ATTITUDE OF THE CATHOLICS. 743

with avidity, 67 and were reported to the Oregon au- thorities as all there was to report.

At Fort Lee there was similar gossip, and Welap- tulekt, who had lately come to profess much friendship for the Americans, and was endeavoring to promote peace by urging the Waiams of Warm Springs and the Wascos of the Columbia Kiver to return horses and other property, brought the story to Lieutenant Eodgers that the Catholic priests had promised to supply the Cayuses with ammunition with which to ex- terminate the Americans, and that unless the Waiams and Wascos assisted them, they should also be killed. So much impressed were the Indians by the threats of the Cayuses that they retired from the river and hid themselves among the mountains, from which cir- cumstance Rodgers became cautious, and when soon afterward a large amount of ammunition and arms arrived at the Dalles, on its way to the Jesuit missions, he intercepted and held it, 68 at the same time giving information to Governor Abernethy. The governor instructed Lee to write to M. Accolti, a Jesuit, then at the Cowlitz, in explanation, telling him that the most effective measures had been taken by order of the governor to prevent the powder and ball from falling into the hands of the Indians. Accolti replied that he did not object to the seizure, since the gover- nor thought it prudent ; unless it was intended to con- fiscate the property, it might be brought to Vancouver and left there until the restoration of peace ; but he took occasion to remind Lee that the law did not prohibit the transportation of arms or ammunition through the Indian country, but only the distribution

67 To amuse themselves, Martin's company celebrated the Fourth of July by a banquet held in a shady arbor on the green lawn, the table being spread with roast-beef and mutton, coffee, milk, sugar, bread, and pies. The toasts were drank in water. C. W. Cooke gave: 'The words of young Miss Wick- liffe, "The American flag, the only thing American that will bear stripes ! Or. ' Spectator, Aug. 24, 1848. . .,«"«« ,

68 There were 1,080 pounds of powder, 1,»00 pounds of balls, 300 pounds of buckshot, and 3(5 guns. The Oregon army had not been able to procure more than 500 pounds of powder. Oregon American, Aug. 10, 1648.