The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-02
THE HERALD IN THE LAVA BEDS.

From the Courier des Etats Uns, March L..
The HERALD has again distinguished itself by
one Of those marvellous enterprises so peculiar
to that journal. and which each time provokes
a deal Of sarcasm from certain other jour-
nails less alive to the necessities OF the time
than itself. The HERALD wished to know
what was at the bottom Of this Modoc affair,
which has so much occupied the attention of the
press and the public recently, and one of Its cor
respondents was ordered to the spot to find 1t out.
The mission not an easy one. The correspond.
ent met with good deal Of opposition from the
civil and military authorities at Yreka, and his
quest to be permitted to accompany the OOmmis-
sioners to the camp OF Captain Jack was met with
o peremptory refusal. The correspondent Of the
HERALD, however, was not discouraged by such q
trine He resolved to disregard this refusal the
part the authorities. Consequently he took horse
and under the pretence that he was going on
hunting expedition in o neighboring lOcality-for
fear, If he avowed his real Intention OF being
tanned forcibly by the military authorties-and fol-
lowing carefully the track Of the horses Of the
peace emissaries sent to Captain Jack in the snow,
he so arranged as to arrive at the same time as
they did without allowing himself to be seen until
1t was too late for them to think of returning or
sending him back from the lava beds, now made
famous by the successful resistance Of Captain
Jack and his warriors. That which the CORE
spondent learned In the stronghold OF the Indians
opened his eyes as to the reason why the authori-
ties did not wish him to have any direct cemmuni-
cation with the Modocs. We have not SUFFICIENT
space reproduce the whole OF the very interest
ing despatch he has sent to the HERALD, but we
will briefly state the substance. From the most
authentic sources 1t appears that this unhappy
conflict with the Modocs was caused by the &C
ton Of the Indian agents and the white settlers.
The redskins have been badly treated. They were
removed three times during one Winter, and each
time to . more undesirable reservation, until
finally they were reduced to kill their horses for
food In order to save themselves from starving to
death, and they had subsequently to dig in the
frozen grounds for roots to assist In keeping body
and soul together. When the time came for the
distribution Of provisions and clothing which the
government engaged to supply in exchange for
the land coded by them each man received only
half blanket, while the squaws and papooses re-
ceived nothing at all. These were some OF the
proceedings Of which they were the victims, and
when some Of them quietly demonstrated several
warriors, squaws and young Indian women
were massacred. This, therefore, and this only,
was the cause that led seine Of the Modocs to
take MP arms and kill several of the settlers who
had shown the greatest aninosity towards them /;
but as they remarked with great emphasis to the
correspondent, they always respected women and
children. This Is the true origin OF the war
with the Modocs The Governor Of Oregon wishes
that these Indians be treated as murdsrers and
given up, and such appear also to be the condi-
lions, sine qua n0r on which the Commissioners
will offer peace But the HERALD correspondent,
| from whom we learn these interesting details,
observes that the Modocs will fight to their last
man rather than accept such conditions while the
authors OF the massacres, having acted only under
prevscation and deeds Of the same kind on the
part Of the whites, and oil the Indians with them,
are persuaded that they perfectly justified in
what they did.
The HERALD which in the absence OF the above
attained information, previously recommended
the necessity Of externinating these Medscs be-
fsre rhere could be peace, does not hesitate to
recall that opinion now that the facts are known.
In . very sensible and worthy editorial 1t shows
that punishment Ought TO be reserved for those
who are really guilty-to those who have enriched
themselves by selling for their own special benefit
the food and clothing intended for the Indians. 10
asks that acceptable conditions OF peace be offered
TO these Indians and that the authorities endeaver
to stop the abuses and acts Of violence which lead
| the Indians periodically to take M arms Finally
| the article ends with phrase that cannot be too
| highly applauded-'The nation Is strong enough
| TO do Justice evea to Captain Jack.D