you are charged with the mission. I think going as my brother may give you more influence.
The Modocs can appreciate that, inasmuch as the Superintendent could not come, he sent his brother.
I have confidence in your coolness and sense of justice, and, with I. D. Applegate as counsellor, I hope you may bring this unhappy trouble (so heavy laden with death to many persons) to a peaceful solution.
Do not take more than two or three persons with you, and, whatever the result of “the talk,” you will be faithful and true to yourself and the Indians. Mr. Jesse Applegate is somewhere out in that country. He is a safe adviser. I have no doubt he will assist you in this hazardous undertaking. You will report the result of this visit to this office promptly.
In the event that the military commander at Fort Klamath may have already gone after Jack and opened hostilities, I do not wish you to take any desperate chances.
This matter I leave to the circumstances that may exist on receipt of this letter. I see clearly, from Jesse Applegate’s letter, that hostilities are imminent, and that many good men may lose life and property unless the threatened hostilities are prevented.
I have never seen the time when we could have done otherwise than as we have; but I fully realize that we may be held responsible by the citizens of that country, who do not understand the power and duties of the Indian Department.
Go on this mission realizing that you carry in your hand the lives and happiness of many persons, and the salvation of a tribe of people who have been much wronged, and seldom, if ever, understood.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
A. B. MEACHAM,
Supt. Ind. Affairs.
Under the foregoing letter of instructions the commissioners appointed went into the Modoc country, having previously arranged, through Indian messengers, to meet Captain Jack and five or six of his men. No agreement was made in reference to arms, each party following the dictates of common sense,—by being ready for peace, but prepared for war. The commissioners took with them two persons, making up a party of four well-armed men. It is humane and Christian to carry always the olive-branch of peace, but it is unwise to depend on its sanctity for protection when dealing with enraged savages. Well for Commissioner Meacham and I. D. Applegate that they had forethought enough to go prepared to defend themselves; for, had they not, the list of killed in the Modoc war would have read somewhat different from its present roll of names. There is no doubt that at the time these two young men went out to meet these people, “Schonchin John,” “Hooker Jim,” and “Curly-haired Doctor” were in favor of assassinating them, and were only prevented by Captain Jack and Scarface Charley. The information comes through Indian lips, but I believe it to be true.