The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-29
INDIAN HOSTYLI7IES IN WASHINGTON TERRI
TORY
TFrom tho San Francisco Bulletin.l


A correspondence has taken place between various
American citizens and Gov McMullin of Washington
Territory in regard to recent Indian dcprcdatons and
alarming muster of the northern savages in American
waters f. c. Fitzhugh, Indian agent at Whatcom thus
writes to the governor from Schomc Dillingham; Bay, on
June IA: fa
nI have the honor to inform you that the northern
savages coming into our waters in large numbers
armed and equipped for murder and punder. They
spare neither whites Indians but kill and rob ndis
crminatey all they meet. party of men from Seattle
their way to Frazer river, were camped on an island
near this bay three nights since Six OF the party
have been murdered and the and provisions be-
longing to the whole party stolen Some three or four
them have managed to escape to this place in star
wing condition. having been concealed in the woods seme
three days. t tq S.
Captain Porter of the Fauntcroy, has just informed
me that eleven argesized alongside of his
vessel all men. armed and painted for mischief The
Faunteroy is lying Just outside Of this bay. The Sea
Bird reports twenty two large canoes, well loaded with
warriors entering Victoria harbor they came out and
co hundred more their way and expected IN this week
This will make waters alive with these northern devils
All of the adjacent islands viii be overrun with them
and nscrimnate murder will be pcrpetrated ON oil with
whom they meet. 49,
Commenting on this correspondence the Pionccr and
Democrat says u aa 4.ts' t+A tet
..The powerful hostile combination now existing
the east side ef the mountains with the recently
gained by the hostile Indians the command OF Col
Steptoe renders it extremely difficult to conjecture to
what extent disaection may spread among tribes not
ore-loyal in their friendship to people. Slight sue
is sufficient to elae the mind of Indian and dis
pose him for rapine and plumber 0453 AZ gAs3lN
" In anticipation of these events and from the limited
number Of troops the Pacific coast which could be
spared by protcction-the limited number and In
effective force composing the garrison on the Sound at
Steacoom Port Townsend, Bellngham Bay &c. which
any time may be called upon and ordered to the east
side of the mountains for active operations Gov.
McMun has been induced to make rcquisition upon
Captain Farragut naval commandant at Mare Island,
California for effective vessel of-war to cruise the
Sound and northern waters for the protection Of our cit
izens. 4s -
PoRr TOWNSEND, June 22d.-Franklin Tucker, the
keeper Of the Tatoosh Island light arrived at this place
days since and handed his resignation keeper
and the resignation of his three assistants The
given ia as follows
The Indians claiming the island on which the light is
erected always objected to the light being put there
till the island bought from them. Col simmons,
Mr. Ford and others, visited tho island short time
since, and had talk with the Indians AT that time
they contrary and threatened, since which they
have continued to be troublesome that the keeper has
had TO resign.
The Office has succeeded in securing the services Of
other keeper and assistants and Capt Hyde, command
ing revenue cutter JEFF Davis, has volunteered to take
them down TO the light and place them In charge and at
the same time tell the Indians that these to
stay there and il they molesed that government
would punish them,
INDIANS GATHERING. The intelligence from the Dallcs
that the Indians OF the Upper Columbia collecting
in large numbers, while their plated purpose II
not vet known to the whites An expressman IL about
to leave the Dales for Frazer river via the Columbia aud
Okanagan Times g+t l1iiV1 eaAi - k.Aatf-4 ~ ~