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 missioners had found them in the previous August; and that he did not think it would be expedient to send a milltary force against them until they had been notified of the determination of the government to make the change contemplated, and notice given of the point selected, as well as the time fixed upon for removal; but that in the meantime the commanding officer at Fort Klamath would be directed to take all necessary measures to protect the settlers, or to aid in the removal of the Modocs should forcible means be required.

In reply to Canby, Meacham gave as a reason for previous action that in his report for 1871, he had recommended that a small reservation be made for the Modocs at the north end of Tule lake, but that the department had not yet taken any action in the matter; and accounted for his change of policy in asking for their removal to Yainax by saying that they had agreed to remain where the council was held at Clear lake, whereas they were then at Tule lake, sixty miles from the council ground, and had consequently forfeited all claims to forbearance. He repeated his request for their removal to the reservation, and recommended that Captain Jackson be instructed to arrest Jack, and five or six of his head men, and hold them in confinement until further orders were received from Washington; but the military orders show that Jackson was only instructed to keep the department informed of the condition of affairs relative to the Modocs.

There was at this time a continual interchange of correspondence between the superintendent and Canby; and it appears that Meacham was able to thoroughly infuse into the mind of the general that the Modocs were in the position of a helpless and injured people, who had been driven from the reservation by their enemies the Klamaths. In a letter to Canby dated February 18, 1872, he repeated that they were abused by the Klamaths, and that the sub-