296 A TRAGICAL AFFAIR 



spring of 1837, a party of some 20 men com- 

 posed chiefly of foreigners, spurred on by the 

 love of gain, and never doubting but the In- 

 dians, after so many years of successful rob- 

 beries, nmst be possessed of a vast amount 

 of property, set out with an American as 

 their commander, who had long resided in 

 the country. In a few days they reached 

 a rancheria of about fifty warriors with their 

 families, among whom was the famous Juan 

 Jose himself^ and three other principal chiefs. 

 On seeing the Americans advance, the former 

 at once gave them to understand, that, if they 

 had come to fight, they were ready to ac- 

 commodate them; but on being assured by the 

 leader, that they were merely bent on a trad- 

 ing expedition, a friendly interview was im- 

 mediately established between the parties. 

 The American captain having determined \o 

 put these obnoxious chiefs to death under any 

 circumstances, soon caused a little field-piece 

 which had been concealed from the Indians 

 to be loaded with chain and canister shot, and 

 to be held in readiness for use. The warriors 

 were then invited io the camp to receive a 

 present of flour, wliich was placed witliin 

 range of the cannon. While they were oc- 

 cupied in dividing the contents of the bag, 

 they were fired upon and a considerable num- 

 ber of their party killed on the spot ! The 

 remainder were then attacked with small 

 arms, and about twenty slain, inchiding Juan 

 Jose and the other chiefs. Those who escaped 

 became afterwards their own avengers in a 



