Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/63

Rh of them, but proceeded to Lapwai, where he arrived on the third, and had to wait for the upper Nez Percés, to whom a courier had been sent, to meet him. In the meantime he visited the chiefs in the vicinity, and the school, adroitly expressing surprise at the advancement of the pupils in reading and writing. "Next day," he says, "I visited their little plantations, rude, to be sure, but success fully carried on, so far as raising the necessaries of life were concerned; and it was most gratifying to witness their fondness and care for their little herds; pigs, poultry, etc."

Dr. White possessed some qualities which eminently fitted him to deal with Indians, as well as white men, among which was suavity of manner, and a desire to please as well as to be pleased. Accordingly, when the chiefs of the Nez Percés were assembled to the number of twenty-two, with a large number of their people, all giving a grave attention to his words, he stated the object of his visit, and that he had been sent by the great chief (president of the United States), to assure them of the kind intentions of his government, and the sad consequences that would ensue to any white man, from that time, who should invade their rights by stealing, murder, or selling them damaged goods, or alcohol. "Without threatening," he says, "I gave them to understand how highly Mr. and Mrs. Spalding were prized by the numerous whites, and with what pleasure the great chief gave them a paper (passport) to encourage them to come here to teach them what they were now so diligently employed in obtaining, in order that their children might become good, wise, and happy."

McKinlay addressed them briefly, alluding to his several years residence among them, and the good understanding that had existed between the Hudson s Bay Company and themselves, and assured them that all the white people, whether Boston, King George, or French (Indian designa tions for Americans, English, and Canadians) were one, as