Washington telegraph., 1848-06-07
LATER FROM OREGON.
INDIAN MASSACRE OF AMERICANS,

Mr., Joseph l., Meek, bearer Of despatch.
es from the Local Government oil Oregonr
to the Government at Washington, ar.
rived at ST. Louis on the 18th, and I'm.
medately proceeded to Washington, to
solicit aid Tor the people of Oregon, be.
tween whom, aud the surrounding lndi-
ans, sanguinory war has commenced,
On the 21th OF November most hor.
rid and brutal massaere was committed
by the Cayuso tribe OF Indians, at the
Presbyterian mission. in the Nalla Walls
valley. DR.. Whitman, his Indy and nine
others, were killed and sixty or seventy
others, men, women aud children, We're
taken prisoners. The fever aud dysenlery,
had been raging among this tribe, and
from the number OF deaths which occur.
red among them, in the vicinity OF DIR.
VS. mission, the horrid suspicion, that
the Doctor was silently working the de.
stmction Of their tribe, by administering
poisonous drugs, under the semblance OF
samiary medicine, had taken possession
Of their supersiiiious minds. aud insilga.
ted tho commission of this most appalling
crime. This is said 10 have been the sole
cause for tins dreadful bulchety.
Mr.. Ogden, chief factor OF the Hudson
Bay company, after hearing of the mas.
sacrc, travelled from Fort Vancouver, with
sixteen men, to Walla Wallai sent oul
couriefs. and called together the Indians
and by paying ransom, succeeded IN re.
leasing the prisoners, aud conducted them
safely to Fort Vancouver Gov. Aber.
nathy addressed very appropriate letter
OF thankslo Mr.. Ogden, aud ON his arrival
at Portland, he was received ma public
manner. under salute of cannon.
Mr., Meek, in his memoranda. states
that, when he lefl Walla Walla on the
26th OF January, the people OF Oregon
Were at open war with four tribes Of In.
dians, and that four battles had been
fought, IN all ol which, except one, where
the advance guard was attacked and fell
back upon the main body. the whites
were successful. The last, aud most dee
pcrute battle, previous to his departure
was fought in February, on Big Plains
near Walla Wslla. Fiyc hundred whites
commanded by Col. Gillian. maintained
their position maafuliy against two thou
sand or more Indian warriors, of four tribes
for seven hours-lill night-when the In
dians gaye back little, and both partie
camped upon the held. During the nigh
the Indians retreatod. No whites wert
killed. but great number wounded. 4
large number Of Indians OF other tribe.
We're present, as lockers on Of the strife
Il was not known how many OF the Ind
ans were killed. The troop, had nine
FOUNDER with them, mounted on an emi
grants wagon. drawn by SIX yoke of OF
en-: the balls gave out during the battle
and they wer. compelled to shoot ava,
the lock-chains belonging to the baggage
wagons, Eighteen persons had bee
killed by the Indians previous to the las
battle. All the Indians Oh the Columbia
below Fort Hall, appear to be preparing
for war.
The Governor Of Oregon has issued
proclamation for the organization OF a bn,
tallion OF h,e hundred men. TO serve si
months, unless sooner discharged.
1t IL to be hoped the Government vii
not be dillatory in afotding the desire,
aid. Our own citizens, as well as ,hos
OF iucatan, now require the assistance G
the Government to protect their lives iron
a remorseless and savage foe.