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278 this object, but withontwithout [sic] success; the Cayuses would not talk until they had seen Chief Ellis. When White proposed to go to Lapwai, and bring the Nez Percés at once, they were suspicious that his intention was to prevent the coming of Ellis, and objected. At length White and his aids were allowed to go, and were received with a grand parade, such as had been given to the missionaries in the Rocky Mountains in 1836, and were escorted back to Waiilatpu by several hundred of the principal men of the tribe with their families, Ellis signifying his intention of influencing the Cayuses to accept the laws adopted by the Nez Percés.

It was not until the 23d of May that the chiefs on both sides were ready for council, the meeting being opened by Tauitau. The savages were assured that the white men had not come there with the design of deceiving or injuring them. If they would be united, would cultivate the ground and obey the laws, they might become a great and happy people; but if they persisted in disorder, disobedience, and an unsettled manner of life, their condition could never be bettered.

On the laws being called for and read, Peupeumoxmox arose and inquired: "Where are these laws from? Are they from God, or from the earth? I would that you might say they were from God; but I think they are from the earth, because, from what I know of white men, they do not honor these laws." When told that the laws were recognized by God, and imposed on men in all civilized countries, the chief expressed himself pleased to hear that it was so, because many of his people had been angry with him when they were whipped for crimes, and had declared that he would be sent to hell for it. Therefore he was relieved to know that his conduct was pleasing to God. Here Tiloukaikt, jealous of the apparent consent of Tauitau to the proceedings, and thinking he might be looking forward to a high chieftainship, inquired why the laws were read to them before they