SW Oregon History: Correspondence, 1851

SW Oregon History:

Selected Excerpts of Correspondence & Reports

Filed with the US Office of Indian Affairs, 1851

Compiled and Organized by Bob Zybach, 2007

The following list of excerpts regarding US handling and perspectives of the Rogue River Indian Wars were taken from official records of the US Office of Indian Affairs. These selections and index were made under contract to NW Maps Co., as background research for a long-term forest science project on USDI Bureau of Land Management lands in the Applegate River and Cow Creek subbasins in southwest Oregon. The primary research project has been headed by Michael Newton, College of Forestry, Oregon State University, since its inception nearly 30 years ago.

Most of the following selections were obtained in digital format via the online "Native American Documents Project" (NADP) on the California State University, San Marcos website: http://www.csusm.edu/nadp/. The NADP was started in 1992 by Professor E. A. Schwartz, who completed his doctoral research in 1991 on the topic of the Rogue River Indian Wars. All NADP excerpts include an active link to the project's homepage. The NADP recommended method of citing these resources are given here: http://www.csusm.edu/nadp/citation.htm

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Dart to Spalding, 1 March 1851, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 607 (excerpt), NADP Document D7.
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Office of Superintendent of Indian Affairs
Oregon City, 1st March 1851

Dear Sir

The great number of persons leaving Oregon for the gold mines and passing through (as they will have to do) the Umpqua and Rogues river country renders it necessary for me to call your attention to the following instructions.

I wish you with as little delay as possible, to take the most favorable position on the Umpqua [River], to see those on their way to the mines, and urge upon them the necessity of not molesting the Indians on the Rogues river or elsewhere, but on the contrary, treat them kindly. I am well persuaded that most of the difficulties with these Indians might have been avoided, had a more conciliatory course been pursued on the part of the whites. I would also appeal to the whites residing in the vicinity of these Indians to exercise a little more forbearance – they should remember the great ignorance of the Red men and their many wrongs at the hands of our race. Our people profess to be governed by reason and law, while the Indian knows no other law than that of self will, retaliation and revenge – therefore you will I hope make great exertions to prevent that state of things transpiring in Oregon that has produced so much bloodshed and misery in Northern California.

I have previously informed you that I have requested the Government to order a sufficient number of troops to be stationed in the Umpqua and Rogues River to insure order and also compliance (so far as may be) with the laws.

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McBride to Gaines, 12 June, 1851, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 607 (excerpt), NADP Document D8.
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[...] and I have a greater hesitancy, from the fact, that many persons will prejudgefrom hearing the facts, without knowing any thing of the circumstances which led to them; and further, because anyone, or any company whose misfortune it is to have a serious conflicts with the Indians, are too readily regarded as the aggressors. But sir as there were thirty two white men, and two Calapoia Indians, who can assure your Excellency of the correctness of my statements, I shall state the facts as they occured.

On Tuesday the 2nd inst, at the green on willow springs, in this end of the Rogue River Valley, some twenty miles beyond the ferry on Rogue River, our men were attacked by the Rogue River Indians, quite a number of Indians: Three white men had gone some 150 yards from the incampment to the springs for water, went unarmed; and while dipping water, the Indians fired at them, some four or five guns: – The fire being instantly returned from our camps, the battle was fairly introduced, which continued almost four hours: Beginning at twilight in the morning, and continuing until 8 oclock, (I looked at my watch when the Battle ceased).

Some few of the Indians were mounted on good horses but a large majority of them were on foot, some of our horses had
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turned loose to graze, and were greatly freightened at the yell of the savages on every side – The white men now running hastily towards them, to catch and bring them in, so scared a few horses that they run off; and the Indians persued them on their horses & got them from us, 4 in number. One of our men was wounded in the thigh by an arrow: I suppose the flint spike, on the end were to the bone, notwithstanding Wm. J. Barlow the wounded man travelled on: The number Killed and wounded on the part of the Indians we had no means of knowing from appearances: I will here say however, that I should think there some five or six Killed, and two or three times the no. wounded: We saw them bearing off some on their shouldiers like dead hogs, others were assisted off, and some others limped off with difficulty without help: Upon the whole, considering the parties, White men and Red, we had not much to boast of on either side; If we did whip at all (I suppose I may say we did for the Rogue Rivers ceased hostilities, and went off out of gun shot) and it was considered a full meal on both sides.

In taking a retrospect, I am much suprised indeed, very greatly astonished, that some half a dozen white men were not Killed: They (the Indians) were well supplied with guns: and fought with a measurable bravery, came up in gun shot in the open prairie; and stood up to us like men, Brave, daring and indolent [...]

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Gaines to Dart, 8 July 1851, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 607 (excerpt), NADP Document D9.
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Rogue River July 8th 1851

Sir

The prisoners captured by Major Kearney have been brought to this place by Genl. Lane, and are now here. On his way down the river yesterday the Genl. conversed with what he supposed to be the principal chief, but being on the opposite side of the river he was not certain. The person conversed with promised to come down today and see me and propose terms of reconciliation – He appeared to be greatly disturbed on account of the late occurances, and altogether the prospects are flattering for an adjustment – I have with much difficulty procured an Indian who can act as interpreter and will send him up to the Point of Rocks today to hold out proper inducements to chiefs to come in – It is highly important that an experienced agent be sent to this place immediately, to reside here not only to restrain and conciliate the Indians, but to watch the movements and properly dispose of infamous white men.

All the difficulties here are justly attributable to the latter class of persons if my information can be relied upon. Licenses should be granted to properly disposed persons to trade, only and those of an opposite description immediately removed.

This matter cannot be too soon attended to.

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Dart to Lea, 19 July 1851, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 607, NADP Document D10.
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Office Superintendent Indian Affairs
Oregon City July 19th 1851

Sir

In the closing remarks of my letter to you of the 18th inst. – I attended to a subject upon which I should ask your consideration and advice – It is in reference to the awkward position in which our government is placed in Oregon. It is probable, however, that the attention of the Government has already been called to this subject. (It must however have escaped the notice of Congress or the Government never would have been placed in this position) I allude to what is called the Oregon Land Bill – in which Government is bound to give to every actual settler in Oregon three hundred and twenty acres of land or six hundred and forty to a man and his wife at the same time every acre of this land is owned and occupied by a people that the Government has always acknowledged to be the bonafide and rightful owners of the soil. These facts however, are not known to the Indians, nor do they know the fact that the Government has never forced the Indians from their land without first having bought them – Were these two facts well understood by the Indians of this country, the end of the trouble growing out of it could not be foreseen.

A serious difficulty, however, is unavoidable – it is this the Indian tribes in Oregon will never consent to part with their lands, without preserving small portions in each Tribe or Band for their own use. All the land of value is
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claimed by the white people as having been given to them by the Government. The Indian says he must have a small portion reserved to himself without the interference of the white man. The white man says he will not allow the Indian to reserve his claim. I do not now speak of what I fear may take place but of what has already taken place in all the Treaties made by the Commissioners. The greater part of the land reserved is claimed by the settlers thereon.

While I shall anxiously await your advice on this subject I will go on, and act in a way that will place the Government in the best position that the nature of the case will possibly advise of in my judgement –

I have the honor to be
Respectfully your obt servt
Anson Dart
Superintendent

Hon L. Lea Commissioner
of Indian Affairs
Washington D.C.

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Dart to Lea, 22 July 1851, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 607, NADP Document D11.
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Office Superintendent of Indian Affairs
Oregon City July 22, 1851

Sir

The difficulties that have existed between the gold diggers of Northern California and the Indians has in some degree extended over the line into Oregon. This I early forsaw would probably happen, (please see my letter addressed to you of 30th Dec. last) There being but one Agent in Oregon – H.H. Spalding Esq – it was not in my power to select between two or three, the most efficient man to occupy an important post in that part of the country – I have, therefore, been without anyone to send there during Mr. Spalding's many months illness. After writing me that he was well enough to enter upon his duties I addressed him a letter, (a copy of which I enclose to you) – but from cause unknown to me he did not go to his post (the Rogue River) until within the last month.

I do not suppose, however, that it would have been in the power of one man to entirely prevent the difficulty amongst men who look upon Indians as intruders and having no more rights in this country than wild beasts.

I have the honor to be
Respectfully your obt servt
Anson Dart

Superintendent

Hon L Lea
Commissioner
of Indian Afairs
Washington D.C.

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Applegate to Dart, 19 August 1851, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 607 (excerpt), NADP Document D12.
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From this trait of character the Canadians gave them the very appropriate surname of Rascal from which the principal stream of the country is now known as the Rascal or Rogues' river, and its ancient and far more musical appellation of Too- too-ta-ne is almost entirely disused. Tho' in many instances where the thief was taken in the fact a summary punishment was inflicted yet in accordance with their general policy of conciliation, I have heard of no instance in which parties belonging to the Hudson Bay Company inflicted the punishment of death for a crime of 1st degree than murder.

The first extreme punishment inflicted on these people for their disregard of the laws of property was by a party headed by Ewing Young esq. late of Chahalem valley and the founder of that settlement. His party of 18 men were encamped on the Too-too-ta-ne near its mouth. A large number of the natives assembled at his camp, and while in the act of stealing some meat from a scaffold, The party being under arms received from Mr. Young the order to fire, a terrible slaughter of the unprepared natives ensued and the only injury sustained by the assailants was a serious bite received by one of the men while stripping the skin from the head of an Indian not yet dead.

Mr. Young on the same expedition visited the Klamath lake where again a large body of Indians approached his camp as he believed with hostile intents: he anticipated their attack killing a number on the land and driving
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the rest into the lake where my informant (one of the party) is confident one hundred must have perished.

These facts were related to me by Mr. George Gay of Yamhill county an inveterate Indian hater and a justification of Mr. Young; but as in both instances the whites acted on suspicion only, the Indians making no positive demonstrations of hostility they can be regarded only as wanton destruction of human life.

Mr. Young's expedition took place 12 or 15 years ago, and I have gone thru back into the early history of the intercourse of the whites with the Southern Indians because in that period I think is found the answer to your inquiry.

Since that expedition these people have ever been hostile to the Whites. Being by nature suspicious and revengeful even if their after treatment by Whites had been uniformly friendly it is doubtful whether these early injuries would yet be forgotten.

But as a great throughfare lies through their country the kindness they have received at the hands of one party has sometimes caused them to trust themselves in the power of another, where the existence of an ancient grudge, or a reckless spirit has made them repent their confidence.

Consequently as fear and interest are their governing principles they continue to gratify their ancient cupidity by robbing or stealing on all favorable opportunities, and for the ill treatment they receive from the strong, they retaliate on the weak.

Such was the state of things when the late superintendent Mr. Gov. Lane resigned his commission as such to take effect some time in June 1850. As he was about to pass thru the Rogues river country on his way to California he fixed a day for his resignation to take effect – suficiently distant
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to promote the best interests of his country cannot be doubted and by inducing the "Abiding Horse" and some others of the principal men to enter into an agreement to keep the peace he partially effected his object but as by his own initiation he had ceased to be an officer of his Government – he could only regard his acts however good in their tendency as the unauthorized efforts of a private citizen. For Gov Lane too well knew what is due to his Government to have in an official capacity received as friends Savages tricked out in arms and clothing obtained by the rape and murder of her citizens, and Soldiers, without demanding and enticing ample restitution. He looked (as we have long looked in vain) to the establishment of a military post in the country and from such establishment alone in my opinion are we to expect a permanent peace.

Before the appearance of Mr. Spaulding's publication in the Spectator of August 5th [1851], I was not aware that the late treaty negotiated with a part of the Rogues river Indians was the act of Gov. Gaines. I had supposed that power vested in the Indian Department, and I had also understood that Mr. Spaulding's precipitate journey to Rogues river was undertaken solely to relieve Gov. Gaines from the responsibility of assuming this power; if such was not the object of the Indian Agent and Gov. Gaines powers were conditions to enable him to appear for and bind his Government in a treaty, Mr. Spaulding in his great zeal to share the dangers of such negotations, should not have forgotten that the Umpqua Indians would again feel disappointed and aggrieved at his non appearance at a meeting to which he had called [...]

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Spalding to Dart, 24 September 1851, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 607, NADP Document D13.
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Fort Orford
Sept 24. 1851
To Anson Dart Esq
Supt Ind Affs
for Oregon Ter

My dear sir –

Your kind favor of the 9th Inst. came to hand to day. In reply to your inquiry whether the men under Capt Walker were left at Rogue Riverin obedience to or to carry out any orders which I had at any time received from yourself, I answer they were not. But the object, I will give the language of Gov. Gaines as well as I can recollect, as I was governed by his experience in governmental affairs & his advice – And it was to carry into effect the treaty which he had concluded with the Indians: to go up the river & make known to the white men the fact of the treaty & its provisions; to allay as much as possible the excitement pervading among the whites; to awe the Indians & to receive the stolen property which the chiefs might be able to recover from their people.

A war & to the natives a bloody one had just closed: some 30 of their women & children had been prisoners in the hands of the whites & report says their women had been brutally treated; white men from all parts of the world had lost property in some cases their all & were making loud threats, if it was not speedily recovered, they would shoot down
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Indians wherever they might meet them. I was compelled to return to Oregon City with a white man whom I found it necessary to remove out of the Indian country. But the removal of this white man was not the occasion of employing Walker & his party & had no connection with it.

With best wishes I remain
Dear sir your obt servt
(signed) H.H. Spalding
Ind. Agent for S.W. Oregon