The governor sent into the legislative assembly the above letters, with the following message:
To the Honorable Legislative Assembly, Oregon :
GENTLEMEN : It is my painful duty to lay the inclosed communications before your honorable body. They will give you the particulars of the horrible massacre committed by the Cayuse Indians on the residents at Waiilatpu. This is one of the most distressing circumstances that has occurred in our territory, and one that calls for immediate and prompt action. I am aware that to meet this case funds will be required, and suggest the propriety of applying to the Hudson's Bay Company, and the merchants of this place, for a loan to carry out whatever plan you may fix upon. I have no doubt but the expense attending this affair will be promptly met by the United States government.
The wives and children of the murdered persons, the Rev. Mr. Spalding and family, and all others who may be in the upper country, should at once be proffered assistance, and an escort to convey them to places of safety.
I have the honor to remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
GEORGE ABERNETHY.
While the hearts of the legislators were bursting with pain and indignation for the crime they were called upon to mourn, and perhaps to avenge, there was something almost farcical in the situation. Funds! Funds to prose cute a possible war! There was in the treasury of Oregon the sum of forty-three dollars and seventy-two cents, with an outstanding indebtedness of four thousand and seventy-nine dollars and seventy-four cents. Money! Money in deed! Where was money to come from in Oregon? The governor s first thought had been the Hudson's Bay Company. It was always the company the colonists thought of first when they were in trouble. But there might be some difficulty about a loan from that source. Had not the board of London managers warned the Oregon officers to avoid American securities, and "stick to their beaver skins?" And had not Dr. McLoughlin resigned from his position as head of the company in Oregon because the London board reproved him for assisting immigrants, and thereby encouraging the American occupation of the coun-
