A History of Oregon, 1792-1849: Drawn From Personal Observation and Authentic InformationGray, W. H. (William Henry)
History
A History of Oregon, 1792-1849: Drawn From Personal Observation and Authentic Information
Gray, W. H. (William Henry)
Frontier and pioneer life -- Oregon; Oregon Territory -- History
After me, Mr. McKinley, the gentleman in charge of the Hudson's Bay
establishment at Wallawalla, spoke concisely, but very properly; alluded
to his residence of some years, and of the good understanding that had
generally existed between them, and of the happiness he felt that one of
his brothers had come to stand and judge impartially between him, them,
and whites and Indians in general; declared openly and frankly, that
Boston, King George, and French, were all of one heart in this matter,
as they, the Cayuses and Wallawallas should be; flattered them
delicately in view of their (to him) unexpected advancement in the arts
and sciences, and resumed his seat, having made a most favorable
impression.
Next followed Mr. Rogers, the interpreter, who, years before, had been
employed successfully as linguist in this section of the country by the
American Board of Commissioners, and was ever a general favorite with
this people. He adverted, sensibly and touchingly, to past difficulties
between whites and Indians east of the mountains, and the sad
consequences to every tribe who had resisted honorable measures proposed
by the more numerous whites; and having, as he hoped, secured their
confidence in my favor, exhorted them feelingly to adopt such measures
as should be thought proper for their benefit.
Next, and lastly, arose Mr. McKay, and remarked, with a manner peculiar
to himself, and evidently with some emotion: "I appear among you as one
arisen from the long sleep of death. You know of the violent death of my
father on board the ship _Tonquin_, who was one of the partners of the
Astor company; I was but a youth; since which time, till the last five
years, I have been a wanderer through these wilds, none of you, or any
Indians of this country, having traveled so constantly or extensively as
I have, and yet I saw you or your fathers once or more annually. I have
mingled with you in bloody wars and profound peace; I have stood in your
midst, surrounded by plenty, and suffered with you in seasons of
scarcity; we have had our days of wild and joyous sports, and nights of
watching and deep concern, till I vanished from among men, left the
Hudson's Bay Company, silently retired to my plantation, and there
confined myself. There I was still, silent, and as one dead; the voice
of my brother, at last, aroused me; I spoke and looked; I mounted my
horse--am here. I am glad it is so. I came at the call of the great
chief, the chief of all the whites in the country, as well as all the
Indians--the son of the mighty chief whose children are more numerous
than the stars in the heavens or the leaves in the forest. Will you
hear, and be advised? You will. Your wonderful improvement in the arts
and sciences prove you are no fools. Surely you will hear; but if
disposed to close your ears and stop them, they will be torn open wide,
and you will be made to hear." This speech from Mr. McKay, whose mother
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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