Brown's Political History of Oregon ...

These Indians made the following confessions a short time afterwards and before the execution; Telokite said he did strike Dr. Whitman with his hatchet (tomahawk) as testified to by Mrs. Hall. Tomohas, or The Murderer, admitted that he shot Doctor Whitman. Isiaasheluckas, confessed to have shot Mrs. Whitman; and Clockamas the smallest of the five admits that he assisted in dispatching young Sager. Kiamasumkin says he was present, but took no part in the

massacre.

A few days after the sentence of death was passed upon these Indian murderers, Gov. Lane signed the death warrant, and handed it to U. S. Marshal, Joseph L. Meek. Lane then resigned his office, which left the Secretary of the Territory, Mr. K. Prichett (one of the Indian's counsels) as acting Governor. Mr. Prichett commenced talking about reprieving them, but Meek informed him that he had the warraut and would execute them as sure as the day came around. This firm stand put a stop to any further action in that direction. But there was some uneasiness felt that the Indians might attempt to rescue them on the day of execution, and hundreds of the settlers came armed, but left their guns at convenient places, and appeared unarmed in the streets, so as not to create any suspicion of the state of affairs. The execution passed off without any demonstration whatever, and thus closed the last act of the Cayuse war. The fate of the principal instigator of that bloody massacre, Joe Lewis, is still wrapped in mystery, and probably will never be known, but that he met the fate he so richly deserved is more than likely.

Mr. Burns on behalf of the Loan Commission submitted the following report:

LOAN COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.

To the Honorable Legislative Assembly of Oregon Territory:

GENTLEMEN. I present you with a schedule of our transactions as Loan Commissioners for the Territory. In accordance with our duties as Loan Commissioners, we have paid over with the exception of $42.07, all moneys and available means to the Commissary General, for which we have vouchers, with an account of which you are now presented. It will be found upon examination that we issued more bonds than we have vouchers, to meet which discrepancy we have a draft for $500 on Hamilton Campbell. Aggregate amount of bonds issued, $14,761.75; aggregate amount of vouchers for Commissary General, $14,334.95; leaving a balance of $416.80. To meet the above, we have balanced in Geo. Abernethy's books to our credit, $42.07; Rev. Wm. Roberts draft on H. Campbell, $500, leaving a balance in our favor of $125.27. The $500 draft above alluded to is a draft drawn by the Rev. Wm. Roberts on H. Campbell, to the order of the Loan Commissioners. W. H. Willson, one of the Board took charge of the draft to present to Campbell. The

order or draft was presented, but for what cause I am unable to state to your honorable body, neither property or money came into our hands as payment; but I think it was delivered over to the Commissary General by Mr. Campbell.

On the 28th of March last, the Commissary General told me that when he was at The Dalles, it became necessary for him to take wagons and oxen, the property of Phelaster and Philemon Lee, to the amount of $250. I consented to give bonds to the amount, and did so, but in a few days I was called upon to give bonds for a very large amount. I refused to execute bonds to them until I could see the other two commissioners, and when we met together it was thought best not to give any

more.

There is another matter I wish to explain. When I commenced to collect funds, I was not able to obtain any money, except orders on the stores in Oregon City. In consequence of this, it was impossible for the Commissary General to obtain articles for use of the army. He told me he could not get axes and spades, and these articles were very much needed to make roads for wagons to pass up the Columbia river. Philip Foster had subscribed $50, to be paid on the stores, and John B. Price $25, to be paid also on stores. These gentlemen told me if I would give them twenty-five per cent. premium, they would let me have cash, I told them I would do so. Mr. Foster gave me $37.50 and I gave him a bond of $50; Mr. Price gave me $18.75, and I gave him a bond for $25. This I did for the best, but should your honorable body think otherwise, I am ready to pay this Government, out of my own funds the amount of premium that I found at that time necessary. The Commissary General or his agent, A. J. Hembree, obtained a loan of $196.50, from Thos. Justins, for which they agreed to get him a bond for $216.35. I at first refused to give the bond for the amount, but the Commissary General being very much in need of cash, upon consideration, sooner than the money should be returned, I executed the bond for the amount.

All bonds issued by us bear interest at the rate of ten per cent. per annum, and are signed by the Governor and countersigned by the Secretary of this Territory. All books and papers belonging are hereby transmitted for your examination. Owing to the resignation of Gen. A. L. Lovejoy, as one of the commissioners and the absence of W. H. Willson, this document will appear with but one signaHUGH BURNS,

ture.

Oregon City, Feb. 8, 1849.

Commissioner.