The Treaties of Canada with The Indians of Manitoba and the North-West Territories | Page 8

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 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.
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.

CHAPTER IV
THE STONE FORT AND MANITOBA POST TREATIES
NUMBERS ONE AND TWO
In the year 1871, the late Honorable Joseph Howe, then Secretary of
State of Canada, recommended the appointment by the Privy Council
of Canada, of Mr. Wemyss McKenzie Simpson, as Indian
Commissioner, in consequence of "the necessity of arranging with the
bands of Indians inhabiting the tract of country between Thunder Bay
and the Stone Fort, for the cession, subject to certain reserves such as
they should