Indian depredation claim of Richard B. Holbrook, Lummi Island, Washington Territory, 1854

The claim as the Secretary of the Interior sent it to Congress on 7 Feb 1885, "the claim of Richard B. Holbrook, of Bellingham Bay, Washington Territory, for compensation on account of depredations alleged to have been committed by Washington Territory Indians, amounting to $1,378.20, in 1854." Read 14 Oct 2026 in the University of Oklahoma's scan of the Serial Set.

His letter (Exhibit A, p. 16). "BELLINGHAM BAY, June 1, 1854. SIR: On the morning of May 28, while from home, my house was broken open and robbed, by a party of Indians, of my goods, tools, provisions, and clothing. I came to this bay a few weeks previous to my being robbed to engage with Capt. Eli Hathaway in the salmon business, to whom I respectfully refer you." Addressed to Acting Governor C. H. Mason.

What was taken (pp. 16-17), $1,378.20. Trade goods: 40 blankets ($160), 252 yards of sheeting, 222 of calico, 5 dozen handkerchiefs, 20 pounds of beads, 14 pounds of vermilion, 4 gross of fish-hooks, 4 dozen hickory shirts, 3 dozen fancy shirts, 2 dozen pants, 5 shawls, thread and needles, and 120 pounds of tobacco ($90). Tools: a crosscut saw, draw-shave, axes, 100 pounds of nails, a smith's hammer and tongs, brace and bits, gimlets, chisels, shovel, pick and hoes. Arms: a rifle, a musket, a pair of pistols, a sword, a bowie knife, 25 pounds of powder, 100 of shot and percussion caps. His own things: a pilot-cloth coat, two frock coats, vests, hats, shirts and boots, a feather bed and bedding, a silver watch and a timepiece, a ship's lantern, oil soap, an oil suit, a set of plates, cups and saucers, a coffee-pot and tea-kettle, medicines, "1 geography," "Webster's Dictionary" and a "Bible," and $200 of provisions "as per bill of Dow & Co." The Whatcom County justice R. C. Peabody certified that Holbrook "has been engaged in the fishing business here with Captain Hatheway, and through the present disaster he will be deprived of this season's work."

His affidavit of 28 Mar 1881 (Exhibit B, pp. 17-18), sworn at Coupeville before Robert C. Hill, county auditor: in May 1854 "he was engaged in the business of trading and fishing on Lummi Island, Whatcom County"; on the morning of 27 May he and another man left his house and store, "after having made secure his premises," for a day's fishing in a boat, but "it came on to blow so hard that it was deemed unsafe" to come back, and in the night the house was broken into "and then robbed of all the goods and effects the house contained." The oil soap was "a peculiar kind of soap, used principally by whalemen and others engaged in greasy occupations." He swore that "he has never attempted to coerce or intimidate in any way any tribe or band of Indians, so as to recover back the stolen property or payment for the same," but had filed his account with the governor and trusted that "in the course of time he would be ultimately indemnified for his losses."

The witnesses. A. M. Poe and Lafayette Balch (5 Jan 1855): "a man of good moral character." Henry Roeder of Whatcom (25 Mar 1881): Holbrook was then "engaged in the business of trading and curing and packing of salmon," and "I have always known him to be an honorable and much respected citizen." Samuel D. Howe (24 Mar 1884 as printed): "having been a near neighbor to him for a number of years after he was robbed," and "I have been intimately acquainted with Mr. Holbrook for the past twenty-nine years, and have always known him as an honorable gentleman, therefore incapable of rendering or attempting to collect an unjust account either against an individual or the Government." Eli Hatheway (21 Mar 1881): "At that time I was a neighbor of his upon Lumi Island ... where he was engaged in the business of selling goods, and curing and barreling of salmon"; they had gone "up the Gulf of Georgia a short distance upon a fishing cruise" and came home two days later to find "that both of our homes had been broken into"; "I have always regarded Mr. Holbrook as an honorable gentleman, and as such I believe he is esteemed by every person who knows him," and "a prudent and careful person, for he was particular in keeping a close watch upon his property generally."

The outcome. Agent R. H. Milroy (9 Dec 1881) found the claim "well sustained by proofs," but noted that the robbery took place "in profound peace (May, 1854), and prior to the negotiation of any treaty"; the Commissioner of Indian Affairs found the evidence insufficient, and the Secretary sent the claim to Congress without recommendation. It was never paid.