How did a whaling clause come to be written into the treaty with Makah?
Prior to entering into negotiations with the Makah the United States government was well aware that our people had lived around Cape Flattery for several thousand years and that we subsisted primarily on whale, seal and fish. They knew that we hunted whales and that we had a thriving commerce in whale oil which made us wealthy. When the United States territorial Governor, Isaac Stevens arrived at Neah Bay in December of 1855, he entered into three days of negotiations with our leaders. They made it clear to him that while they were prepared to cede their lands to the United States, they wanted guarantees of their traditional rights on the ocean and specifically of the right to take whale. The Treaty minutes record Governor Stevens as saying to the Makahs: “The Great Father knows what whalers you are how you go far to sea to take whale. Far from wanting to stop you, he will help you sending implements and barrels to try the oil.” Stevens presented the written treaty to the Makahs and ex
