SW Oregon History: Correspondence, 1855

SW Oregon History:

Selected Excerpts of Correspondence & Reports

Filed with the US Office of Indian Affairs, 1855

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

NADP Homepage
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Ambrose to Palmer, 14 April 1855, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 608 (excerpt), NADP Document D26.
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Office Indian Agent
April 14th 55

Dear Sir

Since I last wrote you I have been kept quite busy indeed, attending to calls from Applegate [River]& Gallice Creek, although nothing serious has occured, and I do believe there is no harm meditated against the whites by the Indians, a company had organized at Gallice Creek to chastise the Indians, fortunately Captain Smith and my self arrived in time to have a talk with the Indians which explained things satisfactorily. It seems that two white men had induced the Indians to rob a camp of Chinese in hopes that that would drive the Chinese away, in doing of which the Indians obtained some good revolvers which alarmed some of the men who supposed they were stolen to be used against them they accordingly went in pursuit of the Indians, the matter was finally compromised by Chief George
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whipping the Indians who committed the theft, and the whites driving away the two white men who had been the cause of the difficulity. A similar occurance took place on Applegate Creek which resulted in "Lyre Bill" being shot in the shoulder, though not serious, the matter was amicably settled and the Indians agreed to leave Applegate and remain for the present in Illinois Valley & on Deer Creek they cannot be induced to stay on the Reserve without being furnished food & in fact I believe at this season of the year if they were compelled to stay on the Reserve they would most certainly starve to death.

I transmit to you a survey of the ground broken by Brownlee, Miller & others, there is no papers in the office showing who was the original contractor, but I learned that Hughs (who owns the mill near the reserve) was the first contractor and that he employed Brownlee to do the work he, Hughes furnishing the team and seed.

The Horses turned over by Mr. Culver late Agent are worthless and the little grey was shoulder strained last fall from which he has not recovered the other has been used up by the Indians [...]

NADP Homepage
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Ambrose to Palmer, 12 May 1855, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 608, NADP Document D27.
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Office Indian Agent
Rogue River Valley
May 12. 1855

Dear Sir

The person on trial for killing an Indian has been found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to two years imprisonment in the penatentry. This was not entirely satisfactory to the Indians, but they express a willingness to bide the decission and suppose it is right.

If it is the intention of the Superintendant that the hay on the reserve should be sold I deserve to know in what manner it had better be disposed of if by public notice to recieve bids or by private sale. I have recieved several applications to sell and as the haying season will soon be here, I would like an answer to this immediately

Yours Respectfully
Geo. H. Ambrose
Ind Agent

Genl. Palmer
Sup Ind. Affairs

NADP Homepage
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Palmer to Manypenny, 10 July 1855, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 608 (excerpt), NADP Document D28.
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Office Superintendent Indian Affairs
Dayton O. T. July 10th 1855

Sir,

My protracted absence from the Office upon business connected with the negotiation of treaties in Middle Oregon has prevented me until now from taking steps for the erection of buildings on the Table Rock Reservation.

The accompanying copy of Instructions to Agent George W. Ambrose indicates the intended action and preparations in regard to these improvements.

I have omitted to take action in relation to the Umpqua Reservation until I have made a more thorough personal examination of the contemplated Reservation on the coast anticipating that in the event that reservations become permanent, to locate the Umpquas and Calapooias, and the Indians of the Willamette Valley within its limits. There are believed to be two small valleys within its limits which from the description of persons who have visited them, are well suited for an Indian Settlement; they are situated on the head water of the Alsea and Seletze Rivers, isolated by a lofty spur of the mountain from the coast, yet sufficiently near to be under the care of the same agent, and also separated from the white settlements by a mountain chain; their position indicate them as peculiarly adapted for the settlement of the Indians of this valley. A few whites have taken land in these valleys, and the usual improvements of bachelors in a new [...]
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I have recently learned that considerable dissatisfaction exists among a few persons residing in Benton county in regard to the boundaries of this contemplated reservation, they alleging that it embraces nearly half of the best portion of that country a glance at the map of the surveys already made and reference to the indicated limits of the intended reservation will satisfy any one of the exagerated erroneousness of these aperations. The fact is there is among a portion of the Settlers along the coast and elsewhere a feeling of hostility toward the Indians and disregard for their rights – a feeling that looks to the humane system of annihilating the race and all action of the Government or its agents looking to the improvement of civilization of the Indians meets with their hearty disapproval. In the present instance there are a few persons interested in the retention of claims in these valleys and others in town sites elsewhere, who anticipate pecuniary advantages to accrue from white settlements in that region. Beyond these no opposition to this reservation manifested.

I contemplate a tour along the coast, and will set out about the 18th instant for the purpose of negotiating treaties for the purchase of the country with the coast tribes and bands. The goods designed for the Indians South of the Coquille, will be shipped by steamer [...]

NADP Homepage
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Palmer to Manypenny, 14 July 1855, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 608 (excerpt), NADP Document D30.
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Office Superintendent Indian Affairs
Dayton O. T. July 14th 1855.

Sir,

Enclosed are six letters to this office of different dates, from Agent Geo H Ambrose exhibiting a view of the leading events in his district from the first of January to the 11th of June last.

The perusal of these communications will show the frequent occurance of events in that region calculated to disturb the public quiet and endanger the personal safety both of whites and Indians, and the necessity of the constant exercise of prudence and vigilance on the part of the officer in the Indian service in order to prevent actual war.

The Rogue River embraced in the Treaty of the 10th September 1853, manifest uniform good feeling and are gratified with the interest for their welfare shown by the Government, especially with the agricultural improvements, and I doubt not but that if the other bands could be with drawn from the neighborhood of the mines where misunderstandings embroiling the whites and Indians, constantly arise, and where the slightest offence, or mere suspicion, often excites the fury of reckless and unprincipled men, but little reason would exist for apprehending hostile
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manifestitations on the part of the savages.

It will be seen that the agent has been impelled to adopt this course as the means of preserving the country from another Indian war, and that nearly all the Indians are now collected upon the Reservation: This measure which has been prepared upon us as the only means of preventing great calamities has somewhat embarassed our operations, as impossible for the Indians thus suddenly crowded together to find the means of subsistance, and without aid from the Government they would be driven to the alternatives of predatory acts or starvation. Sound policy and humanity therefore demand that the exigency be met. I have consequently purchased two tons of flour which will be sent to the reservation without delay, and placed in the hands of Agent Ambrose one thousand dollars for the purchase of additional necessary supplies, as set forth in my instructions to that officer, of which a copy is transmitted to your office. Mr Ambrose has promised a more detailed report of the late disturbances in his district which upon its reception will be immediately transmitted to you.

It is believed that these measures have prevented impending war, which besides the blood of our citizens and the loss of private property would have lead to [...]

NADP Homepage
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Ambrose to Palmer, 11 November 1855, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 609, NADP Document D32.
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Office Indian Agt
Rogue River O.T.
Nov 14th 1855

Sir

As I have an opportunity I will send a few lines. Nothing new has transpired of an alarming character recently. The Indian alarmist and exterminators are cooling off and the good people of the Valley are beginning to believe they were sold. Sams people are all at the Fort and apparently quite contented and I believe the people of the Valley are content to let them remain so. as soon as this organization shall have been completed in accordance with the proclamation, no longer any danger need be feared from unprovoked assaults. Bruce is elected Major, a very sensible man and quite friendly to Sams people. I have but little doubt in the course of a month or so the Indians will be permitted to return to their reserve. a healthy reaction is taking place in the public mind and none seem to doubt his innocence. As the express man is in great haste I will close, & write you by next mail

Yours in hast
G. H. Ambrose
Ind Agt

Joel Palmer Esq
Supt Ind Affairs

NADP Homepage
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Ambrose to Palmer, 2 December 1855, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives Microcopy 234, Roll 609 (excerpt), NADP Document D33.
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Office. Ind. Agt.
Rogue River O.T.
Dec 2nd 1855

Sir

Agent Metcalfe arrived at this agency on yesterday bearing dispatches containing instructions for the removal of the Rogue River Tribe of Indians to the Willamet Vally it is quite unfortunate such instructions did not arrive earlier. Winter with all its severity has fully set in. Snow is several inches deep on the ground at the time of my writing, and falling fastly yet. from all appearances it may be very deep before night. I regard it as almost impossible to remove the Indians at this time, for several reasons, first the unusual severity of winter at this early season, secondly they are destitute of winter clothing, not having received their annuities but very few of them have either shoes or stockings, many of them are sick; peace and plenty seem to be far more destructive to the Indian than war, surround him with comforts, and gratify his appetite he grows dull, lethargic, and losses what energy he was once possessed of in which state sickness and death soon over take him the healthy excitement of the chase or even the greater excitement of war; [...]