NOTICES
Oregon War
Review of Agent Metcalf’s Letter of Defence
submitted by Frank Simmons
Mr. Editor:
In a late Oregon Statesman, there is a letter from R.B. Metcalf, whom the
editor in a note informs us is a “gentleman of character and honor, kinsman of
ex-Governor Metcalf, of Kentucky, and Indian Agent for Southern Oregon.”
The letter purports to be written in defence of the people against certain
statements going the rounds to their prejudice, and is mainly occupied with proof
to show that the Indians under Old Chief “John” were aggressors in the war.
I am somewhat acquainted with the circumstances, and believing that the
Indians as well as the worthy citizens of Southern Oregon have been greatly
injured by such a perversion of facts as Mr. Metcalf’s letter contains, I am induced
to offer the following by way of correction.
1 will not charge Mr. Metcalf with falsehood, but for argument's sake, admit
all that he has said about the Chiefs urging the tribes to combine for war. Yet 1
must observe, and I believe every high-minded citizen will agree with me, how
unfair to give such a one-sided account against a venerable Chief and against a
people who could not write a refutation of falsehood.
Why did not Mr. Metcalf, in his account of the origin of the war, tell of the
doings of both parties — how a white wretch shot the husband of the Chief’s
daughter because he would not give her up to his lust? How his own son was kept
in irons for weeks on a charge believed to be false and, after a fair trail, was
dismissed by the authorities, but taken by the lawless and cruelly put to death,
and how that numbers of men made it a point for months previous to open war; to
shoot Indians wherever they could do it with safety to themselves; and that the
Chiefs made complaints again and again, but could get neither redress or
protection; that not a house was burned, or a woman or child injured by Indians
until after their homes were burnt and their families destroyed.
Why, I ask, does Mr. Metcalf keep these facts out of sight, to the prejudice of
those whose interest he is bound by office and honor to protect.
Mr. Metcalf knows well that, before the Indians committed any of these
outrages, an organized band of men made an attack with the avowed purpose of
killing every Indian in the valley, regardless of age or sex; and that this murderous
work was commenced in earnest on the morning of Oct. 8, 1855, when three
ranches were burnt over and 30 of their inmates put to death, 14 of whom
were women and children, - and this was done subsequent to an assurance,
(a day or two previous) of peace and protection, in order the more easily to
effect their destruction.
About the same time, many were killed in different parts of the valley, and
Capt. Smith was threatened with an overwhelming assault by the volunteers if he
opened the fort for their protection, so that the Indians had no alternative but to
fight for life or be killed like brutes.
But Mr. Metcalf defends the killing of women and children by saying that, in
battle, they crowd together and it can’t be helped. He forgets that, at first, it was
deliberately intended to kill all. But suppose this was not the case. How will he
explain the circumstances of those three Indian women who had taken refuge on
the top of Table Rock, being shot and their bodies falling over the cragged rocks,
down the steep precipice below. The sight of these mangled victims as they lay
writhing in agony was so shocking that it was reported that they were scared and
fell down. But Dr. Ambroze, who lived in the vicinity, informed me that they did
not fall until they were fired upon.
And how will he explain the circumstance of Rice’s company going to the
relief of Bruce and capturing two women and an infant who, as the volunteers
report, were clubbed to death, the child’s brains dashed out against a tree, in
retaliation for which the papers state that the Indians put to death two white
captive females.
If it had been true that the editor of the Statesman had not published the fact
that Mr. Metcalf has such high connections, and moreover is a “gentleman of
honor and character,” we, the citizens of Southern Oregon, should have some
misgivings on that point, for everybody who has read the papers knows that it is
not the custom of the women and children to crowd in conflict, but to fly for
refuge. The warriors alone face their assailants, and moreover, from the mode
of attack generally adopted of creeping in the dark or, as at the meadows,
approaching under cover of a dense cloud and pouring their deadly fire on
the unsuspecting families. The killing of women and children would be evidence
of design, not chance.
I could write much more of these painful details, but enough is presented to
show the wrong position which agent Metcalf has assumed and the injustice he
has endeavored to inflict upon a people who, to say the least, are blamed and
punished for more than they deserve.
I assure you, Mr. Editor, it is with disappointment and deep regret that I read
Mr. Metcalf’s letter and that I pen this review, for from his reputation as a
gentleman, it was hoped the poor outcasts had in him a friend, not only because
of his office, but because of his alliance by love and parentage.
It was thought the tender associations of family and kin would secure from
him a just regard for their rights, especially as it was generally reported that he is
a kind man and an affectionate father, unlike those monsters who treat their Indian
offspring like brutes. He acknowledges the relationship and cares for their culture.
Why does not Mr. Metcalf use his official power in its application on behalf of
the people of his charge? Why does he allow them to be deprived of these rights
“without due process of law.”
I suppose, Mr. Editor, you are ready to inquire, are there no good citizens in
Southern Oregon, no lovers of truth and justice? I answer yes, as many in
proportion as you have in your city, but the press and the power are in the hands
of the enemy, and until the Indians have a “Vigilance Committee” to guard their
interest, and honest thought a free expression, and good men rule the people,
Oregon, like California, will groan under accumulated curses.
But there is hope; light is springing up, and the eyes of many are opening and
ere long we believe the son of righteousness will shine over all the land.
Respectfully yours,
John Beeson
Beeson to Editor, 8 October 1856, in United States, Office of Indian Affairs,
Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880, National Archives
Microcopy 234. Roll 609, NADP Document D45.
July ^002
O
Siletz News
□
15