We certify that we were present and witnessed the delivery of the following described articles to the band of Umpqua Indians residing on the south branch of the Umpqua River by Joseph Knott Esq. for A. A. Skinner Ind. Agent as presents this first day of January 1852.
  31 three point white blankets
    4     "        "      red        do.
151 yds. calico
    I certify that I have this day issued the property above described & to the Indians named.
Jany. 1, 1852.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 5.



    Personally appeared before me, Horatio G. J. Gibson, first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, commanding the post of Fort Orford, Oregon Territory, and acting Indian agent, James S. Gamble, of the town of Port Orford, O.T., who being duly sworn, deposes as follows:
    On Sunday morning last, while in my office, I was alarmed by the report of a gun. Immediately after I saw an Indian run by the window of the office. I then went to the door and inquired what was the cause of the firing. I understood the Indians had been stealing. The first person that I saw was Seth Lount. Some person was standing in the door of the store, who fired in the direction of the woods. I turned and heard an Indian scream, holding up his hands as if he was wounded. In the meantime, there were several shots fired, but by whom I could not tell.
    Cross examined. I did not see Lount fire at the Indian.
    Did you see the Indian fall when he was shot?
    Ans.: I could not see very well, but I think he was on his knees screaming or yelling. I afterwards went up to where the Indian lay and discovered that he was dead. He was shot in the calf of the leg, and the leg was broken, and I think in the mouth from the fact of blood issuing from it.
    I heard Lount say he had fired at him. He said that the Indian had stolen his property. I heard no one else say he had fired at him. I heard that Wallace and Grant also fired at the Indian. They said the Indians had appeared in a hostile attitude, had raised their bows, and one had drawn a knife upon Lount. The Indians came there dressed in their war costume.
    I heard Lount say at the time that it was impossible to tell who shot the Indian, and I heard others make the same remark.
    Sworn to & subscribed before me this twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, Document A of No. 3.



    Personally appeared before me, Horatio G. J. Gibson, first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, United States Army, commanding the post of Fort Orford, Oregon Territory, and acting Indian agent, John Girty, of the town of Port Orford, in said Territory, who being duly sworn, deposes as follows:
    I was not in the store on Sunday last, but in the kitchen when the row occurred. I did not see it. I saw the Indians about the store before the firing commenced and heard the reports of the guns.
    Cross examined. I saw the Indian's body after he was shot. He was wounded in the leg and under the arm. I do not recollect hearing anyone say they fired at the Indian. I saw all the men about the store having guns in their hands. I saw Lount go out with arms in his hands. I saw no one else.
    I saw the Indians on the beach before they came to the house. I counted them at a distance. There were fifteen of them. There were eight men in the store.
    Did the Indians appear in a hostile manner?
    Ans.: I did not see them near enough to tell.
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, Document B of No. 3.



    Personally appeared before me, Horatio G. J. Gibson, first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, United States Army, commanding the post of Fort Orford, Oregon Territory, and acting Indian agent, John Howe, in the town of Port Orford, in said Territory, who being duly sworn, deposes as follows:
    I saw the Indians on Sunday morning last at the corner of the house. One of them had Lount's coat and broadaxe in his hand. Lount went out to get his coat. I saw one of them flourishing his knife about. They all had their bows and arrows strung, and looked as if they meant to fight. They were dodging about the corner from one window to another, as though they intended to shoot someone. The men that were in the store went to get their guns. I did not see anyone fire, though I heard the reports of several guns.
    Cross examined. I did not see the Indian fall when shot. I saw his body after he was shot. He was shot in the leg and under the arm.
    I think he was the Indian who had stolen things from Lount.
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fifty-two.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, Document C of No. 3.



    Personally appeared before me, Horatio G. J. Gibson, first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, United States Army, commanding Fort Orford, Oregon Territory, and acting Indian agent, John W. Miller, of the town of Port Orford, in said Territory, who being duly sworn, deposes as follows:
    I was at the store on Sunday last when the Indians came up. They came to the door at the east end of the building. I saw Lount and Unican go to the door when they came up. I saw Lount coming back with a coat and broadaxe in his hand, and he said the Indians had brought them back. I heard him accuse one of the Indians of stealing them. There was considerable noise outside, but I could not understand what it was about. I saw through the window five or six of the Indians in the act of drawing their bows.
    Cross examined. I heard several guns go off, but I did not see anyone fire. I heard Wallace say he had shot at the Indian. I think I heard Lount say he had shot at the Indian. I saw the Indian's body after he was dead. He was shot in the leg and near the head.
    I recognized the Indians that were there that morning as those who had committed thefts. I recognized the Indian who was shot as one who had been pointed out to me by Summers as having stolen things from him & Lount.
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, Document D of No. 3.



    Personally appeared before me, Horatio G. J. Gibson, first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, United States Army, commanding Fort Orford, Oregon Territory, and acting Indian agent, Ralph E. Summers, of the town of Port Orford, in said Territory, who being duly sworn, deposes as follows:
    I know that the Indian who was killed was the one who robbed our camp some time ago. The articles stolen were eight blankets, three rifles, four coats, and two axes, some ammunition, two drawing knives & some small articles.
    Cross examined: Has the Indian been in here since he stole these things?
    Ans.: Yes, twice.
    Did you not report his being in there to the officers of the post?
    Ans.: I did.
    Did you ask recompense of them for the deeds committed at the camp above?
    Ans.: Yes.
    What answer did you receive?
    Ans.: I was told to take satisfaction out of them if I wanted it myself.
    Can you give the names of the officers?
    I went first to Captain Kane, and he sent me to Lieut. Gibson, who was commander of the post. Capt. Kane & Lieut. Wyman said they had no authority, and Lt. Gibson said he had no authority to interfere and told me to take satisfaction myself. He said that if they stole from him, he should do the same himself.
    In what way did Lieut. Gibson tell you to take satisfaction?
    Ans.: I do not exactly recollect, but he said that if the Indians stole from him, he would flog them.
    Do you not recollect Lieut. Gibson advising you to flog them.
    Ans.: I do not. I told Captain Kane that if they stole from me again, I would shoot them. He said that if I did, it would be all right.
    Do you not recollect Capt. Kane telling you in this room to take Lt. Gibson's advice and flog them.
    Ans.: I recollect Capt. Kane's saying that he supposed that Lt. Gibson had told me what to do, and he thought I had better do as he said, and it would all be right.
    Did you understand Lieut. Gibson to authorize you to take your revenge by shooting or killing an Indian who stole from you?
    Ans.: If I took any revenge it would be to shoot him, but I did not understand Lt. Gibson to say that I might shoot or kill him.
    Do you recollect Lount's making threats against the Indian who stole from him?
    Ans.: I do not. I told him what Lieut. Gibson said, but I do not remember now what he said.
    When you reported to Lieut. Wyman what did he say to you?
    Ans.: He told me Lieut. Gibson was the commander of the post.
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, Document E of No. 3.



    Personally appeared before me, Horatio G. J. Gibson, first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, United States Army, commanding the post of Fort Orford, Oregon Territory, and acting Indian agent, Frederick Unican, of the town of Port Orford, in said Territory, who being duly sworn, deposes as follows:
    The first I saw of the Indians on Sunday morning last, they were coming up the hill with their bows and arrows strung. They came up to the door of the store, and one of them had Lount's coat and broadaxe. Lount went out and got them. The chief had a blue blanket belonging to one of the whites that had been stolen. Lount asked him for the blanket, and he would not give it up. Lount then remarked that the Indian who was afterwards shot was the one who had stolen his things. The Indian then talked to the rest of the Indians, and swung his knife over his own head. The other Indians got their bows and arrows ready, and moved away as if ready for a fight. Then Lount ran in the store & got his rifle. The Indian ran round the house, and Lount followed him through the store. Wallace then jumped out of the front door, and I went to the door and saw the Indians with their bows and arrows strung, and I went out also. I jumped out of the house to keep the Indians from shooting Wallace.
    Cross examined. I saw no one fire at the Indians. I heard several shots fired. I did not hear Lount say he had fired at the Indian. I saw none of the Indians shoot off their arrows. After the firing commenced, the Indians drew their bows and ran off down the hill.
    Was not the greater part of the Indians recognized as thieves?
    Ans.: Yes, all of them. I recognized some of them myself as such.
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, Document F of No. 3.



    Personally appeared before me, Horatio G. J. Gibson, first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, United States Army, commanding the post of Fort Orford, Oregon Territory, and acting Indian agent, William Wallace, of the town of Port Orford, in said Territory, who being duly sworn, deposes as follows:
    The Indians came up to the store in a hostile manner, with their bows all strung, and came to the window & looked in. The Indian was there who stole Lount's things. Lount asked him where his things were. He said something to the other Indians, and they spoke to him, & the Indian then drew his knife on Lount. Lount ran in the door, and the Indian ran to the other door as if to head him off, and the Indians all put their arrows in their bows.
    Cross examined. I saw the body of the Indian after he was shot. He was shot in the leg, and I saw no other wound about his person. I did not hear Lount say he had fired at the Indian. I did not hear anyone else say he had fired at the Indian. I saw no one fire at the Indian. I heard four or five shots fired.
    I recognized an overcoat which the Indian had as belonging to Lount.
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fifty-two.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, Document G of No. 3.



    Personally appeared before me, Horatio G. J. Gibson, first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, United States Army, commanding the post of Fort Orford, Oregon Territory, and acting Indian agent, Frederick Unican, of the town of Port Orford, Oregon Territory, who being duly sworn deposes as follows:
    In November last, I built a house on Elk River about five miles from the settlement of Port Orford. About three weeks ago a party of Indians known as the "Tututni" tribe passed through the town of Port Orford and went up the coast. They were accompanied by a chief known as Chalnee or "Six"--the headman of the tribes between Port Orford & the Coquille River. Immediately after the house was found destroyed, and I was informed by an Indian living on Elk River that it had been done by the chief Chalnee or "Six," and that he had carried away the door & windows. The value of house or property destroyed was three hundred dollars. I could not erect the building again for less than that amount.
    I considered myself lawfully within the Indian country, as I had under the Oregon land bill taken possession of a claim of one hundred & sixty acres with the intention of settling upon it & improving it.
    I have never attempted to obtain private satisfaction or revenge of Indians for the property destroyed.
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fifty-two.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, enclosure to No. 16.



Dear Sir
    Your favor of the 29 of Dec. last was handed to me about ten days since, & the one of the 23 Dec. by Mr. Smith was delivered to me the day before yesterday. Mr. Smith also paid over to me the amount of the order in favor of C. B. Gray, which you paid to him on the 22 Dec. last. I should have been much pleased if you had sent by Mr. Smith the amount of the other accounts which I sent, as I am in great want of the money. I presume Mr. Dean, who has probably seen you before this, has got the money. If he has not, please send it by the first opportunity. Living here is so expensive that I need all the money I can get.
    I shall have another opportunity of sending in a few days, when I will send you in returns of the property distributed by me as presents to the Indians in accordance with the forms which you sent me.
    On my arrival here I found it necessary in consequence of the rain, which had commenced previous to my arrival, to put up a shanty as soon as possible, and we have been so busy that I have not yet got into my new house which I have been building. This house, however, is nothing but a log cabin 36 by 18 feet but will be quite comfortable in comparison with the one I am now living in. From what I have seen of the land in this valley I think the soil equal if not superior to any in the Willamette, and the climate thus far has been the most pleasant & delightful of any country in which I have ever lived. I am preparing to go into the wappato [an edible root--also used to mean "potato"] business quite extensively next summer, and if the Indians remain quiet, and I do not now see any reason to apprehend the reverse, I think I can make the profits of my farming at least equal to my salary.
    Since my last communication the Indians have appeared entirely friendly & visit me more frequently that I should desire unless Uncle Sam pays me for feeding them.
    Give my respects to all inquiring friends and believe me ever
N. DuBois Esq.
    Milwaukie
        O.T.
P.S. You must excuse my chirography, as my finger has not got entirely well. and it is with considerable pain that I can hold the pen.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 15.



To the Hon. L. Lea
    Commissioner of Ind. Affrs.
        Washington
            Dear Sir
                Excuse me for calling your attention to a small matter pending between myself & the Superintendent of Ind. Affrs. for this Tert., Dr. Dart. The Dr. withholds from me the quarter's salary ending 30th June last on the ground that I was absent from my agency.
    It is true I was absent from my field during that quarter, but sickness was the cause.
    Soon after I was appointed to the agency it became manifest that Mrs. Spalding could not survive long, the result of her fatigue & sufferings in escaping from the Indian country at the time of the memorable massacre at Waiilatpu; consequently I repaired to my field without my family. A few weeks before my wife died I returned home & remained with her till she left us for her rest & reward in Heaven.
    Immediately after her death & as I was about to return to my field, I myself was taken sick & continued so during the quarter above named.
    As soon as I could ride, which was about the first of July, I repaired to Rogue River, which had now become the theater of Indian war. Rogue River & Umpqua country is the first district assigned me by the Superintendent, but he had requested me, verbally, to visit the Indians in the Upper Willamette, that is, in the vicinity of my residence, & obtain their numbers &c. I was engaged in this work when taken sick, but as soon as I could sit up a short time every day I had the several bands come to my house & went on with numbering them & obtaining other statistics required.
    I submit to your honor whether my sickness, especially acting under verbal instructions from the Superintendent, should be regarded as absence from my field.
    I have the satisfaction to feel assured that you will do me justice.
    The amount is small, $375.00, but with me of considerable importance, having lost not only my companion, but almost my entire means in consequence of the bloody massacre.
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 607 Oregon Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 1277-1279.





United States of America   )
Oregon Territory                 )    ss.
    On the 22nd day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and fifty-two before me, A. A. Skinner, Indian Agent for South Western Oregon, personally came James H. Russell and made solemn oath that as he verily believes, some twenty Shasta Indians from the south side of the Siskiyou Mountain were camped near his residence in the Rogue River Valley near the headwaters of Stuart's Creek on the 16th inst.; That a short time before sunset of the 17th February he saw some five or six of said Shasta Indians come from the neighborhood of a small tributary of said Stuart's Creek, and going in the direction of the Indian camps above referred to; That on the night of said 17th Feby., a new milch cow belonging to said Russell and several other men who were residing with him did not return to her calf as usual; That on the morning of the 18th inst. in looking for said cow he discovered on the bank of the creek from which on the 17th inst. he saw the Indians coming and going towards their camp, the feet and leg bones and some other parts of an animal which appeared to have been butchered the night previous, and that at the same time he discovered the head and horns of an animal which he at once recognized to be those of the cow that was missing; And that he verily believes said cow was killed by some one or more of said band of Shasta Indians residing south of the Siskiyou Mountain, and further this affiant saith not.
    Sworn to & subscribed before me the date above written
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, enclosure to No. 28.




United States of America   )
Oregon Territory                 )    ss.
    On this 8th day of March A.D. 1852 before me Alonzo A. Skinner, Indian Agent for South Western Oregon, personally came E. A. Matney and made solemn oath that he knew the cow belonging to John Gibbs & co. , supposed to have been killed by the band of Shasta Indians residing south of the Siskiyou Mountain, on or about the 17th of February last, and that he believes her to have been worth one hundred dollars.
    Sworn to & subscribed before me the date above written
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, enclosure to No. 28.



Hon. Genl. Joseph Lane
    Dear Sir, I will take this opportunity of writing to you a few lines. First I beg leave of you to give you a little information in regard to the unsettled affairs of the Indians of this valley and Grave Creek. The Canion and Grave Creek Indians are still at their old game, that is, stealing, and for which there is but one remedy for to prevent this. The first is to appoint an agent and let him locate himself on the South Umpqua River and then purchase their lands from them. Furthermore a military force is greatly wanted in the vicinity of the Rogue River Valley.
    I have just arrived from the Klamath mines. Business is very dull for traders, but good for miners. There are some new mines discovered near the Willow Springs. The first company made for some time fifty or sixty dollars per day, but upon an average five or six.
    There is no section of country in which an Indian agent is wanted more than from the mouth of the Umpqua River to Grave Creek, distance of about one hundred and fifty miles. The extent of the country you are well aware of. And permit me to ask of your honor and your influence for an Indian agent for the above-named portion of the Territory which I spoke of.
    My politics are with you, and if you think it expedient I will send you a petition for an Indian agency. I will send you one well recommended. I have been a citizen of Oregon for six and a half years.
    I have had many difficulties with them. I am acquainted with their manner and custom. There is one thing more wanted in Oregon, that is, a military road through the Territory of Oregon to the state of California commencing somewhere on the Columbia River and striking the head of the Sacramento Valley.
    I will further state to you the necessity of the donation of lands to settlers, those who immigrated before the year [omission], who understand all the privations that men could undergo.
    There are many young men that are not situated as to live on when they richly deserve it and at the same time they have money to pay for it.
    I will ask permission to say to you that since I began to write Jos. Lane and Capt. I. B. Nichols has arrived from Cow Creek on this side of the Canion and bring the latest news from the Rogue River Valley. Capt. Nichols tells me that the Indians are making divers threats and have carried some of them into execution.
    The best mode of remedy is to call for two companies of rangers. Those two companies may be easily raised in Oregon.
    Which mode of remedy has been suggested to me by some of our most worthy citizens. I shall soon leave for the Klamath mines, and on my return I [will] write you again with pleasure.
    You will answer me on those points which I mention.
Hon. Genl. Joseph Lane
    Washington City
        D.C.




Sir,
    Enclosed are depositions taken by my predecessor in the command of this post, in the case of Seth Lount, a citizen of the United States, charged with the murder of an Indian in the town of Port Orford the 25th of January last.
    This will be handed you by Corporal Doll of my command, who has with him the prisoner, with orders to give him into your custody, to be proceeded against in due course of law, according to the 23rd section of an act of Congress entitled "An Act to Regulate Trade & Intercourse with Indian Tribes, & to Preserve Peace on the Frontiers," approved June 30, 1834.
To
    The Sheriff
        At Portland
            Oregon
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 13; Letters Received, 1853, No. 12.



Sir
    Enclosed is a letter which I supposed I had forwarded to you at the time of its date, but on looking over my portfolio this morning I find that it has never been sent. At the time I wrote this letter I was suffering so much from the felon on my finger that it was somewhat difficult for me to remember anything or to know what I was doing.
Anson Dart Esquire
    Superintendent &c.
        Oregon City
            O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 26.



Sir
    Enclosed I send you duplicate receipts for the fifty blankets which you sent me by Mr. N. C. Dean in Feby. last. If the form is not correct, please send me blanks and I will fill and sign and return them.
    I should before this have sent you certificates of the delivery of the presents which I brought out with me, but Mr. Painter, who was present at the delivery of the articles, has been absent for almost the whole time since I received the form. He will return in a few days when I can make out the certificates in accordance with the forms which you sent.
    I have mislaid the copy of the certificate of the presents I delivered to the Shasta Indians at the [river] bar at Sam's house. Will you do me the favor to forward to me a copy of that certificate, without [which] I cannot make my return.
    I have written to Mr. Brayer.
N. DuBois Esq.
    Oregon City
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 27.






State of California    )
County of Shasta       )
    Personally appeared before me, W. T. Smith, acting justice of the peace for Scotts Bar township, county of Shasta, state of California, Robert Whittle, who being duly sworn deposes and says, That he is personally acquainted with an Indian known by the name of Swill; That he the deponent had a conversation with the said Swill in the latter part of February last in which said Swill stated that when in the Rogue River Valley a Shasta Indian had wounded a cow, and he rode up afterwards and killed her, the cow; That Swill said he did not know who was the owner of the cow; That they were nearly starved, and any white man would have done the same. Said Swill is living with the Shasta Indians at this time, and has been since the treaty made by Col. McKee, Indian agt. for Northern California, and further the deponent says not.
    Sworn and subscribed before me the 1st day of April A.D. 1852.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, enclosure to No. 28.




    At a public meeting held at the Main Street House in Scottsburg, March 20th, 1852, pursuant to a previous call, for the purpose of taking into consideration the act of the Executive and other officials of this Territory, and the course pursued by the Legislative Assembly convened at Salem, Judge Hudson was called to the chair and E. R. Fiske appointed Secretary. After an animated discussion by several gentlemen with regard to the present position of affairs in Oregon, it was moved and voted that Messrs. Geo. L. Snelling, A. C. Gibbs and Jeb Hatfield be appointed a committee to draft and present resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting. The committee through their chairman subsequently reported the following resolutions:
    Whereas, the present Territorial system of government in Oregon is repugnant to the spirit of Republicanism, and exercises a depressing influence upon all our interests being at best but poorly adapted to the desires and necessities of a free people, subjecting us to the maladministration of strangers and sojourners, who are ignorant of our wants, and destitute of sympathy for us inasmuch as they are not responsible to the people of Oregon for their acts, therefore,
    Resolved, That we are ready to cooperate with the citizens of other counties in Oregon in order to obtain a restoration of our political privileges, either through a thorough and radical modification of the existing territorial system, or by exchanging it for an independent and truly republican state organization.
    Resolved, That the irregular course pursued by the Governor of this Territory in organizing this county, by which its citizens have for the past year been deprived of the privilege of maintaining and enforcing their rights, meet the entire disapprobation of this meeting.
    Resolved, That the extraofficial and illegal acts of the Governor in making the so-called "Rogue River Treaty," which allowed the Indians to keep over one hundred head of horses, the stolen property of the people of this Territory, and the neglect of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs to make any treaty with the Indians in this valley while he has visited and purchased the land of those in every direction around us, and the general neglect manifested on the part of the government officers to forward the interest of the southern portion of Oregon, begets in us anything but feelings of approbation and confidence.
    Resolved, That we approve the course pursued by the members of the late Legislative Assembly in meeting at Salem, and consider the attack made upon them by the federal officers of this Territory, as a direct infringement on the rights of the people, and that the effort on their part to nullify the acts of the representatives of the people should be treated with contempt.
    Voted, that a copy of our proceedings be forwarded to each of the papers in Oregon.
    Voted, to adjourn.
Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, April 3, 1852, page 2



Sir
    On or about the 17th of February last Messrs. John Gibbs & co., residing at the foot of the Siskiyou Mountain in the valley of Stuart's Creek, a tributary of Rogue River, lost a cow which at the time they supposed to have been taken by the band of Shasta Indians residing near the crossing of the Klamath River. Since that time Messrs. Gibbs & co. have procured the affidavits, copies of which I herewith enclose to you, tending to show that the cow was taken by those Indians.
    As these Indians reside south of the supposed Oregon line, and within the agency of Col. McKee, I am at a loss what disposition to make of the affidavits--whether to forward them to your office for the purpose of enabling you to communicate with the Department in California, or to send them directly to Col. McKee. I should be pleased, at as early a day as convenient, to receive instructions on the subject.
    There are several cases of depredations committed by the Indians of Rogue River Valley on the property of white men since my arrival at this agency, and I should be pleased to be informed of the view taken by the Department of the relation which exists between these Indians and the government of the United States, whether it is such as to bring those depredations within the provisions of the 17th sect. of "an act to regulate trade and intercourse with Indian tribes and to preserve peace on the frontiers" approved June 30th, 1834.
Anson Dart Esquire
    Superintendent &c.
        Oregon City
            O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 28.



The Honorable
    Luke Lea
        Sir:
            I have carefully examined all the charges made against me by His Excellency, J. P. Gaines, of Oregon, in his letter of the 5th of December last. I do not know how to express my astonishment at the course taken by the Governor in this matter. Neither malice, envy or jealousy should induce any man holding the honorable position of Governor to prefer charges against anyone that cannot be proved. It is mortifying to me to be thus forcibly compelled to vindicate myself against charges that are malignant and false. It has always been my study to treat the Governor with great respect and courtesy even to the last, as he admits, with astonishment. He says I begged of him not to send these charges to Washington. So I did, but the reasons he omits to state. I told him that his imaginations in regard to the Statesman were entirely groundless, and it was then for the first time I learned of his displeasure at anything I had done, and if Bush, the editor of the Statesman, should learn that he had succeeded in making a breach between us, he would have accomplished his ends; besides, if there was any cause whatever for a difference of opinion, it was what we, as government officers, should amicably arrange without exposing our weaknesses at Washington.
    It seems the weight of charges made in the Governor's letter against me are that I now have, or have had, some direct or indirect interest in a newspaper called The Statesman, printed at Oregon City, and that I have in some way aided or assisted in writing, or causing to be written, or furnished, some part or all of the attacks published in that paper against him. I now state (as he says I always have stated to him) the assertion is false in every particular. I never wrote, or caused to be written, a word for Bush's paper (except advertisements or notices connected with the government business), nor have I ever had any more interest in the paper than the President of the United States has had, and I defy Governor Gaines, or any other person, to prove one shadow of truth in these charges.
    I next propose to examine the astounding developments that gave the Governor so much trouble to fetch to light, viz: the writer of a letter, two paragraphs of which were published in the Statesman. It is fortunate for me that I have this very letter with me, which with three others, all written by Jesse Applegate of Southern Oregon, are herewith submitted for your perusal; the one in question is marked "A." The first information that reached me of the publication of any part of this letter was communicated by Mr. Applegate in a letter herewith, marked "B." I do not know what paragraphs were published; I never saw them in print. On the receipt of the letter marked "B," I immediately explained how the letter got into Bush's hands; see his answer in letter marked "C." After the great discovery that the letter marked "A" was written to me in answer to one I had written, the Governor was, it seems, unwilling to wait (as he agreed to do) until I could get permission from the writer to show him the letter, but he writes to the supposed author. Mr. Applegate was kind enough to forward me a copy of his letter to the Governor, which copy I herewith send you marked "D." In conclusion, on this charge I say the letter was not furnished by me to Bush for publication.
    "That what I had done was proper under the circumstances, out of which no possible evil could grow." I made no such statement. I only said that no objection had ever been made by me to the course he had felt called upon to take under the circumstances, that I had said nothing, nor had I ever written anything against his doings.
    "About the time that accounts were being hawked about in our streets, Dr. Dart left for the country east of the Cascade Mountains." If this was the case, I did not hear of it.
    The charge that there is, or was, an understanding that I am to be continued in office under a Democratic administration, "having made up my mind that the next would be Democratic," is almost too absurd to be noticed. I have only to say it is false; such an idea never entered my mind.
    On my return from Port Orford, the Governor says, he procured an interview [and] exhibited letters complaining loudly of my gross inattention to the business of Southern Oregon. He showed me no letters--he read one received from one of the men engaged in the great Rogue River war--there were others dissatisfied, because I could not pay them for serving in this war.
    I now come to charges connected with my official conduct. It is therefore fortunate for me that my statements can be corroborated by documents in the Commissioner's Office in all of this Rogue River difficulty. I only received one letter from the Governor--that I copied and forwarded a copy to the Commissioner at, I think, the same time I stated my intention to leave within a few days to treat with the Rogue River Indians for their lands, believing, as I did, that there was a plenty of funds in the Governor's hands for such a purpose belonging to the Treaty Fund. On the 23rd of July the Governor arrived in Oregon City. I immediately called upon him to learn the condition of the Treaty Fund in his hands. He could not, he said, say how much there would be, but he had spent it all in the expedition south, but he could, he thought, borrow enough to replace it of Genl. Adair, Collector at Astoria. Being fully satisfied that the amount would be entirely insufficient to undertake the Rogue River journey, I immediately made preparations to go to the mouth of the Columbia to treat with some ten bands of Indians there. On the 31st we started for Tansy Point.
    On Sunday, August 3rd, Governor Gaines' son called at Tansy Point and gave me three hundred dollars, saying that was nearly all there would be left of the Treaty Fund. I communicated these facts to the Commissioner, remarking as to the impossibility of starting to the Rogue River without funds. The Governor says, "And the Rogue River meeting was postponed until the 15th Sept. and the Indians informed of it by Dr. Dart, as he assured me. This engagement was also disregarded" [Who had spent the money?] "and after about one month of quiet leisure in this city, the Doct. took his departure." On Wednesday the 13th we arrived at Oregon City. Coming up the river on the steamer Sea Gull, Captain Tichenor informed me there were more than one hundred families at San Francisco, waiting to have a treaty made with the Indians on the coast at Port Orford, so that they could safely remove there. I informed the captain that there were no funds to go any further with the treaties. He said he would carry me, and all the men, provisions and presents, from Portland to Port Orford and back, and wait for his pay until appropriation was made. On my arrival at Oregon City, I dispatched Mr. Parris, sub-agent, up the country fifty miles after beef cattle to feed the Indians on at Port Orford, having agreed to return with the steamer on her next trip--which took about three weeks--during which time Genl. Hitchcock called to inform me that he should send a detachment of troops to Port Orford, on the Sea Gull, making it a favorable time to treat with those hitherto troublesome Indians. I was very busy every day during these three weeks getting interpreters, buying provisions, blankets, presents &c .I mention these things as you have the evidence of their truth.
    I now come to the Governor's closing charge. "Upon a full and clear view of the whole matter, I charge that Doc. Dart has been guilty of gross infidelity to those who conferred the office upon him he now holds." I am happy to know that others are to judge of this, and of whom I have no fear of injustice being done me.
    I have only to add that should the Commissioner believe me guilty in the slightest degree as charged, I would solicit the most searching investigation.
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 607 Oregon Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 1136-1157.



Sir
    At the request of several inhabitants of Umpqua City, I would respectfully call your attention to the necessity of treating with the Indians in this vicinity, and negotiating with them for their claims to the lands or for certain privileges connected therewith.
    I would observe that Umpqua Indians, especially those living at the mouth of the river, comprising about fifty, are generally peaceably inclined and friendly. There is also a tribe residing north of this place on and in the vicinity of the Siuslaw River whose demeanor is for the most part friendly toward us, but those further north are rather hostile. There are also one or two tribes south of this place, living in the vicinity of the Coos River, parties of which sometimes make predatory excursions to this place, committing serious depredations and plundering the settlers of valuable property. They have in several instances broken into houses during the temporary absence of the occupants, robbing them of every article of value, and having but a small population in this place we have been obliged to submit to all these predatory acts without the means of procuring satisfaction. From the facilities of intercourse north and south on the coast and to the interior from this place it is confidently believed that a greater number of Indians can be concentrated within any given time than at any other point south of the Columbia River. We hope, therefore, as we believe it necessary in order to prevent serious trouble, that you will meet with them at this place at an early day at least so far as to make them sensible of their responsibility for all future aggressions toward us.
To Dr. Dart
    Indian Commissioner
        for Oregon Territory
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 29.



Dear Sir:
    I deem it highly important that you should be made acquainted with some facts connected with the six Indian treaties made by Gaines, Allen and Skinner in the month of April last in the Territory of Oregon, believing as I do that the difficulties which I am about to relate were unknown to the above commissioners at the time of making their report on these treaties. You will observe by reference to these treaties that in each one the Indians have made for themselves a reservation of land of greater or less extent, set apart for their own exclusive use; another provision, however, grants to each settler then residing on these reservations (in conformity to the land law passed during the Thirty-First Congress) each one mile square. It was supposed at the making of these treaties, both by the commissioners and the Indians, that there were but few settlers claiming land on these reservations. It has subsequently been ascertained that in two cases the whole, or very nearly the whole, reservation is claimed by actual settlers. In the other reservations the good land is all claimed also. You will readily see that the difficulties in the case are not easily overcome.
    The settler claims by virtue of an act of Congress in which no provisions are made for the prior Indian title to these lands. The settlers, therefore, do not allow the Indians to occupy these reservations. I have persuaded the Indians to remain quiet, assuring them that the treaties were yet to go before the President and Senate, and that full explanations would then be given of all the facts in the case, that strict justice would there be done them.
    I do not see any better method to adopt in these cases than to buy out the Indian title to these reservations, and give them as an equivalent other lands (unoccupied, if such can be found). To buy the settlers' claims to these reservations would involve a very large sum of money--say not less than fifty thousand dollars--the only other alternative seems to be to reject the treaties; this would cause great delay in perfecting titles to the many old settlers on these lands, to say nothing of the cost of new treaties.
    You will doubtless recollect that I have while in Oregon set forth other difficulties connected with these treaties, viz: The undervalue of goods to be furnished: The reservation made by the northern band of Molallas covering three fourths of the whole quantity ceded to the United States.
    Our Delegate, Genl. Lane, has made himself fully acquainted with many of the facts set forth in this letter, to whom I would refer to for any additional information.
The Honorable
    Luke Lea
        Commissioner of Ind. Affrs.
            Washington
                D.C.
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 607 Oregon Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 1114-1116.




Sir
    In many cases of depredations committed by Indians on the property of white men, from the nature of the case it is impossible to obtain the testimony of white men to establish their claims.
    I should be pleased if you would inform me at as early a day as convenient whether the testimony or statements of Indians will be sufficient to entitle them to indemnity.
Anson Dart Esq.
    Supert. Ind. Affairs &c.
        Oregon City
            O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 31.



Dear Sir
    The bearer of this, Mr. Robert M. Painter, wishes to get the contract of furnishing the beef and of hauling out the presents which you will probably find necessary if you come out here the ensuing summer for the purpose of treating with the Indians of this valley.
    Mr. Painter came out with me last fall and has been with me most of the time since our arrival in the valley. I can recommend him to you as a gentleman of integrity, energy and good business capacity.
    If Mr. Painter is willing to deliver the beef and goods at this place at as low rates as any other responsible person I should be much pleased to have him get the contract.
Anson Dart Esq.
    Supert. Ind. Affairs &c.
        Oregon City
            O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 34.



    From a private letter from Port Orford to Mr. Egan in this place, which we had the privilege of perusing; it would seem that affairs at the place are in a bad state. The Indians, true to their mother nature, are habitually stealing all they can lay hands upon. It is represented that the Indians, since the treaties, have entertained the notion that they might steal without being punished. Some Indians having stolen $200 worth of property from different white men--complaint was made, and seven or eight Indians were put in the guard house, but they got away. Sometime after one of them returned; Mr. Summers, whom he had stolen from, went to Lieut. Gibson and informed him of the fact and asked to obtain satisfaction, and Lieut. G told him to take it, as he had nothing to do with it. He permitted the Indian to go that time--but returning with 14 more soon after, who were armed for fighting. The Indian attempted to stab a Mr. Lount, whom he had robbed. Lount went for his gun--the Indians drew their bows--whereupon five or six shots were fired by the whites and the great thief was killed.
    Lieut. Gibson had Mr. Lount arrested for murder of the Indian. From the evidence it would seem that it cannot be ascertained which of the six whites shot him--as they all fired together. Lount is still in the guard house. The writer asks that a copy of the law be sent down to Lieut. Gibson. These Indian difficulties occur, we have no doubt, from the neglect of government to carry out the Indian law. A detachment of troops was stationed among them to keep them in subjection, but the effect intended seems directly to the contrary, thus far. What reason can be given for stationing troops among Indians without an interpreter or an authorized Indian agent to accompany them, as the law requires, we cannot see; but one thing seems plain, that it is folly to attempt keeping Indians in subjection, and have them respect treaties, where no one can talk with them to explain their relation and duties toward the whites. Is it sound policy to kill off the ignorant barbarians without their knowing what it is for?
Oregon Weekly Times, Portland, May 1, 1852, page 2


   
    Examination of witnesses before A. A. Skinner, Indian agent, held at Rogue River Bar--known as "Big Bar"--May 7, 1852.
    In case of Silas A. Holmes, charged with having shot an Indian.
    C. L. Fuller, being duly sworn by Indian agent, says: Dft. on the day above written about 1 o'clock p.m. struck an Indian boy one or two blows with a riding whip, and the boy left camp, soon after which the Indian that was afterwards shot came into camp and expressed indignation at the treatment of the boy, saying that there were but few whites now here and many Indians, that the whites were bad & must go away from here. Dft. then said: "Go away from here" & repeated the words two or three times, at same time walked towards Indian making signs and significations for him to go. As dft. stepped towards Indian, Indian made motion with his hand to draw his knife--upon which dft. pushed Indian away with his hand and snatched a small wagon whip from the hand of a witness, with which dft. struck at Indian. Does not know whether dft. hit the Indian or not. Indian on receiving the blow from the whip dodged to the ground and picked up a stone as large as he could conveniently hold in his hand, which he threw at dft. with much spite and force. Dft. dodged the stone so that it passed over his head. Dft. immediately arose to his feet, exclaiming "Give me a pistol" "Give me a pistol" when someone inside the tent exclaimed loudly "Don't shoot" repeating the words two or three times. Dft. did not appear to hear what was said but started for his own tent, which was near, and picked up his own pistol. He then run on after the Indian a few steps further when I heard the report of a pistol. Did not see dft. shoot. Witness with a number of others proceeded immediately on hearing report of pistol in the direction of the sound and found an Indian lying on the ground shot in the back.
    La Fayette Witt: Being duly sworn deposes and says--First saw little Indian boy running from tent and saw deft. throw a small stick after him. Am not certain that the stick hit the boy. Stick was so small that if it did hit the boy it did not hurt him. Seeing this I went to Mr. Holmes' (dft.) tent, from which the boy was running. About half hour after the boy returned and deft. again ordered him to leave and took a whip from a bystander and struck the boy one or two blows, lightly. He again went off about two hundred yards. The Indian that was shot during the above transaction was standing at the table attached to one of Mr. Burgess' tents, eating, and on the whipping of the boy remarked that dft. was not a good man. I soon turned towards another tent. The next thing I saw of an unusual nature was dft. dodging to the ground. Heard dft. at this time exclaim "Give me a pistol"--saw Indian running & dft. in pursuit--heard the report of a pistol and saw the Indian fall. The above transaction took place on the "Big Bar" on Rogue River--about 8 miles above Evans Ferry, in Oregon Territory.
    Defendant has always heretofore treated the Indians that came about the camp with kindness, often feeding them. Lafayette William Witt--Being duly sworn deposes and says that at the time & place above written saw defendant pursue the Indian and shoot him--first previous to the shooting saw the Indian make an attempt to draw his knife.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, enclosure to No. 43.



Dear Sir
    A difficulty occurred on Friday last between an Indian and a white man by the name of Holmes in which the Indian was seriously wounded--perhaps mortally. The affair has been amicably settled by Mr. Holmes with the Indians. As the Indians appear entirely satisfied with the manner in which the matter has been arranged with them, I have deemed it best not to arrest and send Mr. H. down to the Willamette for trial in accordance with our laws.
    His arrest and transportation to the Willamette would have incurred a very heavy expense with but little prospect of any good resulting from it on account of the almost utter impossibility of ever getting the necessary evidence in to any of the organized counties of the Territory.
    The person who will carry this to Mr. Horam is now waiting for me to write, and it is impossible for me at this time to give you a detailed account of the affair. I will write you again in a few days. In the meantime I would beg to refer you to Mr. Horam, the bearer of this note, who is conversant with the whole transaction.
Anson Dart Esqr.
    Supt. Ind. Affairs
        for Oregon
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 39.



Dear Sir
    A gentleman arrived at this place from Port Orford last Saturday evening. He left that place four weeks since & came up the coast by land. He states in regard to matters at Port Orford that the Indians are in a very unsettled state, though not so bad as before. One of their number was killed by the whites, the account of which I gave you some information some days since.
    He also states that the whites are very much dissatisfied because some agent is not there, or someone [to] visit them in whom the Indians have confidence to settle some difficulties that now exist between them and the whites. The Indians are certainly stealing, and unless they are checked there is great fear of serious difficulty.
P. C. Dart Esqr.
    Act. Supt.
        Milwaukie O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 36.



Dear Sir
    Enclosed I send you certificates of the delivery of the blankets and calico which I left with Joseph Knott Esq. last fall while on my way to this valley, and also of the delivery of 47 of the last 50 which I received last winter. The certificate of the delivery of the goods is not strictly in accordance with the from which I received from your office, but the circumstances are such as to render it impossible for me to procure any other than the one I send you. Please inform me at your earliest convenience whether the one enclosed is sufficient.
Anson Dart Esquire
    Supert. Ind. Affairs
        for Oregon Territory
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 45.



Sir
    For the past two months the Indians living on Cow Creek south of the Kenyon and on Grave Creek have committed numerous depredations on the property of white men who have passed through their country. Repeated complaints have been made to me and repeated application under the provisions of the act of 1834. But not being yet informed of the view taken by yourself of the relation which exists between these Indians and the United States I have not been able to give them any satisfactory answers as to the prospects of their getting pay for their property taken by these Indians.
    Unless the relations between these Indians and the government of the U.S. is such that persons suffering from their depredations can have a prospect of remuneration either from the Indians or the U.S. it will in my opinion be quite impossible to promise persons suffering from their thievish disposition from seeking revenge and bringing on open hostilities with these people.
    I intend to leave home on Monday morning next for the purpose of visiting those Indians and shall probably go as far as the South Umpqua. I should have visited these Indians long since, but it has not been in my power to do so. My presence has appeared necessary all of the time in this valley. And on account of the roads it is almost impracticable to get from this valley to the Umpqua during the winter and spring.
Anson Dart Esquire
    Super. Ind. Affairs
        Milwaukie
            O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 42.



Sir
    On the 10th inst. I wrote you a hasty note stating that a difficulty had occurred on the "Big Bar" of Rogue River in which an Indian had been seriously if not mortally wounded. Circumstances at that time prevented me from giving you a detailed statement of the transaction, which I now proceed to do.
    The examination of witnesses which I herewith enclose [see above] I believe gives a tolerably full statement of the origin of the difficulty, and of all that occurred connected with the matter previous to my arrival at the Bar.
    I immediately on my arrival at the Bar I caused Silas N. Holmes to be arrested and commenced an examination for the purpose of enabling me to ascertain the facts of the case. With the view of enabling me to judge of the extent of the injury done the Indian I dispatched a messenger for a surgeon to examine the wound, who arrived about 10 o'clock on Friday evening, and after such examination as under the circumstances it was practicable to make he pronounced the wound a dangerous one, and gave it as his opinion that it would probably prove fatal.
    On Saturday morning Mr. Holmes wished to propose to the Indians to settle the matter by paying them. In view of the almost utter impossibility of procuring the attendance of the necessary witnesses in any of the organized counties of the Territory, and the dissatisfaction which would arise among the Indians if the prisoner should be sent to the valley for trial and discharged on account of the absence of the witnesses, I consented to his making the proposition to the Indians.
    At the time the proposition was made to them I reminded the Indians of what I had told them on my arrival in the valley. That if an Indian injured a white man, or if a white man injured an Indian I had no power to punish the offender in either case, but that I would send him to the Willamette Valley for trial. I informed the Indians that I was now willing to send Mr. Holmes to the Willamette for trial, and would do so if they desired it, but if they wished to settle the matter with Mr. Holmes by his paying them property I had no objections. But that I wished them to understand that the pay came from Holmes and not from the government of the United States, and that in case of the injury or murder of a white man by an Indian the matter could never be settled by the payment of property, but that the offender would be punished in accordance with our laws.
    Sam, the principal war chief, on whom devolves the entire control of the affair, in the absence of Joe, the principal chief, stated that if Mr. Holmes would pay the Indians five horses, ten blankets and thirty dollars in money they would be perfectly satisfied, and as friendly with the whites as if nothing of the kind had occurred, and that he would much prefer this mode of settling the affair to having the prisoner sent to the valley for trial. I also informed the Indians of the opinion of the surgeon with reference to the nature of the wound, and told them that if the Indian who was wounded should recover the whites would all be much rejoiced, and Mr. Holmes would not expect them to return any part of the property, and that if the Indian died we should expect them to say no more about the matter, but continue their friendly feelings towards the whites.
    On arriving at the "Bar" on the day the Indian was wounded I was surprised to see the Indians so little excited, and to see them manifest so much good sense and coolness. This I presume is attributable in part to the fact that the Indian wounded was not a man of much consequence in the tribe, or one very highly esteemed with the other Indians, but principally I believe to their confidence in the disposition of the great majority of the whites to see that justice was done to the Indians. The Indians at once informed me that they felt entirely friendly with all the other whites on the Bar, and that they had no disposition to seek revenge on any other white man, that they believed the other whites disapproved of the conduct of Holmes and wished to have him punished, and that if Holmes was punished they would be perfectly satisfied.
    I have never seen any community of white men under similar circumstances exhibit more forbearance and good sense than did the Indians on this occasion.
    The Indian who was wounded is not yet dead, and there is at present good reason to hope that he will yet recover from the effects of the wound.
Anson Dart Esquire
    Super. Ind. Affairs
        for Oregon Territory
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 43.



Sir,
    I have the honor to inform you that the ship which carries this letter to you will carry a citizen named Seth Lount to Portland, charged with the murder of an Indian in the town of Port Orford, on the 25th of January last. This man will be delivered by one of my command into the custody of the sheriff to proceeded against in due course of law, in pursuance of an act of Congress regarding Indian affairs, approved June 30, 1834. The depositions taken in the case by my predecessor in the command of this post will also be delivered to the sheriff at the same time.
    I deemed it proper to notify you of these facts & am, sir, very resp'y.
To Rev. J. L. Parrish
    Indian Agent
        Portland
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 47.



    The laws affecting trade and intercourse with Indians in this Territory are entirely unsuited to its condition. There are no regular tribes of Indians within the settled portions of the territory. By this I mean that there is no organization among the Indians. By disease their ranks have been thinned so that they are now mere stragglers over the face of the land. By intercourse with the whites, if they ever had any spirit, it is gone. They have here and there upon the river banks their huts, which they move from place to place as they seek their provisions from the river, or from the camas growing on the plains. Some have their lakes and plains where they habitually resort for digging roots in the season and pasture their horses. In general they live on the river, selecting some low beach, where they can easily haul up their canoes and procure firewood. They are almost water animals--some few live entirely on the plains. They are few in number, and are useful as farm hands and servants. Without them it would at times have been almost impossible to get along. Their services can hardly be dispensed with. They will not leave the country. As for treating with them for their lands it is a farce. They can hardly be said to have lands as they seldom use any and are so few in number. If we bargain with them we must prescribe the terms on both sides. They are fast dying off and are rather subjects of guardianship, than worthy of being treated with as an independent people. If some way could be devised to prevent the sale of liquor to them, it would be of great advantage to them as well as the whites.
    The present laws on this subject are so severe that juries will not bring in verdicts against those who violate the law. The fine is now $500 and imprisonment. If the amount of the fine was within proper limits at the discretion of the court as well as the term of imprisonment, I think the evil might be checked.
New York Evening Express, July 27, 1852, page 2



United States of America   )
Territory of Oregon            )  s.s.
    On this 10th day of June A.D. 1852 before me A. A. Skinner Indian agent for southwestern Oregon personally came Richard W. Bragg who being duly sworn says that he together with Thomas C. Bragg and James McClenny and ------ Elliott on or about the first of March last came into the Rogue River Valley with about one hundred and forty-five hogs the property of Turner Crump and William Cox, that the hogs were placed in my care for the purpose of being butchered and sold at the mines in Rogue River Valley. That on or about the first of April last thirty-six of said hogs were missing, and a few days subsequent to the time when the hogs were missing I was informed by an Umpqua Indian that twenty-one of said hogs had been killed by the Indians living on Rogue River above Table Rock. That about the 15th of April last twenty-five of said hogs were missing, that on discovering the fact he immediately started in pursuit of the hogs and soon discovered a trail where a large number of hogs had been driven. That he followed said trail into the hills about six miles above the Indian agency, that after entering the hills the trail turned to the left and ran in the direction of Rogue River in the vicinity of the village of the Indians who were said by the Indians to have taken the first lot of hogs herein referred to, and that he followed said trail about twenty-five miles but could not overtake them. And that about the tenth of May last seven more of said hogs were missing, that immediate [sic] he [went] in pursuit and discovered their trail and followed it and found three of said hogs and discovered the trail where from appearances the balance of said seven had been driven across Rogue River nearly opposite to Table Rock. That on the day subsequent to that on which he found the three hogs above referred to he discovered in the woods east of Mr. Thompson's ranch where a hog had been killed and eaten apparently by the Indians, that a part of the head and bones of a hog were still remaining at the place. And that he verily believes that all of the hogs herein mentioned as missing were stolen by said Indians residing on Rogue River above Table Rock.
    That at the time the hogs herein referred to were taken he was selling hogs out of the same drove at $.35 & $.40 per lb. and that he believes that the hogs stolen would have averaged at least two hundred pounds each.
Subscribed and sworn to the date here mentioned before me.
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 607 Oregon Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 1259-1261.



United States of America   )
Oregon Territory                 )  s.s.
    On this 11th day of June A.D. 1852 before me A. A. Skinner Indian agent for southwestern Oregon personally came James McClenny who being duly sworn says that on or about the first of March last he came into the Rogue River Valley in company with & in the employ of Richard W. Bragg who had charge of about one hundred and forty-four hogs, the property of Turner Crump & William Cox. That he remained with said Bragg from the said first of March until about four days since. That on or about the first of April last thirty-six of said hogs were missing, that as soon as that fact was discovered R. W. Bragg & himself went in pursuit and discovered a trail where hogs had been driven, that they followed it to where it crossed the Rogue River a short distance below Table Rock but were unable to follow it any further. That at the place where the trail crossed the river there were a great many tracks of Indians & also along the trail before they came to the river. And that about the 10th of May last seven more of said hogs were missing, that a few days subsequent while looking for said hogs he discovered the head of a hog which he believed to have been the head of one of the hogs which were missing, that on the succeeding day he discovered at an Indian camp, which was at that time deserted, the bones of a hog which appeared to have been killed and eaten by the Indians at that place, that some ten days subsequent to finding the bones of the hog at the Indian camp above referred to he found three of said seven hogs between the Willow Springs & the Indian agency. That three or four [days] after finding the hogs last referred to four other hogs were missing, that he went in pursuit and found three of them on the creek about two miles below the Indian agency near where some Indians had been encamped, but that the Indians had left their camp before he found the hogs. And this affiant further says that on or about the 25th of May last while R. W. Bragg & himself were driving said hogs together they saw an Indian attempting to drive off a portion of the hogs belonging to the herd of which they had the charge, that Mr. Bragg started in pursuit of said Indian but could not overtake him and that the Indian ran in the direction of Table Rock. And that he verily believes that all of the hogs herein referred to as missing from said herd belonging to Messrs. Crump & Cox were stolen by the Indians living on Rogue River above Table Rock, and that the hogs stolen would have averaged at least one hundred and seventy-five pounds each.
Subscribed and sworn to this 11th day of June A.D. 1852.
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 607 Oregon Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 1256-1258.





Dr. Sir
    Having an opportunity of sending a letter directly to you through the politeness of Mr. Lownsdale, I avail myself of it for the purpose of requesting you to inform me at as early a day as convenient when you will probably visit this valley for the purpose of purchasing the lands of the Indians. The Indians since I have been here remained tolerably quiet, but I believe that the cause which has had more influence with them than any or perhaps all others is the prospect that you would come out this summer and purchase their lands and make them presents of blankets & clothing. They are now becoming somewhat restless, and I fear if you should not come out soon there will be serious difficulty to be apprehended from them.
    Some time since I wrote to you requesting to be informed as to the relation which existed between these Indians and the government & the U.S.--whether they came within the provisions of the act of 1834, and whether Indian testimony would be sufficient to establish claims against Indians.
    I am very anxious to visit the Willamette but should not deem it advisable to leave the agency until you come out. Please let me hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Anson Dart Esqr.
    Supt. Ind. Affairs
        Milwaukie
            O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 54.



Hon. Luke Lea
    Commissioner of Indian Affairs
        Sir:
            I have to inform you that Rev. Elkanah Walker--who was appointed Indian agent (in place of Elias Wampole) to reside at the Utilla in Upper Oregon--has declined accepting the office, without there is an increase of salary. Since the place was proposed to him, prices of provisions, and all expenses attending a removal to that post, have greatly increased, and I am persuaded that the salary would not meet his expenses.
    I have directed Mr. Wampole to continue at the agency until the Superintendent shall return, when some fitting person without a family may be found ready to accept the office.
    Large numbers of emigrants are now passing through Upper Oregon on their way to this valley, and I consider it of the utmost importance to the Indians, as well as to the whites, to continue Mr. Wampole at his post, and I hope, notwithstanding he has been formally removed, that this course will meet your approbation.
    In a letter to you dated April 11th I stated that Mr. Samuel Culver, who had been appointed sub-Indian agent to reside at Port Orford, would be notified of his appointment and instructions given him on his return from the Upper Columbia. He, too, declines the office, and for the same reasons as Mr. Walker, and as yet I have not been able to find a person at all qualified for the place who was willing to accept it for the pay, the point being very remote and expenses of living extravagantly high, and the salary only equal to that of the commonest laborer.
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 607 Oregon Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 1173-1175.



To / Hon. Luke Lea
    Commissioner of Indian Affairs
        Sir:
            By reference to my clerk's letter of the 21st inst. you will see that Mr. Elkanah Walker declines the appointment of Indian agent in place of Elias Wampole. I have however engaged the services of Mr. Luke Torrence to go to Upper Oregon and take possession of the agency house at the Utilla until some suitable person can be found to accept the office of agent there. But as the salary fixed by law for these agencies is so low, I expect to meet with some difficulty in filling them.
    Mr. Samuel Culver declines the sub-agency at Port Orford also, on account of the insufficiency of the pay.
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 607 Oregon Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 1171-1172.



Dear Sir
    Tyee Sam has requested me to write to you and inform you of the amount of property he is frequently under the necessity of giving to his people in order to keep them quiet. I have seen him today give to the relatives of the Indians who have been killed in the late difficulty beads and other trinkets which I have no doubt have cost him more than the value of two good Indian horses, and since I have been in the valley I have no doubt that he has given to his people at various times to keep them from committing outrages on the property of the whites more than five hundred dollars worth of property. I suppose his object in wishing me to write to you is that you may see the propriety of making presents to him in proportion to the amount he is required to give to his people.
    I have told him that I would request you to make a distinction between him & Joe and the rest of the Indians. And I would suggest the propriety of bringing out a quantity of large blue beads. This is the kind most prized by them, and also a good suit of clothes each for both Joe & Sam. I have no doubt but that both Joe and Sam have used all their influence to restrain their people and prevent them from committing depredations on the property of the settlers of this valley, and that without their influence it would have been impossible for the whites to have remained in the valley during the past winter.
Anson Dart Esquire
    Sup. Ind. Affairs
        O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 60.



Sir
    We have again been involved in difficulties with the Indians of this valley, which however are at this time, I believe, happily settled, and friendly feeling again restored between the whites and Indians. As various and perhaps erroneous reports with reference to the affair will undoubtedly reach you, I have thought it advisable to give you a detailed account of the origin and progress of the difficulty, so far as the facts have come within my knowledge.
    About the 8th inst. a white man, while passing from Shasta to Scotts Valley, was murdered under circumstances that rendered it almost certain that the murder had been committed by Indians, and it was subsequently ascertained from friendly Indians that the man had been murdered by three Indians, some of whom were supposed to be Shastas from Shasta Valley. The whites immediately arrested the Shasta chief and demanded of him the murderers. I am informed that he refused to deliver them up and shortly afterwards made his escape, and that immediately the whites commenced a war of extermination against the Shastas--shooting down every Indian that could be found. The knowledge of the difficulty at Shasta and Scotts valleys was soon spread among the Indians of this valley, causing much excitement and alarm.
    About the time of the murder of the white man at Scotts Valley, Sam, the principal war chief of the Indians of this valley, went to the house of Dr. Ambrose, who resides about two miles from the Big Bar on Rogue River (the usual winter residence of Sam) and demanded of him three beef cattle, or that he should immediately leave the place, stating that he (Sam) had previously sold the land to Wm. G. T'Vault Esq. Sam at the same time proposed to trade two Indian children and a horse and some money for a little girl of Dr. Ambrose, about two years of age. Sam's manner at the time was such as to cause the Dr. to apprehend that he intended to take the child by force if he could not otherwise obtain it. The next morning I went down and saw Sam, and as I supposed at the time settled the difficulty to the satisfaction of both parties.
    On the 15th inst. some fifteen or twenty Indians came to the camp of some whites near the house of Dr. Ambrose, and from what I can learn appeared angry and stated in substance "that the whites were not good, that they were killing all the Indians over at Shasta, that the whites had not done right in this valley, and that they intended to make them do right hereafter;" and while a white man was loading a gun, an Indian went up to him and told him to put the gun down and attempted to take the gun from him. The Indians also inquired for Sam. At this time a party of white men who were coming up the river arrived, when the Indians immediately left.
    The party of white men passed on to Jacksonville, the town at the diggins, and the account which they give of the affair was such as to cause great excitement and to induce the people to raise a company of some seventy-five or eighty men for the purpose of fighting the Indians. The company thus raised determined to start immediately in pursuit of the Indians, and to attack them wherever found. This was all done without giving me the slightest intimation of what was transpiring.
    On the morning of the 16th I accidentally learned what had taken place, and immediately hastened to town and endeavored to dissuade the men from attacking the Indians until I could see them and ascertain what their intentions were. This request was ultimately so far complied with as to agree to march down to Dr. Ambrose's, and there halt for a short time to give me an opportunity of seeing the Indians; at the same time they appointed a committee of four to accompany me in the proposed interview with the Indians.
    On the arrival of the committee and myself at the Big Bar, we discovered Sam on the opposite side of the river. We requested him to come across the river, as we wished to talk with him. As soon as he saw who we were (he being well acquainted with most of the committee), he and another Indian came over to us. He stated that he was not angry with the whites, that he did not wish to fight; and proposed to send for all his people, and also for his brother Joe, the principal chief, and have them all meet us on the Big Bar the next day. To this proposition we consented, and I informed Sam that there would be some seventy or eighty while men present, as I wished them all to hear what was said. To this he expressed his assent.
    About 9 o'clock on the morning of the 17th inst., a party of about ten or twelve men arrived at the bar, from Shasta or Scotts Valley for the purpose, as they alleged, of demanding of the Indians of this valley the Indians who were supposed to have murdered the white man in Scotts Valley, and who, they said, had fled to this valley. Just previous to their arrival on the bar, the party from Shasta arrested an Indian belonging on the creek above the agency. As soon as I was made aware of the fact I demanded the release of the Indian, but the party refused to release him.
    About 10 o'clock on the same morning, the company moved up to the bar and, as the Indians had not arrived, I crossed the river in company with four or five white men, all of whom were known to the Indians, and went up to the Indian camp about a mile and a half above where the company had halted. After some conversation with Joe & Sam they agreed to go down and cross the river. When we arrived opposite the whites, they were all mounted and drawn up in a line facing the river and in range of the Indians as they crossed the river. Joe & Sam immediately inquired why the men were drawn up in that order, and stated that their people were afraid to cross. I requested the men to withdraw some hundred and fifty yards from the bank, and to dismount, stack their arms in the rear and sit down on the ground; which request was complied with. Joe & Sam then crossed the river with me (the main body of the Indians not having yet arrived), and as soon as the Indians came down they talked to them across the river and informed me that they were telling them to come over. Only a few of the Indians, however, came over. During the day the men appeared very restless and determined to attack the Indians.
    Sam having recrossed the river, as he stated for the purpose of persuading his people to come over, I informed the captain of the company that if the men would remain seated on the ground and do nothing which the Indians could construe into evidence of hostility, I would go over the river again and endeavor to persuade the Indians to come over. To this the captain consented, and I went across the river. Soon after I arrived where the Indians were, an Indian came down and told Sam that quite a number of Indians had just arrived at his camp from Table Rock. Sam, as he informed me, sent the messenger immediately back to tell the Indians to [come] down and told me that as soon as his people arrived he and all his Indians would go over the river with me.
    At this time two of my friends came across the river and informed me that the whites were about to attack the Indians and advised me to recross the river as soon as possible, as I should be entirely in the power of the Indians in case of an attack. I informed Sam that the whites were getting very impatient at the delay of the Indians and that it was advisable for me to go over and talk to them. To this he appeared entirely willing. On recrossing the river I found most of the men mounted and the greatest excitement prevailing. I informed them of what Sam had told me, but they refused to delay any longer and proposed to shoot down the few Indians, some twenty or twenty-five, who had crossed over to us. Mr. Martin Angel, formerly of Oregon City, but now of this valley, for the purpose of saving the lives of the Indians proposed to take them prisoners. Most of the Indians, being acquainted with him, readily consented to go with him to a log house some hundred yards from where they were, but before they arrived at the house the Indians became alarmed at the conduct of the whites, when one of them attempted to make his escape. Some allege that the Indian attempted to draw his bow; others that he endeavored to draw a knife, and others who were present say that he attempted neither, but only endeavored to make his escape. Upon the Indian's thus attempting to escape, a man by the name of John Galvin, one of the party from Shasta, fired upon him. The firing now became pretty general from both sides; many who were opposed to commencing the attack thinking it now necessary to fight in self-defense. Four of the prisoners were immediately killed; the balance made their escape. No white men were injured so far as I have been able to learn. The firing continued pretty brisk for some ten or fifteen minutes across the river from both sides, but with little effect, when a part of the Indians retreated down the river and a part up. In a few minutes the firing recommenced about a mile and a half down the river, but without effect on either side. I am satisfied the arresting of the Indian herein referred [to] by the party from Shasta did much to intimidate the Indians and to prevent an amicable adjustment of all the difficulties between the whites and Indians. I am also satisfied, from what I saw myself, and from what I have learned from others, that a man by the name of -------- Steel, who pretended to be the leader of the party from Shasta, was principally instrumental in causing the attack on the prisoners, which for a time produced general hostilities.
    As soon as the firing commenced, being satisfied that I could be of no further service as Indian agent, not having the least influence with the company, and not being disposed to take part in hostilities commenced under circumstances such as herein related, I left for home for the purpose of preparing to defend my own house and property if circumstances should render it necessary.
    During the night of the 17th and the morning of the 18th inst., a portion of the whites pursued the Indians down the river some twenty-five miles and attacked and dispersed several small parties of Indians and I believe killed two or three Indians.
    On the 20th inst. Sam, who, together with the greater part of his men had taken up a position in an almost impenetrable thicket on the bank of the river near Table Rock as the whites were preparing to attack him, proposed a cessation of hostilities and offered to comply with the terms proposed by the whites and requested that I should be sent for to conclude a treaty. But as I was confined to the house by sickness, it was impossible for me to comply with his request, and on the 21st inst. the Indians and whites met at the agency, and the difficulty was settled--it having been ascertained beyond all doubt that the murderers from Shasta herein referred to were not in this valley, they having been arrested near the Klamath Lake.
    The greater portion of the Indians are still encamped near the agency, and appear entirely friendly.
    Permit me again to urge upon you the necessity of your visiting this section of country at as early a day as possible. The Indians are becoming very impatient and. are looking anxiously for their promised presents. I think it will be quite impossible to keep them quiet much longer unless these promises are fulfilled.
    At the termination of the late hostilities with the Indians, as they were almost famished, I deemed it advisable to make them a present of two beef cattle, in order to some extent to remove the temptation to renewed depredations on the property of the settlers.
Anson Dart Esquire
    Superintendent Ind. Affairs
        for Oregon Territory
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 607 Oregon Superintendency 1842-1852, frames 1195-1202.  Anson Dart's cover letter to this document can be found below under date of September 6.  The letter can also be found in Executive Documents, 32nd Congress, pages 455-458.



Dear Sir
    Your favor of the 15th ult. was received on yesterday evening.
    As there are no legally constituted authorities in this valley it will be impossible for me to take the oath required under the new commission until I visit the Willamette this summer. And as I supposed that I continue to act under the old until I qualify under the new I presume it will make no difference whether I take the oath and execute the new bond now or when I come in.
Anson Dart Esqr.
    Sup. Ind. Affairs
        for Oregon Territory
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 12; Letters Received, 1852, No. 61.