Dr. Tolmie's Account of the 1855 War
Port Nisqually, W. T.
Feb. 10, 1858. 

To the Citizens of Washington Territory: The Hudson's Bay Company's post at Nisqually was established in 1833, the Summer of which year I spent here, then obtaining my first insight into the peculiarities of Indian character. Since the Summer of 1843 I have resided at Nisqually permanently. In the Summer of 1845 American citizens. Messrs. Jackson, Ford, Simmons, Crockett and others, began to settle on the prairie between Cowlitz River and the shores of Puget Sound.

Mention was soon thereafter made to the Indians, that ere long they would be paid for their lands occupied by the whites; and, as the natives in turn came to inquire of me, the white man of their earliest acquaintance present, my oft-repeated explanations, and injunctions to peace and good conduct on their parts, were the first instances of my interference. Till '49 nothing of importance occurred to interrupt the harmonious relations existing between the whites and the Indians.

American citizens, on arriving in the country found the native peaceably and friendly towards them, guilty only in rare and solitary instances, of petty delinquencies, which were easily checked, and differing widely, as some citizens of the territory subsequently found, from the wild, untamed savages of Queen Charlotte's and the west coast of Vancouver's Island. In those days I do not think that there was a white man in the country who did not entertain kindly and compassionate feelings toward the Indians inhabiting the districts, now known as Thurston and Pierce Counties.

In May, 1849. a sudden and, on our parts, unprovoked affray took place here with the Snoqualmie Indians, then a comparatively savage and predatory tribe and little acquainted with the whites, when an American citizen was shot dead by the Indians. In getting the perpetrators of the murder delivered, I rendered very material assistance to the Indian agent of that period, J. Quinn Thornton, Esq., and to Captain B. H. Hill, of the United States Army, to whom, at Steilacoom, in the Fall of 49, were delivered up by the tribe the six Indians who had here in May fired upon the whites; and the two most guilty of the murder were soon after tried and executed at Fort Steilacoom. To the succeeding Indian agents. E. A. Starling. Esq.. and subsequently Colonel M. T. Simmons. I rendered assistance whenever requested.

Effort to Avert War.

In the Summer and Fall of 1855, citizens of Washington Territory, I brought everything in my power to bear, to preserve peaceful relations between the whites and the Indians. I had then, as Acting Governor Mason was at the time informed, visits from the chiefs of almost every tribe dwelling on these waters, several of whom I had not previously seen for some years. The one object of these visits was to inquire of me, whether the evil consequences, so much dreaded, namely, banishment to an imaginary "sunless country," were really to follow the sale of their lands.

Invariably, and in the strongest language applicable, did I endeavor to disabuse the minds of the Indians of these foolish fears. I also, with equal earnestness, assured them that they might rely on the promises of the "American chiefs," whose relations towards them were in every respect benevolent. To such as mentioned the proposals of Yakima envoys to unite in war upon the Americans I pointed out the wickedness, as as well as the hopelessness, of such an undertaking, as likewise the utter ruin it would bring upon the natives.

With Acting Governor Mason, I was, during this period, in frequent communication relative to Indian affairs, and well knowing that since the days of the Pilgrim Fathers, Indian wars have been usually inaugurated by treacherous murders on their parts, especially were my efforts directed to prevent participation in the then impending war, on the part of the Indians dwelling West of the Cascade Mountains. 

I do not remember ever having met Governor Stevens subsequent to his return from the Blackfoot country in the "Winter of '55 and 56, without having had lengthy conversations with him on Indian affairs. In the Summer of 1856, when he met the Nisqually. Puyallup and Nooscope Indians, near Steilacoom, and changed their reservations. I was present by his special invitation, and acted as interpreter.

And now for the reasons why, from first to last. I have interested myself in Leschi's behalf. In 1843 the Puget Sound Company's flocks and herds, already numbering several thousand head, had overspread the prairies lying between the Nisqually and Puyallup Rivers, and as in feeding off the pastures they interfered with the root digging operations of the natives,  discontent and ill-feeling occasionally arose on this account. 

Another and more frequent cause of actual disturbance was the poisoning of Indian hunting dogs by wolf-baits, or their being shot by the shepherds when in the act of worrying sheep. In July, 1843, when I came to reside at Nisqually, an Indian was in irons in one of the bastions, on suspicion of having fired at and wounded a Sandwich Island shepherd, with whom, a few days before, he had had a squabble about the kilting of a dog. 

Leschi and Qutemal, I found, had aided the whites in capturing the Indian, and they were then particularly known, the one as Mclean's friend, or "Shikhs," and the other as the friend of Taylor, these being the names of the two white men who lived on the prairies, superintending the management of the sheep. From the early days the brothers were noted for their readiness to assist the whites on all occasions, and with the first American settlers, they, I think, obtained a similar reputation.

Leschi's Friendship.

In the Fall of 1855, as mentioned more fully in my letter to Governor McMullln, now published. I pointed out Leschi to Governor Mason as an Indian of superior shrewdness, who, If properly managed, might be made very useful in quieting the Indian panic and preserving peace. With this in view, I suggested himself and brother as the fittest Indians to accompany Governor Mason on his visits to the natives of White and Green Rivers, which they did, acting as interpreters and guides.

On his return, in order to have the power of closely observing his movements, I gave Leschi employment as horseguard on the plains, where he would have been daily under the notice of white men. and whence, it is my opinion, he would not have stirred for the Winter, had he been left unmolested. By these steps, and by subsequently inquiring of Mr. Rabbeson whether he knew Leschi, etc, as detailed in the evidence taken at his trials. 

I contributed to give the unfortunate man a notoriety he would not otherwise have had and which has since operated much to his prejudice. On this account, and in remembrance of important services by him rendered in early days to myself and others, I have done my best to save Leschi from his impending fate; and the "inward monitor" does not reproach me for any step taken in the matter.

Citizens of Washington Territory, having here, as father of a family, and otherwise, like interests with yourselves, I have throughout striven, as far as my peculiar position among you would admit of, to avert from your borders the horrors of Indian war than which scarcely any calamity, more fraught with material and moral evil, can befall a young country. Whatever may be the opinion of some, I have myself, the satisfaction of reflecting that my endeavors towards that end, whether appreciated or the contrary, have not been altogether without beneficial result to the community.

William Fraser Tolmie