garrison, and the regulars were kept in garrison. And there stands out the broad fact, that seven hundred Indians in the Walla-Walla valley were met and defeated by volunteers, when the regulars were in garrison. The President's commissioner, a high functionary, deriving his powers from the President of the United States, and not from any department, was left without protection, and the troops raised to protect him Major General Wool thought proper to disband and bring into garrison. That officer acted unquestionably from a sense of duty. His reputation as a gallant soldier, his long and valuable services to the country, cannot be disputed. I do not wish to impugn his motives. I only desire to submit facts for the judgment of superiors at home.

I learn, from good authority, that his plan of operations is to delay till spring, probably until May. It is well known by those who have experience and knowledge of their country, that February and March are the best months for the prosecution of this war. I think it due to the legislative assembly to state the reasons why all voyageurs, and gentleman of experience in these matters, give it as their opinion that now is the proper time for action. There is a vast plain between the Cascade and Bitter Root mountains. The Columbia, Snake, Clear Water, and Spokane rivers are to be crossed. The snow is but a few inches deep, and lasts but a short time-seldom over a fortnight. There is but one continuous period of cold weather, and that period has now passed. The mountain passes are all closed up with snows, which can only be scaled by snow-shoes. For these reasons the Indians cannot escape, should vigorous operations be made. On these plains our forces can operate well. There is abundant fuel for camps, grass for animals, and the rivers are low. The Indians must be struck now. But if we delay, in a few months the roots and fish will abound, supplying the Indians with food. The snows will melt, and the mountain passes will allow them hiding places. It is my opinion, if operations are deferred till summer they must be deferred till winter again.

What effect would it have on the Sound should nothing be done until May or June? The whole industrial community would be ruined; the Sound paralyzed; the husbandman would be kept in a state of suspense by rumors of war, and could not adhere to his pursuits; fields would not be tilled, and the Territory would starve out. I am of the opinion that vigorous operations should be prosecuted on both sides of the Cascade mountains. Whenever it is practicable or expedient, it is best that volunteers should be mustered into the United States service. It should go to the authorities at home, that we endeavored to co-operate with the regular service. But there has been a breach of faith. Troops mustered into service were disbanded, in violation of a positive understanding; and it is now proper that the authorities of this Territory should conduct the movements of their own troops-co-operating with the regulars where such co-operations can be effective. I therefore do not think the volunteers of this Territory should be mustered into the United States service. I am ready to take the responsibility of raising them, independent of that service, and it is due to the Territory, and to myself, that the reasons for

assuming it should go to the President and the departments at Washington.

The spirit of prosecuting this war should be to accomplish a lasting peace-not to make treaties, but to punish their violation.

Gentlemen of the legislative assembly: I have done my duty. It was a pleasant feeling that actuated me on my mission, in making these treaties, to think I was doing something to civilize and render the condition of the Indian happier; and while justice and mercy should characterize the acts of our government, there should be no weakness-no imbecility. In nations, as well as individuals, we may apply the precept-a man who has deceived you once should not again be trusted. Let the blow strike where it is deserved. I am opposed to any treaties; I shall oppose any treaties with these hostile bands. I will protest against any and all treaties made with them; nothing but death is a mete punishment for their perfidy-their lives only should pay the forfeit. A friendly Nez Percé informed me that in the Cayuse tribe nineteen ill-disposed persons caused all the trouble. Could these be punished, the tribe could be governed. These turbulent persons should be seized and put to death. The tribes now at war must submit unconditionally to the justice, mercy, and leniency of our government. The guilty ones should suffer, and the remainder placed upon reservations, under the eye of the military. In a few years the policy might be changed. By such a decisive, energetic and firm course, the difficulty may be grappled with and peace restored. Let not our hearts be discouraged. I have an abiding confidence in the future destiny of our Territory. Gloom must give way to sunlight. Let us never lose sight of the resources, capacities, and natural advantages of the Territory of Washington. We have an interior, soon to be filled up with settlements. Gold in considerable quantities has been discovered in the northern part of that interior. There are fine grazing tracts_and_rich agricultural vallies, and that interior will fill up when these Indian difficulties are at an end. Then, too, will the Sound resume its prosperity. Gather heart, then, fellow citizens. Do not now talk of leaving us in our hour of adversity, but stay till the shade of gloom is lifted, and await that destiny to be fulfilled. Let us all put hands together and rescue the Territory from its present difficulties, so that we all may feel that we had done our whole duty in the present exigency.

ISAAC I. STEVENS, Governor, and Supt. Ind Affs, Wash. Ter.

The Governor of Washington to the Secretary of War.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, WASHINGTON TERRITORY,
Olympia, March 9, 1856.

SIR Referring to my previous communication, setting forth the necessity of calling out volunteers to protect our settlements, and to co-operate with our regular troops in waging war upon the hostile

Indians, I have the honor to submit for the information of the department the present condition of the volunteer service.

The general plan of operations, and the staff arrangements made to give efficiency to the service, will be shown in General Orders No. 4, herewith enclosed.

It will thus appear that three battalions are to operate against the

enemy.

The northern battalion is now rendezvousing at the falls of the Snoqual-mie, will number about ninety men, and will be supported by Pat Kanim and his band of nearly one hundred friendly Indians. This battalion is ordered to establish block houses on the prairie above the falls of the Sno-qual-mie, and on Cedar creek; will be supplied with sixty days' provisions, and will prevent the Indians either crossing over the mountains by the passes of the Sno-qual-mie, or going down the Sno-ho-mish, to tamper with the friendly Indians on the reservations.

The central battalion, under Major Gilmore Hays, is now established at Connell's prairie, on the south side of White river, a block house and corral has been built, and the communication with the rear is secured by a ferry and block house on the Puyallup, and by block houses at Montgomery's and on the Yelm prairie. They have one hundred days' supplies of provisions, taken in by ox-teams, which have since been withdrawn, and will immediately establish block houses at the crossing of White river, to communicate with the regular force under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Casey, on the Muckleshoot prairie, and at Porter's, higher up on White river.

The cordial relations between the regulars and volunteers, mentioned in my last communication, still continue, and I have every assurance that our volunteers will do their duty.

The department will observe that one of the companies of this battalion is a company of pioneers. They are experienced axemen, and have rendered the most efficient service in opening roads and building block houses. The war will be emphatically a war of block houses.

In the movement of the troops upon the Muckleshoot, a decisive battle was fought with the Indians, in which the latter were signally defeated. Their establishment at Porter's has since been broken up, and they have been driven towards Green river. If they continue their retreat further, they will be met by the volunteers and friendly Indians of the northern battalion.

The southern battalion is still organizing, but their march to the interior will be delayed for a short time, in consequence of my finding myself obliged to order more than one company to the defence of the Sound. A band of hostiles, under the notorious Qui-e-muth, had, unknown to us, established themselves in the Nisqually bottom, within twelve miles of this place and the garrison at Steilacoom. We became aware of their presence one week since, they having on that day killed one of our citizens.

One of the teamsters had been for some days missing, and that he also had been killed was ascertained the same day. The whole force of the central battalion, except fifteen men, was then in the Indian country on White river. Immediately an express was dispatched to

the Columbia river, ordering Captain Maxon's mounted company to the Sound, and to-night his company will be at Jackson's, ninety miles on the road. The rapidity of the movement is the best evidenceof the necessity of action, and the disposition of the troops to obey orders. In the meantime, I have raised the force of fifteen men to sixty, and, in addition, have sent twenty-nine friendly Indians into the field. These Indians are led by experienced white men.

These hostiles have, within ten days, driven off much stock, and have alarmed our entire settlements; we hope soon to rout them. It is necessary, however, to have considerable guards to all our trains. The mail from the Columbia river came in on Friday, with an escort of four men.

The danger is not so much from the harm which this band may of its own strength do, as it numbers not over forty warriors, but from the facility with which it may communicate with the friendly Indians on the reservations, and stir them up to hostility. Seattle is held by a company of volunteers, consisting of forty odd men, commanded by the chief justice of the Territory, Lieutenant Colonel Lander.

Lone Free Point, which commands a trail from the camp of the hostiles to the Sound, whence they may communicate with the reservations, is also held by a volunteer force of ten men. They have built a substantial block house.

Our people are not discouraged. Wherever four families are, they will build a block house, hold it against the Indians, and endeavor to get in their crops. Over one half of the able-bodied men on the Sound are bearing arms; our people have patriotically placed at the disposal of the authorities all their available means. We need aid from the general government-ample appropriations to defray the expenses of the war.

I have refused to receive into service a single man for local defence; all are enlisted for six months, subject to the orders of the executive. In this way an effectual stop has been put to any attempt to enrol troops for nominal service, with a view of extorting pay and rations: from the government.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient,

Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS,

ISAAC I. STEVENS, Governor Territory of Washington.

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

GENERAL ORDERS-No. 4.

1st. The 2d regiment of Washington Territory volunteers, called' into the service of the United States against the Yakima and other hostile Indian tribes, will be organized into three battalions, to be designated respectively the northern, the central, and southern battalions.

2d. The northern battalion includes company G, commanded by

Captain Van Bokkelin; company I, Captain Howe; a detachment of company H, Captain Peabody, and will be commanded by a major, to be elected by the command upon its concentration.

3d. It will receive supplies and transportation from Quartermaster and Commissary Robinson, and move immediately up the river to the Snoqualmie falls.

4th. The central battalion, commanded by Major Gilmore Hays, will comprise company B, Captain Rabbeson; company C, Captain Henness, (mounted rangers ;) the train guard, Captain Shead, and the pioneer company, commanded by Captain White, with detachment of scouts, commanded by Captain Swindall, of company F, and be supplied by Quartermaster and Commissary Weed, at the post of Olympia.

5th. This battalion will march to the Muckleshoot prairie, establishing block houses at the Yelm prairie, at Montgomery's station, and the crossing of the Puyallup river, and, forming a junction with the regulars, erect a depot, hospital, and block house at or near the forks of White and Green rivers.

6th. The southern battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Shaw, will organize from the companies now forming by Captains Maxen, Achilles, Higgins, and Pearson, upon the Columbia river, and will march to the Walla-Walla valley as soon as possible.

7th. The southern battalion will be supplied by Quartermaster and Commissary Hathaway, at Fort Vancouver.

8th. Officers commanding battalions will appoint adjutants for their commands.

9th. The battalion adjutant will conduct the military correspondence, make the necessary reports to this office, and keep the papers of the battalion.

10th. Quartermasters and commissaries will make their reports to Quartermaster and Commissary General Miller, at Olympia.

11th. Lieutenant Colonel Lander, commanding post at Seattle, will organize company A, of the 2d regiment of Washington Territory volunteers, with as many friendly Indians as may report to him, and make war upon the hostile savages infesting the forests between Elliott's bay and the country lying adjacent to Seattle, and co-operate with the naval forces now in the bay of Seattle, and will be supplied by Quartermaster and Commissary F. Mathias.

12th. Jared S. Hurd and H. R. Crosbie, esq., are appointed aids. to the commander-in-chief, with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

13th. Eustis Huger is appointed acting adjutant to the 2d regiment W. T. volunteers, with the rank of first lieutenant.

14th. Sidney S. Ford, jr., is appointed a captain, and detached for the special service of organizing a force of friendly Indians of the Chehalis and Cowlitz tribes for operation upon the Puyallup.

15th. Captain C. W. Riley, with the force raised in Steilacoom, will build a fort at "Lone Tree Point," north of the mouth of the Puyallup, and occupy that post until further orders.

16th. Warren Gove is appointed quartermaster and commissary at the post of Steilacoom.