The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-03-01
OREGoN CITY, October 25th, 1919.

DEAR SPANN:-I nave the pleasure 10 &C
the receipt of your very friendly
letter, by Judge Bryant and also the pro
ceedngs of two public meetings ofmy good
friends of indianapolis, for which | tender
YOU and them my thanks. You WILL | hope,
readily pardon me for not writing sooner
| have been so constantly engaged in the dis
charge of official duties that have not had
time to write as often to my friends as would
like to.
arrived here in advance of all the Terri
torial Officers, proceeded to organize the Gov
eminent caused the census to he taken, made
the apportionment, caused elections To be held
convened the Legislative Assembly, and did
all other things required by law and the IN
tercst Of the Territory.
Most of the time have had 40 assistance,
and consequently every thing to do. In the
mana qement of our Indian affairs l have had
but little help. Two sub-agents received
appointments in June. One soon after re
signed, and the other went to California. In
the discharge of this duty, for the purpose OF
maintaining friendly relations with the In
dams, | found it necessary to visit many OF
the tribes, in their own country. ! proceed
cd to the Dllles Of the Columbia, Cheuts
River, Yackaman county, Cowlity, Pugets
Sound. the valley of the Willamette, across
the coast at Yacona bay near two hundred
miles south of the Columbia.
| Ihave seen more or less of the people OF
near forty of the sixty-seven tribes living in
Oregon, made out and forwarded re-
port of all the tribes. their location. numbers,
and disposition, as near as could possibly be
Iascertained; copied the Executive proceed
| ngs and official correspondence, and forward
ed the same to the President, and did all other
things necessary to be done, to the best ofmy
ability. honestly and faithfully. The Exec
utiye books and papers, as also OF the Indian
affairs, are in good condition, plain and easy
to be understood.
My health has been fine, and have labor
ed constantly. / have said this much about
my doings (Which | hope you will excuse)
! TO let you know that 10 part Of my duty has
been neglected. Isuppose that shall be re-
moved, but am determined that it shall be
without cause, or at least any reasonable
cause of complaint. These are the reasons
my dear friend, why have not written ere
this.
confess to you that am surprised to find
that any considerable portion of the Whig
! party of Indiana should at any time be will
! ing to fasten upon their State lasting disgrace
| 1t is not deserved. No better troops ever
pulled trigger IN their country's defence
than the troops from Indiana. Why should
they unIustly suffer? They shall not!
shall feelit my duty at all times and under
i all circumstances, 10 tell the truth, and the
honest truth is the only defence Of their rep
utation that they or the State will ever re-
quire. If it should be my misfortune tC
make enemies by defending the reputation o.
my command, my State, and myself, let i
be so.
| While in the Mexican war, 1t was my for
tune to see troops from different States en-
gagged in battle,-good troops-but no better
than the Indianians. No troops ever die
their duty better, and but for the cowardicC
of Bowles, and the lalsehood of others, III
troops would have stood higher. And afte
that unfortunate afair, every lndianian WhC
came under my observation, endeavored by
| his gallantry and good conduct, to convince
the world of their capacity 10 do, under al
circumstances, in battle or otherwise, thei
| duty,-yea, honor to themselves and thei
country. And they did 50.
have seen much Of this country and like
! it. Yet | would much rather be in Indiana
I like the State, God bless her; but am here
| am poor, and have a large family to sup
port. | can make money, and have conclud
ed to send, by my son, who goes home, fo
my letlbig. II - IlNG tlNIIi2 lllC " w
farewell TO my State, but what better can
do? am not now able to labor as I once could
and here is perhaps the best place for me-
He goes fully authorized 10 sell the home
stead and all my effects, settle my business
pay all debts, and leave the home once s,
dear.
Please tender my thanks to my friends fo
their kind defence of my reputation. l an
proud to know that no Kentuckian. OF othe
Iperson can assail it without mourning tb,
Idispleasure of a generous, kind and goot
people.
God bless you my friend, and the State.
i JOSEPH LANE.