Chapter XLIV: In Congress.--Vindicating His Course

Passing Superintendent Nesmith's accounts--Obtaining funds for
Indian service--President recommends confirmation of the
treaties--Welcomed back by old friends--General Lane a tower
of strength--Demands that military deliver Yakima murderers
to punishment--They abandon their protégés--Takes house and
moves family to Washington--Mr. James G. Swan,
secretary--Circular letter to emigrants--Appeals to Indian
Department to establish farms promised Blackfeet--Has
Lieutenant John Mullan placed in charge of building
wagon-road between Fort Benton and Walla Walla--Exposes
memoir of Captain Cram--Convinces Senate Indian committee
that treaties ought to be confirmed--Advocates Northwestern
boundary commission--Speeches on Indian war--Pacific
Railroad--Defends Nesmith--Matters engaging
attention--Resists exactions of Hudson Bay Company in memoir
to Secretary of State--Steptoe's defeat--Colonel Wright
punishes Indians--General Harney placed in command of
Washington and Oregon departments--He revokes Wool's order
excluding settlers from upper country--Address on
Northwest--Walter W. Johnson, private secretary--Treaties all
confirmed March 8, 1859--Dictates his final report on
Northern route before breakfast 271

CHAPTER XLV

SAVING SAN JUAN

Returns to Puget Sound--Guest of General Harney--Close relations
with--Renominated for Congress--The canvass--Elected--Death
of Mr. Mason--San Juan dispute waxes warm over a pig--General
Harney advised by Governor Stevens--Sends Captain Pickett to
occupy the island--British fleet blockade--Reinforcements
sent to Pickett--British powerless on land--Thousands of
American miners in Victoria and on Fraser River--Governor
Gholson guided by Governor Stevens--Offers support of militia
to General Harney, who places ammunition at his
disposal--General Scott pacifies British lion--Governor
Stevens's influence in saving the archipelago 288