Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/756

Rh were killed, and one wounded so that he died subsequently at Vancouver.

In the mean time the governor's policy with regard to fighting suddenly underwent a change, for on the 27th we find him instructing Lee, at every opportunity, to assure the Indians that all the Americans want of them is to give up the murderers, and that they wish to be at peace with all the other tribes. At the same time he informed him that he thought of appointing the three commissioners authorized by the legislature, who should repair to Walla Walla for the purpose of holding a council with the various tribes of the Columbia, to prevent if possible a coalition between them and the Cayuses; and that he had selected Joel Palmer, superintendent of Indian affairs, Robert Newell, well known to the Nez Percés and Cayuses, and Major Lee himself, who under White's administration had also become well known to the Indians.

In accordance with this plan of action, the governor on the 29th directed Colonel Gilliam to remain at the Dalles until the commissioners, with the last of the volunteer companies, should arrive; and repeated to him the instructions he had given Lee concerning the assurances to be made to the Indians, that if they would give up the murderers and restore the stolen property the volunteers should be withdrawn. On the 2d of February commissions were issued to Palmer, Newell, and Lee, and the former two immediately set about making preparations for departure.

Palmer, being commissary-general, deputized A. E. Wait and James Taylor, of Oregon City, to take charge of the commissary and quartermaster departments in his absence. Knowing the impatient character of