The Peace Commission - (late January 1873) - History - http://maxpages.com/modocwar/Peace

I arise to explain that since coming to this city I have been meddling somewhat with public affairs. You know the Indian question is one which I think I have a right to express an opinion upon. I ought to know something of Indians and Indian affairs, and believing that a wrong policy in regard to the Modocs might involve the country in a tedious and expensive Indian war, without a sufficient degree of good being accomplished by it to justify the losses, delays and expenses incurred, I could not avoid undertaking such action as I believed might the most quickly hasten a settlement of the trouble.

The fame abroad of Indian wars and dangers in our State is very injurious to the cause of immigration. A great many good people are confirmed in an opinion, which has been very considerably entertained hertofore, namely, that Oregon is yet an Indian country, and that the settlements are at all times in imminent danger of the tomahawk and scalping-knife.

My policy with Indians may be denominated the "pow-wow" policy. A matter has not only to be thoroughly explained to an Indian, but it must be explained over and over. And the fact is that thirty years of observation convince me that Indians can be talked into any opinion or out of it by the men in whom they have confidence, and who understand the proper style of Indian talk. Consequently, I was in favor of sending some man as a Peace Commissioner to the Modoc country to pow-wow with these Indians and settle the difficulty. "Jaw-bone" is cheaper than ammunition; and the fact is it all comes round to this at last, and always has. Might just as well do this at first, it seems to me, as to go through all the ups and downs, and expense of blood and treasure and long-delayed peace, with the bad effects abroad on the State, and then come to it.

I was, therefore, in favor of sending Mr. Meacham to that country immediately as a peace officer, to turn the whole thing into a "big talk," instead of letting it go on and getting into a big war.

This policy was agreed upon by as many of the Oregonians as could be got together. Styling ourselves an "Oregon delegation," we called upon Attorney General Williams and submitted the matter to him. We promptly received a note from the Attorney General stating that Secretary Delano would be glad to see us in regard to this matter, and on Saturday, the 25th, we called upon him. We found him a pleasant gentleman, with a very serious business expression about his face. He heard our statements and opinions wiht great patience, and requested a statement in writing of our views, for the purpose of bringing the matter before the Cabinet and President. The following is the said document which was signed by the aforesaid Oregon delegation:

Washington D.C., Jan. 27, 1873.
Hon. C. DELANO, Secretary Interior--

Dear Sir: We would most respectfully submit the following notes or memoranda in compliance with your request, on the 25th, that we should embody in writing the views which we had just expressed on the situation of affairs in the Klamath and Modoc country in Southern Oregon:

The Indians and military are incompatible. They cannot peaceably dwell in contact. Soldiers should not be allowed to go on an Indian Reservation at all. An agent in charge of an Indian Reservation should have the right to determine who should be about the Reservation.

The Modocs and the Klamaths have been at war as far back as tradition knows. The Klamaths persecute the Modocs when the Modocs are on the Klamath Reservation, because this Reservation is in the country of the Klamaths. This is a most irritating cause of discontent with the Modocs. The near vicinity of the Modocs to the ancient home of their fathers adds to their discontent. Moreover the Modocs do not understand that they have justly parted ownership with their old home. The Modocs are desperate. Their disposition now is to sell their lives as dearly as possible; not to submit to the military. Active military operations should be suspended immediately. Soldiers should remain in guard only (the Regulars) of the settlements against a raid by those Indians until a peace officer reports on the situation.

Because to undertake to drive those Indians to the Reservation by force would involve a considerable loss of life and property, and great expense to the Government.

Because war and bloodshed in such close proximity to Klamath and Yianax would produce disaffection among all those Indians, which would continually augment the force of the insurgents and even endanger a general uprising and breaking up of those Reservations; and discontented Indians from everywhere would seek the hostile camp and make out of a little misunderstanding a great war.

Because to force Indians on to a Reservation by arms and keep them there against their will would require a standing army or a walled-up Reservation.

Because those Indians already know that the Government is able to annihilate them. There is nothing, therefore, to be gained in merely making them feel its power. Their extermination would not be worth its cost. And, moreover, they look to the Government to protect them against local mistake and wrong.

Because they cannot, under the present juncture of affairs, be taught by force the justice of the Government; for, to them, it is an attempt by force to enforce an injustice--to force them to abandon their own home and leave it unoccupied, while they are quartered upon the Klamaths to use the wood, water, grass and fish of their ancient enemies, and endure the humiliation of being regarded as inferior because dependants, and particularly so since those Indians had been quieted for some time with the assurance that their request for a little Reservation of their own would be favorably considered. They therefore considered the appeal to the military to be premature, as a definite answer to their petition had never been had. Different tribes of Indians can be better harmonized together where none can claim original proprietorship to the soil.

The Klamaths, Yianax and Modocs all ought to be removed to the Coast Reservation, a portion of which, lying between the Siletz and Tillamook, west of the Grande Ronde, capable of sustaining a large population, remains unoccupied, abounding in fish, game and all the products of the soil to which Indians are accustomed.

A peace Commissioner should hasten to the scene of trouble as coming from the "Great Father" of all the people, both whites and Indians, with full authority to hear and adjust all the difficulties.

On account of his personal acquaintance with those Indians and their implicit confidence in him we would respectfully suggest, and recommend Hon. A. B. Meacham as a proper man to appoint as a Peace Commissioner for the adjustment of difficulties with those tribes and the carrying out of the policy herein indicated.--[SIGNED AS ABOVE STATED.]

This matter is still under advisement. We have been informed, however, that we will be notified in a couple of days the conclusion upon our proposition.

I find the departments here like an extensive complicated mass of intricate machinery--wheels inside of wheels--and very difficult to comprehend. In fact, it takes years for a man to learn the order of business here; and, to send a Congressman here for only two years and expect everything from him from the beginning appears to me to be perfecty preposterous. Hon. D. P. Thompson appears to me to be better acquainted with the processes of official business here than any other Oregonian. I do not say this in disparagement of other gentlemen--but, truly, Thompson appears to have surveyed the whole field.

Washington Dispatch (5 February 1873)

[The Oregon Delegation]

In brief, then, the change has been brought about by ex-Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Meacham, General E. A. Applegate, S. A. Clarke, D. P. Thompson, M. B. Perry, H. R. Kincaid, Daniel Chaplin and a few other gentlemen, all residents of Oregon, now in this city, who, in the course of a long interview with the Secretary of the Interior, on his invitation offered, substantially, the following suggestions for the settlement of the Modoc Indian difficulties [and Elisha Applegate's letter is summarized].

Samuel A. Clarke

[The Choice of Meacham]

E. L. Applegate, of our State, is the author of the peace policy in this instance. He had some knowledge of Indian character; had been among these very Indians; thought they had some cause for discontent in the fact that the Klamaths ill-treated them, and made their residence on the same reservation uncomfortable. This was putting the best view upon the matter for the Indians, and after talking the business over with the Secretary of the Interior it was finally arranged that a Peace Commission should go out to try to sustain the administration idea that Indians could be influenced by good treatment and would appreciate the fact that while the Government is powerful enough to enforce peace, and if necessary to exterminate the Indians, it was anxious to maintaiinn peace and treat the Indians more than kindly. A number of Oregonians, who were in Washington, indorsed these views, and united in recommending A. B. Meacham, Presidential Elector and late Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon, as head of the Commission. I will say here that Meacham took no part in the matter, and even accepted the appointment with some reluctance, and only when the other members of the Commission were appointed to suit his preferences.

Captain Jack and Meacham.

I was in Washington at the time, and know all the circumstances. We urged Meacham's appointment because we supposed he had been, when Superintendent of Indian Affairs, so much a friend of these Indians, that they would have confidence in his friendship and place faith in his promises, but it seems that we were mistaken in that belief, for I am told by an officer of the Klamath reservation that it is well understood there that Captain Jack has the bitterest feeling toward Meacham. It seems that he once, several years ago, went upon the reservation in the Winter, on the representations of Meacham that he had force sufficiently at hand to compel his obedience. When he found that Meacham had only six men to back him up and that his band of seventy-five warriors had yielded to that handful, he felt disgraced, and the thing has been a rankling sore in his heart ever since, causing him to repeatedly declare that he would never be satisfied until he had a fight with the soldiers. It seems then that the appointment of Meacham was an unfortunate one on that account.

Secretary Delano.

I know what the feeling of Secretary Delano was, for I was present in his office one day when the matter was talked over. He was anxious to establish the peace policy and had faith in its success. He was anxious to save life, for it was evident that the lava beds could not be stormed and carried without great loss to the attacking force. He was also anxious to save the immense expense that attends desultory Indian warfare. It was, of course, hoped that the success in maintaining peace by this means would result in general good to other Indian tribes by giving them an abiding confidence in the good intentions of the Government. It is very easy for the people to denounce the Secretary for his course in this matter, and it is a common thing to hear men here condemn him for everything that is vile; but in fact he has been governed by the highest and purest motives, and if the Indian Department had always had as high ideas of right as he entertains it is very possible that the Indians would have been much better off and have made much less trouble. A penny-wise policy has prevailed, close treaties have been made and have been carried out in a niggardly way after waiting years for the Senate to confirm them, and swindling agents have often pillaged what they should have actually disbursed.

B. F. Dowell (6 February 1873)

[The Commission]

The President and Cabinet some days ago decided to settle the trouble with the Modocs, and A. B. Meacham, T. B. Odeneal, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Rev. J. H. Wilbur were appointed as a Peace Commission. Mr. Meacham did not like to engage in the negotiations with the gentlemen proposed as associates, and yesterday Jesse Applegate and Samuel Case were substituted for those first named, with Mr. Meacham at the head of the Commission. He leaves this evening for Oregon.

Editorial--Salem Statesman (13 February 1873)

The Advice of Several Oregon Gentlemen

The Washington Chronicle of Jan. 28th. contains an article which explains, to some extent, the origin of the Modoc Peace Commission. It seems that several Oregon gentlemen, among whom is Mr. Applegate, Immigrant Commissioner, now in Washington, advised the appointment, assuming that they knew all about the Modoc Indians, their grievances and animus in the present war. These gentlemen assert that the Modocs left the Reservation because they were annoyed by the Klamath Indians, which may be partly true; but it is certainly not wholly so. One of the gentlemen composing the Commission knows that a different reason exists, and we hope for his own sake, in view of the records, that he will not attempt to exculpate the Modocs from criminal blame. The gentlemen who advised the Commission, also advised that the request of the Modocs for a separate Reservation be granted. They further advised "the appointment of a commissioner--a gentleman who enjoys the confidence of Captain Jack and his tribe--to treat with the tribe, and a cessation of hostilities which are so profitless and expensive." Who this gentleman may be who "enjoys the confidence of Capt. Jack," we are curious to know. We are further curious to know what ideas of policy those "gentlemen" have when they advise a "cessation of hostilities which are so profitless and expensive," with a band of Indians who have been always troublesome, and who are now outlawed murderers, armed, entrenched, victorious and defiant. In effect, those gentlemen have advised that the Government go humbly suppliant to a victorious squad of Indians with a white flag and beg for grace, simply because it seems to them a pity to punish Indian murderers, and because it will cost something to do it. It was that sort of advice, under all the circumstances which was disgraceful to those who gave it, not creditable to those who heeded it, and which will demoralize the entire Indian service of the Pacific Coast. It was advice most inopportunely given and most unfortunately taken.

Robert Bogart (7 February 1873)

[A View from the Front]

Mr. Fox, correspondent of the New York Herald, arrived here to-day, with news of the appointment of a Peace Commission to visit the Modocs. Mr. Fox states that a stage has been ordered to be in readiness at Yreka to bring the Commission to the front, and that they will arrive here in a day or two.

General Gillem has heard nothing official with reference to the matter, and will therefore continue his preparations for another attack with unabated vigor. The General goes to Lost river to-day to relieve General Wheaton and to assume command of all the forces in the field. He will return to this point in a day or two, and after that all operations will be conducted from this direction.

The Oregon roads are all blocked up with snow. The troops from Vancouver and from Camp Gaston are still buried in the snow somewhere. We have not heard a word from them in a week.

There are no further indications on Jack's part of a desire to talk. The Indians here--Old Sheep-eyes' family--are delighted that a Peace Commission is coming. They say "Jack make a heap big peace with 'Squire Steele; he want big wah-wah" (big talk).

The General has established a line of couriers to Yreka, and communication is now quite easy. . . .

But whoever is appointed, there is not the slightest doubt here of the final success of the mission. Captain Jack and many of his followers are anxious for peace. Every act and word of theirs for ten days past proclaims this fact. They are not fools and know that it is useless to resist. They see the preparations going on for a renewal of the attack, and they know that when it comes the Indian must go under. That they should desire to avert so great a calamity is not an evidence of cowardice but rather of their good sense. It is the opinion of all here, though, that if peace is mae it must be on condition that the entire Modoc tribe leave this vicinity. They can never again live in peace here. The enmity of the Oregon settlers whose friends and relatives they have murdered will prevent in future anything like a return to their former mode of life on Lost river. It is true that the outbreak was forced upon the Indians by the very people who now thirst for every drop of blood in Captain Jack's body, but that makes no difference. The murders were committed, and their perpetrators, according to the laws, should be punished, and the Oregon settlers will not rest until these crimes are avenged. The only terms of peace, therefore, that will be acceptable to the whites, either in Oregon, or in this State, are those which provide for Captain Jack's removal to a distant point. He swears he will not go to the Klamath Reservation, for there he was starved, and was obliged to kill seven of his horses to keep himself and people through the Winter. Indeed it is not desirable to send him there, for he would only get away, and now that his blood is up give

MORE TROUBLE THAN EVER.

The only thing to do, therefore, is to send him and his tribe to a reservation either at Vancouver or at some point east of the Rocky mountains. But the question then arises, will Jack consent to go? In his settlement with the Peace Commissioners he may have something to say as well as the whites, for after all, as everybody knows, the Indian has a good deal of cause for his present attitude. For instance, when the question of redress for the murders is brought up, Jack can say with truth that he himself had two children murdered in cold blood in the first fight on Lost river and may with some degree of propriety ask that the perpetrators of this crime be given up to Indian justice. He may ask it with greater propriety from the fact that his children were killed before a single white man was molested, and he may hold this up as a justification of the crimes committed by his men. He may make his claim for justice still stronger by asserting a fact which no one now, however bitter, thinks of denying, i.e., that he personally knew nothing of the Tule lake murders, but that they were committed by a detachment of Indians over which, for the time being, he had no control. All these claims now are repudiated by the Oregonians, because Jack is an Indian and no Indian can ever hope for justice. But Jack may claim it, nevertheless, and there is one stumbling block in the way of the Peace Commission. Again, he has asserted, over and over again, that he would never leave his lands at the mouth of Lost river, and would die before he would give them up. All these things will make it difficult to treat with him, though it is to be hoped a successful "talk" may be had.

GENERAL GILLEM IN FAVOR OF PEACE.

General Gillem is desirous of settling the matter without further bloodshed, if it is possible to do so. He believes, with every other intelligent person who knows anything of this matter, that the Modocs have been shamefully dealt with by the Government agents, and that the latter, with a few interested Oregonians, are solely responsible for the war. He has talked with dozens of men here who have known the Indians for years, and, as they all tell the same story of wrong and oppression at the hands of the rapacious harpies who are conducting the reservations, he cannot help having that conviction forced upon him. He is unquestionably in favor of peace, believing that to be the most expeditious was of settling the matter. He says, with a good deal of truth, that, while he will certainly drive Captain Jack from his lava bed, that does not settle the matter. He cannot hope to kill or capture all of the warriors; some of them will surely get away and take to the hills, where, as Spring is coming, they can stay unmolested. From that position half a dozen of them can make raids upon the settlers for miles around and do more damage in an week than can be repaired in months. They cannot then be captured without a tremendous expense and a great deal of trouble. The General has heard nothing official as yet about the appointment of a Peace Commission, but he hopes it will come speedily, before he is called upon to sacrifice more valuable lives in the lava beds.

Editorial -- Portland Bulletin (15 February 1873)

"Treating" With the Modocs

In the appointment of a Commission to "treat" with the Modocs, Government shows a misapprehension of the whole case against these savages. Writers of Indian romance, like Cooper, Longfellow and the rest, have done their country a great injury. They have succeeded in getting the Government noddle filled with their sentimental notions, and the average mind of the Eastern States sees only beatitudes in the Indian character. In all cases it jumps at once to the conclusion that the Indian is in the right and the white man in the wrong. This notion has led to the appointment of a Commission to treat with Jack's band,--Government assuring by this act that the Indians have been wronged, and that it must apologize to them and make reparation.

What can this Commission do? When they come to treat with Jack they will find him and his band utterly refusing to surrender; for it is not likely that they will willingly surrender and go to the gallows for the murders they have committed; and the Commissioners cannot make peace with them on any terms which would screen them from punishment. There is no probability whatever that the Commissioners would desire or consent to do this. Even if they should, public sentiment would not tolerate it. These Indians are marauders and murderers. Any negotiations which would save them from the punishment they deserve would overwhelm the authors of such a peace with a storm of indignation. The Indians will hardly surrender and go to the gallows. The Commissioners cannot receive their surrender except on the stipulation that they shall be turned over to the law to be dealt with for their crimes.

For these reasons we regard the whole scheme as one of a futile, if not of a farcical, character. But there are some men of good judgement on the Commission, and their sound discretion will tell them what is best to do.

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