Nearly 400 Shoshones lost their lives at this encounter, including
some members of the bands that adhered to the leadership of Chief
Washakie. The treaty essentially sets the boundaries of the Eastern
Shoshones to reflect their traditional base since the early 1800s,
namely from the upper Snake River on the north, east to the Wind
River Mountains, South into northern Colorado and Utah, and no further
west than Salt Lake. It did not include the present-day boundaries
of the Wind River Reservation, which lie east of the Wind River
Mountains. The ratified 1863 treaty added one article and one amendment
to the original document, as well as a new preamble. The additions
are noted with brackets.
Treaty of 1863
(view in PDF format)
[Treaty between the United States of America and the Eastern Bands
of Shoshonee Indians. Concluded July 2, 1863; Ratification advised,
with amendment, March 7, 1864; Amendment assented to August 31,
1865; Proclaimed June 7, 1869.]
[ULYSSESS S. GRANT, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA,]
[TO ALL AND SINGULAR TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME, GREETING:]
[Whereas a Treaty was made and concluded
at Fort Bridger, in the Territory of Utah, on the second day of
July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three,
by and between James Duane Doty and Luther Mann, Commissioners,
on the part of the United States, and Washakee, Wanapitz, and
other Chiefs, Principal Men, and Warriors of the Eastern Bands
of Shoshonee Indians, on the part of said Indians, and duly authorized
thereto by them, which Treaty is in the words and figures following,
to wit:]
Articles of Agreement made at Fort Bridger,
in Utah Territory, this second day of July, A.D. one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-three, by and between the United States
of America, represented by its Commissioners, and the Shoshone
nation of Indians, represented by its Chiefs and Principal Men
And Warriors of the Eastern Bands, as follows:
ARTICLE I.
Friendly and amicable relations are hereby
re-established between the bands of the Shoshonee nation, parties
hereto, and the United States; and it is declared that a firm
and perpetual peace shall be henceforth maintained between the
Shoshone nation and the United States.
ARTICLE II.
The several routes of travel through the
Shoshonee country, now or hereafter used by white men, shall be
and remain forever free and safe for the use of the Government
of the United States, and of all emigrants and travellers under
its authority and Protection, without molestation or injury from
any of the people of the said nation. And if depredations should
at any time be committed by bad men of their nation, the offenders
shall be immediately seized and delivered up to the proper officers
of the United States, to be punished as their offences shall deserve;
and the safety of all travellers passing peaceably over said routes
is hereby guaranteed by said nation. Military agricultural settlements
and military posts may be established by the President of the
United States along said routes; ferries may be maintained over
the rivers wherever they may be required; and houses erected and
settlements formed at such points as may be necessary for the
comfort and convenience of travellers.
ARTICLE III.
The telegraph and overland stage lines having
been established and operated through a part of the Shoshonee
country, it is expressly agreed that the same may be continued
without hindrance, molestation, or injury from the people of said
nation; and that their property, and the lives of passengers in
the stages, and of the employees of the respective companies,
shall be protected by them.
And further, it being understood that provision
has been made by the Government of the United States for the construction
of a railway from the plains west to the Pacific ocean, it is
stipulated by said nation that said railway, or its branches,
may be located, constructed, and operated, without molestation
from them, through any portion of the country claimed by them.
ARTICLE IV.
It is understood the boundaries of the Shoshonee
country, as defined and described by said nation, is as follows:
On the north, by the mountains on the north
side of the valley of Shoshonee or Snake River; on the east, by
the Wind River mountains, Peenahpah river, the north fork of Platte
or Koo-chin-agah, and the north Park or Buffalo House; and on
the south, by Yampah river and the Uintah mountains. The western
boundary is left undefined, there being no Shoshonees from that
district of country present; but the bands now present claim that
their own country is bounded on the west by Salt Lake.
ARTICLE V.
The United States being aware of the inconvenience
resulting to the Indians in consequence of the driving away and
destruction of game along the routes travelled by whites, and
by the formation of agricultural and mining settlements, are willing
to fairly compensate them for the same; [therefore] and in consideration
of the preceding stipulations, the United States promise and agree
to pay to the bands of the Shoshonee nation, parties hereto, annually
for the term of twenty years, the sum of ten thousand dollars,
in such articles as the President of the United States may deem
suitable to their wants and condition, either as hunters or herdsmen.
And the said bands of the Shoshonee nation hereby acknowledge
the reception of the said stipulated annuities, as a full compensation
and equivalent for the loss of game, and the rights and privileges
hereby- conceded.
ARTICLE VI.
The said bands hereby acknowledge that they
have received from said Commissioners provisions and clothing
amounting to six thousand dollars, as-presents, at the conclusion
of this treaty.
Done at Fort Bridger the day and year above
written.
JAMES DUANE DOTY
LUTHER MANN, JR.,
Commissioners.
WASHAKEE......his x mark.
WANAPITZ......his x mark.
PANTOSHIGA......his x mark.
NINABITZE......his x mark.
NARKAWK......his x mark.
TABOONSHEA......his x mark.
WEERANGO......his x mark.
TOOTSAHP......his x mark.
WEEAHYUKEE......his x mark.
BAZILE......his x mark.
In presence of—
JACK ROBERTSON, Interpreter.
SAMUEL DEAN
