274 MISSIONARY STATIONS. 



The Blackfeet, though included among tlie Oregon tribes, properly belong 

 to tJiat portion of the Rocky Mountains contiguous to the head waters of 

 tlie Mis:;ouri. They make occassional irruptious into the country occupie<? 

 by tlie Flatiieads, Snakes, and Nesperces, and for this reason are include<i 

 in the above li?t. 



The Tlametlis and two or three other inferior tribes in the neighborhood 

 of California aTid north of the Columbia river may be considered trouble- 

 some and rather ill-disposed ; but not dangerous, unless it be in cases 

 where they have a very decided advantage. 



The Indians of tliis country are less warlike than those east of tlie Rocky 

 Mountains, and far less dangerous, even as enemies. They may be con- 

 eidered, on Uie whole, as friendly to the wliites, and quite susceptible of 

 civilization. They are tolerably industrious, and ready at all times to work 

 for the settlers at a trifling compensation. 



Many of them cultivate the ground and raise corn, potatoes, beans, and 

 melons, — but tish, horses, and game, as a general thing, furnish their prin- 

 cipal food. As an evidence of tiieir quiet disposition, they rarely go to war, 

 and are usually found at or near the several places claimed and occupied 

 by them individually. 



The Nesjierces are, perhaps, farther adranced in civilization than any 

 other tribe. Many of them (and some of other tribes) are begimiing to 

 live after the manner of die white.s, and tlie pi- .anthropic eflbits of Chris- 

 tian missionaries in their behalf have been attended with great success. 



There are eight of more missionary stations in Oregon, belonging as fol- 

 lows : to the PriTsbyterians, the Methodists, and the Roman Catholics. 



Four of these are situated between the Blue and Cascade Mountains, viz : 

 one near tlie Dalls one at Waiilatpu on the Wallawalla, one at Tshimakain, 

 and one at Clear Water. 



The mission at Waiilatpu is nnder tlie direction of Dr. Wliitman, and 

 has a flouring mill and a very considerable farm connected with it, upon 

 which large quantities of grain and vegetables are annually raised, and also 

 numerous herds of cattle and horsesr The station near the Dalls, with 

 the exception of a mill, is said to be but little behind that of Waiilatpu in 

 point of pros[ierity. 



The remaining four are in tlie Western Division. 



The most imjiortant of these are situated as follows : one at the Wallam- 

 mette Falls, RK->ut twenty-five miies below the Columbia, and the other hi 

 the Wallammette ^-alley,' some torty or fifty miles fartlier south. 



Both of the above belong to the Methodists, And may be considered ricli. 



There are two large farms and a store comiected with the station in the 

 Wallammette valley, and also large herds of cattle, horses, and hogs ; — it is 

 said to drive quite a profitable trade with the Indians and settlers in the hne 

 of drv goods and groceries. 



The station at "the Wallammette Falls has also a store, and carries on a 

 small business by way of merchandize. 



The two other stations are soudi and west of the last named, but have, 

 as yet, no very extensive improvements in connection witli them. 



The Meilioiists have a press at one of their stations in Oregon, which ii 

 ettployed in printing religious books for the benefit of the Indiana. 



