Washington sentinel., 1856-04-05
AFFAIRS IN OREGON.

an Nhos iSiiitoiJ' hC iOouiI was INC pdooaSS Vi
bill through both Houses appropriating $500,
900 for restoring and maintaining the peaceable
disposition of the Indian tribes, and 100000
for the purchase Of powder to be used on the
Pacific coast. The former item Of the appro-
priation is TO support friendly Indians on their
reserves, and the latter TO salute the foe.
General Lane, who has fought against the
savages in Oregon, and is well acquainted with
that country, gave on Friday, the following in
teresting narrative of the events of the present
war:
"The news by the steamer which has re-
Gently arrived in New York is only a continua-
tion Of the news announcing to us murders
massacres OF the most horrible description
having been perpetrated, week after week, in
the Territory Of Oregon, and not only there,
but in the adjoining Territory Of Washington.
And yet, sir, not thing has been done sue
cessfuly by any department of the Govern
ment. Nothing effective has been done by the
Administration, Notwithstanding the desire
which they no doubt have to afford us the pro-
lection to which we are entitled. But must
be permitted to say that no step has thus far
been taken that has been of any service what
ever to us. The regular forces assigned to
. the uuty OI the pTOtectlOH Ol lneSe SeltlenenlS
have utterly failed; they have failed to afford
that protection which the people of the Terri
tory expected; and but for the prompt and
efficient services of the volunteers in the two
Territories the whole country would now be
desolate waste, or in possession of the savages.
:" / will give a despatch which ! have Just
received from New York;
"'Dates from Puget's Sound to 2lst Feb
ruary. Large force of Indians landed at San
Juan Island. Whidby's island attacked, and
custom-house robbed. Another outbreak on
Rogue river; twenty five reported as killed
"They have taken possession Of the custom
house. Whether they will undertake to ap-
point custom-house officers will not attempt
to say. But, sir we have the news of thirty
families being put to death-tomahawked led
to the stake, and tied, the faggots piled round
them, and set on fire. and they are compelled
to witness the torture OF each other. The child
is compelled to hear the death-screams of the
mother, and the mother of the child.
~ make this statement, Mr.. Speaker, that the
House may know the condition of affairs in the
Territories Of Oregon and Washington. The
most horrible sufferings undergone; and if
measures are not speedily taken to prevent these
outrages by the Indians the settlements will be
soon wiped out. The people will have fallen
under the tomahawks of the savages and their
scalps hung up in their wigwams. Our people
are essentially a peaceful people but their
homes, which are the homes Of civilized and
Christian families, will soon become the haunts
OF sayages.
"And, sir, hostilities commenced there III
such way as ought Ia have convinced every
man who had the slightest knowledge of the
Indian character or Of that country, that that
entire country was to be invaded by Indians.
On the 9Th, 9th, and 10th days Of October last,
depredat0ns commenced In the southern por-
ton OF the Territory of Oregon, and extended
to the northern portion of Washington, dis
tance ut over six hundred miles. That fact
was OF itself sufficient to have convinced any
one who had the slightest knowledge of that
country, or of the Indian character, that COM
bination had been formed by all the Indian
tribes in that region and that war was to be
made upon the settlements-for the purpose,
as they say, of reclaiming their lands, by des-
troyiDg the white people who now occupy those
lands.
Mr; Speaker, our people are principally an
agricultural and grazing community; their
wealth, their means, consist to very large eX-
tent, in cattle and stock but the Indians have
taken care to possess themselves of the stock
of large portion of the Territory. They have
driven of and are living upon them, while the
white people of the settlement are deprived Of
the means oil subsistence.
AS / said before, the fact that these hostli
ties commenced almost simultaneously through
range of six hundred miles east and west Of
the Cascade mountains ought TO have been
sufficient to have satisfied any man, knowing
anything of the country, or of the Indians that
war of determination had commenced by the
Indians against the white settlements. 1t is
not an exaggeration to say that the force of
these various tribes of Indians muster at least
twenty-nine thousand warriors; and, as / have
said, they are massacreing whole families.
Now, it may be asked, why do make this
statement now, when there is no bill, no propo-
sition Of any description, before the House for
the relief of our people? 1t will be borne in
mind that the first bill introduced into the
House the present session was bill providing
for paying volunteers and expenses incurred
by our people in defending the settlements;
which bill was referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs, Of which committee my gal
liant friend from Mississippi Mr.. Quitman is
chairman; consequently, the bill is not now
before the House.
"The army, sir, under the command Of Gen.
Wool, has failed TO protect the settlements, or
to infct that punishment upon the Indians
which their offenses deserve. All the protection
afforded the settlements and the punishment
given TO the Indians, so far, has been done by
the volunteers. General Wool, whom ] know
to be brave man and gallant officer, is found
to be unequal to the task Of repellng the
depredaiions of these Indians-unequa to the
task Of coping with them in their mode Of war
fare, in the valleys, and in the forests. He has
not been able to overtake and punish them for
their conduct.
"We have had bill introduced for raising a
regiment of mounted volunteers, for the protec-
ton of that country, by the gentleman from
Washington Territory, Mr.. Anderson, which
is also in the hands of my friend from Missis-
sippi, the chairman Of the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs In the deficiency bill which passed
this House, went to the Senate, and was passed
there with sundry amendments, there should be
provision for an appropriation Of 100000, for
the purpose of defending the settlements in
Oregon and Washington Territories, q portion