, 1856-01-11
POSTSCRIPT,
Letter from Governor Stevens.

On the eve of going to press, we were
furnished, by WV RurLEpGE of this place
a copy of the OrGgonian, of Dec. 29th, con-
tanning letter. from the "roagh and rcady'
governor of this territory, dated at the res
idence of Mr.. Craig, of the Walla Walla
country, which will be found below. We
have not time to make one word of COM
mcnt on the letter-all we ask, is, that his
enemies and friends read it.
Ar WM. CRAIG's, NEz PERcEsl I
RESERVATION, Dec l3, 1855. '
To The o6Ioer commanding The troops
SRI have been in the country one
day. The Nez Pcrccs are friendly to
man. Nearly the whole nation is in coun-
ell here, all the chiefs are here, but the Red
Wolf, who is expected to-day. | shall
move tomorrow or next day, with my force
of iifty-two men and one hundred friendly
Nez Perces. The Chief Looking Glass"
who has travelled with me across the
mountains, is firm friend of the Amcri-
cans, and is greatly distressed at the break
ing out of the war.
The messenger who leaves this letter,
takes message from him to all the In
dans below, who have not taken part in
the war, to continue friendly. Looking
Glass will go with me below. No Ncz
Perces goes with me except with arms in
his hands. Our enemies are his enemies.
have made forced marches all the way
from Fort Benton. Four days from the
Spokan country, there called council of
the Cenr d'Leincs, SpokanS, and Colvilles
They are all friendly, and have pledged
themselves not to enter into the war. They
have treated oil our people in a friendly
manner and have shown the greatest re-
gard for the safety of our people. The
story about the wagons, and my men hav-
ing been whipped is ridiculous exagera-
ton.
We have had much bad weather, latter
ly storms and rains and snow all the time,
Two and half feet of snow in the Bitter
Root mountains.
We started from Fort Benton in the
depth Of winter, at all hazards to force our
way through the Indian country. We
have reports, early this morning, that Sc.
we're battle has been fought in Whtman's
valley, aud that some two hundred volun-
teerS are in the field under Major Chinn.
l cannot pretend here to make sugges-
tions, or offer advice, except that the war
must be brought to a proper eLOse. The con-
duct of the Indians has been treacherous
beyond example. The tribes engaged in
the war should be held responsible, and ut
ter submission to the will Of the conqueror
should be required. They have broken
their solemn obligations have forfeited all
claims to the consideration provided for in
treaties, and their faith cannot be trusted
again.
am for the most vigorous and decided
course, and shall urge the continuance of
the operations so long as one Of the enc
mics OF our people, has not been uncondi-
tionally submitted to our will.
My route will be by the Red Wolf
ground, and the usual trail to Whitman's
valley. Send me information as early as
practicable. We are well armed and well
mounted, and have nine thousand rounds Of
ammunition. sent-nIso letter, which
Mr.. Craig, whc preceded me tc the Nez
Percc country, had no opportunity to for
ward.
Yours respectfully,
(Signed) ISAAC l. STEVENS,
Governor and Superintendent.
The copy of the OregOmian, from which
we obtain the above letter, was brought to