Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/771

720 said that he was with the Cayuses and concerned in the murders, but such was not the fact. His people had never shed the blood of Americans; and he was glad to learn that they only demanded the guilty for punishment.

Camaspelo, the only Cayuse chief who was present, acknowledged that his people had two hearts, and that Tamsucky had consulted him on the subject of the massacre before it was committed. He had refused to have anything to do with it, but had pointed to his sick child, and answered that his heart was there, and not bent on murder; but nevertheless Tamsucky had gone back to the other chiefs and told them that Camaspelo consented. Camaspelo might have said further that at that very time Whitman had ridden forty miles to visit his sick child, and yet the chief had not warned him of danger. But the commissioners were more intent on peace than on an examination of Indian evidence. They were satisfied to be told that some of the Cayuses would not attempt to screen the murderers, let their motives for neutrality be what they might.

Superintendent Palmer then addressed the council. He praised the Nez Percés for their reasonableness, and took occasion to give them a motive for continuing friendly by saying that the Cayuses by their conduct had forfeited their lands. At the same time he declared that the land was not wanted by Americans, who asked nothing more than that the road should be kept open for their countrymen to pass through to the Willamette Valley, which, he added, must be done. For this purpose a fort would be built, and a force stationed at Waiilatpu. For the Cayuses to oppose this demand would be futile. If they were wise they would assist in discovering the criminals in order that the innocent might be no longer involved in the troubles that threatened. The Nez Percés were advised to return to their home and their planting; and as an