, 1855-11-16
/" Gov, Stevens War Again.

Such was the caption Ito which we have
already referred) of an article in a late
number of the Puget Sound Courier.
"Let Hercules himself do what he may
The cat will new, the dog will have his day
We are utterly amazed and confounded
at the present attitude that affairs seem to
assume, with regard to the war now woged
by the Indians. We say here, boldly, aud
are responsible for 1Ohat zoe sag, that this is
as much 10hae as an Indian war and,
when called upon, will send for persons and
papers to prove it.
Did not the home government send out
officers and men to treat with the Indians
in this territory? Has not the superin-
tendent Of Indian Affairs concluded trea-
ties with the exception of few tribes)
both east and west Of the Cascade noun
tains Has he not been employed, day
and night, in endeavoring to conclude trca-
ties with all the Indian tribes in the terri
tory, in order to arrive at q general peace?
Was not the first treaty concluded by him,
confirmed by the last congress ? Have
not all the treaties that have been made,
been recognized as binding and legitimate
between the Indians and government au-
thority? Did not the head chiefs of all
their tribes voluntarily and unanimously
assist in their ratification and conclusion
These things are all known-who are so
ignorant as not to be aware Of the facts !?
During the last summer, many persons
from this Territory started for the Colvlle
gold mines, in search of the precious
=" OrO." Some have never returned, and
why? Because whites were employed, as
we believe, to incense the Indians against
them, in order to provoke q war. War
has commenced-on either side it might be
carried into Africa. Suppose the Black
feet, the Cayuse, the Flathead, the Nez
Perces, the Cour de Alines, the Spokans,
the Yakamas, Clickiiats, and all tbe other
small hordes that infest the other side Of
the Cascade mountains, were to join in o
concert of action against the settlements
either of this or Oregon Territory, what
have we to oppose them
We commenced this article with the
purpose Of saying that this war is of po-
litical character, else why is 1t that Indians
have spoken inquiringly Of residents Of this
territory Are we compelled to pay to
Mr.. Packwood fifteen dollars for every
time we take salmon from the NisquaIly
river?" Did not a citizen of an adjoining
county, now prominent officer against
the Indians, advise chief of the Nisqualles
to wrap up and send back the presents of
blankets and other "ittas," which he had
received as cultus patlach," to Gov
Stevensl What has been the tone Of the
general waw-waw" of the Indians to-
wards the whites, since the general war
has been commenced? If our readers are
unable to answer the questions, we can
answer them. The general feeling with
them is this: that the whites have taken
possession Of all their lands and fishing
grounds that they2have overrun them
and have endeavored to drive them out
that, treaty stipulations to the contrary
Notwithstanding, they suppose the whites
to be aggressors upon them, with an OBJ
ject of occupying the whole country, all
their salmon fisheries, and other natural
means of their subsistence. How false ore
all these charges against the government
authorities ! We are satisfied in our own
mind that the Indian agency has exerted
its best endeaVors to preserve the peace
and quiet with Indians on both sides of
the mountains, or wherever dispersed on
the coast. That this is political war as
much as it is on Indian war, can readily
be accounted for. Howbeit some men
have raised the wind to reap the whirI-
wind" there are whites amongst us, than
whom rather we would trust the Blackfeet
lndians-one may scalp us, and the other
snsnare US. Commanders of posts and
stations, in our judgment, should keep
Tigilant eye on all that are suspicious, par.
icularly as to being on guard, or other
wise on camp or express duty. Men who
IRE suspected Of an alliance with the In-
lians should, in our opinion, be kept qui-
lily but vigilantly under the observation
'f the officer appointed over them. We
f"0'O that some persons pretending to be
white are as responsible for this war as
LeseAi'" or any of the NisqgpIly. Green
II White river Indians. In our own mind,
We are satisfied that the war has been