The Prince

The Prince. . The Cayuse name of the Prince is not recorded. "Prince" was often used in fur trade culture to refer to a headman or trading partner's younger brother or son. The Prince was a young brother of Hiyumtipin, headman at Pášxapa, the Cayuse village just east of the Whitman Mission. It was Hiyumtipin who discovered the drowned body of young Alice Clarissa Whitman in the Walla Walla River in 1839, Hiyumtipin and the Prince were from the same extended family as Wilemutkin (Old Joseph) and Wilewmutnin (Twisted Hair, who was Lewis and Clark's Nez Perces Guide), a well as Young Chief (Tauitau), Looking Glass, Homlie, and others, all leaders in a regional indigenous political alliance. , Around 1834, Looking Glass of the Nez Perces, Young Chief of the Cayuse, and the Prince became involved in a dispute with Pierre Chrysologue Pamburn of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) over prices for furs and horses. They allegedly seized Pamburn and interpreter Jean Toupin, threw blankets over them and beat them severely. In response to this incident, the HBC cut off trade with those involved, blacklisting all three leaders and their families. , When the three leaders returned to the HBC to seek reconciliation Pamburn resorted to "gift diplomacy" to resolve the conflict. Gift diplomacy was the common practice of offering gifts in exchange for goods, horses, or promises of peaceful collaboration. It is documented that Pamburn built a cabin for Young Chief on or before 1840. In fact, and in part because of the Prince's involvement in this conflict, we believe Pamburn built at least two cabins: one for Young Chief on the Umatilla River, and one for the Prince at Pášxapa. It is not known if Looking Glass received a cabin. , Although there is no official record linking the Prince's cabin to Pamburn, his connection to its construction is suggested by several pieces of evidence. An 1844 letter by Narcissa Whitman referencing "the Prince's house up the river," attests to the location and ownership or the Prince's cabin. In addition, as you will see on the panel documenting French-Canadian cabin design, the cabin itself exhibits structural characteristics typical of the 1830s, and a level of construction skill specific to French-Canadian artisans of the time. , The Prince's notoriety as a Cayuse leader waned in the years following the attack. During a council with Indian Agent Elijah White in 1843, the Prince is reported to have said, "Perhaps you will say it is out of place for me to speak, because I am not a great chief. Once I had influence, but now I have but little...yet, I am from honorable stock. Promises which have been made to me and my fathers have not been fulfilled...But it will not answer for me to speak, for my people do not consider me their chief.." , Unfortunately the Prince did not long enjoy the shelter of his cabin - he was slain by members of another tribe in about 1845, while en route to the buffalo country.