The Treaties of Canada with The Indians of Manitoba and the North-West Territories | Page 6

had heretofore been in the habit of using for purposes of
residence and cultivation, and by securing these to them and the right
of hunting and fishing over the ceded territory, they cannot say that the
Government takes from their usual means of subsistence and therefore
have no claims for support, which they no doubt would have preferred,
had this not been done. The reservation at Garden River is the largest
and perhaps of most value, but as it is occupied by the most numerous
band of Indians, and from its locality (nine miles from the Sault) is
likely to attract others to it, I think it was right to grant what they
expressed a desire to retain. There are two mining locations at this
place, which should not be finally disposed of unless by the full
consent of Shinguacouse and his band; they are in the heart of the

village and shew no indications of mineral wealth, they are numbered
14 and 15 on the small map appended to Messrs. Anderson and Vidal's
report. I pledged my word on the part of the Government that the sale
of these locations should not be completed, and as the locatees have not,
I believe, complied with the conditions of the Crown Lands
Department there can be no difficulty in cancelling the transaction.
The chiefs are desirous that their several reservations should be marked
by proper posts or monuments, and I have told them the Government
would probably send some one next spring for that purpose. As I know
many of the localities I shall be able to give the necessary information
when required.
When at Sault Ste. Marie last May, I took measures for ascertaining as
nearly as possible the number of Indians inhabiting the north shore of
the two lakes; and was fortunate enough to get a very correct census,
particularly of Lake Superior. I found this information very useful at
the council, as it enabled me successfully to contradict the assertion
(made by those who were inciting the chiefs to resist my offers) that
there were on Lake Superior alone, eight thousand Indians. The number
on that lake, including eighty-four half-breeds, is only twelve hundred
and forty--and on Lake Huron, about fourteen hundred and twenty-two,
including probably two hundred half-breeds, and when I paid the
Indians they acknowledged they knew of no other families than those
on my list.
The number paid, as appears on the pay list, does not show the whole
strength of the different bands, as I was obliged at their own request to
omit some members of the very large families. I have annexed to this
Report the names of the chiefs, their localities, and number of souls in
each band as recognized by me in apportioning the money, thinking it
will be useful when paying the annuity hereafter.
This information may I believe be fully relied on for Lake Superior, but
the census for Lake Huron is not so perfect; and I would suggest that
Captain Ironside should be furnished with copies of that document and
also of the pay-lists in order that he may correct in time any errors that
are found to exist.

As the half-breeds at Sault Ste. Marie and other places may seek to be
recognized by the Government in future payments, it may be well that I
should state here the answer that I gave to their demands on the present
occasion. I told them I came to treat with the chiefs who were present,
that the money would be paid to them--and their receipt was sufficient
for me--that when in their possession they might give as much or as
little to that class of claimants as they pleased. To this no one, not even
their advisers, could object, and I heard no more on the subject. At the
earnest request of the chiefs themselves I undertook the distribution of
the money among their respective bands and all parties expressed
themselves perfectly satisfied with my division of their funds.
On my arrival at Penetanguishene I found the chiefs Yellowhead and
Snake, from Lake Simcoe, and Aissance, from Beausoleil's Island,
waiting to see me, to prefer their claim to a small tract of land between
Penetanguishene and the vicinity of the River Severn. I was aware of
their intending to make such a claim and took the precaution of asking
the chiefs assembled in council at the Sault whether it was well
founded, they emphatically declared that those chiefs had no claim on
Lake Huron, that they had long since ceded their lands and were in the
receipt of a large annuity, this I believe to be the case and Captain
Anderson, whom I met there, is of the same opinion; but I promised to
inquire into it and give them an