, 1858-03-26

Owing to eXigencies constantly arising, it
becomes necessary to borrow from the DIFF
ferent funds to meet such pressing demands
as cannot be provided for in advance. The
accounts become complicated, and it is ut
tcrly impracticable for any person with the
partial data before him, presenting only one
view of the question, TO disentangle them, \
Il freely confess my inability to under
stand the details Of the expenditures made
in Washington Territory. except upon the
general principle that the superintendent
took the responsibility of applying the
money transmitted to him in such manner
as he deemed most advantageous to the In
'dians, without regard to funds, forms, Or in-
structions. That he can explain the ne
cessities which compelled him to adopt this
course, satisfactory TO the department and
to Congress, ] have very little doubt. The
main difficulties have arisen from the reten-
tion of moneys required to meet the neces-
sary expenses of the service, and the con
lict between the regulations and the anom-
alous condition OF the Iudians-treaties
having been made with oil of them, one
ratified, and the remainder held in suspen-
sion; war in progress part of the time;
the peaceful tribes to be provided for aud
the hostile to be punished.
The bitterest opponent Of Governor
Stevens has never charged him with the
application Of public moneys to his own
emolument, or to p.cuniary speculation of
any kind; and trust the department, in
the adjustment Of these accounts, will view
the circumstances from which the suspicious
have arisen"
CHEHALTs DISTRICT.
September Arrived at the residence
of Sydney S. Ford, local agent, appoint
ed to preserve friendly relations with the
Chehalis, Cowlitz, and other tribes between
the Sound and the CowIitz river. Mr..
Ford is owner of valuable tract of land,
situated on the road from Olympia to the
Cowlitz Landing, about twenty-seVeu miles
distant from the former place.
His house stands on the banks OF the
Chehalis rivera stream, of considerable
size, and navigable for canoes from that
point to its mouth at Gray's harbor From
long residence in the Territory, and init.
mate knowledge of the habits and charac-
teristics Of the Indians under bis charge,
Mr.. Ford is peculiarly fitted for the posi-
tion of agent. He has partially supported
a number Of Chehalis tribes at his own ex-
pense during the past eight years, aud has
aided them in building village Of hints
near bis house, where several hundred Of
them reside during the rainy season. Those
who are able work upon his farm; but he
pays them the current rate of wages for
such labor, and supports the aged and de-
crepit Of their families"
sUPERINTENDENT's OFFICE, SALEM.
September l5-Salem, the capital Of the
Territory of Oregon, is situated on the
Willamette river, near the centre of the
valley, and is distant from Portland As
miles The legislature holds its sessions
here, aud the principal territorial Offices
are also located at this point. During the
winter supplies are transported to Salem
by water, aud in summer daily stages run
to and from Portland and Corvallis. 1t is
convenient to the Grand Ronde and Siletz
reservations, and is easy Of access from all
parts Of the Territory. For these reasons
it has been deemed expedient to locate the
superintendent's Office at this point.
Since the dscontinuance Of the superin-
tendency of Washington Territory. how
ever, it has not been practicable for the
present superintendent in whom the two
Offices are concentrated, TO visit personally
more than small portion of his district.
A glance at the map will show the great
extent of the district, and the utter imprae-
ticability OF controlling the numerous tribes
embraced within it under one superinten-
dency.
The following table Of distances from
Salem to eRch agency and point Of debar-
kntion for supplies, prepared from the most
authentic sources, and to some extent veri-
fed by my own knowledge of the roads,
will enable the Department to form its own
conclusions upon this points:
Distances from Salem, Oregon Territory
To Portland. As
To Vancouver, w. .T........... T.. 60
10 RAINIER. .................. 100
10 Cowlitz, w. T.,............ 1856
To Ford's, W. 7. ................ 157
To Olympia, W. T.. 1874
10 Grand Ronde, o. ........... 35
10 Siletz, o. T............... L. GO
To Umpqua river, o. 7. ......... $50
To Port Oxford, o. I. 27O
To Cascades, W. T.. ITO
To DalIes, o. .T........,. l6O
To Steilncoom. w II 1O6