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Rh hands of the Indians, which was accordingly done by throwing it into the Columbia river, Olney giving an official receipt for it, and relieving the officer in charge, Mr. James Sinclair, of all responsibility for its loss. The fort contained at this time Hudson's bay goods to the amount of thirty-seven thousand dollars, and a large amount of government stores left there by Stevens when he proceeded to the Blackfoot country. All this property was placed in charge of a friendly Walla Walla chief, and Olney issued the following order:— .

Two days later the following letter was sent to the commander of the volunteer force supposed to be en route to the Walla Walla valley, where the dispatch was dated:— .
 * However urgent and important the news I have to communicate, I almost despaired to dispatch any from want of hands who were willing to risk life at this critical time; but Mr. McBean came to my assistance and offered the services of his son John, who, in company with another man, will be the bearer of this. The news is gloomy and very different from what I had reason to expect when I left The Dalles on my way hither. Serpent Jaune (Peu-peu-mox-mox ) has shown his colors, and is a declared foe to the Americans. He has taken possession of the fort and pillaged it, government as well as Hudson's Bay Company's property; has placed himself on the south side of the Walla Walla river, on the hills, guarding the road with a force, it is said, of a thousand.