Osnaburg was reached on the 11th.

This was the first point at which a Treaty was to be made, and we found the Indians assembled in force, very few being absent of all those who traded at the post. Those who were absent had been to the post for their usual supplies earlier in the summer, and had gone back to their own territory in the vicinity of Cat lake.

Owing to the water connection with Lac Seul, these Indians were familiar with the provisions of Treaty No. 3, and it was feared that more difficulty might be met with at that point than almost any other,
on account of the terms which the commissioners were empowered to offer not being quite so favourable as those of the older treaty.

The annuity in Treaty No. 3 is $5 per head, and only $4 was to be offered in this present instance. The proposed treaty did not provide for an issue of implements, cattle, ammunition or seed-grain.

As there was, therefore, some uncertainty as to the result, the commissioners requested the Indians to select from their number a group of representative men to whom the treaty might be explained. Shortly after, those nominated presented themselves and the terms
of the Treaty were interpreted. They were then told that it was the desire of the commissioners that any point on which they required further explanations should be freely discussed, and any questions asked which they desired to have answered.

Missabay, the recognized chief of the band, then spoke, expressing the fears of the Indians that, if they signed the Treaty, they would be compelled to reside upon the reserve to be set apart for them, and would be deprived of the fishing and hunting privileges which they
now enjoy.

The next morning the Indians signified their readiness to give their reply to the commissioners, and the meeting being again convened, the chief spoke, stating that full consideration had been given the request made to them to enter into treaty with His Majesty, and they were prepared to sign, as they believed that nothing but good was intended. The money they would receive would be of great benefit to them, and the Indians were all very thankful for the advantages they would receive from the treaty.

The other representatives having signified that they were of the same mind as Missabay, the treaty was then signed and witnessed with all due formality, and payment of the gratuity was at once proceeded with.

The election of chiefs also took place, the band being entitled to one chief and two councillors. The following were elected:Missabay, John Skunk and George Wawaashkung.

After this, the feast which usually accompanies such formalities was given the Indians. Then followed the presentation of a flag, one of the provisions of the treaty; this was to be held by the chief for the time being as an emblem of his authority. Before the feast began, the flag was presented to Missabay the newly elected chief, with words of advice suitable for the occasion. Missabay received it and made an eloquent speech, in which he extolled the manner in which the Indians had been treated by the government; advised the young men to listen well to what the white men had to say, and to follow their advice and not to exalt their own opinions above those of men who knew the world and had brought them such benefits. Missabay, who is blind, has great control over his band, and he is disposed to use his influence in the best interests of the Indians.

At Osnaburg the civilizing work of the Church Missionary Society was noticeable. A commodious church was one of the most conspicuous buildings at the post and the Indians held service in it every evening. This post was in charge of Mr. Jabez Williams, who rendered great service to the party by interpreting whenever necessary. He also gave up his residence for the use of the party.

On the morning of July 13 the question of the location of the reserves was gone fully into, and the Indians showed great acuteness in describing the location of the land they desired to have reserved for them. Their final choice is shown in the schedule of reserves which is annexed to this report.