Leschi: Justice In Our Time
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Transcript of Leschi: Justice In Our Time
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Leschi: Justice In Our Time
Produced by the Committee to Exonerate
Chief Leschi, in cooperation with the Leschi
Descendants, Nisqually Tribe and the Washington State Historical
Society
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Chief Leschi“Leschi's people believed that a star rose over the Nisqually Plains on the day of his birth in 1808. But ironically the title of Chief would be bestowed upon him by the first Territorial Governor, Isaac Stevens, who would later unjustly demand his life on the gallows.” Leschi: Last Chief of the Nisquallies
by Cecelia Svinth Carpenter
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Goals of the Committee to Exonerate Chief Leschi Exonerate Leschi of the
crime of murder
Correct the historical record of this injustice
Obtain an apology to Leschi’s people
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Leschi, the Man“Leschi was known as a man of great intelligence with superb oratorical abilities. His wisdom was often sought by his tribesmen to settle disagreements. His father was Nisqually and his mother Yakima. This mixed heritage provided him with a tall agile body and strong heavy shoulders. It was said that his most distinguishing feature was his alert, penetrating eyes.”
Leschi: Last Chief of the Nisquallies by Cecelia Svinth Carpenter
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Nisqually Territory, 1855
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Nisqually Delta
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Nisqually Mudflats
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Washington Territory
On March 2, 1853, the United States Congress officially declares Washington Territory separate from Oregon Territory
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Governor Isaac Stevens
President Franklin Pierce appoints Isaac Ingalls Stevens Territorial Governor of Washington
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Treaty Commission Created
Stevens sets up a Treaty Commission and divides western Washington into five treaty districts
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Treaty Commission Reservations
The locations of the Reservations are determined at the discretion of the Treaty Commission
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Medicine Creek Treaty Site
The treaty is explained to the Nisquallies, Puyallups, Squaxins and other tribal bands present in Chinook jargon
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Acting-Governor
Charles MasonEarly in 1855, Leschi meets with Acting-Governor Charles Mason and tells him that the Nisquallies want peace
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Nisqually Fish Weir
Muck Creek is no longer to be available to the Nisquallies
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Washington Militia
Stevens, fearing the Indians will resist the treaty, secures Territorial Legislative approval for a volunteer militia
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Quiemulth, Leschi’s Brother
By October 1855, Acting Governor Mason orders Eaton's Rangers, a detachment of the militia, to arrest Leschi and his brother Quiemulth
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Gen. John E. Wool
General John E. Wool, Commander of the US Army's Pacific Division, sharply criticizes this action
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Connell’s Prairie
Leschi and Quiemuth flee northeast towards the White River , while other warriors ambush the pursuing Eaton's Rangers at Connell's Prairie, killing two men
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Leschi’s Orders
Leschi’s instructions are clear - the "war is with the troops and not the settlers".
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White River Massacre
View from Brannan Homestead
A renegade war party loots and burns the homes of three white families, killing nine people who settled on the White River
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Naches Trail
On October 31, 1855, a vanguard of militia returning home through the Naches Trail passes through an Indian encampment
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Eradicating the Indians
Governor Stevens hears of the Green River battle and gives a speech to the territorial legislature promising the "eradication of hostile Indians”
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Military Blockhouse
Stevens asserts that the Militia will provide blockhouses for settler protection
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Leschi, the Chief
Leschi again attempts to make peace and ask for a reasonable land base for his people
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Governor Stevens & the Indian War Council
Stevens refuses and maintains that all hostiles must be put in jail and stand trial. The Indian War Council disagrees.
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The Settlers
Most of the settlers remain safe, including those who leave their claims to go to the blockhouses. Leschi's order to make war on the troops,
not the settlers is stringently obeyed
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Mashel Massacre
Early April 1856, under orders from Stevens, the militia attacks the Mashel Indian village by Leschi's home, killing all the families in residence
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Martial Law DeclaredApril 3, 1856, Stevens declares Martial Law, relieving the civil courts of their jurisdiction, and suspending the civil practice of trial by jury
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A Presidential Reprimand
Stevens’ actions result in a Congressional investigation and reprimand from President Franklin Pierce
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General Wool Disagrees
General Wool, who sharply disagrees with Stevens, believes the regular Army troops in the district to be sufficient to handle whatever emergency that might arise
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Stevens Relents
Under pressure from the President, Stevens agrees to change the location of the Puyallup and Nisqually Reservations
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Dr. William F. TolmieLeschi asks Dr. Tolmie to negotiate with the Americans; under the new treaty agreement Leschi will now make peace
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Stevens’ Refusal
Stevens refuses to negotiate with Leschi. Stevens considers him a criminal and intends to charge him with the murder of A. Benton Moses.
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Col. George Wright
“The assurances I gave to all the chiefs…including Leschi, were full and complete…as to their personal safety”
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Leschi Imprisoned
On November 13, 1856 Leschi is captured and imprisoned at Fort Steilacoom
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Trial Testimony Rabbeson knew Leschi by sight
only, not by name
Distance from victim at time of shooting is unclear – conflicting testimony
Smoke from guns obscured view
Leschi not identified as the man who fired the fatal shot
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A Hung Jury
Trial results in a hung jury. Ezra Meeker is one of the jurors, and his is one of two “not guilty” votes.
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The U. S. Army Position
Acts of violence during a time of war should not result in either side being held personally accountable.
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New Jury, New Instructions
Pierce CountyThe jury in the first trial is instructed to consider the Act of War circumstance.
Thurston CountyThe jury in the second trial is not told to consider the Act of War circumstance.
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Verdict in OlympiaOn March 18, 1857, Leschi is found guilty and sentenced to hang on June 10, 1857.
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Attorney Frank Clark Defender of Leschi
“(Leschi) entered into a truce with a high military authority…I hardly think it will be disputed, that the Indian and his people adhered to the conditions of the truce.”
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Lt. August Kautz“…A survey of the ground in the vicinity of where Moses was killed, has been made by a highly intelligent and competent gentleman, Lieut. A.V. Kautz, US Army “
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Kautz’s Map
X
X First Meeting Leschi Route Militia Route
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Leschi’s Execution
Stevens directs the erection of a scaffold a mile east of Fort Steilacoom where the execution of Leschi is held.
Site of Leschi’s death
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Leschi Remembered
Leschi is remembered today by
American Indian Nations, the
Washington State Community and
Historians as an honored Chief
wrongly executed – especially
judging by the astonishing number
of public places named for him .
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Leschi’s Washington Legacy
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The Committee to Exonerate Chief Leschi of the Nisqually asks for your support to insure that: Leschi is exonerated of
the crime of murder,
that the historical record is corrected, and
an apology is made to his people.
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END