New-York tribune., 1873-04-15
HISTORY OF THE MoDOC TROUBLES.


OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTION SINCE TUE
APPOINTMENT OF THE PEAcE COMMISSION
GOV GR0vER's PROTEsT-PRoPosrToNs FOR
THE REMOVAL or THE INDIANs-POwERs AND
PURPOSE OF THE COMMIssION-GEN. CANDY
GIVIN TIE MANAGEMENT OF NEGOTIATIONS.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE following Is sum
mary of the letters and dispatches on file in the
Interior Department, giving an official history of
the Modoc troubles from the appointment Of the
Peace Commission. The first important letter is
rom Secretary DelanO to the Acting Commissioner
If Indian Affairs. dated Jan. %. 1919, announcing
nis determination to appoint Peace Commissioners,
giving his reasons for 30 doing, aud defining their
duties. IL is as follows:
WAsHNGTos, ID. c.. Jan. 2s, 1873.
10 the AeEn0 Commissioner Of Indian FAIRS
SIR Referring to the difficulties that have arisen and
st continue to exist the troops Of the United
States and the HOdOc Indians in Oregon, have to in
fern you thar have determined TO send Commission
to the scene OF difficulty for the purpose of examining
the same. This Commission will consist OF three
members whose names Will he hereafter furnished 10
you Il viii he required to proceed TO the Modoo coun
tryasupdiy possible and before entering upon the
active discharge Of ITS duties viii confer with Gen Candy
Of the aited States Army: and in all subsequent pro
oeednes OF the Commission t should confer freely with
tha officer aud act under hs advice far It may be
possible to DO so, and always with his cooperation.
The objects to be gained by this Commission these
Frst ascertain the which have led TO the diff
eultlcs ard hosues between the troops and the "a
dians aud secondly, TO devise the most effective and
udIcOus measures for preventing the continuance Of
these hosttcs and for the restoration Of 1t is
the opinion Of the Department from the best infOrna
uon n it, possession, that It is advisable 10 remove the
hodoc Indians with their TO some reserva
tOn aud n ~ believed that the coast reservation In
Oregon lying between Cape Lookout the north and
Cape PERI tho south and bounded the east 10y
the coast range Of mountains and the west by the
Pacific Ocean, will he found TO furnish the best location
for these Indians. Tie Commission will therefore be
directed 10 make au amieabe arrangement for locating
the Indians portion Of this reservation provided
IL possible for to do 80, aud provided that said Com
mission is Of opinion after fully investigating the
tase that other place is better adapted TO
ps the purpose OF the Department in either Of which
events the Commission wi before finally concluding an
arrangement with the Iudans hold unication with
the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs and receive further
hdyice.
The Commission win in wise attempt 10 direct
he military authorities reference 10 their
II viii be az liberty, however, 70 inform the commend
Ing officer Of the wish Of the Department that more
force or violence be used than in his opinion shall be
deemed absolutely necessary and proper, It being tho
desire OF the Department in this as well as in all other
Eases OF like character to conduct its communications
with the Indians in such manner as To secure peace
and obtain their confidence possible, and their yOun-
tary consent 10 compliance with such regulations
be deemed necessary their present and future
welfare The Commission win be directed 70 keep the
Department advised frequently possible Of It's
progress until the work which Is assigned TO II shall be
accomplished its further progress proven 20 be
necessary Very respectfully your oeedent servant,
c. DELkEo, Secretary.
day or two after the above letter was written,
the three Commissioners were appointed and in.
StructiOns given them in accordance with Secretary
De!anOs letter. On the 5th of February, Mr. DeanO
Informed Gen. Candy of the appointment OF the
Peace Commission, and asked him TO provide fOr
them suitable reservation and prevent further
hostilities II possible. On the 10th of February Mr.
Aeacham, member of the Commission, teleeTaphed
70 the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that Gov.
Grover Of Oregon had filed with the Peace CoInms-
toners protest against any terms for the surrender
of the Indians to the military authorities The
Grand jury Of Jackson, Oregon County, Oregon had
iouDd bills Of indictment against the MOdOcs for the
murder Of IS innocent citizens, aud conflict Of
authority seemed inevitable. The people were indiq-
liant that any other peace should be thought VI