In regard to the translation of Matthew into the Flathead or Spokane language, Rev. Gushing Eells, in a letter dated Tshimakain, Near Fort Colvile, Oregon Mission, 3d March 1846, writes:
"By the records of the last meeting of this mission you may have noticed that Mr Walker was appointed to translate, and prepare for the press as much of the gospel according to Matthew as circumstances would admit. Having obtained the assistance of the only indian among those encamped near us competent for the task a commencement was made. Just as the first four Chapters were completed, the teacher left abruptly, to engage in their heathen customs & superstitions. When those were past he was asked to assist again in translating, but excused himself by saying he wished to join a party just about starting to hunt deer. Soon after an indian, by name Garry who was educated at Red River, passed this way.
Application was made by him to assist in giving to this people a portion of the Holy Scripture. But any expectation that was raised at the time in relation to assistance from him has been disappointed."
This account agrees perfectly with the description given by Dr. Myron Eells to Mr. Pilling, and printed on page 73 of Pilling's Bibliography of the Salishan Languages, of a manuscript of 20 pages, octavo, in his possession in Union City, Washington:
"Translated from the original Greek by Rev. Elkanah Walker, missionary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, in accordance with a vote of the Oregon mission passed at a meeting held in May, 1845, Jan. 1st, 1846. I copied it from an older manuscript, which I believe my father had, and which I presume has been burned. It contains only chapters 1-3 and chapter 4, verses 1-23. It was never printed, I believe, nor am I aware that the translation was ever finished."
Mr. Spalding labored on his assignment of translating the Acts of the Apostles, as we learn from a letter
