THE MANITOULIN ISLAND TREATY.
SOME years after the completion of the Robinson Treaties,
the then Government of the old Province of Canada
deemed it desirable to effect a treaty with the Indians dwelling
upon the Great Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron, as a complement to the former treaties,
and with the object of rendering
available for settlement the large tract of good land upon the
Island. The duty was entrusted to the Honorable William
McDougall, then Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs,
who, in the month of October, 1862, proceeded to the Island,
accompanied by the late William Spragge, Esq., Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs,
and Mr. F. Assicknack, of the
Indian Office, Toronto, as interpreter. Mr. McDougall encountered considerable difficulties,
but by firmness and decision
eventually succeeded in obtaining a surrender from the Indians
of the Island, excluding however from the surrender that
portion of it easterly of Heywood Island and the Manitoulin
Gulf.
The terms of the treaty, which will be found in the Appendix, were adapted to the
peculiar circumstances of the Indians
and were well and wisely framed. The result has been to render available for settlement
a large tract of land on the Island,
much of which is now occupied by a prosperous and thriving
population. I conclude this brief notice of an important treaty
by submitting, to the attention of the reader, the report of the
Hon. W. McDougall, to His Excellency the Governor-General
in Council, of the results of his mission.
MANITOULIN ISLAND, November 3rd, 1862.
The undersigned has the honor to state for the information of His Excellency the Governor-General
in Council, that, under the authority of the
Order in Council of the twelfth day of September, 1862, he proceeded early
in the month of October last to visit the Great Manitoulin Island, accompanied by
William Spragge, Esq., Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs,
and Mr. F. Assicknack of the Indian Office, Toronto, as interpreter.
The resident agent, Captain Ironside, under instructions from the Department, had
caused the Indians residing on the Island to be notified of the
intended visit of the undersigned, and of its object, and had summoned them
to attend at Manitowaning on the fourth ultimo.
The Chiefs and principal men, with the exception of one or two detained
by illness, and nearly all the males above} the age of eighteen years, were
present at the council.
The undersigned stated the object of his visit, explained the wishes of the
Government in regard to the settlement of the Island, and proposed the
terms in respect to the Indians specified in the Order in Council authorizing
the negotiation. The Indians had selected one of their Chiefs to reply to
the overtures of the Government, and without taking time to consider these
overtures he proceeded to announce the determination of the Indians to
reject them unconditionally.
The undersigned made some further explanations, and directed an ajournment of the
council for an hour, during which time the Indians were requested to consider the
propositions he had made with care and deliberation.
On re-assembling there was an evident disposition among the bands living
westwardly of the place of meeting to listen favorably to the propositions
of the Government, but the majority were still unwilling to treat, and by
intimidation and threats of violence prevented any open expression of opinion
except by the old war Chief, Assicknack, who declared his full assent to the
wishes of the Government.
Ascertaining that the Chief's opposition came from Indians living eastwardly of Heywood
Sound, the undersigned determined to modify the propositions of the Government, so
as to meet in some degree the objections
from that quarter.
He accordingly adjourned the council until the following Monday, the
first day of meeting being Saturday, informing the Indians that those who
were disposed to continue the negotiations would remain while those who
had resolved to reject every proposition of the Government might go home.
He also informed them that no threats or intimidation would be allowed,
and that any one who should attempt violence would be surely punished.
Nearly all the Indians remained or returned on Monday, and being apprised
of the nature of the proposition the undersigned intended to submit, namely,
to exclude that part of the island eastwardly of the Manitoulin Gulf and
Heywood Sound from the proposed agreement, they came to the adjourned
24 The Treaties of Canada with the Indians.
meeting in a more friendly mood and expressed their willingness to surrender for sale
and settlement all that part of the island westwardly of the Gulf
and Sound.Â
The undersigned submits herewith the deed or instrument which embodies
the agreement made and concluded between the respective parties. It was
executed by the undersigned and the Deputy-Superintendent of Indian
Affairs on behalf of the Government, and by nineteen of the Chiefs and principal men
on behalf of the Indians.
In consequence of the modification of the terms of agreement authorized
by the Order in Council as above-mentioned and the addition of other terms
deemed necessary to prevent future difficulty, and which will be found in
the instrument, the undersigned caused a provision to be inserted that it
was not to take effect until approved by the Governor-General in Council.
The undersigned therefore now begs to submit the same for such approval.
(Signed) WM. McDOUGALL,
Superintendent—General of Indian Affairs.
