Idl-mhus-spek-ha-ny-Spokan, half brother of Spokan Garry. Drawing by Gustav Sohon. Picture courtesy of the Washington State Historical Society

On the evening of October 28th, when the Stevens party was beginning their return trip westward following the Blackfoot Council, they received "the startling intelligence that the Yakima Indians had broken out into open war. Murdered their Agent A.I. Bolon, and several other White men on their way to the mines near Fort Colville, and declared a war of extermination upon the Whites." [DOTY- J. of Op. p40]

The Treaty Commissioner [Stevens] and his party were assisted by a party of Nez Perce across the Bitterroots in November. Because a party of Coeur d'Alene had recently crossed on snow shoes, packing the trail, the Stevens party was able to get across despite the lateness of the season. They met with the Coeur d' Alenes at their mission, acquired updated information about the war, and determined to hold a council with the Spokanes and Colvilles at Antoine Plante's, at a crossing on the Spokane River. [MAP]

They sent messengers to call in the Spokanes, Colvilles and Coeur d'Alenes at the end of November. A group of miners was present, organized as a Volunteer Company to protect and fight, if necessary. Stevens called them the "Spokane Invincibles."

Members of the Coeur d' Alene, Colville and Upper Spokane bands gathered on December 4, 1855, to meet with Isaac Stevens and talk about the war between the Yakamas and the Americans, and their own concerns about land issues. Heavy snow was falling. The Governor addressed those present by way of introduction, with William Peon serving as interpreter along with others present who understood the Salish language, and were requested to observe that the speeches on either side were correctly reported. The gist of Stevens' words that day was that he was a friend who could be counted on. He wanted to wait until the Lower Spokanes arrived before he formally addressed the assembly.

"six days since, the U.S. Troops, had surprised Kam-i-ah-kun, in the Yakima Valley, defeated his forces, captured nearly all his cattle, horses and provisions, and driven him across the Columbia at Priests Rapids, distant from this point about 100 miles." [Doty p46]

The Lower Spokanes arrived that afternoon and Stevens spent time trying to clear up rumors they had heard about land takings.

"I understand you have heard, that it has been said, if you do not sell your lands, soldiers will be sent here to take them from you. That is a lie. No such thing was ever said. I have never said to any Indian, if you do not sell me your land I will come with soldiers and take it, I have said to all Indians, 'It is for you to say whether you will sell your lands, and what you will have for them.' I have said to all the Indians, and say to you. I think it is the best for you to sell a portion of your land and live on Reservations, as the Nez Perces and Yakimas agreed to do. I would advise you as a friend to do that, for I shall not say one thing today and another tomorrow, as your friend I shall tell you what I think. If you think my advise good, and we should agree, it is well. If you say, We do not wish to sell,' it is also good, because it is for you to say. It is my business as your friend, to protect you in your lands and rights and that I shall do, as well as I can.

I do not think this is a proper time to talk about the land.

When you talk about your lands you want time, to think of selling it. I want time to think of it. We want to think together." [DOTY p46]

He assured them that soldiers were not coming to take their lands by force, no matter what they had heard. He emphasized his desire that they should not join in the war and that he did not believe they were ready to discuss a land cession agreement.

Spokane Garry addressed the assembly, stating that he was "of two hearts." He was fearful if the Americans did not make peace with the Yakamas, "war will come into this Country like the waters of the sea." He did not want his people to get involved in the war and he especially did not want the troops to cross over to the east side of the Columbia in pursuit of Kamiakan. "...If the troops come over this way my family and people will not be able to get their roots, and will be troubled." He told Stevens and the others assembled that the Americans shared in the guilt of the war:

"The Americans and the Yakimas are fighting. I think they are both equally guilty. Now if you will make Peace I shall be glad." [Doty p 48]

He described how French settlers acquired land in the Spokane Valley through the Donation Land Act while he was away at the Walla Walla Council. He asked them why they hurried to secure their lands before his people had a treaty agreement. He then addressed the Governor about the treaties negotiated at Walla Walla:

When you commenced the Treaty, the Interpreters were all sworn on the Book to tell the truth. I was glad of it. You spoke on nine different things during three days and I was looking on what you spoke. What you had spoken on these nine different things, then you asked the Chiefs to speak. The Chiefs spoke and you answered in one word. My heart thought that word was bad.

When you first commenced to speak, you said the Walla Wallas, Cayuses, and Umatillas, were to move onto the Nez Perce Reservation, and that the Spokanes were to move there also. Then I thought you spoke bad. Then I thought when you said that, you would strike the Indian to the heart.

After you had spoken of those nine different things, as schools and farms, and shops, if you had then asked the Chiefs to mark out a piece of land—a pretty large piece—to give you, it would not have struck the Indians so to the heart. Your thought was good, you see far, but the Indians being dull headed cannot see far — that is why I thought it would strike their hearts.

This, that I have shown you is my heart. I have in my mind what I am saying now.

Now your children are fallen, they have spilled their blood, because they have not sense enough to understand you. [Doty p 48-49]

Stevens responded to the various criticisms from Garry, claiming no responsibility for the troubles that resulted after the Walla Walla Council, then dismissed the proceedings until the next day.

On the morning of December 5, a principal Chief of the Lower Spokanes spoke, stating that the hearts of the Coeur d'Alene are "a little sore" because of the Governor's directive to the traders to stop selling ammunition to the Indians.

When you stooped the Traders from selling us ammunition you stabbed our hearts. That is what the Coeur d'Alenes said. We do not know what to make of it. We are not Blackfeet. When you stopped the ammunition it was as if you had put up a fence between the Indians and the Whites. The Coeur d'Alenes say, what did the Whites do that for? They think of it all the time." [Doty p 52-53]

This chief explains the reason for the current difficulty, specifying two important threads, the first being the return of small pox to the people and the second being the way Stevens handled the treaties at the Walla Walla Council:

Why is the country in difficulty again? That comes on account of the Small Pox brought into the country, and is all the time on the Indians hearts. The reason the Indians have that on their hearts, is because the Whites brought the Small Pox into the country… They would keep thinking the Whites had brought sickness into their country to kill them, That is what has hurt the hearts of the Yakimas. That is what we think has brought about this difficulty between the Indians and the Whites.

I think Governor you have talked a little too hard. It is as if you had thrown away all the Indians.

What has troubled the Indians was hearing that you would move the Coeur d'Alenes and Spokanes to the Nez Perce Country.

I heard you said at the Walla Walla Council, that we were children, and that our woman and children and cattle should be for you. And then we thought we would never raise camp and move where you wished us to. We had in our hearts that if you tried to move us off, we would die on our land. That is what we had in mind on hearing that news.

Now not all the Indians have heard your heart yet. Perhaps you have not spoken all your heart yet. I think now you have not spoken all your heart, but have given only half of it to the Indians. The reason I could not give you my children was because I could not see all your heart. I love my children. I have as yet no sickness in my country. My country and people are alive.

I do not think I shall be an enemy to the Whites. What I am saying is that I cannot yet see into your hearts...

Now Governor take heart for your children, and I the same will take heart for mine—will work for them to make Peace.

Various men addressed the assembly including Stellam, a Chief of the Coeur d'Alenes; Schlat-eal (Day), Spokane; Peter John, a Colville; Sho-homish, Chief of the Sans Poile Band of Lower Spokanes; Big Star, a Spokane Chief. They spoke of their hearts feeling fear. They wanted Stevens to end the war before it spread throughout the land and spilled the blood of their people.

Big Star, a Spokane Chief, spoke harshly to Stevens, blaming him for all the trouble.

The reason I am talking now is that all the Indians did not like what you said at the Walla Walla Council. They put all the fault on you, of the trouble since. The Indians, say you are the cause of the war. My heart is very small towards you...

You have not yet made a Treaty and you passed by us, although I heard you were coming into our country, and your people have commenced coming—the Miners—and they will upset my land. If you had made a Treaty here before you went up, it would not have happened that way. That is my mind now. If you had made a Treaty this summer, those troubles would not have happened, it would all be right now. [Doty p57]

Quin-quim-moe-so, a Chief who lives at Walker & Ells old Mission [MAP?] also blames Stevens:

I will not hide my mind. All my people heard me this summer, when I heard, Governor, what you had said at the Walla Walla Council Ground. I thought you had done well. Though when you were through speaking, one thing you said was not right. You alone arranged the Indians land. The Indians did not speak. Then you struck the Indians to the heart. You thought they were only Indians, that is why you did it. I am not a big Chief, but I will not hide my mind. I will not talk low. I wish you to hear what I am saying.

The Indians have for a long time been a poor people, a long time ago they thought not of evil, the American are the causes of the Indians hearts being that way.

That is the reason Governor, it is all your fault the Indians are at War. It is your fault because you have said that the Cayuse and Walla Wallas will be moved to the Yakima's land. They who owned the land did not speak, and yet you divided their land.

And after that I heard that, for the Spokanes you would move us to the Nez Perces' land.

When we received that news we all spoke—all my people, and I told them I could not move from my land. I would not travel through a country that does not belong to me.

"Now I am speaking out my mind. I do not feel well towards those Indians who are at war. My heart commenced to be sore. Now when the war commenced I was thinking how would the Governor arrange that? I don't hide my heart. Why do you wish to know my heart. It is well arranged. It is you Governor who should take care of me, and I am good towards you. My heart is not hard if you treat me well.

This is my heart. I know not the hearts of those who are in trouble. I know only my own mind." [Doty p 58-59]

Others addressed the assembly. Kool-kool-leel-seh (Red Blanket) stood and spoke about the treaty with Anson Dart. Others told him to sit down and stop talking, which he did. Chuck-cal-loot (The Bear upon his back) referred to Stevens' double-talk and his superior attitude, keeping them from reaching an understanding. Ky-u-sells-kee, a visitor from another, unidentified tribe, tells of his concerns about the war.

Spokane Garry, having listened to all those assembled, draws on his English education and his understanding of the situation, and addresses the Governor to summarize and emphasize the key points:

Governor, see the difference there is between these Indians and you. See how everybody is red and you are White. The Indians think they are not poor. When you look at yourself, you see you are white. You see the Indian is red, what do you think? Do you think they are poor when you look at them that way? When you look at those Red men, you think you have more heart, more sense than those poor Indians. I think the difference between us and you Americans is in the Clothing; the blood and body are the same.

Do you think because your mother was white, and theirs black that you are higher or better? We are black, yet if we cut ourselves, the blood will be red—and so with the Whites it is the same, though their skin is white. I do not think we are poor, because we belong to another nation. I am of another nation, when I speak you do not understand me. When you speak, I do not understand you.

To-day, Governor we meet together. You say you want to know my heart, and that is the reason I am talking.

Since we have been speaking, it is as if we had been talking for nothing. Now you take those Indians here for Chiefs. Do you think it? If you believe what they say, it is all right. If you take those Indians for men, treat them so now. The Indians are proud, they are not poor. If you talk truth to the Indians to make a peace, the Indians will do the same to you.

You see now the Indians are proud.

On account of one of your remarks some of your people have already fallen on the ground.

The Indians are not satisfied with the land you gave them.

What commenced the trouble was the murder of Pee-opee-mox-arnox's son, and Dr. Whitman, and now they find their Reservations too small.

If all those Indians had marked out their own Reservation, this trouble would not have happened...[Doty p 61-62]

Garry tells Stevens how he can remedy the situation:

Now the Indians are in trouble. If you could get their Reservations made a little larger, they would be pleased—this is my mind, but perhaps it is too late to do it.

For myself I am an Indian. If I had the business to do I could fix it by giving them a little more land.

Talking about land I am only telling you my mind.

What I was saying yesterday about not crossing the soldiers to this side of the Columbia, is my business. Those Indians have gone to war, and I don't know myself how to fix it up again. That is your business.

Since, Governor, the beginning of the world, there has been war. Why cannot you manage to keep peace? Maybe there will be no peace ever. Even if you should hang all the bad people, war would begin again, and would never stop." [Doty p 62]

Governor Stevens spoke at length to refute accusations of any wrong-doing on his part. It was his understanding that Kamiakin and Peo-peo-mox-mox were content with the land assigned to them. He professes not to know what caused the war, but asserts that it was certainly not his fault.

Stevens assured them that what was theirs will remain theirs and he respects that. Then he asks if they want to speak about land. It is interesting that he has been clear that they are not ready to negotiate a land settlement, yet he opens up the subject.

Do you want to treat now in reference to your lands. If you do show me your hearts as to what you want. I said to you last night, I thought it was doubtful whether this was a time to make arrangements. Have the Coeur d'Alenes made up their minds as to what they wish to have done? Have the Spokanes? Has Garry made up his mind as to what he wants? Have the Colvilles? I said yesterday, I say now, the lands are yours. I cannot take, I shall not take your lands from you. Whatever is done about the land, will be done by you and I; talking and agreeing—both being satisfied..." [Doty p63]

He called on Garry to respond and Garry conveyed his skepticism about Stevens and the process:

All these things we have been speaking of had better be tied together as they are, like a bundle of sticks, because you are in a hurry. There is not time to talk of them. But afterwards you can come back, when you find time and see us.[Doty p65]

Stevens told Garry that his "decision is a good one," stating that more time is needed to make a Treaty.

For example take the Coeur d'Alenes. They must have their little Councils to see what all will agree upon, and to select the Chiefs to represent them in a general Council where the questions about the land can be fully discussed and agreed upon. All this requires time, and I think that what Garry has said is good. Take some other time when we are not in a hurry and can talk it all over and endeavor to agree. [Doty p66]

He told them that he would return the following year, early if possible.

The Council was adjourned. Stevens and the Volunteers headed to Nez Perce country to mobilize their forces. The Colville, Spokane and Coeur d' Alene people were left without any treaty to protect their lands. Stevens did not return to negotiate a treaty. Reservations were created out of aboriginal territory for all three tribes through executive orders in the 1870s, after American settlers had claimed much of the territory for themselves.