CHAPTER XXIV

RESCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.

1847.

His Honor the Indian— Preparations for War— Legislative Proceed- ings _Joseph L. Meek, Messenger to Washington— Formation of Military Companies— Applegate's Attempt to Reach California- Public Appropriations and Private Subscriptions— Joel Palmer, Superintendent of Indian Affairs— Chief Factor Ogden's Adven- tures among the Cayuses— The Ransom Effected— Price Paid for -the Captives— Correspondence between Ogden and Abernethy— The Gentle Savage is Willing to Forgive the White Men not yet Massacred-Further Display of Hot Distemper between Catholics and Protestants.

After all, we must give the American settlers of Oregon, in common with the British fur-traders, credit for treating the natives fairly well. Both are entitled to the merit due from the performance of a good action from necessity. The servants of the Hudson's Bay Company were likewise the most obedient servants of the lordly aboriginal; for it was by the savage skin-catchers of America that the cour- teous adventurers of England lived. Likewise the poor emigrant, rendered yet more respectful by the presence of wife and children, was quite humble in the presence of a fierce band of painted warriors. But fifty well-fed and mounted riflemen together could massacre with the best of them, not omitting the women and children, or even the time-honored custom of scalping.

Oregon had now at hand her first Indian war. In the message of the governor delivered to the legisla- ture on the morning of the 8th of December, that

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