Sir,
    I herewith submit my quarterly report of the qualifications of each employee of this Superintendency and the manner in which each has performed his duties, so far as [is] known to me, for the qr. ending 31st December 1853.
    Samuel H. Culver, Indian agent, assigned to Rogue River District, I regard as an efficient and competent officer who has, I believe, thus far performed his duties faithfully.
    R. R. Thompson, Indian agent, assigned to the Utilla District, Middle Oregon, I regard as a competent and efficient agent.
    J. L. Parrish, sub-agent, assigned to the District of Willamette Valley, is a very competent and suitable person for the station.
    W. W. Raymond, assigned to Astoria Sub-Agency, is believed to be an honest, well-meaning person, but is represented by many who claim to know him as lacking system and energy. Thus far I have seen nothing disparaging to him as an efficient sub-agent.
    F. M. Smith, special sub-agent in the District of Port Orford, is represented as being a competent and efficient officer.
    W. J. Martin, special sub-agent temporarily employed in the Umpqua Valley and around Coos Bay, has discharged his duties efficiently and faithfully.
    Joseph M. Garrison, agent, and Philip F. Thompson, sub-agent, have, as the Department has been heretofore notified, resigned office.
    The persons named in the following list of interpreters in the several agencies and sub-agencies are I believe competent and suitable to fulfill the duty required.
    Edward R. Geary, clerk for Superintendency, is competent and efficient in the discharge of his duties.
Hon. Geo. W. Manypenny
    Commissioner Ind. Affairs
        Department of Interior
            Washington City D.C.
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 563-565.



Sir,
    I have the honor of reporting to you that I entered upon the duties of the office of sub-Indian agent on the 1st of October 1853, and since that period have visited and talked with the following tribes, and at dates as herein stated. Some little misunderstanding having occurred between the Tututni tribe, living on Rogue River seven miles from its mouth, and the miners of that vicinity, I repaired to the scene of difficulty on the 3rd of October. The difficulty alluded to was occasioned by the ill treatment of the Indian women on the part of the whites--the Indians threatening to drive off the miners as the only effectual method of preventing a recurrence of such insult upon their families. I had no trouble in settling the matter and establishing friendly relations, nor do I apprehend that any difficulty will hereafter occur, originating with the Indians. In the vicinity of Tututni village there are some three hundred miners at work upon the sea beach. Among their number are many desperate characters disposed to infringe upon the rights of the Indians, and upon all occasions to treat them badly. The preponderance of power, however, I am happy to say, is in the hands of well-disposed, law-abiding and order-loving men, who will not permit the rights of the Indian to be invaded. I confidently anticipate a long continuance of peace and friendly intercourse in that section of my district.
    Complaint being made to me that the Qus-tou-wah tribe, residing on the coast some twelve miles north of Port Orford, had ordered a white settler to leave their country, threatening to kill him should he fail to do so, I visited that tribe on the 7th of November last, and not only succeeded in forming friendly relations, but obtained permission for Americans to settle upon and work the lands of their people. During my interview with the chief he said to me, "I cannot understand white man. You make promises but do not fulfill them. I sold my country long ago to the Great American Tyee. The Great American Tyee promised to pay my people. He has not made good his words. Now his people come here, take my land without permission and do not pay me. What do you people mean?" I could only answer that the American Tyee would not wrong his Indian people, that he would make good his words, that he would soon pay for their lands.
    I certainly hope that government will not much longer delay this matter. This very neglect occasions no little difficulty to the Indian agent in the performance of the duties of his office. I earnestly hope it may soon be removed. On the 3rd December last I left Port Orford accompanied by Lieut. Kautz, commanding at Fort Orford, and two men, with George Abbott as guide, for the Big Bend of Rogue River, the residence of the Shasta Costa tribe. I arrived at the principal village of the Shasta Costa on the 7th of December and immediately went into council with three of their principal chiefs, attended by about forty warriors. The interview was long and exceedingly interesting, and ended to my entire satisfaction. The Shasta Costa chiefs had been told by the Taylor Indians, some of whom have moved down to the upper ends of Big Bend, that the American Tyee had deceived his people, that he never intended to pay for the lands of the Indian, that he had ordered his white people to take the land and destroy all the Indians. The chiefs seemed pleased with my talk and gave me every assurance of a desire for peace and permanent friendly relations. I apprehend trouble with the Taylor Indians--they appear to be unsettled, moving about, up and down Rogue River, without any fixed residence.
    It was with the Taylor Indians and not the Shasta Costa tribe that Benj. Wright had difficulty. I wrote you in reference to that difficulty in the month of November last. In journeying from Port Orford to the Big Bend of Rogue River I proceeded by land as far as the Shasta Costa village, a distance of 28 miles from Port Orford. At the Tututni village we took canoes and ascended Rogue River to Big Bend--distance thirty-five miles. My object in going by water was that I might examine the country on the banks of the river and ascertain its adaptation to your project of colonization. We were three days in ascending the river. A more wild or turbulent stream I never saw, and as to the country through which it courses its way to the sea, it is totally unfit for the permanent abode of white men.
    In consequence of the frequency of the rapids we were often obliged to walk miles. This afforded me an opportunity to examine the country some distance inland. I find it all of the same character--mountains and canyons, nearly all heavily timbered. There are, here and there, upon the banks of the river, small patches of open bottom lands, from fifty to one hundred acres each, admirably calculated for Indian settlement, most of which are now occupied by small bands of Indians. At the Big Bend of the river I should estimate the open bottom land to contain about 3000 acres. Even that spot, with all its beauty and fertility, is so completely enclosed by almost impassable mountains as to offer no inducement for its settlement and occupation by white men.
    In conclusion I cannot but recommend to your notice in furtherance of your project of colonization the Rogue River country from the Big Bend of that stream to the sea coast. It is particularly adapted to the wants of the Indian--the river is full of fish, and the mountains will ever furnish abundance of game, and there is sufficient agricultural land to instruct them in the science of farming. There they will not often be brought into intercourse with others than their own people--seldom if ever molested by the white man.
    In the performance of the duties of my office, in consequence of the absence of a military force and the nonexistence of organized courts of law, I have experienced much difficulty. There are very many bad men among us, men who do not scruple to distribute liquor freely among the Indians. Against this course I can only remonstrate. I have no means within my reach to prevent this violation of law. I hope ere long a remedy will be immediately at hand, so that I may be able to bring the offender of the law to speedy justice. At present I am performing the duties of my office without any particular instruction. If I err, and I fear I may, my errors will be founded in ignorance of the power invested in me, and the extent and precise meaning of the services expected at my hands.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.    The original letter can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 132.



Sir,
    Your letter of the 17th ultimo asking payment for packing Indian goods has been received.
    Before the amount can be paid it will be necessary for you to procure the certificate of the persons by whom you were employed showing the number of animals engaged in the service, the rate per day, the number of days thus employed, and as there were three different points at which the goods were to be delivered, it will be necessary to state the length of time and number of animals engaged in each respectively as inst. first from Pass Creek to W. J. Martin's: here ended the first contract. From W. J. Martin's to Cow Creek near Mr. Riddle's, as at this point a portion of the goods were left. From Mr. Riddle's to the Indian agency in Rogue River.
    You should also procure a certificate or receipt from Mr. Culver, the Indian agent, showing the time the articles were delivered.
    These certificates are necessary in order to properly adjust the accounts. Mr. Hubbard has informed me with regard to the trip as far as Mr. Martin's, and the latter as to the rates per day. It is necessary that I should know the number of animals and length of time between the respective points. No information as to the reception of the goods has yet been received. Nor has there been funds remitted applicable to the payment of your claim, but I hope to receive remittances soon. Enclosed are blank forms of vouchers such as we are required to take, to be in duplicate.
Mr. James McDonald
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.



Hon. the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
    Washington City
        Dear Sir
            Mr. James P. Day left in my hands for collection an acct., of which I herewith send a copy marked (A.), for which I gave a receipt copy of which I send herewith marked (B.). Mr. Day informs me by letter that he made arrangements with Mr. Walker to receive into his hands for safekeeping the money which I might obtain from the government on his acct., and that for this purpose he had left my receipt in the hands of Mr. C. M. Walker. From letters received from Mr. Walker it would seem that he desired me to send to him the original of the copy marked (A.) in order that he may appropriate to his own use the money when received, as though it had been so agreed between him and Mr. Day. But the latter gentleman has not informed me of any such arrangement, but on the contrary instructs me by letter to remit the money to a given point, and to get my receipt from Mr. Walker. Mr. Walker has just sent my receipt to me by mail enclosed in a letter, a copy of which is marked (C.). But I should be wanting in duty to my client were I to comply with Mr. Walker's request.
    Would you do me the favor to inform me to whom I should present Mr. Day's acct. for payment. Please write to me at your earliest convenience.
   
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 758-761. These documents throughout give Day's name as "James M. Day."




Sir
    Yours of the 29th Nov. was received on the 28th Decr. In answer to your inquiry whether my census return embraced Taylor's Band I would say that it does.
    In that census I depended much upon the one that Judge Skinner furnished me with & either he was too high, or many of them have since died, probably a little of both. My time has been so completely occupied since my arrival here that to take the census of them so as to be entirely correct has been impossible.
    Your estimate "six hundred souls" of the Rogue River tribe proper is not far from correct.
    I also received the copy of Agent F. M. Smith's letter informing you that the Shasta Costa band of Indians are disposed to be hostile.
    Your suggestion that perhaps I may be able to get a message to them, or do something that would be of service in the matter from this direction, gives me pain rather than otherwise, for I know that I could bring about a friendly feeling in a very short time if I had any means, but without, it is doubtful. The Indians between this and the part where the Shasta Costas reside speak three or four different languages. It would be difficult for any Indians from this part to get them to come in, or to effect anything with them. It cannot be done by less than from 3 to 5, and it would be necessary to look until I could find some persons that among them could speak each different language, and that each of them should be possessed of a character that would be known to be above deception among themselves. Such persons cannot be procured for such service without good pay. I might promise something to be paid hereafter, but in so doing I would depart from a rule made long since not to promise an Indian the least thing unless I know I can comply with it.
    Be assured however that no stone shall be left unturned by me in this matter with the means that I have. It is to be regretted that the service should be so embarrassed. In this instance probably a small amount, judiciously expended, would save a very large sum hereafter and many valuable lives. But I will not dwell on the subject farther. Your experience is quite sufficient.
    Speaking of sending troops from this to Port Orford. There are today at Fort Lane forty-one men. These are remnants of three companies of dragoons, and more will be discharged soon. Instead of sending any away more ought to be sent here. A good force and prudent management will preserve peace in this part--nothing else.
    It is reported that Fort Jones is to be broken up & the garrison sent here--it ought to be done.
    I am glad to learn that you have taken steps to get troops sent to Port Orford, for they are needed there much.
    As I wrote in my last, I have made an arrangement with Tipsy to come upon the reserve in the spring. It is impossible for him to go the other way, for the miners drive him back. The only thing that he could do is to come upon the reserve. Early steps ought to be taken to assist them to raise food. All they want is potatoes. To assist them to raise a field of potatoes would do much toward keeping peace. With a little assistance of that kind, they cannot suffer for food. And if they have a fine lot in the ground, or in store for winter, they would not dare to do wrong for fear of losing them.
    I hope that General Lane will try to get a large sum appropriated "for treaty purposes" this winter and in time that it can be used next summer.
Joel Palmer
    Superintendent
        Dayton Yamhill Co.
            Oregon Territory   
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.   The original can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 7.



Sir
    Upon my arrival I find in my office your letter in reference to the destitute condition of a portion of the Indians in your sub-agency. If their condition be such as to demand assistance, you will make such provisions for their relief as you may think necessary, and be ordered to do so. You will receive orders to call on Mr. Garrison for such goods as he may have in his possession belonging to the government.
    Before doing so, however, perhaps you would do well to come down and be supplied with the needful a little pay, as you will doubtless be pleased to learn that a small remittance has been made from which your accounts may be paid up to the 30 June last, and other few funds applicable for the payment of accounts subsequent to that date has been received. It is desirable to have returns as soon as possible up to the close of last quarter. The accounts transmitted by Doct. Dart have been returned with directions to audit and pay if found just and proper.
J. L. Parrish Esq.
    Sub-Ind. Agent
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 30; Miscellaneous Loose Papers 1850-1873.



General Joel Palmer
    Supt. of Indian Affairs,
        Sir,
            Inasmuch as we are situated on the coast in Jackson County and Territory of Oregon, and surrounded by Indians on all sides, with whom our relations are frequently of a delicate and intricate character, we deem it our interest to ask at your hands the exercise of the power and authority with which you are invested by the law to place upon a more proper and desirable basis our relations with our neighbors. We ask this in consideration of the facts that we have been recently menaced in various forms by our neighbors, who have also as they believe demanded in a formal manner that pay for the land upon which we are located. We cannot in view of the circumstances but regret the evils consequent upon further delay by your department, and we hope by action on your part to avoid the evils to which we are daily liable. And while we are anxious to avoid the evils resulting from an open rupture with our neighbors, we have confidence that you will readily comprehend the necessity of acting promptly and efficiently in the matter.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.  A copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 555-556.



Sir
    I herewith transmit an abstract with accompanying schedule of merchandise to be purchased in the eastern markets for paying Indian annuities for the year 1855 in this Superintendency.
    No. 1 is for 2nd payment of annuity to the Rogue River tribe. This annuity is too small to afford the tribe adequate supplies. But should the treaty of the 18th November last be ratified and appropriations made to carry it into effect, it is believed that with the proceeds of their own labor and the unexpended portions of the five thousand dollars appropriated in the treaty of the 10th Sept. 1853, a sufficiency may be obtained to provide for their actual necessities and much be accomplished towards preparing them for self-sustenance.
    The outlay of a few hundred dollars in the spring to purchase seed and aid in putting in crops is greatly demanded, and the appropriation referred to is thought sufficient for the object. These Indians do not all reside on the reserve, and it will doubtless take several years to provide comfortable quarters for them all thereon. But little improvement can be expected unless they are encouraged by the residence of an agent and farmer among them, when they may be induced to do much for themselves.
    No. 2 second payment of annuity to Cow Creek band. It is contemplated that this band will be located on the Umpqua Reserve with those treated with on the 29th November last, and thus the deficiencies in their limited provision may be to some extent supplied. The addition of several families to this band, gathered in from remote districts where they had been for some time residing, leaves their annuity insufficient to supply them with the actual necessaries of life. But when located with other bands so as to realize the benefit of shops, farmers, schools &c. it will with care be sufficient connected with the proceeds of their own labor to support them comfortably. The articles for this band will probably cost nearly the entire amount of their annuity. Should it be sufficient, however, I would suggest the purchase of a few rifles and some ammunition, which they greatly need.
    In connection with this subject I would suggest the propriety of furnishing this Superintendency with from four to five hundred stand of arms to be given to the various bands as circumstances may warrant in payment of annuities. In fact no species of property would be more acceptable as a first payment than arms and ammunition. The few now possessed by them are generally old and worn out, and insufficient to enable them to procure wild game, upon which they must mainly for some years depend for food.
    It is highly probable that an abundant supply might be obtainable from some of the arsenals of a style and finish suited to these Indians, regarded by the War Department as almost valueless in the service. In the mountain districts rifles are best suited to their wants, but along the coast fowling pieces or shotguns would generally be preferred. No danger need be apprehended from supplying these arms to the Indians west of the Cascade Mountains.
    No. 3. Articles designed for the Shasta and Scoton tribes and Grave Creek band of Umpquas, treated with on the 18th day of November last. Confederating these bands with those embraced in the treaty of the 10th September 1853, and providing for the erection and maintenance of smith shops, schools, hospital, the employment of farmers and the expenditure of $6500 in improvements, stock, subsistence &c. will place all these bands in a condition much better than was possible with the limited amount afforded by the treaty referred to. Those bands also stand in need of a few firearms and I have accordingly entered on the list one box of rifles with ammunition. It may be proper here to state that it was understood at the time of the treaty that in the event of an individual settling upon and cultivating any particular tract which might be designated, he was to be supplied with a gun on account of annuity, if he had none. No provision is made in this treaty for the erection of mills, as it was presumed settlers residing adjacent would erect such improvements. But it may ultimately be found advantageous to erect them. It would be very desirable if found practicable to have the tools shipped in time for using them in gathering the next harvest. All goods designed for Indian use should reach our ports in April, May or June, that they may be transported to the respective districts during the summer months or before the commencement of the rainy season. The chiefs and headmen of these bands greatly desire a few horses, which can be purchased in this country.
    No. 4. Is for the confederated bands of the Umpquas and Calapooias treated with on the 29th November last. In addition to the articles embraced in the lists for other tribes, this calls for the purchase of materials for supplying the smith shop which by the treaty with them will be paid for out of their annuity, while by the treaties with the other bands the materials are to be paid for out of specific appropriations. To the usual materials for supplying the shop I have added materials for manufacturing their own tinware and camp equipage and for repairing their firearms, making their plows &c. In another communication I have given my reasons at some length for adopting this policy.
    Embraced in these lists are many articles which at certain periods might advantageously be purchased in Oregon. But the fluctuating prices and the inferior quality of the greater proportion of such goods shipped to this coast renders it too uncertain to rely on this market; besides the annuities are too small to justify the additional tax, with percents insurance &c. of transportation.
    The article of coats I have omitted in all these lists, and yet they are greatly desired by the Indians. But until permanently located on their reserves, and other essential provisions for their comfort and convenience are made, I have thought it best not to draw so heavily from their annuity by supplying this article. There are instances in which an Indian would prefer a coat to all other articles, and it might be well that a limited supply of coats, vests, hats [and] boots were placed at the disposal of this office to meet such cases.
Hon.
    Geo. W. Manypenny
        Commissioner Indn. Affairs
            Washington City D.C.
NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs,  Reel 608 Oregon Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 910-915.



Sir,
    I herewith enclose my abstract of disbursements with the accompanying vouchers for the quarter ending December 31st, 1853. Under the first five heads of account there is an aggregate balance on hand of $6,502.34⅔, and under the last four heads an aggregate deficit of $5,520.98, which has been disbursed out of my private funds, and for the payment of which I trust early provisions will be made, as the pecuniary liabilities I have incurred in order to meet with promptness and efficiency the emergencies which have arisen in this Superintendency since my coming into office are now pressing heavily. A reference to the abstract will show no accounts of agents and sub-agents--with the exception of those of sub-agent Culver up to the 30th June last--have been liquidated.
    This is owing in a great measure to the late period at which funds were received and the unusual inclemency of the season, which has for some time almost entirely suspended intercourse with the different parts of the Territory.
    The ox team (see vouchers 8 & 16) was purchased to convey goods to the Cow Creek & Rogue River Indians according to agreement at the time of treating with them at the close of the late hostilities, the goods being on account of the first payment of annuities. The team is designed for the Rogue River Indians, who at the time of the treaty expressed a desire to be furnished with a team to aid them in the cultivation of the soil. They will be retained till spring and after being employed in the transferring of some supplies of goods for the Indians will be turned over to the above-named tribe at cost. A large amount of Indian property having been destroyed during the war and the Indians, being cut off from their usual supply of winter clothing, were in circumstances of great destitution, so that it became necessary, though the season was far advanced, to endeavor to supply them.
    Owing to the high waters it was impossible to take the ox team farther than the Umpqua Valley, where it will remain in charge of special agent Martin till spring.
    From that point the goods were packed to their destination.
    The prices paid for the team and for transportation are at the ordinary rates of the country.
    Vo. No. 18 is for goods given to Ben, son of the principal chief of the R.R. Indians, who set out to accompany General Lane to Washington, but was sent back in consequence of the failure of his health. It was deemed expedient to make him a few presents.
    Vos. No. 19, 20 are for expenses and services of Thos. K. Williams in preparing for and traveling to Olalla Agency and for services while there. Mr. Thompson reached the agency at what was deemed a very critical juncture; a general rising among the Indians being apprehended, and his health having become quite feeble, it was deemed important to retain Mr. Williams in the service to assist in visiting and keeping a watchful eye upon these powerful tribes.
    I also transmit herewith an abstract showing the vouchers heretofore transmitted with the abstracts of disbursement for the quarter ending June 30 and Sept. 30, 1853 as arranged under their proper heads of account.
Hon. Geo. W. Manypenny
    Commr. Ind. Affrs.
        Washington City D.C.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.




Genl. Joel Palmer
    Dear Sir,
        Your note of the 8th inst. relative to the non-allowance of an item in my brother's accts. in amount 7.00 and asking his signature to vouchers which were, through mistake, submitted without being signed, has been received, and I herewith return the vouchers with his name duly appended, the item of $7.00 for spurs will be refunded at the first opportunity.
    I have received no information from the south since I saw you at this place, and know of nothing new from there, excepting the recovery of the two Indians who murdered Mr. Kyle, who escaped from their quarters some time ago--and the taking of the Indian that killed Mr. Edwards some time since, all of which I learn from a letter dated at Jacksonville, published in the Statesman of the 10th instant.
Supt. Ind. Affrs.
    Dayton
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.



Dear Sir,
    According to your request I herewith transmit a statement of the number, location and condition of the Indian tribes in Oregon Territory west of the Cascade Mountains. It is not presumable however that the statement herein given is correct in all things, but only approximately, as no census of the various tribes has been taken since I entered on the duties of Superintendent.
    In some cases their number as set down by those holding treaties have been taken, while in others I have been governed by my own knowledge of their number and location.
    There is much difficulty in ascertaining their exact number as it is seldom all the families of any one tribe are congregated at one point, and they seem to have a very indistinct knowledge of computing numbers.
    As soon as possible I will furnish you a statement of the tribes east of the Cascade Range of mountains, together with my suggestions as to the policy deemed necessary in the management of these tribes. In the meantime I shall be pleased to have your views in regard to the adaptation of our intercourse laws to the tribes west of the Rocky Mountains, and such suggestions as your long experience in the management of the eastern tribes will enable you to give in regard to forming some systems by which the tribes may be perpetuated, either in their tribal or national character or their nationality destroyed and they made amenable to our laws, or upon any points touching Indian affairs in this Territory.
His Excellency
    John W. Davis Gov. O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.


Sir,
    I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th October, transmitting with other papers the treaty made by yourself and Agent Culver on the 10th of September with the chiefs and headmen of the bands of the Rogue River tribe of Indians, and that made by you, on the 19th of the same month, with the chiefs of the Cow Creek band of Umpqua Indians in Oregon, and to state that I have today sent them up to the Secretary of the Interior with the recommendation that they be laid before the President to the end that he may submit them to the Senate for constitutional [omission] thereon.
Joel Palmer Esq.
    Supt. &c.
        Dayton
            Oregon
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.    The original can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 26.



Gentlemen
    Your letter of the 4th instant [above] postmarked Scottsburg Jany. 13th, calling my attention to existing relations between the whites and Indians in your vicinity and requesting prompt and energetic action, according to the powers vested by law in this department, to place these relations on a more reliable basis, has this day been received. Your views and motives are duly appreciated, and the delay which has occurred in establishing proper and permanent relations on a more reliable basis had with the coast tribes by treaty is much to be regretted. The evils of which you complain justly, in common with nearly all the settlers in Oregon, cannot be remedied short of the extinguishment of Indian title to the soil and the removal of the Indians to some district remote from the settlements of the whites.
    Although residing in a district where we are comparatively secure from personal danger by combined action of the natives, we nevertheless have our annoyances from them and are not ignorant or unmindful of the strong claims you have on the prompt and energetic action of the agents of the government in your behalf. But while ready and anxious at all times to act promptly and to the extent authorized by law, I apprehend an erroneous impression exists in regard to the powers with which the Superintendency of Ind. Affairs in this Territory is invested and also with regard to the means at his disposal for carrying into effect measures by him deemed important.
    The law authorizing treaties with the Indian tribes in Oregon Territory for the purchase of their lands at first provided a Board of Commissioners for that purpose, of whom ex-Governor Gaines was the head. Subsequently the law was so amended as to authorize such persons in the Indian Department as the President might designate to negotiate such treaties. The President designated Dr. Dart, one agent and a sub-agent, since which time these persons have been removed from office, and none of the present officers in the Indian Department in Oregon have yet been designated to this duty by the President.
    None of the treaties of purchase negotiated by the Board of Commissioners, nor by the late Superintendent and agents, have been ratified and are consequently of no force.
    Treaties of peace and amity have at sundry times been negotiated with Indian tribes, but as they necessarily secured no permanent benefits to the Indians, nor protected the whites from evils and annoyances to which they were continually exposed, they were made, as all of like kind must be, only to be speedily broken.
    The effect of the non-ratification of one class of treaties and the speedy infraction of the stipulations of another class, has been, in a great measure, to destroy the confidence of the Indians in the agents of this government; this together with the encroachments of settlers on their lands has rendered the Indians in some cases desperate.
    The restoration of confidence, and the establishment of amicable relations with the Indians in our Territory on a durable basis, is a work of time, calling for the exercise of much patience and sound discussion on the part of the agents, and prudence and forbearance on the part of our citizens.
    Much valuable time has been lost in treating, talking and attending to petty annoyances, vexations to the agent, unsatisfactory to the settler, and wholly inadequate to the accomplishment of permanent good to either whites or Indians, and these abortive efforts now lie, like so many blocks, in the way of securing really beneficial and lasting results.
    Two obstacles stand in the way of my entering into treaties for the purchase of Indian lands at present--the fact that I am not invested with the requisite legal authority, and the want of means to defray the necessary expenses. The former is avoidable when such treaty is found absolutely necessary to preserve or maintain peace; the latter can only be removed when my purse is sufficiently replenished after the exhaustion of many draws already made upon it for similar purposes.
    The importance of early negotiations with the tribes of your district of country has been pressed upon the considerations of the Indian Department as necessary to the maintenance of peace, and I confidently expect the early receipt of authority and means to carry the measure into effect. In the meantime I appeal to you gentlemen to unite with me and the agents and all good citizens in efforts to maintain peace, to restrain the violent acts of reckless and evil-disposed whites towards the natives, to treat the Indians kindly and encourage them in well doing, to discourage the sale of intoxicating liquors among them, & strive to convince them that we are a Christian and humane people, and that we desire their good.
    The day when these Indians will be placed in a home remote from the whites is I believe near, and I trust nothing will be done in the intercourse of the whites with the Indians in your region to increase the difficulties of effecting a treaty of purchase of their land and their removal from among you. I assure you gentlemen that nothing in my power shall be left undone to relieve you from the evils and annoyances you justly complain of.
    In addition to my communication to the Indian Department upon the importance of treating with these tribes, I have written to General Hitchcock, commanding the Military Department of the Pacific, urging the importance of strengthening the garrison at Port Orford.
    To this communication I have as yet received no reply, but hope he may regard it of sufficient importance to comply with my request.
    The want of proper and adequate appropriation by Congress and the delay which has attended the transmission of funds and instructions to this office are subjects much to be regretted, as the settlement of Indian affairs in this Territory has thereby been much protracted, leaving many of the more sparsely settled parts of our Territory exposed to the violence of the incensed savages, and the country in danger of being involved in a bloody Indian war which may cost the government hundreds of thousands of dollars; while the timely and judicious expenditure of a few thousand dollars by the agents of the government in the Indian Department might place our relations with the Indian tribes on the most desirable and permanent basis, securing the removal of the Indians from among us and ample provision for them, restoring safety and confidence to the settlers, and preserving many valuable lives.
    The character of our government and the cause of humanity demand that this state of affairs should not long exist, and I entertain the hope of being able, during the coming spring and summer, to perfect treaties with nearly all the tribes west of the Cascade Range, securing the purchase of their lands and their removal to such districts as may be selected and secured to them as a permanent home.
    The securing of their consent to remove to such districts you are doubtless aware is the most difficult part of the undertaking and will require the cooperation of all the persuasive powers of agents and settlers, and in some cases we may wholly fail if the removal to the east side of the Cascade Range be insisted on.
To Messrs
    John C. Danford
    Wm. T. Ray & others
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.



Sir
    In mine of the 17th inst. I mentioned that the Indians on Cottonwood were at war with the whites, that it was reported Tipsy & his band were there. As I then said I should, I started at once for Tipsy's ranch, and had the satisfaction of finding every one of his people at home, and further to learn "from whites" who were mining near them, that they had all been at home every day for weeks. I collected & placed them in a few comfortable Indian houses that were near a miner's house and engaged him to count them daily. This was done that no person could doubt as to their whereabouts, and that none could be absent without my knowing it.
    I understood night before last that some persons from Althouse had come up and attacked a small ranch of Illinois Creek Indians during the late snow storm. I have sent an express to learn if it is true & if so the particulars. I was fearful of it, but dare not leave this part so long as the snow is upon the ground, for fear that something of the kind might occur toward the Rogue River bands. If the treaty is ratified I hope funds will reach here in time to purchase potatoes for seed, plows &c. to enable all of the tribe to live on the reserve.
    The express spoken of as sent to Illinois Creek has this moment returned. The report was true. The facts are that a party supposed to be from Althouse killed eight squaws, one little boy, & wounded another. The Indians are completely under my control. No war need be feared--but it is too bad.
    One word more; there are only about thirty men at this post (Fort Lane). I don't see how things can be managed to get along without more. Capt. Smith is now at Cottonwood with 15 men, which only leaves about 15 here at this moment. I start for Illinois now--in haste.
Joel Palmer Supt.
    Dayton Yamhill O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.  Another copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 552-554.  The original can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 10.







Sir:
    I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th October last, enclosing letters from C. M. Walker, and memorandum book and journal kept by him, relative to his claim for services and expenses incurred in quelling difficulties with the Rogue River Indians in 1851. I have also received a letter from Mr. Walker on the same subject, of date December 2nd 1853, and another from the same gentleman by reference from the office of the 2nd Auditor of the Treasury.
    Of the appropriation of $4,979.00 made at the last session of Congress to pay Gen. Jno. P. Gaines and Courtney M. Walker, there remains a balance of $2,086.91.
    The Secretary of the Interior will be requested to issue a requisition in your favor for this latter sum, and you will proceed to pay the several accounts named in the memorandum of Mr. Walker, herewith enclosed.
    As the appropriation was made for the relief of Gen. Jno. P. Gaines and Courtney M. Walker, it will be necessary for you to have Mr. Walker's order before you can properly pay any of the accounts. Under the circumstances which the disbursements were made it is not expected that vouchers can be procured for all the expenditures, consequently much must be left to your discretion.
    There appears to be a discrepancy in the amount of the account of Joel Perkins, and also in that of Mr. Walker himself, with explanations of which he can doubtless furnish you.
    After having paid the accounts you will return the memorandum book, and other papers explanatory thereof, to this office, and if a balance should remain in your hands you will refund the same to the United States Treasury.
Joel Palmer, Esqr.
    Supt. Ind. Affrs.
        Dayton, Oregon Territory
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 28.





F. M. Smith Esquire
    Indian Agent
        Port Orford
            Sir
                We the undersigned as members of the committee of a public meeting held here last Saturday and today, in accordance with the accompanying resolutions, beg to call your prompt attention to the serious matters under consideration, and we further hope that, as you have verbally stated, that you shall consider it your duty to forward this letter and the accompanying report to Genl. Palmer, Superintendent of Indian Affairs (reserving for your own use and in your own office a copy of the same), [and] that you will do so at your earliest convenience. We have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servants.
    (signed) B. J. Burns, B. J. Bell, Wm. J. Berry, J. E. McClure, J. C. Danford
   
    At a public meeting of the citizens held this day at Randolph City with the view of taking into consideration and adopting measures relative to the misunderstanding that has recently occurred at Coquille River between the citizens and Indians, X. E. Scott was chosen chairman and .I. B. O'Mealy secretary, and subsequently the following resolutions were passed and adopted:
    1st Resolved, That our strength at this meeting shall be ascertained. Upon being counted it is found that there are seventy-three men present, fourteen of whom had serviceable rifles and shotguns and eleven of whom had pistols, making in all twenty-five men who have firearms in their possession.
    2nd Resolved, That a committee of five gentlemen be appointed to communicate with F. M. Smith, Esq., Indian agent at Port Orford, soliciting that officer to aid and assist the citizens on the Coquille mines as far as lies in his power with firearms and ammunition to put down and quell the Indians, and at the same time it is considered advisable that the committee report to Genl. Palmer, Supt. of Indian Affairs, the present state of affairs in this vicinity.
    3rd Resolved, That the following five gentlemen be appointed to form the committee: Capt. B. J. Bell, Wm. J. Berry, B. J. Burns, J. E. McClure, and J. Danford.
    4th Resolved, That when this meeting is adjourned, it shall be only till 9 o'clock this evening, when the meeting will be reassembled at Messrs. Scott & Evans' house at Randolph City, with the view of ascertaining the feelings of the Indians, and more particularly to learn if the chief at Coquille River feels inclined to comply with the request and wishes of the citizens by conversing with and visiting the citizens. and stating his grievance, if he has any to complain of.
    5th Resolved, That B. J. Burns be appointed commissary of this meeting to supply and forward rations &c. to the men engaged in suppressing the Indians.
    6th Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the Indian agent at Port Orford and also to the citizens at Empire City and also published in the Oregon newspapers.
    7th Resolved, That if any person or persons shall sell, give, barter or in any manner dispose of any gun, rifle, pistol, carbine or other firearms, or any powder, lead, caps or other ammunition, to any Indian or Indians, such person or persons so offending shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor, and shall receive for the first offense thirty-nine lashes upon the bare back, and for the second offense shall suffer death.
    In pursuance of the preceding resolutions, the meeting reassembled at nine o'clock p.m., when the following resolution was adopted:
    Resolved, That this meeting is hereby adjourned until 4 o'clock tomorrow evening, in order that there shall be sufficient time to compare the resolutions and proceedings passed and adopted by our fellow citizens at Coquille River, with the resolutions and proceedings passed and adopted at this meeting today. Prior to their being transmitted to their respective destinations, and it is further hoped and requested that the meeting tomorrow will be numerously attended, as it is deemed advisable that every citizen that can possibly attend will do so, to give the meeting the benefit of his judgment, experience and advice.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.  A copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 585-588.



    In pursuance of the wishes of the citizens a public meeting which was to be held yesterday was adjourned until today, when the meeting was held at Randolph City, in order to take into consideration and reconsider the resolutions that were passed and adopted here last Saturday, 28th instant, as well as the resolutions and proceedings passed and adopted at a public meeting held at Coquille River (the seat of war) which were read at this meeting today, and were sanctioned and highly approved relative to the hostilities evinced by the Indians at Coquille River against the citizens. Upon the meeting being called to order, X. E. Scott was appointed chairman and J. B. O'Mealy secy., when the following resolutions were passed and adopted.
    1st Resolved, Whereas the Indians in this vicinity have been very troublesome for some time past (i.e., ever since and before the discovery of the mines), on account of their many thefts, it being unsafe to leave a house alone while the inhabitants were absent at work, they (the Indians) being in the habit of ransacking such houses, taking all the ammunition, provisions and other articles such as they could conveniently secrete and becoming more hostile in their movements every day; and that the threatening attitude of the Indians a few days since at Coquille River called for immediate and decisive action; and as it was then considered necessary for the safety of the lives and property of the citizens that prompt and energetic measures should be taken.
    2nd Resolved, That we consider the threatening and menacing aspect of the Indians at the Coquille River on the 27th & 28th inst. amounted to a declaration of war on their part.
    3rd Res'd., That the prompt and timely action of the citizens and miners assembled at the Coquille River on the 27th & 28th inst. has struck a decisive blow which we believe has quelled at the commencement an Indian war which might have lasted for months, causing much bloodshed and expense to the people in general, and we have also ascertained that a large quantity of secreted firearms and powder was destroyed in the burning of the Indian villages.
    4th Res'd., That duplicates of the proceedings of this meeting be drawn up for the purpose of publication, one copy to be sent to the Ind. agent at Pt. Orford and others to be transmitted to the different newspapers in Oregon & California, and it is further resolved, that a copy of the resolutions passed and adopted at the meeting held last Saturday, 28th inst. at Randolph City shall also accompany [omission] passed and adopted here today.
    5th Res'd., That the thanks of this meeting are justly due and hereby given to our fellow citizens who have behaved so nobly in suppressing with a small force of volunteers the Indians on the 27th & 28th inst. at Coquille River who had declared war; and from the most authentic information that we have obtained, after mature investigation, we have every reason to believe that the Indians were on the eve of commencing an outbreak against the whites.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.  A copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 589-590.



    REPORTS from Port Orford, O.T., state that on the 1st inst., a party of miners attacked an Indian village, killing sixteen persons, and wounding several others.
Sierra Citizen, Downieville, California, February 11, 1854, page 3



Your Excellency
    I arrived here yesterday at 3½ o'clock, in company with Mr. F. M. Smith, sub-Indian agent, and Lieutenant Kautz, U.S.A., commanding officer at Fort Orford, from the Coquille River, which your excellency will undoubtedly learn in advance of this communication has been the scene of Indian difficulties for several days past.
    The causes &c. of the troubles your excellency can glean from the enclosed copy of the proceedings of the miners and citizens assembled en masse at the Coquille ferry on the 27th of January, and also the proceedings of the meeting at Randolph on the 30th and subsequent to the attack on the Indians which was made on the 28th. Therefore I will leave the causes and proceed with a report of the effects.
    At the meeting of the miners and citizens on the 27th a company of volunteers was organized of which I was chosen captain, A. F. Soap first lieutenant and Wm. H. Packwood second lieutenant (as your excellency may see in the report of those proceedings of the meeting) for the purpose of chastising the Indians effectively and immediately, the next morning (28th) being the time set for the attack.
    The Indian village was in three parts situated on both sides of the river and about one and a half miles from the mouth, one part on the north and two on the south side.
    The huts on the north side, being situated on open ground, was easy of approach, while those on the south were in the edge of a thicket connecting with a large and heavy body of timber.
    It was supposed that if the Indians were not completely surprised and should make a stand it would be at that portion of the village immediately occupied by the chief.
    I divided the company into three detachments, the first detachment, under First Lieutenant A. F. Soap, crossed the river (to the north side), took position on a mound overlooking the village, there to await the signal for attack. The second detachment, under Second Lieut. Wm. H. Packwood, took a circuitous route through the timber, intending to approach the village situated furthest up the river on the south side, from the rear, but owing to some deficiency in the guide this detachment did not get to their position until after the signal of attack was given. The third detachment, under my immediate command, taking a circuitous route, got a position in rear of the lower village (south side) and the part occupied by the chief.
    All of those movements were made before daylight the morning of the 28th. As soon as it was light the signal of attack (which was the report of a rifle fired by one of the party under my immediate command) was given, and the village was attacked at the three points simultaneously. The surprise was complete, consequently the resistance was but trifling. Sixteen of the Indians were killed and four wounded; among the latter was the chief. We took twenty old men, women and children.
    We destroyed the village by fire, but the principal portion of their provisions were saved, together with some twelve canoes. In burning the village a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition was destroyed. The Indians were thus severely chastised without any loss on the part of the whites, which will undoubtedly have a salutary effect on all the Indians inhabiting this coast from the Umpqua to Rogue River.
    Immediately after the destruction of the village, I sent out three of the women that had been taken in the engagement to find the chief, inviting him in and offering peace and friendship if he wished it. He returned for answer that a great portion of his people had been killed, that he was wounded himself, and that he asked peace and friendship for himself and the remainder of his people, stating that his heart was changed, that he did not wish to trouble the whites any further and that if I would send the chief of the tribe at Sixes River (who he knew to be in my camp at the time) to him with assurance that he would be protected, that he would come in.
    I sent that individual accordingly and the hostile chief, accompanied by ten of his principal men, came in to council. A friendly understanding was established and the volunteers were disbanded, the men returning to their peaceable occupations. The next day 29th Mr. F. M. Smith, sub-Indian agent from Port Orford, arrived at the ferry accompanied by Lieut. Kautz. Mr. Smith made every exertion to get to the scene of difficulties before hostilities commenced but was there only in time to establish more permanent understanding with the Indians, which he did in a manner highly creditable to himself as a public official.
    The foregoing report I deem it necessary to make to your excellency, as I was chosen by the miners and citizens at their meeting on the 28th (as your excellency will perceive) to forward two copies of the proceedings of the different meetings held by them during the few days' active operations, one to your excellency and one to Mr. F. M. Smith, sub-agent Indian affairs at Port Orford.
    A simple copy of those proceedings, unaccompanied by a report of the attack and of the preceding and succeeding incidents, would be rather unsatisfactory.
To his excellency
    Governor of Oregon
Cayuse, Yakima and Rogue River Wars Papers, University of Oregon Special Collections Bx47, Box 1, Folder 36



    Further difficulties had occurred with the Indians on Coquille River. Some alleged outrages by the red men were avenged by a party of fifty miners, who attacked an Indian village and killed 16 of the aborigines.
"Oregon," New York Times, March 13, 1854, page 3



Dear Sir,
    I received news on the 23rd instant that a party of whites from Sailor Diggings had attacked the Indians on Illinois or Deer Creek and killed several. It was very cold and snow upon the ground. I dared not leave this part at that time fearing something of the kind toward the Rogue River tribe. I sent an express to them at once telling them not to retaliate on anyone; on the contrary, if another party came and they were aware of it in time to leave for the mountains, to keep clear of them, and not to molest them or anyone else, that I would be there as soon as possible, which they did. The Indians killed were not Illinois but Tyee John's (branch of Tipsy's) people.
    I sent them there to keep the Illinois Indians in check this winter, as I have perfect control of John's & have not as perfect over the Illinois. I have just returned from there. It is settled so far as the Indians are concerned; they will not allow it to interfere with the relations now existing. Can anyone ask better evidences of their desire for peace? It has been & is now so that I could send every one of them into the mountains to avoid such parties if necessary, which I certainly hope will not be. I tested it when news reached this valley of the troubles on Klamath. I received news of it after dark and before 9 o'clock next morning I knew where all of Jo, Sam & Jim's people were, and before dark next day also where Tipsy's were; none were absent. The trouble on the other side of the Siskiyou has given me much uneasiness, & I hope it is ended.
    The team, implements & money necessary to put in potatoes in the spring I hope will not fail. I will try to write you again before the mail leaves.
    There were one squaw & two boys killed & three squaws & one boy wounded. Three other squaws & one young Ind. whipped the 19 men & chased them two miles.
Joel Palmer
    Supt. Ind. Affrs.
        Dayton Yamhill Co.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.    The original can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 12.




Hon. Sir,
    I grieve to report to you that a most horrid massacre, or rather an out-and-out barbarous murder, was perpetrated upon a portion of the Na-sou tribe, residing at the mouth of the Coquille River, on the morning of the 28th January past, by a party of forty miners. Before giving you the result of my examination and my own conclusions, I will give you the reasons which that party assign in justification of their acts.
    They avow that for some time past the Indians at the mouth of the Coquille River have been insolent--that they have been in the habit of riding the horses of white men without permission--that of late they have committed many thefts, such as stealing paddles and many other articles, the property of white men--that one of their number recently discharged his gun at the ferry houses--and that but a few days prior to the attack upon the Indians, the chief, on leaving the ferry house, where he had just been fed, fired his gun at a party of four white men, standing near the door of the house. They further state that on the 27th of January they sent for the chief to come in for a talk--that he not only refused to come in, but sent back word that he would kill white men if they came to his house--that he meant to kill all the white men he could--that he was determined to drive the white men out of his country--that he would kill the men at the ferry and burn their houses. This communication with the chief, and his returning answers, were had through my interpreter Chilliman, who happened to be there at that time on a visit. On the afternoon of the 27th of January, immediately after this correspondence with the chief, the white men at and near the ferry house assembled and deliberated upon the necessity of an immediate attack upon the Indians. The result of their deliberation, with the full proceedings of their meeting, is herein enclosed. (Read document No. 2.) At the conclusion of the meeting a courier was dispatched to the upper mines for assistance. A party of about twenty responded to this call, and arrived at the ferry house in the evening preceding the morning of the massacre. On the arrival of this reinforcement, the proceedings of the meeting first held were reconsidered and unanimously approved. The "upper mines," referred to above, are on the sea beach, about seven miles north of the mouth of the Coquille. There are about 250 men at work there. At the dawn of day on the morning of the 28th of January, the party at the ferry, joined by about twenty men from the upper mines, organized under command of Geo. H. Abbott, with A. H. Soap as 1st lieutenant, and William H. Packwood as 2nd lieutenant, and in three detachments marched upon the Indian ranches and consummated a most inhuman slaughter. A full account of what they falsely term "a fight" you will find in the report which their captain, George H. Abbott, forwarded to me on the day of the massacre. Said report is marked No. 3, and is herein enclosed. The Indians were aroused from sleep to meet their death, with but feeble show of resistance; they were shot down as they were attempting to escape from their houses. Fifteen men and one squaw were killed--two men and two squaws were badly wounded. On the part of the white men, not even the slightest wound was received. The houses of the Indians, with but one exception, were fired and entirely destroyed. Thus was committed a massacre too inhuman to be readily believed. Now for my examination of this horrid affair.
    Receiving information from Mr. Abbott in the evening of the 28th of January in letter forwarded bearing date January 27th, that the Indians at the mouth of the Coquille River were disposed to be hostile, and that in consequence thereof the miners were arming, I immediately set about making preparation to start at an early hour of the following day for the scene of difficulty.
    On the morning of the 29th of January I left Port Orford for the Coquille, accompanied by Lieutenant Kautz, commanding Fort Orford.
    We arrived at the mouth of the Coquille, at the ferry house, early in the evening of that day. On my arrival Mr. Abbott handed me dispatch No. 4, containing, as you will find, an account of the proceedings at the ferry house during the day of the 28th of January. Early in the morning of the day after my arrival I sent for the chief, who immediately came in, attended by about thirty of his people. The chief, as well as those of his people present, were so greatly alarmed, and apparently so apprehensive that the white men would kill them, even in my presence, that it was with [a] good deal of difficulty that I could induce the chief to express his mind freely. He seemed only anxious to stipulate for peace and the future safety of his people, and to procure this he was willing to accept any terms that I might dictate. The chief was evidently afraid to complain of, or in any manner to censure the slaughterers of his tribe, and for some time replied to the charges made against him with a good deal of hesitancy. After repeated assurances of my protection he finally answered to the point every interrogatory. I asked him if he had at any time fired at the men at the ferry house. No was his prompt reply. At the time he was said to have fired upon the white men, he declared with great earnestness that he shot at a duck in the river, at a distance of some two hundred yards from the ferry house, when on his way home, and possibly the ball of his gun might have bounded from the water. My subsequent examination of the course of the river, and the point from which he was said to have fired, convinced me that his statement was entitled to the fullest credit. This statement of the chief is somewhat confirmed by the doubt expressed by one of the party at whom he was said to have fired. The white men making this accusation against the chief only heard; the whizzing of a bullet; this was the only evidence adduced in proof of the chief having fired at them. I asked the chief if he, or if to his knowledge any of his people, had ever fired at the ferry house. To this he answered No. The chief most emphatically denied sending threatening language to the men at the ferry, but admitted that some of his people had. He also admitted that some of his tribe had stolen from white men, and that they had used their horses without permission. He did not deny that his heart had been bad toward white men, and that he had hoped they would leave his country, but all graver charges, such as shooting at white people, or at their houses, he stoutly denied.
    The chief promised to do all I required of him; if I desired he said he would leave the home of his fathers and with his people would take to the mountains; but with my permission and the assurance of my protection he would prefer remaining in the present home of his people. Everything I asked or required of him he readily assented to, promising most solemnly to maintain on his part permanent friendly relations with white men. My interview with the tribe occupied about two hours. During the entire council they listened with most profound attention, evidently being determined to fasten on their minds all that fell from my lips. At the conclusion of the council I requested the chief to send for all the guns and pistols in the possession of his men. You will be surprised when I tell you that all the guns and pistols in the hands of the Indians at the ranches, at the time of the massacre, amounted to just five pieces, two of which were wholly unserviceable. As to powder and ball, I do not believe they had even five rounds. Does this look like being prepared for war? Can any sane man believe that these Indians, numbering not over seventy-five, men, women and children, all told, with but three serviceable guns, had concocted a plan to expel from their country some 300 white men? Such a conclusion is too preposterous to be entertained even for a moment. Sir, there was no necessity for resorting to such extreme measures. I regard the murder of these Indians as one of the most barbarous acts ever perpetrated by civilized men. But what can be done? The leaders of the party cannot be arrested, though justice largely demands their punishment. Here we have not even a justice of the peace; and as to the military force garrisoned at Fort Orford, it consists of but four men! If such murderous assaults are to be continued, there will be no end of Indian war in Oregon.
    The proceedings of the meetings held at the mines above the Coquille I herein enclose. Those meetings were held subsequent to the massacre. The action of the citizens present at these meetings was based upon the statements of those engaged in the affair at the mouth of the Coquille. I was assured by several gentlemen at the upper mines that word was sent up from the ferry house that Mr. Abbott was acting upon my authority--specially deputed by a full commission from my hands, and that the government interpreter was with him. Upon this and other kindred reports was based the proceedings of their meetings. The very first intimation of there being any difficulty, or‘any misunderstanding whatever, between the Indians and white men at the mouth of the Coquille, I received by letter from Mr. Abbott on the 28th of January late in the afternoon of that day. You will find by referring to the letter marked No. 1 that it bears date January 27th. The distance from Port Orford to the Coquille ferry is about twenty-eight miles. I left Port Orford for the scene of difficulty, as before stated, on the morning of the 29th of January, the earliest possible moment after receiving Abbott's communication. Now, why could they not have awaited my arrival?
    I will tell you why, and it was urged in the meeting at the ferry house; they knew if they awaited the arrival of the Indian agent a treaty would be entered into, and friendly relations with the Indians would be established without the sacrifice of Indian life. In plainer words, and more in accordance with the spirit and acts of these men, if they awaited my arrival they would lose the pleasure and opportunity of settling the alleged difficulty in their own peculiar way. On reading of the proceedings of the meeting at the "upper mines," you will observe that it had been reported there that a large quantity of firearms and powder was destroyed in the burning of the Indian ranches. The report, of course, was sent up by the party engaged in the massacre. I do not hesitate to pronounce the statement false--false in every particular. Bold, brave, courageous men! to attack a friendly and defenseless tribe of Indians--to burn, roast, and shoot sixteen of their number, and all on suspicion that they were about to rise and drive from their country some 300 white men. In justice to Mr. Abbott, I must add that he wholly denies having sent word to the "upper mines" that he was acting upon authority delegated by me to him; on the contrary he asserts that he openly declared in the meeting at the ferry house, the night preceding the attack upon the Indian ranches, that he possessed no authority at my hands--that he acted, and should continue to act, upon his own responsibility, and such further authority as should be conferred on him by the people there assembled.
    In conclusion, I am happy to inform you that the Indians throughout my district are disposed to live on friendly relations with white men. They evince no desire whatever to be hostile, nor do I believe that they will ever become so, unless forced by savage white men.
    I sent for the chief for the purpose of holding a council (in your name, of course), but he refused to come and said that he was determined to kill as many whites as he could, and if any of us dared to go to the village to him that it would be the commencement of hostilities, or at least he would consider it as such and act accordingly. He appears anxious to drive the whites out of his country. The whites are collecting and arming themselves, and it is hard to guess what will be the issue. The Indians have committed some depredations, such as cutting the rope by which the ferry boat is fastened, stealing canoe paddles, shooting at the house &c. I think the whites are justifiable; in fact, it is necessary for their own protection to take a decided step sufficient at least to frighten them.
    At a meeting of miners and citizens assembled at the Coquille ferry house, for the purpose of investigating Indian difficulties, the following resolutions were adopted, that a chairman and secretary be appointed.
    On motion, A. F. Soap was called to the chair and Wm. H. Packwood appointed secretary.
    Circumstances are as follows:
    Statement first
    John A. Pension stated that he discovered on the 23rd instant an Indian riding a horse up and down the beach. I went over to the ranch to see whose horse it was. It proved to be a horse that Mr. Whike rode up from Port Orford. I took the horse from the Indian and went to the Indian chief. He attempted to take the trappings off the horse. I would not allow him to do so, wanting them as proof of his conduct. They laughed at me and ordered me to klatawa ["go," "leave"].
    Mr. William Whike being present corroborates the above statement.
    Statement second
    John A. Pension stated that on the 24th inst. there were three men on the other side of the river. I went over to them to ferry them across. They complained to me and asked me the reason why the Indians wanted to drive us back to the mines, and not let us cross the river. An Indian present at the time seemed to be in a great passion, using the word God damn Americans very frequently.
    Mr. Thos. Lowe corroborates the above statement.
    Statement third
    Mr. Malcolm stated that yesterday evening the 26th inst. the Indian chief John shot at a crowd of men standing in front of the ferry house at that time.
    Mr. Thomas Lowe and Mr. Whike corroborate the above statement.
    Statement fourth
    Mr. Whike and Thos. Lowe stated that early this morning (the 27th) they discovered the rope by which the ferry boat was tied up to be cut in two, having been done on the night of the 26th inst. The boat would have been lost had it not been buoyed out.
    Statement fifth
    Mr. Geo. H. Abbott stated: I came here yesterday evening (the 26th) and finding difficulties existing between the whites and Indians, and having an interpreter with me, sent for the Indian chief for the purpose of having an explanation. He returned for answer that he would neither explain nor be friendly with the whites on any terms. I sent back the Indian the second time, insisting on an explanation. He sent back word by some friendly Indians that he would not come nor give any explanation whatever, and that he would kill every white man that attempted to come to him or go to his village; that he intended to kill the white men at the ferry and destroy their houses--that he was going to rid his country of all white men. That it was no use talking to him, and that if they (the whites) would take out his heart and wash it, he would still be the same.
    Mr. Geo. H. Abbott's interpreter's interpretation of the above statement is corroborated by John Groslouis.
    Resolved, That the Indians in this vicinity are in a state of hostility towards the whites, from their own acknowledgment and declarations.
    Resolved, That tomorrow morning, (the 28th inst.) as early as possible we will move up and attack the Indian villages.
    By vote Geo. H. Abbott is elected captain of this expedition, A. F. Soap 1st lieutenant, and Wm. H. Packwood 2nd lieutenant.
    On motion, this meeting adjourned.
Dear Sir,
    At a meeting of the miners and. citizens held at this place yesterday a copy of the preambles which I send enclosed, it was resolved that the threatening attitude of the Indians of this place called for immediate proceedings. A company of forty volunteers was raised, of which I was chosen captain and entrusted with the command of the party, A. F. Soap first lieutenant, and W. H. Packwood second lieutenant, for the purpose of chastising the Indians. The Indian village is in three different parts, situated on both sides of the river, about one and a half miles from the mouth. I divided the company into three detachments and attacked them at all three points simultaneously this morning at daylight. We were perfectly successful in surprising them (the Indians) although they have been making preparations for a stand for several days, and appeared to be very confident of their ability to fight the whites. From the accounts, and from my personal observation, fifteen (15) Indians were killed, their houses destroyed &c. We took all the women, children and old men prisoners as far as possible. I have sent out three squaws for the purpose of offering terms of friendship, if they wish it.
    The greatest regularity was observed during the whole of the proceedings--the authority of the officers was fully observed, and I can say to the credit of both officers and men that they behaved themselves like soldiers and avoided innocent bloodshed as much as possible.
    I think hostilities will be suspended until your arrival, which I hope will be soon.
    I will detain Chilliman till you come.
    I had almost forgot to say that our loss was none in either killed, wounded or prisoners.
    The Indians are .in sight, hovering around the ashes of their houses.
Dear Sir,
    I am happy to inform you that hostilities are at an end and friendly relations established, so far as it is in my power to proceed with negotiations.
    As I informed you in my report yesterday, I sent three of the squaws that we had taken prisoners among the Indians, offering terms of friendship if they chose it. The chief sent in word that if we would send the chief of Six River to him with assurance that he would not be killed by our people he would be glad to come in and come to any terms that the whites might offer. I sent the chief accordingly and after a short delay the chief John, the principal chief of the tribe here, came in with two of his principal men. The chief was badly wounded in the left arm. His wound was dressed by some of our men, and we held a council.
    He stated that fifteen of his people had been found dead and some wounded. He also stated that few of his people were left, and he was anxious to renew friendly relations on any terms, taking on himself and his people the responsibility, and acknowledging their conduct as the cause of the war. He (the chief) will be glad to meet you and come to some permanent arrangement. We expect you here today. All of the prisoners have been released, some of their canoes returned, &c. The Indians appear quite confident of the protection of the whites, and rely upon our word that they will not be interrupted further if they remain peaceable, showing that they have not been unfairly dealt with or deceived.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.  Another copy is on NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 572-584.  The originals can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 144.



Hon. Joel Palmer:
    Dear sir--I have just received a letter from home which compels me to start home immediately without seeing you. I have also learned that there is great dissatisfaction among the Coos Bay Indians. I will start for Coos Bay soon after I hear from you, after I arrive at home. It is necessary for me to have some presents to give the Indians, to make them reconciled for the whites to make settlements among them. I therefore think you would do well to send me a letter of instructions authorizing me to bring two or three hundred dollars worth of blankets, shirts, pants &c. for the use of the Indians at Coos Bay and the vicinity. By this means I shall be able to quiet the present dissatisfaction of those Indians.
    Please send me any other instructions that you may think best, and inform me whether you have funds on hand to pay me the first quarter for my services. I am in great need of funds at this time, otherwise I should not trouble you about funds for my own use.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 6.



Dear Sir,
    From recent information by letter and otherwise it is seriously apprehended that great difficulties, if not a general Indian war, must be forced upon us in the southwestern portion of our Territory unless averted by prompt action on the part of the government, and in absence of any specific instructions on the subject of treaties, it may be questioned whether the general powers conferred on the Superintendent of Indian Affairs or agents will warrant the entering into negotiations for the purchase of their lands.
    My object in addressing you is to obtain your counsel and advice upon this important question.
    The treaty-making power has I believe ever been regarded as among the highest functions of sovereignty, and the authority to negotiate treaties is ordinarily confided to the servants of the government by express appointment and for specific objects, and has been watched over with a vigilant eye by the United States. But in regard to negotiating treaties with the numerous petty bands and tribes of Indians scattered over our broad domain less technical formalities seem in accordance with these conditions, as they have never been regarded by our government as coordinate with itself or as possessed of absolute sovereignty. The control and management of the Indian tribes by government appears to be in accordance with general views of expediency, desired sometimes from the experience of the past and from the emergencies of the present, rather than in conformity to the unbending provisions of legal enactments.
    If this view be correct, and an emergency can at all arise authorizing the assumption of the power to negotiate treaties in relation to the Indian tribes by a superintendent or Indian agent, when the lives and property of our citizens, engaged in their lawful callings, are in danger, and an expensive and bloody savage war seems impending, only, to all appearance to be avoided by the purchase of their lands, the occupancy of which by the whites is the cause of the difficulty, then I apprehend such emergency now exists in the region referred to, and the repeated failures of maintaining for any considerable length of time new treaties of peace with the various tribes is conclusive evidence of the fallacy of such uncertain efforts to maintain or restore peace and give security to our citizens.
    The distribution of valuable presents amongst them might for a time preserve peace but would fail to remove the cause, and tend greatly to embarrass our operations hereafter. The only sure remedy is the purchase of their claims to the soil and their removal to points remote from the settlements.
    But inasmuch as no permanent policy has been adopted by the government in regard to the tribes of this Territory, and the uncertainty as to what their policy may be, renders it somewhat difficult to act understandingly. Do you not believe from the necessity and emergency of the case I would be warranted in proceeding to enter into treaty stipulations for the purchase of Indian title, by incorporating provisions in the treaty by which the tribes agree to remove to such locations as may hereafter be designated by the agents of government for permanent homes, and the right of the government to change the mode of payment so as to conform to any system which may be adopted, having for its object the promotion of peace and the advancement of the interest of such tribes? In other words, to form such treaties as that none of its provisions shall embarrass the action of the government in adopting any measure for the future management of these tribes, and at the same time give security to our citizens and save this rapidly waning people from utter annihilation? Humanity to those miserable beings, no less than a duty to our own citizens, demands that something be done immediately. Much valuable time is being lost, and an expenditure of a large amount of funds in the way of salaries, presents &c., and no permanent good accomplished, and if we are to await the tardy action of government for specific instructions, I fear but little will be done until the lives of many of our citizens will be sacrificed. I desire if possible to avert such a calamity, and want to be gratified if after you examine the points you shall come to the conclusion that it is expedient and proper for me to act in the premises. Should you decide in the affirmative, I shall probably leave for that region by the first of March.
    The absence of funds, however, applicable to such purposes will be a serious drawback, but it must be overcome, in what way is to me an enigma.
    I trust you will pardon me for trespassing on your time, but the subject is of too much importance to be acted on without due deliberation, and I should regret exceedingly to enter upon such duties and have the treaties rejected, but if the lives of our people can be saved by it why not act?
Hon. B. F. Harding
    Salem O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.



Dear Sir,
    The last mail brought me your letter of the 3rd & 17th ultimo. Special agent Smith informs me in a letter dated Jany. 1 that he was misinformed in regard to the hostile manifestations among the Shasta Costas, to which he referred in his letter to this office, of which I sent you a copy, and that the manifestations of unfriendly feelings was by Indians of Taylor's band, who have been roaming along Rogue River during the past season and striving to spread a spirit of discontent among the Indians west of the Coast Range. I am pleased to learn that the Shasta Costas continue friendly, as I had anticipated some difficulty in establishing proper relations with them, but I regret exceedingly that Mr. Smith should have led me into so great a blunder.
    False alarms in regard to Indian hostilities are calculated to lessen the vigilance and promptness of those whose duty it is to watch over our Indian affairs, and must tend greatly to weaken the confidence of the government in the representations of officers of this department and to embarrass all our actions.
    Mr. Smith informs me that he has visited the Shasta Costas and other tribes in that part of his district, and found them all well disposed towards the whites.
    I much regret to hear of the difficulties with the Indians south of you, and hope that, as you intimate, the report in relation to Tipsy's band being concerned in it may prove erroneous, but the locality where the fight is said to have occurred renders the report but too plausible, as the country along Cottonwood, from its mouth to the mountain, is, I believe, claimed by them.
    Much uneasiness is manifested by the settlers and miners on Coos Bay, Coquille and other places along the coast, on account of the discontent and excited state of feelings existing among the Indians, and unless something be done soon to establish better relations between the parties there, the issue will be in consequences of serious character. In order to avert, if possible, such results, I have determined on an early visit to that region, at least preparing the way for extinguishment of Indian title to the country.
    Though no instructions have yet been received in regard to negotiating treaties, the emergencies existing might possibly warrant my entering on that duty.
    I shall proceed about the first of March by steamer to Coos Bay, and, should I find it practicable, visit all the Indian tribes along the coast to our southern boundary.
    If the consent of these tribes to remove to reserves hereafter to be located be secured, and the provision incorporated securing [omission] to the President, or other authorized agent of the government, the power to change the manner of making the stipulated payments, as may be deemed at any time expedient for the promotion of the welfare of the Indians, surely no serious objection to negotiation, under the circumstances named, can well be urged. When the alternative probably is the blood of our citizens, and the consequent annihilation of the Indians, every dictate of humanity and patriotism demand that action, however informal, which will avert such a catastrophe.
    I shall seek to do everything quietly, make as little parade as possible, and to incur the least possible expense. Were it possible for you to leave your post, I would be glad to have you with me, but it seems too hazardous to call you away.
    In this, as in every other undertaking of the Superintendency, a most serious embarrassment exists in the want of funds, nothing applicable to treaty expenses being received, nor indeed for other purposes of later date than the 30th of June last. I can obtain goods, but the cost of transportation and other expenses will require funds far beyond my present means, and how to arrive at their possession is yet an enigma.
S. H. Culver Esq.
    Indn. Agt.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.



Dear Sir,
    As I have not received a letter from you since you left the valley last fall I have concluded that your letter has probably miscarried, and I have concluded to address you and request you to inform me whether there are any funds in your hands applicable to the payment of the salaries of Indian agents.
Joel Palmer Esquire
    Supt. Ind. Affairs
        for Oregon
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.    The original can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 13.



Sir,
    The two Indians that I have in custody charged with having been the murderers of James Kyle, also one that was delivered to me as the murderer of Mr. Edwards, were executed on the 10th instant.
    One that I had in custody charged with theft was acquitted.
    I find it necessary to be constantly among the Indians. They take the loss of these three Indians much to heart (their relations) and must be watched closely. I returned late last night from Applegate Creek & am trying to get all of these relatives in to the agency.
    The mail will leave in a short time. I have only time to express the hope that nothing will prevent a farm's being started on the reserve for the benefit of the Indians next spring.
Joel Palmer Supt. &c.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.    The original can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 15.




Dear Sir,
    Since mine of the 14th instant all has been quiet; I then told you that the three Indians who had been in custody, charged with murder, two of Kyle and one of Edwards, were executed on the 10th. I am watching closely that no retaliatory acts on the part of friends of those three may take place. They do not complain about their being hung, but they say some whites killed some of our people on Deer Creek not long since, "now if we see that you do the same to your own people then we are convinced of the justice of your laws."
    I learned by yesterday's mail that 120 dragoons recently have arrived at San Francisco. I hope they will all be sent at once to this post; if so, then I can get means to put in a crop for the Indians. Peace is "certain" in this valley next summer, but if either fail it is not.
    As I said this morning in writing to General Lane, "This valley may now well be compared to a bomb shell; a slight cause may ignite the fuse, the explosion would carry destruction to every part if it." This can and must be averted. Another advantage gained by putting in this crop. Treaties will doubtless be made during the next summer with several small bands near this and if they can see the way provided for raising food, will make much less objection to removing upon it (reserve).
    If treaties are to be made with Indians in Oregon next spring I hope those in this part will be first, those in Illinois Creek & down Rogue River. When those bands are brought out and presents given them it could be so arranged as to unite all of the bands in one tribe; it would be an advantage to them all & make them easier to control.
Joel Palmer
    Supt. Ind. Affairs Dayton
        Yamhill Co. Oregon Ty.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.    The original can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 18.



Sir,
    Your letter of December 2nd, enclosing one from Mr. F. M. Smith, sub-Indian agent at Port Orford, was received by me the 16th instant. I regret very much that the reduced number of troops now in this military department will for the present prevent my stationing a force at Port Orford, but I will endeavor to make arrangements by which the post at that place can be reinforced at an early day.
Joel Palmer Esqr.
    Supt. Ind. Affairs &c.
        Dayton, O.T.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.



Sir,
    The enclosed affidavit of Gabriel Smith (No. 1) is to recover an amount equal to property destroyed by Indians on Illinois Creek during the month of October 1853.
    I have taken much trouble to learn the facts both from the whites who were near at the time and also from the Indians themselves. Both prove the affiant to be correct in all respects. The one marked (No. 2) is to prove the material facts--it will explain itself. It is but just towards Mr. Smith to say that I know of & have seen other persons who could make affidavit to the case, but they are now absent and cannot be procured without much trouble & expense. I am satisfied that this claim is just and equitable.
Joel Palmer
    Supt. Ind. Affrs.
        Dayton Yamhill Co.
            Oregon Ty.
       
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.    The originals can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, Nos. 17 and 20.




Sir,
    The irritated state of feeling among the Indian tribes in the southwestern portion of Oregon, and the constant apprehension of the settlers, impress me with the importance of taking immediate steps to place our relations with those tribes on a firmer basis. The numbers attracted to that region by the discovery of gold, and the reckless character of many traversing every part of that country wholly without regard to the rights of the Indians, and embracing every opportunity to annoy, insult, plunder and murder them, preclude the hope of much longer maintaining peace with them unless the purchase of their country can be effected, and proper provisions be made for their removal to a region remote from the mining districts, or at least to place them within prescribed limits where they can be protected from the injuries of the evil-minded, and also restrained from aggressing on their part, upon the property & persons of our citizens.
    The delay of the government in prescribing and carrying out a permanent system of policy towards the Indian tribes in Oregon, and the defenseless condition of many of our sparse settlements, has excited and emboldened the savages to deeds of theft and violence, and the result has been not only the loss of the lives of Indians but of a number of our valuable citizens.
    Impressed with a sense of the great importance of immediate and efficient action, I have determined to visit the tribes on our southwestern coast in person early in March, and if possible effect some conventional arrangement by which peace may be maintained.
    I feel quite confident that the purchase of their entire country might be effected, and their consent to remove to such locations as may hereafter be selected obtained, provided these selections be west of the Cascade Mountains, and upon quite favorable terms. But in the absence of instructions on the subject of holding treaties of purchase, and in view of the fact that no permanent policy seems to be fixed on, it appears doubtful whether such purchase can be made so as to leave the government unembarrassed thereby. It is evident that a new treaty of peace, unless accompanied with a large amount of presents sufficient to supply their numerous wants, could not secure tranquility for any considerable time; besides this, the longer treaties of purchase are postponed the less inclined the natives become to leave their homes, notwithstanding the increasing rapidity with which they are dwindling away.
    If in visiting those tribes a willingness is manifested by them to dispose of their country on fair and equitable terms and their consent to remove to such places as the government may hereafter indicate be obtained, the right being secured to government to change the mode of paying the annuities stipulated for so as to suit any system of policy which may be adopted, leaving the government wholly unembarrassed in the matter, I shall feel warranted in entering into such treaties and in assigning them districts for their temporary residence; also to make them a small payment at once in order to restore their confidence and by relieving their pressing wants lessen their inducement to do wrong.
    This course may be objected to on account of the absence of express instructions empowering me to act in the premises, but if the alternative is a bloody Indian war, and peace can thus be secured, I feel a conviction that I ought not to hesitate to act.
    Efforts have recently been made with some of the bands of this valley to obtain their consent to remove to such places as might be hereafter selected for them, but without success. They seek only to be permitted to occupy a small portion of the country claimed by them. Regardless of the future they look only to the present, and are willing to conform to any terms prescribed which allow them to reside on or near the homes of their fathers.
    As respects some of the dwindled bands of the Willamette Valley who have lost almost every vestige of tribal government, it might be well to permit them to reside among the settlers if power were given to the Superintendent to assign to each family a small tract of land, say 40 acres, and to aid and encourage them by furnishing them teams and necessary implements of agriculture, seeds &c. If such a course should be adopted there are yet vacant tracts upon which such families might be located, which would not be seriously objected to by the settlers, and as they are already inclined to adopt the customs and habits of the whites, this course, by separating them into families apart from each other, would greatly facilitate their progress in civilization. It is questionable whether such a course could be safely adopted without giving discretionary power to the Superintendent to remove them should they not conform to the regulations prescribed for them.
    Compulsory measures may be necessary to effect the removal of some of the bands, but as a general rule, a decided and firm stand in the matter will suffice for its accomplishment.
    The unfortunate provision incorporated in the treaties heretofore entered into with a portion of these tribes, allowing them to occupy reserves in the settlements, tends much to the embarrassment of future negotiations with all the tribes, as by holding out, they hope to carry the point, and I fear there are not wanting persons who expect to profit by the expenditure of large sums of money in the shape of annuities who encourage them to contend for reserves in the settlements.
    Enclosed are copies of letters from Agent Culver and from a number of persons at Randolph City on the Coquille, and an extract from a letter published in the Oregon Statesman of the 14th instant. These exhibit the sad state of affairs in our mining districts.
Hon. Geo. W. Manypenny
    Commissioner Ind. Affrs.
        Washington City D.C.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.  A copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 557-560.



Sir
    Enclosed is as slip from the Mountain Herald of 25th Feby. So far as Indians in this district are concerned it is not true. The only thing that would cause depredations is hunger. No one can tell what that may drive them to. In haste
Joel Palmer Esq.
    Supt. Ind. Affrs.
        Dayton Yamhill Co.
            Oregon
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.   The original can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 39.



Hon. Sir,
    I presume you have received my report of the massacre at the mouth of the Coquille ere this. In this report I number the dead, as found on the day of the attack, at sixteen. From Indian information, six of the tribe have since been found dead in the woods. A few days since a gentleman, an intimate acquaintance of Mr. Soule, the editor of the California Chronicle, called at my office and asked permission to make an extract from my report for publication. I permitted him to do so; his letter and the said extract was published in the paper referred to. This paper found its way here a day or two since, and, as there happened to be some two or three of the party who attacked the Indians in town, the article created a great excitement, confined, however, wholly to these gentlemen.
    Threats were freely used such as taking my heart's blood, giving me fifty lashes &c. &c. General, you can judge of the character of men who would presume to make such a murderous assault upon a friendly and unarmed tribe of Indians, and you will not be surprised when I say to you that I am alarmed. I consider my life in danger, and I think with good reason. As regards my report, it is true, every word truth, and fearlessly doing my duty as a government officer, I am threatened with a public chastisement, such as being tied to a tree and whipped like a dog. As a matter of course they pronounce my report false and slanderous. You recollect I speak of the report which these men made of their having burnt "a large quantity of secreted firearms destroyed in the burning of the ranches," as being "false, false in every particular." In this remark they charge the lie upon me. I ask, If a large quantity of firearms were destroyed, what became of the barrels and locks? Surely they could not have been destroyed. With all my inquiries from every quarter, not one gun barrel or gun lock has ever been found. The truth is, these men are driven to the meanest extreme to find an excuse for their cruel assault. They now fall back upon your unfortunate agent and threaten his life for presuming to report in words of truth their inhuman act. Lieut. Kautz was with me at the mouth of the Coquille. We do not differ in our opinion of the affair. What will be the result of this affair I cannot tell. Yesterday the men, these I speak of as being here on the receipt of the paper containing Dr. Hubbard's letter to editor Soule, started for the Coquille mines for the purpose of calling a public meeting.
    They boldly declared at the time they left that they would send down a committee of forty to arrest and take me to the Coquille to be tried before and by the miners and offered to bet one hundred dollars that in less than five days they would have me there. My position is truly disagreeable to say the least. There is but one man in the garrison of Fort Orford, and I am surrounded and my life threatened to be taken by these desperate men--and men capable of attacking a defenseless tribe of Indians and killing some twenty or more of their number would not scruple to take the life of an Indian agent.
    Your letter of December 30th I received by last mail. I wish I could have known its contents long ago. I have actually paid thirty dollars per month for my office, and took a lease at that rate for six months from the first of October last. The building I occupied I not only used as an office, but it furnished quarters for my interpreter Chilliman, and as I am indeed poor, it seems hard that I should be obliged to pay fifteen dollars from my own pocket. I do not speak of this in complaint of yourself, but as being in its effect hard upon me. As an act of justice to me (as all sorts of hard things will be said against me by the men engaged in the massacre at the Coquille) if you concur, I would like to have my entire report published. Of course I shall cheerfully submit to your opinion of the propriety of so doing. In great haste I conclude by subscribing myself
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.    The original can be found on Reel 13; Letters Received, 1854, No. 133.




Dear General,
    On my arrival here this morning I find published in a California paper of Feby. 24th 1854 an extract of a report of F. M. Smith, Special Sub-Agent in the Port Orford District to the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, which, although the report referred to has not yet come to hand, on account, I presume, of the non-arrival of the Port Orford mail, yet I have full confidence in its correctness. I herewith transmit the slip containing the matter referred to, which you will observe corroborates my predictions in regard to the unwarranted attack on those poor savages. I have several times addressed General Hitchcock and urged upon him the necessity of strengthening the post at Port Orford, all of which has been unheeded, and the scattered condition of many of our settlers and miners roaming through that country renders it more than probable that the lives of many whites will be sacrificed for this wanton outrage. If the retaliation could only be visited on the heads of the guilty scoundrels who thus violate our laws and recklessly disregard every feeling of humanity I would say amen! But unfortunately the innocent must suffer for the guilty.
    I shall proceed at once to Coquille, and endeavor if possible to effect some arrangement to prevent a like occurrence. But, as usual in all our movements, we are without the necessary means to do anything without great pecuniary sacrifices, as the funds sent have all been absorbed, leaving considerable amounts of old debts outstanding and me wholly destitute of the means to meet any contingencies. I have made out an estimate of the amount necessary to meet the liabilities up to the 31st March 1854, which will probably fall short of the actual expense. Will you do me the favor to call in person upon the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and urge upon him the necessity of the immediate transmission of funds. I may fail to make up estimates in accordance with the usual forms, as there seems to be nothing in this office throwing light on the subject.
    I purpose taking a few goods to Coquille suitable for Indian use. The purchase of which will be on credit relying on the early transmission of funds to meet the payments as well as the amount necessary to pay the cost of transportation and traveling and contingent expenses incurred in making the trip. The goods I shall send by steamer to Port Orford, and travel myself by land in order to visit the tribes intervening.
    The steamer is just about to leave and I have not time to say more. May I not hope for your reply to this and former communications at an early day.
Gen. Jo Lane
    Delegate in Congress
        Washington City
            D.C.
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter Books C:10.



Mr. Palmer Dear sir