Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/330

Rh had indicated a desire to adopt them. "We do not take the laws because Tauitau says so," said the chief, angrily. "He is a Catholic, and as a people we do not follow the Catholic worship." But White explained that the Americans had different modes of worship, yet obeyed one law.

A Nez Percé sub-chief, called the Prince, complained that the white people had not given them cattle, but they had been compelled to pay for them. He wanted something tangible, cattle and presents, because his people had been kind to Lewis and Clarke. Illutin, also a Nez Percé, declared that he was wearied with the wickedness of the young men, and asserted that it was because they had stolen property in their possession that they objected to the laws. But the prince argued that the white people had long since been promising them benefits, though they passed on and left no blessing behind. If the Americans designed to do them good, why did they not bring presents like the British traders, who not only promised but performed. To this very pointed argument White replied that the Americans among them were missionaries, and not traders. Thus the first day passed without anything definite being accomplished. After the meeting adjourned Ellis and Lawyer came privately to the sub-agent to tell him that they expected pay for being chiefs. The former had counted the months he had been in office, and thought there must be enough due him to make him wealthy. It certainly was a singular civilization, this of White's, which allowed officials no salary, and criminals no recompense.

On the following day it was found somewhat easier to proceed with the business of the council. The