, 1856-10-10
FROM THE WALLA-WALLA.
THE COUNCIL FAILURE!
The Hostile Combination tanning Slrtngth!!
Fight wtth The hdtans-One Vol
mteer morfaly and one iightly
rounded, and thirteen htians
k1Hed!!

By exuressman JoHN ntNN, who brought an en-
nre,s through from the Waa-walla valley last week
we are advised Of the breaking up Of the late Council
Of Gov STEVENS, held with the various hostile tribes
Of Indians East Of the Cascadcs II will be observed
thai 50 far from there Icing any prospect of peace
with the hostes in that direction, the warlke com
bnation Is actually ginning strength, and that are
really further removed from peace with those lHdi-
ans than we were one year ago In the engagement
which ensued short time after the close of the Coun-
ell Mr. DrSS reports one volunteer morially and one
slightly wounded, and says that the friendly Indians
report thirteen hostles killed. Concerning matters
connected with the proceedings 9f the Council, and
subsequent occurrences we are indebted to gentle
man-an eye witness to everything that trnspred, for
the following
Memoranda.
A Brief statement Of the operations Of
Gov. Stevens expedition to the Walla
Walla valley, for the purpose of holding a
council with the Indian tribes of Washing
ton territory between the Cascades and
Bitter Root mountains, may be of interest
to your readers.
Gov. Stevens arrived at Fort Mason
Col. Shaw's camp, in the valley on the 23d
August, aud Immediately despatched ex-
presses with an invitation to all the Indians
who had remained friendly during the war,
to meet him at that, point A similar invi-
tation was sent to the Yakamas, Cayuses
and other hostile tribes The terms upon
which q treaty Of peace would be made
with them being distinctly stated, and these
were, that they should submit uncondition-
ally to the Justice and mercy of the Govern
ment and to the wishes Of the President in
regard to their future disposal. And first
Of all, those who had committed murders
previous to the war, as in the case Agent
Bolon and others, must be delivered up for
trial and punishment
The object of the Council was, generally
to strengthen the friendship Of tribes who
had remained friendly, and to make an
equitable peace with the hostiles.
On the Both, Col. VIM. Craig, sub Indian
Agent, reached the council ground with a
few Nez Perces and reported that the ma
iority Of the tribe would be in during the
next week.
For several days Indian rumors were
afloat that most Of the Cayuses, Walla
Wallas and others, including Kamiakan,
we're coming in.
On the 9Th inst, all the principal Nez
Perce chiefs with their people reached the
council ground and encamped near it
They made grand display Of paint, feath-
ers, nakedness and fine horses, usual on oc-
casions like this, and they we're gratiiied by
salute from the volunteers who were par
AIDED under arms to receive them.
In the evening the Rev. A. Ravalli of
the Cnur d. Alene mission arrived He re-
ports having seen and conversed with Kam-
iakin, Ouhi and Qualston, Ouhfs son, who
refuse to come to the council The chiefs
Of the Spokaues and other tribes in that
section also declined coming. There was
evidently q bad state of feeling among
them. Kamiakan had taken advantage Of
the cessation Of hostilities against him to
make his head quarters in and near their
country, and by industriously circulating the
grossest lies both as to the origin and con-
tinuance Of the war, had excited these In
dians to point verging upon open declar-
alton Of war upon the whites.
The greater portion Of the Cayuses, Des
Chutes and Tih Indians came in on the
10th, and encamped above the Nez Perces.
The fact that they did not pay their res
poets to Governor Stevens, and that they
set Gre, to the prairie in several places,
when coming in, indicated anything but a
friendly spirit.
The council opened on the 1lth. The
Nez Perce chiefs and Five Crows, Winane
Snoot and Stock Whitley were present
The last named are among the principal
chiefs Of the hostiles.
The council continued during the week
and on,Saturday it became almost certain
that satisfactory peace could not be made.
The hostiles would not accede TO any terms,
and 1t was seen that portion Of the Nez
Perces-about one-half, had, through the
intrigues Of Kamiakan become disaffected
and desirous that their treaty with the Uni
ted States should be done away with.
On the l4th, the Governor determined
to remove his camp to the vicinity Of Col
Steptoe's encampment. This was done, in
view of the evident hostility Of the Cayuscs
and others, for the protection of large
quantity Of Indian Department supplies,
UIOukut UP lOA Sug use Vi oASn VI hhN hOoehSo
as should come in and be placed on reserv-
vations. .
The train was met on the march by Kam-
iakan and Ouhi, with party Of one hun
dred warriors under the lead Of Ouhi's son.
At first they clearly meant mischief, but
the GOODNESS with which they were received,
checked them, and they created no distur-
bance save in attempting to provoke quar-
rel with the friendly Nez Perces, in the rear
Of the train. The new council ground was
within / of mile Of Col Steptoe's camp
The Colonel's command then consisted of
one company Of Dragons, one of Infantry,
and one Of Artillery.
On the 18th, the council re-opened. 1t
was evident that the objects Of this council
could not be accomplished, and notice was
given by the Governor that on the next
day the council would terminate. Accor-
dinghy on the 18th, the Indians were all