Lawrence Kip
The Indian Council in the Valley of the Walla-Walla. 1855
"The Indian Council in the Valley of the Walla-Walla. 1855" by Lawrence Kip is a historical account written during the mid-19th century. The book details Kip's experiences and observations while accompanying a military escort to an Indian council meeting where treaties regarding land were to be discussed with various Native American tribes. It provides a glimpse into the dynamics of early settler and Indigenous relations during a transformative period in American history. The narrative is framed as a journal, chronicling Kip's journey from Fort Vancouver to the council site in the Walla-Walla Valley, including descriptions of the natural landscape and the military lifestyle along the way. Upon reaching the council, the story unfolds through a mixture of observations of the tribes, their customs, and the proceedings of the discussions led by Governor Stevens and other officials. Tensions arise as various tribes react to proposals for land cessions, presenting a backdrop of conflict and negotiation that reflects the historical struggles and changing relationships between Native Americans and European settlers. Kip captures a range of Indigenous voices, illustrating their concerns and resistance to ceding lands, while also providing a perspective on the colonial mindset of the time.