addressed him thus: "I know very well for what purpose
you have come." "All is known," replied Blaiichet; "I
come to labor for the conversion of the Indians, and even
Americans, if they are willing to listen to me."
That was fair and open, and no man knew better than the doctor that the Catholic had as much right to be there as the Protestant; but he did not like it, and so he told the bishop, declaring he would do nothing to assist him, even to sell him provisions, showing by his manner how deeply he was stirred, and sorrowfully hurt by what he considered a dangerous interference at that time. This conversation occurred on the twenty-third of September.
At that time, and for several weeks after, Thomas McKay was stopping at the fort, being ill, and Dr. Whitman was in attendance upon him. So insecure did he feel himself that he requested McKay, whose influence with the Indians was almost unlimited, to spend the winter with him at Waiilatpu. To this McKa} 7 replied that he could not do so, on account of his affairs in the Wallamet valley, but if the doctor so desired, he would exchange places with him: and the doctor promised to see the property, but did not, owing to the exigence of affairs at hand.
On the fourth of November there was a meeting of the Cay use chiefs at Fort Walla WalJa to determine whether they should receive Catholic teachers, and where, in case they did so, the bishop should build his house. The ques tions asked by the chiefs, Tiloukaikt, Camaspelo, Tam- sucky, and others, were whether the Pope had sent Blanchet to ask land for a mission, to which the bishop replied that it was the Pope who sent him, but not to take land only to save their souls; but that having to live, and being poor, he must ask a piece of land to cultivate for his support. The chiefs wished to know if the priests made presents; if they would cause the lands of the Indians to be ploughed; would aid in building their houses, or feed and clothe their children, to all of which Blanchet answered " No." All this was said openly, by an interpreter at the fort, and
