Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/138

136 decent regard for the principles of humane and reasonable conduct, aboriginal sovereignty of the territory would have been peacefully relinquished, and some of our most desolating wars and terrible massacres avoided. As to these fast disappearing people, we can afford at this late day to lift much of the opprobrium which our history has placed upon them.

Fifth Treaty with the Rogue River Indians.After a number of depredations had been committed by the Rogue River Indians, Governor Lane with fifteen white men and Chief Quatley of the Klickitats, a fierce enemy of the Rogue Rivers, set out for Sam's Valley, where the party arrived about the middle of June, 1850. Upon invitation from the Governor, the Indians came for a talk with the view of forming a treaty of peace and friendship. But not understanding the integrity of Governor Lane, the abused his confidence by coming one hundred fifty strong with hostile purpose. After the Governor had instructed them to cease their war* fare and had also given them assurance that they would be paid for their land and would be instructed in the knowledge of the white men. a circle who formed in which stood Lane and the chiefs. But just before the conference a second band of Indians appeared,—all fully armed. Lane suspected treachery, and had Quatley, the Klickitat chief, enter the circle with a few of his Indians and stand beside the Rogue River Chief, who uttered words that raised the war cry of his band. Thereupon, Chief Quatley with one hand seized the Rogue River Chief, and with the other held a knife directed at his captive's throat: At this point the captive Chief, at Governor Lane's request, sent his warriors away with instructions to return at the end of two days, but not before. In their absence the Rogue River Chieftain was the prisoner and guest of Governor Lane; and from what the savage chief saw and heard during his brief captivity, he became convinced that it was both policy and wisdom for his people to join in a treaty of peace with the whiter. This