Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/320

Rh Geiger joined White's party, which received another important addition at Walla Walla in the person of McKinlay, who declared that he would make common cause with the Americans in dealing with the Cayuses. But few natives were found at Waiilatpu, and those were shy; so leaving an appointment for a meeting with the Cayuses on their return, the party proceeded to Lapwai. A courier had been sent in advance to collect the Nez Percés, and when Spalding's station was reached on the 3d of December, White was received by the assembled chiefs with gravity and reserve. Wishing to gain the confidence and goodwill of the natives before meeting them in council, White began by visiting and prescribing for the sick, and holding informal conversations with the chiefs, in the course of which he took care to praise the performance of their children at school, and otherwise to judiciously flatter them.

At the general conference which followed, he made an appropriate and well-turned speech explaining the nature of his office. He told them that the object of his visit was to show them the friendly intentions of the United States government, which would protect them in their rights, even against white men who would do them wrong; he dwelt upon the high esteem in which the missionaries were held by their great chief, the president of the United States, and the offence which would be given by injuring them in their persons or estate.

McKinlay also addressed them, alluding to the former good understanding between the Nez Percés and the fur company; and assuring them that English, French, and Americans were one in interests and feelings, and allied in the same manner as were the confederated tribes, the Cayuses, Walla Wallas, and Nez Percés. Rogers next made an appeal to them, as their former teacher, and hoped they would avoid the troubles into which some of the tribes east of the Rocky Mountains had fallen through unreasonable