442 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



mountaineers had committed most horrible barbarities 

 on the defenceless Indians in that vicinity. 



Those cruel and inhuman proceedings, added, per- 

 haps, to the execution of a number of chiefs some year 

 and a half since by a military force sent into the San 

 Joaquin valley by my predecessor, (the facts of which 

 were reported to "Washington at the time,) have neces- 

 sarily produced a hostile feeling on the part of the 

 natives, and several small parties of whites, who, in 

 their pursuit of gold, ventured too far into the Indian 

 country, have been killed. 



My correspondence with the Indian agents and 

 military officers established in the Sacramento and 

 San Joaquin valleys will inform you of the measures 

 taken to prevent a repetition of these difficulties. 



I would respectfully recommend that at least three 

 sub-Indian agents be appointed for this country, and 

 stationed in the valleys of the Sacramento and San 

 Joaquin. 



These agents should receive ample pay in order to 

 enable them to defray the expenses of living in that 

 'part of the country, and should be men of the highest 

 moral character ; for otherwise they would not resist 

 the temptation to engage in illicit trade with the 

 natives, or to employ them for the individual' benefit 

 of the agents in washing for gold. 



The election called by me for the 1st instant was 

 held on that day, and has been attended with the 

 most happy results. 



Every district has elected its local officers, and 

 appointed delegates to meet in general convention at 

 this place on the 1st proximo, to form a State Con- 

 stitution or plan of territorial government, which will 

 be submitted to the people for their ratification, and 



