[E. D. Knight, Col. Lander's Overland Expedition, Alta California, September 16, 1860]

 

COL. LANDER'S OVERLAND EXPEDITION.

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IN CAMP, MARYSVILLE, Sept. 10th, 1860.

Return of the Expeditionists.

            My Dear Alta : — Our party, with men and animals, arrived safe and sound at this place on the 9th and will remain until the stock is disposed of, and the Company disbanded. Many of the animals have already been disposed of at advance prices ; rather an unusual thing after the wear and tear of so long and trying a trip, but the secret is owing to the fact of the excellent care bestowed upon them, by our Conductor, Mr. Wrenshal.

            While at Honey Lake I wrote to you, giving the details, in fact, of our interview with the great War Chief of the Pah-Ute tribe, Winnemucca.

Cessation of Hostilities.

            Before we left the Valley, a meeting of the citizens was held on the 29th of August, at the Union Hotel in the town of Richmond, for the purpose of an expression of opinion with reference to a cessation of Indian hostilities, and the propriety of the armistice as agreed upon with the Pah-utes. The meeting was largely attended by the principal farmers and citizens of the Valley. Mr. John H. Neale was appointed Chairman, and Mr. A. D. McDonald Secretary. The Chairman read a letter from Colonel Lander, acknowledging the receipt of a polite invitation to be present at the meeting, but declining the same, inasmuch as the object of the meeting, as he was informed, being for the discussion of the propriety or impropriety of his acts in regard to the armistice, etc., his presence might tend to prevent that free and full expression of their sentiments, which it was desirable should be given, etc.

The Armistice.

            The meeting was then addressed by Mr. J. H. Lewis, who stated that having heard that two Indians, who entered the valley peaceably upon the strength of the armistice, had been threatened with violence by some of the settlers, who swore they would kill them outright, he had signed the call for the meeting, in order to ascertain the real sentiments of his fellow-settlers, whether they were disposed to jeopardize the whole overland emigration, and nullify, by individual acts of vengeance on the Indians, all that Col. Lander had accomplished by his interview with Winnemucca.

            Messrs. J. S. Ward, Frank Drake, John Bird, Dr. Spaulding, Col. Lewis and J. H. Neale being appointed a Committee on Resolutions, presented the following, which were read and adopted :

            "WHEREAS, It has been the misfortune of the people of Nevada Territory to be harassed by the depredations of the Pah-Ute and other tribes of Indians on our frontier for the last three years, supposed to be instigated by the Mormons at Salt Lake, and for the last six months to labor under the events of a disastrous Indian war, during which the lives of estimable citizens have been taken, property driven away and destroyed, dwelling houses burned, and the social and business relations of the community in a measure suspended, our settlements[1] depopulated, and a serious blow given to their prosperity ; therefore,

            Resolved, That we are particularly grateful that the justice of our claim to some share of the protection which the Government has at last granted us, by the placing of a small military company in this valley, and that we especially object and protest against the removal of said company until the terms of a lasting peace have been concluded and ratified by the General Government.

            Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, the presence of this company is indispensably necessary for the preservation of good order, both of citizens and Indians, during the armistice recently concluded with the war chief Winnemucca by F. W. Lander, Superintendent of the United States Overland Wagon Road Expedition, and undoubtedly to be ratified by Major Dodge, Indian Agent to this tribe.

            Resolved, That the energy, and efficiency of Colonel F. W. Lander, in his action for the protection of our settlers during the trying circumstances of this Indian war ; the ability with which he has conducted the work in his charge to a conclusion, while the war was going on ; his services to the overland emigration ; the decision of character he has manifested in taking the responsibility of obtaining an interview with the war chief Winnemucca, and the manner in which he has brought hostilities to a close, merit our admiration, gratitude and respect.

            Resolved, That we heartily concur in the terms of this armistice, and pledge ourselves to maintain it under the terms agreed upon by Colonel Lander with Winnemucca ; and that all persons present at this meeting constitute ourselves as a Committee,[2] to apprise and restrain all persons unknowing[3] of this armistice, or disposed to defeat the terms of it, and reopen the war by any acts of aggression against the Indians, until the action of the General Government can be had in the premises.

            Resolved, That Messrs. Drake, Thompson and Conkey be appointed a Committee to receive the accounts of those persons who, by loss of property or by call of the citizens, have incurred expenses or rendered service to the community during this war, and who feel justified in applying to the General Government for redress or remuneration.

            Resolved, That a certified copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Territorial Enterprise, Plumas Argus and Standard, with request that the same may be published, and our fellow-citizens of the southern portion of this Territory be requested to hold public meetings, to indorse or oppose, as they may see proper, the action of this meeting."

            Great unanimity prevailed, though it was evidently a bitter thing for some of those present to agree to forget their own wrongs or forego their thirst for revenge, in order to protect the overland emigration who would be, for the most part, hopelessly exposed, if the armistice was not observed in good faith. I was present at the meeting, and could readily understand the straggle which was going with their feelings ; but with one accord they agreed that the Colonel had done wisely and well in his arrangement with Winnemucca. And while they still felt in their hearts an implacable hatred to the Indians, they were willing to smother the sense of their own wrongs, in order that the emigrants might pass in safety through the country.

Reflections, &c.

            What Major Dodge has done, or may do, on receipt of Col. Lander's letter, I cannot say, but it is certain that he has had no interview with Winnemucca, who is alone the chief who is competent to treat with the whites and control his own people. It would have been more in accordance with the wishes and feelings of the citizens, and I believe that the Colonel also would have felt better satisfied, if the war had been prosecuted with vigor and efficiency, even to the extermination of the tribe, or until they should have sued for peace ; but as there appeared to be no disposition so to conduct the war on the part of the General Government, the Colonel felt it his duty, in view of the unprotected state of the emigration, to make some prevision for their safety ; the armistice will enable the settlers to perfect their farming operations for the season and secure a cessation of hostilities until the General Government can take some definite action in the matter. As our expedition is over and the company will soon be disbanded, I look forward with pleasure to the time when I shall again visit your good city and renew the social enjoyments in that Paris of the Pacific. Good bye. Yours, &c.

KNIGHT.