[Indian Interview — Col. Lander, etc., Alta California editorial, September 9, 1860]

 

Indian Interview — Col. Lander, etc.

            The news received from Col. Lander's Wagon Road Expedition, to the effect that a conference had been held with the War Chief of the Pah-Utes, young Winnemucca, will be received by all who have interests in Western Utah with rejoicing, at it opens the way for a permanent peace with these Indians. Col. Lander, although unauthorized to make a treaty, had given Winnemucca assurances, that should he cease hostilities, and meet Maj. Dodge, his tribe would most likely be paid a reasonable sum of money by the Government for their lands.

            Although Col. Lander has already been censured by a correspondent of one of our city contemporaries, in a letter bearing date Genoa, Carson Valley, Aug. 30th, we do not see how his conduct can be viewed in any other light than that of praise. Although unauthorized to make a treaty with the Indians, he was undoubtedly at liberty to recommend Winnemucca to Maj. Dodge, who has such authority, and to give his opinion that the General Government would award his tribe a suitable compensation for their lands, in the event of their ceasing hostilities with the whites.

            Col. Lander has taken steps which will, in all probability, lead to a cessation of Indian murders on our Eastern borders, and upon the route to Salt Lake city, which it is so essential should be kept open, to accommodate immigrants and the transmission of intelligence.

            As to the policy of paying the Indians for their lands in the form of annuities, etc., there can scarcely be but one opinion. All must be convinced that such is the only means of keeping the Indians quiet, unless we decide to destroy them at once, and even this would cost more than the annuities required, besides, whilst a war is progressing, hundreds of whites are butchered.

            In dealing with the Indians, the United States, for a long series of years, has followed a most liberal policy. It has always taken into consideration that, with the approach of civilization, game has disappeared ; that the Indians have lost, by the proximity of white settlements, their means of sustenance. Hence, it has been usual to grant them annuities. The Government has paid annually specified sums of money, and sent amongst them farmers and mechanics, to instruct them in the cultivation of the soil, and other means, of gaining a subsistence. In truth, the policy of the Government in assisting the Indians, has been most humane and economical. It has been the means of keeping the Indians peaceable, beside the saving of a vast outlay of money. Indeed, even the recent outbreak in Utah Territory has probably already cost the Government a larger sum than would have been required to partially feed the Indians for some years to come, besides the pecuniary loss to persons in and about the Washoe silver region, who were driven from their labors.

            As to the formation of a treaty with the Pah-Utes, the Government will certainly not hesitate to do so, upon the first favorable opportunity ; for these Indians must very soon retire from the mining region situated at the base of the Sierras upon the east. Whatever may be the effect of future discoveries in mines, it is quite certain that the arable land about Washoe, the Sink, and Pyramid Lake, will all be required to furnish supplies for the mining region now being opened. This land cannot be suffered to remain as hunting grounds. It must be improved, hence the Indians will be forced to retire, and this can only be brought about peaceably by a treaty. Our citizens will crowd upon the lands about Washoe as they become valuable, for the cultivation of supplies for the mines, and such aggressions cannot well be hindered. Nor should these lands lie idle, for the Indians have no use for them, further than to draw their supplies therefrom, which can be done by cultivation far better and more economically than in a state of nature ; hence the Government should make a treaty, purchasing them at once, which will avoid all further trouble.

            As to the future disposition of the Pah-Utes, it would probably be best to reserve some fertile tract of land situated somewhat distant from the mines, and establish them thereon, giving them the usual aid of farmers, mechanics, etc., to instruct them, as far as possible, in the arts of civilized life. From the language used by Winnemucca, in his interview with Col. Lander, this would probably be most acceptable to the tribe, besides it would be following the usual policy of the country, one which has proved up to the present time most beneficial to all concerned.