Year: 1871

Editors Alta: The question of what policy is necessary to be pursued to obtain a permanent peace with the Apache Indians, being one that most deeply concerns the people of thls Territory, and is also discussed by the press and people of the whole country, it has impressed me with sense of duty to give to the pubic such views as entertain upon the subject, gathered from years of experience and observation among these Indians. During the past two years 1 have travelled over the larger portion of Arizona, and have had conversations with these Indians whenever and wherever could come in contact with them. I have been impressed from the commencement with desire to have peace given this unhappy Terri tory, with the least possible bloodshed, and whenever Indians have gone to military posts protesting friendship, it has been my earnest desire that they would act in good faith, and that the Government would feed and protect them as long as they did so conduct themselves. A year ago last May l visited the Apaches being fed at Camps Goodwin and Apache. Their Chiefs expressed desire for peace, and I hoped their professions were sincere, but I soon found that there was not stage or train taken, or a farming settlement attacked or herd captured, without more or less of these Indians being engaged in the depreda- tions, and as soon as their nefarious work was done, would return again to their posts for rest, food and pro- lection. 1 found such to have been the result of all similar attempts which has or had been made to settle the Apache question upon terms of humanity. Instead of resulting in peace to the country and security to the citizens, the more Indians fed and protected at posts the greater has been the destruction of life and prop erty; and after remaining for time at posts, they have in every instance. save one, left without any pretended excuse and engaged in open war. Such has been our experience with the Apache Indians, and such has been the experience of the Catholic Fathers who for over a century have repeatedly extended to them the olive branch of peace, and have invariably been rewarded by treachery and fiendish outrage.

 HOW TO SECURE PEACE.

 Taking this outlook of the situation, the question arises: What should be done, or what can be done, to bring about a permanent settlement of the question in the most humane and speedy manner? If there are those among the Apaches who honestly and earnestly desire peace, humanity and policy dictate that they should be protected and fed. But the whole his tory of the race is so thoroughly interlarded with accounts of their treachery, that to give protection to tt this class of Indians, and at the same time prevent the evil disposed from mixing with them and engaging in murder and robbery, renders it most difficult problem to solve. :,

 To this point every friend of peace should direct his most earnest con- sideration, and if possible suggest some plan by which the friendly dis posed may be sustained, and the citi- zens protected from outrage committed by the treacnerous and hostile ones. It should be the duty of the citizen and every department of the govern ment having any part in its settle ment, to consult and cooperate together in bringing about the desired result and the subject should be approached with candor. free of bias and prejudice for or against either race. The uues- tion should be looked squarely in the face, and dealt with practically, and each and every one should strive to aid by counsel, experience or in any pos sible manner to accomplish the good work. The robbed and plundered citizens of this Territory are sick and tired of war, and earnestly desire that the flow of blood shall stop. They are anxious to cooperate with any one who will practically adopt measures leading to this result.

 CROOKS POLICY.

 They hailed with joy the appoint ment of General Crook to command this Department, because they believed the uniform success that had attended all his previous management with l,act;lo IraA;o,,- ..-e..ll ~ alA.4