forth hundreds of miles through a hostile country at at a time of year when, if the Columbia River had frozen over, as it sometimes did, they would have been entirely cut off from supplies or reinforcements. Poorly furnished with clothing and ammunition, without any of the comforts of home or society, with little to gain should congress recognize their services, and everything to lose should fortune be against them, the men of Oregon evinced a courage and intrepidity honorable to individuals and their country; as also, in general, a self-restraint, doing little injury to the natives in person or property, though often exasperated by the recollection of past barbarities, and the evidence of present hostility.
There is, however, an inside history which should be given of the. closing acts in the military administration, since it relates to the attempted settlement of the Walla Walla Valley by the volunteers, and illustrates what Roberts calls the 'earth-hunger' of these people. Lee says that when the regiment returned to Fort Waters a council of the officers, excepting those with Magone's detachment, was held to decide the question whether a command should be left to occupy the post, and that on being put to vote there was a majority of one against it, and preparations were begun for evacuating the fort. Colonel Waters then made a call for volunteers to remain, being unwilling to abandon the country and the advantage gained; but owing to opposition the order was countermanded. But Lee, in order to induce the men to volunteer to remain, pledged himself, by virtue of his office as superintendent of Indian affairs^ to give authority to some prominent and responsible men to colonize the country immediately, and in the articles to secure them, as for as it was in his power, against future treaty stipulations prejudicial to their interests. The men to whom he pledged himself were Captain P. F. Thompson of Yamhill and James Taylor of Clatsop, and their associates. A call for fifty vol-
