July 23, 2006

Nevada's Online State News Journal

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Nevada History:

Letters From Nevada Indian Agents - 1850

 [Compiled by the publisher of The Nevada Observer in 1980-1981 and transcribed from handwritten originals in the collection of Letters Received by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Utah Superintendency, National Archives microfilm; spelling as in original documents.  Funding for the project was provided by Grace Dangberg, of Minden, Nevada.]

LETTER FROM JOHN WILSON, INDIAN AGENT AT THE SALT LAKE TO THOMAS EWING, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

Hon Thomas Ewing   

Secty. Interior                         

San Francisco

                                                                        29th March 1850

Sir

            Col. Johnson & Capt Butter, Sub-agents here, will of course keep you advised in relation to matters relating to the Indians of this State, & inparticularly near the mines but it is proper for me to add, that there are daily (almost), outrages committed by bands of our worst White men on these poor stuped & unfortunate people, who are not withstanding their boasted conversion to Christianity in a far worse degraded State, than any Indians in america so far as I Know or believe & such are the causes here &  such the rascals  that  congregate  in  this  country, & such their organized forces. & unscrupulous & abominable deeds, that both humanity & justice  calls  loudly  for  an  efficient arrangements by the government to protect the Indians  -- For there is hardly a doubt, that here as  in most instances they are more offended against than offending  -- But  here  is myself in the first  place not  exactly knowing what is my power here in California (& you will please instruct me as to that, that I may know  for what I am responsible)  nor have I any means at my disposal, & such is the fix of both Col. Johnson & Capt Butter, & yet we hear of frequent  gross violations of the laws of humanity & of life, by associations of villians who assemble and openly by public meetings resolf to exterminate, & do so to a considerable  extent; these poor wretches.

            The State organization is not yet complete & she is as yet nearly powerless in regard to these matters.  The Indian lands are not yet extended over California & therefore I see no legal force we as Indian agents could carry out & if we had the power we have not the means, & although Genl. Smith has small military force here as well as every disposition to act as shall become him, still, our present political position is so out of all precedent, that it is a very delecate matter for him to know how soon to lend a hand. least he shall render himself obnoxious to the charge of the military interfering with the Civil powers.  As for instance the other day, even at Genl. Smiths head quarters -- Sonoma a public meeting was called  & there it was resolved to exterminate a certain tribe of Indians, & the resolve was to a large extent carried out in open day.  Nowhere was a Subject of embarrassment  -- if Genl. S.  had interfered  to prevent such a catastrophy why the public voice  there would have been agt. military interference. & therefore I am informed he felt obliged to wait till the deed was done & the State authorities required his assistance & then he gave it & the rascals were  taken at least apart but the mischief was done dozens of the poor wretches romour says  were killed.  I call your attentions to these general matters without having the means of giving you accurate information on the subject for Genl. Smith’s will undoubtedly do so, but to renew to your mind the very great necessity which I have  heretofore pointed out to gether these poor people together & Settle them under proper agents & directors where they would be out of the reach & properly protected from these mauraders, which are daily becoming more numerous. for even to day I have had information which many circumstances  leads me to believe  is true, that a  new gang  of  these villians are arming  for another foray with the Indians & yet the information is  not so direct as to authorise legal steps to be taken under strict law to prevent it yet If I were allowed discretionary power and I had  the means I would  take care to be  in their vicinity to prevent any action of that kind. First I do not know how far I may be held responsible  by the department for any management here, altho’ my agency is for California Indians --  There is  not  the least  collision between Col. Johnson or Capt. Butter & myself, our duties are however not fully defined I should like to know what your department expects of  me as to the Indians on this Side the Sierra Nevada.  I only take the liberty now to add, there is the greatest necessity for action on the part of the govt in relations to what is to be done with the Indians here, a large expenditure will be necessary to do any thing of much use to them & I can see no way but the one I have had the honor to propose to you in my former letters.  To leave these people on the ranches as they are to a great extent now located, will never answer, they must be carried to some out Side valley or settlement & which are easily chosen now, & there be made to act properly & made to support themselves. & This too can be done if honest kind & proper people are put over them, & They placed out of the direct influence of white people.  Were I 20 years younger & so situated as to allow me to engage in such a matter, it seems to me glory enough, as a philanthropic point of view might be gained in trying to do good to these -- our fellow beings from a faithful Superintendence of such a wide field field  [sic] of phylanthropy.  There ought to be one general Superintendant for all these tribes in the whole of California, So as to frame maybe a system that would as I think, have some show towards Civilizing the natives of the Forest.   You can restrain from mischief & proctect the addult Indians from harm without a very great expence if you desire to civilize these natives of the Forest it can only be expected by begining by teaching those just, being & to be; born.   the industrious  handicrafts  of  domestic  life; & gained  by educating the  growing generation  and  especially the  young females, until  these  are  taught  the great  importance  of virtue, the Domestic econemy & at least the  first rudiments of a common  education.  To accomplish such a matter (& it does seem to me it might form one of the highest motives of National ambition, even in our Glorious government) it will require means, time honest  & enlightened men to superintend the effort -- It does seem to me we have all these things in abundance to spare!   & why shall  we not apply  them; and if for no higher motive, let  us attempt it, nay accomplish  it, that the history of the greatest & most  golrious nation that ever existed,  shall credit  us  with the  fact that  of  the millions of the aboriginees  & Lords of American  Soil, found the possessions & owners of the country when  our forefathers landed at  Plymouth  Rock  we  have  preserved,  educated,  & adopted as part  of ourselves  a remnant of  a race,  amongst whom, our history already points  & recals to our memory  the existance & distruction of many a noble Spirit  & unfortunate Savage.  Then let the Country, the people, the congress & the cabinate awake & arrouse to this obligatory & praise worthy Object & make arrangements, coextensive with the requirements of th noblest of enterprises -- So easy of accomplishment.  I have the honor to be your Obt Servt.

John Wilson

Letters from Nevada Indian Agents 1849-1861 (1981): 1849;  1850;  1851;  1852;  1853;  1854;  1855;  1856;  1857;  1858;  1859;  1860;  1861