal, albeit complex, document in the history of the Pacific Northwest. Signed on June 9, 1855, at Camp Stevens in the Walla Walla Valley of the Washington Territory, it represents an agreement between the United States government and the confederated tribes of the Walla Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla peoples. This treaty, ratified on March 8, 1859, aimed to establish peace and define land ownership between the signatory parties, but its long-term consequences have been profound and continue to be debated today. This document offers a glimpse into the intricate negotiations and the often-conflicting perspectives that shaped the relationship between the United States and the Native American tribes of the region.
Context and Parties Involved
The mid-19th century was a period of rapid westward expansion for the United States. Driven by the ideology of Manifest Destiny, settlers increasingly encroached upon lands traditionally inhabited by Native American tribes. This influx of settlers led to escalating tensions and conflicts over resources and territory. To address these growing concerns, the U.S. government sought to negotiate treaties with various tribes, aiming to secure land cessions and establish reservations.
The primary representatives of the United States in these negotiations were Isaac I. Stevens, the governor and superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Washington Territory, and Joel Palmer, the superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Oregon Territory. Stevens, a military man and ambitious politician, was a key figure in the treaty-making process in the Northwest. Palmer, on the other hand, brought experience in Indian affairs from his work in Oregon. They represented the U.S. government’s interests in acquiring land for settlement and resource extraction.
On the Native American side, the treaty was signed by chiefs, headmen, and delegates representing the Walla Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla tribes. These tribes, though distinct, were considered a confederation for the purposes of the treaty. Prominent leaders included Pio-pio-mox-mox (also known as Yellow Bird), the head chief of the Walla Walla; Weyatenatemany, the head chief of the Cayuse; and Wenap-snoot, the head chief of the Umatilla. These leaders faced the difficult task of representing their people’s interests in the face of overwhelming pressure from the U.S. government. The treaty acknowledges that the tribes occupied lands partly in Washington and partly in Oregon Territories.
Key Provisions of the Treaty
The 1855 Treaty with the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Etc. outlined several key provisions that shaped the future of the tribes and the region.
- Land Cession: Article 1 stipulated that the confederated tribes ceded to the United States all their right, title, and claim to a vast territory encompassing lands in both Washington and Oregon Territories. The boundaries of this ceded territory were meticulously defined, encompassing a significant portion of the tribes’ traditional hunting and gathering grounds. This cession was the core objective of the U.S. government in the treaty negotiations.
- Reservation Establishment: In exchange for the land cession, the treaty established a reservation for the exclusive use of the tribes. The boundaries of the reservation were also precisely defined, encompassing a smaller area within the larger ceded territory. This reservation was intended to be the permanent home for the tribes, where they could maintain their way of life while adapting to changing circumstances. The treaty outlined a specific process for surveying and marking the reservation boundaries.
- Usufructuary Rights: While ceding a vast amount of land, the treaty also recognized and protected certain rights for the tribes. These included the exclusive right to take fish in the streams running through and bordering the reservation, as well as the right to fish at all other usual and accustomed stations in common with citizens of the United States. The treaty also secured the privilege of hunting, gathering roots and berries, and pasturing stock on unclaimed lands in common with citizens. These usufructuary rights were crucial for the tribes’ continued sustenance and cultural practices.
- Annuity Payments: Article 2 outlined a schedule of annuity payments to be made by the United States to the tribes as compensation for the land cession. These payments were to be distributed over a period of twenty years, with decreasing amounts paid in subsequent five-year intervals. The treaty stipulated that these funds were to be used for the benefit of the tribes, under the direction of the President of the United States. The funds could be used for a variety of purposes, including education, agriculture, and healthcare.
- Infrastructure and Services: The treaty also committed the United States to providing various forms of infrastructure and services to the tribes. These included the construction of a saw-mill, a flouring-mill, a hospital, two schoolhouses, and various workshops on the reservation. The treaty also provided for the employment of personnel such as millers, farmers, teachers, blacksmiths, and carpenters. The aim was to assist the tribes in transitioning to a more settled agricultural lifestyle.
- Individual Allotments: Article 6 addressed the possibility of individual land allotments within the reservation. The President was authorized to survey the reservation into lots and assign them to individual tribal members who wished to settle permanently. The size of the allotments varied depending on the size of the family. The treaty also included provisions to protect these allotments from alienation or lease for an extended period.
Impact and Legacy
The 1855 Treaty with the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Etc. had a profound and lasting impact on the signatory tribes. While it aimed to establish peace and provide for their future, the treaty also resulted in the loss of a vast amount of land and the disruption of traditional ways of life.
- Land Loss and Displacement: The cession of land was a significant blow to the tribes, as it deprived them of access to vital resources and disrupted their traditional hunting and gathering practices. The confinement to a reservation also limited their mobility and autonomy.
- Cultural Disruption: The treaty’s provisions regarding education and agriculture were intended to assimilate the tribes into mainstream American society. This led to the suppression of traditional cultural practices and the erosion of tribal languages.
- Conflict and Resistance: The implementation of the treaty was not without conflict. Disagreements over the interpretation of the treaty terms and the encroachment of settlers onto tribal lands led to tensions and occasional outbreaks of violence, including the Cayuse War.
- Enduring Significance: Despite its negative consequences, the 1855 Treaty with the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Etc. remains a significant document in the history of the tribes. It serves as the foundation for their legal rights and their relationship with the United States government. The treaty’s provisions regarding usufructuary rights, in particular, have been the subject of ongoing legal battles and have played a crucial role in protecting tribal access to natural resources. The treaty also provides a historical record of the negotiations and the perspectives of the parties involved.
- Contemporary Relevance: Today, the Walla Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla tribes continue to assert their treaty rights and work to preserve their cultural heritage. The treaty serves as a reminder of the complex and often unjust history of U.S.-Native American relations, and it underscores the importance of honoring treaty obligations and respecting tribal sovereignty.
The 1855 Treaty with the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Etc. continues to influence the legal, social, and cultural landscape of the Pacific Northwest.
In conclusion, the 1855 Treaty with the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Etc. represents a complex and consequential chapter in the history of the Pacific Northwest. While it aimed to establish peace and define land ownership, it also resulted in significant land loss, cultural disruption, and conflict for the signatory tribes. The treaty’s legacy continues to be felt today, as the tribes assert their treaty rights and work to preserve their cultural heritage.
