Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-02-02
The War in Oregon.


Letters have been received at the Indian Blu.
reau in Washington, containing matters in re-
gard to the Indian difficulties in Oregon, which
will be found new and interesting. We extract
the following: ~ za se
Intense excitement prevades the white pop
ulation of the entire country, and in the dis
tricts most remote, the people have congregated
in bloek-houses and forts which they have cree.
ted for their protection. Messengers are seen
hurrying from settlement to settlement, alarm
ing reports are everywhere current and in the
popular phrensy the peaceful as well as the hos
tile bands Of Indians are menaced with extermi-
nation. The demonstrations already made in
jackson county and in the Umpqua valley
arouse the fears of the Indians in this part of
the Territory that these threats may be carried
into execution. $500.
," However, the collection of the Indians at
suitable points, and the appointment of discreet
persons to watch over them, has tended very
much to qaiet their apprehensions but should
the present campaign in Washington Territory
and in Middle Oregon, prove unsuccessful, it
will be well-nigh impossible to save the Indians
Of this valley from the fury of the inhabitants.
Their guilt or innocence will not be the subject
Of inquiry; the fact that they are Indians will
be deemed deserving Of death. They will be
slain, not for what tAey have done, but for what
they might do, SO disposed. E /
~ It is useless now to speculate upon
the causes which have produced this state Of
affairs. The war is upon US, and whatever its
origin, when defenceless women and children
are murdered, and the property Of cur citizens
destroyed by the ruthless savage, no one can
hesitate Is to the course to be pursued toward
these who have assumed the attitude of enc
mics, su1.s,. - -.s1s. ia ..4,s- r. -et
The bands now encamped at Fort Lane, num-
berlng sS4 persons, who, Immediately on the
commencement Of hostilities, placed themselves
under the protection Of the garrison, are in i'm
minentdaRger Of meeting the Fate so boldly and
recklessy threatened-that Of annihilation.
and unless they are Immediately removed. the
scheme will undoubtedly be carried into effect
These bands conprise the original Rouge River
Indians, and . part Of those treated with on the
18th Of November, 1854, and from their general
good conduct merit better fate.
s9 !" The Umpqua Indians are but little more
secure; one villege having already been attack
ed BY body Of lawless banditti, who put to
death men, women and children" sa4 +
From the abave, it will be seen that portion
OF the white population, by their lawless deeds,
have contributed not little to incite the Indi-
ans to commit outrages upon the defenceless
white population Of these Territories. It is
needless to add that the Indian agents and gov
eminent officers station among these tribes have
done all in their power to prevent the icomlmiss-
lou Of these deeds Of violence, and to save the
friendly Indians from the fury Of the settlers.
The superintendents letter cioses with The fol-
lowing paragraph: ri ~
The agents in the Indian department ara
s'most powerfess to do good. With 1 militarv
command Of two hundred men ts protect n.
encampmeues. the friendly Indiaas might b
collected and kept ont Of the light but other
wise i Is greatly 70 be feared that ahey win an
9nite 70 hostilities against as. Almost every
day brings intelligencs of the descrtion 81 bands
heretofore friendly, and the commission Of some
horrible outrage on cur citizens. We need
strong and disciplined military force ID the
coantry-frst % chastise and bring Che Indians
n.o suggestion, and Afterwards to aid ID riddinr
.ns country of laWlsss vsgsbonds, Who haye
provoked this state d affairs. - ~