The 1851 Tansy Point Treaty Journal: The Clatsop Treaty

For the Tansy Point Treaties, Dart worked to get all the land from the tribes. By this time the tribes had already heard rumors of the treaties, and the plan to remove all tribes to eastern Oregon. Likely, news about the Willamette Valley treaties at Champoeg had already reached the Clatsop. There, the Kalapuyans, beginning with the Santiam tribe, had powerfully held out for a reservation in their traditional lands during days of negotiations. From this news the Clatsop tribe was reassured that they may be able to remain on their lands. Robert Shortess is an interesting figure here. He … Continue reading The 1851 Tansy Point Treaty Journal: The Clatsop Treaty

Clatsops After Their 1851 Treaty

In the 19th century Indian Agents were obsessed with keeping liquors away from Native peoples. Whether their motivation was religious, as most were conservative protestants, or concern for the welfare of the Natives, they implemented rigorous protocols to keep liquor and liquor trade from Native peoples. Beginning with Anson Dart in 1851, when he arrived in Oregon he was very concerned with stopping the liquor trade. In various letters Dart describes how Native people really wanted the liquor and would trade anything to get it, including land, money, and food, which of true, would have caused a serious decline in … Continue reading Clatsops After Their 1851 Treaty

Robert Shortess On the Columbia

Robert Shortess was an early pioneer settler and Indian agent on the Columbia River. He is drawn to Oregon after witnessing a speech given by Jason Lee who is on a tour of the east working to get more white men and women to come to the Willamette Valley.  He leaves Missouri in 1839, and arrives in Oregon in 1840 as part of the Peoria Party, and settles in Astoria by 1844 . In Missouri, Shortess worked for a time as a mill worker with the Applegate family, and after arriving in Oregon, corresponds with the Applegates, specifically Jesse, selling … Continue reading Robert Shortess On the Columbia

Anson Dart’s Report of November 7, 1851: Contextualized

Anson Dart’s Report of November 7, 1851, Transferring 13 Treaties to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs: Annotated with Contextual Comments Here begin the full text of the Report of Anson Dart. I have worked to include every word transcribed, there … Continue reading Anson Dart’s Report of November 7, 1851: Contextualized