The Officers and The Indian Treaty

January 7, 2013

The Indians of the Central Valley, with the exception of the Chowchilla tribe, were peaceful. They had a good life and welcomed the strangers who visited their valley.

Gold was discovered and, suddenly, their tranquil foothills were filled with activity as miners poured into the area in search of riches. The miners had little regard for the Indian's way of life. They settled where they wished and took what they wanted. Finally, the Indians could endure it no longer. On December 20, 1850, they raided and burned the trading post of Major James Savage located on the Fresno River. They also killed Wiley Cassity at Cassity's Ferry on the San Joaquin River. No one considered what had provoked the Indians to do these things, only that atrocities had been committed.

The Governor of California ordered the formation of the Mariposa battalion under the command of Major Savage. An Indian Commission of three members was formed. Most of the reluctant Indian chiefs were rounded up (sixteen tribes were represented) and a peace conference to end what was called the Mariposa Indian War ensued. The date was April 17, 1851. The site was a flat area above the south bank of the San Joaquin River, later known as Camp Barbour. On April 29th, after many days of negotiations, a treaty was signed. The Camp Barbour Treaty established a huge reservation and provided for supplies and training for the Indians.

When the conference ended, the Indians dispersed, their spirit broken. What happened to the treaty? Congress never ratified it. It was soon forgotten.

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