His Excellency J. G. DOWNEY to H. M. Black, August 25, 1861

Capt. H. M. BLACK, Commanding Troops, Fort Cascades, Wash. Ter.:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that in accordance with your instructions I visited the Upper and Lower Cascades, on the Oregon side, and by inquiry endeavored to ascertain upon what foundation were based the rumors of an apprehended Indian attack. It appears that an old Indian woman some eight or ten days since told Mrs. Attwell, living at the Upper Cascades, that strange Indians had been talking to the Cascade Indians of an attack, but that the latter would not join them. She added that in case of danger she would give timely warning to Mrs. Attwell. About this same time an Indian called Jim, under the influence of liquor, and just at dark, came to Mr. Attwell’s house, and told Mr. and Mrs. Attwell that they must be careful; that strange Indians were in the mountains; that they might attack the Cascades; stating also that he would inform them in time of the danger. I visited the house of an Indian called Gabriel, at which place I saw the old Indian woman referred to above, but I was unable to elicit any information in confirmation of the story attributed to her; neither could I learn from them anything in relation to strange Indians or an apprehended attack. It appears that Gabriel had been told, or imagined, that you were thinking of hanging him, and seemed to be very much frightened. Indian Jim, referred to above, is absent now from the Cascades, and I therefore could not see him, but I am informed that he has since been questioned in relation to his first story, and that now he denies having told it. Mrs. Attwell is also absent from the Cascades, and I therefore could not see her. I will also here add that some alarm has been caused by the unusually large number of strange Indians reported as passing up and down, and as having much powder and lead. The arrival of troops has quieted entirely the fears of all.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,