The New York herald., 1875-10-26

COMMISSIONER.
WASHINGTON, Oct 25 1875.
The following correspondence tells it's own story ol
the wrongs which the Temecula Indians Of Ca1for-
na have been subjected and the remedy proposed for
them
Los ANGELES, Cal Oct. O. 1875.
Mr. L. E. SLEIGH
OF the government toward the Temecula Indi-
That.poor people once owned this entire country
and have been driven back, back, back, until they
finally settled in Of the San Bernardino Noun
tans where they and everybody thought they 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 aids
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
are forced to leave everything and go out into the
winter storms without shelter ana without food.
Will not the vengeance of a just God descend upon
government and people so destitute OF mercy and
JusticeV
The agent Mr. Dryden, is exceedingly anxious to
do something for the Indians but the necessary in
structioDs the department. for authority of
Congress, such that he Is helpless. If this land
really does belong to the Frenchman and Scotchmen
which Is doubted by some, few thousand dollars Ii
1t could have been secured Of Congress according the
recommendations OF the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs would have purchased it, and these Indians
would have supported themselves comfortably on it,
and never have been charge TO the government They
not savages but civilized, kind and friendly. But
they are driven away for the benefit OF few sheep
shall be surprised If they become very savage and
do much harm and cost the government hundredfold
more than the sheep and land will ever bring
write as an impartial man. have particular love
for the Indians, having fought them for twenty
years In Texas, but know whereof speak These poor
devils have been shamefuly treated by the government
and some OF the citizens.
Can you not so TO the department and got some aid
for them2 The cheapest thing that can be done is buy
land and give 1t TO them. A half township would
accommodate them all.
Yours truly, B. L. PEEL
LETTER TO THE INDIAN COMMISSIONER.
WASHINGTON, ID. g., Oct 20 1876.
Hon. +. P. SMITH, Commissioner of Indian Anars--
DEAR SIR have the honor to transmit the inclosed
letter for your information and consideration.
II relates 10 portion OF the Mission Indians OF
Southern California in whose behalf your sympathes
so early enlisted They number now about 5000,
and are scattered throughout the counties OF
San Bernardno and San Diego. Unless
aid Is soon given them BY the gov
ernment 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 abudes As Colonel Peel says, they are kind
and friendly, but such have been tho prosecutions
hcaped upon them by the graspng emigrant aud such
the neglect Of the government heretofore IN falling to
their rights TO land and water privileges that
ogario and their other head men scarcely keep
the peace among the young men.
They citizens Of Mexico when we acquired, by
treaty with that country what is the State of Calf
forna and had proper laws been enacted at that time
TO protect their rights such, as the treaty
tempated, their condition would now have been very
different But such we're the absurd notions regard
awarding citizenship TO any but those Of white skin
their interests were entirely overlooked
Colonel Peel Is OF the most intelligent and re-
spectacle citizens Of Los Angeles, OF wide in
nuence in Lower California His representations are
therefore entitled to full credit
Very respectfully your obedont servant
LUTHER f. SLEIGH,
Lato Clerk Mission Indian agency
RESPONSE COMMISSIONER.
DEPARTMENT THE INTERIOR,
OFFICE oP INDIAN AFFAIRS,
WASHINGTON Oct 20 1875. !
sR-I am in receipt Of your letter Of October & 1875,
addressed to Mr. L. f. Sleigh, formerly clerk OF the
Mission Indian Agency California.
Your in regard to the wrongs and nccessi
ties of the Indians Of Lower California entirely In
accord with my own Views this subject derived from
tho best Information have been able to obtain during
my ofngia period and the department has On
dcavored represent their case to Congress as 10
secure action bu lhaL dv anahhu Tho department 10