Sir

In referring to my communication of this date in reference to the killing of Indians by white persons for fancied or real aggressions by Indians.

I have to report the arrival of James Cunningham from the Matole Station near Mendocino with the intelligence that the settlers in that vicinity have attacked, killed, or driven away all the Indians who had been collected at the station, and are now raging an indiscriminate war upon all who can be found either in the valley or in the mountains. He saw on the day he left for this place several Indians shot without any known provocation. He reports that a party of thirty men were then in readiness to start for Shelter Cove and other places upon the coast for the avowed purpose of attacking and destroying all the Rancheries in that vicinity.

Those Indians are peaceable and well disposed, and this is a most outrageous and murderous expedition.

I have of course no remedy for such outrages. Mr. Cunningham has been directed to return and endeavor as far as possible by peaceable and conciliatory policy to disuade the whites from this severe and inhuman policy and to pacify the Indians and prevent them if possible from resorting to retaliation and revenge, which would generally fall upon the heads of innocent persons. There is great excitement among all the Indians among the entire coast country, and very bad feeling exists among the whites and there is a prospect of serious difficulty during the Summer. Every precaution, however, in my power will be adopted to prevent it. In this case one or two special agents will be kept travelling during the summer to meet any emergency that may arise.