, 1856-03-07
speech of Hon. H. r.. CrosbIe,

Speech Of Hon. II. II. CrOsbie,
e Delivered in The House of Representatives in
opposition to The bill to Prerem aliens
Gding as teachers or missionaries among
The IRdiaHS of Washington IeTitOry.p
MR. SPEAKER-When the bill now under
consideration was introduced into this
House, objected to its going to a second
reading-a want of courtesy which you,
in common with other members of this
body, are well aware that have not shown
to any other act, though to some Of them
l have been strongly opposed.
made that objection not from any want
Of respect towards the member who intro
duced it, but solely on account of its obnox-
ious features. regret extremely that one
as liberal in his opinions as that gentleman
has heretofore shown himself, should urge
the passage Of law so proscriptive and
unjust was so much astonished at the
act coming, moreover, from the source it did,
that l withdrew the objection, in order
that it might pass to second reading for
the purpose of hearing what excuses could
be offered in palliation Of such a request,
OF the reasons that might be advanced to
show the necessity Of such an enactment
why it was that In this nineteenth century,
IN age Of progress and liberality, we should
be asked, in our legislative proceedings, to
pursue o course that would more properly
belong to the far OF past, with its preju-
diees and superstitions.
know not the position the Judgment of
other members may induce them to assume
on this subject; can answer only for my
own, and l assure gentlemen, there is no
vote which shall give, not cheerfully, be-
cause l regret 90 much the requirement Of
that vote, but with so clear q conviction
that have done my duty to myself aud
those whom have the honor to represent,
as that which shall place on the record
in opposition TO the passage Of that act
may be in a minority-I trust for the
future good fame of the Territory am not
still should be recreant to my own feel
ings of truth and right did l not combat it
with all means within my power. =
ask your attention while shall endeav-
or to state the causes why cannot give
the measure the support Of my vote. 1t
may be that shall not convince or change
the opinion Of any member, yet cannot
sec q whole class in our community crush
ed-no, not crushed, since truth cannot be
crushed-I should have said, condemned,
thss unjustly, without rising in my place
and bearing my testimony, however much
or little it may be worth, in their behalf.
! speak warmly on this subject-I feel
20. Lest, however, it may be thought that
l allow religious principles to color these
feelings, or in any manner warp my opin-
ions, / will inform those who differ from
me that l am not o Catholic. was
brought up in the Protestant persuasion,
and l have seen no reason that would in
duee me to change my religious principles
from those that were instilled into me in
my boyhood's days. With this assurance,
/ trust therefore shall have at least the
credit Of speaking impartially.
II happened that in May Of last year l
accompanied Gov. Stevens on his expedi-
ton TO the Blackfoot country, in the course
Of which, as you are well aware, he held
councils with all the intervening tribes.
The Walla-Walla council, now made memo
rable by the hostilities existing with most
Of the tribes that were participants in that
treaty, including as it did the Nez Perces,
Walla-wallas, Cayuses, Peluses, Yakimas
and the Umatillas, Of which, at this mo-
ment, the Nez Perces alone remain friend
ly; the Flat Head council in the Bitter
Root valley, and the Blackfoot council
near Fort Benton on the Missouri river
The history of the Walla-walla treaty
you have already had explained to you SO
fully by Gov. Stevens, that it is unnecessa-
ry for me to go into any details with re-
gard to it. Suffice it to say that it had
been asked for BY the Indians themselves,
anxious, as they were, to make some deli
mite arrangement with regard to their lands
Jealous of the encroachment of settlers,
and threatening to break out at any mo-
meut in open revolt, yet after the assent of
the government TO council which they
themselves desired, some of them, the
Cayuses and Walla-wallas, eVinced their
ha1ghtiness and turbulence-their utter
disregard Of customary forms, so far as to
come to the council with arms concealed
under their blankets, refusing to partake OF
food that was offered them, and also to
smoke any tobacco but that which they
themselves had brought-seriously contem-
plating numbering the whole party whilst
partaking Of a feast TO which we we're to be
invited, the Illustration of which is due en-.
urely to Lawyer, the head chief of the Nez