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
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 embassadors 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 of 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 large 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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