, 1861-04-26
PIERCE CRY, ORo FINo DrsrICr,
Spokane county, W. T.
March 20.h, A. D. 1861.
Editor Pioneer aud Dcm0craH

EdiLor Pioneer and Democrat:
KIND SIR:-As my attention was called
some time ago, to reports cminating in the
vicinity of Walla Walla, stigmntizing the
course of prospecting party, as flibusters,
and committing treason against the United
States, in having the impotence aud audac-
ity to go through the Nez Perce Indian
Reservation, for whom the United States is
agent, 10 search Of virgin gold fields be-
yond and within said reserve.
This party consisted ooly Of eleven men,
by the names Of Captain L. D. Pierce,
Messrs Horace Dodge, Joseph L. Davis,
]. r. Benefited, Bethnel Ferrel, JoaAthas
z. Smith, W. 4. Bassett. Frank Turnef.
David Dfggings, Samuel 3. Reed and John
w. Park. This little band started from
Wolla Walla about August last year, in
order 10 discover new gold fields in our Ter
ritory-these men fearlessly pioneened and
penetrated tho recesses Of the mountains
with no compass or trail to guide them,
save the instinct given them by the God of
nature. From The start they were met in
opposition by those from whom they had
right to expect encouragement as entertain
ed and often expressed by our government
in the development Of the hidden resources
Of our young and magnificent Territory.
OF this tour and incidents, shall, IL nc-
ceptabIe, speak Of in detail hereafter On
our return to Walla Walla in November,
we entertained an idea Of returning this
winter with sufficient outfit for mining pur
poses TO this place, where we had right to
believe was not on any reserve, and even If
it was, that the prospects obtained in gold
dust warranted IN occupation. or our dis
eoyeries we kept nothing back or hid from
the public, hoping that all our industrious
countrymen might profit by these induce
ments-that the poor man in other sections
might come hither and enjoy the fruits that
nature has lavished upon our wild and un-
inhabited land. Several had procured ont
Cts to return with Us, but craw-fished at the
starting point, on account Of q white oppo-
sition held: that we we're intruding on the
Indians. Notwithstanding this, valiant
band Of men, about thirty-three. as like the
FIRST, all Of law-abiding intention, did
start back again to the new mines,
(althongh threatened to be brought back,
and was followed by company Of U S.
Dragons as far as Snake river, knowing
their rights, dare maintain them, without
kingly passes through lot Of sayages, and
here we are again, all safe and sound.
will not tell Of the many hardships and ex-
penses incurred in prospecting during our
summer tour Bot will now, at least say,
that we have made o road through the
brush and woods, that the Indian Depart
ment nor the Congress Of these States and
Territories thereof, has not contributed one
cent in opening. The sires Of '76 paid no
tribute to King Philip aud George the III,
nor did De Cater 10 the Dey Of Tripoli;
nor do we, the uusophsticated miners, to
the Indian for breathing the air Of Heaven
and working the citizens soil Of the United
States.
Ever since our return here, we have had
snow about from one inch to three feet
The snow is now about Que foot deep. We
ore comfortably fixed in good log cabins
There is plenty of pine timber for build
ing and 6re-wood, within q few hundred
feet of the diggings. The most Of our win.
ter days has been occupied in saving lum
Der for sluices, and very good planks are
obtained. A great many prospect holes
have been sunk in the ground, and it is q
remarkable feature to say, that after throw
ing of about three feet Of refuse top dirt
that the pay gravel will turn out at least
four cents when washed, aud have know
as high as 64 cents to be obtained, anC
several Of 8, 10, Is, 20 and 80 cents to the
pan of dirt. The diggins, am now conf
dent, will give lasting employment to a