New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-27
THE INDIAN WAR ON THE PACIFIC.
LETTER FROM GOV. STEVENS OF WASH
INGTON TERRITORY.

INGTON TERRITORY.
To as Editor a TIE N. Y Tri1sss.
SIR: In your weekly ssue of the Goth September,
observe letter purportiDg to be written by an old
"Residenter" Of Oregon, and signed &c Law and Or
der" which, as it's views and statements ndorsed
by you editonally, FED it my duty to notice.
This letter must have been the production of mad
man or fool because its statements generally not
only notOriousy fake, but many Of them are absurd
That the assertion that the war was got up for
speculation is false these plain facts will show. Facts
which have not only been reported officially by the
Territorial officers but by the officers of the regular
uoops.
The war both east and west of the Cascade Noun
tains in the Territory Of Washington commenced
by the indiana in violation Of the faith of treaties just
entered into, killing men, most Of them unarmed pass-
ing through their country Tnus east Of the Cascades
the Yalimss killed nine persons, all substantial
and quiet citizens their way from the Sound to the
gold mines near ColvilIe, and when their friend and
sent Bolon who devoted TO the good Of the va
Xmas, went among TN III 20 inquire into the matter
they iIeacberOus killed and scsped him. ana nis scp
was danced In the camp OF the Walla-Wslla chief
Pteu u Gu .mOx.DOx.
Th.leupon requisition was made upon the military
by the Governor Of Washington ACTING Gov. Mason
was then at the of the Missouri, making in
ccpI ectoD with Superintendent Cumming treaty of
peace and friendship between TIE Blsckfeet and the
West m uibes, 10 send force into the Yakima Couu
toy TO demand The murderes, and 10 the event Of their
not being given up, to punish the tribe. But Major
Hsltr in command at the Dalles near to the scene of
murotr ard thoroughly alive TO the emergency of the
Gaze ticking time by the foreOck had already assumed
the responsibility to act and 10th the req1stion Of the
Governor and the orders Of Lis superior officer mply.
ing Herewith fouId bin bis march TO the Yak Ia
Tie tribe net him in arms, fought him two days, and
competed him by an overpowesirg force TO leave the
country. MoDr Raios, In command of the district, i'm
n. dialtb msce reqne'tion uoOn The Executive.
VI both Oregon and Washington for troops the regu
hrs btipg insufficient. The troops were raised. Tue
regulars and voluLfeers, acting In concert, wed into
ihe Yakima. nearly one thousand stro0g, AMI drove
the lndisLs across tie Columbia TITUS the war com.
nIotd. The Territorial troops we're raised ia eorse-
queIee Of The ,equstoD Of the N lltary off yer in
charge Of the District and though the Oregon vo1n.
ttes we're Dot mastered into the regular service they
sed entirely in concert with il throughout the Yakima
expedition.
Al bele, ss yeur correspondent has referred to the
late SUP e'Dtei dent 81 Indian Affairs Of Oregon, Gen.
Palmer whom know well, aud believe 10 be faith
fnl ase devoted officer will state that no man urged
sIeDucusy than be upon the Governor of Oregon
the sending out large number of Territorial troops
much exceeding the equ'sitioa Of Msor Rsns a. alb
soluieb necessary 10 prevent disaster to arms and
TO check the fpread Of dsafection among the tribes
Which bad Lot ye. BROS ell cut into hostility.
So much for the Yakima. Now for the Sound-Pd-
&c, Sound.
There vas much sxeiter ent among the citizens on
the Sound for three months before the troubles
occ,Ded. The eIcitemsn, was allayed by the exer.
IN De of the Indian anihortes sdea By the great body
Of the citizens. Recolect Sr, am also the Superb
tIesnt Of Indian Affairs, and speak of what the
oftcis y cord, of MY flee shoe. We did not think
possible uat the Inoisbs Of the Sound would rise
hey were generally well treated, and in every
feIeBce bad With them by Acting Governor Mason for
Tie purpose Of ssteisipps ~bether there any real
cans. OF alarm they prsss great friendship for the
whites end Probouseed all Iumors to the contrary bes.
People who had len their claims returned to them.
sheD suddenly rsvs came Of the murder of Mccall
Pster, pho wen. into L<fchis camp TO talk with him.
nsishboE and be vas tsAeArcsaly killed by Lesehps