The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-13
The First Comm ission.

The First Commission composed OF Mr.. A. b.
Meacham, Jesse Applegate, Samuel Chase and
Oliver Appegate, Indian Agent at Yianax, as clerk
met at Fairchld's rancho about the middle OF
February last The representatives OF the press
were regiously excluded from their discussions
for some occult reasons Mr.. Steele and Mr.. Fair
child, both old settlers, were engaged to assist
them In their negotiations with Captain Jack, the
latter being present the occasion OF the visit or
the HERALD correspondent to Jacks stronghold
After much unsatisfactory discussion in council
the following terms were offered TO the Modocs
through Mr.. Steee:-
First-T0 surrender to General Candy and re-
ceive full amnesty Tor the past.
Sec0nd-To be removed to Angel Island, where
they are to be fed with soldiers allowance and
clothed until new home can be provided for
them and they are able to support themselves in It,
transportation for their women aud children TO
the island, and thence to their new home, perhaps
Fo,uth-Genera Candy is OF the opinion that he
can promise that Jack and some OF his head men
should go to visit the President, and that the
President will permit them 20 select Tor them
selves new home in a warmer climate.
They had a long talk over the matter; but from
the first they evinced a marked dislike to leaving
the home OF their forefathers and finally sent back
word by Mr.. Steele that they would only live in
their own country.
THE GREAT BLUNDER.
These terms were finally refused by the Indians
and shortly afterwards the first Commission dis
solved, the following report being sent to Washing
ton by Jesse Applegate giving the reasons why
they had failed to secure peace:-
HEADQUARTERS PEACE COMMISSION
FAIRCHILD's RANCH, CAL, March, 1873 !
Hon. II. b. CLUM, Acting Commissioner of Indian
SIR-The Commission appointed to examine into
the causes and bring TO conclusion the Modoc
war; having concluded its abors submit the follow
Ipfv pa re In a n
Frst-The causes leading to war were the dis
satisfaction OF Captain Jacks band of Modocs with
the provisions and execution OF the treaty Of Octo
Der IA, 1854 and the refusal to abide thereby. TO
what extent the wrongs justified resistance, the
Commission, having no power judiclaly to investi-
Second-The immediate cause of hostilitles was
resistance by the Indians to military coercion.
Thfrd-Unconditional surrender OF the Indians
and the trial and punishment OF the guilty by the
civil authorities would have been more satisfac-
tory to the whites and better example to the In
dams than more lenent conditions.
Fouuu-Terms OF surrender We're offered the In
dams to save the further eusion of blood and Sc
cure a permanent peace by the removal OF the
whole tribe out OF the country-a result scarcely to
be hoped Tor by continued hostilities
Flnh-The terms agreed TO by the Commission
were suggested and must be carried into effect by
the military. commission to negotiate peace
vs. Slrth1A commission to inquire into the causes
OF the war should be composed OF men wholly dis
interested in the findings Of the commission d-
recty or indirectly, and clothed with full power to
.SeUenu-Some OF the personnel OF this commits
sion being obnoxious To the Indians IL was him
drance to negotiations. Having no power to adj.
minister 0aths nor send Tor persons and papers,
and the ocial acts OF the chairman to be revised,
its fnding must have been Imperfect and unsats-
factory in regard TO the cause OF the war. We
therefore consider the Commission anexpensve
bunder JESSE APPLICABLE.
Before the Commission broke up Judge Ros-
borough, OF Yreka, had been added to the Commits
sion at the suggestion OF General Candy, and that
| oeptlenan asaated Inv Mr. Elijah Steele of Yreka.
| did good service in the negotiations that followed
| General Canby's proposition. Mr.. steele made
several trips to the lava beds, and would have sue
ceeded in obtaining the surrender OF Captain Jack
and his party II the lies had not upset all their cal
cuatons. The Indians had gone SO far as TO agree
| to come out and surrender. They were to be met
by wagons half way to carry their baggage, but or
the appointed day not an Indian made his appear
| ance.