A Letter addressed to President Mayes. d'l, 



civilization to a very limited extent only ; and a few leaders among them braved 

 the perils of the trackless wilderness in the attempt to secure the superior good, 

 hut now we see an entire people, the inhabitants of the labyrinthine archipel- 

 agoes and continental shores of Southern Alaska, lifting up their voices and 

 stretching forth their hands for help. 



It belongs to this great and powerful nation, which is the acknowledged 

 supporter of the rights of man, to extend the blessings of civilization to the 

 aborigines of the continental territories which have fallen within our bounda- 

 ries. Once they might be counted by millions. Their diminution has provided 

 room for our countrymen. And yet had they been guided to lay hold of the 

 elements of civilized life, and their fingers taught to mould and manipulate 

 them, the much vexed Indian Question had been long settled, and quiet and 

 prosperous communities would have added to the national wealth, reflected 

 credit upon national statesmanship, and forestalled forever the dishonor which 

 now stains our annals in consequence of the utterly unjust and rapacious treat- 

 ment of these ignorant and depressed people. 



Fair proofs and an abundance of them, altogether producing a tide of evidence 

 overwhelming all dissent, are at hand. But unfortunately in the dust and din 

 which rise in the discussion of a vexed question, the judgments of many are so 

 confused that they are incapable of forming a correct conclusion. Nevertheles 

 these proofs are derived from palpable and visible data, showing the materia i 

 advancement of the Indians, who have been left to prosecute the simpler arts 

 of civilized life without the disturbances and agitations created by the threats 

 and intrusions of lawless "white" men. 



Among these proofs I cite a few within the circle of my personal knowledge, 

 which are as incontrovertible as that the harvests, which are just being reaped, 

 are the outcome of foregoing tillage. I refer with confidence to the Indians o 

 the Warm Springs Reservation ; and remind you of the loyalty, courage, and 

 skill of the band of scouts formed among them, who were the rea 

 conquerors in the Modoc War. Their gardens, farms and dwellings bea 

 witness to their capacity for progress and self-support. They illustrate two 

 great principles in Political Economy. They are both producers and con- 

 sumers. 



I also designate the Yakima Tribes, who have made the most substantia 

 improvement, which I affirm on the same visible and palpable grounds. This 

 conclusion would not be doubted if white men had been content simply to le 

 the Yakimas alone. 



A similar confusion is spread over the present condition and prospects of the 

 Nez Perces. Yet a creditable advancement is being made among them, which 

 needs only tranquility and fair treatment in order to produce results which wil 

 be satisfactory to the most exacting, as they are now in a very high degree 

 satisfactory to all reasonable people. 



One more illustration must suffice. Only a few years have passed since the 

 appointment of suitable teachers among the Puyallup Indians, and we have since 

 stationed a missionary among them. Formerly their ignorance and thriftless- 



