Negotiations Planned with the Nez Perce But Have Not Yet Begun

On May 12, 1863, a reporter for The Oregonian sent off a letter to the newspaper from Lapwai, Idaho Territory. (Lapwai is located about ten miles east of Lewiston, on Lapwai Creek.) His main goal was to observe negotiations for a new treaty with the Nez Percés Indians.

Still, he also observed, “On my way up from the Dalles, I was surprised to see so many miners disembark at the Umatilla Landing, but I was informed that that was the best and most practicable route to the Boise mines at this se...