After the Fox Island Council, which ended the Indian Wars, Stevens asked for the capture of Chief Leschi. Leschi, who had earlier fled east of the cascades when his attempts at securing a peace had failed, returns west to hide out in the vicinity of Fort Nisqually. He talks with Dr. Tolmie who suggests he lay low because Stevens is after him.

The federal troops had concluded a peace with Leschi and in return for his promise of peace the chief had been promised amnesty.

Tricked by his nephew, who promised Leschi would have a fair hearing, Leschi is taken into custody by Indian agent Sidney Ford Jr. The agent turned Leschi over to Stevens on November 14, 1856. Leschi is imprisoned at Fort Steilacoom under the custody of Colonel Casey.

Leschi's nephew is given 50 blankets as payment for his treachery. There is also evidence that Sluggia may have intended to give testimony against the warring chiefs in a court of law. On February 27, 1857, Governor Stevens wrote the following to W. B. Gosnell, Esq., Special Indian Agent, Squaxin Reservation:

Sir: You will say to Sluggia in answer to the enclosed letter to keep his money and to tell the truth, when a witness before the courts. I commend very much his determination not to "go into any secret plan against the Bostons [Americans] to clear any Indian; but if the leaders of the war can be brought before Courts of law and the Bostons call on me, I will go and tell all I know of their actions."

One possible reason was jealousy. Sluggia was in love with his uncle Leschi's youngest wife, Mary. The Leschi descendants' family stories say that she succumbed to his enticements, and actually left Leschi to live with Sluggia. After a short time, however, Mary began to realize that Sluggia was unable to care for her as well as Leschi, a wealthier man, could. She returned to Leschi, who forgave her, and welcomed her back into his household. Sluggia was mightily angered by Mary's rejection and was overcome by jealously. His behavior became increasingly aggressive towards his uncle. (Iyall)
READ AN INTERVIEW WITH MARY LESCHI

Another possible reason for Sluggia's animosity toward Leschi was offered up by Wa he lut, known to the settlers as Yelm Jim, in an interview given in 1896, almost 40 years after Leschi's death. In this interview, Wa he lut asserted that Sluggia had "quarreled with Leschi because the chief would not allow him to kill women and children during the war." (Meeker 6)

Cynthia Iyall, Leschi descendant, in an interview with Melissa Parr,
Washington State Historical Society curator. September 14, 2004.

Meeker, Ezra. The Tragedy of Leschi. Everett, WA:
The Printers, 1980.