Work among the Kitiksheans May and June 1875
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[1] Work among the Kitiksheans
[2] May and June 1875
[3] Reverend and dear Sirs
[4] In the account forwarded to you last year of my visit to the
[5] Kitiksheans I mentioned I was considering some plan by which a
[6] stop might be put to the acts of violence ^committed^ by some of those tribes upon
[7] packers and other whitemen passing through this country and at
[8] the same time encouragement given to those among them who were
[9] peaceable and well disposed. The main points of the plan proposed
[10] were these — 1st not to promiscuously punish the tribes guilty of the act
[11] of violence but by separating the well disposed among them from others
[12] to find those who were the real instigators of these acts. 2nd that some public
[13] work be undertaken which would benefit all the tribes at once and thus
[14] show them that while the government were determined to punish the bad
[15] they were not indifferent to the interests of the good. Though the Local
[16] Government still have control of the land and are responsible for the
[17] maintenance of peace during the among the Indians. it is by the Indian Depart[-]
[18] ment of Canada that all grants for schools, all presents and favors
[19] to the Indians are dispensed. To obtain the assistance of the Local Govert
[20] therefore it was necessary that any plan proposed must be such as
[21] they considered conferred a benefit on the province at large.
[22] 3rd that the work to cut a serviceable trail from the head of navigation on
[23] the Nass to the Forks of the Skeena as all the Kitiksheans must pass that
[24] way to the Nass Fishery and such a path would be used by all
[25] whiteman travelling through this part of the country and so be
[26] a public benefit. 4th that the work be done solely by Indians
[27] and only for a short time each year so as not to interfere with
[28] their salmon fishing. 5th that a sum of money be granted by
[29] the government for the disbursement of which on this work I
[30] would have hold myself responsible. Finding that this plan met with
[31] the approval of brothers Duncan and Collison I visited Victoria in
[32] the spring to lay before the Indian Commissioners and also
[33] the Provincial Secretary. Unfortunately the then unsettled
[34] state of the Indian Land question between the two Governments
[35] prevented Indian Department from taking the proposal
[36] under their consideration but the Local Government not only
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[1] received the proposal but also gave it their hearty support and immediately
[2] gave me a grant of £100.0.0 (the amount asked for. With this sum I
[3] purchased implements, food, and other things to be used on the work
[4] or given as payment to the workmen. These articles I forwarded to the
[5] head of navigation on the Nass River where the work was to begin and as the
[6] scheme was undertaken not alone for temporal good of the Indians
[7] but more especially for their spiritual enlightenment a short account
[8] of what occurred during the progress of the work may prove interesting.
[9] More especially as it brought to light many of the ^good^ and also many of
[10] the weak points of the Indian Character. and disclosed some of the trials
[11] with which we have to be contend and how by the good hand of our God
[12] upon us we were enable to overcome them.
[13] Leaving Kincolith on Saturday the 22nd of May we camped near the Nishkah
[14] Villages. On Sunday we held two services at one of the villages and
[15] on Monday resumed are journey and a little before noon on Wednesday
[16] we reach the Head of the Navigation on Gilacksheep as the Indians
[17] call it. Here we learned that our proposed scheme was likely to meet
[18] with determined opposition from some of the Kitlacdamix tribe who
[19] thought that their interest would be compromised and their trade
[20] with the Kitikshean as profitable if light and civilization are
[21] introduced among those tribes. The young man whom I had a especially
[22] chosen to look after the goods, pay the men, and help generally not only
[23] on account of his knowledge of figures but also the [Chris]tian character
[24] he bears, when he heard that there was likely to be this opposition
[25] being naturally of a timid disposition got frightened and asked
[26] to be permitted to return to Kincolith. I was not prepared for this
[27] as before this he had shown great willingness and had expressed
[28] his thanks it being chosen for the post. I well knew that in
[29] an undertaking of this kind an unwilling servant is worse
[30] than none so I gave my consent, but it was no no easy matter
[31] to decide what was to be done in the way of supplying his place.
[32] Finally I engaged an elderly man Charles Woods by name, one of the
[33] [Chris]tians from Kincolith on whose honesty and truthfullness I could
[34] rely. He was an able to write or keep accounts but then he was
[35] useful to me in many other ways as he had accompanied me
[36] every time I had visited the Kitiksheans.
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[1] Our party consisted of Mrs. Tomlinson and myself and our two children. The mission
[2] Boarders. viz 4 grown girls and one little boy. and Charles Woods. Our first object
[3] was to erect our tent. This tent was cottage shaped. 30 ft long and 15 ft wide
[4] made of strong twilled cotton. Cut out and stitched by Mrs. Tomlinson and
[5] the boarders. When erected it formed quite a large room, the walls were
[6] 6 ft and the ridge to the roof 13 ft high. It proved invaluable to us during
[7] our stay. The tools and other articles were packed in a smaller tent.
[8] Several familiar Kitiksheans arrived during the day but, though
[9] friendly to us personally none asked to work. This made it plain
[10] that some great effort was being made to prevent us carrying out our
[11] design. Before we could meet this opposition it was necessary for
[12] us to know accurately from once it arose. Two things showed
[13] me that the opposition did not arise primarily from any dislike the Kititkshean
[14] themselves entertained to the plan. Their friendliness to us personally
[15] and the willingness with which they accepted our visitation to join
[16] us at evening family prayer. On reviewing our position, we decided
[17] that it was not wise to push matters but rather to wait a little
[18] until we saw our way more clearly. Yet that was no reason for us
[19] to be idle. there was a splendid opportunity to quietly survey the
[20] ground and choose the best route for the proposed trail. so
[21] that immediately after breakfast next morning Charles and I
[22] started on a survey. To reach the high ground from the river bank it was
[23] necessary to make a circuit along the slope of the hill while at
[24] the same time we had to avoid all marshy and difficult
[25] places. This survey and the blazing of the trail occupied us until
[26] Saturday. On Saturday morning it was in intimated to us that
[27] the opposition to the work was caused by the jealousy of the
[28] Kitlacdamix of the Kitikshean who thought that they
[29] ought to have been asked to work. To avoid any misunderstanding
[30] and show them that there was no obstacle to their being employed
[31] except their own unwillingness we visited their village and called
[32] a meeting. The head chief decided to attend and it soon
[33] became evident that there was a large party at the village
[34] under his influence determined to offer a factious opposition
[35] while others were really anxious to work but afraid to be the
[36] first to say so. The meeting broke up without coming to a decision
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[1] We return to our camp. Before we lay down for the night we sent round to
[2] tell those camp near us that the next day would be Sunday and asking
[3] them to remain at the encampment and abstain from work. On the
[4] Sunday morning we were much delighted to find that they not only
[5] did so but that we rang our little hand bell they assembled in the
[6] tent and were most attentive during the service and sermon. Several
[7] remained after service to learn the text. They assembled again in
[8] the evening. There were some 30 adults present on each occasion.
[9] Thus the Sunday passed quietly and happily away. Monday we spent
[10] on surveying. In the evening we were asked to call a meeting. At this
[11] meeting they begged me not to think too hardly of them. that they
[12] were not at their own villages and broadly hinted that they were
[13] restrained by the fear of others. At the close of the meeting some
[14] twenty agreed to begin work in the morning. but alas. for the
[15] weakness of our nature, before morning they had heard some further
[16] reports of the opposition of the Kitlacdamix so that when I rang
[17] the bell for work no one answered the summons. As it did not
[18] appear how we could come counteract the influence of the Kitlacdamix
[19] over them and time was precious we determined to give up the
[20] attempt for the present and return home. When this determination
[21] was announced, and they saw by our packing up and sending off
[22] some of the things that we were really in earnest they looked such disappointed
[23] and grieved. Two Nishkah chiefs, friendly to us, who had come up the
[24] river to trade with the Kitiksheans spoke very strongly to them of
[25] their folly in letting such an opportunity of benefitting and raising
[26] themselves slip. But what turned the scale and gave them the courage to
[27] cast away their fear was a speech of one of their own Chiefs. It was the
[28] best oration on such a subject I have ever heard and showed that though
[29] debased and ignorant in many ways they are not deficient in oratory.
[30] I wish I could give you an epitome of the speech but to do him justice
[31] would make this account too long. Suffice it to say that we shewed
[32] them that by hanging back from fear of others they were acting the part
[33] of slaves and not free men. that when they were standing in their own light
[34] and building up what might prove an unsuperable barrier to their progress
[35] that they were debasing themselves while others were trying to raise them
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[1] To the speech no answer was made but they gathered in knots at
[2] the different camps and it was playing that though apparently
[3] so quiet they were earnestly discussing the matter. More than the usual
[4] number joined us at evening prayers. It is needless to say that the thought
[5] of returning without accomplishing the work for which we had come was
[6] a great trial yet I had one comfort. From the time I had first entertained
[7] the design I had made it a special subject of prayer. that ^God^ would not let
[8] me move in it except in the way and at the time that was most for
[9] the promotion of his glory. It was past midnight before I lay down to rest.
[10] A little before four next morning I was awakened by the sound of voices
[11] followed in a minute or two by the entrance of two men with into the tent.
[12] On perceiving that I was awake they asked me if I would allow anyone
[13] to work. I answered that I had packed up everything and but for a canoe
[14] but that it if ten or any larger number came forward with a bona fide
[15] intention to work I would remain. No sooner had those outside
[16] the tent heard this than they gave vent to their pent-up feelings in
[17] wild shouts and came crowding into the tent to the number of 47
[18] all speaking together asking for spade shovels axes picks &c.
[19] In about half an hour all the names were taken down and the
[20] various implements served out and with a loud shout they went to work.
[21] The advantage of having previously surveyed and blazed the route for the
[22] trail now became apparent. Had we waited for work to be started
[23] we would have been in a fix. As it was all worked smoothly
[24] the workmen had only to follow the line already blazed.
[25] While we were free to oversee the work and make further surveys.
[26] All worked with a will until about 5 p.m. when work was unexpectedly
[27] brought to a standstill by the arrival of a party from ^of^ the Kitlacdamix
[28] who ordered the workmen to cease work and threatened that if work was
[29] resumed they would seize all the implements and in addition break
[30] up and throw into the river into the river several boxes of grease belonging to the
[31] Kitiksheans, temporarily stored at Kitlacdamix. I was about
[32] a quarter of a mile ahead of the workmen but when informed of what
[33] had occurred I immediately repaired to the spot. Here I found that
[34] all had stopped work. To my question why they had done so I
[35] received no answer. I next demanded to know if anyone had
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[1] told them just to stop and if as that he should step forward and say so.
[2] No one of the party just arrived when appealed to in this in the direct manner wished
[3] to be the first to stand up and deliberately oppose the work. Especially
[4] as they must have seen that I held paper and pencil in my hand and
[5] that my ^next^ move had would have been to take down their names &c.
[6] All kept silence. I ordered work to be resumed and promised to
[7] hold a meeting when work was over to inquire into the matter.
[8] Meanwhile perceiving that those who have just arrived were divided
[9] into two parties and believing that one of the parties, headed by an
[10] elderly chiefess (who is acting for her son at the time absent
[11] from his village) was not actuated by any real spirit of opposition.
[12] I applied myself to the task of separating these two parties. In this I
[13] was quite successful. so that before the meeting was held, the
[14] Chiefess ^and her party^ after expressing themselves satisfied with my explanation
[15] returned to their village. At the meeting it was proved that two
[16] Chiefs had been the instigators of the whole opposition and had even
[17] urged their adherents to execute a quarrel with the Kitiksheans. This information
[18] caused intense excitement. After the first {ebiletion?} of feeling was over
[19] I got them to leave the case in my hands as it was I who had asked
[20] them to work. On gaining their consent I dictated the following answer.
[21] “Tell those who sent you. Our object in coming here was peaceable. We are
[22] engaged in a useful work and have no wish to interfere with anyones
[23] rights. Before we began work we had waited several days and have
[24] even called a meeting at their villages and invited them to attend
[25] thus affording them an opportunity to speak and consulting their
[26] interests as far as we could. They say that they will destroy some grease
[27] boxes belong to these workmen. they can do it. They say that
[28] if work is resumed they will come and take away the axes shovels &c.
[29] They can do it. for I will command to the workmen not to resist.
[30] But one thing they cannot do. They cannot quarrel. It takes two to
[31] make a quarrel and we will not fight. If they break up the boxes of grease
[32] I will give the owner others in their place and send them quietly home.
[33] The spades axes and other goods do not belong to the workmen. do
[34] not belong to me. They are the property of the Government. Tell
[35] them I have taken note of their names and intend to forward them
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[1] to the authorities as the names of the two men who are proved to be endeavoring
[2] to exite a disturbance in the district.” Before breakfast next morning we
[3] were visited by the two chiefs. They were evidently quite taken aback and
[4] not a little frightened by the way we had treated their attempt to stop
[5] the work and they now came in a very penitent mood and begged
[6] me not to report them promising at the same time not to further oppose.
[7] The workmen when they heard the chiefs had come for seeing their
[8] advantage, came as a body and told the chiefs that they were opposed
[9] to the work and they (the workmen) had no wish to create a disturbance, they will
[10] stop work. This frightened the chiefs more. they begged of them not to do
[11] so. urged them to continue the work and promised to send some of their
[12] young men from their village to help. That if the work was stopped, they were {???}
[13] for everyone would know that they were the cause of it. Thus by the good hand of
[14] our God upon us all opposition was overcome and the work preceded. 32 additional
[15] workmen joined us. Before evening we had made such progress that we were
[16] obliged to leave our tent about a mile and a half inland. Next day we had
[17] over 80 men at work. Saturday was spent in paying the men &c. At morning
[18] service on Sunday about 100 were present several remained after
[19] service to look at some Bible prints and listened attentively to Charles supplication
[20] of them. Sixty attended afternoon service and 15 remained to learn a Nishkah
[21] hymn, they succeeded in getting the tune and learning two verses. We met again
[22] in the evening there was more than 40 present. Who can tell what will be the
[23] result of this days sowing. Among the hearers were representatives of six different
[24] tribes, whose homes are many miles apart. May the Holy Spirit water the seeds sown
[25] and make it fruitful in many hearts. On Monday we started work again
[26] with 85 workmen. Before evening we moved our camp to a spot about a
[27] mile ahead of the workmen. Here we camped on a grassy slope exposed to
[28] the summer breeze and therefore nearly free from the mosquitoes which began
[29] to be very troublesome. Work was vigorously carried on and many difficulties
[30] overcome during the week. Every evening we met for prayer and a short
[31] Exposition of some simple text. from 30 to 50 present each time. On Saturday
[32] evening I informed the workmen that ^as^ I had only brought with me to goods
[33] sufficient to pay what was due to them we would not resume work on
[34] Monday but that next year all being well we proposed to take
[35] it up again. Food was running short with the workmen which made
[36] it necessary for many them to press on on Saturday evening
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[1] so that not more than 50 attended services on Sunday but most of those
[2] who attended seemed really in earnest to learn about God and several
[3] of those assembled to learn the hymn showed such diligence that
[4] they learned all the verses and tune perfectly before evening. Many of
[5] the older men also assembled in the tent, and expressing their regret that
[6] they had made so little use of the opportunity afforded them questioned
[7] me about God and Jesus, and why [Chris]tians did or did not do many
[8] things. Thus most of the day was spent in teaching. One great work
[9] remained to be done. A weeks wages was due to 85 workmen and
[10] they were to be paid in goods. When I left home it was impossible to
[11] know how many would work or exactly what they would want, so
[12] I had taken a little of most things generally required. The sum total
[13] of these just amounted to the sum required to be pay the men. Now
[14] how were we to satisfy 85 men most of whom wanted what they
[15] would not get and whose previous experience for the most part
[16] consisted in cheating and being cheated, and who were, many of them,
[17] for them first time in their lives to meet with open and rigidly just
[18] dealing. I felt the difficulty, yea more I felt that nothing but the direct
[19] help the Holy Spirit could enable me to shew that kindness, firmness
[20] and command of temper which the case required. The {???} proves
[21] as it ever will prove to all who sincerely try it, that God is faithful
[22] to his promises. After 12 hours incessant attention the task had had completed
[23] and I feel that that Monday’s work has done much to impress them
[24] with the true nature of [Christ]ianity. The next morning we packed up the
[25] tools &c which were left and started on our return journey.
[26] On the Thursday morning following we reached Kincolith where
[27] we were glad and thankful to hear that all have gone well during
[28] our absence. In conclusion you will be glad to learn that there has
[29] been no further interference with whitemen passing through this country
[30] and that the Provincial Government are so pleased with the {???}
[31] that the Provincial Sec[retary] has written a letter expresses his satisfaction
[32] and offering on the part of the Government to grant a further sum
[33] of money If I am prepared to carry out the work. I propose to
[34] accept the offer but await your decision on the matter I have made
[35] bold to lay before you before I decide about the work. Yours sincerely and
[36] respectfully Robt Tomlinson
