Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/721

670 body was reminded of their relations with the natives, how they were becoming every year more embarrassed, by reason of the failure of the United States to send an agent authorized to treat with them. And thereupon they recommended an appropriation enabling the superintendent of Indian affairs to take a small party in the spring and visit the disaffected tribes, making presents which would quiet their apprehensions, and also to demand from them restitution of the property stolen from the new-comers during the autumn.

On the afternoon of the same day, having received the letter of Chief Factor Douglas, the governor communicated the facts of the massacre of the 29th, and submitted the correspondence of McBean, Douglas, and Hinman. The case, he said, was one that required prompt action, and he suggested that for the funds required they should apply to the Hudson's Bay Company and the merchants of Oregon City, as without doubt the United States government would assume the debt. A resolution was immediately adopted, requiring the governor to raise and equip a company of riflemen, not to exceed fifty men with their officers, to be despatched to the Dalles for the protection of that station, according to the prayer of Hinman, who was much alarmed for his family.

On the following day a bill to that effect was passed, and was signed by the executive on the 10th. Immediately afterward a communication was received by the house from Jesse Applegate, suggesting that a messenger be sent to Washington to urge the United States government to assume control of affairs. The suggestion was at once adopted, and notice of a bill to provide for a special messenger given the same day.

The bill to raise troops required the governor to issue a proclamation to raise a regiment of mounted riflemen by volunteer enlistment, not to exceed five