involve us in a war with them, which, without the immediate employment of a large naval steam force, would inevitably result in the destruction of every settlement on the Straits of Fuca and Puget Sound. Enclosed, I have the honor to transmit a copy of a communication which I have just received from Dr. D. S. Maynard, special Indian agent, on this subject. DECEMBER 6, 1855. I regret to state that I have just been advised by Lieutenant A. J. Drake, left by me in charge of a party of marines at Seattle, that Lieutenant Slaughter has been attacked near the forks of Green and White rivers, about eighteen miles from Seattle, and that Lieutenant Slaughter and three men were killed, and six wounded, one of whom died on the way to that place. The bodies of the lieutenant and one of the men, and all the wounded, are with Lieutenant Drake. I shall get underway forthwith and proceed to Seattle, and having provided for the safety of that place, shall take the bodies of the slain and the wounded to Steilacoom, where the latter can be rendered much more comfortable than at Seattle. I trust I shall be pardoned for stating it as my opinion that the war in this Territory is assuming a most serious aspect. The numbers, valor, and prowess of the Indians have been greatly underrated, and the forces now in the field, and indeed the whole military resources of the Territory are totally inadequate to conduct the war with success, or even to afford protection to the settlers. The war in Oregon seems to engross the whole of the attention of the people and press of California, and the greater danger to which this Territory is subjected appears to be unknown. It was, as I have been informed, in consequence of information received by General Wool, after his arrival in the Columbia river, that Captain King's company was diverted to Steilacoom. This timely reinforcement, however, is, in my opinion, altogether insufficient; and it is the opinion of well informed men here, that it will require regiments instead of companies, and years instead of months, to conquer these tribes. I have taken the liberty to write my views plainly, because I am confident the department will be pleased to receive any reliable information from a portion of the country so distant, and whose affairs are in so interesting a condition. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. J. C. DOBBIN, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. Commander. KT. SUPERINTENDENCY, Washington Territory, December 5, 1855. DEAR SIR: The northern or Stuck-re Indians, now at or about Port Madison Mills, are causing much disturbance with the Indians under my charge at this time, so much that I am fearful of the consequence of their being left after your departure from this place. I therefore ask that you remove them before you leave, that we may be free from the depredations they are committing among us. Your views, as expressed to me yesterday, with respect to irritating them in their removal, I conceive to be of much importance. None, I think, but yourself can effect their removal without exciting their indignation. Please be actuated by your better judgment and you will confer a great favor. Very respectfully, yours, Captain STERRETT. D. S. MAYNARD, NAVY DEPARTMENT, February 11, 1856. SIR: Your communication of the 5th of December last, reporting the movements of the United States ship "Decatur," under your command, while in Puget sound, and the protection afforded by you to the citizens of Washington Territory against the incursions and threatenings of the Indians of that country, was duly received, read with satisfaction and referred to the Secretary of War, who has addressed a letter of acknowledgement to this department of your meritorious services, a copy of which is herewith enclosed. Verv respectfully, your obedient servant. Commander ISAAC S. STERRETT, United States Navy. J. C. DOBBIN. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 7, 1856. SIR: I have read with much interest and satisfaction the report you were kind enough to send me of Commander Isaac S. Sterrett, commanding United States ship Decatur in the northern Pacific, of his operations for the protection of the citizens of Washington Territory from the incursions and threatenings of the Indians in that country. His presence and aid were most opportune and valuable from the fact that this department had not at hand, in that distant region, a sufficiency of troops to meet the emergencies of the case. I have therefore to tender, through you, to Commander Sterrett my acknowledgements for his meritorious and timely services. Commander Sterrett's letter is herewith returned as requested. Hon. J. C. DOBBIN, Secretary of the Navy. JEFF'N DAVIS, Secretary of War. Correspondence between the Legation of the United States and the Government of Chile, relative to the abduction of seamen from the American whale-ship Addison at Valparaiso, and the imprisonment of Wm. N. Stewart, an American citizen, by the authorities of Chile. MAY 8, 1854.-Read and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. To the Senale of the United States : I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, together with the documents therein referred to, in compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 12th of January last. WASHINGTON, May 5, 1854. FRANKLIN PIERCE, To the President of the United States: The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the Senate of the 12th January last, requesting the President "to communicate to the Senate, if in his judgment not incompatible with the public interest, copies of the correspondence between the legation of the United States and the government of Chile, in relation to the impressment or forcible abduction of four seamen from the United States whale-ship "Addison," in the port of Valparaiso, in October, 1850; and, also, in the case of William N. Stewart, an American citizen, who was imprisoned at Valparaiso, on a charge of murder, and on conviction released by the Chilean authorities," has the honor to lay before the President the documents mentioned in the subjoined lists. Respectfully submitted: DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May 5, 1854. W. L. MARCY. List of Papers in the case of William N. Stewart. 1. Mr. Peyton to Mr. Webster, (extract,) August 28, 1852; enclosures. 2. Same to same, (extract,) September 13, 1852; enclosures. 3. Same to same, (extract,) September 29, 1852. 4. Mr. Conrad to Mr. Peyton, October 12, 1852. 5. Mr. Peyton to Mr. Webster, (extract,) October 12, 1852; enclosures. 6. Same to same, (extract,) October 28, 1852; enclosures. 7. Same to same, (extract,) November 13, 1852. 8. Same to same, (extract,) November 28, 1852; enclosures. 9. Same to Mr. Everett, (extract,) December 13, 1852; enclosures. 10. Same to same, (extract,) December 28, 1852. 11. Same to Mr. Marcy, (extracts,) May 26, 1853; enclosures. List of Papers in the case of the Addison. 1. Mr. Peyton to Mr. Webster, April 19, 1851; enclosures. 9. Same to same, (extract,) May 20, 1852; enclosures. 10. Same to same, June 28, 1852; enclosures. 11. Same to same, (extract,) July 13, 1852; enclosures. 12. Same to same, (extract,) September 13, 1852; enclosures. 13. Same to same, (extract,) September 29, 1852. 14. Same to Mr. Marcy, June 29, 1853; enclosures. [No. 40.] Mr. Peyton to Mr. Webster. [Extract.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, * * * * SIR: I also enclose the copy of a communication I received by the mail of this morning, from William Duer, esq., United States consul for the port of Valparaiso, relative to the imprisonment of a man named Stewart, a citizen of the United States, in that city, on a charge of murder, marked Exhibit B. From the facts stated by Mr. Duer, and confirmed by statements which I have received from other sources, if his statement required confirmation, it is manifest that the local judge acted very improperly by refusing to take in writing the testimony of the material witnesses for the accused in the usual, in fact the only mode which is observed in such cases; in consequence of which, these witnesses have departed on their way to California, and the accused is deprived of his most important evidence, which would have established his innocence of the charge beyond all reasonable doubt, by showing that he did not inflict the wound which caused the death, but that the same was inflicted by a person who escaped on board of the vessel; and, even if he had done so, it was in excusable self-defence. According to the laws of the country and the regular forms of proceeding in criminal cases, it was the duty of the judge to have taken the depositions of these witnesses. He failed in the performance of his duty, violated the laws of the country, and has rendered it impossible that the accused can have a fair trial of his case; and any trial which may take place in the absence of his material testimony will be a mere burlesque, a mere mockery. As this unfortunate man has been placed in this situation, not in consequence of any fault or laches on his part, but in consequence of the gross and wilful neglect and violation of duty on the part of a judicial officer of this government, what is to be done? If he is tried, condemned, and executed, as there is but too much reason to fear, without the immediate and decided interference of the United States government at home, it will be perpetrating murder in the name of the law without even observing the ordinary forms of proceeding in the most important stage of the case. * * I shall lay this case before the government, as I consider it a proper one for the exercise of a small portion of the extraordinary powers with which the President is clothed, and which he is not slow to exercise against his political adversaries. I will attend the trial, if I can ascertain when it will take place, and do everything in my power to save the man's life; but with such a judge (jury trials are unknown in Chile) I have no confidence in my ability to do so, unless it is known that I will be sustained by my government. An idea prevails here that the government will not sustain its diplomatic representative in emergencies, as will the governments of France and England, and hence one great cause of the disregard of American rights and interests, and the manifest deference which is paid to the English and French by this government and people. It is for the government to decide whether any and what steps are proper to be taken for the rescue of this innocent man from an ignominious fate; but I am sure that nothing less than a peremptory demand for his release, sustained by the presence of a vessel of war, will be respected. I remain, with great respect, your obedient servant, Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, * BALIE PEYTON. Secretary of State of the United States, Washington. |
