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
ART. 11. If an Indian break these laws, he shall be punished by his
chiefs; if a white man break them, he shall be reported to the agent,
and punished at his instance.
After a severe journey of some four days, through the inclemency of the
weather, we reached Wailatpu, Dr. Whitman's station, where we had many
most unpleasant matters to settle with the Cayuse tribe,--such as
personal abuse to Dr. Whitman and lady, burning the mill, etc. Several,
but not all, of the chiefs were present. Learning what the Nez Percés
had done gave them great concern and anxiety. Tawatowe, the high chief,
and Feather Cap were there, with some few more dignitaries, but
manifestly uneasy, being shy and cautious. I thought best under the
circumstances to be quiet, distant, and reserved, and let them commence
the conversation with my worthy and faithful friends, Rogers and McKay,
who conducted it with characteristic firmness and candor. They had not
proceeded far before Feather Cap, for the first time in his life, so far
as we know, commenced weeping, and wished to see me; said his heart was
sick, and he could not live long as he now felt. Tawatowe, who was no
way implicated personally in the difficulties, and a correct man,
continued for some time firm and steady to his purpose; said the whites
were much more to blame than the Indians; that three-fourths of them,
though they taught the purest doctrines, practiced the greatest
abominations,--alluding to the base conduct of many in the Rocky
Mountains, where they meet them on their buffalo hunts during the summer
season, and witness the greatest extravagances. They were shown the
inapplicability of such instances to the present cases of difficulty.
He, too, at last, was much subdued; wished to see me; was admitted; made
a sensible speech in his own favor; said he was constituted, eight years
before, high chief; entered upon its duties with spirit and courage,
determined to reduce his people to order. He flogged the young men and
reproved the middle-aged, till, having none to sustain him, his
popularity had so declined, that, except in seasons of difficulty
brought about by their improprieties, "I am left alone to say my prayers
and go to bed, to weep over the follies and wickedness of my people."
Here his voice trembled, and he wept freely; acknowledged it as his
opinion that the mill was burnt purposely by some disaffected persons
toward Dr. Whitman. I spoke kindly and somewhat encouragingly to these
chiefs; assured them the guilty only were to be regarded as such; and
that candor was commendable, and would be honored by all the good;
assured them I credited all they said, and deplored the state of their
nation, which was in perfect anarchy and confusion; told them I could
say but little to them now, as their chiefs were mostly abroad; but must
say the shocking conduct of one of the chiefs toward Mrs. Whitman
greatly afflicted me; and that, with the destruction of the mill, and
their abominable conduct toward Dr.
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