, 1854-04-08


IA The following request of NJ. T. SIN
MONS, Special Indian Agent, for "Pugc
Sounu Agency District" was accompanied
by Instructions from Gov. STEVENS, Super
intendent of Indian affairs-the length o
which precludcs publication in this paper
The instructions are drawn up in good taste
and if acted upon according TO requirement.
and suggestions, cannot fail to have ben
eficial tendency towards producing an ami
cable state Of feelings between the red and
1ohite occupants of this Tcrritory-the qui
citing of disturbances enforcing ofpen
alties for the commission Of Outrages ol
either sde--and the redress of wrong,
which either may be subjected to in theil
intercourse.
To the Inhabitants Of the Puget Sound Indian
Agency District.
FELLOW CITIZENS Having been ap.
pointed special agent for the Indians of the
Puget Sound District, have thought il
not improper to publish to you the general
instructions and directions from the Gov
ernOr and Superintendent of Indian affairs
in our Territory, by which shall be gui.
ded in the discharge of the responsible dul
ties entrusted to me. The duties of an In.
dian agent, in a district such as ours, are
arduouS and frequently of very delicate
nature the very great difficulty, where
wrong has been committed and where they
are so often liable to be committed, distin-
gushing who is the real culprit and Of
awarding the just measure of punishment
or rctri6utiOn, coupled with the imperative
necessity of respecting equally the rights Of
all parties, prOportionably increases the
difficulty Of a proper discharge of these du-
ties The Indians have certain inalienable
rights secured to them by law, and it is our
duty, equally enjoined by law and ordinary
humanity, properly to respect those rights
while therefore it will be my aim and du-
ty to protect the Indians wherever and
whenever they are entitled to protection, it
will also be required Of me to restrain them
within suitable limits and to exact from
them an obedience to law in their inter
course with the whites With your friend
ly aid and cooperation, which now here
most respectfully and urgently lyrequest, these
duties can be rendered comparatively light
and agreeable, and this district, now the
scene of continual petty disturbances, if not
Of more serious grievances, may be trans
formed into one Of universal quiet and har-
mony The secret infractiOn oft the law pro
hibiting liquor to the Indians, is as We all
know, the great cause Of all the difficulties
with them, and earnestly call for your
active and energetic assistance in extirpa-
ting this most vicious practice whenever
you become possessed of knowledge or
well grounded suspicion Of such violation
Of law, and may feel any hesitation or del-
icacy in presenting your information to the
grand jury Of your county, l will thank
You 20 notify me of all the facts in the case,
with the names of the parties, witnesses
&c, and will take immediate measures to
lay them before the proper tribunal it is
confidently reported, that it is not unusual
for the Indians to receive liquor from some
Of the vessels visiting our Sound this Of
course is as equally violation of law as if
committed on land, and should be visited
with the same attention and punishment.
| would also strongly recommend to you,
that, whenever you hire an Indian for any
heightened period of time, whether by the
day, month or otherwise, you always have
with him written agreement, descriptive
Of the general terms of the arrangement
and witnessed by white man this would
frequently prevent future misunderstanding
and difficulties, and would also be intrinsic
evidence Of praiseworth justice and fair in
tention. The practice of Furnishing Indians
for supposed wrongs committed by them
without sufficient evidence, is one frequent
ly much abused, and it is therefore to be
desired that when injuries Of any consider
able importance have been perpetrated,
they be fully reported to the special Indian
agent, who will always use his endeayors
to satisfy the aggrieved party. With ref
crence to claims for damages for thefis or
other deprcdations committed by Indians
against citizens, it is necessary in every in
stance, that they be in the first place prop
erly vOuched and authenticated before be-
ing handed in to the Special agent for final
adjustment by the Superintendent of Indian
affairs. And now fellow citizens appealing
to you again for your aid, countenance and
assistance in the discharge Of my duties,
and with the assurance that no exertions
shall be spared on my part to fulfil those
duties to the best of my humble abilities.
am very respectfully, &c, ..
NJ. T. SIMMONS,
Special Indian Agent, Puget Sound District.
Olympia, March "a, 1854.