Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/245

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DOCUMENTARY 237

part of the Americans are hostile to Dr. White who summoned the meeting-, would not attend) voted down every measure pro- posed, say ing they were British subjects and could have nothing to do with a petition to the congress of the U. States to extend her jurisdiction over this country and when the boundary was run they would obey the laws of the country they happened to be placed under.

52. On the fourth in the evening the Americans killed an Indian at the Falls of the Wallamatte. At the same time the Indian shot an American who died five days after of the wound. It seems the Indians tokl the Americans this Indian was a bad man, that he had threatened to murder some of the Ameri- cans and had murdered an Indian, his two wives and children, it is said. Dr. White offered a reward of one hundred dollars for this Indian dead or alive. It seems this Indian heard of this, when, conscious as he was of being innocent, as is well known, of the charge of murder brought against him, he went to the Falls but armed himself with two pistols and was fired at twice before he fired. Some of the Indian's followers wounded two of the Americans with arrows. One of them is since dead. As this has occurred from false report the Indians themselves spread against this Indian, his relations so far have been quiet but when they collect at the salmon season there may be some stir about it; but every exertion of ours will be made to keep peace in the country which at present seems to me a difficult task but we will do our best, as if such a misfortune occurs it would hardly be possible for us to avoid being drawn into it either by one party or the other, but I trust that by the mercy of God we will be able to keep clear.

53. The following is a comparative statement of the ac- counts for Outfit 1842 and 1843 for the Districts along the sea.