, 1856-03-07
NO. a..

geon. Indeed there IS scarcely q pr0tes-
sion or trnde Of which he has not an exten-
sive knowledge. The church there, larg-
er building than elsewhere, either in Ore
gon or this territory, has been constructed
by himself with hthe rude Indian labor at
his disposal The timbers, of immense
height and thickness, raised by means of
rope made by himself out Of fax grown in
his field.
One day whilst walking with him, listen
ing to his instructing and entertaining con
versation on a variety of subjects, in my
wonderment that one possessed Of such
brilliant and versatile talents should volun-
tariy exile himself from society which he
would adorn so much, could not refr ain
from asking him how he could reconcile
himself to this banishmentg-whati induced
him to come so far across the waters as
this distant region?
He answered he had requested that this
be assigned him as the field Of his labor,
because he had thought that amongst the
Indians there was large field Of useful
ness, where much good might be done, and
You know, turning towards me with an ex-
preston Of devotion on his face that show
ed his sincerity, that wherever it is our du-
ty there we are to go, it matters not what
hardships we are to encounter, Of all that
we are aware when we take upon ourselves
the priesthood-bodily comfort must be
sacrificed to the high aud holy demands Of
our calling. And yet the man who gave
utterance to these noble sentiments belongs
to that class on which you are asked to
cast censure. 1t shall never be with my
vote, even should l stand solitary and
alone against it. lt.
Wherever the priests have been amongst
the Indians, their presence has been pro-
ductive Of good. 1t is fallacy to suppose
that in all cases they have complete con-
troll over the Indians. Had that been the
case this war never would have occurred,
and when the whole truth is known, it will
cause every honest man to be ashamed Of
ever giving credeuce TO any such absurd
report The afinities Of race are sufficient
to repel that charge No white man, !
care not what may be his nationality, feels
any qualification in seeing the Indian con-
queror Any man who entertains such an
idea must be insane. They the priests
have always inculcated obedience to the
agents and government officers. The good
Father Ravalli stretched his influence,
great as It was, to the last tension, in pre-
pairing the Ceur d Aleines for q removal
to reservation, should the governor deem
it was best. He was willing to give up all
the labors of twelve years-the church
which is his pride-the houses and the
farms and go and live with them, amongst
the Flatheads l am glad that be was
not required to make the sacrifice. Years
hence will be time enough for reservations
in that remote region.
Before resuming my scat, viii read TO
the house extracts from letters from Faith
or Cheronse and Father Ravalli 10 1o
The letter from Father Cheronse is da-
ted November 18th, l855-and Says
1.-THE whole country is on fire. Slaugh-
ter, murder and war, is all that is heard
Of 49,
The Walla-Walla Indians have destroy
ed every thing inside Of Fort Walla-
Walla. s
A Great number Of the Cayuses are in
favor Of the war, but, thank Providence,
all the christian OF baPtised Indians are for
psaos, and are determined to leave with me
for the Nez Perces country, where all isl
peaceful and quiet. af
Tomorrow please God, we will depart
together-ourselyes, the Canadians and
the baptised Indians-to go and spend the
winter with the Nez Perces. The hostile
Indians call us the children of the Ameri-
cans, the slaves Of the soldiers, and seek TO-
exterminate US. II. .
Inform the government officers Of our
position, if you can, so that they may not
be predjudiced against us when they come
to this country. / write whilst running
away as q fugitive. / hope to see you
again, II not on earth, at least in heaYen.n
The one from Father Ravalli, Is dated
November 18th, at Antoine Plants in the
Spokane country. He evidently had no
idea of the false rumors aaoat, as be makes
no reference TO them. ,,
al am at present with Gov. Stevens at
this place. His cxcellency has remained
here several days with the Ceur d. Aleines,
Spokanes, Skoelqui, Simpolei, &c, Indians,
and has held several conferences with these
tribes, all Of whom evince the most friendly
dispositions, and have promised never to
Join the Yakimas.
The desire of all the nations in this vi
cinity is, that peace should reign amongst
them, and that the war with the Yakimas
(although they are nation at enmity with
them) should soon be finished.
The governor has determined to proceed
on his route through the land Of the Nez
Perces and he has made oil the necessary
and prudent arrangements to carry out his
plan.
l trust that by the aid Of kind Provl-
dence he and bis party will arrive in safety.
at the Dalles
/ have on my part, done ell in my power
to show my devotion and that Of my asso-
ciates towards his person-towards the
government and the Americans in general,
/ freely offer my services wherever the
/ oovarnn,ent NAV deem me useful %