and understand all kinds of farm-work. They ask the privilege, nda name Mr. Burgess, as they have full confidence in his integrity toward them. He can use them to advantage, and will pay them wages that will support them well. As to the other Indians, Captain Jack and others, whom it seems fated must be executed, permit me to ask an interference to the extent of working a delay until a full and fair investigation of the causes of the war be had, as they are very important witnesses. I ask this, as Mr. Odeneal, officially and through the Oregon papers, has persistently attacked my character and that of others, including our district judge, Rosborough, and we are anxious that the whole matter be ventilated, and the truth exposed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. C. DELANO, Secretary Interior. I. STEELE. To the Hon. C. DELANO, Secretary of Interior: The undersigned, citizens of Siskiyou County, California, would respectfully represent that of the Modoc Indians, now held as prisoners of war, there are some that no charges are made agaiust, except open warfare against the United States, of which are Scar-Faced Charley and Miller's Charley; that there are others who, for services rendered as scouts in the capture and subjugation of the tribe, have rendered material aid to the Government, and earned an exemption from rigorous punishment, of which are Bogus Charley, Shacknasty Jim, Jooka Jim, and Steamboat Frank, the so-called scouts. We would also state that all of these Indians are useful farm-hands, capable of and fully competent intellectually to trade for and take care of themselves; that they have expressed a desire to make their own living, and be no burden to the Government; that they be allowed to seek employment for themselves, and to enter the service of John C. Burgess, late sheriff of Siskiyou County, California, who is a large farmer near Yreka. We would therefore respectfully ask that they be permitted to enter the service of said Burgess, upon such conditions as shall be deemed advisable. Yreka, July 30, 1873. Very respectfully, yours, E. STEELE, WM. H. MORGAN, Sheriff. JOHN A. FAIRCHILD. YREKA, July 30, 1873. SIR: You will pardon me in troubling you with a request to defer action on the finding of the commission appointed to try Captain Jack and other Modoc prisoners until a full and fair investigation of the causes leading to that sad affair for which they were tried can be had. We ask that a commission be appointed, with power to send for and compel the attendance of witnesses, who, otherwise, would keep very clear of an investigating committee. We know that those prisoners were tried without counsel, and before their counsel was aware that the day of trial had been named. We know that the general belief is, the interpreter employed is unworthy of evidence. We know he is illiterate; can neither read or write; cannot translate the idioms of our tongue; cannot even understand good English. We know the squaw with whom he cohabits has shielded her relatives in his interpreting at the expense of others. We know that gross wrongs have been committed by whites on these Indians, and will show them, if permitted to do so. We can and will show much in mitigation of the offenses committed by these Modocs; will show this war was brought about by designing men, for selfish purposes; and we will show gross mismanagement and treachery on the part of those whose positions should have been a guarantee of fair dealing. For these reasons, and that the fair fame of some of the best citizens of this county may be cleared, and the guilty exposed, we pray you to appoint an impartial commission of three men, who do not live on this coast, and let us sift this matter to the bottom. For the credit of the Government and the cause of humanity, it should not rest here. I have been in the campaign from the first; been in nearly all the battles, acting as war correspondent for the Sacramento Record, and, toward the last part, the New York Herald. I was with the peace commission all the time; was in the cave on two embassies with Mr. Steel. Therefore I claim I have a right to know whereof I speak. Having been on this coast for twenty-two years, having a good knowledge of Indians and their ways, I cannot, in common with thousands, avoid the feeling that a great wrong has been committed and should be investigated, for the honor of our Government, which is supposed to protect the weak. My address is Sacramento City. I have the honor to remain your obedient servant, Hon. C. DELANO, Secretary of the Interior. H. WALLACE ATWELL, WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor, in the absence of the Secretary of War, and by his direction, to inclose, for your information, copies of papers relative to the issue of clothing to the Modoc Indian prisoners in confinement at Fort Klamath, Oregon. The Secretary desires me to say that he approves the issue and deems it proper that it should be charged to the Indian Bureau. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The Hon. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. W. T. BARNARD, HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES, SIR: In order to prevent disease and suffering among the Modoc Indian prisoners now in confinement at Fort Klamath, Oreg., it has been found necessary to issue to them a small quantity of clothing. A copy of the order ordering the issue is herewith inclosed, with the request that it may receive the approval of the Department coï mander. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK WHEATON, Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-first Infantry, Commandıng, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Department of the Columbia, Portland, Oreg. [Indorsements.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE COLUMBIA, The within orders are respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant-General of the Army for the consideration of the Secretary of War, (through Headquarters Military Division of the Pacific,) with the remark that when the Modoc Indians were captured they were in a most destitute condition, men, women, and children. I took them all to Fort Klamath, where they could be better cared for until final disposition was made of them. Humanity seemed to require that blankets and other covering be issued to them at once; this I directed to be done. General Orders No. 76, War Department, 1873, had not then been issued. I doubt if it had been received at Fort Klamath when General Wheaton issued his Special Order No. 70, (copy inclosed,) but if it had, as before stated, the issue was doubtless required as an act of humanity. I hope the Secretary of War will approve of these expenditures, as also the commissary stores issued to these Indians since their capture. They are prisoners in military charge and must be taken care of, but if it be desired that the expenses incurred in keeping them be charged to the Indian Department, an account of the money-value can easily be furnished. JEFF. C. DAVIS, Brevet Major-General, Commandin Forwarded through Headquarters Military Division Pacific. [Special Orders No. 70.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES, Upon the recommendation of the post commander the acting assistant quartermaster at Fort Klamath, Oreg., is authorized to issue to the Modoc Indian prisoners now in confinement at that post such small quantities of clothing as can be spared from the supply of the troops as may be necessary to prevent unusual suffering. Damaged clothing will be issued if on hand. By order of Lieut. Col. Frank Wheaton : F. A. BOUTELLE, Second Lieutenant First Cavalry, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 2. Special Order No. 70, current series, District of the Lakes, Fort Klamath, authorizing the post-quartermaster to issue to the Modoc Indian prisoners, now in confinement at that post, such small quantities of clothing as canbe spared from the supply on hand, to prevent unusual suffering among them, damaged clothing to be issued if practicable, is confirmed. By command of Brevet Major-General J. C. Davis: H. CLAY WOOD, Assistant Adjutant-General. YREKA, CAL., August 2. DEAR SIR: I propose going to San Francisco, to remain perhaps two weeks, after which time I propose going to Iowa City, Iowa, to remain two weeks, unless otherwise ordered. Telegram will find me at Russ House, San Francisco. If it is desirable that I should further investigate the Modoc affair, please notify me before I start east. I have ample material for a full report, which I propose to submit early in October next. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. E. P. SMITH. A. B. MEACHAM. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, August 30, 1873. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a communication from the War Department, under date of 26th instant, inclosing, for the information of the Secretary of the Interior, copies of papers relative to issue of clothing to the Modoc Indian prisoners in confinement at Fort Klamath, Oregon. In reply, your attention is respectfully invited to the inclosed copy of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated August 29, to whom the letter of the War Department and inclosure were referred, containing the views of that officer upon the subject, to the effect that, under the circumstances, the property issued is not considered a proper charge against the Indian appropriations. This Department concurs in the opinion expressed by the Commissioner. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, The Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR. Acting Secretary. OCTOBER 1, 1873. To the President : HONORED SIR: At a meeting of citizens held in the city of Philadel phia, this day, the following resolution was passed, and the undersigned was requested to forward to you. Respectfully, in behalf of the meeting, J. MURRAY SPEAR. Resolved, That while we are the friends of good order, and desire to encourage and promote a high civilization, we deeply regret that the President of the United States should have issued an order for the execution of the convicted Modoc Indians, and we pray him to commute their punishment, and ask that he place them in positions which, while the lives of citizens may be protected, theirs may be preserved, and efforts be made for their education and civilization. CONCORDVILLE, DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ESTEEMED PRESIDENT: I am a member of the Society of Friends, for which, however, I do not claim to be a saint, but if rightly knowing my own mind, I have a strong desire for the advancement of truth and practical righteousness. I presume thou hast received many letters in relation to the Modocs. and I do not wish to be in any way troublesome, but as I sat in meeting this morning the subject of those prisoners arose before my mind, and it seemed to impress me so forcibly that I believe it to be right to lay the case before thee, hoping thy judgment in the matter (be it what it may) will be for the very best. It appeared to me that the Government that had shown so much advancement in Christian charity in its treatment of those lately in rebellion against it should not now be stained with the blood of a few miserable savages; poor, ignorant, and deluded, yet, withal, men and brothers in the sight of the Infinite Creator of us all. And the propo sition came before me which I will state, in a spirit of love, for thy consideration. It is that those prisoners may be sent to some island or place of se curity for the rest of their lives, with or without some of the rest of their tribe, and that some one or more be sent with them to have charge over them; that endeavors be used to enlighten them in the bet ter way of life, and awaken in their hearts that sense of truth and right which will lead them into a condemnation of their previous course. Now, though I have a good home, am surrounded with a family whom I love, and have no desire for preferment in political affairs, yet should there be no one more suitable, nor willing, to undertake the task, my name is at thy command, for, as undesirable to me as is the undertaking, I would much rather do it than to see the Christian name and power of this beloved nation lowered in the sight of God and man. Very truly, U. S. GRANT. LEWIS PALMER. NINTHMONTH 24, 1873. P. S. Since writing the above, I have deferred sending it, hoping it would not be required of me, but I now seem to feel it right to send it. L. P. [Indorsement.] EXECUTIVE MANSION, Respectfully referred to the Secretary of the Interior, by direction of Hon. ED. P. SMITH, Commissioner, Washington: I have consulted Governor Booth. We recommend that the matter be intrusted to us. Secret-Service Department will give information, when instructed, to Colonel Fenuniyer. My address for fourteen days, 42 Tehamay street, San Francisco. A. B. MEACHAM. WASHINGTON, D. C., Ninthmonth 19, 1873. DEAR FRIEND: I have come down this morning in the hope that the President was here, or would be soon, in order that I might present a petition to him in person; but finding he is not in the city, and not expected soon, I indorse the petition to thee, and will be greatly obliged to thee if thou wilt place it in a channel by which it will be brought to his notice at an early day. Very respectfully, thy friend, C. DELANO, Secretary Interior. BENJ. HALLOWELL. |