Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/501

Rh remarked the colonel, "with all that has been said by the chiefs or myself. Peace and quiet can easily be maintained. The Indians are perfectly satisfied with the establishment of a military post here. All they want is quiet and protection."

Referring to the same proceedings, Governor Stevens wrote the secretary of war: "I now make direct issue with Colonel Wright, that he has made a concession to the Indians which he had no right to make; that by so doing he has done nothing but to get the semblance of a peace, and that by his acts he has in a measure weakened the influence of the service having the authority to make treaties, and having charge of the friendly Indians. He has, in my judgment, abandoned his own duty, which was to reduce the Indians to submission, and has trenched upon and usurped a portion of mine."

After establishing Fort Walla Walla, which was done by the twentieth of November, Colonel Wright returned to The Dalles, leaving Steptoe in charge. He directed Captain Jordan of The Dalles to make arrangements for the transportation of the public stores from the mouth of Des Chutes to the mouth of the Walla Walla by water; and several boats, clinker-built, were constructed for that purpose, and used to convey government freight up the Columbia; and finally a steamboat called the Colonel Wright was built and placed on the upper Columbia, all of which was a direct outcome of the Yakima war, and an important step in the development of the country. The post at The Dalles was strengthened; Captain Wallen stationed at the cascades instead of Captain Winder, who was ordered to Fort Walla Walla with his company to replace one of the ninth infantry, while a single company of the fourth infantry was left at Vancouver. In this state of quiet occupation the country rested during the winter of 1856–7, the wars north and south being to all appearances ended.

In the spring of 1857, in order to curtail expenses of the