Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/40



28 C. F. COAN

ANNUAL REPORT OF JOEL PALMER, SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN

AFFAIRS FOR OREGON TERRITORY FOR 1853, PROPOSING

THE RESERVATION SYSTEM

Copy Office Supt. Ind. Affairs.

Dayton Oct. 8th, 1853.

Sir, In transmitting my annual report at so late a period, it is proper that reasons for the delay be given; especially in view of the positive instructions from the Indian Department at Washington requiring strict compliance with the 19th para- graph of Revised Regulations No. 3.

This "Circular" however, as you were informed by Mr. Geary Acting Superintendent during my absence to assist in quelling the disturbances between our citizens and the indians in the Rogue River country, did not reach this office till the 13th Sept.

Although aware of the importance of submitting my report at an early day, little toward its preparation was accomplished prior to my departure to the scene of Indian war in the South, as I desired to receive the reports of Agents, and Sub and Special Agents before its compilation. I also desired to visit the Coast region between Killamook and Umpqua rivers as was suggested in my letters of June 23 and August 23 in order to enable me to speak definitely of the propriety of colonizing the Valley Indians in that district.

On the eve of starting upon this tour, I was arrested in my purpose, by intelligence of the indian depredations, and im- minent peril of our citizens, in the Southern part of the Ter- ritory. I at once abandoned the expedition and proceeded to the scene of difficulties, leaving Mr. Geary to perform the duties of Acting Superintendent during my absence. But, unfortunately in a few days after my departure Mr. Geary was prostrated by sickness and wholly disabled from the per- formance of duty.

I was detained until the 25th September, and on my return after spending a week in ineffectual efforts to procure a loan of funds whereby to meet the current expenses of the Office and the liabilities incurred in holding treaties with the indians, I was subpoenaed to attend the Court then in Session in Oregon City, as a witness in a suit therein pending against Anson Dart Esq. late Supt. of Indian Affairs where I was detained till the evening of the 7th instant.

I very much regret this delay as I fear it will tend much to the embarrassment of the indian [sic] department in Oregon