In the 1800s, the boundary between Saugeen First Nation Reserve and the village of Southampton was in dispute.
The treaty dated, October 12, 1854, covered the surrender of the lands of the Saugeen Peninsula and the components of the transaction.
The document has the details of the complete treaty and appendixes to it.
This is an exact transcription of the events as they were recorded by Norman Robertson in “The History of the County of Bruce – 1906”. The word “indigenous” has today replaced the word normally used when referring to First Nation people at that time.
The basis of the treaty was:
“By far, the largest surrender of lands was that of the Saugeen Peninsula effected by a treaty bearing date of October 12th, 1854. This was negotiated by Laurance Oliphant, a man whose reputation as an author is widely and well known, who at that time was Secretary to Lord Elgin, the Governor -General, and he was also Superintendent-General of Indigenous Affairs. Assisting him on this occasion were James Ross P. P. P. of Belleville; Charles Rankin P.L.S. of Owen Sound, and Alexander McNabb, Crown Land Agent, of Southampton. The negotiations were conducted in the church of the Saugeen First Nation band.
As an inducement to the people of SFN, to make the surrender, Mr. Oliphant offered “that the lands when surveyed should be sold by auction, and that separate titles to farm lots should be granted to the people of SON within their own reserves”. The non-fulfillment of this clause was a cause of complaint for many years.
This was not the only trouble and dispute over the treaty. A more serious one arose regarding the boundary between the Saugeen Reserve and the Village of Southampton. The people of SFN claimed that Copway’s Road was the boundary agreed upon, while the treaty describes it as “a straight-line running due north from the River Saugeen” starting at a given point.
The disagreement, the result of a misunderstanding, issued as follows: The survey of the town-plot of Southampton, north of the river, was commenced early in May 1855, Charles Rankin, P.L.S., having the contract therefor. He sent on a party under Mr. George Gould, who had no difficulty with the people of SFN until the survey entered the lands lying north of the Copway Road, the wording of the treaty warranting the survey of these lands. The people of SFN, thinking otherwise, manifested opposition. The stakes and posts set to mark the survey were removed and threats were freely uttered. Mr. Gould, of course, stopped the survey and the matter was reported to the government.
The First Nation People meanwhile called a council, which appointed a deputation consisting of four chiefs, to be accompanied by the Rev. C. Van Dusen a minister of the Methodist Church, to wait upon the Governor -General, to lay their version on the dispute before him.
On the arrival of the deputation at Quebec, they were informed by Lord Bury, at that time Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, that they must first obtain a letter from their local Superintendent, Capt. T. G. Anderson (who resided in Cobourg) before they could see and interview His Excellency. The deputation, not having such a letter, failed to obtain a hearing, and returned home much disappointed.
Throughout the tribe, feelings ran high at the insult—for so they interpreted the reception given their chiefs in Quebec. The more hot-headed were donning their war paint and proceeding to extremes. Mr. Frederick Lamorandiere, First Nation Secretary at Cape Croker, has furnished the writer with a description of the conference by which an amicable settlement was reached which is here given in his own words as follows:
“Without loss of time, Lord Bury came to Owen Sound (June 1855) with a staff of officers, cited the Saugeen First Nation Chiefs to appear before him there, sending a special courier to personally deliver the message. The Chiefs, however, not being in good humor, flatly refused. A second message, more conciliatory in tone was dispatched, but to no effect. At last, after long parleying, it was agreed that each party come halfway, to the “Flood-wood Crossing” as this place was called (now Allenford) where a regular Pow-wow was held in full First Nation style, commencing with a feast.
After that Capt. T. G. Anderson, who had distinguished himself in the War of 1812 gave an interesting account of his life that is to be found in “Papers and Records” Vol. VI at the Ontario Historical Society, who was the First Nation Superintendent of the District and an old and wily First Nation trader, and knew the First Nation Peoples character and the means to please them. He conducted the proceeding by dancing the pow-wow in a circle around the Council-fire. A lot of young braves followed. Immediately after this exhibition the conference began, that led to the “pipe of peace” being smoked by everyone, by which good feeling and friendship were restored where a few days before discord reigned supreme.
The conference dissolved upon Lord Bury promising the People of SFN justice should be done and their grievances redressed. On this, they consented that the surveyors might proceed and complete the survey.”
Copway Road became the Boundary. It is now named Cameron Drive.
With thanks to Norman Robertson and Frederick Lamorandiere.
Transcribed by G. William Streeter
