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INDIAN WARS OF OREGON.

ing, signed by his name, so that "Jo Lane" became a talesmanic word throughout the Rogue river and Shasta valleys.

Lane having learned that he was to be superseded by a whig governor, did not return to Oregon City, but proceeded south to the Shasta mines to dig gold, Chief Jo presenting him, on parting, with a mark of his esteem, in the shape of a Modoc boy for a slave.


In 1850 congress passed an act extinguishing Indian titles west of the Cascade mountains, and the president immediately appointed as superintendent of Indian affairs, Anson Dart, who arrived in Oregon in October, together with P. C. Dart, his secretary. The sub-agents appointed were A. G. Henry, who failed to arrive at all; Elias Wampole, who did arrive; and H. H. Spalding, already on the ground. Twenty thousand dollars was appropriated and advanced to the superintendent with which he was to erect dwellings for himself and agents, and make presents to the Indians.

A commission was also created, consisting of the newly appointed governor, John P. Gaines, Alonzo A. Skinner, and Beverly S. Allen, to make treaties with the Indians west of the Cascades. According to their instructions, the object of the government was to remove the complaint of the settlers that they could not acquire perfect titles to their lands before the Indian title was extinguished. For this cause they were to treat with the small tribes in the Wallamet valley first and separately. They were to decide what amount of money should be paid for the lands, and grant annuities not to exceed five per cent of the whole amount. They were advised not to pay the annuities in money, but to substitute such articles of use, of agriculture, mechanics, and education as should to them seem best. If any surplus remained, goods might be purchased with that, to be delivered to the Indians. For this object twenty thousand dollars were appropriated, fifteen thou-