The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-31

that there was cause Of difficulty between us which
would prevent friendly relations while that Of diH
Guilty continued to exist and that the murder Of DR.
Whitman and his family. told them that the perpetra
tors Of that must be punished before could
have peace but that wanted 10 discriminate between the
innocent and the guilythat in could not do that
told them that they knew who the guilty parties were
and demanded that they should deliver them up, or
should feel il my duty 10 inic punishment upon the whole
nation without discrimination. This occupied my
attention for about twelve months and finally ended by
the delivery up me Of the guilty parties. When taken
they agreed 20 60 Oregon City with me- with the under
standing that they should have counsel and fair trial be-
fore jury Of our countrymen They willing to abide
their fate. When we arrived in Oregon City found
the citizens highly excited There Jail there and
the Indians were placed in small house the island
near my mill office, where they made comfortable
and carefully watched by day and night The good peo-
pie, who had known and loved Whitman and his WIFE,
the parents Of the children who had been cold
blood-came TO in crowds SAYING that the Indians
would escape and therefore that summary punishment
ought to be inflicted upon them. My reply was that
had promised the indians in their country, give
them fair and impartial jury trial. and that so long
life aud strength lasted my promise should be observed
Bur if the jury found them guilty assured the people that
they should be hung AT no time public opinion
stronger against than that The Indians
were tried convicted and sentenced death They were
hung, they deserved and then received Justice at the
hands OF my eountrymen, and made peace with their
ton.
I could mention many other cases but this one am
sure is evidence sufficient of my desire with
these and all other Indians kind correct and honest
My life has been placed in jeopardy for the peserva
ton Of peace with them. But let say the time
tnat snail be wiling make with
massacre people in cold blood until the guilty ones
have been punished And peace win be made with
my consent with the Indians who have committed the foul
murder Of which have read the House. un-
til the murdeers have been punished In their
of women and children old and young should never
forgive them until they have yielded up the criminals
justice And propose, Mr.. Chairman if this House shall
not take steps in the matter to exile myself from my wife
and children to aid In their chastisement Of
peace-I love peace but shall accept it from the
enemies OF our people, let them come from what quarter
they may shall never be at peace with invaders upon
our soil nor shall make peace with Indians who have
burned my neghbors at the stake, orturing them the
while in demoniacal gee until justice shall be satisfied
will say, for the benefit of my friend from Ohio lMr
EDeERros that the withdrawal of troops from the Indian
country viii not insure peace On the contrary blood
shed and widespread ruin will be the consequence The
time has arrived when should take prompt
and efficient TO punish these and other Indians
Tor the horrible murders and other cruetes perpeated by
them upon people who attempt the plains to
our Pacific possessions Their blood appeals for
venge their cries and shreks while being roasted aud
tured their bones bleaching the wild DESERT the ago
nies Of afflicted families and friends all cry aloud for salts
faction. In view of these things well the further
fact officially communicated to the House and the country
that the Indians in hostile array against people, de-
ermned to cut off every party which shall attempt to
the plains the approaching spring. be possible that
the representatives of the people will hesitate prompt
y in providing the necessary troops punish the guilty
and to protect the nnocent2 hope not resorted TO
every possible means to preserve friendly relations with
the Rogue River Indians and prevent the of
people But their character, like that Of Of the
warke tribes full of deceit They fan good words and
friendly demeanor towards those they intend destroy
Time and again have heard them recount their advcn-
lures as they lounged around their campres telling of
their secret tricks and cunnnghow they surrounded their
enemies in the gloom of night and murdered them while
they lay asleep; and men, too, with whom they had
smoked in peace and concord the evening previous They
have done wrong and for their wrong doing they ought
to be punished.
These Indians, say, made peace with in 1851. Then
undertook great trouble and expense to return to
them their women and children who had been captured by
Major kearney who commanded the force which invaded
their country On that occasion volunteer, and
arynl the pE, l,.lro
Major kearncy said that he would take the
and children to California with him. and return them by
steam to Oregon After journeyng about one hundred
miles this gallant officer became satisfied that his plan was
mprachcable; and, partly at my expense, | took
these women and children back to their people
watched them fed them and prevented any infringe
ment upon their rights On their return peace made
peace which lasted until 1853 when they again got ii
into their heads to murder white people They never give
warning Of their fell intentions Jumping into the
uspecng and unprotected settlements they murdered and
burnt all they could lay their hands upon.
Mr. EDGERTON. Let me ask the gentleman from Ore
gon what is the character of Joel Palmer the uperniend
ent of Indian affairs in Oregon
Mr.. LANE. He is honest sensible, and good man
and the people of Oregon law-abidng honest and
Mr.. EDGERToN. | propose, with the consent of the
gentleman and the House. read what Mr. Palmer in
his last official report to the Commissioner of Indian AT
fairs, in regard to Indian murders and depredations
LCries Of "Rend7l
Mr. EDGERToN He writes as follows.
q From the frequent recurrence Of similar atrocities
against the Indians in southern and southwestern Oregon
the conviction forced that premeditated and
combined effort the part of reckless and evdisposed
whites roaming through that country has been, and
nues to be made to plunge the government into another
Indian war; and carry out their ayorte scheme of annh
iating these Indians.
These misceants, regardless of age asail and
slaughter these poor weak and detenceess Indians with
mpnny there in the hands of the agents
to prevent these ourages bring the perpetrators TO JUS
tice.
There are many we'll disposed persons that district
Justice and humanity reyo such inhuman
but through fear other cause they Sd
lent Ii presumed that unite and take in there
deeds Of horror of self their fears
being wrought upon reckless and awcs persons lest the
appearance of opposition their conduct might subject them
to doom similar to that which befals the Indian
This gentleman frequently in his reports alues TO
the part of the whites which would justify retail
alton the part of the Indians
Mr.. LANE Mr. Palmer is good In the extract
which the gentleman has read he refers the Indians who
live west OF the Cascade mountains and for the purchase
of whose land inquired of the chairman of Ways and
Means whether an appropriation had been made to satisfy
them.
The Indians who massacred Wards party live four hun
dred miles the east and Of the opinion that Mr..
Palmer has not them since be passed through their
country his way 10 Oregon. He, know would be as
ready any other out and uic suitable pun
shmen upon these Indians TOR that dreadful massacre
These the facts Let them go before the country that
| is all ask
MIR Speaker the history Of Indian wars s wen under
stood by the members this House The suerngs Of The
people from these cause the early history OF our eonn
try must familiar TO ALL Every attempt at peace ai-
ed until Wayne by hs great victory n 1so IN The Maui
NEE towns taught them the Of our ars and the sd
yantaV Of peace The lessons then taugh them they did
Nn.yy s.x.Alxx