The Grand Indian Council of 1854 at Storms’ Ranch in 1854
Abstract
In the fall of 1854, the English traveler and writer James M. Hutchings learned that the "great men of California" planned to meet in a grand Indian council in Nevada County in early October. Those expected to attend included California's most powerful Democrats: Sitting U.S. Senators William M. Gwin and John B. Weller, Secretary of State James Denver (a former Senator and future California governor), U.S. Army General john E. Wool (commander of the Department of the Pacific), and California Indian Superintendent Thomas Henley, a prominent Nisenan leader, Weymeh – mockingly referred to as the “Digger King,” – and an estimated 500 Indians were also to attend. The removal of Yuba and Nevada County Indians to Nome Lackee Reservation in Colusa (later Tchama) County was “contemplated.” Hutchings and other journalists such as Aaron A. Sargent were eager to witness and document this momentous historical event.
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