Onslaught 1. Opening Activity: Fort Nez Perce and Walla Walla Treaty paintings 2. Onslaught Power Powerpoint presentation with 2-Column Notes 3. Treaty Violations Letter 4. Closing Activity: Walk a Mile in My Shoes

Fort Nez Perce

Walla Walla Council

John J. McGilvra, U.S. Attorney to Washington Territory, letter to Colonel Thomas Cornelius, describing violations of treaty with Nez Perce and requesting protection for Nez Perce against white settlers, June 16,

Treaty Violations Letter Transcript Walla Walla W. T. June 16th, 1862 Colonel, Without being fully advised as to your authority to act in the premises, I deem it my duty to advise you of the condition of things upon the Nez Perces Reservation, hoping that if you do not feel authorized to take any active steps, you will lose no time in conferring with the proper officer. Having spent the last three weeks upon said Reservation, I have seen and know something of the real Condition of affairs there. I find that the treaty terms are being flagrantly and openly violated in almost every particular. The lands of the Indians, even in some instances, their little farms are being taken from them, their stash is being stolen, intoxicating liquor is being sold and given to them without measure, and in one instance at least one of their number was shot down in cold blood by one of these white Robbers. Their condition is indeed wretched and they are almost in despair. In a word without going further into detail, my opinion is that the prompt action of the military authorities in connection with the civil (for the civil authorities cannot swiftly act among the band of desperados without the presence of the military) in behalf of the Indians by restraining the whites, will prevent the necessity which otherwise must arise and very soon, of sending a larger military force into the field to protect the whites from the just indignation of their wronged and injured natives. Already there has been an outbreak upon the Umatilla Rservation. The excess nature and extent of which we have not learned. In view of these bursts I would as one of the civil Officers of the territory request that a detachment of one or more companies of your command be immediately sent to said Nez Perce Reservation at or near Lewiston to assist in the enforcement of the law and to preserve the peace. I am very truly yours, John J. McGilvra U. S. Atty, for W. T. Col. Cornelius Commander of Post N. Terr. Walla Walla

Treaty Violations Letter  What are some things the author says that are important?  Why was the document written?  What do we learn about the impact of westward expansion on the Nez Perce from the letter?

Closure: Walk a Mile in My Shoes Write a journal entry from the point of view of a Nez Perce involved in the events occurring in the Nez Perce homelands. Take the perspective of the individual and describe the individual’s experiences and point of view about the events.