Boston Charley's Embassies - (6-8 March 1873) - History - http://maxpages.com/modocwar/Boston_Embassy

SIR: Since our last report by letter, Judge Steele and Interpreter Riddle have returned from the Modoc camp with the reply of the Modocs to the effect that they would not accept the proposition repeated in several telegrams, but that they would meet Commissioners Applegate and Meacham only with six men unarmed; they to be in full force; the meeting to transpire in the lava-beds. It was then and still is the opinion of the commission, General Canby concurring, that treachery was intended.

It is believed that the change in tone of the Modocs was owing in part or wholly to the interference of certain white men; on especially, named Charles Blair, a man of disreputable character, and violently opposed to peace commission. Said Blair is a resident of Linkville, Oreg. It is capable of proof by Indian testimony that he visited the Modocs who came from the Modoc Camp, and endeavored to make them believe that the object of the peace commission was to get possession of the Indians indicted for murder by Jackson County grand jury, and have them hanged. Whether this produced the effect stated in telegram of 5th instant or not, it is quite certain a great change had come over the Modoc camp when Judge Steele returned with the proposition mentioned above about meeting Applegate and meeting. This proposition was rejected for reasons mentioned in telegram, "treachery," and messenger sent back with message that if Modocs desired peace they must come to us. Modoc chief replied by sending in his sister Mary with proposal to surrender . . .

John Schonchin (6 March 1873)

[Message to the Commissioners]

I have heard the talk sent and don't want to fight. I have but few men left and I don't want them shot. I did not think the Peace Commissioners would get mad so quick at the talk sent back to them. Do they want to come here and kill us when we are asleep, as the men did at Lost river? I and my people have made up our minds to say yes to go to this new country. We say yes to the proposition of Mr. Steele. We understand everything now. We want to stay here a little and go and see our friends at Yainox, and then we are ready to go to that country forever. When I do that I don't expect to ever look on my country again. We all say yes--even the women and children say yes; all are willing to go. Captain Jack says he sits here and cries for his people, but he is willing to go to that country. My men have laid down their guns forever, and will pick them up no more. We have buried the past and wiped out all the trouble. I don't want the Peace Commission to get mad, as I did the other day. Now, I have made up my mind to go to that country and say yes to Mr. Steele's words. I don't want any more mistakes. I want Riddle, Fairchild and one other man to come out here and see me to-morrow.

Captain Jack (6 March 1873)

[Message to the Commissioners]

I want Fairchild, Riddle and one other man to come here to-morrow and talk with me. I have said, yes, forever, to Steele's propositions. I want to go to Yainox and see my people there, before I go to this new country, that my heart may not be sad when I leave my country forever. I am willing to go to that new country, to return no more, for I have thrown away my country and will never see it again. Then I want to see them in the town for the last time, and those who want to go with me shall go. You have my heart now and I want you to do right by me. I had a bad heart the last night Steele was here. I thought that I had to go away at once, and my people, some of them were sick and could not go. I suppose Meacham is sick and can't come. I am a little sick now, but will soon be well. I dare not come, for I am afraid of the soldiers, there are so many of them. I had been told that I must give up my young men and have them hang and not cry, but I should cry if my men were hung. I never asked you to give up to us the men who shot my people when they were asleep. I don't think my men were so much to blame about it and I can't give them up--my heart, because I thought I had to go so quick. I want to stay here a little while until my sick get well. I have but a few men. I don't want any hung. I had a bad heart the other day and could not talk right. If my people had been well, I would have gone at once to that new country when first told of it. I want to have the soldiers go home, that my people may not be afraid. I want to go and see my people, and then i am ready to go. I want to know where we can stay while some of my men go and look out the new country for us. I would like to stay with Fairchild, and he can see us all the time. I could not come out to see you, for I had no horses. The Klamath Lakes stole my riding horse, and I am ashamed to ride a poor one. We want some food and clothing, and we want to be protected. This is as though I saw and talked to you. Let Fairchild come and bring your message to me, as Mary has taken mine to you. She brought back good words to me and my heart is glad. I have told the truth and have said yes forever. It is the first time I have said yes, but I say it forever.

The Commission (7 March 1873)

[Reply to the Modocs]

The Commission accepts the surrender of the Modocs to General Canby in compliance with the terms proposed by Mr. Steele, and will leave the arrangements of all the details with General Canby. The Commission as part of the Board will remain at Fairchild's ranch until otherwise ordered by the Indian Department.

E. R. S. Canby (7 March 1873)

We were not mad, but sorry. Our hearts were sad that you had opened your hearts to your enemies and closed them to your friends. They are light now to think you have listened to the advice of your friends. I want Captain Jack and all who can to come here to-morrow. I will have tents, food, and clothing ready for them. It is not safe for Captain Jack to go to Yainax, for bad men will kill him. I will send to Yainax for his friends and have them come here. All his people there can come if they want to, and all who want to go to this new country with him may go. I recognize Captain Jack as the chief of the Mmodocs, and want him to come here that I may treat with him and arrange all the particulars. If any of his people in the lava bed are sick and can't come, I will send a wagon for them. I cannot send the soldiers away, they are here to preserve peace and protect him from bad men. They are his best friends and will not hurt him. I want them now, if they mean peace, to come out with clean hands to-morrow and none shall be hurt. Captain Jack and some of his men can go and see the great chief and look out the country he will give them. I promise this for myself, for our Commissioners, for the soldiers and for your friends Judge Rosborough and Squire Steele.

A. B. Meacham (7 March 1873)

[Report to Washington]

The Modocs have reconsidered, and, by their message, have accepted terms offered by the commission on 3d instant, to surrender to General Canby as prisoners of war, to be fed, protected, and clothed, and removed to a distant country. They ask that a delegation be allowed, in connection with Government officials, to look out new homes; meanwhile, the remainder subject to General Canby. Commission send message of acceptance of terms of surrender, and propose General Canby to complete the details. Commissioner Case excused. Captain Jack's sister came as messenger from him yesterday, and returned to-day, with the understanding that the Modocs would come in to-morrow. We will have a permanent peace if no treachery intervenes. If all right, shall commission confirm terms above?

A. B. Meacham (8 March 1873)

[Difficulties with the Peace Commission]

We returned Mary with the reply that we would accept their surrender, and that General Canby would arrange details. General Canby then informed Mary that Captain Jack and as many of his people as were able to come would be expected this evening. The motive to transfer to General Canby the management of details was made by Hon. Commissioner Roseborough, and supported by Commissioners Applegate and Case. The majority of the commission are of the opinion that the duties of the commission cease after the surrender of Jack. It is the opinion of the chairman of the commission that we will have to continue in session until our labors are confirmed by Commissioner of Indian Affairs and Secretary of the Interior. The commission find much embarrassment in trying to ascertain the causes of the war, for want of commissioned authority of take testimony and send for persons and papers. We will, howevever, ask instructions by telegraph on this subject. We are hopeful of permanent peace; Monday being appointed by Jack to meet our wagons, and surrender themselves.

H. W. Atwell (8 March 1873)

[Boston Charley's Second Visit]

The messengers I mentioned in my last as having been sent to the lava-beds to summon Captain Jack to an immediate surrender returned to-day. They bring with them as an excuse from Captain Jack for not coming, that Frank, the wounded warrior, is dying, and the Indians intend to bury him before leaving.

TRANSPORTATION FOR THE MODOCS.

The Indians also sent word that they want three wagons to meet them at the Points of Rocks on Monday, the 10th instant, where the Indians agree to be at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. They agree to cross the hills to this point, which is twelve miles distant from here.

THE INDIANS FEAR TREACHERY.

The Modocs express great fears that the soldiers will not want peace when they (the Modocs) get here. They seem to be very apprehensive of treachery upon the part of some one, and this seems to be the cause of their delay. Boston and Limpy came into our camp, but Mary was too sick to return.

THE WAR AT AN END.

Captain Jack says he wants peace, and is ready to go as soon as he can get his people. He seems to mean fairly and to have no purpose of renewing hostilities. He and Bogus Charley were out hunting to-day, which is good proof that they regard everything as settled. From all appearances it seems safe to predict that the Modoc war is certainly over, and that the rebellious Indians have completely resolved to submit to the Government.

Editorial -- Jacksonville Oregon Sentinel (8 March 1873)

The Terms of Peace

We learn that the following terms were sent in by the Piece Commissioners through Steele, the Modoc Chief, to the balance of the tribe, on the 2d instant.

1. Captain Jack, Scar-faced Charles, Hawk-eye Jim, and the other murderers, are to wash the blood off their hands and march out of the Lava Beds with their side arms, one needle-gun each, forty pounds of ammunition, their valuable collection of white scalps, and all the honors of war.

2. The murderers of Oregon's citizens to receive one bale each of heavy red blankets and one hundred dollars in coin for every white scalp in their possession.

3. The common Indians to receive for their services a fine pair of blankets and a handsome annuity, to be paid through their attorney in Yreka.

4. The Modocs, in view of their peaceful proclivities and angelic natures, are to be furnished comfortable quarters on Angel Island, and a Pullman palace car is to be placed at the disposal of the Chiefs, should they desire to visit Washington and tell the President what they know about scalping.

5. The widows and orphans of Oregon's slaughtered citizens are to "root, hog, or die."

6. If any unfortunate Oregonian gets before a Modoc's needle gun he is to be shot without benefit of clergy, and if he survives he is to be tried by Court Martial immediately and shot anyhow.

7. The Modocs are to abstain from killing any more "white trash" for the space of one week.

8. The high contracting parties are to light the pipe of peace with Governor Grover's letter and smoke it.

We are pained to say that the forgoing somewhat liberal terms were refused by the peaceful Modocs without even a discussion of their merits. They demand--as they hold all the trump cards--

1. High, Lo, Jack and the Game.

2. The removal of the Applegates to Devil's Island for the present, until suitable provision can be made for their transportation to a Reservation in Alaska or some other equally cold climate, and the appointment of 15 or 20 of Jack's band as Indian Agents on said Reservation.

3. The unconditional surrender of Commissioners Meacham and Applegate as subjects for Modoc surgery.

As the Modocs have the big end of the Commission, and there is not much left to surrender, the last clause seems very reasonable. The public await the end of the bloody comedy.

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