CHAPTER XX.

Excitement among the Indians-Different views of the alarmed whites -Another journey-State of the Indians-Mr. Spalding's station-Nez Perces-Key uses and Wallawa las-Presence of the women at the feast-Peace-Visit the Dalles-Course of the agent-Laws of the whites-Immigrating party-Willamette valley-Gov. McLaugh lin-False reports-Schools-Mission claim-Mr. Lee-Instructions to immigrants-Oregon Institute Letters.

Willamette Valley, Oregon, Nov. 15, 1843. HONORED SIR-Since my arrival, I have had the honor of addressing you some three or four communications, the last of which left early in April, conveyed by the Hudson's Bay Company's express over the Rocky Mountains, via. Canada, which I hope and judge was duly received.

Immediately after this, I received several communications from missionaries of the interior, some from the Methodists, and those sent out by the American board, representing the Indians in the interior as in a great state of excitement, and under much apprehension from the circumstance that such number of whites were coming in, as they were informed, to take possession of their land and country. The excitement soon became general, both among whites and Indians, in this

lower as well as upper district; and such were the constantly floating groundless reports, that much uneasiness was felt, and some of our citizens were under such a state of appre hensions as to abandon their houses, and place themselves more immediately within the precincts of the colony. As in all such cases, a variety of opinions were entertained and

expressed-some pleading for me, at the expense of the general government, to throw up a strong fortification in the centre of the colony, and furnish the settlers with guns and ammunition, so that we might be prepared for extremities. Others thought it more advisable for me to go with an armed force of considerable strength to the heart and centre of the conspiracy, as it was represented, and if words will not answer, make power and balls do it. A third party entertained different views, and few were really agreed on any one

measure.

As may be imagined, I felt the awkwardness of my position; but, without stopping to consult an agitated populace, selected a sensible clergyman and a single attendant, with my interpreter, and so managed as to throw myself immediately into their midst unobserved. The measure had the desired effect-though, as in my report I will more fully inform you, had like to have cost me my life.

The Indians flocked around me, and inquired after my par ty, and could not be persuaded, for some time, but that I had a large party concealed somewhere near, and only waited to get them convened, to open a fire upon, and cut them all off at a blow. On convincing them of my defenceless condition and pacific intentions, they were quite astounded and much affected, assuring me they had been under strong apprehensions, having learned I was soon to visit them with a large armed party, with hostile intentions, and I actually found them suffering more from fears of war from the whites, than the whites from the Indians-each party resolving, however, to remain at home, and there fight to the last― though, fortunately, some three or four hundred miles apart.

The day following we left these Wallawallas and Keyuses,

to pay a visit to the Nez Perces, promising to call on our return, and enter into a treaty of amity, if we could agree on the terms, and wished them to give general notice to all concerned, of both tribes.

In two days we were at Mr. Spalding's station. The Nez Perces came together in greater numbers than on any former occasion for years, and all the circumstances combining to favor it, received us most cordially. Their improvement during the winter, in reading, writing, etc., was considerable, and the enlargement of their plantations, with the increased variety and quantities of the various kinds of grains and products now vigorously shooting forth, connected with the better state of cultivation and their universally good fences, were certainly most encouraging.

Spending some days with this interesting tribe, and their devoted missionaries, in the pleasantest manner, they accepted my invitation to visit with me the Key uses and Wallawallas, and assist by their influence to bring them into the same regulation they had previously adopted, and with which all were so well pleased.

Mr. Spalding and Ellis, the high chief, with every other chief and brave of importance, and some four or five hundred of the men and their women, accompanied us to Waiilaptu, Dr. Whitman's station, a distance of a hundred and twenty miles, where we met the Key uses and Wallawallas in mass, and spent some five or six days in getting matters adjusted and principles settled, so as to receive the Keyuses into the civil compact; which being done, and the high chief elected, much to the satisfaction of both whites and Indians, I ordered two fat oxen killed, and wheat, salt, etc., distributed accordingly.

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This was the first feast at which the Indian women of this

country were ever permitted to be present, but probably will not be the last; for, after some explanation of my reasons, the chiefs were highly pleased with it; and I believe more was done at that feast to elevate and bring forward their poor, oppressed women than could have been done in years by private instruction.

The feast broke up in the happiest manner after FiveCrows, the Keyuse chief, Ellis, and the old war chief of whom I made particular mention in my last report as being so well acquainted with Clarke, and a few others, had made their speeches, and we had smoked the pipe of peace, which was done by all in great good humor.

- From this, we proceeded to the Dalles on the Columbia river, where I spent two months in instructing the Indians of different tribes, who either came in mass, or sent ambassadors to treat with me, or, as they denominate it, take my laws, which are thus far found to operate well, giving them greater security among themselves, and helping much to regulate their intercourse with the whites. Being exceedingly anxious to bring about an improvement and reformation among this people, I begged money and procured articles for clothing to the amount of a few hundred dollars, not to be given, but to be sold out to the industrious women, for mats, baskets, and their various articles of manufacture, in order to get them clothed comfortably to appear at church; enlisted the cheerful co-operation of the mission ladies in instructing them how to sew and make up their dresses; and had the happiness to see some twenty of these neatly clad at divine service, and a somewhat larger number out in the happiest mood to a feast I ordered them, at which the mission ladies and gentlemen were present.

During these two months I labored hard, visiting many

of their sick daily; and by the most prompt and kind attention, and sympathizing with them in their affliction, encouraging the industrious and virtuous, and frowning in language and looks upon the vicious, I am satisfied good was done. They gave evidence of attachment; and my influence was manifestly increased, as well as the laws more thoroughly understood, by reason of my remaining so long among them.

During my up-country excursion, the whites of the colony convened, and formed a code of laws to regulate intercourse between themselves during the absence of law from our mother country, adopting in almost all respects the Iowa code. In this I was consulted, and encouraged the measure, as it was so manifestly necessary for the collection of debts, securing rights in claims, and the regulation of general intercourse among the whites.

Thus far, these laws have been of some force and importance, answering well in cases of trespass and the collection of debts; but it is doubtful how they would succeed in criminal affairs, especially if there should happen to be a division of sentiment in the public mind.

The Indians of this lower country, as was to be expected, give considerable trouble, and are most vexatious subjects to deal with. In mind the weakest and most depraved of their race, and physically, thoroughly contaminated with the scrofula, and a still more loathsome disease entailed by the whites; robbed of their game and former means of covering; lost to the use of the bow and arrow; laughed at, scoffed, and contemned by the whites, and a hiss and byword to the surrounding tribes, they are too dejected and depressed, to feel the least pleasure in their former amusements, and wander about seeking generally a scanty pittance by begging and pilfering, but the more ambitious and des