Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/212



CHAPTER VIII.

ABERNETHY S LETTER TO Gi LLI AM CONDITION OF THE ARMY APPEAL OF MAXON

EFFORTS OF THE WOMEN OF OREGON CITY" COMPACT OF FIFTEEN YOUNG LADIES GOVERNOR S PROCLAMATION LEE S APPEAL MORE COMPANIES RAISED

DIFFICULTY OF SENDING MEN TO THE FRONT WITHOUT MONEY APPLEGATE S LETTER TO PALMER LETTER TO LEE AFFAIRS AT THE DALLES EN ROUTE TO FORT WATERS CONDITION OF THE COMMISSARY STORES INDIANS MORE FRIENDLY

LEE FINDS THE REGIMENT IMPROVED, AND RESIGNS His COMMISSION ACCEPTS ANOTHER INSTRUCTIONS OF THE GOVERNOR TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS OVERTURES OF THE YAKIMAS AND OTHER TRIBES LEE S CHARGE TO THEM FRUITLESS PURSUIT OF THE CAYUSES AGREEMENT WITH THE NEZ PEKOES

OFFER OF A REAVARD FOR THE CAPTURE OF THE CAYUSES RESULTS OF THE CAMPAIGN CAYUSE LANDS CONFISCATED WITHDRAWAL OF THE ARMY FPRTS WATERS AND LEE HELD UNTIL SEPTEMBER ARMY DISCHARGED LEE S RESIGNA TION AND EXPLANATION SUSPECTED PRIESTS FOURTH OF JULY AT FORT WATERS

RAIDS IN THE WALLAMET VALLEY.

To UNDERSTAND why Colonel Gilliam determined to re turn to the seat of government, the following letter should be taken into consideration :

OREGON CITY, March 17, 1848.

I received your communication of the twenty-ninth ultimo on the evening of the fifteenth instant. I regret that so many of our volunteers were wounded, and sincerely hope they may all recover. The Indians have learned by this time that the Americans are not women, and I think their feelings will change with their opinion. The probability is that the warm reception they intended giving you, having been returned with such heavy interest, will be the means of concluding a peace with the tribes. Fear will deter them from uniting against the whites. I am put in possession of data from Walla Walla up to seventh March, by which letter I under stand "that all that could be done will be accomplished without further bloodshed." This is an extract from General Palmer s letter to Mr. McBean. The Walla Walla chief remains friendly. This is good under these circumstances, which no doubt transpired after your letter was written. I have made no requisition for more men. The fact is, it is impossible to get men without money, and money you know we have not.

I expect to hear further from you in a few days. Your next letter will, I think, determine me what course to take. If more men are needed, the legislature must come together, and a direct tax be levied on property. I hope, however, this may be avoided. If the tribes