Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/616

 care of the Indians without the assistance of the government; the United States in this case being represented by a coterie of politicians who were simply experimenting with a contumelious band of spoiled savages, without regard to the rights of the white people of the state. To this haughty and overbearing message the people could only reply by still protesting.

The commissioners, after meeting at Linkville, repaired to Fairchild's place on Willow Creek, to be nearer all points of communication with the government, the army, and the Modocs. The services were secured of Whittle and his Indian wife Matilda, who were to act as messengers and interpreters. The first work of the board was to investigate the causes of the hostile attitude of the Modocs, during which the facts already presented in this chapter were brought out; and while this was in progress Whittle made a visit to the Modocs to learn how Jack would receive the peace commissioners.

On the 21st of February Meacham telegraphed to Washington that he had a message from Jack, who declared himself tired of living in the rocks and desirous of peace; that he was glad to hear from Washington, but did not wish to talk with any one who had been engaged in the war; and that he would meet Meacham and Case outside the rocks without harming them.

This was not an honest report. What Jack did say to Whittle was that he would consent to a conference with Steele, Roseborough, and Fairchild, but declined to meet the commissioners. The president had already, by the advice of Canby, appointed Roseborough as one of the board, who in company