upon our frontier, and should always be commanded by an officer well acquainted with Indian character and warfare. The officer commanding against those Indians should be vigilant, prompt, and energetic; undaunted by any difficulties or obstacles, he should pursue them through their mountain haunts and wild retreats, and never desist until he has visited their first infractions of their treaty with severe and speedy punishment. Every day we hear of fresh acts of outrage being committed by those Indians; and our government has so long delayed its punishment that they now believe they can commit any depredations with impunity, and will hardly go through with the formality of making a treaty. A timely interference and check imposed now by our government might prevent, at comparatively a small cost, those massacres and terrible scenes of bloodshed which will undoubtedly ensue if those Indians are permitted to go on and add to their strength by combinations of the different tribes, and which would entail upon our government a succession of military operations more protracted and more expensive than the famous Florida

war.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

TO ORLANDO BROWN, Esq.,

HUGH N. SMITH.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington city, D. C

No. 34.

Extract of a letter from John H. Rollins, esq., acting as special agent for United States for Texas Indians, dated Austin, November 2, 1850.

I had the honor to report from this place, under date of September 30, that, in consequence of the failure of the Comanche Indians to meet me in council on the 21st of September, I was then on my way to the "Clear Fork" of the Brazos to seek them, and, if possible, learn their intentions and true position.

At foris Graham and Gates (posts in my route) I obtained an escort of twenty men, under the command of Lieutenant Alvoird, of the army, which, together with eleven Delaware Indians employed by me, gave me a force sufficiently large and efficient for my purposes.

On the fifth day from Fort Graham, and about one hundred and twentyfive miles from that post, I found the Comanche chiefs Catumpsey and Little Wolf, and portions of their people. They were at first greatly frightened; but the assurance that no violence was intended soon removed their fears, and they collected around me for a "talk." As soon as I inFrned them of the object of my visit, and their supposed unfriendly osition and conduct, they expressed the strongest desire to be condeed friends, and readily agreed to meet me again as soon as I sucde in finding Buffalo Hump and Shanaco, the other chiefs of the Suthers Comanches. In order to show their sincerity, they sent a young Comanche captain along to assist me in my search for the other chiefsa thing unprecedented among the Comanches, and illustrative of their Confidence in my statements. Within the three following days I found Buffalo Hump and Shanaco, (Comanche,) and Akaquash, a chief among

the Waccoes; and on the fifth I met the four Comanches and the Wacco chief, their headmen, and captains, in council.

I stated to them that on account of their absence from my councils, their many thefts and occasional murders, it had been inferred that they had abandoned the treaty of 1846 and determined to be hostile. I recounted the many reasons that existed for supposing them unfriendly, and told them that the government had determined not to submit to this state of things any longer, but intended, unless satisfactory explanations and atonements were made, to make war upon them immediately. I informed them that I did not come among them at that time to make accusations or to adjust difficulties, but to advise them of their true positions and interest, and invite them once more and for the last time to meet me in council. That unless they did this, brought in the stolen horses, the men who committed the murder at Craig's trading house, and come fully prepared to treat in relation to the many Mexican prisoners among them, troops would be immediately sent into every part of the Indian country.

Buffalo Hump, for himself and the rest, replied that the talk was very good; and that, although it was very plain and not such as they had been accustomed to hear, yet it was not offensive, as he believed it to be true and warranted by the circumstances; that there had been many violations of the treaty on both sides, and it was better either to renew and abide by the treaty, or to disregard it altogether; that his people had been on the Rio Grande occasionally in small numbers, in company with other Indians, against his wishes and in violation of his express orders; but as some of them had very properly been killed, he hoped it would be a lesson to the rest; that he and his people generally were friends, truly so, but that they had bad men among them whom they could not control, and he hoped the innocent would not be made to suffer in common with the guilty; that on account of the difficulties on the Rio Grande, and west generally, and information received, through the agents of George Barnard, that all Indians found west of the Colorado would be attacked indiscriminately, they had fled to the Brazos, where they were informed there was no war and they would be safe; that they had been anxiously waiting for some time to learn the disposition of the government towards them, and the course intended to be adopted; that Catumpsey had visited the tradinghouse of Barnard and requested him to write and send me a letter; that he was afraid to meet me at the treaty appointed, and that all the southern Comanches were ready and anxious to counsel with me at any time and place appointed by me.

It was agreed, therefore, and they most solemnly pledged themselves, to meet me on the 19th of the present month, on the Rio San Saba, together with all their people, in a general council, where we would honestly and faithfully try to adjust all differences. He promised to notify all Indians that he could possibly see, and to meet me with at least eight hundred persons.

As my escort was provisioned for thirty days from Fort Graham, eight days more than was necessary, I gave the Indians eight days' rations for thirty men, and they went away seemingly in improved spirits and with every manifestation of an intention to comply literally with their promises. I do not of course know positively that they will meet me, or, if they do, that existing difficulties can be reconciled; yet, from all I can see and learn, I believe they will attend, and that I shall succeed in renewing fully

the treaty of Messrs. Butler & Lewis. There are many counter currents, adverse interests, bad men and influences, to contend against, but I SHALL

SUCCEED IN PREVENTING A WAR.

I also saw the Caddoes and their associate bands, who expressed much anxiety about their situation and a determination to attend the treaty. The Lepans had been before notified.

The Wichetahs, Tonkaways, and Keechers, I did not see. They are, as I am informed, somewhere on Red river, and have formed a general combination for the purposes of plunder. It is this combination that does most of the horse-stealing along the frontier. I do not expect them at the council, and consider them beyond my control.

Since the 1st day of September I have travelled over eleven hundred miles, most of the time without roads, or other provender than the dry grass for my horses; slept in houses only once or twice, and counselled eight times with the different bands of Indians; yet I have not seen, nor do I know the feelings of, one-half the Indians belonging properly to this agency. I can only say, therefore, in relation to the Indians I have seen, that they are all certainly friendly, except a small portion of the Comanches, and that they may be controlled by judicious management.

It is known to the department that it will be necessary to feed these Indians during the treaty, and to make them some presents. In order to do this, I have engaged sixty beeves and three hundred bushels of corn, to be delivered on the ground; and I am now on my way to San Antonio to procure such presents as I may be able to purchase there. I go to San Antonio also for the purpose of inducing General Brooke, if possible, to attend this treaty, as the Indians express an ardent wish to see the "Big Captain;" and the appearance of himself and staff among them would no doubt exert a most powerful and salutary influence.

A.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office of Indian Affairs, October 25, 1850. GENTLEMEN: I have been officially notified of your appointment as "commissioners to negotiate treaties with the several Indian tribes in the Territory of Oregon for the extinguishment of their claims to lands lying west of the Cascade mountains, under the act of 5th June last," and am directed by the Honorable Secretary of the Interior to prepare appropriate instructions for your observance in the discharge of the duties of your

ofice.

Such instructions must necessarily be of a general character. That Terrory having been but recently organized, the files of this office do not as yet afford sufficient material for detailed information to guide you.

Your commissions were forwarded to you on the 12th August last, and I have now to inform you that your compensation will be at the rate of eight dollars per day for every day you may be necessarily engaged in the performance of the duty assigned you; and you will also be allowed ten cents per mile for every mile you may be required to travel while occupied in making treaties and in travelling to and from the place or places where you may be called.

It is impossible for this office to tell how many interpreters or other assistants you may require. This must be left to yourselves, both as to numbers and amount of compensation to be paid, but with the sugges tion that as much economy as is consistent with a proper and efficient discharge of your duties be used. The necessary travelling expenses of your employés will be paid.

As before remarked, the information in the possession of this office is so limited that nearly everything must be left to your discretion beyond what is here communicated, and even that may be found by you to be somewhat defective.

The tract of country lying west of the Cascade mountains, extending to the Pacific ocean, reaches from 42° to 49°, and has considerable width. It is inhabited by numerous tribes of Indians, many of them small in numbers, and others comprising two, three, and four hundred warriors; some at the extreme south, and others at the extreme north. There are some ten or twelve of them. Our knowledge on that subject is not very. accurate. It rests mainly upon the observation of those who have resided there temporarily-some of them for two or three years. The locality of these is not well known. Some of them live by fishing; others by hunting, in part; others in part from the supplies heretofore received from the Hudson's Bay Company in the course of their trade. Most of them are doubtless of a peaceable disposition, acquired by long habit of intercourse with American and British traders; others of them are more wild and fierce in their temper and disposition, and will require great discretion and prudence in their management. It is understood that one or other of these tribes, great or small, east of the Cascade mountains, set up claims to every portion of the territory. The rights of the several tribes you will, of course, inquire into.

The inhabitants complain that they have been there for several years and have been obliged to make settlements, improvements, &c., &c., and not one of them can claim a perfect title to any portion of the soil they occupy. It is indispensable that this question be settled in some form or other. The object of the government is to extinguish the title of the Indians to all the lands lying west of the Cascade mountains, and, if possible, to provide for the removal of the whole from the west to the east of the mountains; but should you fail in inducing the whole to remove, you will then induce as many as you can procure acquisitions of territory from; but no effort should be untried to procure the removal of the whole, thereby leaving the country free for settlement by the whites. It will probably be best for you to treat first with the Indians in the white settlements, particularly in the Willamette valley, and to treat separately with each tribe; but of this you will be best able to judge. As to the quantity of land to be acquired, and the price per acre to be paid for it, it is impossible for this office to form even a conjecture; the quantity must, of course, depend on the number of treaties made-upon estimates of the rights of the Indians to the soil ceded by them. As to the price to be paid, that will depend on the locality of the land with reference to its value to the United States, if it be possible to make such distinctions; but if not, you will be governed by your own discretion. It is presumed the lands to be ceded will not be found to be of any very great value, and in many cases it is presumed the consideration will be merely nominal; but in others, where the land is of more value, of course a greater

sam will be allowed. The maximum price given for Indian lands has been ten cents per acre, but this has been for small quantities of great value from their contiguity to the States; and it is merely mentioned to show that some important consideration has always been involved when so large a price has been given. It is not for a moment supposed that any such consideration can be involved in any purchases to be made by you, and it is supposed a very small portion of that price will be required. In estimating the value of the lands ceded, you will fix on a gross amount, in money, to be paid for it, on which an annuity of a sum not exceeding five per cent. will be paid; and it is extremely desirable that the whole annuity be absorbed, by treaty stipulation, in objects beneficial to the Indians, and that no part of it shall he paid to them in money. The objects provided for should be agricultural assistance, employment of blacksmiths and mechanics, farmers to teach them how cultivate the land, physicians, and, above all, ample provision for purposes of education. After providing for these objects, if any portion of the money remains, it should be stipulated that it be paid in goods, to be delivered to them annually in their own country.

In effecting the removal of the Indians from the west, it will be necessary to provide a new home for them among their brethren on the east of the mountains. This, of course, must be done, and it is to be hoped it it may be effected peaceably, and at little cost to the United States. Whether it will be necessary for you to enter into treaty negotiations with these eastern Indians for this object, you will be best able to judge when the whole subject is brought before you.

Το carry out the objects of the commission, the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) can be applied; of this an ount, five thousand dollars $5,000) will be invested in goods, suitable for presents to the Indians, which will be sent around Cape Horn, and the balance, fifteen thousand douars, ($15,000,) will be placed in the hands of the first-named of your board, Governor Gaines, with which he will be charged, and for which he will account by regular accounts and vouchers; and as the treasury his funds at San Francisco, drafts on that place will be enclosed to him. Governor Gaines will also be charged with the sum expended in goods, fr which he will account upon the certificates of the board that they have been used in carrying out the objects intended.

It was omitted to be mentioned in the proper place that you are authorized to employ a secretary, whose compensation will be at the rate of five dlars ($5) a day, and ten cents per mile for his necessary travelling expenses. It is not, however, supposed that the whole time of a secretary be required; and you will therefore restrict his employment only to sch times and upon such occasions as you may find necessary. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. S. LOUGHERY, Acting Commissioner. His Excellency J. P. GAINES, and Messrs. ALONZO H SKINNER and BEVERLY S. ALLEN, Commissioners.