Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/50

32 must return to the states, leaving the ungrateful Cayuses and Nez Percés without teachers.

Now, this was what these gentlemen were resolved not to do. From their point of view it was unwise to abandon good homes, at a period when it seemed most likely that the government was about to settle the question of the Oregon boundary, and immediately after of course, as they believed, to acquire title by treaty to the Indian lands, out of which the first settlers were to receive large donations. If only they could keep the peace a little longer!

It was just at this painful juncture in mission affairs that Dr. White arrived at Waiilatpu with his immigrant party of 1842. He spent two days at the station, and we can imagine how eagerly Dr. Whitman questioned him, and how hopefully he heard what White had to relate, which confirmed his belief that if he could hold on a little longer he need neither abandon the Cayuses nor his home. If men in authority at Washington had asked White to start the emigration movement, and given him an office,—the first delegated authority bestowed on any one in this Northwest,—could he not also accomplish something for the country, the missions, and himself by going to Washington and Boston? If he was to do this, it must be now or never, for orders to vacate had been issued, and they must be obeyed, or a good reason given for the failure.

He felt able, if he could see the board personally, to present a strong case. He could show them now, since immigration had begun, that Waiilatpu and Lapwai could be made important supply stations on the road to the Wallamet valley, and thus self-supporting; that fifty Christian families settled about him would be an example to the Indians, and give aid and protection to him, while a few more teachers among the Indians would help him greatly to maintain control of the native children, and through them of their parents.

To politicians he would say, "Hold on to the country north as well as south of the Columbia; it is a fine coun-