Letter from O. M. Wozencraft to Luke Lea, 1852

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California Supp. W112

O. M. Wozencraft
San Francisco May 31, 1852

Synopsis of the state of Indian affairs in California

Rec'd 30 June '52
File

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San Francisco May 31st 1852

Sir,

It may not be inappropriate for me to give you a brief synopsis of the state of affairs as they exist at present, and a passing review of our Indian relationship as it existed when first we entered on the performance of the duties intrusted to us, that the department may be enabled to act advisedly, and, if you will permit me to say, promptly, in furtherance of the great object in view, the subjugating and domesticating
the Indians in this country.

Through the many communications which have been forwarded to the Department, you have been apprized of the fact that we have had turbulent and hostile Indians to deal and contend with, that those Indians have committed depredations to an extent so as to have seriously retarded the department of the resources of the  country, that the loss of life and property had been very great, and that the State had prosecuted a fruitless war, save the expense attending it, which has been rather fruitful, and which in all probability would have been endless, had no other means been at work to effect their subjugation.

The foregoing was the true state of affairs on our unival in the country, but now I am happy and proud to saym that the state of affairs is very dfferent, and can justly say that in all sections of the country which have been visited by me, and treaties effected with those said turbulent Indians, it has had the effect to restore peace and give security to life and property. 

The Indians having acted in singular good faith in all and every instance, thus showing them capable of practising good fidelity, for this has been practised by them in instances where the controlling power of fear has not, nor indeed could be, brought to bear on them.

Thus at a trifling cost we have been enabled to 

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control them by pursuing a conciliating policy, and that, too, in many instances, after coercive measures had failed in effecting it. These singularly fortuitous events, I attribute to the fact that the Indians of this country are extremely averse to war, aud fond of peace, otherwise the many aggressive acts of the whites, would have continued the war adinfinitum. Thus you see the Indians have been patient in enduranc, slow to break the promise of peace and friendship. The opposition which has been set up against the policy pursued by us, as you are doubtless aware, was for political purposes, and it would appear that it has had the desired
effect so far as to cause a formidable opposition to the furtherance of our policy. The agrarian cry, that they must have all the land for the dear people, that the Indians must move farther off, that the general
government must pay for their losses and war bill, before fulfilling our promises to the Indians, all of this has been well calculated to produce an opposition, more particularly as this was done by opposing partisans, and by them alone, for it is a well known fact here that all the old Californians are the warm friends and supporters of the policy which we are attempting to carry out. This was the state of affairs, but it is not so now, they have stopped to think of the consequence that would and necessarily must follow a refusal on our part to act in good faith, with those confiding Indians, in fulfilling promises made to them, and it is well that this subject should come before us for consideration, and it would be well to give it that investigation which its importance demands, fraught as it is with the most momentous results for the future. What will be the state of affairs, with our Indian tribes if we refuse a faithful compliance with promises made them, and do not attempt to conciliate those who as yet have not been treated with,

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these can be but one answer to this query, nor does it require that one should be versed in Indian character in order to render it connet, war to extermination, farther overtures if peace would be listened to only in  order to deceive us, our infidelity would neither be forgotten or forgiven by them. Indeed, it would be mockery to send agents among them, as their labor would be fruitless.

This language may appear strong and unqualified to those who have not a correct knowledge of Indian character, but I am satisfied that to those who have had an experimental knowledge of them, that the foregoing statements will meet with an endorsement.

The Indians are now becoming distrustful of the fulfilment of our promises. Many of the tribes as yet have had but little more than promises, and many others who have had limited supplies of beef heretofore, those supplies have been withheld for some months past, owing to the difficulty of getting them. I am informed that some of these, have resorted to stealing through necessity. I am in hopes that it may be checked before terminating in an open rupture again. In those reserves where the supplies are yet issued, they are doing remarkably well. Indeed, my prediction made in a former communication has now assumed a certainty, for the Indians in one reservation (i. e., the one under charge of Major Savage) have raised an amount of edibles and grain, nearly sufficient to support them for the year to come, and this can be done by all of them if they are but put to work.

Very respectfully
your obt sr,
O. M. Wozencraft
Middle District
C.A.

Hon. Luke Lea
Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Washington