Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/764

Rh they not take his advice and give up the guilty Cayuses. the Great Chief of the Americans would send his war-chiefs, and they would all be punished until they Were glad to capitulate. He warned them that he had sent the news of the massacre to California, and asked for war ships to be stationed in the Columbia, and that other means would be used for their chastisement should they not conclude to accept peace on his terms; but that should they consent he would promise to protect them.

A letter was also prepared by Spalding, addressed to the Nez Percés, counselling them to remain at peace. It was anticipated, when these communications were prepared, that the commissioners would be able first of all to hold a council with the Nez Percés, friendly Cayuses, and Walla Wallas; but the vacillating course of the governor in authorizing Gilliam to advance on Waiilatpu should he think best, when he knew that every instinct of the commander was for fighting, had defeated that expectation; hence the preparation of other letters to be forwarded, as before mentioned, from John Day River on the 20th.

Spalding's letter, and one addressed by Gilliam to Vicar-general Brouillet requesting him to furnish the facts concerning the part he had taken in the events