In the Spectator of March 23, 1848, we find the following letters:—
“Wailatpu, March 4, 1848.
“William McBean, Esq.:
“Dear Sir,—I have been requested by Captain McKay to apprise you of the progress we have made in adjusting the difficulties between the whites and Cayuses, and I am happy to say that matters are assuming a favorable appearance. With your and his assistance, with that of a little forbearance on the part of the troops, I believe all that could be devised will be accomplished without further shedding of blood.
“Captain McKay thinks that Captain Grant (of the Hudson’s Bay Company) can travel through the country with perfect safety. Mr. Meek will leave the first of the week. Doctor Newell will write to Captain Grant, according to your request. In haste, I have the honor to subscribe,
“Your humble servant,
“Joel Palmer.”
Dear Sir,—I only have time to say a word. Stikas was here yesterday, and things look more favorable since Gervais arrived. I wish to go down when your people go. I will be ready in a few days and come to the fort; no time for particulars; Mr. Meek leaves to-night.
“With respects, yours, etc.,
“R. Newell.”
“Fort Vancouver, March 15, 1848.
“Governor Abernethy, Esq.:
“Dear Sir,—One of the company’s servants has this moment arrived with dispatches from Wallawalla, of date the 7th instant; I hasten to communicate the intelligence received, for your information. The army had made its way to Wailatpu, and taken possession of the remains of the mission, the Cayuses having been defeated, with considerable loss, some days previously, in a pitched battle near the Umatilla River; and had since fallen back upon the Nez Percé country. Serpent Jaune, chief of the Wallawalla tribe, had visited the commissioners, and decided on remaining quiet; the Nez Percés had in part also decided for peace, and were expected in camp within a few days. The remaining part of the tribe appeared still undecided about the part they would take, and will, no doubt, be much influenced in their future conduct by the success which attends the operations of the army. Their sympathies are with the Cayuses; but fear may restrain them from taking an open part against the whites. The Cayuses remain, therefore, without any open support from the more powerful tribes in their neighborhood, and in such circumstances can not be expected to make a very protracted defense.
“The accompanying copy of a letter from Mr. Palmer possesses much of interest, and will put you in possession of further particulars.
“Our dates from Fort Colville are up to the 23d of January; the Indians were all quiet and well disposed, though they had been severe sufferers from the measles and dysentery. Their detestation of the brutal conduct of the Cayuses has been openly and generally expressed, as well as their determination to oppose the repetition of such atrocities in the country. Messrs. Walker and Eells have been induced, by the friendly protestations of the Indians about them, to continue their residence at the mission near Spokan.
“We have letters from Fort Hall up to the 30th of December. A city has sprung up, as if by enchantment, in the midst of the desert, near the southern extremity of great Salt Lake. It contains a population of 3,000, and numbers within its precincts 600 houses. One flour-mill was in operation, and four saw-mills were nearly finished.
“In haste, yours truly,
“James Douglas.”
As to the letter of General Palmer, he has informed us that, while he was attempting to effect an arrangement with the Indians, he was satisfied that McBean was using his influence against the Americans, and doing all he could to keep up the hostile feelings then existing, but, by humoring and flattering him, he would do less harm than by opposing his self-conceit.
As to Dr. Newell’s note, it showed his disposition to crawl under the shade of McBean and the Hudson’s Bay “people” and to give them information that would enable them to cut off the messenger sent to Washington.
General Palmer informed McBean that he would leave the first of the week. Newell says, “Mr. Meek leaves to-night.”
Mr. Douglas is all friendship and affection. He has just learned that a large body of American people are in Salt Lake Valley, and that the Indians about the Spokan station are friendly, notwithstanding the measles and dysentery have been severe among them.