OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE PROVINCES.

OTTAWA, 6th May, 1871.

GENTLEMEN, I have the honor to enclose a Commission under the Great Seal, authorizing you jointly to treat with the Saulteaux and Lac Seul Indians of the Ojibbeway Nation, for the surrender of their lands to the Government.

Those lands are assumed to cover the area from the water shed of Lake Superior to the North-West Angle of the Lake of the Woods, and from the American border to the height of land from which the streams flow towards the Hudson's Bay.

One object which the Government have in view in seeking the surrender of this tract of country is to make the route now being opened from Thunder Bay to Manitoba secure for the passage of Emigrants, and of the people of the Dominion generally. They also desire to throw open to settlement any portion of the land included in this area which may be susceptible of improvement and profitable occupation.

As opinions vary very much as to the extent of arable land from which any income may be derived, the Government must depend very largely upon the exercise of your judgment in fixing the price to be given. The powers intrusted to you are large, and they should be used with constant reference to the responsibility which the Government owes to Parliament and to the country for the judicious and economical expenditure of the funds and supplies intrusted to your charge. It should therefore be your endeavor to secure the session of the lands upon terms as favorable as possible to the Government, not going as far as the maximum sum hereafter named unless it be found impossible to obtain the object for a less amount.

The number of Indians assumed to inhabit this tract of country, is estimated at about 2,500, and the maximum amount which you are authorized to give, is twelve dollars per annum for a family of five, with a discretionary power to add small sums in addition when the families exceed that number. In fixing this amount, you must not lose sight of the fact that it cannot fail to have an important bearing on the arrangements to be made subsequently with the tribes further West.

The Finance Minister will arrange with the Hudson's Bay Company, to supply you with funds to the extent of $6,000, which may be required during the progress of your negotiations.

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It is desirable that you shonld be at Fort Francis not later than the middle of June, as the Indians usually assemble there about that time. In order, however, to assure full attendance of the Indians next month, Mr. Commissioner Pether will, on receipt of this communication, send out runners to notify the Indians of the proposed meeting. Any provisions, stores or presents sent up last year for the Indians, but not expended, will be available for the purpose of your negotiations, and Mr. Commissioner Dawson is hereby authorized to arrange (with the sanction of the Minister of Public Works) to purchase and forward to Fort Francis, as early in June as possible, such additional provisions, clothes, &c., as the Commissioners may require for the purpose of their negotiations.

The chiefs' clothing and flags provi led last year, will also be at your disposal, as well as four additional suits of chiefs' clothing and flags, which Mr. Dawson will take with him.

I enclose, for your information, a copy of the surrender negotiated by Mr. Robinson in 1850, of the Indian Lands round Lake Superior, assumed to be rich in minerals, and extending to the height of land which separates the tract conceded from the Territory of the Hudson's Bay Company.

I may mention that I am informed that in the old Provinces of Quebec and Ontario, the highest price paid for the finest lands has seldom, if ever, exceeded four dollars per head per annum, to the Band with which the treaty was made.

Another point to which I wish to call your attention is the policy of restricting as much as possible the amount to be paid in money. It has been represented to the Government that money is but little used by the Band with whom you will negotiate,

and that provisions and clothing are much more highly prized. There is a danger too that, should money become plentiful among those people, traders will bring spirits into the settlement, and demoralize and destroy the Indians.

One part of your duty, and by no means the least important, will be to select desirable reserves for the use of the Indians themselves, with a view to the gradual introduction of those agencies which in Canada have operated so beneficially in promoting settlement and civilization among the Indians.

In accordance with the suggestions of Mr. Commissioner Simpson, the Minister of Public Works has been authorized to erect a house and a store at Fort Francis, on such site and of such dimensions as you may think necessary for the shelter and protection of the supplies sent there, and for other purposes connected with your mission.

It is very desirable that the Lieut.-Governor of Manitoba should be kept advised from time to time of your movements as he may possibly think it advisable to meet the Commissioners at Fort Francis, and to lend you the aid of his counsel and co-operation.

You will be good enough to report to this Department at least once a month, and

always advise me where return letters are most likely to reach you.

Identical letters are sent to each of the Commissioners in order that each may have timely notice of his appointment, and be able to make such preliminary arrangements as may be necessary before the meeting.

The Commission and draft treaty referred to in the letter, are sent under cover to Mr. Simpson, as being the person first named in the Commission.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE PROVINCES.

OTTAWA, 6th May, 1871.

SIR,-Referring to the Order in Council of the 26th ultimo (of which I am advised a copy has been furnished you), respecting the appointment of Commissioners to treat next month with the Indians at Rainy Lake, may I suggest you to have the goodness to give Mr. S. J. Dawson, of your Department (being one of the Commissioners above referred to), authority to arrange for the purchase, &c., of such provisions, clothing, &c., as are authorized by the said Order in Council, and as the Commissioners may require during their negotiations with the Indians. May I also request that you will give Mr. Dawson authority to see to the early construction at Fort Francis, of the small House or store authorized by the Order in Council.

This Department will of course be prepared to direct the payment of the amount expended by Mr. Dawson in the purchase of provisions, clothing, and in the construction of the store.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,
JOSEPH HOWE,

Secretary of State for the Provinces.

The Honorable

H. L. Langevin, C. B.,

Minister of Public Works.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE PROVINCES.

OTTAWA, 9th May, 1871.

SIR, I have the honor to enclose, herewith, for your information, a copy of a letter addressed by me to Mr. W. M. Simpson, M.P., together with a copy of a letter addressed to that gentleman, and Messrs. S. J. Dawson and Pether. The former contains the instructions given to Mr. Simpson, as "Indian Commissioner," and the latter contains the instructions given to that gentleman and the two others above named as Joint Indian Commissioners for certain purposes. I also enclose a copy of a Report of Mr. S. J. Dawson (one of the above named Commissioners) on the subject of the Saulteaux and Lac Seul Indians. The Report is interesting for the information it affords respecting the particular Band of Indians with whom the Joint Commissioners have to deal.

The accompanying letters sufficiently explain the scope of the Commissions and the powers and duties of the Commissioners. They also indicate the position and duties of

the Commissioners with reference to you as Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba. His Excellency feels satisfied that you will in every way in your power give the Commissioners the benefit of your counsel and support in conducting the important and difficult negotiations intrusted to their management by the Government.

SIR,-I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your favor of 17th May, and also a package containing 4 flags for distribution among the Indians of the Red River Territory, Mr. S. J. Dawson passed this to-day for Fort William, and handed me my Commission. I shall leave by the steamer Chicora on Friday, and hope to find Mr. Dawson ready to accompany me to Fort Francis. I sent word to Mr. Pether to assemble the

Indians about the 25th instant.

Would you kindly send my pay for last year to my wife, having the cheque cashed into small bills and remitted by mail registered. I have the honor to be, Sir,

The Hon. Joseph Howe,
Secretary of State for the Provinces.

Your most obedient servant,

WEMYSS M. SIMPSON.

Indian Branch,

Ottawa.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

SILVER HEIGHTS, May 28th, 1871.

SIR, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 262, under date of the 9th instant, enclosing copy of a letter addressed to Wemyss M. Simpson, M.P., together with a copy of a letter addressed to that gentleman and Messrs. S. J. Dawson and Pether; also of a report of Mr. S. J. Dawson on the subject of the Saulteaux and Lac Seul Indians.

His Excellency the Governor General may rest assured that I shall, in every way in my power aid the Commissioners in conducting the important and difficult negotiations intrusted to their management.

I had previously received, enclosed in an envelope addressed to me by Mr. Meredith, a letter for Mr. Pether, which I have forwarded to that gentleman by an Indian of the neighborhood of Fort Francis, who is returning to his home.

Yesterday the messenger, whom I had sent to the Lake of the Woods Indians, with letters informing them of the intentions of the Government as to the treaty with them, and warning them not to come here, returned bringing me a report that the Indians were gratified to receive the letters, and would await patiently the arrival of the Commissioners. I have the honor to be, Sir,

SIR.-We have the honor to inform you that we have had repeated interviews with the Saulteaux tribe of the Ojibbeway Indians, at Shebandowan Lake, and at this place. The Indians, in anticipation of negotiations being entered into with thein, had collected in larger numbers than usual, and we had, in consequence, a favorable opportunity of explaining the intentions of the Government as to obtaining a surrender of their Territorial rights. They preferred claims in regard to promises which had heretofore been made to them, for "right of way" through their country. These we admitted to a limited extent, and have made them presents in provisions and clothing; we are also to pay them a small amount in money, and it is fully and distinctly understood, by the Indians, that these presents and payments are accepted by them as an equivalent for all past claims whatever.

The Government is thus, at the present moment, clear of any Indian claim for the past, in the section of country intervening between the Height of Land and the Lake of the Woods.

A deputation of Indians from Lac Seul has also met us here, and through it, we have informed the Indians of that section that they will be parties to the treaties to be entered into, and partake in their advantages.

Varions causes have prevented us from entering into a formal and permanent arrange ment with the Indians at present.

In the first place, it was necessary that they should be afforded time in which to deliberate calmly on the various points to be embraced in a Treaty; and, in order that they might be informed as to what would be expected of them, we have explained to them fully the views of the Government, stating that they would be called upon to surrender their Territorial rights; that reserves of land would be set aside for them, and annual payments made.

In the next place, a disease very like scarlatina had broken out among those of them who had assembled here, and there was an immediate necessity for their separating, which they have already to some extent done, to prevent the spread of the disease. Three deaths

occurred among them to-day, and in all, eleven persons, chiefly children, have been carried off since our arrival, and there are many more in a precarious state.

We have much satisfaction in saying that the result of our interviews has been, in many respects, satisfactory.

The Indians fully comprehend the altered position in which they are placed by the opening of the communication, and evinced an earnest desire to meet the views of the Government, and we have parted with them with the understanding that we are to meet them early next summer, and that we are then to come provided with presents, and prepared to make such payments as may be determined on.

In the meantime, they are to consider calmly the proposals which have been made to them, and are to be prepared, when we meet again, to point out the land which they desire as reserves, and explain the various matters which they wish to be provided for; while we, on our part, have engaged to point out to the Government the wants of the Indians. We have much pleasure in saying that the Indians have evinced a most friendly disposition, and look upon the emigrants and others now passing through their country, not only without distrust, but with evident satisfaction, and we have no doubt but that, by careful and prudent management, these friendly relations may be permanently maintained. We have at present no time to enter into details, but will soon submit a report with statements of the expenditure so far incurred, and suggestions as to future negotiations with the Indians.

SIR, I have great pleasure in communicating to you, for the information of His Excellency the Governor General, the arrival at this place of Mr. Simpson, the Indian Commissioner, which occurred on the evening of Sunday, the 16th instant.

You will recollect that in my despatches, numbers 4 and 5, under dates respectively of the 17th and 21st September last, I reported certain interviews with the Indians at the mission below the Stone Fort.

At these interviews I informed the Indians I was not then prepared to enter upon negotiations for a Treaty with them, that I wished them to disperse to their hunting grounds, and, when the spring opened, I should appoint a time and send them word to meet me in the neighborhood of the Stone Fort; that I should then be prepared, either in person, or by some representative of the Queen directly from Canada, to enter upon negotiations with them, and that I had no doubt a satisfactory arrangement would be made.

On this they were induced to disperse, but as soon as the spring opened they became anxious about the Treaty. They have sent repeated messages enquiring when the Treaty was to come off, and appeared very much disappointed at the delay. They have interfered with emigrants, warning them not to come on the ground outside the Hudson's Bay Company's surveys, and lately they have posted up a written notice on the door of the church at Portage La Prairie; warning parties not to intrude on their lands until a Treaty should be made.