Year: 1867

The Humboldt mail had not arrived .t the
time of going to press, and consequently we
have no further intelligence relative ID the killing
of Stockton and companions than was furni,hed
in last weeks JOURNAL. There is some doubt
whether the Indian desperate, "Frank," killed
the four men or not, as there were other Indians
in the cabin at the time. Bnt that tbev were
killed, and that the red devils succeeded in get
ting all the arms and ammunition belonging to
the murdered party, (among which was one six
en-shooter), is certain. The commandaut at
Fort Castor is authorized to assist in the CAP
tpre of criminals in such instances, and It is be.
believed he will do his duty promptly now.
In this connection we deem it proper to give
publicity to the sentiments of Major Bowen, the
District Commander, n. relation to Indian mat.
ters. His whole disire is to promote the peace
and welfare of the people of this section of the
State, and his sentiments and suggestions should
meet with unanimous appreciation from the peo-
pie Of Humboldt, Klamath and Trinity counties,
who have suffered sufficiently from Indian depre-
dations during the last four years. What his
sentiments are may be asccrtained by perusal
Of the following:


The great object which the Commander at Fort
CASTOR wishes to see accomplished in this part
of the State, is that the civil authorities will
take cognizance of outrages committed upon In
dians by the whites, and those committed by In
dians upon one another. The adoption of this
policy would, he is confident, tend very materi-
ally to deter unprincipled and irresponsible white
men from indulging in acts of violence upon the
Indians with the hope of escaping the penalty Of
the law, and thereby obviate one of the chief
sources of Indian troubles in future, the hsto-
ry of Indian affairs in this portion of the State
in the past having clearly proven that many Of
the barbarities heretofore committed upon the
whites have been in retaliation of wrongs perpe-
trated by white men, of which civil law took no
cognizance.


Such course would further tend to terminate
the existing feuds between the different bands of
Indians, which have the effect of maintaining q
warlike spirit amongst them, prejudicial alike to
their own safety as we'll as that of the white
race. While such state of feeling exists a.
mongst the Indians there is great danger of indi-
vidual white men being compromised in the
strife, or even numbers of them. Such course,
the District Commander further trusts, would
satisfy the Indians of the justice and impair
tiality of the whites in dealing with them, and
that no hostile plot was in consideration against
them, and they would be quick to perceive that
under the administration of our laws they would
bn allie from sion N the mart
of the whites and from enemies among their own
people.


So long as the law is allowed to remain mop
erative in the case Of wrongs committed upon
Indians, it is presumed there will be white men
unprincipled as to transgress it, and the coun-
try thus becomes favorable rendezvous for
such lawlcss characters. Bearing in mind the
great liability Of outrages in retaliation for such
occurrences, the present policy is simply placing
the safety of the community, or of any individu-
al member of it, in the keeping of those who are
not responsible persons, not interested in the
permanent interests of the country, not restrain
ed by moral principle, and not restricted by
wholesome dread of the law.


The objection sometimes urged against the
course here advocated, that it will increase the
expenses of local government, is thought to be
an incorrect view of the matter, and q very
short-sighted policy. Let it be once distinctly
understood by both races that the law Will take
cognlzance OF every outrage, Dy who"soe'ei ano
upon whomsoever committed, and such offences
will in great measure cease to occur. The uni
form and impartial maintenance of law and or
der being the great requisite to the security OF
life and property in this part of the State it is
presumed that the adoption Of this course would
place the peace and safety of the country upon
so sure a basis that all the available spots for
cultivation would soon be located by permanent
settlers, all paying mining claims wrought and
new ones developed, the population and business
of the counties interested be materially enhanced,
the taxes lightened and the circumstances OF all
classes of citizens be greatly improved.


In order to facilitate the accomplishment OF
this object the District Commander wishes the
influential persons of the community, and all
| those who feel interested in the continuance of
peace and prosperity, to entertain correct views
of the situation themselves, and to endeavor to
propagate them, SO that healthy public senti-
ment in reference to the matter may prevail.
| As it is not to be expected that the officers of
the civil law and county officials will take the
initiative in the movement (whatever their per-
sonal views Of the matter may be), unless they
are conscious that the public sentiment will sus-
tain them, it becomes matter of some moment
to establish as speedily as may be q correct un-
derstanding of the true policy of the county on
the part of all citizens.