Mishkeegogamang

Joe and his family accompanied us to Osnaburgh, which place we reached about 4 PM. We were welcomed by the whole population of the place, men, women, children, dogs.

Several members of our Crew, including Oombash the dandy of the party belonged to Osnaburgh, and were welcomed by their friends.

Mr. Jabez Williams the H.B. Officer in charge of the post at once put his house at our disposal and during our stay showed us every possible attention.

Osnaburgh was the first point at which the Treaty was to be made and we felt some little anxiety as to how the Indians would receive our proposals. The first step taken by us was to request the Indians to appoint representative men to confer with the Commissioners. These having been selected, eight in number, a meeting was held at which the terms of the treaty were made know (sic) to them. The Indians asked several questions as to whether they would be compelled to live on the reserve to be set apart for them, and as to whether their fishing and hunting privileges would be curtailed.

On being informed that they could continue to live as they and their forefathers had done, and that they could make use of lands riot disposed of by the Govt they appeared to be satisfied, but asked to be given the following day to enable them to talk over the terms of the agreement with their members of the band, which request was at once agreed to.

The Indians had been informed that they had the privilege of electing a Chief and two Councillors. Missabay was at one (sic) named for the first position, but endeavoured to have some one else selected as he said that his affliction would prevent his performing the duties in a satisfactory manner.

The Inds. however including Missabay’s son who appeared devoted to his father, and who paid him every possible respect and attention, urged the old man to accept the office as his wisdom would be of great value in directing the affairs of the band.

The young man said this his eyes would be at the service of his father as they had been in the past. Finally Missabay agreed to accept the office of the Chief much to the apparent satisfaction of the Indians, and was at once declared elected.

On the morning of the 12th July the Inds. notified the Commissioners that they were ready to give their answer to the proposals made to them and on the meeting being again convened Chief Missabay, speaking for the Inds. said that after giving the subject full consideration they had decided that it would be much o their advantage to enter into treaty. The other representatives having expressed their concurrence with the remarks made by the Chief the treaty was signed and witnessed with all due formality and payment of the gratuity was at once proceeded with.

We paid in all nearly 350 which number included an Indian, his three wives and seventeen children.

The next order of business was the feast for which preparations had been going forward from the previous day. The good things supplied included bannock plan and with rasins, (sic) bacon, pork & tea. A plentiful supply of pipes and tobacco was also provided, and to all these good things ample justice was done by old and young.