Worcester daily spy., 1858-07-31

HE INDIAN WARM OREGoN.-The Wash
ington correspondent of the New York Herald
communicates the following:
''The President has received communica-
tion 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, suggesting
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the troops should be withdrawn at once, and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 communication states that
the Snake Indians were not engaged in the
attack on Col. Steptoe; the Snakes are con-
fined to Utah and the regions Immediately
south of it. The Spokans, Wnlla- Wallas
Nez PerGes, and other tribes now in a hostile
attitude, are docie, friendly people, with
whom there is no necessity for any trouble.
The real cause of the difficulty is the presence
of the troops at Fort Walla- Walla. The In
dans are jealous of them and fearful that
violence is going to be used towards them.
In June, 1851, the then Superintendent of
Indian Affairs for Oregon called convention
of all these tribes at the Dalles. Delegates
from each, except one, were present.
They stated that they were informed it was
the intention of the whites to drive all the red
men 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 oil thIngs that whites might
trade and travel among them, and they would
guarantee protection to their lives and proper
ty. In 1851 there were five military posts in
Oregon, from which, at the SUPPLEMENTARY g
suggestion, the troops were Withdrawn for
three years, during which time not dollar
was spent by government for any Indian
trouble whatever.
1t is urged upon the President that it is
mistake to enter upon war now; the true
policy is to send peacemaker among the In
dians, to redeem the promise made them of
agricultural implements, and to withdraw the
army. Mr.. Buchanan is assured that the
cause of the present hostility is not the nom
ratification OF any treaties Gas 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-agent, 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 local
ity tor the purpose of speculating in furnish
ing supplies, &c. In the whole range of both
Oregon and Washington Territories east Of
the Cascade Mountains, there are not alto
gether 1900 warriors, aud the whole number
of Indians in both Territories, women and
children included, does not amount to %, 600,
With the exception Of a small band of Click
itats up in the mountains, all the tribes are
friendly to whites. There is no necessity for
troops at Fort Walla- Walla at all. Their
presence there is the cause of all the trouble.
If the Indians are driven to war, it will be
protracted and expensive one; for these
tribes are very wealthy, and can keep them
selves well supplied with arms and ammuni-
ton. They raise thouaands of horses, which
they sell in the Territories at from $50 to
$lOO apiece; and they have plenty of money.
This communication has created some SEN
sation in the Cabinet, and has rather puzzled
them as to what their Indian policy should
be in the present emergency