Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-05-30
LApwAr, w. r., May 90. 1863.


as nothing Of particular Importance has trans
pircd. there has been nothing to communicate
that would interest either you or your read
erS.
The Courc.l has not yet commenced. hav-
ing been delayed in various ways, waiting in
part. for the asscmblagc Of the Indians, OF
whom nut more than about Onc-halt are pres
cnt, bat who are continually coming in. The
commissioners have also been waiting for the
arrival Of Col. Wallace. expecting by bin to
receive some additional instructions, and sup
posing that, as lie is TO BE- tie Srpcr.n.e md
ont OF Indian Affairs. a. ofi,io, for tho new
Territory, he would probably be add ID to the
Commission. IN this expectation, however,
they have been disappointed. Agent Hutch
ms, who is orc Of the Commissioners. has
Just arrived FROM Portland. where he had been
waiting for some days IN order to see Col.
Wallace, and accompany him TO this point
1t will require few days yet TO complete
the necessary preparations. b. which time it
is supposed that the Interpreter desired by
the Indians will be here: messenger having
been despatched to Salem to bring him with
out delay. The Commissioners, anticipating
the probability OF wish on the part of some
of the Indians to have MIR. Whitman, who
had been raised amongst them, and who IS
thoroughly acquainted with their language.
as Interpreter-had endca,or d to procure
his services, for which they offered ample re.
muncration, besides paying all his necessary
travelling. expenses i'll going and returning.
lie however declined the oGer, unless, in ad-
dition thereto, he could have the privilege of
permanent position. with which the COM
missioncrs had nothing to do. Whether he
will now come. is uncertain. If he does not,
there are other interpreters here, who will be
able to perform the work.
The only reason assigned by the Indians
for wishing Mr. Whitman, was that they had
some severe things to say, and they wanted
the interpreter to say it rs pontedly and as
bluntly as they should speak it. They feared
that Mr.. Spaulding and DR.. Newell. who
were not as thoroughly acquainted with the
Nez Perez language as Perrin Whitman,
would use softer terms. and besides, Mr..
Spaulding was their teacher. and they did
not wish him to be placed in Il situation that
might require him to use any harsh words
from them, or from the Commissioners.
am Of the opinion that a change is going
on now in the minds of the Indians, which
will lead them to dispense with some Of the
bitter speeches they had thought Of uttcring.
They had been told that the Commissioners
were going to take all their lands from them,
and that the soldiers were there to drive
them off, and remove them away. They are
now learning that this is untrue. that the
troops are here for their protection, and the
abundant supply Of agricultural implements
which have been opened to their view, to be
distributed to them, such as ploughs, harness.
hoes, &c, convinccs them that the Commits
sioners arc not going to remove them without
the bounds Of their present reservation.
The old adage of "makc. haste slowly
frequently applies to matters OF diplomacy,
but in no case is it more applicable than in
affairs of this sort with Indians. The una
voidable delay has been wisely improved by
looking ont portion Of their reservation.
suitable for the settlement OF the Indians, and
by silently counteracting some Of the inju-
rious outside influences, which have been
brought to bear upon tie Ignorance, the pre-
iudcc, the fears, the hopes and the d;ssen-
sions Of the tribe.
There is strong secession element in the
community. who have no desire to see a
treaty made. bu' would prefer difficulty
with the Indians, for the sake Of -plundering
them, and commencing war Of extermina-
ton. There IRE men OF this class who have
told the Indians that the Government is DIES.
troyed-that the Commissioners would moi
come-or if they did, their promises would
be of no account, and advised them not tc
enter into any treaty. There are others who
have their own selfish ends to accomplish. ir
the securing OF some land or some privileges
who advise the Indians accordingly. Ii the!
were left to their own judgment, without *
many interfering by injndicious advice, ant
by telling what is positively untrue, the diff
ficulty in making treaty would be- mucl