Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 37.djvu/147

 inflamation of the lungs among them they suspended their labor. I had no means of assisting them but by loaning hoes of which had but fifteen but still they have succeded in making a good beginning & having finished planting the sickness having abated have removed to dig camas a native root of which they make extensive use. They will return to hoe their corn in about four weeks Their sickness gave me much trouble from their love of their native juglers for they are nothing less giving no medicine & relying solely upon incantions The Cayuses show a strong desire to be taught the only thing which has given me trouble among them is this wish for us to become an oposition Trader among them. They have seen a little of oposition in trade which has caused them to think more of large prices for their beaver & horses than anything else. I trust they have now given up the idea of trade on our part. We have made but little attempt to teach them except to sing with which they are much pleased & adopt in their worship which they have at the Chief's lodge night & morning & Sabbath forenoon. In the afternoon of Sabbath I assemble them for worship & instruction My house was so small it could not admit many to our family worship all would have been glad to attend. The present worship of the Indians was established by the Traders of the Hudson Bay Co & It consists of the singing a form of prayer taught them after which the Chief gives them a talk. It has had a favorable influence upon them in rendering them more civil & little addicted to steal. Some of the leading truths of Revelation have been taught them. A system of punishment for crime established also by the traders has done much good. I think there can be no doubt of their rediness to adopt cultivation & when they have plenty of food they will be little disposed to wander. So far the Hudson Bay Company have furnished what we desired but much better farming utentials could be sent from the U States If a direct conveyance canot be had to the Columbia let things be sent to Mr Bingham Sandwich Islands & from thence the H.B. Co will bring them once or twice a year Plows and hoes are the main farming utentialls we need. The number of hoes ought to be very great & of a strong make. We shall be in great want of books for teaching the English language We think it all important to acquire the native language & reduce