LETTER OF PORT SIMPSON CHIEFS AND OTHERS IN REPLY TO COMMISSIONER CORNWALL'S SPEECH, AT CLOSE OF PORT SIMPSON MEETING. [Note.—This letter, with the exception of one short paragraph, is excluded from the Commissioners' Report.] Port Simpson, B.C., October 24th, 1887. To C. F. Cornwall and J. P. Planta, Land Commissioner. Sirs, — We were very much surprised when we heard at the close of the Commission that we would not be allowed to say a word in reply to the gentlemen of the Commission, so we take this way to let you know that our hearts were sore at some of the words that were said. We would say, also, in the first place, that Chief Dudoward, who was in the midst of his speech when the meeting closed the first evening, is one of our hereditary chiefs, and a man of influence among us. Letters about this Commission had been addressed to him by Hon. Mr. Davie, and Hon. Mr. Robson, and we had chosen him to speak for us. We were surprised that the next morning, just at the opening of the meeting, when we all expected him to go on with his unfinished speech, word was sent to him by the interpreter
to the Commission that he would not be allowed to go on. We do not see why this should have been done at all, but if it had been done the evening before we could have had some one else ready to take his place. As it was, it looked like an attempt to confuse us, and we do not think it was right. We wish, also, to give a word of explanation about the two roads [reserves] that Chief Albert Shakes spoke of, which he did not make very plain. One, as laid down by Wilson, is the Tsimpshean peninsula, and the Nass and Skeena River fisheries ; the other, as Shakes wished to express it, would be the town site at Port Simpson, the Nass and Skeena fisheries, and one hundred and sixty acres for each man. The parting words of Mr. Planta were kind. We have the words of Mr. Smythe in the report which Mr. Planta handed to us, and it has been read to us, but we do not agree to these words and the plan of the Government about our lands. And now we wish to say that if the two Governments are going to answer us in the same ??? as that of Mr. Cornwall's address, we have only one way left, after our patient waiting and protesting against the surveys, and the way our protests have been treated, and that is to follow our brethren into Alaska. But we do not believe that the Government will treat us in that way after all they will hear through this Commission. It would be
very hard for us to leave the graves of our fathers, and the inheritance God gave to them and us, but what else can we do if our land matters are not settled in a just way ? We wish to inform Mr. Cornwall as to the Hudson's Bay Company's position here. They were first established on the Nass, but finding that an unsuitable place, came here by the direction of our Chief Legaic, whose daughter was the wife of one of the Hudson's Bay Company's officers. Legaic built his house here at the time the fort was established ; but you must understand this was our country long before that, for if we had not been here what would the Hudson's Bay Company have come for ? It is this land upon which Legaic and his tribe have lived all these years that the Hudson's Bay Company have had included in what they call their claims. We hope, sirs, that you will find all the letters you promised to look up on this subject in the Indian office, and will have this thing put right. Then, in regard to the Indian Act, we had it read and explained to us, and we do not think that we are foolish, as Mr. Cornwall said we were, if we do not take it. From what we have seen from the working of it, and the agents who carry it out, we believe we should be no better off than the worst heathen about us. As our chiefs pointed out to the Commission, what we want is a municipal law, backed by legal authority,
without the bondage of being under a bad Indian agent, who would take us backwards rather than forwards. As to Mr. Cornwall's reference to our teachers, we would ask, if they have not taught us and led us from our heathen darkness to what we are now, who has ? It has surely not been the Government. What have they done for us ? No; we have to thank the good Christian people who have sent missionaries among us to teach us about God, and the improvements of our homes, and industrious habits. And so it is by their teaching, and the blessing of God upon our own industry, that Mr. Cornwall finds us in the comfortable appearance of which he speaks. As one of our leading men said, we would remind the Commission and the Government that they have a very solemn trust committed to them, that is to treat us in truth and righteousness as men, in regard to our country—the home of our fathers. We believe that a kind, good Providence is with us, and is directing all these matters. He has kept us through all these years, while we have been oppressed and tried, and we trust He will still keep us from doing wrong. We shall pray that the Government and the Commissioners may be directed to a wise and happy conclusion of all these matters, and that their decision may bring peace and gladness to our hearts, and to the hearts of our children and children's
children. On behalf of the people of Port Simpson, Signed, Their Mark Paul Legaic x Albert Shakes x David Swanson x Samuel Gemk x Richard Wilson x Charles Abbott x Joseph Peers x Lewis Gosnell x Arthur Clah x