NO. 8 DRAWINGS BY GEORGE GIBBS BUSHNELL 23 



At present I can form no satisfactory estimate of the amount of appropriations 

 our treaties will require . . . The largest estimate will fall below the cost of 

 a California Indian zcar, if one should unhappily become general ... I am 

 anxious to get off, so as, if possible, to make the journey before the rain.}- 

 season sets in. I propose taking the Clear Lake Indians on my route, who are 

 said to number three or four thousand, and will endeavor to make pacific 

 arrangements with tliem before passing over the coast range. On tlie Klamath 

 and Trinity rivers, from all the accounts I have received, I shall find large 

 bodies of the largest, wildest, most intelligent, and warlike Indians in 

 California. 



The commission, accompanied by an escort of 2,6 dragoons under 

 command of Maj. W. W. Wessells, United States Army, left Sonoma 

 August II, 1851. As stated in the journal (p. 134) : "Agent 3iIcKee 

 moved with his escort from Sonoma, at 8 o'clock a. m.. and the 

 command is now encamped 19 7/10 miles up the Sonoma valley, on 

 the Russian river valley trail. Mr. George Gibbs has been employed 

 as Chinook interpreter ..." '"' 



Two days later, August 13, the party left the Sonoma valley and 

 followed a trail on the west side of Russian River, and that night 

 encamped "five or six miles below the first canon, or defile, throttgh 

 which the stream flows." The next day the commission was joined 

 by (ien. J. M. Estelle and stafif, of the 2d division of the California 

 militia, who had been sent by the (jovernor to assist in eiTecting 

 treaties with the Indians residing near Clear Lake and Russian River. 



On the night of August 16 the entire party camped on the bank 

 of Russian River, then moved on to (p. 136) : 



Camp Lnpiynma. near Clear lake, August i/, 18 ji. — R. McKee and party, 

 composed of secretary, and Gibbs as interpreter, with a sufficient number of 

 pack-mules to transport provisions and such presents as are designed for the 

 Indians ; also ten head of cattle, with a detachment of ten dragoons in charge 

 of Major Wessells as an escort, all under the guidance of two Indian guides, 



undertaking, were included in the Report of the Secretary of the Interior . . . 

 March 17, 1853. Special Session, Senate Ex. Doc. No. 4. The following 

 quotations, unless otherwise stated, are from that document. 



■'" McKee sent a lengthy letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs dated 

 "Camp at Big Bend of Eel River, September 12, 185 1," in which he said 

 (p. 181): "At Sonoma I was fortunate in securing the services of George 

 Gibbs, formerly of New York, and recently attached to the Indian commission 

 in Oregon. He is acquainted with the Tchinook (Chinook) language, and the 

 jargon spoken bj^ all the tribes on the borders of Oregon and California. He is, 

 moreover, a practical topographical engineer; has kept a journal of our entire 

 route, and will furnish me, I hope, in time for my final report, a correct map 

 and reconnaissance of the trail from Sonoma, showing the exact position of 

 all the important rivers, lakes, mountains and valleys, together with a synopsis 

 of the various dialects of the tribes we have met." 



