BANCROFT 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
C O R RES PONDENCE 
 
 RELATING TO THE 
 
 MASSACRE OF IMMIGRANTS 
 
 BY THE 
 
 SNAKE INDIANS, 
 
 IN AUGUST, 1854. 
 
 SALEM, OREGON : 
 
 ASAHEL BUSH, TERRITORIAL PRINTER. 
 1854, 
 
CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 Relating to the. massacre of Immigrants by the Snake River 
 Indians , in August 9 1854. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 Salem, Dec. 11, 1854. > 
 
 To the House, of Representatives of the Territory of Oregon : 
 
 In accordance with your resolution of the 7th instant, requesting 
 to be furnished with all the correspondence and information in my 
 possession, in relation to the massacre of a portion of the last immi 
 gration, by the Snake Indians, on the 20th of August last, I have 
 the honor to transmit the accompanying documents. 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, ^ 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 
 Salem, Sept. 18, 1854. ) 
 GEN. JOSEPH LANE, 
 
 Delegate to Congress fr 0711 Oregon : 
 
 DEAR SIR,: I enclose, herewith, a " slip" containing an authen 
 tic account of the massacre of a portion of the immigration to this 
 country, in the vicinity of Fort Boise, by a band of Snake Indians. 
 The writer, Mr. Orlando Humasori, whom you well know, is a gen 
 tleman of the highest integrity, and his statement may be relied upon 
 implicitly. 
 
The news of this distressing occurrence, has occasioned deep feel 
 ing in the hearts of the community. A U. S. force, under the com 
 mand of Major Haller, of the 4th infantry, and one company of 
 volunteers, commanded by Nathan Olney, Esq., are now in pursuit 
 of the murderers, having engaged in the expedition, upon the recep 
 tion of the news at the u Dalles," with a promptitude the most grat 
 ifying and commendable. It is very much to be hoped that it may 
 be in the power of the authorities to inflict upon the perpetrators of 
 this great outrage, the punishment they so richly merit. 
 
 You will do me a personal favor, and your constituents a great 
 service, by calling the attention of the Department of War, to the 
 fact of the necessity of the establishment of a garrison, or military 
 post, at or near " Fort Boise" Were it only kept up during the 
 summer and fall months, while the immigrants are on the road, it 
 would be of incalculable benefit in keeping in check the propensities 
 of the Indians to robbery and violence. 
 
 Indeed, I, conceive it to be a matter of the chiefest importance that 
 our government should give more attention to this matter of protec 
 tion and defence, of the annual emigration towards the Pacific. If 
 it be not practicable to afford protection over the entire route, let 
 sufficient forces from the posts at the extremes of the territory, be 
 directed to make summer and fall excursions into the heart of the 
 Indian country, and in the vicinity of the immigrant routes. Are 
 there not/posts within the settlements, in this and Washington Ter 
 ritories, the location of which might be changed, with advantage, to 
 the frontier !? 
 
 My dear sir, with every confidence in your spirit and energy, I 
 leave this matter in your hands ; press it with all earnestness and 
 force upon the department, and if need be, upon Congress,. The 
 Jives of our people must not be sacrificed, when it is in the power of 
 .the government .to avert i.t. 
 
 Yours, always sincerely,, 
 
 [ GEO. L. CUERY, 
 Jlcting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 By the Acting Governor of Oregon, 
 A PROCLAMATION : 
 
 Whereas, the Snake tribe of Indians, or a portion of them, have 
 committed a most unprecedented outrage upon a party of the immi 
 gration, in the vicinity of Fort Boise unarmed men have been shot 
 down ; defenceless women and harmless children, after enduring cap 
 tivity, have been most barbarously and inhumanly tortured to death ; 
 
and in order to aid in protecting future immigration, and to secure 
 the peace of the frontier settlements, it is deemed advisable to chas 
 tise the perpetrators of this high-handed offence, by a puni.shment 
 commensurate with the magnitude of their crime ; and whereas, in 
 this view, the force already in the field is judged to be inadequate for 
 complete success, 
 
 I have therefore issued this, my proclamation, calling for the en 
 rollment, for six months, unless sooner discharged, of two companies 
 of volunteers, of sixty men each, to be mounted, every volunteer.- to- 
 furnish his own arms and amunition, horse and equipments ; the conir- 
 panies to elect their own officers, and report to Brigadier General 
 Nesmith, on or before the 25th instant ; one company to rendezvous, 
 at Salem, and the other at Oregon Gity. 
 
 Given under my hand, at Salem, this 18th day of Sept., 1854. 
 
 GEO. L/ CURRY, 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 
 Salem, Sept. l$th, 1854. ) 
 JUDGE OLNEY 
 
 My Dear Sir : Upon the receipt of the information . which you 
 were so kind as to forward to me, and which is the first and all that 
 has come to me officially, I came to the conclusion to call out a force, 
 and have issued a proclamation to that end, calling for two compa 
 nies, of sixty men each, one of which to rendezvous at Oregon City, 
 and the other at Salem to elect their own officers. I shall place 
 the whole force under the command of Gen. Nesmith, and give it all 
 possible dispatch. I am astonished to find myself so deceived in re 
 lation to the force already in the field. Capt. Brent certainly gave 
 me to understand that there were sixty U. S. troops in motion for 
 the scene of difficulties, and that your brother's company would 
 probably be augmented to the same number, or thereabout, before 
 reaching the point for action. If I have seemed to hesitate about 
 acting in this matter, it is alone because I have had nothing, until 
 now, that would seem to justify my doing so. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
TERRITORY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 
 Salem, Sept. 19M, 1854. ) 
 
 M. M. McCARVER, Confry Gen 7 1., #c., c.-- 
 
 Dear $iV ." By my hasty note of this morning, you are already 
 apprised that a piv j for two companies of 
 
 mounted volui chastisement of the In 
 
 dians who perpoti /ut mas.: rt Boise." 
 
 Each company will be enrolled for six mouths, mile- dis 
 
 charged, and will consist of sixty men, rank -iud file, to take the 
 field with the utmost dispatch. Gen. Nesmith will have command 
 of the entire volunteer force, and will be directed to draw upon you 
 for the necessary subsistence. 
 
 You will accordingly be pleased to take such steps as will insure 
 against any failure of the necessary supplies that will be required to 
 keep the command in active operations. 
 
 In your transactions in behalf of government, you will rigidly 
 study economy, making your contracts on fair and equitable terms 
 only. Inculcate the same upon the minds of all who may be enga 
 ged in your department, in order that Congress and the general gov 
 ernment may approve our acts, to whom we have to look, for the 
 means to defray the necessary and proper expenses of our under 
 taking. 
 
 Very respectfully, vour obd't serv't, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 
 Salem, Sept. 20th, 1854. ) 
 GEN. JOSEPH LANE, 
 
 Delegate, in Congress for Oregon : 
 
 DEAR SIR: Since my letter to you of the morning of the 18th 
 inst., I have received information of an official character, that the 
 force already in the field is quite inadequate for the apprehension 
 or punishment of the perpetrators of the unprecedented outrage ii 
 the vicinity of Fort Boise. I have therefore issued a proclamatio 
 calling for an additional force of two companies of mounted volun 
 teers. I hope to have this reinforcement in motion for the theater of 
 action by the 25th inst. 
 
Other acts of violence have been committed by the Indians on the 
 other trails into this Territory. A company of volunteers by order 
 of Gov. Davis, made an excursion on the south route, to meet the 
 immigration and protect it from apprehended danger. A small de 
 tachment of this command was attacked by a large body of Indians 
 (in ambush on both sides of the road) near the sink of Lost river. 
 On the middle or new route, coming in, as you remember, from Mal- 
 heur into Lane county, a Mr. Turner's party was attacked, and one 
 man was killed young Stewart, of Corvallis. I cannot but deplore 
 the necessity that demands the enforcement of measures involving 
 such an expenditure of money. But I beg to assure you that the 
 greatest care will be exercised, and the most rigid economy prac 
 tised, in the contracting of liabilities. So long as the people of 
 Oregon are left to protect themselves to punish Indian depreda 
 tions and repel Indian hostilities the expenses incident thereto- 
 ought cheerfully to be paid by Congress, as I have no doubt but that 
 they will be. 
 
 In haste, yours, always sincerely, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 [Extract from the Journal of " Executive proceedings of the 
 Territory of Oregon."} 
 
 SEPTEMBER 20th, 1854. 
 
 John McCraken appointed and commissioned Assistant Quarter 
 Master General. 
 
 Geo. K. Shiel, appointed and commissioned Adjutant, and Victor 
 Trevitt appointed and commissioned Quarter Master and Commissary 
 of the forces called into service by proclamation, against the Snak 
 Indians. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 Salem, Sept. 2Qth, 1854 
 
 .1 
 
 M. M. McCARVER, Com'ry Gen'l., #c., fyc. 
 
 Dear Sir : You will lose no time in sending an express to Van 
 couver, and the Dalles, to ascertain what amount of arms, ammuni 
 tion, camp equipage, provisions and other supplies could be obtained 
 at these posts, together with what facilities they will afford for trans- 
 
poi-tation. The substance of your information you will please trans 
 mit to me without delay. Perhaps at Vancouver a knowledge might 
 be obtained of what the Dalles could furnish. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 Salem, Sept. 20*A, 1854. ) 
 
 COL. JOHN McCRAKEN, Jlsst. Quartermaster Gen? I., fyc. 
 
 Dear Sir : In order to facilitate the operations of this office, in 
 the matter of sending a volunteer force to act against the Indians, 
 who perpetrated the recent massacre near u Fort Boise," you will 
 proceed with all dispatch to " Fort Vancouver," with a view to as 
 certain what assistance can be obtained at that post, or Fort Dalles, 
 in the way of munitions of war, camp equipage, and other supplies 
 pertaining to your department ; also, what facilities, if any, could be 
 afforded for transportation. 
 
 You will exhibit this letter to Col. Bonneville, in command at 
 Vancouver, and, if necessary, to the heads of the respective depart 
 ments there, as best to obtain the information you desire, and more 
 particularly the chances of a compliance on their part, to a requisi 
 tion from this office, for supplies, and aid of the character above in 
 dicated. Very respectfully, yours, &c., 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 MOLALLA GARDEN, 
 
 2rf, 1854, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, Governor of Oregon Territory 
 
 Dear Sir : I send you by the bearer the two communications I 
 have this moment received by express sent by me to Fort Vancouver, 
 in answer to my letters of enquiry as to what assistance could bo 
 relied upon by the Quarter Master and Commissary's department of 
 that place, in aid of the forces now raising in the Willamet valley, 
 tinder the Governor's proclamation. You will preceive from their 
 
9 
 
 tenor that nothing can be relied on in that quarter, unless the com- 
 maiidiug officer at the Dalles should see fit, or take the responsibility 
 to render the assistance called for. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, vour oLd't serv't, 
 
 M. M. McCARVER, 
 Cotn 3 ry 9 Gen. Oregon Territory. 
 
 FORT VANCOUVER, W. T., 
 
 Sept. Zlst, 1854. 
 
 GEM. McCARVER, Com'y Gen. of Oregon Territory 
 
 Sir:- Your two notes of the 19th of Sept. have been received. 
 
 In answer, I have the honor to state that all the available means 
 of transportation of my department are now in use for the volunteer 
 and regular force that is now in the field, or will be shortly required 
 therefor. 
 
 t would state in addition, for your information, that a report of 
 the difficulties above has been made to the Commanding General of 
 this Department, and his orders on this subject are hourly expected. 
 
 In the mean time, everything has been done by the commanding 
 officer at the Dalles that he deemed necessary and proper under the 
 circumstances, and I will also say that everything has been done by 
 the different departments for supplying the troops that the means a*t 
 their command allow. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, vour most obd't serv't, 
 
 THOS. L. BRENT, 
 Capt. and Jlss't. Qr. Master. 
 
 FORT VANCOUVER, W. T., ) 
 Sept. 21st, 1854. $ 
 
 To M. M. MCCARVER, Com'ry GenH., of 0. T., Oregon City : 
 
 Sir : In reply to your letter of the 19th instant, just received, 
 I have the honor to state, that Lt. Col. Bonneville, the commanding 
 officer of this post, declines issuing any order for furnishing supplies 
 *(> the companies mentioned in your communication. He directs mo 
 to say, that he has official informat ion from the commanding officer 
 at the Dalles, that no more troops are required at present. If, how 
 ever, the Governor of Oregon finds it necessary to raise two or more 
 9 
 
10 
 
 companies, and wishes them furnished with provisions, there is an 
 abundance of supplies at Fort Dalles, which the commanding officer 
 there is competent to issue, when the emergency demands. 
 I am. sir, very respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 JNO. WITHERS, 
 2d Lieut. 4th Inft., rfct'g fisst. ConCy Sub. 
 
 ASST. QUARTER MASTER'S OFFICE, 
 
 Salem^ Oregon, Sept. 22d, 1854. 
 
 His Excdlency^ GEO. L. GURRY : 
 
 Dear Sir : In obedience to your instructions, dated Sept. 20th, 
 to proceed to Fort Vancouver, and endeavor to obtain munitions of 
 war, &c., &c., &c., I have the honor to report that in an interview 
 with Lieut. Col. Bonneville, commander of the post, I was informed 
 that he deemed it necessary to decline co-operating with you in this 
 matter, for the following reasons, viz : 
 
 That a detachment of seventy men of his command, had been sent 
 to Fort Dalles, which was deemed by the commander of that post, a 
 sufficient additional force, in the present emergency. 
 
 That the depredations had been committed far from the settle 
 ments, and the immigration of the present year had already passed 
 that point ; there was no probability of a repetition of them ; which 
 obviated the necessity of a force being placed immediately in the 
 field. 
 
 That he was of the opinion that winter operations in that region T 
 were impracticable that the government troops would be in the field 
 early in the Spring, and use every means possible, to secure and 
 punish the offenders. 
 
 That Gen. Wool, commander of the Pacific Division, was hourly 
 expected ; the whole matter would be laid before him on his arrival^ 
 and your Excellency immediately advised of his action thereon. 
 
 That upon the eve of the arrival of his superior officer, he should 
 not feel justified in furnishing the supplies asked for, especially as 
 he doubted the necessity of the movement, in the present state of 
 affairs ; that if greater force was deemed necessary, he had no doubt 
 Gen. Wool would order two companies of dragoons from Fort Lane,, 
 upon this service. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted, by 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN McCRAKEN, 
 *j1ssi. Quarter Master General** 
 
> 
 
 54. ) 
 
 11 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 Salem, Sept. 22d, 1854 
 
 J. W. NE SMITH, Brigadier General, 
 E. M. BARNUM, Adjutant General, 
 JOHN MCCRACKEN, *tfss'/ Quarter Master General, 
 
 Gentlemen : Before putting in motion any portion of the expedition 
 which I desire to have undertaken towards a chastisement of the In 
 dians who perpetrated the massacre near Fort Boise, I feel it my 
 duty to propound to you the subjoined questions ; to which you will 
 have the kindness to return promptly, a written answer. 
 Is a winter campaign practicable against these Indians ? 
 Would there be time to strike an effective blow before winter 1 
 In view of the U. S. Military department declining to furnish 
 subsistence, munitions of war, &c.,. towards fitting out the expedi 
 tion, is it probable that the people at large could supply these wants 
 in time to get them into the interior before winter 1 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Jlcting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 SALEM, 0. T., SEPT. 22d, 1854. 
 To His Excellency GEO. L. CURRY, Jlcting Governor of Oregon : 
 
 SIR : In reply to the interrogations contained in your note of this 
 morning, requesting a written opinion on the subject of the contem 
 plated campaign against the Snake Indians ; I have to state, that 
 however desirable it may be to punish the perpetrators of the recent 
 massacre of our people, I do not consider it practicable to accom 
 plish that object by making a winter campaign, with the limited re 
 sources at the command of the government. My opinion in the matter 
 is based upon my knowledge of the country, occupied by the Snake 
 tribe, and my experience in Indian warfare, together with such relia 
 ble information as I have been able to derive from Messrs. Craigie 
 and Johnson, who have resided at Fort Boise for many years. I 
 understand that these Indians, who have for the last few years mani 
 fested a decidedly hostile attitude towards the emigration, are pre 
 datory tribes, occupying the country from the Grand Ronde to the 
 vicinity of Fort Hall, a distance of some four hundred miles, and 
 that their country extends far to the north and south of the emigrant 
 trail; and that those tribes are divided into small bands scattered 
 
12 
 
 V... 
 
 over different portions of this immense region ; that they nro possess 
 ed of but little stock, or property of any kind, which would embarass 
 their speedy mov&sJents ; their principle reliance for subsistence be 
 ing upon the fish obtained from the Columbia river during the sum 
 mer months, which are dried and " cached " away for winter uses. 
 
 The country inhabited by those tribes being beyond the Blue 
 mountains, and being a sterile, arid region, affords nothing upon 
 which a command could subsist during the whiter months, besides the 
 the elevation is so great that snow falls to sufficient depth, during 
 ordinary winters, to render it impossible to operate against those 
 tribes with any prospect of success, when we take into consideration 
 in connection with those disadvantages the great rigor of the climate, 
 tfie cold being sufficiently intense as frequently to form ice from three 
 to four feet thick, we must readily come to the conclusion, as to what 
 the effect would be upon a body of hastily raised and illy equipped 
 volunteers, destitute as they must be of all the supplies and appli 
 ances, which tend and are necessary to render an army effective in the 
 field. In addition to the other serious obstacles calculated to em 
 barass a winter campaign beyond the Blue mountains, the impor 
 tant fact should not be overlooked, that before a force can reach the 
 .enemy's -country they will be compelled to perform a march of six 
 hundred miles over an uninhabited desert country, generally destitute 
 of grass at this season of the year, rendering it certain that, when 
 arrived at the point of destined operations, what animals should then 
 be alive would be entirely insufficient for the arduous and continued 
 exertions necessary to overtake and punish a scattered and flying 
 enemy. I apprehend that an expedition against those Indians would 
 be like previous expeditions against the Indians of this country, in 
 which it has been demonstrated that the difficulty consists more in 
 finding than in the killing. 
 
 I am aware that many persons honestly entertain the opinion that 
 the winter is the most suitable time to undertake campaigns against 
 the Indians but with all deference to such, I am compelled to say 
 that my own observations have led me to a different conclusion. It 
 is a fact, in no wise disparaging to white men, that the habits of the 
 Indians .are such, as to enable them to subsist on less food, carry on 
 war with less means, and in a mountain country, keep entirely be 
 yond the reach of the white- man. 
 
 From what information I have been able to obtain, and consider 
 ing all the disadvantages under which we must labor, I believe the 
 season is too far advanced to organize a force, and reach the enemy's 
 country, in time to render any important service before winter sets 
 in. The contemplated movements partake of the character of an 
 offensive war, in which case it is desirable to ascertain that our re 
 sources are equal to the emergency, and to devise means to do as 
 much harm, as practicable, to the enemy, with as little as possible 
 to ourselves. I admit, that a defensive war admits of no such pru 
 dential considerations. 
 
 fn addition to the obstacles which are naturally opposed to tha 
 
13 
 
 contemplated movement, it would be well to consider the necessity 
 of the case that the Indians have committed the revolting outrages 
 charged, no one denies, and that there being no settlements, or emi 
 grants within their reach, it would appear that their power to do 
 further mischief, is, for the present, destroyed. 
 
 The officers of the army, I understand, have forwarded what 're 
 lief they deem necessary, for the present emergency, and decline 
 making a requisition for a greater force, or contributing to the sup 
 port of those who may be called out. They being on the spot, and 
 having facilities for knowing all the facts, entitles their judgment to 
 respect. 
 
 Those Indians being unable to permanently abandon their country, 
 or to subsist without the benefit of their fisheries, it appears to me 
 that the whole question of their chastisement resolves itself into the 
 question as to the proper time to undertake it with a probability of 
 succes^. My opinion is, that a campaign commenced early in the 
 spring, and continued through the summer, would, in addition to 
 protecting the immigration, accomplish more, with less suffering and 
 expense, and probability of defeat, than could possibly result from 
 a winter campaign. Without going into details, I am free to express 
 it as my opinion, that with the p'eserit resources of the territory, 
 and in the absence of any ready money, it would be impossible to 
 concentrate a sufficient quantity cf supplies at any point east of the 
 Blue Mountains, on which to subsist an efficient command during the 
 winter. For these reasons, and others which I have not time, at 
 present to urge, 1 should .most urhesitatingly advise against the or 
 dering forward a volunteer force, under existing circumstances. 
 . Doubtless when the whole question, and the reasons which have 
 induced you to countermand your proclamation, is properly under 
 stood by the gallant men who have come forward, and offered their 
 personal service with such alacrity, they will be satisfied with your 
 decision, and others will have littb reason to complain. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 J. W. NESMITH, 
 Brigadier General of Militia. 
 
 To His Excellency, GEO. L. CURRY, Jlcting Governor of Oregon : 
 
 Sir : I concur in the above opinions, as gjp en J Brig. General 
 Nesmith, to the first and second interrogatories of your communica 
 tion. Very respectfullv, yours, 
 
 . E. M. BARNUM. 
 
 SALEM, Sept. 23d, 1854. 
 
1,4 
 
 By the Acting Governor of Oregon^ 
 A PROCLAMATION : 
 
 Whereas, a proclamation was made on the 18th instant, authori 
 zing the enrollment of two companies of volunteers, for the purpose 
 of the chastisement of the Indians who perpetrated the recent mel 
 ancholy outrage near 'Fort Boise and the U. S. military authori 
 ties having put a force in the field, which they deem sufficient, and 
 having declined to co-operate with the expedition, even by furnishing 
 it with the necessary munitions of war for its equipment, and be 
 lieving that these essentials cannot be procured, nor subsistence and 
 other supplies furnished from 1|ie settlements at large, in time to 
 enable the expedition to strike ai\ effective ; blow before winter will 
 have set in, or to get a sufficient quantity of them transported to so 
 remote a point in the interior, as the scene of the disaster, to make 
 them available for a winter campaign ; 
 
 This proclamation is therefore issued, while acknowledging the 
 gallantry of those who responded so promptly to the call, that the 
 said enrollment may be countermanded, with the hope that unless 
 the massacre shall have been avenged by the forces already out, the 
 Assembly, at the ensuing session, vill take measures to warrant the 
 undertaking so soon as winter shal, have passed. 
 
 Given under my hand, at Salem, this 22d day of September, 1854. 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, . 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 TERRITDRY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 Salem, Sept. 22, 1854. ) 
 
 M. M. CARVER, Commissary General, fyc. : 
 
 Dear Sir :--! have received to-day information of an official char 
 acter in substance of a^Jeclmation on the part of the military repre 
 sentatives of the U. S.;; at Vancouver, to co-operate with, or aid me 
 in any manner in fitting out an expedition to punish the prcpetrators 
 of the recent massacre near Fort Boise. 
 
 Beside this I learn that there is a much larger force already order 
 ed out by Col. Bonneville than I had supposed ; sufficient, at least, 
 to strike a decisive blow. Without this co-operation I find it next 
 to impossible to get the expedition in the field in a condition, and sit 
 jiation to be sufficient in a winter campaign. 
 
 You will therefore immediately upon the receipt of this counter- 
 
15 
 
 mand so far as may be in jour power, the previous action of your- 
 Department. My only instruction to you under the circumstances 
 is to do the best for the Territory that you can in the rescinding of 
 contracts, &e. 
 
 Very respectfully your ob't serv't, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 Salem, Sept. 22, 1854. ) 
 
 COL. W. A. CASON, Oregon City : 
 
 Dear Sir : Upon the receipt of this, you will take steps to stay 
 any further enrollment of volunteers for the expedition to 'the Snake 
 country. I find so many obstacles in the way of the successful ac 
 complishment of the object of the undertaking, that necessity, not 
 choice, obliges me to give it up for the present. A refusal on the 
 part of the military, at Vancouver, to co-operate Avith me in any 
 way, towards putting the expedition in the field in an effectual man 
 ner, is a most important obstacle, as the munitions of war cannot 
 be obtained in our midst, until it would be too late to strike an effec 
 tive blow before the setting in of winter. I could not think of put 
 ting a force in the interior, to remain during the winter,. without 
 being, in all respects, in a condition and situation proper under the 
 circumstances. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY. 
 Meting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 COMMISSARY'S OFFICE, > 
 
 OREGON "CiTY, O. T., 
 
 Sept. 24^, 1854. ) 
 
 Dear Sir: I received your communication of the 22d instant, 
 informing me that in consequence of the refusal of the United States 
 military officers, at Vancouver, to co-operate with you in chastising 
 the Indians engaged in the recent massacre near Fort Boise, and for 
 other reasons, you have deemed it best to countermand your procla 
 mation of the 18th instant, calling out the Oregon militia, &c., c. f 
 
10 
 
 and instructing me, as far as it was compatible with the interests of 
 Oregon, and those concerned, to countermand the previous contracts 
 made -by the Commissary Department of Oregon Territory, &c. 
 
 Fortunately for the interests of the territory, after the reception 
 of the two communications by me, (arid which I immediately for 
 warded for your inspection on the 22d instant), one from the acti.ig 
 commissary, and the other from the acting quartermaster at Fore 
 Vancouver, declining to furnish assistance, and the dash of cold 
 water thrown upon your very laudable undertaking, through them y 
 by the commanding officer at that place, I had anticipated a reaction 
 on your part, and so arranged tiie conditions of most of my contracts 
 as to put it in my power to complete or annul them on the first of the 
 ensuing week, so as to be in time to meet the immediate demands on, 
 this department, should that not occur. I had, however, ascertained 
 that sufficient supplies for the subsistence of the two companies 
 called into service by you, could have been furnished in time, and 
 tolerably fair terms, by active operations through the commissary 
 department of Oregon Territory. I had, however, purchased with 
 out condition, one hundred head of sheep, of Dr. Toimie, at six dol 
 lars per head. This contract he declines to rescind, without paying 
 him one hundred dollars damage. This I declined, believing that 
 they could be sold to the butcher here, for nearly the 'amount paid, 
 as they are all fat wethers. One of them I have already slaughtered 
 for the use of this department. I had also purchased, on the same 
 conditions, one horse, bridle and saddle, for ninety-five dollars, and 
 thirty bushel of oats, delivered at one dollar per bushel ; hired four 
 men "to make contracts for supplies, and the same number of horses ; 
 one of the men is yet absent on that business, though I have taken 
 measures to have him re-called. This, with contingent expenses in 
 curred by me, is all that has not been rescinded, unless Mr. Sifers, 
 now out, has made contracts that will require my assistance in coun 
 termanding. 
 
 I will at a proper time make out and forward you a detailed ac 
 count of all the liabilities of the Territor}" by this Department. With 
 regard to countermanding the call for additional forces from the citi 
 zens of Oregon Territory, I will not express an opinion, as the respon 
 sibility docs not rest upon me. But I cannot divest myself of the 
 general opinion that prevails in this community, of the entire incorn- 
 petency of the fragments of companies of United States Infantry now 
 stationed on the Pacific coast, and particularly in Oregon Territory, 
 to do justice to the injuries and insults now offered to humanity in gen 
 eral, and to this community in particular. These inhuman butch 
 eries were made upon our citizens, and in our Territory, upon persons 
 who have chosen their homes amongst us, and the protection of our 
 municipal regulations, as well as that of the Federal Government. 
 We have a right to claim protection from the General Govern 
 ment ; but the laws of God as well^s those of nature, forbids that 
 we should stand idly gazing upon such scenes of horror with our hands 
 in fetters with a consciousness at the same time of the utter incapaci- 
 
ty or inability of those in the field to bring it to a spe^d? and satis 
 factory termination. There is a fearful responsibility in the defeat 
 of this expedition, that rests somewhere, my earnest desire is that it 
 may not fall upon the head of one who has given so many proofs of 
 his dcvotedness to the interests of this community. 
 
 I am very respectfully vour ob't -sorv't, 
 
 Ml M. McCARVER, 
 Commissary Gejil Oregon Militia' 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Aci.ng Governor of Oregon. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 
 Salem, Sept. 25th, 1854. ) 
 
 THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES : 
 
 Sir:- -I have the honor to state, that on the 20th ultimo, in the 
 vicinity of Fort Boise, a post of the Hudson's Bay Company, situ 
 ate some six hundred and fifty miles from this place, and four hundred 
 and fifty from the Dalles of the Columbia river, a party of the im 
 migration, numbering between twenty and thirty souls, were mas sa 
 cred by the We-net Indians, one of the numerous bands of the Sho- 
 shpnes or Snake tribe. The women, after suffering the most revolting 
 treatment, were killed by torture, and the little children of the party 
 burned to death. The first version received of this melancholy news, 
 was, in substance, that the men of the company had been shot down, 
 while engaged in driving their teams, unarmed and unsuspicious of 
 danger. 
 
 The receipt of such news at Fort Dalles, caused the officer in 
 charge of that post to despatch a small force of regular troops, with 
 a company of immigrants and citizens of that vicinity ? commanded 
 by Nathan Olney, Esq., consisting of thirty-seven men, who volun 
 teered for the service, in pursuit of the Indians. Almost simulta 
 neous, I received the intelligence of the massacre of the women and 
 childen, and information from Mr. Olney ? desiring assistance, I there 
 fore issued a proclamation on the 18th instant, calling for the en 
 rollment of two companies of volunteers. 
 
 Public feeling had been so intensely excited by this most unprece 
 dented outrage, that. I should have been deemed indifierent to the 
 interests of the territory, and the discharge of my duty, had I taken 
 no official action towards the apprehension, or punishment, of the 
 perpetrators of the outrage, and I should have felt myself derelict 
 to the responsibilities resting upon me. 
 
 Understanding that there was an abundance of subsistence, mu- 
 
18 
 
 iritions of war, camp equipage, and all the requisites for the outfit 
 of such an expedition at Fort Dalles, it was my hope that through 
 these means, I would be enabled to facilitate the undertaking^ so that 
 the force could have gone forward with all possible despatch, and 
 accomplished effective service before the setting in of winter. 
 
 I regret to state, however, that the chief in command, at Vancou 
 ver, declined the co-operation I had so certainly expected, even to 
 the supplying the munitions of war essential to the equipment of the 
 expedition alledging, among other reasons, that it was not an emer 
 gency that warranted such an enterprise that the force already out 
 was thought to be quite adequate for the occasion, &c., &c. 
 
 No doubt the supplies necessary subsistence, ammunition, means- 
 of transportation, &c., could have been obtained, in time, from the 
 settlements at large, though not soon enough, I was apprehensive, to* 
 get the expedition, in an efficient condition, across the Blue Moun 
 tains before the period would have elapsed beyond which, travel over 
 these mountains would be extremely hazardous, if not utterly im 
 practicable. Under these circumstances, I was constrained to aban 
 don the undertaking, and the enrollment, which had been responded 
 to in the most gallant manner, was countermanded on the 23d inst., 
 by proclamation. 
 
 I feel it my duty to observe that Indian depredation upon life and 
 property, has also been committed, the present season, upon the 1 
 other two immigrant trails conducting into this valley, and respect 
 fully to submit whether the melancholly occurrences, that have be 
 fallen the immigration of the present year, do not demonstrate the* 
 absolute necessity of the establishment of a military post at some 
 point near Fort Boise, were it only to be kept up during the clement 
 seasons of the year. If this is judged to be unadvisable, it would 
 be well to have detachments from the posts at the northern and 
 southern extremes of the territory, make excursion into the interior^ 
 along the immigrant road, as far as Fort Hall, at least, while the 
 immigrants are en route, which would have a most salutary eifect 
 upon the Indians, and a very great tendency to check their disposi 
 tion to acts of violence and depredation. 
 
 It is very sincerely to be regretted, that the troops at Forts Van 
 couver and Dalles, instead of the inactive life they have been accus 
 tomed to, had not made such excursions the present year, which it 
 is quite probable would have saved us from the appalling calamity 
 which has so shocked our whole community. 
 
 I beg to remark, that the people of this territory do not appear to 
 be satisfied that the military force now in the field, is by any means 
 adequate to the emergency, nor calculated to inflict a punishment 
 upon our Indian enemies, commensurate with the magnitude of theif 
 crime. Its character, at least y does not suggest such a gratifying 
 belief. With the exception of the few volunteers with it, the 1 de 
 tachment is composed of men unacquainted with equestrian exercises, 
 altogether unsuited to the service in which they are engaged, as are 
 the entire forces of Forts Vancouver and Dalles, unadaptcd to effi- 
 
19 
 
 cient operations against Indians consisting, as they do, of artillery 
 and infantry detachments troops of a character more proper to 
 protect a commercial sea-board, than an extensive Indian frontier. 
 
 If furnished with the requisite munitions of war, the people of 
 Oregon are competent to protect themselves from Indian aggression, 
 nor do they wish the general government to maintain military posts 
 within their settlements, rather than on the frontier, or in the inte 
 rior of the Indian country, where such establishments are eminently 
 needed, and where incalculable benefit would be sure to result from 
 the moral effect alone of their existence. 
 
 I have the honor to enclose herewith, copies of the proclamations 
 alluded to, and such correspondence as properly pertain to this com 
 munication. 
 
 I am, respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Jicting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 
 Salem, Sept. 25* A, 1854. ) 
 
 M. M. MCCARVER, Com'ry Gen'L, #c., #c. 
 
 Dear Sir: I take this opportunity to tender you my thanks, for 
 the very prompt assistance you have rendered me, in the discharge 
 of your official duties. You will permit me to say that the prompt 
 ness, energy and zeal displayed by you, in our endeavor to get an 
 efficient force in the field, to chastise the perpetrators of the mas 
 sacre near Fort Boise, redound highly to your credit, and it affords 
 me pleasure to state, that it was from no want of action and ardent 
 co-operation on your part, at least, that the said expedition failed to 
 be organized. 
 
 In due course of time, you will please make a report of your offi 
 cial transactions to this office, to be presented, with other official 
 matter pertaining to the subject, to the Assembly, at its ensuing 
 session, if desired by them. 
 
 I am, respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
FORT VANCOUVER, ) 
 Sept. 24M, 1854. J 
 
 Sir : Participating most deeply in the universal horror, 
 occasioned by the inhuman massacre of our citizens, on Snake river, 
 upon the receipt of your requisition for two companies, by the mail 
 of Friday last, I immediately left home for this post, in order to 
 learn exactly, what had been done, and what was contemplated, for 
 the protection of the immigration still in the mountains, and exposed 
 to the same barbarities. Upon arrival at the post, I learned from 
 the officers that all the force deemed necessary by the officer in com 
 mand at the Dalles, (Major Raines), had been promptly forwarded 
 from this post, with assurance from the veteran Colonel in command 
 here, (Bonneville), that himself, with all the officers and men, yet 
 remaining at Vancouver, stood ready, upon the first intimation of 
 necessity from Major Raines, to proceed to the exposed region. Col. 
 Bonneville very frankly exhibited to me the correspondence of Com 
 missary General McCarver, and Assistant Quartermaster McCraken, 
 in relation to supplies from this post, addressed to Capt. T. L. 
 Brent, Acting Quartermaster of the post, and responded to by that 
 officer. Col. Bonneville regrets that Capt. Brent did not furnish, 
 with his own reply, a copy of his, Col. Bonneville's, letter to Capt. 
 Brent, setting forth the reasons why supplies called for could not be 
 furnished, a copy of which letter, I have the honor to enclose now, 
 that there maybe no misunderstanding in regard to the matter. 
 This letter will show you that the Colonel has not only acted most 
 promptly, but that he has done all that was asked by the officer in 
 command at the Dalles, who is supposed to be in receipt of the ear 
 liest information, and most reliable, on account of his proximity to, 
 and constant communication with the Snake river country, and has 
 also signified his readiness to furnish, if called for, additional force. 
 Col. BoGneville will, upon the slightest exigency, furnish you with 
 information requiring your co-operation, and, I am sure, desires, as 
 do all the officers at this post, a most cordial co-operation in every 
 necessary measure, as well for the protection of immigrants, as the 
 punishment of offenders. With this object, (a" mutual good under 
 standing), the Colonel forwards this communication by express, and 
 I am sure you will appreciate ?'/, as well as my own humble interpo 
 sition in the matter. 
 
 With assurances of my highest regard, and a tender of my very 
 poor services to you. in any capacity in which you may call me, now 
 or hereafter^ I am, very sincerely, 
 
 Your friend, and obd't serv't, 
 JOHN ADAIR, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, Acting Governor O. T. 
 
[Copt/ of a communication addressed to Capt. T. L. Brent , A* 
 Quar. M. U. S. JL, by Lt. Co!. E. L. E. Bonnevilie, command 
 ing at Fort Vancouver, in relation to additional troops , 4fc.] 
 
 HEAD QUARTERS, FORT VANCOUVER, ) 
 September 2Ltf, 1854. $ 
 
 Captain: Yours, of this morning, is just handed me, together 
 with that of the Commissary General, M. M, McCarver. I do not 
 feel, under the circumstances, authorized to deprive this depot of its 
 resources. The facts of the recent murders, &c., have been re 
 ported to the Major General, commanding the Pacific Department, 
 and his instructions are expectq-d every moment. The commanding 
 officer at Fort Dalles, has been supplied with all the force asked for, 
 with offers for more if needed. He replies that no more is necessary 
 at present. . I suppose he means until the wishes or plans of Gene 
 ral Wool are received, and of course, we are expected to be ready 
 to carry them out, the moment they shall be made known to us, re 
 taining all the public resources for this object. 
 
 I am, Capt., respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 B. L. E. BONNEVILLE, 
 
 Lt. Col. Commanding. 
 
 To CAPT T. L. BRENT, Asst. Quar. M. U. S. A. 
 
 TERRITORY OF OREGON, ) 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 
 
 Sakm, Oct.lOth, 1854. ) 
 
 GEN. JOEL PALMER, Superintendent Indian Affair S, #c., fyc. 
 
 Dear Sir: Reports are in very general circulation, highly pre 
 judicial to the character of the officer in charge of the Hudson's 
 Bay Company's post, Fort Boise reflecting, as they do, in the 
 severest manner upon his conduct, before and since the melancholy 
 massacre of Americans, near that place, on the 20th of August last, 
 by the We-net Indians. 
 
 If you are in possession of any information, or evidence, tending 
 to contradict, or substantiate these reports, will you have the kind 
 ness to apprise me of the same. 
 
 I beg to enquire whether you have received instructions from the 
 general government, in terms forbidding the Hudson's Bay- Company 
 to have trading establishments within the limits of our Territory, 
 and in case of the existence of any such, authorizing you to proceed 
 
against them promptly, in accordance with the requirements of the 
 Intercourse law ? . 
 
 I am, respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 GEO. L. CURRY, 
 Acting Governor of Oregon. 
 
 CORVALLIS, Oct. 22rf, 1854. 
 
 Dear Sir: The enclosed copy of instructions to Nathan Olney, 
 who I have appointed special Indian agent, and assigned him to duty 
 in the south-eastern portion of our territory, will indicate my action, 
 and serve in part reply to your inquiry. I have not received official 
 information, confirmatory, or disproving the rumors in circulation, 
 charging those in. the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, with 
 selling arms and ammunition to Indians. The only evidence I have, 
 was brought down by emigrants, and I believe the substance of it 
 has been published in the " Standard." One young man affiirmed 
 that he heard the person in charge at Fort Boise, assert that he had 
 sold, and would continue to do so, ammunition to them, but I believe 
 this conversation took place before the massacre. The only instruc 
 tions given me, in reference to this company's trading establishments, 
 was in a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, referring 
 me to the instructions given Gov. Stevens, of Washington Territory, 
 which you will find published in the volume of " President's Message, 
 with accompanying documents," of last session of Congress. 
 
 Application was made, during the summer, to give orders to pre 
 vent them from taking goods into the interior. This, I conceived, 
 we had no right to do, as by the treaty of 1846, they were secured 
 the right to transport goods through the territory, and I doubt our 
 right to interrogate them as to the destination of their merchandise, 
 but if sold in the territory, they would be amenable to our laws. 
 
 I have barely time, before the mail closes, to say this much. Mr. 
 E. R. Geary will be at Salem during the week, and will explain 
 further. It was my intention to have come by way of Salem, and 
 had a personal interview, but the rain coming, and my train having 
 started in advance, without being properly guarded against wet 
 weather, induced me to follow the direct route. 
 
 I have the honor to ba, dear sir, your obd't serv't, 
 
 JOEL PALMER, Superintendent. 
 To His Excellency, GEO. L. CURRY, 
 
 Acting Governor O. 7\, Salem. 
 
 P. S. I am now on my way to Rogue River, with a view to ob 
 tain the assent of that tribe, and the Cow Creek band, to the Sen- 
 
atc-s amendment to their treaties, and at the same time, taking out 
 their annuity goods. I expect also to treat with other tribes, in the 
 southern portion of our territory, before returning. 
 
 J. P. 
 
 . OFFICE SUP'T OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, 
 
 Dayton, 0. T. Sept. 28^, 1854. 
 
 Sir: My letter of the 25th instant, informed you of your ap 
 pointment as Special Agent, for the Indian tribes in Oregon. I now 
 transmit you such instructions as I deem important, to direct you 
 in the discharge of the duties of your office ; very much, however, 
 is confided to your discretion, and your knowledge of the country, 
 and the Indians inhabiting that region, will enable you to act effi 
 ciently. 
 
 Heretofore, that part of Oregon lying east of the Cascade moun 
 tains, and south of the 44th parallel of latitude, has not been con 
 nected with any particular district. Our limited knowledge of this 
 extensive tract, and the hostile character of its savage inhabitants, 
 evinced in a long succession of aggressions on the lives and property 
 of our citizens, render it necessary to station an agent among them, 
 and it is therefore assigned you as your district. 
 
 The 44th parallel is supposed to cross Snake River at or below 
 Fort Boise, and traverse the Cascade mountains in the vicinity of the 
 Snow Butes, usually known as the Three Sisters. 
 
 Ag't R. 11. Thompson, in charge of the north-eastern district, 
 will co-operate with you, in existing emergencies, but the duties of 
 his own field, will not permit him to remain long with you. 
 
 The hostile attitude of the Indians on Snake river, will, in all 
 probability, require you, if it be practicable, to remain, during the 
 winter in that vicinity. You will co-operate with the military force 
 now in that country, and render every aid in your power, in virtue 
 of your office, to bring the perpetrators of the late outrages to early 
 and condign punishment. At the same time, you will spare no ef 
 forts to save those Indians, who are known to be well afi'ected to the 
 whites, from being involved in the retribution provoked by the nefa 
 rious deeds of the guilty. 
 
 The impunity with which these savages have, for years, robbed 
 and murdered defenceless immigrants, has, doubtless, impressed 
 them with the opinion, that we are weak, or indifferent to the wrongs 
 inflicted on our citizens, and has rendered them more insolent and au 
 dacious. They will, therefore, need signal and terrible proof of 
 their mistake in this regard, and this should by no means fail to be 
 accomplished. But, at the same time, all unnecessary sacrifice of 
 human life, should be avoided ; and to this end, you will use all pos 
 sible efforts to ascertain and discriminate between hostile and friend-, 
 ly bands. 
 
The punishment inflicted, saould plainly appear to be the dictate 
 of stern justice, rather than of revenge. It should not be forgotten 
 that we are a civilized and Christian people, and they savage and ig 
 norant. Women and children should, if possible, be saved, that 
 they may, at the same time, be impressed with a sense of our pow 
 er, and our humanity. When the innocent and the guilty are pun 
 ished alike, there is no stimulus tQ good conduct, but the reverse. 
 
 The season is too far advanced to forward } r ou any considerable 
 amount, of supplies, or Indian -goods, nor do I suppose many will be 
 needed; as your efforts, during the winter, will be directed to the 
 discovery and arrest of offenders, the establishment of friendly rela 
 tions, and to acquiring such information : ^ the country, and 
 its inhabitants, as will be useful in direc; re operations. 
 
 The soil, climate, face of the c streams, the 
 
 number, location and el :ud tribes, 
 
 their condition, s nee, arid feelings towards the 
 
 whites, will In: -jects of inquiry. 
 
 It is apprehended .that the cupidity of unprincipled white persons 
 lias contributed to produce the present state of affairs, and you will 
 be careful to inquire into the grounds of such suspicions, if there be 
 any. 
 
 Reports have reached me that persons in the sc he Hud 
 
 son's Bay Company, at Fort Boise, have, since the late massacre,, 
 furnished arms and ammunition to the Indians, receiving in return ? 
 money taken by them from our murdered citizens. Should you have 
 good reason to suspect any person, or persons, of such perfidy, you 
 will cause such to be arrested, and sent for trial, and punishment, 
 to the proper authorities. I, (in connection with this subject), sug 
 gest the propriety of. closing the doors of Fort Boise, as a trading 
 post of the II. B. Company. No license has been granted them, 
 nor do I think it proper to grant license to any one in their service, 
 nor to any one connected in the remotest way with them, now, or 
 heretofore. Such an indulgence is in violation of law, and deemed 
 dangerous to the peace and security of our citizens. Weak minded 
 and ignorant persons in that service, may, from a mistaken idea of 
 interest, or from prejudice, influence the Indians against our citizens; 
 evidences are not wanting that such attempts have heretofore been 
 made. 
 
 Wrongs also, in all probability, have been inflicted on the Indians, 
 by some of our own citizens, who, reckless of their own safety, or 
 that of others, commit acts that provoke savage vengeance. When 
 in your power, redress these wrongs, and in return, exact from the 
 Indians, for the injuries they inflict, such reparation as their conduct 
 and circumstances may demand. 
 
 I contemplate entering into treaties, during the ensuing season,, 
 with all the Indians in Oregon, for the purchase of the country, and 
 their colonization in suitable districts, where they may be instructed 
 in the arts and usages of civilization ; and you will accordingly, in 
 your explorations, have an eye to portions suitable for Indian re- 
 
serves, and report fully in regard to them. It may be deemed advi 
 sable to locate them in places remote from the white settlements, and 
 the great thoroughfares of immigration. Due regard, however, in 
 all cases, must be had in selecting reserves, to their convenience and 
 accessibility, in view of transporting their stipulated supplies. 
 
 A recent visit to Klamath Lake, and information derived from In 
 dians in the vicinity of Toqua Lake, and a stream entering it from 
 the east, induce me to consider that region as affording a desirable 
 location for the Indians of this and Urnpqua valley, in addition to 
 the native bands. It may also afford a sufficient extent of agricul 
 tural land, to warrant the gathering in the adjacent bands of the 
 Diggers, living east of the Klamath country. The altitude of this 
 region would suggest that the winters might be severe, and yet the 
 frail dwellings of the natives, indicate a mild climate. 
 
 It is desirable that the greatest number of bands, at all compati 
 ble with their proper government, should be assembled on the same 
 reserve, that a less number of agents, farmers, mechanics, teachers, 
 &c., may be required, and thus the expense economised. 
 
 Before any permanent arrangements are made, it is important to 
 ascertain, accurately, the number of men, women and children, in 
 the respective tribes. This will demand your early care, and you 
 will, from time to time, inform me of your progress, adding such 
 other information as you may judge useful. No enumeration of the 
 tribes east of the country of the Klamaths, has ever been made, and 
 the estimate in my annual report, a copy of which is sent you, may 
 prove very erroneous. 
 
 You will inform me, at the earliest moment, of the state of 
 affairs in your district, and set forth the kind and quantity of sup 
 plies needed, to enable you to a^t efficiently and promptly. 
 
 A blank form of bond, which you will cause to be filled up and 
 signed, is herewith enclosed, and should there be no Territorial offi 
 cer authorized to administer the oath of office, at hand, Agent 
 Thompson will administer it. You will then transmit it to Judge 
 Olney, for his certificate of the sufficiency of the security, with di 
 rections to have it forwarded to this ofiice. 
 
 A copy of the Laws and Regulations of the Indian Bureau will be 
 sent you. JOEL PALMER, 
 
 Superintendent of Indian Affairs.