Glasgow Courier. — 1848-06-27 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT AT FORT-VANCOUVER. " Fort Nez Perce, Walla Walla, Nov. 30, 1847. " Gentlemen,—lt is my painful task to make you acquainted with a horrid massacre which took place yesterday at Wauletpu, about which I was first apprised early this morning by an Amen.. can who had escaped, of the name of Hall, and who reached this half-naked and covered with blood. As he started at the onset, the inionnation I obtained was not satisfactory. He, however, assured me that the Doctor (Whitman) and another man were killed, but could not tell me the persona who did it, and how it originated. " I immediately determined on sending my interpreter and one man to Dr. Whitman's to find out the troth, and, if possible, to rescue Mr. Chief Trader Itlanson's two sons and any of the survivors. It so happened that, before the interpreter had proceeded half-way, the two boys were met on their way hither, escorted by Nicholas Finlay, it having been previously settled among the Indians that these boys should not be killed, as also the American women and children. Peloquoit is the chief who recommended this measure. I presume you are well acquainted that fever and dysentery heve been raging here and in thls vicinity, In consequence of which a great number of Indians have been swept away, but more especially at the Doctor's place, where he attended upon them. About thirty of the Cayuses tribe died one after another, who eventually believed the Doctor had poisoned them; and in which opinion they were, unfortunately, confirmed by one of the Doctor's party. As far as I have been able to learn, this has been the sole cause of the dreadful butchery. " In order to satisfy any doubt on that point, it is reported that they requested the Doctor to administer medicine to three of their friends, two of whom were really sick, bat the third only feigned illness, and that the three were corpses the next morning. After they were buried, and while the Doctor's men were employed elaughtering an ox, the Indians came one by one to his house, with their arms concealed under their blankets, and, being all assembled, commenced firing on those slaughtering the animal, and in a moment the Doctor's house was surrounded. The Doctor and a young man brought up by himself were shot in the house. His lady, Mr. Rogers, and the children, bad taken refuge in the garret, but were dragged down and despatched (excepting the children) outside, where their bodies were left exposed. It is reported that it was not their intention to kill Mr. Rogers, in consequence of an avowal to the following effect, which he is said to have made, and which nothing but a desire to save life could have prompted him to do. Ile said, 't was one evening lying down, and I heard the Doctor telling the Rev. Mr. Spalding that it was best you should all be poisoned at once, and that the latter told him it was best to continue slowly and cautiously, and between this and spring not a soul would remain, when they would take possession of your lauds, cattle, and horses.' "These are only Indian reports, and no one can believe the Doctor capable of such an action, without being as ignorant and brutal as the Indians themselves. One of the murderers, not having been made acquainted with the above understanding, shot Mr. Rogers. 'lt is well understood that eleven lives were lost and three wounded. It is also rumoured that they are to make an attack upon the fort. Let them come If they will not listen to reason, though I have only five men at the establishment, I am prepared to give them a warm reception: the gates are closed day and night, and bastions in readiness. In company with Mr. Manson's two sons was sent a young half-bred lad brought up by Dr. Whitman; they are all here and got over their fright. The ringleaders in this horrible butchery are Peloquoit, his son Big Belly, Tamanehy, Estacie, Tournonlish, &c. I understand from the interpreter that they were making one common grave for the deceased. "The houses were stripped of everything in the shape of property, but when they came to divide the spoil they fell out among themselves, and ail agreed to put hack the property. lam happy to state that Walla Wallas had no hand in the business; they were all the Doctor's own people (the Cayuses). One American shot another, and took the Indiana' part to rave his own life.