I never felt so
relieved as when the rain of questions ended, and, satisfied
by our answers, they acquiesced in the cession."
Next morning these Commissioners left for Smith's Landing, and,
on the 17th, made treaty with the Indians of Great Slave Lake.
Meanwhile Mr. Laird had proceeded to Fond du Lac, at the eastern
end of Lake Athabasca, and there, on the 27th, the Chipewyans
adhered, whilst Messrs. Ross and McKenna, in order to treat
with the Indians at Fort McMurray and Wahpoo?›kow, separated.
The latter secured the Chipewyans and Crees at the former post,
and Mr. Ross the Crees at Wahpoo?›kow, both adjustments, by a
coincidence, being made on the same day.
This completed the Treaty of 1899, known as No. 8, the most
important of all since the Great Treaty of 1876.
The work of the Commission being now over, its members prepared
to leave the country. Messrs. Ross and McKenna set out for Athabasca
Landing, whilst Mr. Laird accompanied us to Pelican Rapids, but left
us there and pushed on, like the others, for home.
There were, of course, many Indians who did not or could not turn
up at the various treaty points that year, viz., the Beavers of St.
John, the Crees of Sturgeon Lake, the Slaves of Hay River, who should
have come to Vermilion, and the Dog-Ribs, Yellow-Knives, Slaves,
and Chipewyans, who should have been treated with at Fort Resolution,
on Great Slave Lake.
Accordingly, a special commission was issued to Mr.
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