, 1858-03-26

from head quarters, great abuses canno
fail 10 spring up. 5
Now it is obvious that no one snperin
tendent, if he travels continually through,
out the year, could visit all these points
A portion of the route lies through the
Snake country, where hostilities are con
stantly-t to be apprehended Even to Wal
la-walla amilitary escort is now necessary
To most Of the agencies which are re
garded Gs accessible, the means Of commu
nica,ion are uncertain many of them cal
only be coached by Indian trails and canoes
! consider It indispensable to the success,
of any system which may be devised, that
the superintendent should visit in person
all the tribes under his control. To main
tain friendly relations with them, it is abso.
lutely essential that be should see them al
frequent intervals, inquire into their condi.
ton, listen to their complaints, give them
advice and counsel, make them occasional
presents in token of his good will, and 9TH
erwise let them know practically that he is
their friend. They can form no abstract
ideas of unseen authority ; they must see
and know the ruling power. -...r
Such range of duties as this, in so
large an extent of territory, would fully
occupy the attention of three able and en-
ergetic superiutendents- One for Oregon,
west of the Cascades, one for Washington
Territory, embracing large tract Of coun-
try lying between the Columbia river and
the northery boundary, the Cascades and
the coast and one for the Territories Of
Oregon and Washington, east of the Cas-
cades, to the summit of the Rocky noun
tans. This would surely give ample occu-
patton to three Of the best men that could
be selected. But when it is taken into
consideration that ull these duties now de-
volve upon one superintendent, that he
must audit and transmit to the department
oil the accounts Of the agents make out
his own reports and conduct his own cor
respondence with the agents and with the
department keep the books of his Office ;
make contracts for supplies turn over the
moneys transmitted to him for disburse-
ment make bis estimates for expenditures
during each quarter, and supervise the
conduct Of the various employees, as well
as the wants and necessities Of the Indians;
that it devolves upon him to maintain
friendly relations between the settlers aad
the tribes under bis control that he is moi
even allowed the assistance Of clerk oI
messenger, il win at once be seen that it il
not practicable TO end q person Of The
requisite qualifications to fill such an Office
at salary of $4,000 per annum, or, in
fact, at any compensation whatsoever.
would call the attention Of the depart
ment especially to the necessity Of q super
intendency east Of the Cascades. This
vast tract of country is inhabited by wan
dering bands Of Indians, whose depreda-
tions upon emigrant trains have for years
past greatly retarded the settlement Of
Oregon and Washington. al nogllao.
On the banks of The Columbia .and its
tributaries are some Of the finest cattle
ranges on this side Of the Rocky mountains
The Walla-walla country abounds in 6pe
streams and rich farming lands.
Previous to the late war, many settlers
had taken up claims between the Dalles
and Fort Walla-walla, which they were
compelled to abandon in consequence Of
Indian hostilities. II the treaties made by
Governor Stevens are considered objection
able, let others be made and, If practica-
bic, this fine region opened by emigration.
Thousands Of hardy adventurers on the
western frontier Of the Atlantic States are
ready to pour into it, and by means Of
their stock and labor give it an intrinsic
value greatly exceeding the expense Of
opening it to settlement. But the necessi-
ty Of some such action on the part Of gov
ernment becomes still more apparent, in
view of the Mormon influences which are
now rapidly extending throughout that
region.
Already have Mormon settlements been
made on several Of the tributaries Of the
Columbia and it is a well asccrtained fact
that the continued disafection Of the Indi-
ans arises, in great part, from the teach
ings of the Mormon leaders, who are con-
stantly instigatng them to acts Of agrees
ion. Is it well, then, to suffer this fine
country to fall into the hands Of renegade
and debased people. from whom nothing
but evil can come to the inhabitants Of the
adjoining Territories
Much trouble has been experienced in
the management Of the Indians adjacent
to the line between Oregon and California.
The country is mountainous aud difficult Of
access aud, from the proximity of the
mining population of Yreka and Scott's
valley, it is scarcely possible to prevent
acts Of aggression aud retaliation on both
sides. THIS, also, is the case with reference
to Port Oxford and the Umpqua. 1t is
especially desirable that the superintendent
should frequently visit these regions. In
addition, therefore, to the Willamette val
ley, the Grand Roade, Sieiz, Columbia
river, and coast agencies, his district will
be sufficiently large with the important,
but now neglected agencies Of southern
Oregon. The local aids employed there no
doubt perform their duties as well as they
can, but controlling head is required to
supervise and direct them and this can
only be done advantageously by personal
inspection Of the country and practical
knowledoe of the Indians II is better In