Daily National Democrat

Daily National Democrat

MOUNTAIN CORRESPONDENCE.
Facts of Interest--Indian Massacre, etc.

GIBSONVILLE, May 24th.

Editor Democrat:—A company of my acquaintances, consisting of Peter Larvler, Jerry Hall, a Mr. Jackson and some three or four others, started from this place about four weeks ago, on a prospecting expedition out in the Black Rock country; and last evening we were the recipients of the mournful intelligence that they were all massacred by the Pah-Utes, a short distance south of Black Rock. We had long entertained serious apprehensions for their safety; but alas! that our worst anticipations should have been fulfilled. Better men never lived than Larvler and Hall were; the others I was not much acquainted with. Mr. Editor, in what direction are we to seek redress for the injuries that our people are continually receiving at the hands of the ruthless savages? Were their assaults and depredations unprovoked, the course for our government to pursue would be so plain as to not admit of a division of opinion. But alas, to our shame and disgrace it is unhappily otherwise. Again I say, what course can our government pursue with credit to itself? We can invade their territory and exterminate the last Indian in existence. But would that be just? Justice should be the foundation stone of all action; and to this Indian question all honorable, reflective minds must admit that there are two sides. It is pretty generally admitted that when Major Ormsby's Company met the Pah-Utes and Shoshones at the Big Bend of the Truckee river, the Indians sent in advance a flag of truce, and in violation of all acknowledged regulations, and in ignominious disobedience of their lamented commander's orders, a villainous coward shot the very bearer of conciliatory measures. Where is the man that does not know that was an emphatic declaration of war? Who does not know that that fire was a peremptory avowal that peace measures would not be accepted? Had the case have been reversed, would the whites not have pursued the same course? Most assuredly they would, nor would the propriety of that course have been questioned. Had the same violation of national laws transpired with England or some other civilized nation of equal position, an apology would have been demanded; and what is more, Uncle Sam would have granted it. It is no honor for a man to pay a debt that he is legally bound to pay: but he who pays a debt which he knows he could not be forced to pay, is an honor to himself and his race. It would be no honor for a weaker power to offer an apology to a stronger power for a violation of a flag of truce; but to do the same thing with a poor, miserable, depressed people, is an honor to those who grant it. It is sad to have our friends cut down in the strength of their manhood by the savage, but we should calmly reflect that there is seldom an effect without a cause. While I cannot but believe that our government will see that all wrongs inflicted upon our people are honorably redressed, I hope that it will exercise at least a moderate share of discretion and tolerance in the matter of adjustment. Oh, Uncle Samuel, in the exercise of your ponderous strength, let mercy temper that might, humanity qualify that power. Almost eleven years have I now been in blessed California, and during that time I have seen several Indian difficulties, and it is with profound shame and disgust that I am forced to acknowledge that in every case, without an exception, the white man was the aggressor. In the memorable year of 1850 on the North Fork of the American river, a "Piker" deliberately shot a squaw, who was sitting on the brink of the river perfectly peaceable. Upon being asked his reason for committing such a tragedy, his answer was that he "was not going back to old Missouri without killing his Indian." The Indians at that time were perfectly friendly with us; but that same evening two men were shot with arrows—one of whom died—and the next evening four were shot. (I would here remark that we had nothing but tents to live in at that time, and it being our custom to have a fire by our camp door, they could plainly see us by the light of the fire, whereas it was impossible for us to see them out in the dark.) The consequence was that every man on the river became involved in a four weeks' war. In the spring of '51 I saw old Billy Rodgers shoot three peaceable, friendly Indians (one of whom occupied a prominent position in the tribe) of the Coloma tribe, in the street of Coloma. He pretended to have an individual spite against old "Pete"—the prominent Indian—but all in town well knew that the sole object was to get up a war so that he could get a job. The plan worked admirably; a war was declared that same day, and Col. Rodgers was the principal spirit in that "El Dorado war," for which service he brought an immense demand against the State of California, the major part of which was allowed. This is, I am aware, a grave charge, but in addition to being an eye witness to the facts herein stated, I can furnish any quantity of proof in substantiation of them. The man who had his head split open, down at Hopkins Creek, last Saturday night, is actually recovering. He is an old sot, and my candid opinion is, that had he been a valuable citizen, recovery would have been out of the question. A Mr. Dingle, of Whiskey Diggings, fell off shed, yesterday, and broke his collar bone in two places. It commenced storming again yesterday, and this morning we found some three or four inches additional snow on the ground. We have almost despaired of ever having any more summer weather in this part of the country. We have had already seven months of snow, and I question not its ability to make out another month. Seriously the individual whose lot is cast in these mountains is an object of pity. I would sacrifice much to get away from here, and I am determined to do it too before long. An effort is being made to get up a Fourth of July celebration, oration, and ball at night. Don't know whether they will botch it or not. Business of all kinds is very dull here this spring. Yours in haste,

WELLINGTON.