Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/134

98 times ready to give it up It will require much hard study before I am able to do anything like preaching

Nothing has yet been printed in this language & we know not when we shall as we are destitute of a printer"

This opinion is expressed notwithstanding that Dr. Myron Eells does not claim the credit for his father, but says:

""In 1842, one of sixteen pages in the Spokane language was printed. This was prepared by Messrs. Walker and Eells, chiefly by the former, who may properly hence be called the pioneer book writer of the State of Washington, as Mr. Spalding was of Idaho.""

The fifth book printed on the press was an eight-page book of laws.

In a letter to Mr. Greene dated Clear Water, 26 Feb., 1843, Mr. Spalding says:

""Doct White Agent of Indian affairs in this region, who visited me in Dec. last, expressed himself highly gratified at the prospect of the school & the advancement the people have made in civilization—

Doct White & party remained with us 8 days laboring with the people Assembled all the chiefs & principal men—proposed a simple code of laws which was unanimously adopted by this people. A principal chief was chosen He is a young man who spent several years in the church mission school at the Red River Thus far the laws promise much good to the nation & important to the Mission. I have printed the laws & introduced them into the school. They were soon committed to memory by hundreds I send you a copy.""

It is interesting to notice the spelling of Dr. White's name in these laws as Takta HWAIT (see plate), in accordance with Pickering's rude to use the letters "hw" to represent the sound expressed in English by "wh".

In the same letter Mr. Spalding writes:

""Having received permission from Messrs Walker & Eells to use the press & paper as I should judge the interest of the School would demand, I have printed the Laws which this people have adopted & am now printing a Hymn-book.""