The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-02-14
THE aIoDocs AND THE PEACE COM
MISSION.
An Important .aad Pointed Protest BY
Governor Grover.

Governor Groyer.
Governor Grover on Monday dis
patched his private Secretary, Mr..
Gilfry, to the klamath Lake Basin.
with an important and pointed COM
munication to the Indian Peace Com
mission to assemble there on the 18th
instant:
STATE OF OREGON. EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
SALEM, February 10, 1878.
To the Commissioners appointed TO
conclude peace with the Modoc In
dians-Gentlemen As the State of
Oregon is deeply interested in the
results of the pending Indian Peace
Commission, I desire to express to
you few suggestions bearing upon
the subject about TO engage your at
tention.
From official reports made to me,
and from other reliable information.
IL appears conclusively established
that the massacre of eighteen citizens
of Oregon on the -th of November
last was committed without provoca-
ton and without notice-cutting and
shooting men down in cold blood at
their homes and in their fields, one
/ by one, as they were found, by In
/ dians who had not been attacked by
the soldiery nor otherwise molested,
and who could speak our language
and were personally acquainted with
4ho;, ,,,nk,n,c Tie hnu,ao and fo o~,,c
of the slaughtered settlers were upon
lands to which the Ipdian title had
long since been extinguisehd by
Treaty. These acts hold to be de-
liberate and willful murder. Over
such offenses I conceive the civil au-
thorities of this State constitute the
only and final tribunal. 7 desire
therefore to protest on behalf OF
the State of Oregon against any ac-
tion of the Commission which shall
purport to condone the crimes of the
Modocs or compound their offenses
The people of Oregon desire that
the murderers shall be given up. and
be delivered over to the civil authori-
ties for trial and punishment.
| As to the land on Lost river, which
some have suggested should be sur
rendered to the Modocs as a peace
offering, allow me to say that these
lands lie wholly within the State of
Oregon, and within the jurisdiction
of the Superintendent of Indian At
fairs for Oregon that the Indian
title tc these lands was extinguished
by treaty, fairly made, through the
Oregon Superintendency, between
the Modocs and the General Govern
ment, on the 18th day of October
1854. They have been surveyed un
der the direction of the Surveyor
General of Oregon. and the surveys
were long since approved by th'
/ General Land Office. These land
have been extensively taken and arr
now occupied by bona fide settlers
under the homestea and pre-emptiol
4 laws of the United States.
The Commission will therefor
have no more power to declare
!, reservation on Lost river, includin;
these settlements, to make the sam
basis of peace with these indians
than they have to provide for thei
establishment upon any other settlet
portion of this State.
For the interests of Southern Or
egon, and for the future peace of ou
southern frontier, I will express tn
: hope and confidence that the proiec
of reservation on Lost river vii
not be entertained by the Commission
and that the Modocs will either con
sent to return to their own reserva
ton or to be assigned to bounds be
yond the settlements.
With great respect I am your obedi
ent servant, L. +. GROVER,
Governor of Oregon.