Abernethy not to send up an army, but to come himself in the spring and make a treaty of peace with the Cayuses, who would then release the captives, whom they would in the meantime refrain from injuring.
On the eighteenth of December Camaspelo of the camp between Umatilla and Waiilatpu, paid a visit to the bishop. He said the young men had "stolen his word," and misrepresented him—that he had never consented to the massacre; that he wanted to kill all his horses and leave the country.
To this the bishop replied that there was a possibility of peace, and advised that the chiefs should meet and decide upon some course of action immediately, as delay only increased the difficulties of the situation. Accordingly, on the twentieth, the Cay use chiefs met at the Catholic mission in grand council, Tauitowe presiding. Those present were Tiloukaikt, Five Crows, and Camaspelo, with a number of sub-chiefs. The white men present were Blanchet, Brouillet, Rosseau, and Le Claire, all Catholic priests. Blanchet opened the discussion by placing before the Cayuses the propositions of the Nez Percés, namely, that the Americans should not come to make war; that they should send up two or three great men to make a treaty of peace; that on the arrival of the commissioners the captives should be released; that no offense should be offered to Americans before learning what answer would be returned to these propositions.
Camaspelo spoke first in approval. Tiloukaikt then reviewed the history of the nation from before the first coming of the white people: and acknowledged that previous to the advent of the Hudson's Bay Company they had always been at war; that where Fort Walla Walla now stood nothing but blood was continually seen. But they had been taught by white people there was a God who forbade war and murder. He eulogized Mr. Pambrun, who had so taught them; referred to the killing of the Nez Percé chief who accompanied Mr. Gray east in 1837;
