Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/66

48 after which there was an adjournment of three hours to allow them to deliberate among themselves. On reässembling White alluded to some of the offenses committed by the young men, and not sanctioned by the chiefs or old men, as he hoped; but, where the chiefs had done wrong, he attributed it to a misunderstanding of what they had been taught, or other mitigating causes. He then advised them to choose a high chief; and that all the chiefs should have a bodyguard to execute the laws. The code prepared by him was then presented for adoption, as follows:—

Article 1. Whoever wilfully takes life shall be hung.

Article 2. Whoever burns a dwelling shall be hung.

Article 3. Whoever burns an outbuilding shall be imprisoned six months, receive fifty lashes, and pay all damages.

Article 4. Whoever carelessly burns a house, or any property, shall pay damages.

Article 5. If any one enter a dwelling, without permission of the occupant, the chiefs shall punish him as they think proper. Public rooms are excepted.

Article 6. If any one steal, he shall pay back two-fold; and if it be the value of a beaver skin or less, he shall receive twenty-five lashes; and if the value is over a beaver skin, he shall pay back two-fold, and receive fifty lashes.

Article 7. If any one take a horse and ride it without permission, or take any article and use it without liberty, he shall pay for the use of it, and receive from twenty to fifty lashes, as the chief shall direct.

Article 8. If any one enter a field and injure the crops, or throw down the fence so that cattle or horses go in and do damage, he shall pay all damages, and receive twenty-five lashes for every offense.

Article 9. Those only may keep dogs who travel or live among the game. If a dog kill a lamb, calf, or any domestic animal, the owner shall pay the damages and kill the dog.

Article 10. If an Indian raise a gun or other weapon