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JOSEPH LANE, OF OREGON, ON THE SUPPRESSION OF INDIAN HOSTILITIES IN OREGON; DELIVERED ; IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, APRIL 2, 185C WASHINGTON: PRINTED AT THE CONGRESSIONAL GLOBE OFFICE* 1856. •*■ trvp U U (p' ^ m On motioi appropriatio TCaceabledii Paciiic, and The bill, ' to appropria Wider the di 8lates, for r( abledisposit (^ld also the gunpowder I ,^^ After 8om ^Mr. LAN I am very gentleman ft ing my atten just read; ai ttinity to vln Oregon. An i "Mti have a able to satisf] tlie people ol blame forth( in progress in since list Oct a jGroTernor ' year 1845. sensible, and wiiich the se ritory, he hi tide of peace; safety to the fiunilies in th The people lAff -abiding, l^antpeople rliecame acq 'n^ the mos INDIAN HOSTILITIES IN OREGON. On motion by Mr. Campbell, the bill making appropriations for restoring: and maintaining the geaceable disposition of the Indian tribes upon the bcific, and for other purposes, was taken up. The bill, which was rend in extenso, proposed to appropriate the sum of $300,000, to be expended iridcr the direction of the Presidentof the U»!ited Skates, for restoring and mail, 'ining the peace- able disposition of the Indian tm s on the Pacific; tiftd also the sum of $120,000 for le purchase of gunpowder for the Pacific coast. 1' After some remarks by Mr. Ready and others, ''Mr. LANE said: I am very much obliged, Mr. Chairman, to the gf ntleman from Tennessee [Mr. Ready] for call- ing my attention to the paragraphs which he has just read ; and I am very glad to have the oppor- tunity to vindicate the character of the people of Oregon. And, sir, when the time shall arrive that r tsXn have a full opportunity to do so, I shall be aiale to satisfy every gentlernan upon this floor that the people of Oregon Territory are in no way to blame for the war with the Indians, which is now in progress in Oregon , and which has been going on since list October. We have , sir, in that Territory a Governor who has lived in Oregon since the year 1845. He is a peaceable, quiet, orderly, sensible, and practical man, and in all the troubles vdiich the settlers have had in settling that Ter- ritory, he has uniformly been found upon the tide of peace, whenever peace could be had with safety to the people and security to the lives of fiunilies in that Territory. The people of Oregon Territory are a peaceable, :a]f -abiding, orderly people; and they ore also a 'i^ant people. They have taken pains ever since f^came acquainted with the country, to culti- the most friendly feeling with the Indians. They lived in the same valloys and districts of country with the Indians, and they were anxious to do all they could to maintain friendly rela- tions with them; for we had among our earlier settlers many missionaries, who had ccn sent there for the purpose of civilizing and Christian- izing the Indians, and of teaching them the arts of civilization, and the habits and customs of men in a higher and improved social position, as far as the dispositions and habitudes of the abori- ginal tribes admit of their elevation to the social and moral attainments of the European races. To this end many devoted men labored with an assiduity and a zeal which attested the sin- cerity and earnestness of their desire to reclaim these untaught children of nature, and place them on the catalogue of christianized and enlightened nations. Among those who thus labored faith- fully and unremittingly, and with a singleness of purpose and self-sacrificing zeal which com- manded the admiration and respect of all who observed his devoted and untiring labors, was the Rev. Marcus Whitman. Never, in my opin- ion, did missionary go forth to the field of his labors animated by a nobler purpose or devote himself to his task wiih more earnestiicss and sincerity than this meek and Christian man. He arrived in Oregon in 1842, and established his mission in the Wylatpee country, east of the Cascade mountains, and devoted his entire time to the education and improvement of the Indians, teaching them the arts of civilization, the mode of cultivating the soil, to plant, co sow, to reap, and to do all the duties which pertain to civilized man. He erected mills, plowed tlieir ground, sowed their crops, and assisted in gathering in ibl .? 4 I tlicir harvests. About the time lie hud Bucr.ocded ill teaching tliotn some of these arts, and the moans of using some of tlicse advantages, they rose nj^iiinst him, without rause and without notice, and massar red liim and his wife, and many others who were at tin; mission at the time. I nil niion tl.(>se things, Mr. Chairman, to give you an idea of tlie treaelierous and ungrateful cliaiaeler of tlie Indians in Oregon, Tlio blood of Whitman, their grcat(\st benefactor, was the first blood of ilii' white's which was shed by them in thai Territory, and from that day to the pres- ent, they have commenced all the wars wliich have taken place between them and the white Betllers. This I say in justice to the people of that Territory, and to vindicate them from what 1 consider unfounded and unjust imputations upon their courage and honor. I regret very much, sir, that it is necessary, in dufensi; of truth and justice, to place myself in opposition to the reports of General Wool. He is my old commander. I know him to be a good soldier, a gallant man, and an accomplished officer, But I know, as far as the reports are concerned relating to Oregon Territory, that he is mistaken, and that the re- ports are not true. The war was commenced in Oregon, as I stated the other day, by the Indians on the white people. It was not instigated by any act of tlie whites — no' induced by any vio- lence on the part of citizens of that Territo; As I then stated, the Indians commenced the slaughter of the white people, from the southern portion of Oregon to the northern extreme of Washington, at the very same time, the same week of the same month, the 8th, 9th, and 10th days of October, In confirmation of this statement, J will read the following extract from the letter of Captain Hewitt, dated November, 1855: " After two days linrd worK, we rciicheil the house of Mr. Cox, which wo roimd robbed. Wo thou procooded to Mr. Jones's, llislionsn was burned to aslion, nud Mr. Jones, who WHS iiick at the thiie, was Imriied in it. Mrs. Jonca was found about thirty yards from tlie house, sliot througit the lungs, faee anJjiivvs horribly broken and inutiliitcd. The bones of Mr. JoiK's were found, the flesh having been mostly eaten off by the hogs. We found Cooper, who had been living with Jones, about one hundred and fifty yards from the liouse, ghot through the lungs, the ball having entered his left breast. Proceeded to the house of W. H. Brown. Mrs. Bmwn and cliild were found in the well, her head downwards ; she had lioen stabbed to the heart ; also stabbed in the back and the back part of the head. The child was below her, and had no murks of violence upon it. Mr. Brown was found in the house, literally cut to pieces. His arms and legs were badly out, and I should think there were as luany as ten or fifteen stabs ill liis back. After burying the remains of the bodies as \/ell as cireuuistanees would p'^rmit, we proceeded totlitjint not a V house of Mr. King, which we fouu'l liuriicrl to ashes, aii ujj. .j.-ynrrf. tli(! iiio~t horrible spiTtaele (if iill awaiti'd us— Mr. Joni ■ " " ' who had lived with him, .•mil two litllo eliildri'n, wen; biirm When tPi in the house; the l)o ly of Mr. Kln:». aftor hrire.' roasted, wiiJtiidwn, the e.uen almost eiuiri'ly U|) by llii' hoifs. Mrs. King vv.is 'Viiim-j, . ,,,^,,,. nt"-ut thirty yanl-i from tl'f luiiise almost ill a state of nuil .' _ ty, shot apparem'.y fi.r,,ugh tin- heart, and lior Ictt hrousici.Major Hall otf; she was cut open from the pit of the stoniach to aboiajid chastise tiie center of the Hbdomen; inte.;Iiiies pulled out on cilli' (,*[,, .^^ l„ side. Wf p'Tlonnn; tiic l;ist sad rites over the sl'iin, an returned to our camp." proceeded t Now, sir, but a few days before these massr °y ^'"•'"^'•'*" cres were perpetrated here, on or near Pugi'l* i-'Sjiera e Sound, hostilities had commenced in souther ^^ uurati Oregon,morothansix hundred milesdi^tant, Cn '^°"""'''"'^- General Woolorany other sensible man, prctcn aostiltlies, to sny that killing ofl' Indians on Rogue river wa 'orces, wiio the cause of the.se murderous outrages.' gallantry of I will present anotiicr extract of a letter fror^f countrj Rogue river valley, a few days before this inassa "*'"" > '" •'' ''^ ere' occurred: ^^' Wasliin „ M,. .... .,■.., Colonel D " 1 he greater portion of the enemy have taken to tl^ mountains, and carried with them a large amount of ptn^ been driven and other property. Thirty p'Tsons have been murdered ! eecded in be them between J(!Wett's ferry, on l?ogue river, and Turner A^„^ l„,I,i|](l on Cow creek. It is now ascertained that Haynen's fami! T _ have also been massacred." jot> Ternto) Now, to show you that General Wool is mii ^^ '^'"^ ^''^^' taken, tliat his judgment has been hastily formt ^ pu"ish th and upon erroneous and false data — perhaps tl. *" " willful misrepresentations of others, who thoug! ^ ^^ lorct by traduction of our people to subserve their ow ^^ overn interests, or at least to gratify their passions- • ^_^ ^' ^ I ask your attention to the maps which I ha, O**^''''^''^'')';'' caused to be placed in view of the members ( ■^'^'■'^'"''l '" the House, and upon which they can observe th °" thatoccaf relative position and distances of the sever: * S'^'"' localities which form the seat, or more proper! ™ stron speaking, the seats of war. On the cast of tl Now, Mr Cascade mountains, which you. observe runnin "'"''^''■» '■''■^ * Ind laiis and 1 parallel with the coast, at an average distance one hundred miles, is the region or district callt •""'^ '■'^ '"*• the " Yakima country," In this country, bcfor 'l''^'"y> '" ' hostilities had commenced in the shape of regul; country, warfare, the Indians killed Mr, Matticc,a gent! P^^st, has man who was traveling through the countr "^^ within The agent, Mr. Bolan, hearing of the outrag ipcnthaso went into the country to ascertain the facts, ai wns, into ' if possible bring the perpetrators to justice ar Wl'^" Gr'" prevent further disturbances. Although an ageii tpry he foui personally known to them, and from whom tin Bg^i'ist the had received the bounties of the Govemjiier geni^li-'men a he was barbarously murdered; and to give ti Bptm read, v strongest possible manifestation of their hostili Rc'i'led at ai.a exasperation against the whites, they mm ffniihes sea a funeral pile of himself and horse, detcrmin *** "''^ attac. \ 5 have taken to tl a e prorondfMl to til that not a vnstigo should remain to tell the tale of ";'' "• l^r'"7""' his sava-e and inhuman murder. i(l IIS — Mr. jiiiir- '' ilrcn,w<'r(!l)iiriii Wlicii tl>e fart of tin- death of Bolan was made l)i'iti'.'ro!ist(Ml,\v;i known, the regular forces at t'ort Vam'.ouver were rs. Knmwiislyin^jjj,.,. ,.„„„rt„„j of Major Rains, who ordered HI n Ktitte ol mid _,.,,,, , , w ,. i her left hrrastn Major Haller to proceed to the Indian country I stiini;i(li to Jihoiand chastise them for the murder of Bolan and '"''' '"" "" '■'"" others. In obedience to the orders received, he iver the hI'ihi, nn , proceeded to the enemy s country, was attacked ' these mass- '^y iheni, surrounded, and narrowly escaped after r near Pu"il'* '^'-'^l"''"''" "'"^ most gallant defense of several pd in ^out?ier ^*y^ duration, with the loss of one fifth of his ■sdi'tant (<^ command. Here was the first commencement of e man pretcn hostilities, not by volunteers, but by regular go.y,, j.jy„,. ^.,i forces, wiio were defeated, notwithstanding the' ,jj„pg > gallantry of their commander, and driven from )f a letter fror^'' country. Tiiis country, you will bear in "ore this massa *'™'"'^ > '''•'^ '""^^^ '^^ ^'i'^ Cascade' mountains, and on the Washington side of the Columbia river. Colonel Rains, when he found that Haller had amount of ftn. been driven out of the country, and had only suc- Ijcen iMiirdnred! ceeded in bearing away his wounded, leaving his iver and Turner i^ UAnnil him, called on the Governor of Ore- it Havneii's fnmii T „ . ^ , t h ,. gon Territory for volunteers. It was a call for d Wool is mi' ^^ '^'"^ assistance to suppress Indiati hostilities, 1 haatiiv fornif *** P""'^'' ^'^^ Indians; first, for killing our people ta— perhaps ll '^"'^ ^**'^" ^"'" 'living his gallant major and his •s who thou"' Vhole force out of the country. To that cull iscrve their ow *^*^ Governor of Oregon promptly responded. licir nassionn ^^ called for volunteers. They turned out im- 8 which I hav ni*cdiately;and having joined with the troops they members "^'irched into the Indian country. The Indians can observe li °" that occasion avoided the fight. Tliey avoided of the sever * ^'^"^•'''^1 l)attle. The force against them was «,«-,. ^_^.,„j rather strong. more properl , o the east of tl ^'ow, Mr. Chairman, the position of Major ibserve runnin H'i"^'''» 'i' ^''c time he was surrounded by the age distance r I'l^huis and iiadly whipped, was on the northern i »r district calk •*'^*^ of the Coiuiubia river, in Washington Ter- 1 country bcfor !fltcry, in the country known as the Yakima I ihape of roffui: country. This country, till within a iew years , [atticc a ffent! past, has not be'en settled by white people;: 1 the countr ^^^ within the last few years the white settle- j of the outra"' Bfcnt has extended cast of these Cascade mount- 1 the facts ai; W^s, into Washington and Oregon Territories. ' r to justice ar "W^hen General Wool arrived in Oregon Terri- j loueh an ageii ^^Y ''^ found the volunteers up in that country, om whom thi against the warlike Indians. Now, I will ask ■ e GoTemiiiet gentlemen and the writer of that letter wliich has ind to give ti ^^^ read, whetlu'r the troojjs ought to have been f their hostili' IPcalled at once from that country, leaving many itcs they miv %Kiilies scattered about on their claims, exposed rsc detcrmii> *® '■'^^ attacks of Indians who had driven the rcgu* lar forces out of the country ? If they had, what would Jiave been the condition of these people? Would there havt; been one single family left i.:i that country? Would there have been one woman that would not have been burned nt the stake, or one child that would not have been tomaliawki'd ? General Wool, when ho arrived took up his hetulquarters west of the Cascade mountains, ni\ the north bank of the Columbia river, at Fort Vancouver, [pointing out the location on the mn n. ] He ordered the regular forces that were engaged in the Indian country to fall back on Fort Van- couver. The volunteers did not go up tli're of their own a'cord. They went out at the call of an officer o: the United States Army. If they had left the country with the regular forcts they would have exposed the life of every woman and child there to certain death. Ought ihey to have done so? Will any man say to the people of Oregon that these volunteers should have fallen back upon the settlements, or gone into quarters and put themselves undercover, leaving the wo- men and children of the country to fall under the tomahawk of the savage? No, sir. It is a slan- der when it is said that the volunteers of Oregon went there with a view of making war upon any other Indians than such as murdered our peopl'-, and as were ready to bury the tomahawk in the heads of women and children. What would have been said of the Governor of Oregon, if he had acted as General Wool did, and ordered the volunteers out of the country, leaving it exposed to the savages? So far from doing it, he maintained his position. Those troops were commanded by a noble and g.il!;int young man, by the name of Kelly, who went out to that Territiny a few years ago from ihe State of Pennsylvania. He is known to some of the members of this House. He is a brave and gallant man, a lawyer by profession, and a peaceable, law-abiding citizen. He took the cum- inand of these forces in the i)lane of my £:;illant friend Nesmith, who was compelled to quit the service on account of sickness in his family. Soon after his taking the command, the Walla- Wallas, Yacomas,and other tribes of Indians througluiut the whole extent of country east of the Cascades made a general attack upon his command. And sir, while fighting for life, when his ammunition had been expended, when he had fired his last volley, with ammunition almost exhausted, and scant of provisions — for he was for four days sur- rounded with these hostile Indians — I say while 9 ! tliUH fi^litiiig for life, undiT tlicsc circumstanocB, tl.t! ii.'iLjiilar lr()o|).s, undur the orders of GoncrnI VV'oi>l, wi-To inr\rcliin^ to tluir winter qu(irl( rs. Am], lis I iUii iiiforniid, win ii Kelly ixppliid for piiwjer iiiid oilier supplies, that olficer shut his r.iiijjiizines and refused the supiilies. Ps ow , sir, shall this man be quohid here aj^ainst the pe()|ile of Ore^wn Ti.Tritury ? Shall his evi- dence be used in condemnation of th(; people of tiiut Territory, who volunteered to save the wo- men and ehiklren of the settlements from massacre? r Shall such an ary,iiment be introduced here against the aj)propriatioii now ask(;d for? I hope not. Air. ALLISON. If the gentleman will permit me for a moment, I di;iiire to say a singli^ word. lie asks, why should we bring the evidence of General Wool here as testimony in a case of this kind, under such circumstances? Now, I am sure the genlUman from Oregon will not object to an inquiry, such as was propounde'd to hiin, for the i)urpose of giving him an opportunity of making the explanation which he is now making to the House. We find in our executive docu- ments here, official communications from the officers of the Government which can alone speak officially upon the subject. How is it possible that we can disregard these comnmnications thus officially made, unless son" 'anation were made to remove the difficultie which we arc .surrounded, in making this a, ^.n ,..iation. If we are to take the statements of these officers, to which alone we can go for information, we cannot, con- sistently, make this appropriation. The gentle- man from Oregon certainly caimot therefore ob- ject to such tt si itement being made by a member of ihe House, as it will afford him an opportunity of making such an exjilanation as will relieve us from the embai'rassments with which we are sur- rounded in making the appropriation which he asks for. Mr. LANE. I am very much obliged to the gentleman. I have no disposition to cast imputa- tions upon General Wool. I think as much of him as any man in this House, but I do not like his conduct in Oregon. Now, Mr. Chairman, these volunteer forces have been oj;ini?.ed anil maintained for the purpose of protecting the set- tlements in the Territories of Oregon and Wash- ington, and nobly have they done it, while the regulars were comfortably housed in the snug barracks at Vancouver. By the last mail I have received a letter, from which I will read the following extract: 1 "Will you plensi- prrscnt niir tlmnks to tlie Sccrclnry i *' '^ *"^''' ' V\>tr lor liis(liH|ri(>'li in rorwiinliiiitllio Ninth inf'niitry. lluMTill soon bi iiiiicli It iri ti) III! rcuri'ttcd tliiit hiicIi |iroiii|itiit'HH liiw '"''kgf^; nre Iw ri'mii'rt'il iniavailiii;;. (JciuTiil Wool is now in ("nlilnriii;' ..^ mill uoiilil hiivf ioii cDiiiity, who was a piiAOy consiuei Hfiiijer with fii'iieral Wool. Mr. Iloxii- wiih H thv arcrctnrjf I' 's «'i'J 'liat tli<- Indians lire fow, and that they nth in flint ry. UowiW soon be forced into submission. Whether mm-'hrrlliif,,!-",',''^®'"'^ nro two hundred or one thousand of them, I IwKl hr licfii tli('r3*icrnl Wool will not be ubk' to hurt one of I'll tliJH si,|p of HaJiem. I know them. They will fight; but they " ''ti',': ''■'.' '''''''''''««^llncv-'}n>''-niit themHclvcs to be attacked by 1 Ills, I inn II ' ' }•, who wiis a piiAny coiisiderablu forcf . Tlioy will keep out of wiiH «..|.t down i-tbe way. The old General has passed the ago Vimr" iiii!'ii!,"nii!''^'^'' '"' '"'""''l overtake tJicsc Indians. The conn- 1 im- furnisiiinn th^fy which they occupy is mountainous, steep of j y linndiil. Hndatcent, and alfordH tiie best and most secure, ..nd..tlitrc..s.senii;,~'''"»f"'''. '" "''' '^"''^'^- ^'^'^ '^ ^° ^° ^" i there with his regular forces and punish these ; tinfconfidcnc'''*'^"^'''^' "^'"^ pies.s of San Francisco say he is ains knowin"*'''*^"'^ starting to Oregon for that purpose. Well, I tile author am' ''""^ ''''^ ^^ ^'^ ^ brave man, and I most ottliconcernud®*'"'^^''^ ''"f"' "^'"^^ '"'' "^^^ ^^ '^^^^ ^^ inflict just , I, suliiects '^^ proper punishment upon these Indians, who Ready! am^^" ^° cruelly murdered our people without lity of answer'*'''^'^^"*^'' ^" °^^ ^"^ ^^^"' ^^^ ^^ ^*'' ^^^ what we oiown to exer'*''" '"■'^• ill subjects ex ®''"' ^'"^ peoplc of Oregon occupy a remote and in reply to hii^"" '^'^^^"'' P**"^ ^f our domain— a sort of terra ostilitios conv^"^'"'" '*' ^^^ people of the Atlantic States. If ■ton Territory ^^''^ '"'"^^cter was known here, as I know it, it ogue river vai ''^*'"'*^ require no culogium, much less a vindica- traveled many**^"' ^' '"^ •^'^nds. For several years I have nan, and chiJiiW^*^*^ '" ^''*^ ""''®' of that people, and I know ceptions; the) *^^"*- ' have seen them under all the vicissitudes icy killed everv*"^ circumstances incident to this varied and 3— for whom ! ch*=qucrcd life— in prosperity and in adversity, I pension. The "* i^®^*""'"'^ ^^'^ poverty, in the repose and se- :iiled her hus- «»"'^y o^ home, in the din of battle, where the She defended %^^^ '"o*^*^ hottest and the bullets flew thickest. le loaded and They are an enterprising and adventurous people; ide her escape f"" ^^^"^y ^^'""'"^ never have traversed sterile and. Every man on inhospitable wastes, scaled lofty mountains, and 10 exception of braved the perils and privations of the wilderness ■ere murdered, ^'* search of homes on tlie shores of the Pacific. February last, That they are brave no one can doubt who has The Indians '^^^ of their deeds of heroism in defending their mpqua valley. ^*"^*hes and homes from the tomahawk and the rniies of my ***'^h of the remorseless savage. Ay, sir, and says there is ^^y ^'"'^ * patriotic people. Think you that the hivcn ofll" the »en from Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky, are shot and ^^° ^^^^^ made their homes in Oregon, have been . last, steamer ^ changed by distance, that their hearts have ! had attacked ^^^'^ *" pulsate with patriotic devotion to our the mouth of country's flag and our country's honor? Believe ■ house and ■H"o*^- Thcyare Americans still — "notaliensand women and iptcrlopers from foreign lands. " Hearit.gentle- ind he saved H»cn of the so-called " American" party, you who appose this appropriation, your countrymen — not foreigners— arc imperiled. American blood is being shed — ay, sir, and on our own iotl. Ameri- cans call on you for succor. Mountains rise and wide deserts intervene between you and them, but they arc still on our own soil; they have but changed their chamber in the paternal mansion; the same banner which waves from the dome of this Capitol spreads its folds over them. Is it an emblem of protection which the Government affords to all our people, or a piece of painted bunting — a rag spread to the winds in derision and mockery of their perils and their woes.' One trait of character the people of the Ter- ritory of Oregon posdess in common with their countrymen, but even this seems to be denied to them by those whose occupation appears to be to malign and traduce all that is generous and noble in a people or an individual — those professional scribblers, the vultures of the press, who feed upon character which has been first polluted and destroyed by their own poisonous breath, and who never soar except it be in an atmosphere of detraction, like those birds of ill omen which arc found in no other country except where grows the Upas. I allude to that trait in the character of the Oregonians so characteristic of the population of the western States — magnanimity; the chival- rous sense of honor, the pride, blended with in- nate generosity, which scorns a mean, a dishon- orable, or a cowardly action, which revolts at the idea of oppressing or of being oppressed, which is quick to resent an insult from an equal or supe- rior, but bears with meekness and patience the peevishness, the taunts, and even the deliberate insults, of inferiors. In this spirit the people of Oregon have borne with patience and forbearance the injuries and insults of the inferior race by which they arc surrounded. They have thought their mission to be to subdue the proud and in- tractable spirit of the savage by kinclness, to soften his rude nature by manifesting towards hira a friendly and paternal spirit, to reclaim him from his savage condition by example — the example of a life spent in peaceful industry, instead of un- profitable and wasting wars with each other. I am sorry that these humane eflibrts of the Oregon settlers have not been appreciated by the savage. Humanity has been mistaken by him for a tame submissiveness of spirit; forbearance for pusillanimity. The consequence has been, that, instead of being benefited by his contact with the whites, the Indian has brooded over what he has erroneously deemed an unwarrant- 8 I ubic intruNiun upon hia domain, until at length n goncrnl uprising has taken place for tho purijosc of exterminating the intruders, or driving them from the land. Who that acknov/ledges the right of the white race to occupy nnd improve the hinds of the natives, (and I know of no one who will deny it) — who that acknowledges nuch right will deny to them the right of self-defense wiien as- sailed in their pioneer hok.ics; and who will not go further than this, and say that, where their numbers and their means arc inadequate to their defense, itis the duty of the Governmont to afl'ord them protection, and save them, not from destruc- tion merely, but from a destruction by a refine- ment of cruelty, an oxquisiteness of torture known only in the annals of Indian warfare? I will have an opportunity of explaining these things more fully at some future time. I will not consume the time of the committi^c now. I am prepared to go into the subject fully. I have j anticipated, I think, nearly every objection which can possibly be made to the conduct of the Ore- gon volunteers, or of the settlers in that Territory. I shall be prepared to furnish all the information on the subject which gentlemen may desire. I only ask what is right — nothing more; and, if I do not greatly mistake the character and feelings of the members of this House, I am sure they will not refuse my just demand. The purpose of the appropriation as stated in the bill is " to restore and preserve friendly re- lations with the Indians." Another object of the appropriation is to fur- nish the means of ransoming the prisoners who have already been taken by, or who may hereafter fall into the hands of, the Indians. Already several prisoners are in their hands, men, women, | and children, liable at any moment to be put to a i cruel deaOh. Perhaps by a timely appropriation . of the kind asked for, the lives of these prisoners i may be saved. Does anyone begrudge the appli- cation of the p\iblic money to a purpose so hu- 1 mane .' Does any one dare to say that the whole ' $300,00Q would be an extravagant price to pay for the ransom of one — only one of those help- less infant captives, whose v/ailing cry is music to the ears of his cruel captors, drunk with the blood of his slaughtered parents. There went from Missouri, in 1853, a party of nineteen. Last summer I saw, in Oregon, two boys, the only survivors of that party. Where were the others.' They told me where they were — they Lad left them among tho mountains, father. mother, sisters — all sluin ! At my request tluiy ihiit they undertook to give me a narrative of thi; nin.ssiiciierobyHuliji — to detail i'.r fiendish barbarities of the mund to the tlui derers. I listened while, with tho simple eldt people; of quence of truth — a pathos which only cliildnnd inhuman can impart to a story of bereavement and sorrovj* charge it they proceeded with the recital of what they sn\are made w and what they sufTored. But I did not hear thrif dopii ting t to the end; my heart sickened with the rcvoltiiioath— honil details. I told them to pause; I could hear iif homes and more. Ah ! sir, could the members of this HousJBOrt to no s have stood around those friendless orphans, art a Christif they stood among otrangers, re' iting the storikl would n< of their sufferings and their wrongs, there woulawk for all have been no occasion for mo to speak here to Mr. UOVt day. They would have heard a speech such aoitile Indiai they never heard before, and such as, I pray t Mr. LAN God, I may never hear again — the speech not ouestion. It two untutored, friendless orphans, but naturcay's Globe, sir, nature speaking to the great heart of thlMi| number is American people, heaving it up, as with ay that it wa giant's power, from its cold apathy into a bumiiftt number ing thirst for revenge, a stern resolve to avengW not all at the wrongs and defend the rights of outragc(llllt they ar humanity. An attempt was made to punistonld sweep c the perpetrators of this outrage. Major Halle/ them are was sent forward with several companies off this apprc regulars, and succeeded in procuring the surrenselings, and der of a few Indiana, who were put to death nfJch others the perpetrators of the massacre. But whethe«*i'tics. the innocent were surrendered, and the guiltj One word r escaped, is a question I am unable to answerfom Tcnnesi From my knowledge of the Indian character, 1- ™as''aere w would not be surprised if, in this instance as ify the white others, they had recourse to vicarious punish^f that occur ment— shielding the guilty by substituting the»ut between innocent. irhitcs. Thi Unless such means arc taken as General Woo.^^oUect that will not take — but such only as the volunteers^y lior^e am will take — to put an end to these outrages, set'* the month tiemcnt in Oregon Territory will be retarded'**t we had ( Already thousands of acres, once cultivated andftend, Captii repaying the labors of the husbandman witl^* charge w abundant harvests have been laid waste, houses*'*^'''" '-^^ ^'^' burnt, and property destroyed. The settlements**** mortally west of the Cascades are scattered throughout*'^" to sa; the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue river val-"'**ty to pas leys, and along the coast from the mouth of th«"^y'°^"^'^ Columbia to the southern border of the Territory;?*""*' ^^ ^^ and many families have located cast of the Caa-liwlifi^^s wlii cades. Scattered, as they arc, over so large aJeh soldier" district of country, and exposed, as they are, io' ^hting ma time of war, will any man be hardy enough toJravewithou Tf f I 9 my request tluiy that they liftvo miulo wnr upon th^f Indinns, of thi; nmfl8aciigrel)yNiiliji.rtinj,' th'ir fiimilieH tolln- tomnhawk tics of the mimd totlic rtuini'S,for monoy. Do you, sir, believe tho simple eld* people of Orej^on rapulile of such hnsenoHt. h only cliihlrtnd inhutnanity? Who can for a moment liclieve lent and sorrovi* ciuirfjo made upon our people, •' that they f whiit they simve made war upon th(! Indiana for the purpose d not hear thrrf dcpli liug the Treasury?" A war that brings ith tlie rovoltiiieaih— horrible death — upon families, destruction I could hear iif homes and property. Believe it not, sir! They rs of this HousjBOrt to no such means for pecuniary gain; they ess orphans, nwi a Christian people; they love their families, iting the stornd would not subject one of them to the toma- gs, there woulawk for all the money in the Treasury. speak here tc Mr. BOYCE. How many warriors can these speech such nottile Indians bring into the field? ;h as, I pray t Mr. LANE. I am glad that I am asked the e speech not oiuestion. In my remarks, published in Satur- ns, but naturcay 's Globe, I am made by a misprint to say, that It heart of thhf number is tweniy-nine thousand. I meant to up, as with ftjr that it was twenty thousand. There are fully hy into a burniwt number in Oregon and Washington. They isolve to aveiigW not all at war with us, and we are thankful Its of outragcdMlt they are not. If they wore united, they lade to punisiould sweep olTthc entire settlements. A portion Major Halle.'^ th<;m are friendly to s. It is the purpose companies o^f this appropriation to preserve their friendly ing the surrenselings, and to secure amicable relations with put to death niUch others as may not have joined the war . But whethefarties. !ind the guilt} One word more, and I have done. My friend ble to answerfom Tennessee [Mr. Ready] read an account of an character, I masf-aere which is said to have been perpetrated instance as ipy the whites. Now, one word of explanation larious punish'f that occurrence. In 1853 a general war broke ubstituting the>ut between the Rogue river Indians and the vhitcs. Thatwas brought on by the Indians. I General WooCCoUect that, on receiving the news, I mounted the volunteers^y liorse and joined the troops, and on the 24th ! outra"-es, sct>f t''*^ month of August we fought the last«battle II be retarded)**t we had during that war. In that battle my cultivated and"®*"''* Captain Alden, while leading his men to bandman witt^^ charge with that impetuous valor, so charac- wastc houses*'^*^'^'' ^^ the American soldier, fell, severely but 'he settlements^"* mortally, wounded. It is due to Captain ed throu»houi^^^" to say (and I cannot permit this oppor- )"-ue river val'^^ty to pass without bearing my humble testi- mouth of th«"*"'y^o^ii3'^'^"'^) th'it, though educated at West "the Territory :?<^nt, h*^ combines in the highest degree the 1st of the Cas-iaalitit's which distinguish the American "citi- .•er so large aseil soldier" from the military automatons, the as they are, io* ^hting machines" of this and all other nations, rdy enough to^rave without rashness, accomplished, a thorough master of tactics, as taught in tho snliools, he hns sufHcient talent not to be trammeled by the anti- quated idias embodied in the moldy volumes which |)loddii g dullness and octogenarian imbe- cility are wont to consult, as conuiining ail the mysteries of the military art. In addition to these qualities, his warmth of heart and ever genial flow of spirits endear him to his soldiers, as hii valor and conduct inspire them with confidence in him as a lead- . I rejoice that to the aggregate of mischief done by the Indians in Oregon they have not added that of destroying the life of this brave and valuable officer. Rut to proceed. The enemy asked for a talk. I entertained their application, and ordered the talk; and tho result was, wo made a peace. I then disbanded my troops for the purpose of pre- venting further expense, which was every hour accruing. In this I was sustui.' ' by the people, who did not, and never have desii' ! that troops should continue under arms lon,";ei than was ab- solutely necessary for the purposes of defense and protection. A few of tic bands would not come in and make peace, and they have been li.aking war upon the whites ever since. Last summer they commenced hostilities against our people as they were going to or returning from California, Upon information of this outbreak being received at Jacksonville, Major Lupton raised a company, and proceeded to the scene of trouble. He there found the bodies of the m"ar- dered, and pursued the trail of the perpetrators to their encampment on Butte Creek. These Indiana did not belong to that portion of the tribe who had made peace; or if they did, they had violated their treaty stipulations. He found stolen prop- erty in their hands. A fight ensued, in which the Major himself was killed, and many of the Indians were slain. They were not peaceable, I inoffensive people, as has boon stated by some of the reports put in circulation, but a murdering, thieving set, who were in the habit of waylaying on the road, and robbing and killing, the unwary traveler. The Indians which were placed upon the reserve near Port Lane were under the care of an agent who had done all in his power to maintain friendly relations, and was ably seconded by an able and gallant officer of the Army, Captain A. J. Smith, in command of the fort. A portion of these In- dians have not since made war upon the whites, and have not joined the war party. The bands which did not come into the peace terms have 10 been waging war ever since, and Major Lupton was right in punishing thera. Now, let me give you an idea of the character of these Indians, thiirmode of warfare, and their ability to cope with our forces. Soon after the massacre of our people, on the 8th or »:h of Oc- tober, Captain A. J. Smith, of the army, attacked the Indians in their position, with about three hundred and fifty mm. The Indians had about the same number. He fought them from daylight until dark, but he was not able to dislodge them; and at last was obliged to fall back, ! -aving them in their position; and the same Indians, with rein- forcements from other bands, have since attacked the settlements and destroyed many families; and they will continue to do so until they are met with a sufficient force to subdue them. That is the only way to secure peace with the Indians. I will here read, for the information of the House, an extract from the New York Tribune, presenting a graphic, but truthful, sketch of the condition of things existing in a portion of Ore- gon; and I will ask the apologists of General Wool, after reading this, whether a state of war exists in the Territory, whether it was provoked by the aggressions of the whites, and what plea they^can offer in defense of the conduct of Gen- eral Wool in leaving the Territory a prey to Indian rapacity'and outrage? Understand me, sir, I am not the accusicrof Grencral Wool. The people of Oregon are his accusers, I will not say that he stands in the attitude of Hastings, when accused by the people of India of oppres- sion and corruption in office; but I will say that he stands arraigned before the great tribunal of public opinion; and, as one who was once his comrade in arms, one who followed where he led, I sincerely hope that no severer verdict may be pronounced against him than that he has committed an error of judgment. But here is the extract: " Yesteniay (Sunday) morning we wore favorod with the perusal of a letter written l, over this " It is supi)0scd there are now about three hundred ti^ ^Jgo pass tile Indians in the field, including those from Grave ;■ locate clain Galaise creek and the Big Meadows. They ore led tyicade niou Canada Indian, named Enos, who was formerly a favorjgj.gjj (^^ ij, guide for Colonel Fremont in his expedition. dian title 1 " List of JftHci.— Captain Ben Wright, H. Braun, E. '^* bitter c Howe, Mr. Wagoner, Barney Castle, George McClusi,*^ rpi Mr. Lara, W.R. Tullu.s, Captain John Poland, Mr. Siiii!^'^" Mr. Seaman, Mr, Warner, John Geisell and three childr alias were a ,ld8 to tlie C P. McCollough, S. Heidrick, Joseph Serroc and two soe " Besides three or four, names unknown, Mrs. Gei-^J?^ rcser\ i and daughter are prisoners, and in the hands of the Mict^ they ass band of Indians, about eigiit miles up the river. Dr. M.*4* '10 settle White escaped by jumping into Yuca creek, and secrci?!* the rcas himself under a pile of drift-wood, remaining there fore Governnn hour and a half, and until the Indians had given upt'tinic was search." Ople of tlii.s I will say no more upon this subject, but b.^'^'^y . ' , „ ' , . . . , .tifopriation the House to pass this appropriation, so that*|LJ^j„j ^^ may go out under the direction of '>io Presidi^otiate thei of the United States, for the purpose of maintaWs in Dec ing the friendly disposition which now exis"i""f" i?^^ ° ~ , ; ■ , r., . I the Indiar among many of the tribes m that Territory, aiaj^dians at to give security to the settlements, and safety lil January the women and children whose lives are now^tjfj Esq., e J certain the extreme jeopardy. e visited tlu ''alias, and tl NOTE. id they wci Washington, ^pril 7, 1856. "ds. Kami Since the delivery of my speech in the Houi'"°'' ^^^^^ 1 the 31st ultimo, I have noticed in the Uni('\;*'.°"" j /[ extracts from the speech of Governor Stevens, -'^^ '^' rp? Washington Territory, to the Legislative Asset 5'f" ",• « l bly of that Territory, m relation to Indian troubl® ff . '"^ /^j on our coast. The Governor has been charet""^ ,'^' .'^^'f with the duty of holding treaties with the India'®^^ ^V*'||j 1 for the purchase of their lands; is also the supt . jv'!'\'i!J^ intendent of Indian affairs for that Territory,*^ '. ^ ■ well acquainted with them, and is agontlemaii?» •? • J' ^^ strict integrity. His speech contains importa" • ,' • *p history, and is hereto appended. Ickas'an'd il oit joy and on ,at personal! GoTemor Stevena'a Bfeasagc. Fellow- Citizens of the Legislative Assembly of i . - j^j^ , Territory of Washingtnn : ^t w as'^ the I have taken the liberty of departing from tlh« record oi usual custom of delivering a written inessaj.'jeht and dii This arises from the exigencies of the case. (jdl there did not seem necessary to follow the otiqucigjffilty, hum usual in such cases, if by doing so time shoa^ffernment be lost or public business deferred. in* of the a We are, fellow-citizens, and have been for i;' in intellig 11 !rininaUono8a.nst^j throe months, cngagod in an Indian war.: een miles up the rir'" 8i;"I<^rs,from the Cowlitz river to the Sound, ' .previous, the Imlii'g *"-'f^n o'^^'S'-'d to abandon tht-ir claims to live j lorning, February]^'''^ • ] >ve the mouth, wliWhiui this Torritory was organized, there was^ Poland's companjtopuiiuiun of about four thousand souls, widoly indorof the compm^ercd. No treaties had been made with the 23*1, Btlhemouihiians occupying tlie lands of this Territory, r was there, ju-actically, an intercourse law. nearly the whole ,ngrcss had, by law, extended the provisions 9 escaped to tell ; the Indian-intercourse act, so far as applica- ;, over this Territory and Oregon. Congress It three hundred h J also passed a donation law, inviting settlers lose from Grave qocate claims, first west, and thin east', of the i. They are led l^gcade mountains, and public surveys had been as formerly a favoijerpj to be made over this domain; but the Edition. jjj jjj^jg ]j,jj ,^Q^ jjpj,^ extinguished. This gilt, H. Brann,E. - - - . . » . , George McCliisi, n Poland. Mr. Sin: 18 a bitter cause of complaint on the part of the "dians. The Yakimas, Cayuses, and Walla- 11 1 uiuiiu. iTir. c:'iii> ,% . » i : .• ii* ^i • 3ll and three ohildr '"^'^^ were anxious to make treaties, selling their !erroc and two soF^'^' ^^ t'l'-' tiDveriiment, and securing to them- iknown Mrs. GeiJ^*'^ reservations for their permAiiont homes; hands of the Mifi.r4'Ji''y asserted that until such treaties were , the river. Dr. M*^ »o settlers should come among them. These ereck, and secroi?** the rea.soiis of public policy which induced maining there fore Government to enter into these treaties, and lis had given up » time was lost in consummating them. The ople of this Territory urged uixm Congress the I subject but b^^'^'ty ^^ ^'^"^'' ^ policy, and Congress made . . ' jj, 'i>fopriation to carry out their wishes. It fell nation, so that j^jy 1,,^^ j^ 1^^ appointed the commissioner to I of 'bo Presidi|fotiate these treaties. I entered upon those pose of maintaiaofs in December, a year ago; and durin^ that /■hich now exis*' Uu; following month successfully treated with _, , I the Indians upon the Sound, the straits, and lat Territory, ayndians at Cape Flattery. i Its, and safety In January, a year ago, I dispatched James lives are now^^ys Esq., east of the Cascade mountains, to certain the feelings and views of the Indians. e visited the Yakimas, the Cayuses, the Walfa- • ''alias, and the Nez Perces in their own country, id they were desirous to treat and sell their , ^pril 7, 1856.™ds. Kamiakin advisi:d the tribes to meet in )ch in the Hou""*^'' ''^^ Walla-Walla, saying that that was their 'ed in the Uni(^ council ground. The council was convened, •crnor Stevens l^^^ted fourteen days. All those tribes were , cgislative Ass>«f»^- . ^^'^ greatest care was taken to explain to Indian troubl« ^f^'^'^'^^' .-^"'l 1|.« ".''Jf-ts of them and to se- has been chare,""f ^'"' '"""' *^^'"?'^ '"terpreters. Three inter- swiththelndin^^ ^^ ^^'"^'""^ ])rovided for each language — one to is also the sunl* *^ Principal interpreter, the other two to cor- liat T^rrito At tlu> close of that council such expres- is a gentleman '^"?."^i'^y '''"^ thankfnlness I have never seen ; ntains import.^'"*?' ''^ % "" S^'''"'' '^'-'''' T'' ^' I'-'r '■ ainJakin, reu-peu-mox-mox, the voung chief ,ickas,and the Lawyer, all personal!/ expressed Tesgace. eii^ joy and satisfaction. Kamiakin asserted, a LI ^ ■•lit personally hi; was indiiferent about 'he treaty; I -^ssemftiy of (^j ^^ ,,i^ p^.,j^,,,, ^,1 ^^.^^„^,,j j^ ,„. ^jj,. f,^,. ■^^ ^,(d ' '"'■ • at was the reason he assented to the treaty, parting from t'rh« record of that council was made up by Intel-' vritten inessagreht and dispassionate men, and the speeches I of the case. ^1 there made are recordi.'d verlialim. The ow the etiquctgfctfty, humanity, and justice of the national g so time shou-tftfernment are there signally exhibited; and ed. jn« of the actors therein .leed fear tlie criticism lavo been for t' &n intelligent comuiuiiity, nor the supervision ^ of intelligent superiors. By these treaties, had the Indians lieen faithful to them, the question, as to whether the Indian tribes of this Territory can become civilized and Christianized beings, would have been determined practically, and as to whether the intervention of an Indian service for the supervision of the Indians might not become nenssary in consequence of the Indians being al)le to govern themselves. This spirit lies at thiB basis of all the treaties made in this Territory. Another council followed, in which three con- siderable tribes were convened , which lasted ei^ht dayjs — the Indians, at the close, again expressing the utmost joy and satisfaction. It is due to gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly to make this frank and full statement. The printed record will show that the authorities and the people of this Territory have nothing to blush for — nothing to fear in the judgment of impartial men, no'W living, nor the rebuke of posterity. As to the causes of this war, it is not a question necessary to dwell upon. It has been conclusively demonstrated that it has been plotting for at least two or three years. I am frank to admit that had I known, when the council at Walla- Walla was convened, what I learned afterwards, I should not have convened that council. I learned from one of the fathers some days after it had com- menced, and I was satisfied that his information was correct, from the deportment of several of the principal chiefs, that many of the Indians came to that council with hostile feelings. But when I left Walla- Walla I thought that by the treaty such feelings were entirely assuaged — that those who were once for war were now for peace. It is difficult to see how such a combination should have existed and not have been known; and yet it extended from the Sound to the Ump- qua — from one side to the other of the Cascade mountains. Fellow-citizens! war has existed for three months, and still exists; a war entered into by these Indians without cause; a war having not its origin in these treaties, nor in the bad conduct of our people. It originated in the native intelli- gen'ie of restless Indians, who, foreseeing destiny against them, that the wliite man was moving upon them, determined that-it must be met and resisted by arms. We may sympathize with such a manlj feeling, but in view of it we have high duties. I will not dwell upon the efforts made; the false reports circulated, (listorting the proceedings of these councils; the stories of killing friendly In- dians, which those hostile have resorted to, to spread hostility. The war exists; the question is, how shall it be met? There are duties to be discharged — difficulties to be grappled with. The war must be vigorously prosecuted now. Seed time is coming, and the fanner should be at hia plow in the field. Tiie summer is coming. The snows will melt in your mountain passes. It seems to me the warm season is not the time for operations. Daylight is breaking upon us. 'Che gloom which for a time hung over us is giv- ing way. There has been great energy displayed in handling the whole question— judgment and 12 energy in driving back, into a comparatively small region of country, the hostile Indians, and in keeping the great body of the Indians entirely friendly. The work remaining to be done is compara- tively small. It is my opinion that it would be expedient forthwith to raise a force of three hun- dred men, from the Sound, to push into the In- dian country, build a depot, and vigorously oper- ate against the Indians in this quarter; and nearly the same force should be raised on the Columbia river, to prosecute the M'^ar cast of the Cascade mountains. This last would have a vast influence upon the operations in this section. It would Ereventreinforcementsfromeithcr side joining the ands on the other side, and would cftectually crush both. But what is more important would be the influence upon the numerous tribes not yet broken out into hostility. It is due to you to state what experience in traveling through the Indian countiy has taught me. There is a sur- prising feeling of uneasiness among all the tribes who have not broken out, except alone theNez Perces. These tribes may be led into war if delay attends our operations. I regret on this occasion to be compelled to criticise the official acts of a gallant and war-worn veteran, one whose name has been on the his- toric rolls of the country for nearly half a century. But it is due to the people and the authorities of the Territory of Washington, that the facts should appear and be known to the national Government, Governor Mason, in obedience to the requisition of the commanding officer of the United States forces upon the Columbia river, raised two companies of volunteers of excellent material. They were well mounted, and ready for the field. Another company was raised to protect the commissioner appointed by the Pres- ident of the United Slates, to make treaties with the Indian tribes in the interior of the continent. These troops were disbanded, were brought down into garrison, and the regulars were koj)t in gar- rison. And there stands out the broad fact, that seven hundred Indians in the Walla-Walla valley were met and defeated by volunteers when the regulars were in garrison. The President's com- missioner, a high functionary, deriving his pow- ers from the President of the United States, and not from any Department, was left without pro- tection, and the troops raised to protect him. Major General Wool thought proper to disband antf bring into garrison. Th-t officer acted un- questionably from a sense of uuty. His reputa- tion as a gallant soldier, his long and valuable services to the country, cannot be disputed. I do not wish to impugn iiis motives. I only desire to submit facts for the judgment of superiors at home. I learn from good authority that this plan of operations is to delay till spring — probably untill May. It is well known by those who have ex- perience and knowledge of their country, that February and March are the best months for the prosecution of this war. I think it due to ihe Legislative Assembly to state the reasons why all voyageurs and gentlemen of experience in , these matters give it as their opinion that novjuonlv sli • the proper time for action. There is a vast [Vjpcp inforni between the Cascade and Bitter Root mountagn iU-dispc i The Columbia, Snake, Clear Water, and S3ulj these kane rivers are to be crossed. The snow is ngj, xinv a few inches deep, and lasts but a short tiiiiij put to d seldom over a fortnight. There is Vjut one fibmit uncn tinuous period of cold weather, and that pi roiency of i has now passed. The mountain passe.s are;ould sutler closed up with snows, which can only be solvations uik by snow-shoes. For these reasons the Indijars tlu; p( 'cannot escape, should vigorous oporations,cisive, en<- i made. On tnese plains our forces can opciay be gran well. There is abundant fuel for camps, grass Let not o animals, and the rivers are low. Thclndiansni abidins be struck now. Bi'", if we delay, the roots ir Teiritor fish will abound, supplying the Indians with frrht. ; The snows will melt, and the mountain-pas ^ — : will allow them hiding-places. It is my opin: I if operations are deferred till summer, they n, : be deferred till winter again. j What eflTect would it have on the Son should nothing be done until May or June? 1 ! whole industrial community would be ruii, the Sound paralyzed; the husbandman woult kept in a state of suspense by ruinoi-s of war, ' could not adhere to his pursuits; fields would be tilled, and the Territory would starve out. I am of the opinion that vigorous operati I should be prosecuted on both sides of the C I cade mountains. Whenever it is practicab!' : expedient, it is best that volunteers should I mustered into the United States service. : should go to the authorities at home that we deavored to cooperate with the regular serv i But there has been a breach of faith. Tro \ mustered into service were disbanded, in viola, ': of a positive understanding; and it is now pn that the authorities of this Territory should c ! difct the movements of their own troops — co ■ crating with the regulars where such co6p> i tions can be effective. I therefore do not tli i that the volunteers of this Territory should 't^ ', mustered into the United States service. I : ready to take the responsibility of raising tli : independent of that service, and it is due to , Territory and to myself that the reasons for suming it should go to the President and Departments at Washington. ' The spirit of prosecuting this war should h accomplish a lasting peace — not to make treat but to punish their violation. ' Gentlemen of the legislative assembly, I li done my duty. Itwas a jileasant feeling thni I uated me on my mission, in making these treat * ; to think I was doing something to civilize ; render the condition of the Indian happier; ; » I while justice and mercy should characterize acts of our Government, there should be no w « ness — noimbdcility. In nations, as well as indi uals, we may apply the precept — a man who deceived youonceshould not again be trusted. . the blow strike where it is deserved. I am posed to any treaties; I shall oppose any treat, with these hostile bands. I will protest agaW any and all treaties made with them — nothing death is a meet punishment for theirperfidy — tl 13 opinion that novegonly should pay the forfeit. A friendly Ncz ihc'rc is a vast fitco iiiforniod me that in the Cayuse tribe ninc- ter Root mountflgij iH-disposed persons caused all the trouble. r Water, and Sjuld those be punished, the tribe could be gov- • The snow is ned. These turbulent persons should be seized but a short tini,t| put to death. The tribes now at war must lere is but one fibmit unconditionally to the justice, mercy, and er, and that peroiency of our Government. The guilty ones itain passes arCiOuld suffer, aud the riimainder placed upon res- 1 can only be scuvations under tlie eye of the military. In a few reasons the Indiiars the policy ini<^ht be changed. By such a rous opnration.«,cisive, eiiorg;etic, and firm course, the aifficulty forces can opeiay be grappled with, and peace res torn 1. for camps, grass Let not our hearts be discourageu. I have '. The Indians III abiding confidence in the future destiny of ielay, the roots ir Territory. Gloom must give way to sun- e Indians with frrht. he mountain-pn ^ - 1. It is my opin; summer, they n, ve on the Son May or June? 1 • would be ruii sbandman woul(i rumors of war, its; fields would ould starve out, vigorous operati h sides of the C it is practicabl" lunteers should States service, t home that we he regular serv of faith. Tro banded, in viola; nd it is now pn rritory should c own troops — co lerc such coop' reforc do not tli erritory should ites service. I ty of raising tli nd it is due to the reasons for President and is war should li^ ot to make treat ^ assembly, I li * . ant feeling thni king these treat ing to civilize ; idian happier; : Id characterize should be no \\i 3,aswellasindi it — a man who ;ain be trusted, i served. I am )ppose any tren irill protest nga: , them — nothing their perfidy — il Let us never lose sight of the resources, capa- cities, and natural advantages of the Territory of Washington. We have an interior soon to be filled up with settlements. Gold, in considerable quantities, has been discovered in the northern part of that interior. There are fine grazing tracts and rich agricultural valleys; and that in- terior will fill tin when these Indian difficulties are at an end. Then, too, will the Sound resume its prosperity. Gather heart, then, fellow-citi- zens; do not now talk of leavint us in our hour of adversity; but stay till the shade of gloom is lifted, and await that destiny to be fulfilled. Let us all put hands together and rescue the Territory from its present difficulties, so that we all may feel that we had done our whole duty in the present exigency.