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Indians and Indian Agents (and Notes)(1997) (11 pages)
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Page: of 11
as a hostage. Dragoons temporarily stationed in the area. Gov. Biler predicting treaties
wouldn’t be ratified and Patten worried about Indian response. The treaty farce would
become a tragedy.
Ind. Believed after Savage’s death, all hope gone 152.
Ch. 10: Public Debate. Began when in Jan. 14, 1851 Commissioners published intentions in
the Alta, indicating federal siding with Ind. Cheap labor would be the benefit of choosing
“domestication” over “extirmination.” 155, Whites who kill Ind to be punished with death
same as Indians killing whites, the comm. Declared. 156. Others felt Ind. Should be
chastised, not coddled by addressing grievances. Alta takes view that economy (in view of
Seminole war) and humanity supports the treaty policy. (158) Argument about whether the
treaty lands were potentially valuable. Pro arguments: historically recognized rights of
occupancy, Indian cession of gold mines, vocal objections by a minority should be put into
perspective in interests of justice and humanity and precedent; it is a federal problem.
Commissioners become defensive about willful misrepresentation of their efforts. They
sought out information from locals and very few people in the reserved areas. 161 Charges
of corruption surfaced re: traders and suppliers of rez. Provisions. Jan 16, 1852, Special
Commutt formed to inquire into the treaties: MM Wambough, JJ Warner, JH Ralston, B.
Frank Keen and James Miller. McKee adressed govemor and legilator and others, stressing
cheap labor as end result. Jan. 24. Woz addressed them Jan. 30: “The humane policy has
been most expeditious as well as the cheapest.” Removal was a temporary respite before a
storm. History of forefathers was humane. Wars of extirmination were dark page of history.
Stressed California benefits from treaty, but Senaator John Weller arrogantly interogated
him, accusing them of negotiation with irresponsible Indian leaders who would not adhere
to treaties. Woz. pOints out that Indians have kept peace, not whites. The same day, Gov.
John Bigler estimated that the state was $1.45 mil. In dept for war bonds, interest, war loan
warrants and Ind. Expeditions. McKee retorted under nom de plume Shasta in the Alta that
it was astounding that the gov. recommend against ratifying treaties while calling upon
Congress to assume war debt. If agents hadn’t intervened, war debt would be 5 times the
amount. "“You have but one choice—KILL, MURDER, EXTERMINATE, or
DOMESTICATE and IMPROVE THEM.” 167
Some agreed that failure to ratify would bring on an Indian war and create a
mammoth State Debt. Meanwhile Gov. Bigler’s figures under scrutiny and was realistically
$795,135.87, $233,375.79 from the Mariposa War. (168) Anti argument was too many
valuable lands locked up, removal was the historical policy, unenforcible, and races
incompatible, and commissioners acted beyond authority, profiteering of beef contractors,
commissioners stirring up happy Indians. . U.S. Senator R.T. Spraugue said US had not
granted rez. In existing states in last 20 years! Takes taxable lands out of circulation 9175) as
special committee is state assembly reported {Ind should go someplace to hunt and fish and
be self-supporting!]; cost of removing white settlers. JJ Warner wrote minority report. Fear
of offending agents and feds who they hoped to seek monies for fighting Indians. Nothing
should jeapordize the state/federal relationship. Minority Report sees removal as impractical
Must be room for Indians if foreigners welcomed. “has the love of gold blotted from our
minds all feelings of compassion or justice?” Indians will be disillusioned and distrustful if
promised not kept. 173. Cost 36 million to remove Seminoles. Some sought compromise
via treaty amentments. McKee thought all expense of removals wildly exaggerated. Fraud
implied, favoritism openly charged. McKee defended policy of making reservations
separated by white lands to prevent combinations of power. It is the federal public domain,
reminded McKee; it also had exclusive jurisdiction over Indian peoples. State residents