54 Fred Wilbur Powell, A. M.
Oregon.** This was the whole measurable result of Kelley's efforts through the American Society For Encouraging A Set- tlement Of The Oregon Territory.
29 Thornton, II, 21 -2. The immediate cause of this call was the report, widely circulated in the religious press, of the Nez Perce and Flathead Indians who visited St. Louis in 1831, ostensibly to learn of the white men's religion. — McMaster, VI, 1 1 2-3. Kellcy's version of this incident was: *The late Major Pifcher, an Indian agent in the Platte country, S^ve, while at Washington, in 1839, the follow- ing version of the story of the Nez Perce Indian delegation. Four thoughtless and sottish Indians, accompanied Capt. Sublette's party of himters to his (Pilcher*s) agency. They seemed to have no particular object in traveling. Sublette refused to let them proceed further in his company unless they would there obtain a passport, showing a good reason for a visit into the States. Such a passport would he of prevailing advantage to him. Mr. Pilchcr, wishing to favor the CaptaSn's interest, furnished the Indians with a reason and excuse for their visit to St. Louis.** — Settlement of Oregon, 63; Narrative of Events and Difficulties, sup. appx. A. But whether true or false, this story had in it the element of dramatic appeal that was necessary to make effective the movement started by Kellcy for the betterment and Christianizing of the Indians of the Northwest. The two missionaries who had been chosen to accompany Kelley went instead to Liberia. — Settlement of Oregon, 112. See also Marshall, Acquisition of Oregon, II, 8- 10.
{To Be Continued.)
