they not take his advice and give up the guilty Cayuses. the Great Chief of the Americans would send his war-chiefs, and they would all be punished until they Were glad to capitulate. He warned them that he had sent the news of the massacre to California, and asked for war ships to be stationed in the Columbia, and that other means would be used for their chastisement should they not conclude to accept peace on his terms; but that should they consent he would promise to protect them.
A letter was also prepared by Spalding, addressed to the Nez Percés, counselling them to remain at peace.[1] It was anticipated, when these communications were prepared, that the commissioners would be able first of all to hold a council with the Nez Percés, friendly Cayuses, and Walla Wallas; but the vacillating course of the governor in authorizing Gilliam to advance on Waiilatpu should he think best, when he knew that every instinct of the commander was for fighting, had defeated that expectation; hence the preparation of other letters to be forwarded, as before mentioned, from John Day River on the 20th.
Spalding's letter, and one addressed by Gilliam to Vicar-general Brouillet requesting him to furnish the facts concerning the part he had taken in the events
- ↑ Spalding's letter is a curiosity, and of value as a specimen of the literary style of the Nez Percé school, rather than for its importance to the history of the country. It was written in Roman letters as follows: 'Willamette, Feb. 3, 1848—Nez Percé Chiefs: My Friends, Ellis, Kancoot, James, Yuainimalkin, Luke, Jacob, Pucatash, Yamohmohnim, Yumtamilkin:—quick, meet them; with these flags meet them. From us, from the Americans, five go to meet you: Mr Palmer, Dr Newell, Mr McKay, Mr Lee, and Mr Gilliam. These meet you, with good hearts they meet you. They bear a message from the great chief, they bear it; therefore they call you to meet them. Keep quiet ye young men; do not go over to the Cayuses. Wait till these speak closely with you. The good are not to be punished; only the bad are to be punished. The Nez Percés, the Americans are one, therefore do you not depart from us. Very many Americans are going to seek the bad Cayuses, and the bad only. There wall soon be large ships from California; therefore they offer to you a proposal of peace. They send you tobacco, therefore meet them without delay. My youngest child is sick, therefore I cannot meet you. When he is well, I will see you, by the blessing of God. Ever make yourselves good hearts. By the blessing of God, may we see each other. H. H. Spalding.' Or. Archives, MS., 120.
