, 1857-02-27

$500 Indians since early last November
all taken from and near the vicinity of tn
war ground, having friends and relative
among the hostileS placed there for thei
protection. Between this point and tn
Columbia river, and Oh the Columbia riv
er, over | 900 have been collected for
similar purpose. Does this look as thougl
was an cXterminator Of the Indians, O.
their friend aud protector?
Nor have the volunteers of Washington
ever plundcred the Indians, whether friend
y or hostile. All property captured from
hostile Indians was accounted for as publ,
property. Such were my orders, and
know they were inaexi5ly carried out. Til,
strayed animals Of friendly Indians were il
all cases taken care Of by the volunteers
and returned 10 their owners.
The volunteers of Oregon held last win
ter the Walla-Wnlla valley protected
the settlers and friendly. Cayuses there
prevented the spread of disalection among
the Ncz Perecs, strengthened the hands o.
the Indian authorities of both Washington
and Oregon in quieting and taking care oI
the friendly Indians at the Dalles, kept
kGmakan and the other hostile leaders
with their followers north of the Snake
In regard to all which, the best commen
tary is, that when the volunteers withdrew
the settlers did also Disafecton rapid
ly spread, the hostiles gathered hope, and
finally sacked the Cascades, killing nine
teen persons. s s' .
| shall not attempt to reffte his state
ment in regard TO digging up dead bodies
and ravishing girls-the writer having
simply drawn upon his Imagination
Long previous to, and for the first six
months Of the war, not any outrage occur
red in this Territory. In March last there
was a sad case of murder on the Columbia,
but a0L By roiaateerS. On the Sound, since
the month of April, volunteer, on leave
of absence, killed two Indians, who, with
Nelson, killed the three families on White
rivcr-one family, consisting of the volun-
teers brother, his brothers wife and two
children. For this offence, the volunteer
was tried by a military commission. Six
other Indians were killed in June, July
and August-eight, nine aud ten months
after the war commenced, but not by vol
unteers. One man was killed by soldiers
from the Steilacoom garrison Irregular
troops.)
In all these cases Of murder every eXer
tion was made to ferret out and arrest the
ana two are now h. conine.
ment awaiting trial -i-o osIs iaa ..tab.
y The war has been of inealeulable injury
to both Territories. Both Territories we're
before the war broke out As
q general thing, supplies have been fur
and services rendered at q fair
best proof Of which is that a
large amount of animals and property on
hand at the Gisbandment Of the volunteer
service, commanded at public auction more
than the original cost. 1t was our dire
necessity which compelled US to act--a
solemn sense of what we Owed our families
and our eonnEy,a Isl 20 ,Yi..s.ilo. fsr
l kaow Gov, Curry well, and the people
OF Oregon we'll His and their acts and
those Of the people Of Washington will
have bright rccordein history Igho-
rance and folly, from whatever source,
cannot prevail against truth aud justice.
Whoever knew truth put to the worse
in free and open encounter :" We simply
want the truth TO appear, for we know ii
will be our vindication. ' 2Al ga
1j Very respectfully yours, ai '.Hs
ls .riia.a ISAAC /. STEVENS,
Gov. Ter Wash and Sup. Ind. Affairs.
Executive OHhee Territory Of Washington, a
E q Olympia, Oct, p. lS5S' .- %. ",