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Treaty
The Cow Creek Umpquas become the first Oregon Treaty Tribe on September 19, 1853 after one day of negotiation with their Chief, Miwaleta.
"It is your peace that is killing us."
Indian to Indian Agent Metcalf, 1856.
Chief Miwaleta counseled the Cow Creek Umpquas to avoid warfare and sought a peaceful solution to the troubles that arose with the non-Indian settlers. They ceded their homeland to the United States Government for the grand sum of twelve thousand dollars, 2.3 cents per acre, to be paid over a twenty-year period.
At the same time, the Government was selling similar land to settlers for $1.25 per acre. In the twentieth century the amount of this payoff was to become the main point of contention between the Cow Creek Umpquas and United States, as the descendants of the original signers sought justice in the Court of Claims.
"For and in consideration of the cession and relinquishment contained in article first, the United States agree to pay to the aforesaid band of Indians [Cow Creek Umpquas], the sum of twelve thousand dollars, in manner to wit: one thousand dollars to be expended in the purchase of twenty blankets, eighteen pairs of pants, eighteen pairs of shoes, eighteen hickory shirts, eighteen hats or caps, three coats, three vests, three socks, three neckerhandchiefs, forty cotton flags, one hundred twenty yards prints, one hundred yards domestic, one gross buttons, two lbs. thread, ten paper needles." - Cow Creek Umpqua Treaty, September 13, 1853
The treaty left the Cow Creek Umpquas no land, no place to live, no protection. They became fugitives within their own territory. They were hunted down, some were murdered and others driven out.
Shortly after the Cow Creek Umpqua treaty was signed, Chief Miwaleta died. The Cow Creek Umpquas were led into the Rogue Indian Wars by Chief Miwaleta's successor. As a result, the Government canceled its treaty obligation.
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