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wapans, &c., &c. Also, it is impossible for the Indians to unite without the report of it spreading far and wide. How can they unite in such a matter without the noise of it reaching you. For, thus far, our Indians remain quiet, and remain so to this moment. They are alarmed by the rumors they hear; they do not themselves love war. There remains, then, in a state of hostility those on the left bank of the Columbia-that is to say, the Cay use and their adherents in the vicinity of the Utala (Umatilla,) the Walla-Wallas, the Des Chutes, those at the "Taie," on the one side; on the other, the Palosse, the Nez Percés and the Sespins (Snakes.) Don't think that I would pass off for saints the Indians in my vicinity; I only say what I think of the reports. I do not wish them to pass off for better than they are. It is possible that they are in the plot, but I know nothing of it. I know nothing of it from what I see and hear. Now, nothing which has occurred here gives me reason to believe in this plot-in this union of the tribes as one man. Nevertheless, I ought to add that Shawawai, one of the small chiefs in our neighborhood, has given away some horses to a great number of Indians, with what object I know not; but it has the appearance of raising followers to go and revenge on the Blackfeet the death of some of their people killed by the latter.

Among the chiefs of the Nez Percés, some wish to make no distinction between Canadians and Americans, but would kill all the whites in their country, without distinction, trappers or traders. Others wish to preserve the people of the Hudson's Bay Company, because, (say they,) they are as our people, they marry our daughters. Their children are half Canadian, half of our country; we should slay a part of ourselves. What language they hold concerning us, I know not.

But my prolixity wearies you. Perhaps you will think that I am the Livy and you the Tacitus. For in your letter you have never been so short and so concise for the four years I have had the honor of knowing you. Nevertheless, this is the first time I have heard from you this winter, although I have written you often.

Adieu, my dear sir, &c., &c., &c.

CONGRESS,

CONGRESS,

INDIAN AFFAIRS IN THE TERRITORIES OF OREGON AND

WASHINGTON.

LETTER

FROM

THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR,

TRANSMITTING,

In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 19th instant, the report of J. Ross Browne, special agent, on the subject of Indian affairs in the Territories of Oregon and Washington.

JANUARY 25, 1858.-Referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs and ordered to be printed.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

January 23, 1858.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the report of J. Ross Browne, special agent of the Indian Department, on the Indian affairs of Oregon and Washington Territories, called for by the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 19th instant. With great respect, your obedient servant,

Hon. JAMES L. ORR,

J. THOMPSON, Secretary.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Office of Indian Affairs, January 22, 1858.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the report of J. Ross Browne, special agent of the Indian Department, on the subject of Indian affairs of Oregon and Washington Territories, called for by the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 19th instant.

The resolution is herewith returned.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. J. THOMPSON,

CHARLES E. MIX,

Acting Commissioner.

Secretary of the Interior.

Report on the condition of the Indian reservations in the Territories of Oregon and Washington, from J. Ross Browne, special agent, &c.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA,

November 17, 1857.

SIR: By letter of May 1, 1857, you were pleased to direct me, under authority of the Treasury Department, to examine into the condition of Indian affairs in the Territories of Oregon and Washington. On the 15th August ultimo I proceeded to carry your instructions into effect, and I have now the honor to submit the result, together with the conclusions at which I have arrived in reference to the present policy of the government towards the Indians on this coast.

Accompanied by Captain C. J. Sprague, late of the United States army in Mexico, whom I employed to assist me in the laborious and complicated details of the investigation, and from whose experience of frontier life I have heretofore derived great advantages in my explorations of California, I arrived at Ranier, on the Columbia river, on the 19th of August.

News had just reached this point, through Governor Stevens, of the murder of Colonel Isaac N. Ely, late collector of customs in the district of Puget's Sound, by a band of northern Indians, at his residence on Whidbey's island. Great alarm prevailed among the settlers on the sound, and it was reported that several of the families had fled from the vicinity of Port Townsend, and were on their way to Oregon. Vague rumors also reached us of anticipated hostilities on the part of the Sound Indians.

In view of these facts, I deemed it expedient to proceed at once to Olympia, by way of the Cowlitz, so as to ascertain at headquarters the exact condition of affairs in that part of the Territory. At the Cowlitz Landing, thirty miles from the mouth of the river, the first symptoms of alarm were apparent. Several of the Indians from that vicinity had left to visit the tribes of the Upper Cowlitz; and it was supposed that this was done with a view of concerting some plan of operations against the whites with the Yakamas, who have been in a disaffected condition since the late war. I could not perceive that there was any substantial ground for alarm. These tribes frequently interchange visits, especially at this season of the year.

It was painfully apparent, however, that the disastrous results of the late war had engendered a feeling of suspicion and insecurity greatly militating against any friendly relations between the settlers and the Indians throughout the Territory. Although there was really no connexion between the murder of Colonel Ely and the condition of the tribes inhabiting the Territory, yet so great was the shock produced by this tragic event, that the most trivial occurrences were at once magnified into premonitions of further bloodshed.

On the road from the Cowlitz Landing to Olympia, a distance of fifty miles, the whole country bears distressing evidences of the disastrous effects of the late war. In 1854, when I first passed through this region, it abounded in fine farms well cultivated, and bearing luxuriant crops of grain. Immigration was rapidly filling up all the

vacant lands; and large herds of stock were grazing upon the prairies. From the signs of prosperity then apparent, it was not unreasonable to predict that in the course of three years the products and population would be more than doubled. But, notwithstanding this region. was exempt from any actual collision with the Indians, the effects are nearly the same as in other parts of the Territory. All along the road houses are deserted and going to ruin; fences are cast down and in a state of decay; fields, once waving with luxuriant crops of wheat, are desolate; and but little, if any, stock is to be seen on the broad prairies that formerly bore such inspiring evidences of life. The few families that remained, either from necessity or inclination, were forced to erect rude block-houses for their defence, into which they gathered by night during the hostilities, in constant apprehension of attack. These rude defences still stand at intervals along the road. I mention these facts with a view of showing that, so far, at least, the "war speculation" charged upon the settlers of Washington Territory presents an unprofitable appearance.

Within two miles of Olympia we met several wagons on their way towards Oregon, carrying the families of Messrs. Pettigrew and Hastings out of the country, on the alleged ground of insecurity, arising from the recent hostilities of the northern Indians.

On the 22d of August, at noon, we arrived at Olympia, the capital of the Territory. Governor Stevens, from whom I hoped to obtain much valuable information, had not yet returned from Oregon, and acting Governor Mason, accompanied by the Indian agent for this. district, (Captain M. T. Simmons,) had gone down in a canoe to Port Townsend and Bellingham bay, to inquire into the facts connected with the murder of Colonel Ely, and take such measures as might be in their power for the protection of the citizens against further encroachments.

The canoes were all absent, and no means of conveyance by water could be had at Olympia. We were so fortunate, however, as to meet with Captain Hyde, of the United States revenue cutter "Jefferson Davis," who had just come down to Steilacoom with a number of prisoners from Port Townsend.

The cutter lay at anchor at the port of Port Steilacoom. On the morning of the 21th of September we started on horseback for that place, which we reached by noon. The distance by land from Olympia is 22 miles. Dense forests abound along the entire route, and except on the trail the country is nearly impassable, from the thick undergrowth and fallen timber.

Extensive fires have occurred this year on the shores of the Sound, so that the atmosphere is filled with smoke, and it is difficult to see more than a mile or two in any direction.

Situated on the edge of a beautiful prairie, at the distance of a mile from the port of Steilacoom, is the military post of that name, which, by invitation of the officers, we made our headquarters during our stay. This port is the largest and most important on Puget's Sound, and during the late war the forces stationed there did good service against the Indians.

Another post was established during the war at Muckleshoot, a

point in the interior, about 25 miles from Steilacoom. At that station were collected some 300 of the most troublesome Indians, consisting of the Upper Puyallops, the Nooscoopes, and Green River Indians. These tribes still reside in that vicinity, but it has been deemed unnecessary to continue the military force at the post, and by direction of Colonel Casey, the commanding officer of the division, it has been abandoned. Lieutenant McKibbin built some very comfortable quarters at Muckleshoot, and made other valuable improvements. As Colonel Casey has expressed his readiness to turn over these improvements to the Indian department, I would suggest that application be made to him, through the War Department, to the effect.

The valley of the Muckleshoot is admirably situated for a local agency. The Indians of this valley were amongst the number concerned in the Green and White river massacres at the beginning of the war; and unless some supervision is kept over them, they may, from their proximity to the Yakimas and Klickitats, produce great trouble in future.

Two claims had been taken at Muckleshoot when the post was established. The claimants were bought off. But when the post was abandoned they came back and took new claims, and now they hold that they have acquired a legal right to the land, of which they cannot be deprived. Of course this is a mere speculation, and the position assumed by the claimants is altogether untenable.

PUYALLUP RESERVATION.

August 25-After a ride of ten miles from Fort Steilacoom, reached a saw mill situated near the head of Commencement bay. The trail is rough and passes through a dense growth of timber. In consequence of the tide being out, we were unable to cross in a canoe to the reservation, which is on the opposite side of the bay, a few miles below the saw mill. Tied our horses and took a foot trail, which led us a round of five miles.

The Puyallup reservation, established under the treaty of Medicine creek, is situated on the Puyallup river, one and a half miles from Commencement bay, and ten miles by water from Steilacoom. The land is low and marshy, and comprises a few spots of open prairie valuable chiefly for grazing purposes.

At the headquarters we found the local agent and blacksmith. About fifty Indians, chiefly women and children, were on the reservation. The remainder, said to number 400, were represented to be out fishing and gathering berries, which is their habit at this season of the year. The improvements consist of the following frame buildings, erected by contract since January last:

One main house for employés, containing six rooms, painted outside, one story high, surrounded by a picket fence; cost $680.

Twelve Indian houses, 18 by 30, built of rough boards containing two apartments each; contract price $215 each, inclusive of lumber and shingles.

As yet it has not been practicable to induce the Indians to live in these houses, with the exception of two or three families. Like all

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