been  ordered  north,  not  in  consequence  of  his  official  requisition,  but
as  a  matter  of  public  service,  based  upon  what  seemed  to  be  reliable
information.  I  therefore  inferred  that  the  general  in  command  had
assumed  the  exclusive  control  of  all  matters  connected  with  these  Indian
outbreaks,  and  acted  in  virtue  of  his  command  of  the  army  in  this
Territory.  Under  the  circumstances,  I  deemed  it  proper  to  return  to
this  city,  where  my  presence  seemed  more  likely  to  promote  the  public
interest,  than  by  remaining  where  my  official  authority,  to  say  the
least,  was  considered  questionable.
Soon  after  my  return,  I  met  Lieutenant  Gay,  who  was  in  command
of  the  company  of  dragoons  above  alluded  to,  who  was  then  en  route
to  the  north.  Our  interview  was  entirely  unofficial,  he  making  no
report  to  me  in  relation  to  his  orders.
Under  the  circumstances,  however,  1  deemed  it  my  duty  to  furnish
him  with  every  item  of  information  that  might  facilitate  him  in  oper
ating  successfully  against  the  hostile  Indians.  I  have  been  informed
(unofficially)  that  Lieutenant  Gay  had  a  skirmish  with  a  party  of  Indians
near  Box  Elder.
This  officer  subsequently  formed  a  junction  with  Major  Lynde,  who,
in  command  of  four  companies  of  United  States  troops,  was  on  his
return  march  from  the  Humboldt  river  and  Goose  Creek  mountains.
Since  that  time,  I  have  learned  that  another  train  has  been  attacked
and  destroyed  near  Marsh  creek,  in  Oregon.
After  inquiry  on  this  subject,  I  am  induced  to  believe  that  the  par
ties  who  have  committed  these  outrages  are  renegades  from  the  Ban-
nacks  of  Oregon,  and  Shoshonees ;  depredations  of  a  smilar  character
have  been  committed  by  these  outlaws  for  many  years.
