, 1857-11-20
The Truth Of History,

causes and circumstances connected with
the Indian war, which commenced over two
years ago, allied together as they were, in a
formidable combination, the fact is well
known that the cause of the outbreak was
Of aboriginal origin-a war of races-aud
as natural result of the settlement of cli-
zcns of our country upon soil which the
Congress Of the United States declared to
be free for settlement and occupancy, by
virtue of the donation act, and subsequent
pre-emption law.
Whilst Misrepresentation, and spirit
Of strife is manifested, not only amongst
officers of the regular service, but also those
who claim to be citizens by birth and adop-
ton, it is matter to be regretted that
some Of our population, bear earmarks of
hostility against the permanent settlement
Of this territory On this subject, connected
with Indian difficulties, we would respectful
ly refer the reader to Il synopsis of what is
supposed to be the official report, to the
Treasury Department, of Mr.. j. Ross
BRowNE, special agent, published some
three weeks since in this paper.
Ever since the commencement Of Indian
hostilities with our citizens, we have been
eager and anxious to ferret out, and fully
ascertain the primary cause of aggression
Of the Indians upon our settlements. We
have had the satisfaction of conversation
with gentleman, within the last week,
who, from his position, possesses an int-
mate knowledge as to the.causes that pro-
duced tie late rupture between the Indian
race and the whites The friends Of Gen.
Wool will hereby take notice that respon-
siJility is attachedt to whatever declarations
may follow. Our source Of information,
we claim, is authentic and reliable y
The late Indian war had been in contem-
plation for over three years. During the
summer of 1855, some of the leaders Of the
hostile forces on the eastern side Of the
Cascades, under the command of Pe-pu-
moxmox, and his coadjutors, (Kamiakin
and others, made n proposition to the
Nsqually Indians, and others on the Sound,
providing for mutual assistance in extermi-
mating the white race in the occupancy oi
the Territory. A bribe Of this kind was
inaugurated into the stipulations that oil
should receive an equal share ofSthe booty.
According to the testimony of all well in
formed men, the treaties with these Indians
{ were not the cause Of the late outbreak, but
| were only used by those who had determ-
( ined on the war, as ground of argument to
create general dsaflection.
During the summer of the year referred
to, LEscHI, who has had the credit of-being
a ruling spirit in hostile Indian demonstra,
tions, visited the country east of the Cas-.
{ cades, both in this and Oregon Territory
whilst on this mission, councils were held
4, by the Clckitats, Yakimas, Walla-wallas
+, and other tribes, in which he urged upon
them resistance to the terms of the treaties
and advising them into the adoption Of hos
tile measures during the course of these
councils, he continually urged system. oI
general hostility, with the mutual assu
rance of common reward, in the event oi
success.
/ 1t is understood that this proposition was
openly made by LEscm to the different
tribes between Snake river and the Rogue
river valley: "If you will insure us one
! hundred head Of cattle and one hundred
and fifty head of horses, myself and my
, brother Quiemuth, will succeed in melting
t the Nisquallys to open acts of hostility
against the settlements, and we will con
quer them"
On his return to the Sound country, he
told his people that the determination Of
the whites in this Territory had been agreed
upon by the Indians east of the Cascade
mountains, and urged upon them by every
threat and persuasion in his power, to join
the general combination. 1t is said, in his
harangues, he dscoursed with them some
what in this wise Brothers you will
all receive an equal share of the moveable
property now belonging to the whites toe
will possess all the buildings and other i'm
provements made upon the soil, and enjoy
the advantages of all the farms they have
opened" He represented to them that the
Indians east of the mountains were very
powerful, and told them that it was their
design, not ONLY TO exterminate the whites,
but to kill, or make slaves of all the In
dians on the Sound who had not submitted
to the terms of the combination. This
threat. in connection with others was moi