Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/77

FEDERAL INDIAN RELATIONS PACIFIC NORTHWEST 67 with; and after much talk in Council, they concluded to waive these demands, provided they could be permitted to have two Reservations of about ten miles square each: this being objected to in like emphatic manner: the Indians held a consultation with neighboring Tribes which lasted two days, and finally agreed to one Reservation, which should cover their Burying grounds and Lodges at Point-Adams—making a tract three and a half miles in length—two miles wide at the north end, and one mile at the lower or south end. As this tract had three claimants or settlers upon it, large offers were made the Indians to place the title to all in the United States, this they steadily declined; leaving no alternative, but to allow this Reservation or not treat with them for the balance of their lands, being about five hundred thousand acres. That part of their lands known as "Clatsop Plains" is an open level country with a very rich soil; nearly or quite every acre of which is claimed and occupied by white people. The balance of the purchase is timbered land, chiefly of the heaviest kind, (Although it is called "timbered land" there are some Prairies of small extent on both sides of the Columbia,) the soil is of excellent quality for farming purposes, and from its very advantageous situation upon the Columbia River, and Pacific Ocean affording superior facilities for exporting its timber, and the products of the Farmer, it cannot but prove of immense value to the United States, this too at a day I think, by no means far distant. The timber alluded to, is mostly a species of Fir, growing immensely large and tall. There are upon this purchase two never-failing mill streams sufficiently large for any mill or manufacturing purpose, besides these are large Springs and Springbrooks in every part of the Country west of the Cascade Moutains.

In relation to the Conditions of the Treaties made, it is necessary to inform you, that the habits and customs of these fishing Indians are unlike those of any other part of our domain. It is characteristic with them to be industrious.