The US GenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. Submitted by Kevin Fraley from public records Feb. 26, 1997. Both above notices must remain when copied or downloaded. swimref@cmc.net Executive Order regarding the Puyallup and Nisqually Reservations, 1857 (In Puyallup Agency; occupied by Muckleshoot, Nisqualli, Puyallup, Skwawksnomish, Stailakoom, and five other tribes; treaty of December 26, 1854.) SIR: The treaty negotiated on the 29th of December, 1854, with certain bands of Nisqually, Puyallup, and other Indians of Puget's Sound, Washington Territory (article 2), provided for the establishment of reservations for the colonization of Indians, as follows: (1) The small island called Klah-chemin. (2) A square tract containing two sections near the mouth of the She-nah-nam Creek. (3) Two sections on the south side of Commencement Bay. The sixth article of the treaty gives the President authority to remove the Indians from those locations to other suitable places within Washington Territory, or to consolidate them with friendly bands. So far as this office is advised a permanent settlement of the Indians has not yet been effected under the treaty. Governor Stevens has formed the opinion that the locations named in the first article of the treaty were not altogether suitable for the purpose of establishing Indian colonies. One objection was that they are not sufficiently extensive. He reported that 750 Indians had been collected from the various bands for settlement. I have the honor now to submit for your consideration and action of the President, should you deem it necessary and proper, a report recently received from Governor Stevens, dated December 5, 1856, with the reports and maps therewith, and as therein stated, from which it will be observed that he has arranged a plan of colonization which involves the assignment of a much greater quantity of land to the Indians, under the sixth article of the treaty, than was named in the first article. He proposes the enlargement of the Puyallup Reserve at the south end of Commencement Bay to accommodate 500 Indians; the change in the location, and the enlargement of the Nisqually Reserve, and the establishment of a new location, Muckleshoot Prairie, where there is a military station that is about to be abandoned. The quantity of land he proposes to assign is not, in my opinion, too great for the settlement of the number of Indians he reports for colonization; and as the governor recommends the approval of these locations and reports that the Indians assent thereto, I would respectfully suggest that they be approved by the President, my opinion being that, should it be found practicable hereafter to consolidate the bands for whom these reserves are intended or to unite other bands of Indians on the same reserves, the authority to effect such objects will still remain with the President under the sixth article of the treaty. Within the Puyallup Reserve there have been private locations, and the value of the claims and improvements has been appraised by a board appointed for that purpose at an aggregate of $4,917. In the same connection I submit the governor's report of August 28, 1856, which he refers to, promising that the proceedings of his conference with the Indians therein mentioned were not received here with the report. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. W. MANYPENNY, Commissioner. Hon. R. McCLELLAND, Secretary of the Interior. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, January 20, 1857. SIR: I have the honor to transmit a communication of the 19th instant, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to this Department, indicating the reservations selected for the Nisqually, Puyallup, and other bands of Indians in Washington Territory, and to request your approval of the same. With great respect, your obedient servant, R. McCLELLAND, Secretary. The PRESIDENT. Approved. FRANKLIN PIERCE. JANUARY 20, 1857.