Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-01-26

Annual Report Of the War Department.
The Secretary of War in his annual
report accompanying the Presidents
Message, says that the army on the
frontier, has been actively engaged dur
ing the year 1860, in depressing Indian
outbreaks. In relation to the Salmon
Falls massacre, so familiar to our peo-
pie, the following extract will be read
with interest:
"The Snake Indians in Washington Territory,
on the r0ad recently opened from Fort Bridgcr to
Fort Walla Walln. have been hostile during the
past season and. although a campaign was UNI
dcrtakcn and prosecuted with vigor against them,
it did not result in reducing them to subordinatiOn.
Since the troops have been withdrawn from active
operations in the field, a large body Of emigrants
were attacked, almost on the borders Of the settle
ments, and many Of them murdered. Efficient
measures will he taken to chastise these Indians. v
We especially commend the recon-
mcndation made by the Secretary, Of
putting the Indian Bureau under the
supervision Of the War Department
instead Of the Department of the Inte-
rior, with which it is now connected.
The necessity Of supplying forces to
overawc the Indians, seems naturally
to connect the two services, and such
3 change would be attended with ccon-
omy and sccure efficiency.
All will learn with pleasure that the
Secretary speaks in glowing terms Of
the road from Walla Walla to Fort
Benton. The Secretary says over three
hundred recruits passed e it consul
mating the trip in sixty days. After
highly recommending it to the favorable
attention of Congress he proceeds us
follows:
The march Of troops through this region keeps
in subordinMtion the Indian tribes upon the route
and this is II matter Of great Importance to the
northern settlements Of Washington Territory,
now rapidly increasing, and where the Indians urc
numerous, warlikc and powerful"
4 SURPRISE PARTy.-On Wednesday
evening last, i'll company with a party
ofladics and gentlemen, we enjoyed a
slcigh-ridc into the country. Afterpro-
ceeding a few miles, we were not sur
rriscd that the sleigh should break
down, and prccipitatc the blankets, buff
.falo robes, crinolincs and as, all in a
heap; but VIC were surprised to find
that, after being assorted and arranged
to the general satisfaction once more,
we were nearing the residence of Mr..
s. W. are again surprised to find II
large party there assembled; large par
ty surprised to sec us; constantly sur
priscd by the arrival of diminutivc par
ties surprised to find n riohnist among
us; and not surprised that we had an
agreeable dance. We were mmrasmu-
bly, surprised on viewing the bountifml
repast spread by the fair hostess; sur
priscd that we were about realizing the
truth of the old couplct-
"Dnnce all night, till broad daylight,
And go home with the girls in the morning."
surprised to arrive home safely; and
not surprised if influenza should prevail.
NEz PIERCE GOLD MINEs.-We call
attention to the very interesting article
OH the above subject, from the Portland
Daily Times, Of January 18th, OH u
fourth page. W. are also permitted
to extract from a letter addressed to a
member OF the Legislature, from a re-
liable gentleman, writing from Orc
Fcna Flat, in December last, the follow
ing items:
W arrived here in ten days travel from Walla
Walla, meeting with no difficulties from Indians,
and no snow impeding our progress ; in fact six
inches was the most We had on the table-land from
the forks of Clearwater. Dirt pays three cents to
the pan. Quarts rock abounds in every direction.
The country is moro fiat than reported, the only
difficulty in working in the mines, being that there
is hardly enough fall of water. One thousand men
to So per day, and in some instances even $50 to
$40 per day to the miner. Tho gold is very fine,
but | have seen several large pieces mixed with
quartz. 1t will require quicksilver, to work them
successfully.
INTERESTING From THE INTERIoR.-A
correspondent Of a member Of the
Council writes "New gold discover
les are of constant occurrence. The
Pend d'Oreille miners, over 100 in
number, arc all doing well. The mines
in vicinity of Rock Creek ore extended
by the finding Of gold on three good