, 1860-02-10


AoUch, QGillehuyt, and Quenaitsath or Mackah:
This last tribe reside at Cape Flattery, and are
called by the tribes south Of them Quenaitsath I;
by the tribes north they are called Classetts !;
and by the Clallanis and 6ther tribes on the
Sound they are called Mackah. The tribe call
themselves Que-nat-che-chut. All these differ
eht names mean the sariie thing, and refer TO the
residence Of the Mackahs on the Cape; as we
would say, the Cape people, or the men Of the
Cape.
Tho ChenoOks, which were, during Comcomo.
lys life, powerful and warlike tribe, have now
almost entirely disappeared Disease and whisky
have nearly finished them all, and but very
few years will see the last Of their race. The
Chehalis Indians, at Gray's Harbo1 are also fast
disappearing from the same causes; but the
other tribes, north, not having such immediate
contact with white men, and white mems whisky,
do not seem to diminish SO rapidly. But fear
they too, arc not long destined to remain, unless
Government, by speedily placing them under the
restrictions Of reservations shall interpose bar
rier between them and whisky, which is their
destroying angel. was sorry to see, while at
Neah Bay, the wholesale manner in which these
Indians now supply themselves; many Of the
principal men bringing down whisky, from some.
where up the Sound, by the barrel. Where
they purchase II is not for me to say but that
they do have it, and are now more frequently
intoxicated than formerly, are facts that are
easily substantiated.
The lecturer then proceeded to give o more
particular description Of the Mackah Indians,
their habits and customs, and related q
variety Of interesting anecdotes and legends,
which want Of space compels US to omit His
closing remarks wefe more particularly addressed
to the members Of the society, as follows.
The limits Of this evening will not permit me
to 60 further with these legends. But will call
your attention to the fact that the Indian race ID
fast disappearing Whether It is So decreed by
an all-wise Providence, is not for me t. say; but
We have no right to constitute ourselves the in
Struments to carry out such decree Our duty
is to deal with the savage as q man should deal
with man, remembering the inferiority Of their
condition, we should see that strict and impartial
justice is accorded them In particular, It is
our duty as members Of an association for the
suppression Of imtemperance to aid the Indian
department in its humane endeavOrs 10 prevent
the traffic Of ardent spirits with the Indians about
our beach. An Indian agent Is powerlcss to ef.
feet any moral reform among the natives, unless
he is aided anu encouraged by our citlzens. We
all admit that the benefit that would result Ia
the Indians would be incalcuable, and we al
know that the peace and quiet Of the town, and
its comparative safety, lie in keeping whisky from
the Indians. We must lay aside the old maxim
that the Indians are soon to be an extinct fdce
and they may as well die by whisky as any otheI
way. Let u, at least, take selfish view Of the
matter, and consider how much better we will
he off in our intercourse with the Indians, II NJ
whisky is about; and then; as good citizens anC
true members Of our society, lend our aid to OuI
worthy brother, Capt r. G. Fay, the IndiaT
agent in his exertions to stop the whisky trade.
For ourselves brothers, we have assumed I
responsibility, each man for himself Let there
fore, each man be the keeper and guardian Ovel
his own appetite and, remeuibefing well ti'
solemn oath he has taken, see that be does no
violate bis pledge. We need no exordiums o.
lengthy sermons to prove to US the great beneh
this town and its citizens have derived from thii
moral reform movement The daily, living wit
nesses all around us attest the fact in so visible
manner as cannot be mistaken. Port TOwnSenG
of yesterday Is not the Port Townsend Of to-day
May the tomorrow Of its future prove that tn,
useful work we have now commenced has beer
so far perfected, that every man in town shall b
numbered among those who drink no intoxieat
ing liquors. ..,n.t. .. .s