SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, September 16, 1850.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith so much of the language of the Indians of California
as I have been able to procure. My greatest difficulty has been in obtaining proficient
interpreters. None of the many who profess to know the langunge of the Indians, understand more
of it than enough to trade with them or to transact the most ordinary business. Even those who
have spent years among them are greatly at fault when they attempt to interpret the language
beyond common business transactions.
Since the third day of June last, I have traversed more than eight hundred miles through the
great valley of the Sacramento, and along the tributaries of that river which take their rise in
the mountains of the Sierra. Nevada. In my route I visited ten distinct tribes of Indians,
besides meeting many wandering families or communities gathering acorns, pine-seeds, &c.;, for
subsistence.
'l'hc men and children are, in general, naked. Some of them hnve obtained a few articles of
clothing from the whites, such as shirts, hand~ kerchiefS, &c.;, of whicb they seem quite proud.
'l'hc females are also without any covering, except what they call the "Du-ch," or breechclout.
This is nothing more than n bunch of grass or rushes, about one foot in length, suspended from a
belt Or girdle around the waist, in front
and in rear.
I could discover no distinction in their customs, habits of life, or their general language,
which could induce me to think they were not originally the same people. Indeed, their customs
and manner of living are in many respects almost identical. Their huts or lodges are constructed
in the same manner. They do not scalp those whom they kill, but. universally throw the dead body
into water. They all burn the dead of their own people, and their manner of mourning for lost
friends is the same; that is, the nearest of kin cover themselves-hair, head, face, arms, and
body, down· to the waist with-- black tar or pitch, which is permitted to remain upon them until
worn ofl'by time.
They all subsist on roots and grass-seeds from the earth, acorns· and
pine-seeds from the trees, and fish from the streams. Acorns, nuts, and small fish are gathered
in great quantities and .stored in magazines, prepared for the purpose. They universally lay up
enough of these things for two years' subsiStence, and thereby guard against a failure in the
future Crop of the coming season.
The acorns and nuts are ground into a. kind of flour: which is done by means of mortars or deep
basins drilled into rocks. Into these the acorns and nuts are placed and pounded&:; fine as
flour. Before baking, the Indians not unfrequently mix with the flour berries of various kinds
All this is the work of the squaws, or, as they call them, "mo-hales." Indeed, the same
characteristics mark the whole of the tribes in the great valley of the Sacramento and its
adjacent territory. They have an indefinite idea of their right to the soil, and they complain
that the pale-faces are overrunning their country and destroying their means of subsistence. The
emigration are trampiing down and fetding their grass, and the miners are destroying their fish
dams. For this they claim some remuneration, not in money-for they know nothing uf its value-but
in the shape of clothing and food.
In my last communication I recommended. the establishment of about three depots in the great
Valley of the Sacramento, for the purpose of furnishing the various tribes in that region with
subsistence and clothing. Their wants are few, and little of clothing and something to sustain
life upon will readily satisfy them. This policy, I believe, would not only be the most
economical for the government, and vastly more beneficial to the Indians, than annuity in money,
but must be by far the best means of reaching the wild mountain Indians and bringing them into a
state of civilization. I have been informed by Americans who havelived for years on the borders
of the mountains, that where the mountain Indians have been well treated by ~he whites, they
return to their tribes with sentiments of the highest regard for the Americans. There is,
however, a class of men here, who, as I have been informed, shoot down Indians wherever they meet
them. This is not only cruel to the Indians, but works great injury to the whites ..The known
custom of the Indians is revenge, and their vengeance frequently falls upon the innocent. They
must be avenged, and their best friends often pay the penalty of the rash or reckless acts of
others. It seems to be a kind of religious sentiment with them to have "blood for blood."
The Indians of the valley of the Sacramento are not a warlike people. 'fhey possess no war-clubs,
scalping-knite, or tomahawks, so universally used by the Indians east of the Sierra. Nevada. They
are mostly indolent, docile, and tractable, but many of them arc thievish. They are fond of dress
of almost any kind, ancl readil v learn the more simple arts of agriculture. "'
The construction of their huts and villages is much the same. They are constructed by excavating
the earth the size of the room or lodge they desire, some five feet deep. This is covered over
with a domelike top, several feet above the surface of the .earth; in the centre of the roof or
dome there is generally an aperture or opening, which serves the double purpose of admitting
light and letting the smoke escape. This is the only opening in the lodge except the entrance,
which IS m the side, and barely large enough to admit a human body. Through
this they enter, feet foremost, on their hands and knees; when once inside, these lodges are not
uncomfortable. The thickness of the earth over them prevents the sun from penetrating ·them in
the hot season, while in the colder seasons they protect them from the winds, &c.;
The names of the tribes whicfi I have visited in the great valley of the Sacramento and adjacent
mountains are as follows: The "Hocks." This tribe reside upon the celebrated Hock farm, and near
the residence of Captain Sutter. They number from 80 to 100. The "Yubas," located at the mouth,
or rather junction, of the Yuba with the Feather river, and number about 18O. The "O-lip-pas,"
located on Feather river, about 32 miles above its mouth. This tribe numbers about 90 or 100. The
"Bogas," located a short distance above the 0-lip-pas, on the opposite side ofthe river, and
numbe;r about 70. The "Ho-lil-le-pas" reside al the base of the mountains near the Feather river,
and number about 150. The "Erskins," on Butte creek, near to Neal's rancho, and number about 80.
The "Ma-chuck-nas" reside in the valley near to Potter's rancho. Number about 90. The "Cush-nas."
This tribe is located in the mountains, on the water~ of the south Yuba. They number about 600.
The "Tagus" are also in the mountains, above the headwaters of Butte creek. Number unknown. The
"Nim-sirs," also in the mountains, not far distant from the Tagus tribe. The number of this tribe
I could not obtain.
\Vithin the short period since the .occupancy of this country by the whites, the red man has been
fast fading away. Many have died with disease, and others have fled to the mountains to enjoy,
for a brief period, their primeval sports of hunting and fishing. Almost the entire tribes of
Costanoes, or coast Indians, have passed away. Ofthe numerous tribes which but a few years ago
inhabited the country bordering on the bay of San Francisco, scarcely an individual is left. The
pale-faces have taken possession of their country und trample upon the graves of their
forefathers. In an interview with a very aged Indian near the mission of Dolores, he said, "I am
very old; my people were once around me like the sands of the shore-many, many. 'fhey have all
passed away-they have died like the grass ..They have gone to the mountains-I do not complain;
the antelope falls witn the arrow. I had a son-I loved him. When the pnle-faces came, he went
away; I know not where he is. I am a Chnstian Indian; I am all that is left ·of my people-I am
alone." His age, his earnestness, and decrepit condition, gave full force to his language, and I
left him under the deepest sense of sympathy.
I am, sir; you most obedient servant, ' ADAM JOHNSTON.
Hon. ORLANDo BRowN,
Washington City, D. C.
