Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/214



had been repaired for grinding. Beef also was plenty, which the men busied themselves in slaughtering and drying, in preparation for a campaign.

However, Captain Maxon s appeal was well timed. It had the effect to revive volunteering, and to awaken a more personal sympathy with the army. The matrons of Oregon City set on foot an organized effort to provide clothing for the soldiers; 1 while the young women entered into a compact to withhold their favor from any young man who would not fight in defense of them and their country. The fear of losing their land claims, should they long absent themselves, had kept many men without families at home; but in the published compact the young women agreed to protect the claims abandoned, that their owners might go to the war. This agreement was signed by "fifteen young ladies of Oregon City;" nor was the ^protocol without effect.

The governor also issued the following proclamation :

Recent accounts from the seat of war show that the Indians are in pretty strong force, and determined to fight. Many of the tribes have expressed a desire to remain peaceful, but there can be no question that the slightest defeat on our part will encourage portions of them to unite against us, and if they should unfortunately suc ceed in cutting off or crippling our army, it would be a signal for a general union among them; fear is the only thing that will restrain them. It is necessary at the present moment to keep a strong force in the field to keep those friendly that have manifested a desire for peace, and to keep the hostile Indians busy in their own country, for the war must now either be carried on there, or in our valley. The question is not now a matter of dollars and cents only ; but whether exertions will be made on the part of citizens of the territory to reenforce and sustain the army in the upper country, and keep down the Indians (which our men are able and willing to do if supported ), or disband the army and fight them in the valley. One of the two must be done. If the army is disbanded, before two months roll round we will hear of depredations on our frontiers, families will be cut off. and the murderers on their fleet horses out of our reach in some mountain pass before we hear of the massacre.

JThe president of this society was Mrs. N. M. Thornton, and the secretary Mrs. E. F. Thurston. Mrs. Hood, Mrs. Robb, Mrs. Crawford, Mrs. Herford, and Mrs. Leslie were active members.