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118 T. C. Elliott. what they were doing; I wanted to tell them what we had come for but could not. I have done my duty. God knows my heart. If I do wrong, then the great God will punish me, and now I tell you the same as if you were my own children. Do not join with those murderers, nor let them come in your country, or in your lodges, or eat with them; but try and bring them to justice. "My friends, I have no more to say to you now. I have come a long way to see you and talk with you ; will you throw my words away ? I hope not ; I beg you to hear my words and be wise. I have brought this flag for the Nez Perces ; take it, I hope you will keep clear of blood. Let the Nez Perces as- semble and settle among yourselves who will keep the flag. Ellis is not here, and many other chiefs are gone to the buffalo country that I am acquainted with. Mr. Craig will tell you that we are your friends ; he loves you ; so do w^e all like him ; he has told us many good things of you. ' ' Largely as a result of that council, the Nez Perces did not take part in the Cayuse war, and the large American flag then presented to them was proudly preserved and assisted in influencing them in later wars (Kip's Journal, descriptive of the Indian council held at Walla Walla in 1855, tells of the arrival of the Nez Perces warriors 2500 strong with that flag waving proudly before them.) Two days later another council was held with some of the Cayuses who consented to be talked to, but with little effect; and immediately after Dr. Newell left the volunteers and returned to the Willamette in com- pany with Captain McKay, who had been wounded. But he really wished to be clear of the whole business from then on, for fear that his personal assurances to the Indians would not be kept. And looking at the problem as he did, from the Indian's point of view, it was impossible for him to feel other- wise. While serving on this expedition, he kept a journal or memoranda which is now preserved among the Archives of Oregon, and contains much interesting and valuable informa- tion. Although, in 1849, appointed to the position of Indian Agent as already mentioned. Dr. Newell did not qualify but joined the large majority of the male population of Oregon