The New York herald., 1875-10-26
THE RED MANS WRONGS.
HOW THE TEMEcULA INDIANS OF LOWER CALL
FoRNIA HAVE BEEN TREATED by THE GOVERN
MENT-ENERGETIc PROTEST FROM CITIZEN
OF LOS ANGELEs-REsPoNsE OF THE INDIAN
COMNISgIONFR

MENT-ENERGETIc PROTEST FROM CITIZEN
OF LOS ANGELEs-REsPoNsE OF THE INDIAN
COMMISSIONER.
The following correspondence tells its own story Of
MIA have been subjected and the remedy proposed for
them
Los ANGELES, CAL, Oct 6, 1875.
Mr. l. E. SLEIGH:-
DEAR SIR am astonshcd and dsgusted at the
course OF the government toward the Temecua Indi-
Thatpoor people once owned this entire country
and have been driven back, back, back until they
finally settled in a of the San Bernardno Noun
tans where they and everybody thought they were out
OF the way OF civilization But one Frenchman and
two Scotchmen came TO America and bought sheep,
and in searching for pasture for their herds they dis
covered that the land occupied by these poor Indians
would make good grazing ground for them They have
secured from the noble government Of America title
to land occupied by these poor helpless creatures and
have secured the officers Of this government aids TO
drive two thousand poor women and children out Of
their little cabins and away from their little crops and
orchards, where they have lived for thirty or
forty years Now, at the beginning Of winter, they
forced to leave everything and go out into the
winter storms without shelter without food.
Will not the vengeance of just God descend upon
government and people so destitute OF mercy and
JusticeY
The agent Mr. Dryden s exceedingly anxious to
do something for the Indians, but the necessary in
structons OF the department. for want Of authority Of
Congress- such that he is helpless. If this land
really does belong to the Frcnchman and Scotchmen
which Is doubted by some, few thousand dollars, III
II could have been secured OF Congress according the
recommendations OF the Commissioner Of Indian
Affairs would have purchased II, and these Indians
would have supported themselves comfortably t.
and never have been charge the government They
are not savages but civilized, kind and friendly But
they are driven away for the bonedt of few sheep
shall be surprised If they become very savage and
do much harm and cost the government hundredfold
than the sheep and land will ever bring.
write an impartial man. have no particular love
for the Indians having fought them for twenty
I'm These
devils have been shamcfuy treated by the government
and some OF the citizens.
for them The cheapest thing that be done is to buy
land and give it to them. half township would
Yours truly, B. L. PEEL
LETTER TO THE COMMISSIONER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct 20, 1876.
Hon r. r. SMITH Commissioner of Indian Affairs
DEAR SIR have the honor transmit the nclosed
letter for your information and consideration.
II relates 10 portion OF the Mission Indians OF
Southern California, in whose behalf your sympathies
were so early enlisted They number about 1000,
and scattered throughout the counties Of
san Bernardno and San Diego Unless
crnment they will be compelled TO take to tho
San Bernardino Mountains and the Colorado
DESERT where indeed many OF them have already taken
up their abodes AS Colonel Peel says, they are kind
and friendly, but such have been tho prosecutions
hcaped upon them by the graspng emigrant snd such
the neglect of the government heretofore in falling TO
secure their rights TO land and water privileges that
Oligaro and their other head men scarcely keep
TIC peace among tue young Incn
They citizens OF Mexico when acquired, by
treaty with that country what is tho State Of Cali
fornia and had proper laws been enacted al that time
TO protect their rights such, as the treaty con-
templated, their condition would now have been very
different But such were the absurd notions in regard
TO awarding citizenship to any but those Of white skin,
their interests were entirely overlooked
Colonel Peel is one OF the most intelligent and re-
spectacle citizens OF Los Angeles OF wide in
nuence in Lower California His rcpresen tatons are
therefore entitled TO full credit
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
LUTHER f. SLEIGH,
Late Clerk Mission Indian Agency
RESPONSE COMMISSIONER.
DEPARTMENT THE INTERIOR,
OFFICE INDIAN AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON Oct 20, 1875
Sri am In receipt of your letter Of October q 1873
addressed to Mr. H. T. Sleigh, formerly clerk OF the
Mission Indian Agency California.
Your statements In regard TO the wrongs and necessi
ties of the Indians OF Lower California entirely in
accord with my Views this subject, derived from
the best information have been able 10 obtain during
my onlea period, and the department has en-
deavored represent their case TO Congress as TO
secure action bv Rndy enahhru Tho denarfment 10