.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
On July 7th, 1855 Isaac Stevens entered into treaty negotiations with the Flathead (Salish), Pend D'Oreille, and Kutenai tribes at Council Groove, six miles east of Missoula, Montana. This is one of several treaty councils held by Stevens as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Stevens was also financially involved with the building of railroads through the northern states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. In order to secure passage of the railroad through Indian territory without threat, Stevens felt it was necessary to extinguish aboriginal title to the vast reaches of the states involved. Thus a series of treaty councils were initiated and the tribes induced to relinquish their claim on vast regions of the northwest.
There is no doubt Stevens had a conflict of interest in the proceedings. In many of the negotiations he intimidated, manipulated, and outright lied to achieve his goals. One of his more noteworthy examples is the treaty copy offered here, Burns, New Haven, 1966 p. 101 made the following statement concerning Stevens:
"The official report cannot disguise the clumsiness of the Governor as a negotiator, nor his insensitivity to the Indians' right. He betrays a patronizing impatience for this lesser race whose problems intruded upon his policies and career."
During the treaty council, copies of the treaty were made and given to the principal signers. The copy offered today came from Chief Victor of the Flatheads (Salish) and was passed to his son Chief Charlot, and then to his son, Chief Martin Charlot, who died around 1950.
Paul Raczka March 14, 2000
There is no doubt Stevens had a conflict of interest in the proceedings. In many of the negotiations he intimidated, manipulated, and outright lied to achieve his goals. One of his more noteworthy examples is the treaty copy offered here, Burns, New Haven, 1966 p. 101 made the following statement concerning Stevens:
"The official report cannot disguise the clumsiness of the Governor as a negotiator, nor his insensitivity to the Indians' right. He betrays a patronizing impatience for this lesser race whose problems intruded upon his policies and career."
During the treaty council, copies of the treaty were made and given to the principal signers. The copy offered today came from Chief Victor of the Flatheads (Salish) and was passed to his son Chief Charlot, and then to his son, Chief Martin Charlot, who died around 1950.
Paul Raczka March 14, 2000