The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-24

tei, may ehuedVol W weaken us the UNIONS
bonds"
We do not believe it possible to wrench the
Union asunder by force, nor to sever it by di
rect, open, bold attacks; the cords which bind
it together are strong enough to resist any and
all such attempts. What we have most rea-
son to apprehend is these insidious and perse-
vering attempts to sever the bonds by little
and little, fibre after fibre, thread after thread,
and cord after cord, so silently and secretly as
to create no alarm, until the great bond itself
separates, as it were, naturally, and without
giving the least shock to either section. 1t is
against those who are thus cutting away the
threads which form the great bond that
holds us together that we desire to reiterate
the warning Of the Raleigh Register.
Our readers will find portion of the article
referred to in another column of to-day's paper.
Several days since we announced that
Messrs. MCkEE, BARBOUR, and WozEN-
CRAFT, the United States Indian Commission
ers in California, had concluded treaty with
the Siyanti, Potoyante, Coconoon, Apan-
gasse, Apalachs, and Awalache tribes of In
dams, on the Maripoosa river. We now have
the qualification to state that dispatches have
recently been received at the Indian bureau
from these commissioners, stating that they
have concluded on the Frezno river treaty
with sixteen additional tribes, namely: The
w-ech-es, Chook- chances, Chow chill-es,
d he 81, IL
soes, loom Tai Inches, Pos sas, Wa
cha-hets, I-tech- ees, Cho-e-nim- nees, Cho- XII
menas, Motto no-tos, We-mae-ches. These
are mountain Indians. Twenty one tribes have
been treated with and happily settled in
little short of three months; a result highly
important and delicate business.
The district assigned to these tribes will ex-
tend along the lower foot hills of the Sierra
Nevada for about fifty miles, general course
northwest by southeast, and fifteen miles in
width, extending down some distance in the
plains or valleys, in which there are occasion
ally strips of tolerably good farming land
enough, perhaps, with their much loved acorn,
wild potato, wild onions, &c., and an abund-
ance of fish in the rivers, at certain seasons, to
furnish five or ten times their present number
with food. The district set apart for them,
while apparently liberal in extent, is not likely
| to be ever coveted by the whites; and, as
general thing, is Of no value for common agri-
cultural purposes. 1t is likewise outside Of the
mining or gold district and, SO far as can be as
certained, not more than one Mexican grant,
and that Of very doubtful authority
In speaking Of these two treaties, the COM
missioners express the opinion that they have
| broken the confidence of the hostile tribes in
their ability to contend with the whites, and
trust that they will end the war and bring about
a general pacifcation with the whole frontier;
and such is the belief of the oldest settlers in
that country.
In the delightful climate Of San Joaquin but
little clothing is required by either whites or
Indians. To the latter, beef and flour are far
more useful and acceptable than money or
clothing; and, as for mere trinkets, such as
rings, beads, &c., they have far less regard for
them than any other Indians which have been
as yet met with.
There is small description of beads. white
and blue, which they use as a representation of
values, as we do money, and some as a crcu-
lating medium for the settlement of debts
of honor and gambling debts. Gambling with
sticks and cards is an accomplishment of which
they are very fond.
In the treaties of the commissioners they
have dropped the old custom of STIMULATING for
annuities Of money, and substituted expend-
| lures during few years for provisions, farming
stock, schoohouses, teachers, &c. In the end
this, it is supposed, will be found the safer and
cheaper, and more beneficial plan.
The Indians which were met with are de-
scribsd generally as hale, healthy, and good
looking, and not inferior to their red brethren
in the southwestern States; and, from having
among them many who in early life were at
tached to the old missions of the country, they
already have some knowledge of stockraising
and agriculture.
1t is therefore thought that they will make
rapid Improvements, when schools and other
civilizers shall be established among them.
The commissioners found, by experience,
that the best way TO keep these Indians quiet
and peaceable was to give them plenty of food.
The commissioners have made temporary
division Of the State into three districts for the
purpose Of negotiating treaties with the various
remaining Indian tribes of California; and ex-
press determination to accomplish their bust
ness within the shortest possible period Of time.