Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-02-14

conversation. I believe there is no person in
this Territory better informed than myself,
with regard to the spirit and intention in,
which those treaties were made. Although
did not agree with Governor Stevens fully on
many points. yet can oonscientiously, as
sert my belief. that if his treaties are carried
out in the spirit and intent he had in view,
,ss much a..p, practical good to the Indian" il be
Much breath has been expended, and .
good deal Of ink used, to prove that these
treaties were the cause of the Indian war in
1855 6 and =. But it seems to me that per-
sons holding such views, argue from wrong
premises, and draw erroneous conclusions.
How could the treaties have caused the war,
when they not only had not been ratified, but
not one Of their provisions had been tried to
anything to do with the war, it was because
they had not been ratified and carried into ef-
feet; and this view proves my assertion cor
rect, that the whole system is wrong.
Governor Stevens. in his report on the
Northern Pacific Railroad Explorations, VOL
XII. part |, page 209, says:
Il trust the time will come when my treaty
operations of 1855, the most extensive opera
tions ever undertaken and carried out in these
latter days of our history-I repeat, trust
the time will come when l shall be able to
vindicate them, and show that they were
wise and proper, and accomplished great
end. They have been very much criticised
and very much abused but have always
felt, that history will do those operations JUS
tice. have not been impatient as to time,
but have been willing that my vindication
should come at the end of term Of years."
II the late General Stevens had lived, he
would have been able to have given sound
advice, from his own practical experience on
Indian matters, and would have ably assisted
the Government to devise some wiser and
better policy than has been hitherto pursued
being made in our future intercourse with the
Indians. the fact must not be lost sight Of,
that we have no right to 60 behind the treaties
that have been already made; they should
be carried out fully and faithfully, before we
can determine whether or not they are prac-
tical and good. The question naturally arises.
why have not the treaties been carried out in
good faith And here is point where the
President might well pause and examine. 1t
is not this treaty, or that treaty, but all the
treaties with Indians since tho Administra-
ton of Washington. Can any one point out
single instance where the promises Of the
Government in treaty with any tribe, have
bson faithfully, honestly and fairly fulfilled
Senator Ncsmith speaks of the dishonesty.
peculation, fraud and downright robbery Of
Government officials. do not personally
know of any Agent or Superintendent who
has been guilty Of such practices, although
reports are very current that such things have
been done in this Territory and in Oregon !;
but as Senator Nesmith has the experience of
having been Superintendent Of Indian AZ
fairs himself, he speaks undoubtedly from the
record.
The great difficulty, in my judgment, does
not rest with Indian Agents or Superintend.
ents. bnt within reach Of the Presidents
hand, and under his immediate eye. lie has
taken one good step in right direction. when
he called this matter to the "specia! consider
atom Of Congress.-and if the dry bones
and chronic imbecility Of the Indian Bureau
could be stirred up in the vigorous manner the
War and Navy Departments have been Of
late. the real cause Of all our troubles with
the Indians would be apparent One great
cause Of trouble lies in the faot. that, although
Congress has made liberal appropriations for
the Indian service and always has done so.
yet the appropriations, from some unex.
planned cause. fail to reach their proper desti.
nation. This is one, aud the principal rea-
son. why so much just complaint is heard on
all sides, about the bad faith Of the Govern
ment. I will, in illustration Of the point,
quote from Senator Nesmith again, and, with
out going over the whole ground,-f"r my
space will pot permit,-will briefly show the
amount Of money that has been already appro-
priated by Congress for the Indian service in
this Territory, alone, and which has been ly.
ing useless 80 long in the Treasury in Wash.
ington. w. 49,. ,tl
Unexpendsd balances in the United States
Treasury, due to the Indian servics in Wash
ington Territory, April 2lst 1862 3
Nisqually, "...................".$l3,42s IL
Duwamish, ,&c.."....................,l 1879 90
............................. los 90
Wa'la Walla, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 6a,a08 90
...........,.,....... 36,6aa 20
Nes ..","....................,,, s6,0la II
Flathead, &O..."....-..... .....,. 81 ,74l 90
Que-nai.ult....... ll,ll7 so +
Clallans 1880 IS
-'r.l . rt r.r $2.l, 1851 20