Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-30
WASHINGT0 NEWS AND GOSSIP.

naval steamer Massachusetts,, (now at the Navy
Yard, Mare Island, California, for repairs)
from her station on the coasts of Oregon and
Washington Territory, causes serious apprehen-
siOns to be entertained by the settlers that they
will again be visited by depredating bands of
savages from the British possessions further
North. The Indians of that region navigate
along the coasts in huge canoes that carry, some
Of them, $50 men each. They are the most war
like, ferocious and effective tribes on the CONT
nent at this time, we apprehend, judging from
the trouble they have already given. The with
drawal of the Massachusetts, from the station
was, of course, an net of prime necessity, for
ships must be repaired. 1t is greatly to be
regretted that not even q revenue cutter was
at hand to do her duty for the time being
But those who know Congress are well aware
that it rarely legislates effectively for de-
fence or precaution until forced so to do by
the appearance of danger at the very threshold
Of the door. The Executive branch of the
Government can only avail itself of the means
of protection accorded by Congress, which,
unfortunately, has not provided sufficient for
the western coast to have permitted, ere this
another vessel to be ordered to do the duty
from which, rs explained above, the Massa-
chusetts was not long since withdrawn Efforts
are doubtless being made here so to arrange the
duties OF the vessels of both the Navy and Treas
ury Department in the Pacific, as that one will
Immediately be ordered to take the place of the
steamer named above.
BY the BY, IT we are not mistaken, the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company have some vessels on
the Pacific coast not in commission at this time,
which, if there is authority to call them Tor one
Of them into the service, would answer the
purpose. We refer to their ships (steamers)
first employed on their route. They were built,
IT will be remembered, under the superinten-
fenee OF United States naval officers, so as to
be speedily convertible into men-of-war, and
are therefore capable of carrying all the arma-
ment required in such service. The contract
under which they were constructed authorizes
the Government to take them, or either of them.
NJ valuation when the necessities of the pub
lie service may require that to be done If, in
the absence of specific appropriation to pay
for them, such thing could be done. it strikes
rs that the fact that they are out there at this
time unemployed (some Of them) affords an op-
portunity for at once providing against disas-
trous contingencies that might otherwise result
from the withdrawal of the Massachusetts, from
her late station.
We clip the following from the last news from
the Pacific coast, ~ illustrating the condition
OF affairs there, on which we comment above
BY the arrival of Tho lark Friendship from
Teekalet. Puget Sound, we learn that the Sound
Indians were quiet, but that large bands Of North
eTn"rs still harry about the English side and CON
Time TO ann"y the settlers by crossing to our
side
Maj Hlllcr was in chase Of some twelve or If
teen canOeS that had come across and took a canoe
with the crew OF sound Indians, and either muir
deTtd or carried them off as slaves
The MaJor was on board Of the United STATES
cutter Jefferson Davis, with some regulars that
being the only means he could command To pro-
tect The fTOntleT and that is but little use Al This
time OF the year on account Of the fTeGurnt c,IDs
number OF families had left w hidby' Island
and other parts OF the frontier and moved up the
Sound The Northe:ners say that before th,v re-
turn home ia the fall they will have three AuHeri-
can heads for each one of their people that wa,
killed last winter by the Massachuse They
h:iVe lately killed and taken away a number Of
our Indians, and il is fully believed they will
carry their threats into execution against the
whites, unless war steamer is sent to protect the
frontiers.
The AFFAIRS OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
apprehend that orders will soon leave Wash
ing city that will definitely settle the late dis
putes between the civil and military func ton
aries IN Washington Territory and Oregon. that
served not a little to complicate the difficulties
encountered in the proper conduct of the late
Indian war In that quarter. They are rendered
more necessary, as about a hundred Mormon
families moved over into the Bitter Root Valley
tof Washington Territory last year, and are
believed to have been engaged in poison
ing the mind. Of the Indians against the
Whltes and the n,
as Territorial. In another article, to-day
we take occasion to explain that trouble
Is anticipated with the savages Immediately
upon the coast OF the Territory so their
affairs are not unlikely 10 become very commit
Gated. These facts render it absolutely neces
sary that the difficulties with reference 10 the
powers Of the several branches of the nubIic
service in the Territory-the military and the
ciyil-should be ended as speedily as possible
for there cannot be two governments out there
Of equal authority, without both doing more
harm than good, We apprehend. The New
Governor Of Washington Territory is a man Of
sagaeity, energy, nerve and much experieno o
with the world, as well rs in the bushes,
Of legislation. We certainly look to him to do
much on his arrival out, towards restoring the
naTnOhy between the tWOclasSes OF the Govern
nent agents there, so necessary for the future
well being of the Territory.
HE doLDsroRoudH ArFrAY.-The writer Of
the accompanying communication is well known
10 Us 10 DC 4 reliable gentleman in all respects
Its assurances, therefore, induce us to change
our views OF the origin of the terrible ARRAY in
question, and the conduct of DR.. Davis. as well
as concerning the responsibility of the chief
German participatOrs in it. Nevertheless, we
cannot comprehend the propriety of visiting
punishment On those who neither violated the
law by trading with slaves, or were engaged in
the ARRAY, all of them in the village having been
violently driven forth from it by the mob:
The GOLDsBORoUGH AFFRAY.-A parapraph
n The Star of last evening does great injustice 10
Dr. Davis. NV acquaintance with him is OF sew