, 1877-10-19
NEAH BAY AGENCY.

EEOUA llt ShhlN ENlhN VI ''N ''''''
Concerning the causes for the re-
cent removal of Rev c. A. Hunt
ington from his position as Indian
Agent at Neah Bay, we may say we
are creditably informed that the in.
vestigation instituted, developed
facts which warranted the action ta'
ken. We have seen number of the
Indians from this reservation, con-
versed with them upon the subject,
and found the sentiment to be quite
unanimous on their part, in favor of
the change. They bring some very
grave charges against Mr.. Hunting
ton, concerning which we would like
to see that gentleman vindicated.
We are informed nearly two weeks
ago, by Capt. Gilbert, who seems to
have been in position to speak un-
dsrstandingly, that just prior to the
change of agents, an Indian woman
was punished in manner calling for
the severest cen.ure. The facts &C.
cording to our information, are about
as follows: The woman was one
of the parties in runaway love
match, leaving her rightful lord and
taking up with slave who brought
her up the Sound. They were, upon
the application OF Mr.. Huntington,
arrested and taken back by u. S.
soldiers. Then followed the punish.
ment which, on the part of the wo'
man, was inflicted by cutting her
long hair off close to the skull and
confniag her in 4 close, damp and
cold room. This had the effect Of
bringing upon her such severe cold
and fever as to nearly deprive her Of
life; in fact she was taken from the
place of confinement to the house
Of the resident physician, and for
several days was not expected to
survive. If the above is strictly
true, it certainly calls for the most
forcible condemnation of the meas
ures used. The slave man was ia
ken back on charge of having
stolen some money, when in reality
it seems he had earned the amount
taken and it must of necessity have
belonged to him, unless he was con
sidered to be rightly and lawfully,
with all his earnings, the property Of
his Indian master. AS a treaty,
made some years ago, does not allow
the Makah Indians to hold slaves,
and as Mr.. Huntington is said to
have boasted that he liberated the
slaves Of the tribe, it looks rather
like an inconsistency to punish slave
for leaving his master, thus practi-
cally legalizing the very slavehold-
ing which has been prohibited.
Considerable sympathy has been
manifested for Mr.. Huntington, on
the supposition that his removal was
caused by the efforts of individuals
whose personal difficulties with him
leu them TO persecute him. Moth
ing could be farther from the truth.
The removal was the result of an in
vestigation instituted by the author
tiles at Washington, on account of
discrepancies in official accounts,
and improperly disposing of govern,
ment property. The case was inves.
tigated by government officer, in
public manner, and the charges were
based purely upon business connec-
tons Of the agent with the govern
menE. AS far as Mr.. Huntington's
efforts to civilize and educats the
Indians, were concerned, he deserves
credit, and the results are praise
worthy; but these efforts can hardly
excuse a failure to perform manifest
duty in other things.
We are told that Mr.. Huntington
will start for Washington to clear up
the matter and vindicate himself ifI
possible. Our entire freedom from
personal feeling, and our desire, to
see justice done, eau only prompt An
earnest hope that the right may pre-
vail.