The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-11-18
From Oregon Ws,by Tinss.
MEMORANDA OF THE LATE EXPEDITION OF COY,
STEVENS TO WALLA-WALLA,
CAMP OK BurTKR CaEkK, Sci

of holding council with the Indian tribes Of Washington
Territory between the Cascade and Bitter Root MONTANA
may be Of interest to your readers.
Gov Stevens arrived at Fort Mason Col Shaws eaDp
IN the valley, the 23d August and Immediately dss.
patched expresses with invitation all the Indisns who
had remained friendly during the him al that
point similar Invitation sent TO the Yakimas
Cayuses and other hostile tribes-the terms upon which
treaty OF peace would be made with them being distinctly
s'aedand these were ihA. .he should submit unoond
onay to the justice and mercy Of the government and TO
The wishes Of the President in regard 10 their iatase dis
posal and first Of ALL those who had committed murders
previous the war; in the case OF Agent bolon and
others The delivered up for trial and punishment
The object of the council generally to strengthen
he friendship of the tribes who had remained friendly
and 10 make an equitable peace with the hostiles.
On the soth Col. VIM Craig, sub-Indan agent reached
he council ground with few Nez Perces, and reported
hat the maority Of the tribe would be in during the
next week.
For several days Indian rumors were ahoat that most
If the Cayuses Walla alias and Others including Kau
akin, coming in.
On the 9Th instant all the principal Nez Perces chiefs
With their people, reached the councilgound and camped
near it. They made grand display Of paints feathers,
aakedness and fine horsesque usual occasions like
his--and they were gratifed by salute from the volun
teers who paraded under arms to receive them.
In the evening the Rev. A. Ravell of the Occur Alens
nssio arrived He reports having seen and conversed
With Kamiakiu Owhi and Qaalston (Owhis son,) who
cviused to the council The chiefs OF the Spokan
and other tribes in that section also decline coming
There evidently bad state of feeling existing among
hem Kamiskin had taken advantage of the cessation
hostiies against him make bis headquarters In and
near their country, and by indusriously circulating the
yrossest lies both the origin and continuance Of the
var had excited these Indians TO point verging upon
open declaration of war upon the whites.
The greater portion of the Cayuses Dies Shues and Tyh
Indians came in on the 10th, and camped above the Nz
Perces The fact that they did not pay their respects
Gov Stevens and that they set fire to the prairie in
eral places when coming I'M indicated anything but
friendly spirit
The council opened on the llth The Neg Perces chiefs
and Five Crows Wnam Snoot and Stock Witty were
present the named among the principal chiefs
the hostiles
The council continued during the week. and Satur
day it became almost certain that satisfactory peace could
not be made The hoses would not accede to any terms
aud il was seen that about half of the Ne Perces had
through the ntrgues OF Kamakn, become dsafeced and
dsrous that their treaty with the United States should be
done away with.
On the l4t the determined his camp
to the vicinity of COL Steptoes ercampment This
done in view of the evident hostility Of the Cayues and
Others the protection of large quantity OF Indian De-
partment supplies brought up for the of such of the
The train was met The march by Kamakin and 0wh,
with party Of hundred warriors under the lead Of
Owhis SON AT first they clearly meant mischief but the
GOODNESS with which they received checked them and
they created disturbance in attempting to provoke
quarrel with the friendly Neg Perces in the rear Of the
train.
The new council ground within one-fourh of mile
of Colonel Steptoes camp The Colonels command then
consisted of company Of Dragons Of infantry and
one of artillery. . .-
On the 10th the council reopened Ii evident that
the objects of this council could be accomplished and
notice given by the governor that the day the
council would terminate.
Accordingly, on the nth, the Indians were all called
upon fer the last time speak cut their determination
Tie Nez Perez chiefs all present The Cayuses Wa
Wallas Umstas, Des Shutes John Days, and Tih In
iians were represented by their principal chiefs Owhi
also present. Ksniakan though encamped near 70
fused attend saying 1t is useless talk-Governor
Stevens knows my heart already; every knows it
an for war;
All the hostiles virtually made an open declaration Of
Their terms No delivering up murderers
ustice-no treaties. The whites give them back
heir lands and every settler leave the country On
these terms only would they agree to peace 0neha Of
he Nez Perez nation made similar declaration They
under the lead Of Looking Glass who seeks de-
pose Lawyer and become himself the head chief owh
declined speaking.
At shutdown Governor Stevens said to the Indians that
he had assembled them for council Of friendship and
peace and had talked to them father would talk TO bis
children, for their good He had listened hoping to bear
hem say yes to bis propositions That word he had not
beard Now there but little more TO be said Those
Who said no. IL their hearts fight he could not
change them. Those who said yes--who remained
frendly--it was well and good 1t also their own
hearts And be would repeat what he had said when
he council opened. All who by his invitation were
safe in coming safe here and safe in going The council
was then adjourned sine die.
During these last few days word constantly brought
by the friendly Nez Perces that the hearts Kamaksn and
the Csyuses very bad that they bad threatened
attack Gov. Stevenss party the council ground and
murder every man and, thesereports from reis
BILE men, no could tell when he laid down to sleep
whether he should day these Indians in council
or in battle.
But the Indians throughout treated In the kindes
manner they amply supplied with provisions There
instance Of the eghtes quarrel between an In
dian and white man. aud they could not find the shadow
Of excuse for their hostility
On the 18th Gov Stevens made preparations for bis re-
turn home council held with the Nez Perces rea
tive to their agent Both the friendly and the disaecd
Of the nation thought IL best to have no agent in their
country until the over and they gave this as
They krew that Ksmakan the Cayuses Others
had determined upon war, and Of them might kill
agent In the Nes Perez country The Nez Perces would
be blamed for it and the whites would make war upon
them This they desired to avoid by having no agent
present.
The next day Gov Stevens and party started for the
Dalles. The train, in charge Of Capt A. W ROBBIE con-
sisted oft~entyeght wagons drawn by eighty oren and