, 1856-01-25
Governors Message.

from the usual custom of delivering a writ
ten message. This arises from the cxigcn
cies Of the ease II did not seem necessary
to follow the etiquette usual in such cases, il
by doing 50 time should be lost, or public
business deferred
We are, fellow citizcus, and have been for
the past three months, engaged in an Indian
war. Our settlers, from the Cowlitz river
to the Sound, have been obliged TO abandon
their claims, to live in forts. 1t is true that
almost all the Indians are friendly; that the
number of Indians hostile does not exceed
the numbcr of one hundred and fifty or two
hundred; but from the peculiarity Of the
country, if this force is not soon crushed, il
will prove source Of serious annoyance up.
on this side of the Cascade Mountains, and
the other. Several tribes have violated their
plighted faith, and broken out in open hos
tilities. ,an.-' .I.sf I. ..-...
We are now IN the midst of a war
What has brought it about and what is
the remedy Gentlemen of the Legislative
Assembly, il is due TO you that should en-
ter dispassionately and fully into the policy
which has marked the government in the
making Of treaties with the Indians Of this
Territory. 1t is important that the honor
and dignity Of that government should bc
sustained That its course should be char
actcrized by humanity and justice. Those
who have done their duty, and maintained
the dignity and honor OF the country, should
not he struck down. Let the blow be struck
in the right quarter. If dignity and honor
have hocn maintained, then has no citizen
anything to blush for, and il is a bright page
in the History of the country, and dear to
every citizen.
When this Territory was organized, there
was population of about four thousand
souls, widely scattered. No treaties had
been made with the Indians occupying the
lands of this Territory, nor was there, prac-
tically, an intercourse law. Congress had
by law extended the provisions Of the Indian
intercourse act, so far as applicable, over
this Territory and Oregon. congress had
also passed donation law, inviting settlers
to locate claims, first west, and then east Of
the Cascade Mountains, and public surveys
had been ordered TO be made over this do
main. But the Indian title had not been
extinguished. This was bitter Cause OF
complaint on the part Of the Indians. The
Yakimas Cayuses, and Walla Wallas we're
anxious to make treaties, selling their lands
to the government, and securing TO them
selves Reservations for their permanent homes,
and they asserted that until such treaties
were made, no settlers should come among
them. These were the re2sons Of public
policy which indnced the government TO Gu
ter into these treaties, and no time wns lost
in consunNnating them. The people Of this
Territory urged upon Congress the necessity
Of such policy, and Congress made nppro-
priatioh to carry, out their wishes. 1t fell to
my lot to be appointed the Commissioner to
negotiate these treaties. entered upon
those labors in December, year ago, and
during that and the following month, sue
cessfnlly treated with oil the Indians upon
the Sound, the Straits, and the Indians at
Cape Flattery ''o-
In January year ago, despatched Jas.
Doty, Esq, cast of the Cascade Mountains,
to ascertain the feelings and views of the In-
dans. He visited tho Yakimas, the Cayu-
ses, the Walla Wallas, and the Nez Perces
in their own country, and they were desirous
to treat and sell their lands, Kamiakin ad-
yised the tribes TO meet in council at Walla
Wallag saying that was their old council
ground The council was convened, and
lasted fourteen days. All those tribes were
present. The greatest care was taken to on
plain the treaties, and the objects of them,
and to secure the most faithful interpreters.
Threc interpreters were provided for each
language; one to act as principal interpret
er, the other two to correct. At the close
of that council such expressions of Joy and
thanklulness ] have never seen exhibited to
a greater degree among Indians. KamalS-
in, Pcu-peu-mox-mox, the young chief Stick.
as, and the Lawyer, all personally expressed
their joy and satisfaction. Kamiakin as
serted that personally, he was Indifferent
about the treaty; but as his people all want
ed it, he was for it, and that was the reason
he assented 10 the treaty. The record Of
that Council was made up by intelligent and
dispassionate men, and the speeches of all,
there made, are recorded verbatim. The
dignity, humanity, and justice of the nation
al government are there signally exhibited,
and none Of the actors therein need fear the
criticism Of an intelligent community, nor
the supervision Of intelligent supcriors.. BY
these treaties, had the Indians been faithful
to them, the question as to whether the In
dian tribes OF this Territory can become civ
ilized and christianized beings, would have
been determined practically, and as to whcth-
or the Intervention of an Indian service for
the supervision of the Indians, might not be-
come unnecessary, in consequence, of the In
dans being able to govern themselves. This
spirit lies at thcbasis Of oil the treaties made
in this Territory.
Another council followed, in which three
considerable tribes were convened, which
lasted eight days--the Indians, at the close,
again expressing the utmost joy and salts
faction. 1t is due TO gentlemen of the Leg
lslative Assembly, to make this frank and full
statement. The printed record will show
that the authorities and the people of this
Territory have nothing to blush for, nothing
to fear in the Judgment Of impartial men,