The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-15
THE PEACE COMMISSION.
Omcial Statement OF the Purpose and
Powers Of the Modoc Commission.

Omcial Statement OF the Purpose and
Powers OF the Modoc Commission.
WASHINGTON, April IA, 1873.
The following is the Official statement of the pur-
pose and powers Of the Modoc Peace Commission,
being the letter under and in accordance with
which the instructions OF the Commissioners were
prepared by the Indian Bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1873.
To THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRs:--
SIR-Referrng to the difficulties that have arisen
and still continue to exist between the troops Of
the United States and the Modoc Indians in oregon,
1 have to inform you that have determined to
send commission to the scene OF the diniculty
for the purpose Of examining into the same.
COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION. tt
This Commission VIII consist OF three members,
whose names will be hereafter furnished to you.
1t will be required to proceed to the Mod0c conn
try rapidly as possible and before entering upon
the active discharge of its duties will confer with
General Candy, OF the United States Army, and in
all subsequent proceedings of the Commission iI
should confer freely with that officer, and act under
his advice far as 1t may be possible to do 50, and
always with his cooperation. The objects to be
gained by this Commission are these First, to
ascertain the which have led to the diicul-
ties and hostiltes between the troops and the In
dians and, secondly, to devise the most effective
and judicous measures for preventing the con-
Of peace 1t is the opinion ofthe Department, from
the best information In its possession, that 1t Is
advisable
TO REMOVE THE MODOC INDIANS,
with their consent, to some new reservation, and
1t Is believed that the Coast reservation In oregon,
lying between Cape Lookout on the north and
Cape Perpetua on the south, and bounded on th6
east by the coast range OF mountains and on the
west by the Pacific Ocean, will be found to furnish
the best location for these Indians. The COmmis-
sion will, therefore, be directed to make an
amicable arrangement for locating helndans ON
some portion Of this reservation, provided
| 1t Is possible for IL to do so, and
provided that said Commission is nos
| OF opinion, after fully investigating the
| case, that some other place is better
adapted to accomplish the purpose of the Depart
ment, in either OF which events the Commission
Will, before finally concluding an arrangement with
the Indians, hold communication with the Com
missioner OF Indian Affairs and receive further
advice
NO DIRECTION OF THE MILITARY.
The Commission will in no wise attempt to direct
the military authorities in reference to their move
ments. 1t will be at liberty, however, to inform
the commanding officer Of the wish OF the Depart
ment that NO more force or violence be used
than in his opinion shall be deemed absolutely
necessary and proper, 1t being the desire Q
the Department In this, as well as in all
other cases OF Ike character, to conduct its COM
munications with the Indians In such manner to
secure peace and obtain their confidence, II pos
sible, and their voluntary consent to compliance
with such regulations as may be deemed necessary
for their present and future welfare. The Com
mission will be directed to keep the Department
advised as frequently possible OF its progress,
until the work which Is assigned to 1t shall be ac-
compisled, or It's further progress proven to be
unnecessary.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. DELANO, Secretary.
THE COMMISSION UNDER CONTROL OF GENERAL
CANDY.
The following is copy OF telegram placing the
MOdoc Peace Commissioners under the control OF
General Canby:-
HEADQUARTERS Army OF THE UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON March "a, 1873
General +. X. s. CANDY commanding, Van Bremer's
Ranch, Modoc Country, via Yreka, California;
dispatches up to March 10, and he advises the
Secretary OF War that he Is impressed with your
wisdom and desire to fulfil the peaceful policy OF
the government that he authorizes you to remove
from the present commission any members you
think unfit, to appoint others to their places, and
to report through to him such changes. This
actually devolves on you the entire management
OF the Modoc question, and the secretary OF War
instructs me to convey this message to you with
his sanction and approval
WILLIAM 7. SHERMAN, General