The Nevada Democrat., 1861-04-09
TME NEz pERcE INDIANS.


date gives an interesting account of the Nez
Perce Indians-the most intelligent tribe
inhabiting the Pacific Slope. 1t says:
The Nez Perce Indians are the largest
tribe or the western side of the Rock Noun.
talns, and, from the position which thew
have occupied in comparison with the other
tribes inhabiting the region between the
Cascade and Rocky Mountains. are entitled
to much consideration at the hands of the
whites. In 1855 they were treated with
for the cession of their lands TO the limited
States, and the journal of the treaty coun-
Gil shows that the Indians kept their own
records, written in their own LANGUAGE.
Eagle from the Light, second chief Of the
tribe, became offended because Governor
Stevens did not await his return from the
buffalo country before holding tho treaty
council, ano has ever since been at the head
OF the hostile portion of the tribe. The
Nez Perces have waited patiently for Eve
years, expecting the bounty promised them
by the Government, but this has been with.
held for the reason that politics have occu.
pied the attention of Congress SO complete.
ly that they have had no time 10 attend 10
their legitimate business. To the spring Of
1858, Lawyer, the head chief, thus wrote 10
Washington: "We are waiting for the ratI.
fcation of our treaties. The Nez-Perees
want peace, plows and schoolsr Soon
after this, the Indians TO the north of Snake
river attacked and defeated Col. Stentoe
aud when the expedition under Col. Wright
started into the field, the Nex Perces furu.
ished band of warriors TO 90 out with him
as allies and guides. Their conduct was
highly spoken of by Lieut. Mnllan. their
commander, and Col. Wright, the chief of
the expedition; and several of their chefs
were highly commended ia general orders
issued from the War Department.
Eagle from the Light has always been
opposed to the whites, and has steadily ex-
erted his influence for war. He has told
the tribe that they were being deluded with
the idea that their treaty was good bnt
that, as soon as the whites were stronc
enough, they would take their lands h1
force. From the late action of The miners
the tribe are beginning to think that The
words Of the war party are true: and not
being able TO understand the policy Of the
government, or the circumlocution necess..
ry before their goods and promised pavment
can be given, their minds are now waver-
ing ana uncertain as to the course Ia no
pursued 10 the future. If, therefore. II IL
possible for the Indian Department 10 do
anything for this tribe, let il be done snee.
Oily, for they hold the balance of power
ana without them no serious difficulty can
arise : and justice should dictate that thav
should receive foil recompence for their
long and tried fidelity.
The country which is at present inhabited
by the Nez-Perces extends from the Palopsa
river on the north to the Salmon river ON
the south, and is bounded bv the Ritter
Root mountains on the east and the Rlne
mountains on the west
The Times gives a census of twentv.six
different bands into which the tribe is divi.
ded, with the Indian names of the chiefs
translated into English. The name of tho
head chiefis Alaya or Lawyer. The Times
says 10 conclusion:
The aggregate number of the tribe 40
above given Is about 900: but thera or.
several small bands who spend their time
IN the buffalo country east of tbe RocLv
Mountains, aud are, as 1t were. the aoating
population. Eagle from the LIGHT is re
principal leader Of this class. The entire
population of the tribe is not far from . Soo
The Camas Prairie of Wee-eip. some GStv
miles east of the Agency, is a place of great
resort In summer for the procuring of that
well known root The great Kowa Prairie
OF Topoklenm, is about fortv-6ve mjles
southeast Of the Agency. This prairie Cur.
furnishes the entire tribe with the KoDs
which is to the Indian what bread is 10 the
whites 1t is bulbous root with a taste
similar to tapioca, and grows in this vicini.
ty IN great prOfusion. The chief bnnting
and lishing ground is on the south side ~
Ihe the Grand Round river, about 100 miles
from the Agency. Nv "''''