The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-22
From the alta California.


The Indian Reservations.
We Yesterday published communication from
Colonel g. w. Barbour, one Of the three Indian
Commissioners sent to this State by the United
States Government to negotiate treaties Of peace
with the various Indian tribes within is borders
The document Is interesting, as, with the excep-
ton of the fret reseryation--preslousiy puDlshed
in the columns of this paper-the boundaries oil the
several reservations are for the first time promul-
gated.
With respect to the policy Of endeayoring to es-
tablish and maintain amlcapie reiatons pet"een
the civilized and barbarous nations there can Dc
but one opinion enteraned; and the assertion that
determination of the rcd race Tor the dement, Oh tne
white is necessary to the blessings OF civii
cation and christianity ID one that VIII procure Duh
few advocates in this enlightened age. The man
ner of conciliating the aborgines, by presents ana
a certain annuity in articles requisite lor their
comfort and TO aid them In maintaining them
selves has found many fierce opponents; but none
but demagogues could justly oppose system
which, though it has cost the Government many
round dollar, has saved many priceless drops oil in
nocent blood.
The necessity of separating The Indian from the
white man in this country, and yet enabling them
to live terms of amiy, ID manifest; and the great
desideraum is to arrive at the most ieasinle means
of achieving that end and adopting the requisite
measures to prevent u conflict between tue two
GATES.
Regarding the whites as interlopers upon hls home
and hunting grounds, Inherited from MS Ioreiahfs,
the Indian cannot brook being driven iorth 10 seek
new land and the dominant spirit OF retaua-
ton and revenge inherent IN the savage breasS
prompts him TO resist TO the death any innovation.
In this, the far-oif West, Cancellation 10 inc only
policy which, with any justice, can be adopted,
for beyond this they cannot be removed Unhl
they gradually become extinct, as all previous cx-
perience has proved they inevitably must, there
l. no other resource left than TO locate them IN
such position as to place within their reach
the power of supporting themselves, and rcn
dering such other aid as may be necessary. 10 do
that and separate them from the interests oi the
"A Fxnlr ~ At
ment and the commissioners have been charges
to carry il out. To conform 30 these instructions
has been no easy task, frequent collisions having
previously taken place between the miners and
the untutored, ignorant Indians, in which the
bitterest feelings hadbeen engendered, and suffered
to grow by what they fed on, rather than slumber
| and die out
When the commissioners started on their cmbas
sy in February, under small esCort OF United
States infantry, their chances OF success were
doubted, secuted at, and ridiculed BY some, and
regarded with jealousy by others. Many OF the
nfners imagined that they should receive protec-
ton and the Indians be punished, driven forth,
and extermnated, and almost regarded II as an at
tempt on the part of the Government to deprive
them of the golden claims they had ennufeo 80
| many hardships to obtain.
The first Indians treated with were those par
| tally civilized by the mission priests, and irone
| them runners were procured to summon the heauS
of other tribes. In March the first regular treaty
was drawn up and signed by the three coInnis-
sioners and the representatives of number OF In
dian tribes in the Mariposa district. The commits
| sioners held many consultations duly weighed
and considered every point regarded the rights OF
| the miners most scrupulousy, and adopted lire
of policy perfectly fair and honest 10 both the.
whites and the Indians-one most likely 10 pre-
serve peace and enable them to live In prox-
unity. Some few Disseminated spirits grumblcd
| at the course pursued, and eagacously prophe
! cied that the terms of the treaty would only
be adhered to 80 long as the provisions Furnished
them lasted. Time has proved them lase prophets,
as none of those who consented TO treat have
since broken faith. Col. Barbour is fully sustained
In contradictng the assertion that the reservations
Comprise great extent of the best mineral and
agricultural tracts. He brings the most sasisidc-
tory evidence that, If any such assertions have
been made they have been the result either ofigno-
| rance or inalevolence The writer accompanies
the commission for several months in the early
| part of their expedition, and is well aware that
| such an idea never entertained. We have
! never heard that such one had ever been pro-
mugated, or it should lave met speedicr rcfuta-
! ton.
The commissioners have done much towards the
| accomplishment of their labors, and have every
reason to be gratificd at the result, especially when
we consider that the appropriation upon which they
to depend was entirely inadequate, that their
funds have long ago been exhausted, and that they
| have been long without advices from Washington.
| Colonel Barbour has faithfully and energetically
performed his branch of the duties of the commits
| sion and we look for like satisfactory result
! from his colaborers, Colonel Mckee and Dr. Wo-
zencraft.