Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/86

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closely.


before us. The business before us is whole, like a body; we have not dissected it. And perhaps you will say it is out of place for me to speak, because I am not a great chief. Once I had influence, but now I have but little."

When he would have sat down he was told to go on, and said further: " When the whites first came among us we had no cattle; they have given us none. What we have now got we obtained by an exchange of property. A long time ago Lewis and Clarke came to this country, and I want to know what they said about us did they say they found friends or enemies here?"

Being answered that they had been well spoken of, The Prince continued : " That is a reason why the whites should unite with us, and all become one people. Those who have been here before you have left us no memorial of their kindness by giving us presents. We speak by way of favor; if you have any benefits to bestow, we will then speak more freely. One thing that we can speak about is cattle, and the reason why we cannot speak out now is because we have not the thing before us. My people are poor and blind, and we must have something tangible. Other chiefs have bewildered me since I came; yet I am from an honorable stock. Promises which have been made to me and my fathers have not been fulfilled, and I am made miserable; but it will not answer for me to speak out, for my people do not consider me as their chief. One thing more; you have reminded me of what was prom ised me some time ago, and I am inclined to follow on and see, though I have been giving my beaver to the whites and have received many promises, and have always been disappointed ; I want to know what you are going to do."

To this demand there being no answer, Illutin (Big Belly) arose and said, the old men were wearied with the wickedness of the young men, and that if he were alone he should say "Yes" at once to the laws; and that the reason the young men were not willing was because they had stolen property in their possession, and the laws con-