, 1856-03-28
important Correspondence

V Important Correspondence
Between Maj. Gen. JoHN E. Wool, CON-
nGRdiHg tAe Pacific Military Department,
and l. l. STEVENS, GOrerHOr Of The Terri
tory of Warrington, connected Nth the
preieHt IldidH War in Washington and
Oregon Territories, de-, yPe.
HEAD QULRrERs, DEPr. OF THE PACIFIC,
BeAieia, California, Fs6. Il, 1856.
TO HB ExoELLNcY, Isaac ], STEVENS,
Governor Of Washington Territory:
SIR-I received your communication Of
The 23d Of December and 29ih January,
1856, on the 9th instant, but too late to-
reply to it by the return steamer. For the
information which it imparts, you have my
thanks. When you know my Instructions
to Col. Wright, Of the 9th Infantry at
Vancouver, you will discover that many Of
your suggestions have been anticipated.
In presenting, however, your plan Of cam
pAign, which Is q very extended one, you
should have recollected that have neither
The resources Of Territory nor the treasu-
~ Of the United States at my command
Still you may be assured that the war
sgainst the Indians will be prosecuted with
all the vigor, promptness and efficiency /
an master Of, at the same time IOithOlt
pastiAg, HnAeocssarily, He ReaMJ and rcsOHy-
os at NY diPOSal, By WRtin'eiy GMd EMPvOdEc-
tiVs expeditions.
With the additional force which recently
arrived at Vancouver and at the Dalles, l
think shall be able to bring the war to q
close in few months, provided the exter-
mination of the Indians, which l do not
approve Of, is not determined on, and pri.
vate war prevented, and the volunteers
withdrawn from the Walla-walla country.
Whilst was in Oregon, It was reported
to me that many citizens, with due pro-
portion Of volunteers and two newspapers,
advocated the determination Of the Indians.
This principle has been acted on in several
Instances without discriminating between
enemies and friends, which has been the
cause, in Southern Oregon, Of sacrificing
many innocent and worthy citizens, as in
the case Of Maj. Lupton and his party,
(VOlunteers) who killed twenty-five Indians,
eighteen of whom were women and children.
These were friendly Indians on their way
to the Indian reservation, where they eX-
pected protection from the whites. This
barbarous act Is the cause Of the present
contest In the Rogue River country, and,
% Captain Judah, U. s. A, reports, is re-
taliatory Of the conduct Of Maj. Lupton.
By the same mail which brught me your
communication, received one, now before
me, from q person who think incapable
Of misrepresentation, which informs me that
the friendly Cayuses are every day menaced
With death by Governor Curry's volunteers
Tbs writer says they have despoiled these
Indians-who have so nobly followed the
advice Of Mr.. Palmer to remain faithful
friends TO the Americans-of their proyis-
ions. To-day he says these same volunteers,
without discipline and without orders, are
not yet satisfied with rapine and injustice,
and wish to take away the small remnant
Of animals and provisions left. Every day
they run of the horses and cattle Of the
friendly Indians. These have become in
diguant, and will not be much longer re-
strained from resisting conduct unworthy
Of the whites, who have made them so
many promises to respect and protect them
u they remained faithful friends.
The writer further says, II the volunteers
are not arrested in their brigand actions,
the Indians will save themselves by flying
to the homes of their relatives, the Nez
Perces, who have promised them help, and
then all the Indians Of Oregon and Wash
lngton would join in the common defence.
This information is, in great measure,
confirmed by person who am assured
enjoys your respect and confidence. H
need not say, although / had previous
ly instructed Col. Wright to take possess
ion Of the Walla-walla country at the ear
liost moment practicable, that / directed
him to give protection, as soon as he could,
to the friendly Cayuses from the depreda.
tons Of the volunteers. 1t is such conduct,
a. here complained Of, that irritates and
greatly increases the ranks Of the hostile
tribes and If the Nez Perces Join in the
war against US, which l hope to prevent,
We shall require much larger force than
We now have in Washington and Oregon
Territories to resist savage barbarities, and
to protect the whites. b..
/ have recently seut to Puget Sound two
companies Of the 9th Infantry These
with three companies there, will give q
force Of nearly four hundred regulars, com
Tnanded BY Lieut.. Col. Casey. This force,
with several ships Of war in the Sound, to
which will be added IN few days the Uni
'ed States steamer MaSSaohuSetLs, it seems