, 1856-10-17
The Northern Indians.

Seattle, by party of four northern Stick
enc terminating in the murder OF
one of the crew, the serious wounding OF
another and the subsequent escape Of the
perpetrators of the outrage.
Although it is reported that Commander
SwARTworr of the United States steamer
Massachusetts,, has been actively cruzng in
most of the bays and harbors northward,
within the United States dOminions, with
an object Of apprehcnding and bringing the
savages to Justice, yet, according to the last
accounts from that quarter, it appears he
has, as yet, been unsuccessful. 1t is re-
ported, however, that he has succeeded in
capturing the "klOotehmen," probably the
wives of the murderers; but We very much
doubt if the fact of their being retained in
custody, will, in any manner, serve for the
apprehension of their lawlcss pratIcal hus-
bands.
There can be but little doubt but that
it was this same band of northern redskins
who paid visit to this locality few weeks
ago, on an errand Of mischief and plumber.
At all events, the number, in both male
and female, corresponds with that of par
ty which made its appearance here some
time since, and perpetrated no inconsidera-
BILE amount of robbery of houses on the
eastern side Of the inlet We are informed
that every house that was found to have
been temporarily abandoned, between this
place and South Bay, for some distance
back from the eastern shore, had been bro
ken into and robbed, Of whatever provis-
ions, clothing, blankets, cooking utensils,
&c, that they contained.
Mr.. F. w. SEEIEY, who occupies claim
about three miles from this place, accom-
panied by Mr.. c. SYLVESTER, came sudden
ly upon the plunderers, whilst in the act Of
breaking into his house. Being unarmed,
when detected by tue Indians, the latter
at once drew their guns upon them, and it
was only by representing to them that there
was large party of whites, hard by, that
they re influenced not to carry into exc
cution their murderous intention. Messrs.
Seeley and Sylvester then came hurricdly
to town and armed themselves, but on re-
turning found the Indians had left, without
further attempting the robbery of the
house. They subsequently continued their
plunder Of every deserted house as far down
as South Bay; and, as it would seem, pur-
sued their criminal mission to Seattle, ter
minating with their murderous attack upon
the little schooner alluded to.
The boldness and audacity Of these GRIM
inal outrages, is without precedent in the
history of the intercourse heretofore per
mitted to these northern British Indians,
with the American settlements on the Sound
and Straits, and some Efficient means should
at once be adopted 10 bring them to JUS
tice
Some effectual means should also be
forthwith adopted to prevent them hereaf-
ter from visiting our settlements and il
they do evade our authorities, by coming
amongst us and committing murders and
other outrages, they shOutd be promptly fol-
lO,0ed into their OieH country, demanded, ana
punished. On any further appearance Of
these northern robbers and murders on the
waters of the Sound, within our own do.
minons, it should be made the duty Of the
commanders Of our vessels Of war, prompt.
ly to order them away; and on their refus-
al to comply, lei them al onoe be JlOlon Out Of
our i0aterS
We would be but sinking our national
character longer to permit these outrages
to pass unpunished and unrebuked; and il
these northern sayages will persist in their
career Of murder and robbery within our
borders, and if afterwards they cannot be
found within our own Jurisdiction, let them
be JollOl0cd out Of IL, and punished: twill
be simply disgraceful to our naval authori-
ties if they do not follow up this matter to
a satisfactory issue, and afford some better
security than we now have, for the small
crafts that are constantly and indispensably
traversing our waters. If these pirates,
murderers and land robbers are permitted
to attack with impunity every small passen'
ger and freight vessel they may chance at
any time to fall in with, there will be no Sc
curity whatever for life or property on the
Sound, aud we will soon be without any
meaus whatever for communication from
point to point.
Cannot there be some means adopted
whereby these Indians can be apprehended