New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-06
THE OREGON INDIAN WAR.

have taken advantage Of the late unfortunate riot
at Panama, and of the alleged shooting of some Of
the employees Of the Transit Company at Virgin
Bay, to dlate upon the inherent and essential bar
barity of the inhabitants of those regions, by way,
we suppose, of suggesting their determination and
their replacement by race more gentle, just and
humane.
This process of the determination and replace
ment of an inferior race by a stronger, if not
more gentle and humane one, which some of our
city contemporaries seem to be 90 anxious to set on
foot in Central America may be seen at this mo-
ment in the full tide Of experiment-we cannot say
exactly successful experiment-in the Territories
of Oregon and Washington. The good people of
those Territories combine, indeed two operations,
which, however, are pretty apt to go tOgether-the
determination of the native inhabitants Of those
Territories, and very heavy drafts on the United
States Treasury. They thus enjoy the double sat-
isfaction of plumber as we'll as of murder, of lining
their pockets with public money, while at the
same time they quench their red-hot anhpathies in
Indian blood.
A letter of Gen. Wool, in command of the
forces of the United States in the department of
the Pacific, addressed to The National Integenetr,
for the purpose of vindcating himself against GER
tain attacks made upon his military conduct by
the officials and other inhabitants of Oregon and
Washington Territories, sheds a distinct though
red and lurid light upon the origin and progress Of
the Indian war now raging in that quarter.
This war seems to have originated like nine out
of ten Of our Indian wars in the aggressions inso-
lepce and misbehavior of the whites. The object
of Gen. Wool, as might be expected from an
accomplished officer and a man of sentiment and
humanity, is to bring the to q close with as
little shedding Of blood, whether Of Indians or
white men, as little evaporation and as little cost
to the United States, as possible. The object, on
the other hand of the settlers, with whom the
civil officials seem fully to sympathize appears to
be to improve the war as an excuse for eIter-
minatiIg the Indians, and at the same time en-
ricbiDg themselves by disposng of oil their old
horses and other supplies for the war, and of their
own personal services, too, to be paid for by the
United States at most extravagant prices
Instead of leaving General Wool to conduct the
defense of the country with the regular troops or,
If additional aid is needed, to calling for 1t and
employ it according to his own judgment, the Gov
ernors and Legislatures Of the Territories assume
the right Of raising troOps-the expense to be shoul
dered off upon the United States-and OF sending
expeditions into the Indian territory at their own
discretion. The method of procedure OF these ter
ritorial expeditions may be judged of from the ac-
count which General Wool gives of the exploits Of
two such detachments, commanded, the one by
Major Chinn, the other by Col. Kelly, men,
Der of the Oregon Legislsture
"Col. Kelly, on Joining Major Chinn, moved against
Fort Wala.W but found no Indians there. He
then moved up the river TOuchet, where he was met
by the chief Pin Piu-Mox-Mo1, with flag of truce
Vie said be was for peace; that be did not weh
to fight, that his people did not wish to fight;
{ and that if any Of his young men had done
wrong be was prepared to make restitution If he
could not return the goods wrongfuy TAKEN he would
nav for them, being abundantly able to do SC. When
The volunteers said they were 10 want q provisions
he offered them cattle. He was rich a money and
cate. The volunteers replied ne had Deter go back
Lieut. Kelly says six in number, was taken prisoner,
and cent guarded TO the volunteer camp Tue volun-
ters then commenced the attack upon his people,
which was continued for four days without any great
loss on either side, when the Wsla-W alias, having
secured their women and children, crossed Snake
River. The second third day OF the engagement
the volunteers barbarOusly Killed fin- PM Mo1,MoI
and his companions They took from the chiefs head
acme twenty scalps, cut of his ears and hands and
az nj them a: trophies to their friends in Oregon.
40 The volunteers having no boats could not cross
Snst River the retreat of the Indians closed their
Winter campaign except 10 plumber the friendly
Cayuses of their horses and cattle.
Owing 10 the severity of the Winter except those
capured by the Indians most OF the vounteers horses
died from fatigue and the want of forage or grass
Major Cbpp said that about 225 Of their best horses
were captured by the Indians. Ii is reported that Gov
Cuny has in part replaced them with fresh relay. In
February thirteen wagons, loaded with supplies in
Guiding Ammunition Tor the volunteers, guarded by
only four men were captured by the Indians between
Umatila and Fort Wala-W ALA
Such have been the results Of one of the most IN
wise unnecessary and eItravagant expeditions ever
| fitted out in the United States aud for other
reason than to plumber thu Treasury Of tie United
| States, and to make political capital for some
BODY II could not have been projected for
the defense of the inhabitants of Oregon nor for
The protection Of Oregoaiaps in Washington Territory
for resided there. What then, could have been
the object Nothing but crusade against the Ind
| ans and long war 10 enrich the country II such
was not the object Gov Curry, instead of sendiro
bis troops against the Indians in Washington Territory
and beyond his jurisdiction would have sent all Of
| nowhere else in his Territory. The Oregonians saw
| Tat the war ID godsend TO the country
Sometimes however, this war of determination
this ApglO-Saxon replacement of weaker by a
stronger races urged with greater success.
Tins in October las. one Major Lupton in com.
mspd Of Territorial party murdered in cold blood
twenty five friendly Indians eighfet" Of rh0m rer,
| -. ,,J cJ;Idr,1 all going 10 the military reser.