The event has been called "the most significant occurrence of violence"[2] in the Oregon Country between indigenous peoples and settlers prior to the Cayuse War.
A relative of his had been flogged by Indian agent Elijah White after breaking into the Wascopam Mission home of missionary Henry K. W. Perkins.
[9] He began to advocate against Elijah White's laws on matters of criminal justice and land ownership being imposed on indigenous societies.
[12] The following day, White and a small party of settlers attempted to find Cockstock in the vicinity of the Willamette Falls, but he evaded capture.
Watching the development, an employee of John McLoughlin reportedly exclaimed "That Indian is a good man, you should not molest him; if you do, you will repent!
Modeste Demers described the sentiment of the Willamette Valley settlers to then Vicar general Blanchet:The settlers seem to acknowledge they have been too quick, in this unfortunate affair; but the unlucky deed is over; it is a true murder; based upon the extremely rash and unjustifiable action of poor Le Breton who will pay dear for his apostasy and crime.
[21] Peace between the settlers and natives was maintained by White, who offering payment of "two blankets, a dress, and [a] handkerchief" to the widow.
On 1 May 1844, White wrote to United States Secretary of War James Madison Porter, citing the Cockstock incident and mentioned Saules:[Saules] remains in that vicinity with his Indian wife and family, conducting [behaving], as yet, in a quiet manner, but doubtless ought to be transported, together with every other negro, being in our condition dangerous subjects.
Instead, blacks were to be forced back into bondage to work for white settlers, before eventually being deported east to the United States.
[25] As the Provisional Government was centered in the Willamette Valley, its authority didn't extend north of the Columbia River.