Page:A History of the Pacific Northwest.djvu/232



they say, "we have almost despaired of receiving its protection; yet we trust that our present situation, when fully laid before you, will at once satisfy your honourable body of the necessity of extending the strong arm of guardianship and protection over this distant, but beautiful portion of the United States' domain. Our relations with the proud and powerful tribes of Indians residing east of the Cascade Mountains, hitherto uniformly amicable and pacific, have recently assumed quite a different character. They have shouted the war whoop, and crimsoned their tomahawks in the blood of our citizens. . . . Circumstances warrant your memorialists in believing that many of the powerful tribes . . . have formed an alliance for the purpose of carrying on hostilities against our settlements. ... To repel the attacks of so formidable a foe, and protect our families and property from violence and rapine, will require more strength than we possess ... we have a right to expect your aid, and you are in justice bound to extend it. . . . If it be at all the intention of our honoured parent to spread her guardian wings over her sons and daughters in Oregon, she surely will not refuse to do it now, when they are struggling with all the ills of a weak and temporary government, and when perils are daily thickening around them, and preparing to burst upon their heads. When the ensuing summer's sun shall have dispelled the snow from the mountains, we shall look with glowing hopes and restless anxiety for the coming of your laws and your arms." The news in Washington. Joe Meek, accompanied