, 1856-01-25

wv iINAltsllN Adllis W lliul Mllll nos
tile feelings. But when left Walla Walla.
| thought that by the treaty such feelings
were entirely aSSuaged-that those who were
once for war were now for peace.
1t is difficult to see how such comJina-
ton should have existed, and not have been
known; and yet it extended from the Sound
to the Cmplul-from one side to the other
of the Cascade Mountains.
Fellow cti2cns,-Wr has existed for
tRrcc months and still exists. A war en-
tered into by these INDIANS, without cause:
a war having not its origin in these treaties.
nor in the bad conduct Of orr people. II
originated in the native intelligence of rest
less indians, who, foresccing destiny against
them, that the white man was moving upon
them, determined that it must be met and
resisted by arms. We may sympathize with
such manly feeling, but in view of il, we
have high duties. ..r. H.,
| will not dwell upon the efforts made,
the falsel reports cibaucd, distorting The
proceedings of these councils; the stories OF
killing friendly Indians, which those hostile
have resorted to, TO spread hostility. The
war exists; the question s--How shall it bc
met? There are duties to be discharged, =
difficulties to be grappled with. The war
must be vigorously prosecuted now Seed
time is coming, and the farmer should be at
his plough in the field The summer is COM
ing. The SHOWS will melt in your mountain
passes. 1t seems TO me the warm season is
not the time for operations. Daylight is
breaking upon us. The gloom which for a
time hung over us, is giving way, There
has been great energy displayed in handling
the whole question. Judgment and energy
in driving back, into comparatively small
region Of country, the hostile Indians, and
in keeping the great body of the Indians ep,
tirely friendly. G
The work remaining to be done is COM
paratively small. 1t is my opinion that it
would be eXpedient forthwith to raise force
of three hundred men, from the Sound, to
push into the Indian country, build depot,
and vigorously operate against the indians
in this quarter; and nearly the same force
should be raised on the Columbia, river, to
prosecute tho war east Of the Cascade noun
tains This last would have vast influence
upon the operations in this section. 1t
would prevent reinforcements from either
side joining the bands on the other side and
would efiectually crush both. But what is
more, important, would be the influence upon
the numerous tribes not yet broken out into
hostility. 1t is due to you5o state what ex-
pcricnce in travelling through the Indian
country has taught me. There is asurpri-
sing feeling OF uneasincS among all the tribes
who have not broken out, except, alone, the
Nez Perces These tribes may be led into
war, if delay attends our operations.
Fregrct on this occasion to be compeNed
to critieise the Official acts Of gallant and
war.worn veteran, one whose name has been
on the historic rolls Of the country for near
iy half century. But it is due to the peo-
pie and the authorities Of the Territory Of
Washington, that .the facts, should appear,
aud be known to the national g3Yeramept
Gov. Mason, in obedience to the requisitioi
OF the commanding officer of the United
States forces upon the Columbia river, raised
two companies Of volunteers, of excellent
material. They were well mounted, and
ready for the field Another company was
raised to protect the commissioner appointed
by the president of the United States, to
make treaties with the Indian tribes in the
interior of the continent. These troops were
disbanded, were brought down into garrison
and the regulars were kept in garrison
And there stands out the broad fact, that.
seven hundred Indians in the Walla-, ,Wsllp
valley, were met and defeated Nv yolunteeh,
when the regulars were In garrison. sThE'
presidents commissioner, q highlfsnetionaiy,
deriving his powers from the president of the
United States, and not from any department.
was left without protection, and the troops
raised to protect him, Major General Wool
thought proper to disband, aud bring into
garrison. That officer acted unquestionably
from sense Of duty. His reputation as a
gallant soldier, his long and valuable services
to the country, cannot be disputed, do
not wish to impugn his motives l only de-
sire to submit facts for the judgment Of su-
periors at home.
| learn from good authority, that his plan
of operations is to delay till spring-proba-
bly, until May IL Is well known by those
who have experience and knowledge of their
country, that February and March are the
best months for the prosecution Of this war
| think it due to the Legislative Assembly
to state the reasons why all voyagenrs, and
gentlemen of experience in these matters,
give " as their opinion that now Is the prop
or time for action. There is a vast, plain be-
tween the Cascade aud Bitter Root Noun
tains. The Columbia, Snnkc, Clear Water,
aud Spokane rivers arc to be crossed. The
snow is but few inches deep, and lasts blt
a short time-scldom over fortnight.-
There is but one continuous period Of colo
weather, and that period has now passed.
The mountain passes are oil closed up with
SHOWS, which can only be scaled by snow
shoes. For these reasons the Indians can
not escape, should vigorous operations be
made On these plains our forces can ope-
rate well. There is abundant fuel for camps
grass for animals, and the rivers arc low. :
The Indians must be struck now. But il
we delay, in few months the roots and fish
will abound, supplying the Indians with