DOCUMENT: WW_CHRON.TXT T R E A T Y R I G H T S W O R K S H O P CHRONOLOGIES FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON TRIBES Robert Brockstedt Lane and Barbara Lane Institute for the Development of Indian Law This workshop is one of a series that has been developed and implemented by the Institute for the Development of Indian Law, Inc. of Washington, D.C. in conjunction with Cook Christian training School, Tempe, Arizona. The funds for the project were provided through grant no. 90-I-230 from the Office of Native American Programs, Department of Health, Education and Welfare. CHRONOLOGY FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON TRIBES 1774 Spanish explorers visit the Northwest Coast. 1775 American Colonies seek independence from Great Britain. Begin U.S. tradition of violent protest. 1778 Treaty of Fort Pitt (Pennsylvania). First Treaty made by the new United States with Delaware Indians. Guarantees Delaware boundaries and offers statehood and representation in Congress. Captain Cook takes sea otter furs from Northwest Coast to China and starts rush of European sea traders to the Northwest Coast. 1783 United States War for Independence from Great Britain ends. 1785 Northwest Territory (Great Lakes region) Ordinance provides that Indians' "lands and property shall never be taken from them without their consent." 1787 United States Constitution created; establishes Federal responsibility in Indian Affairs and makes treaties supreme law of the land. Captain Barclay, English adventurer, finds Strait of San Juan. 1790 Quimper, Spanish explorer, enters Strait of San Juan and claims Clallam Bay for Spain. 1792 Captain Gray finds Gray's Harbor and the Columbia River. Members of Vancouver's exploring expedition visit Puget Sound: name everything in sight after friends and cronies back home in England. 1795 Treaty of Grenville ending a war between the United States and Indians of the old Northwest Territory (Great Lakes region) is major starting point for the loss of Indian lands by Treaty west of the original American Colonies. 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France extends U.S. border beyond Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains: no evidence that Indian owners consulted. 1805 Lewis and Clark travel across the Rocky Mountains and down the Columbia. Their visit helps create the U.S. claim to what is now Washington State. 1811 U.S. merchant, Jacob Astor, has Fort Astoria built on the Columbia: his supply ship, the Tonquin, sails to Vancouver Island to trade: Captain insults a Chief; loses himself, his crew, and his ship. Fort Astoria did not totally thrill the local people. Regarding affairs around Fort Astoria, the historian Bancroft writes as follows: "The Chinooks about the mouth of the Columbia River upon mature meditation had arrived at two conclusions: they would like their country cleared of white men, and they would like what little merchandise the white men had stored in that vicinity." Traders of Northwest Company, from Canada, build trading posts in what is now eastern Washington. Western Washington, not yet much bothered by whites becomes focus of rivalry between the United States and Great Britain. 1812 War between United States and Great Britain delays opening of Northwest. 1813 Astor sells Fort Astoria to (British) Northwest Company. 1818 49th parallel made United States-Canadian border up to the Rocky Mountains. To the west, all the country from the California border northward to the 49th parallel, "Oregon", disputed. Ten year U.S. - British joint occupation agreed to (Indians of the area not consulted). 1819 Treaty extinguishes Spanish claims to Northwest. 1821 Hudson's Bay Company takes over the Northwest Company, including holdings in the Northwest. U.S., concerned about this, schemes to encourage U.S. citizens to settle in the area. 1824 Bureau of Indian Affairs created within the War Department. U.S. Traders return to Oregon Territory. 1825 H.B.C. builds Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River: first permanent white settlement in what is now Western Washington. U.S. unhappy. U.S. settlers settle in Willamette Valley, destroying local Indian groups. 1827 United States and Great Britain renew agreement for joint occupation of Oregon Territory. 1833 Hudson's Bay Company builds Fort Nisqually, first white settlement on Puget Sound. 1836 Hudson's Bay Company "Beaver" is first steamship in the northwest. Major smallpox epidemic kills many Indians in the northwest. (This was one of many epidemics, before and after, which shattered the Indian population.) 1837 Methodist missionaries at the Dalles. Financial crash and depression in the U.S. stimulates movement of U.S. settlers into the far west. 1838 Catholic mission established on the Cowlitz. Hudson's Bay Company establishes the Puget Sound Agricultural Company as an agricultural subsidiary. Senator Linn introduces Bill in Congress to claim all country from California to Alaska ("54-40 or fight"). Linn, his allies, and their claims were important in creating the drive to take over the Northwest. 1841 U.S. naval expedition under Commander Wilkes "shows the flag" in the Northwest. Pre-emption Act gives squatters rights to buy their claims (up to 160 acres). 1842 U.S. settlers come into the Northwest along the Columbia River. 1843 Linn Bill to claim all of Northwest finally dies for good. However, idea continues to stir rampant expansionists eyeing the Northwest. Large scale immigration starts west along Oregon Trail. 1844 First U.S. settlers in what is now Western Washington. Congress considers railroad to the Northwest. 1845 Thirty-two U.S. settlers at Tumwater near present day Olympia at Budd Inlet. Settlers in Oregon Territory south of Columbia form a "provisional government", the preamble to their statement runs: "We, the people of the Oregon Territory: for the purpose of mutual protection and to secure peace and prosperity among ourselves, agree to adopt the following rules and regulations, until such time as the United States of America extend their jurisdiction over us." 1846 Great Britain and U.S. sign Oregon Treaty establishing present U.S. - Canadian border along 49th parallel. U.S. at war with Mexico. 1847 Tumwater has flour mill, saw mill, shingle mill, brick plant. Measles and cholera sweep Northwest killing thousands of Indians. Indians east of Cascades attempt to drive out missionaries and white settlers. U.S. occupies California. 1848 War with Mexico ends. U.S. keeps New Mexico and California. U.S. establishes Oregon Territory providing "legal means" for settlers to acquire title to lands. Gold rush drawing thousands of Whites and others to the West Coast. 1849 BIA transferred from War Department to newly established Department of Interior, which also included the General Land Office. This was a convenient arrangement. Approximately 100 settlers in Puget Sound region. Snoqualmie attack Fort Nisqually. 1850 Oregon Donation Land Act passed to enable each settler to claim up to 320 acres of public land. Thus a husband and wife could claim 640 acres. (In the Treaty settlements, about .71 acres were allowed per person.) The Oregon Donation Land Act encouraged settlement on land not yet acquired from the Indian owners. Approximately 500 settlers in Puget Sound region. Fighting east of the Cascades ceases. 1851 Whites in Puget Sound region plan to create a state to be called "Columbia". Commercial oystering starts with oysters shipped to San Francisco from Shoalwater Bay. 1852 Coal found at Bellingham Bay. Whale oil and salted salmon shipped from Puget Sound to San Francisco. Smallpox at Neah Bay. 1853 Washington Territory established. Settlers build road from Walla Walla to Fort Steilacoom via Natches Pass. No one uses it. Dr. Maynard establishes a commercial fishery at the mouth of the Duwamish. Yesler builds first small at Elliott Bay. Isaac I. Stevens enters Washington Territory (see Stevens chronology). 1854 Indians west of Cascades involved in scattered violent confrontations with Whites. Treaty of Medicine Creek signed. 1855 Treaties of Point Elliott, Point No Point, Neah Bay signed. Unsuccessful council held at Chehalis River. Quinault treaty negotiated at Quinault River. Indians and Whites in violent confrontation throughout Washington Territory. Indians attempt to drive white settlers out of the area. Several thousand U.S. troops brought in. Medicine Creek Treaty ratified. 1856 Indians attack Seattle. Many White settlements in Western Washington abandoned, but Indians finally defeated. Fox Island conference held to adjust details of Western Washington reservations, and to take into account some Indian objections. 1857 Leschi hung as scapegoat. 1858 Gold discoveries in Queen Charlotte Islands bring thousands of Whites through Western Washington. Stevens affirms policy of making Indians self-supporting through subsistence farming. 1859 Indian uprising quelled but White settlements in area in economic recession. Point Elliott and Point No Point Treaties ratified. 1861 U.S. Civil War commences. 1862 Homestead Act passed to encourage more western settlement. Gave 160 acres to settler after 5 years of occupation. Sioux uprisings commence in Minnesota. 1864 Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and Comanche fighting Whites. Northern Pacific given huge land grants across northern part of country 1865 Civil War ends. 1871 U.S. stops making treaties with Indians. 1873 President Grant alters Puyallup Reservation to allow Northern Pacific Railroad right of way. 1885 Congress extends federal jurisdiction over major crimes on Indian reservations. 1887 Dawes General Allotment Act to convert Indian reservations to individual privately owned holdings (anticipated in treaties). Opened way for major loss of lands reserved under the treaties. 1889 Washington Territory becomes a state. State constitution contains clause disclaiming jurisdiction over Indians and Indian lands as required by Congress. 1890 Washington State Department of Fisheries created. 1893 Puyallup Allotment Act reduces Puyallup land to a few acres. 1899 Washington State Department of Fisheries becomes Department of Fisheries and Game. 1905 State Supreme Court rules Puyallup reserve no longer exists. 1917 Most of Nisqually reservation condemned to create Fort Lewis. Some exchange lands obtained, including Frank's Landing. 1924 Indians made U.S. citizens. 1932 Department of Fisheries and Game divided into two separate departments. 1934 Indian Reorganization Act -- provided base for preservation of remaining Indian lands and rights 1946 Indian Claims Commission established. 1947 Steelhead declared a "game fish" (bringing it under the Department of Game rather than under Fisheries). 1953 Congress develops termination policy to end special rights and relationships with Indians. Public Law 280 enabled extension of state authority into Indian reserves. 1957 In State v. Satiacum, increases push to control Indian fishing. 1958 Tulee v. Washington; court says treaties take precedence over state laws. 1963 Washington State does away with restriction of obtaining consent to external jurisdiction on to Indian Reservations. State drive to control Indian fishing. Washington State Supreme Court rules State can restrict Indian fishing to conserve fish. 1964 "Fish-ins" on Nisqually River challenge State efforts to control Indian fishing. 1965 Puyallup and Nisqually ask for U.S. support in fishing cases. Violent confrontation on the Nisqually at Frank's Landing. 1966 Department of Justice supports Indians in fishing cases. 1967 Superior Court Judge Cochran holds that Puyallup tribe and reservation no longer exist. Washington State Supreme Court upholds Yakima right to fish at usual and accustomed places off reservation. 1960 U.S. Supreme Court decision on Nisqually and Puyallup fishing -- treaty rights confirmed but State has right to regulate fishing. Continued demonstrations on the Nisqually at Olympia. 1972 Washington State Supreme Court decides Puyallup Reservation continues to exist despite loss of lands. 1974 Boldt decision affirms treaty rights of Indians in Western Washington. LIFE AND ACTIVITIES OF ISAAC STEVENS - A CHRONOLOGY 1818 Isaac Stevens born in Massachusetts 1839 Graduates, 1st in class, West Point. Enters Corps of Engineers 1847 Serves in War against Mexico; encounters General Pierce 1852 General Franklin Pierce nominated as Democratic candidate for President. Stevens "works energetically for his election" (Meinig 1955:544) 1853 January Pierce becomes President March Congress forms Territory of Washington March 3 Congress appropriates $150,000 for survey of railroad routes to the Pacific March ? Stevens applies to Pierce for position of Governor of Washington Territory and for job of conducting the railroad survey of the northern route (to Washington). "He asked the appointment, not as the reward of political services, nor for the sake of personal or political friendship, but because he was the fittest man for the place; the one who could best serve public interests." (H. Stevens 1900:I:281) March 17 Pierce appoints Stevens governor March 21 Stevens resigns from the Army April 8 Stevens given charge of northern railroad survey Nov. 25 Stevens arrives in Olympia 1854 March 26 Stevens departs for Washington, D.C., without official (federal) government permission, to promote interests of the Northern Pacific Railroad survey. (H. Stevens 1900:I:424). While in Washington, D.C., puts forward and gets approval for his views on treating with Indians 1854 Dec. Stevens arrives back in Olympia Dec. 5 Addresses the Territorial Legislature and speaks of Indian relations: "I believe the time has now come for their final settlement." (Speech quoted in H. Stevens 1900:I:446) Dec. 7 Organizes his treaty team Dec. 10 Plan of attack adopted Dec. 26 Treaty of Medicine Creek 1855 Jan. 22 Treaty of Point Elliott Jan. 26 Treaty of Point No Point Jan. 31 Treaty of Neah Bay Feb. 25-27 Chehalis Council 1855 April Stevens seeks but does not get Democratic nomination to become candidate to Congress. According to his son, wanted to get into Congress for a number of reasons including "above all" pushing for the Northern Pacific Railroad (H. Stevens 1900:I:14) May Departs to make treaties east of the mountains and in Montana 1856 Jan. 19 Stevens returns to Olympia 1857 Jan. 1 James Buchanan is sworn in as 15th President of the United States Jan. 26 " ... at the instance of the governor, the Washington Territorial legislature passed an act incorporating the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, with a capital of fifteen millions, which might be increased to thirty millions, ... Among the incorporators were Governor Isaac I. Stevens, ... " (H. Stevens 1900:I:265) July 13 Stevens elected delegate to Congress from Washington Territory Aug. 11 Resigns as governor and departs shortly thereafter for Washington, D.C. 1858 May 27 Delivers hour long speech in House on need for the Northern Pacific Railroad July 11 Re-elected to Congress. Fights vigorously for the Northern Railroad route against those advocating central or southern route 1860 Dec. 20 House passes bill giving land grant and subsidy to Central and Southern routes. Ignores Northern route. Senate adds amendment creating Northern Pacific Railway Company with a subsidy of $25,000,000 and a land grant of 6 alternate sections per mile on each side of the track in Minnesota and 10 alternate sections per mile for the rest of the way. Isaac I. Stevens and two gentlemen from Minnesota and Wisconsin were empowered to act as commissioners to organize company. Bill tabled in House and not passed. 1861 March Stevens returns to Olympia April Civil war begins May Fails to win renomination as Democratic candidate for representative to Congress 1861 July Returns to Washington, D.C. August Returns to active service in the Army 1862 Sept. 1 Killed in action For Stevens, that was the end of a fantastic climb toward fame and fortune. Finally, in July, 1864, Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of Congress granting 45,000,000 acres to the Northern Pacific Railroad along the route Stevens had promoted. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: -= THE FOURTH WORLD DOCUMENTATION PROJECT =- :: :: A service provided by :: :: The Center For World Indigenous Studies :: :: www.cwis.org :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Originating at the Center for World Indigenous Studies, Olympia, Washington USA www.cwis.org © 1999 Center for World Indigenous Studies (All Rights Reserved. References up to 500 words must be referenced to the Center for World Indigenous Studies and/or the Author Copyright Policy Material appearing in the Fourth World Documentation Project Archive is accepted on the basis that the material is the original, unoccupied work of the author or authors. 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