Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-08-06

lHE INDIAN WAR IN OREGON. The
Washington correspondent of the New York
| Herald, communicates the following
The President has received communi-
cation from late superintendent of Indian
Affairs in Oregon Territory. who has had a
long experience Of the tribes now engaged
/ against Col Steptoe in that region, suggest
ing that the war should not be forced on,
but that the troops should be withdrawn at
once, and throwing some new light on the
causes Of the difficulty. This communica-
ton states that the Snake Indians were not
engaged in the attack on Col. Steptoo the
Snakes are confined to Utah and the region
Immediately South Of It. The Spokans.
Walla-Wallas, Nez Perces and other tribes
now in a hostile attitude, arc a docile, friend
ly people with whom there is no necessity Of
any trouble. The real cause of the difficulty
is the presence of the troops at fort Walla-
Walla. The Indians are Jealous of them
and fearful that violence is going to be used
towards them In June, 1851, the then SUI
perintendent Of Indian Affairs for Oregon
called convention of these tribes at Dallas.
Delegates from each, except one, we're pres
ent.
They stated they were informed that il was
the intention of the whites to drive all the
red mon from the rising to the setting sun,
and that now, since they were settled on the
Pacific coast, they intended to drive all the
sickly and hostile Indians from the lower
country into their lands, which they would
not submit TO- If they were not molested in
the enjoyment of their country, and other
tribes were not forced in upon them. and the
army was kept away. they promised that there
should be no trouble with them; that they
would obey the government in all things
that whites might trade and travel among
them, and that they would guarantee protec-
ton to their lives and property. In SOL
there were five military posts in Oregon, from
which, at the Superintendent suggestion,
the troops were withdrawn for three years,
during which time not dollar was spent by
government for any Indian trouble whatever.
II is urged upon the President that it is a
mistake TO enter upon war now; the true
policy is TO send peacemaker among the In
dians TO redeem the promises made them Of
presents Of agricultural implements, and TO
withdraw the army. Mr.. Buchanan is assur-
ed that the cause Of the present hostility is
not the non-ratiication of any treaties, LAS
stated because the majority Of the Indians
do not want the treaties ratified, and this
fact has been stated to the government By
the sub-agont, Mr. Craig, in his last report.
The number Of Indians engaged with Col.
Steptoe has been greatly exaggerated by par
ties interested in keeping troops in that To-
cality for the purpose OF specializing in fur
nishing supplies, Sc. In the whole range Of
both Oregon and Washington Territories
east Of the Cascade Mountains, there are not
altogether 1900 warriors, and the whole
number of Indians in both Territories, women
and children included. does not amount go
10000 With the exception of a small band
of klickiats up in the mountains, all the
tribes are friendly to the whites Thoro is
no necessity for troops at Fort Wala-Walla
at all Their presence there is the cause of
all the trouble. If the Indians are driven to
war, it viii be protractcd and expensive
one for these tribes are very wealthy, and
can keep themselves well supplied with arms
and ammunition. They raise thousands of
horses which they sell in the territories at
from $50 to 500 apiece; and they have
plenty Of money
This communication has created some sem
sation in the cabinet. and has rather puzzled
them as TO what their lndiun policy should
be in the present emergency
We must say that these statements are
reasonable and doubtless true in the main
OuT lnulah pohcy is an wrong rom oeSlh-
n'hg TO END Speculation IN army contracts
rurn'shes the giouhu-"ofk LOT nearly an our
lnuiah wars II our government Wouiu 90
serve Strlct iaith win the lnoian' ana pre-
vent inc "hlte man rom speoulatlng on ms
hecesslueS ana ms appeutos' we Shonlo nave
ont NIUE hShung to DO with them ms
happy time we never expect to arrive.--bos-
10" journal
GREEN THE DrvrR:-Thc New York Com
merciai anil Adreriser gives the following
narrative Of the descent Of Green the diver
TO the Atlantic living At the bottom of Lake
Erie Poor Grcon his daring was too Sc
vcrely punished
Not many months since vessel was lost in
water whose depth ~ the place of the foun-
dering was about ia feet There was por-
ton Of the cargo SO valuable that it became
advisable to usc every effort possible 10 re-
cover it. 1t was scarcely possible to do any
thing It was far beyond all ordinary means
of human action. IL might be reached.
though it would be bold attempt by the
diver lie was sought and found, and a rec
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