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^i
i\
THE WORKS
OF
HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT.
•tl
THE WORKS
or
HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT
n
VOLUME XXIX.
HISTORY OF OREGON.
Vol. I. 1834-1848.
SAN FRANCISCO.
THE HISTORY COMPANY, PTTRLISHERS.
1886.
Entered according to Act of Congre. in the Year 1886. b,
HUBERT H. BANCROFT
^ the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
All Higlits Beaerved.
PREFACE.
The more remote in Oregon affairs has been given
m my History of the Northwest Coast, which is indeed
a part of the History of Oregon, as elsewhere ex-
plamed. The later volumes deal with events which
occurred within the memory of men now living-
they are wrought out from yet more original sources'
a large proportion of the facts herein presented never
havmg before appeared in print. Obviously it is
more difficult to treat fully and fairly a comparatively
modern epoch, from absolutely crude material, than
an earlier one which has been worked over by scholars
for centuries. Of the hundreds of personal narratives
which have been placed before me by those who as-
sisted in making the history, no two wholly agree-
and yet to the careful student, with all the evidence
before him, the truth is generally clear.
^ The leading features of this history are not found
m bloody conquests inspired by the thirst for gain and
glory united to the hope of winning heaven, but in
the more gentle purpose of adding to the enjoyments
ol earth by commerce and agriculture, the fur com-
pany, the missionaries of different sects soon converted
into rival traders, and the middle class from the United
fetates, all contributing of their several characteristics
to form a society at once individual and independent.
( vU >
Tiii
PREIi'ACK
! !
It is in the missionary rather than in the commer-
cial or agricultural elements that I find that romance
which underlies all human endeavor before it becomes
of interest sufficient for permanent preservation in
the memory of mankind. A mountain-walled plain,
between the coast elevations and the northern stretch
of the great Andean range, with a fertile soil, a genial
climate, and picturesque scenery, through a peculiar
sequence of events become the western Utopia of the
American states, and kindle in the breasts of those
who here lay the foundations of a commonwealth the
fire of patriotism, forever sacred even when fed by
fallacies. The silent conquest of this area by men
and women from the border, Intent on empire, is a
turning-point in the destinies of the country ; and it
is to me no less a pleasure than a duty to recognize
the heroic in this conquest, and to present one more
example of the behavior of the Anglo-Saxon race un-
der the influence of American institutions.
Nor did the people of the earlier west enter upon
these achievements without a well-defined purpose.
Proselyting alone was not the object; nor yet traffic,
nor even broad lands. There was present, besides the
desire to secure for themselves and their descendants
some small portion of this earth, the determination
to plant here those pure moralities and fair civilities
which belong to the higher Christian civilization ; and
one glance at the present condition of the people is
sufficient to assure us that they succeeded. Aside
from the somewhat antiquated sentiments of eternal
justice and the rights of man as apart from man's
power to enforce his rights, the quick extermination
of the aborigines may be regarded as a blessing both
I'KEFAC'E.
IX
to the n.d race and to the white. The two seldom
prohtably intermix. And tins Imppy eonsununation,
the swift and sliarpest means of sweeping from the
eartli every human (nicumhrance, the people of the
United States have never been backward about
Jlowever merciless the conquerors, Spain's .mvern-
inent, aided by the church, was ever tender of her
native American subjects, and we see the result in
Mexico and Central America. The British fur-traders
would not permit the killing of their hunters, and we
see the result in British Columbia. Avarice, war
injustice, and inhumanity are often the most impor-
tant aids to civilization. In this respect, with noble
intentions and devout aspirations far higher than
ordinary, the settlers of Oregon but followed their
It .?''^ ^^^"""^ ^^^ *^^ best, and quai relied
not with the inevitable.
It is proper to remember here that the United
States first reached the Pacific in the latitudes of
Oregon, thus completing the great zone of states from
ocean to ocean; that the first proposals to build a line
ot military posts, a wagon-road, and a railway across
the continent were made in connection with the occu-
pation of the Columbia Valley; likewise in the first
project to connect the eastern and western coasts by
steamships Oregon was the objective point.
Through the generosity and frankness of the people
of Oregon I am enabled to present this history in the
fulness of its details, and I sincerely hope they have
not found their confidence misplaced. It has beon
my earnest endeavor, here as everywhere, rightly to
""t^^til^f,-^ P-P-ly to construe moLl
Ill
mmmmmm
PREi^ACE.
Of every one however hu.nble, who came early to
Oregon and „f all those who early or late contributed
the,r intelhgence and energy toward establishing the
eom„,„„wealth so far as possible I have n.ademen-
tion; and I beheve the time will come, if it be not
here already, when te the descendants of these hardy
emp,re-bu.lders this enrohnent will be recognized as
equivalent to a patent of nobility.
The history of Oregon has been to me a most inter-
esting s udy, and of her present proud position and
her brilliant future her sons cannot entertain too
nign an opinion.
CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME.
FAOa.
CHAITEK I.
OUEOON TN 1834.
The Northwest Coast and the Oregon Territory-Physical F. < ,-,.*_
M..ntanaUngesa„ailivor.-TheI„.perio„sL.u.^
ColviU -. . ^«HallandBo.s^_F„rtWilliaman.:VVapatoKai.I -
The *re„on-Cana,han Settle.nent-Mis.onaries. Trader., . .rn urB
CHAPTER ir.
LIVE AT FORT VANCOUVKB.
1825-184G.
Marriage Relations-Pidelity-Soeial ConditionB-McLoughlin-Dou«
^iTayrj^r^^^^^^^^^
R lu T ,,."°*' '^n" ■^"'"'le-Pambrun— McKinlav— Blapk
28
CHAPTER nr.
SKTTLEMENT OF OKEOON.
1832- 1834.
a^ng tii^il'pt^^^^^^ Mi.io„aries-Intere. Raised
Methodist ^r 1 ^rP'^-^':^ Churches Roused-Action of the
VVyetl cL^Xdl^""" ''^n ""r' ^'''^ ^'''"^'^ Mi-io„aries
ing at Fort S_ wTat^:^^^^^^^ ^-" Lulependence-Preaeh-
mette Valley-MissToTs to V! T"""' ~^''''' *« '''' ^'*"-
Flathead pL ThT V; h p^^'V^'"'""' ^"^ ^'^^"^'-""S the
Hall J Ke IeT~s?mi , ^-^<^-n«-Campement on ^able-
and aarico t*: 7f '°i ''^T' '^' ^^" ^'^^ ^^ame with Lewis
Young ' *'' "^^^^ Expeditions. Wyeth. Keliey. and Ewing
54
• XI )
xn
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
METHODIST OCCUPATION.
1834-1838.
PAGB,
Removal of Eflfects — Fencing, Building, and Planting — The Sorrowful
Work of Conversion — Missionary Failures — Dairiel Lee Visits the
Islands— Arrival of Kelley and Young — Figucroa's Letter— Estrange-
ment of Ewing Young — Attack on an Incoming Party by the Natives
of Rogue River — The Affair of the Distillery — Arrival of a Govern-
ment Agent 78
i
CHAPTER V.
COMINO OK THE PRESBYTERIANS.
18.34-1836.
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions — Parker and
Whitman Sent to Choose Mission Sites — Whitman Returns East for
Teachers — Parker's Adventures — His Favorable Opinion of the
Indians — Their Desire for Teachers and Religious Observances —
Parker Selects a Site at Waiilatpu — Religiou.-i Services Established
at Fort Vancouver — Parker Returns Home— Whitman and Spalding
and their Wives — Their Overland Journey — Wliitman's Wagon
Route — Stuart and Pilcher — The Welcome at Fort Vancouver — Re
turn of Gray for More Teachers — Later Missionaries, Walker, Eells,
and Smith 104
CHAPTER VI.
THE WILLAMETTE (JATTI.E COMPAN*.
1836-1837.
Need of Cattle in the Willamette Valley — The Hudson's Bay Company
Refuse to Sell — McLoughlin's Views on the Question — Meetmg at
Champoeg — Formation of the Cattle Company — Ewing Young and
Party Sent to California for Stock — Solemn and Momentous Nego-
tiations — The Crossing of the San Joaquin — Herds Drawn Across by
Ropes and Rafts — An Indian Ambush — Plot to Shoot Edwards and
Young — Division of the Stock and its Increase in Oregon — What
Became of Ewing Young's Property 139
CHAPTER VII.
COLONIZATION.
1837-1840.
Three Missionary Brides — Jason Lee's Marriage — Sea-coast Excursions —
Brand) Mission among the Calapooyas — Petition to Congress for a
Civil Government — Lee Goes East — Death of Mrs Leo — Missionary
Enthusiiusni in the East — Bill for the Occupation of Oregon — Sailing
of the ' Lausanne ' with tlie Mission Colony — Treaty of Commerce
witli the Hawaiian Islands — Affairs in Oregon — Drowning of the
First White Boy Born in the Territory — Death of Shepard — Reli-
gious Interest at the Dalles — Arrival of the Mission Colony 154
XIU
PA08.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
CtaSE OF THE METHODIST KEQIME.
1840-1841.
Keturus Last-The WiUamette Station-Trials of Inexperienced
Pioneers--Exploratiou of the Un.pqua VaUey-Wnte D«nes
to leave Oregon-Accident at the Palk-Tl>e Oregon Institute-P L,
to Dnve McLoughlin from the Falk-Conduct of Waller-I^rt
tTlL'oi T''Z 7^^,^^--"'y-I"g-tit«de and TrLkc^yl^
Legality of Claimants to Oregon City-Lee Superseded by (^eoL
Gray-Progress of Colonization ^ ^"^ ,„
184
CHAPTER IX.
PROORE.S.S OF EVENT.S.
1839-1841.
The Peoria Party-Incidents of the Journey-Farnham Arrives in
Oregon-Return of McLoughlin from London-Dis tii tLI Z
dZTt:nT^'c"''^^-';"*^°" *" Congress-Beirr Sp .
dition-Lxtent, of Canadian Juris.lictirn-More Immigrants from
I Imois-Missionaries Continue to Arrivc-The Newell Party-Mi
C7r,rr.<- <^'-'^««", -Overland Exploration to Califomia^Sir
rIS Setter " ^''' ^'— Mofras' Mission-The Red
226
CHAPTER X.
■IHK .SUB-INWAN ACiENTS COMPANY.
1842 ^845.
IheEflfect of Lee's Letter to Cushing-White Visits Wasliington-
itVL '■"'"'u'''.*'"^'""' '^''"^^ i« Appointed Sul.lfiln
Agut or Oregon-He Raises a Largo Conn.anj of Emirn-ants
Incidents of the Journev— A Cm-,;.,,. \tt ' r.- ;'-'""fcTant8—
-Tlw. H.,]f f V Tl ^laHsacro-Disseiisions in Camp
ri e Halt at tort Laramie- The Sioux Take a Hand-Fort Hall i!
Reachod-Reccption l.y the Missionaries-AM..to and the Colo.lt 1
Xt^Sr-"^^"-"^" *" '^- IWe-Hastings I^s
253
CHAPTER XI.
WHITKS AUMINIHTRATION OF INDIAN AFFAIKS.
I842-184i5.
IL T r "^ ^'^'''' ^"' ""^" I".lians-The Peace Broken
U-nes-lhe K.lhng „£ Cockstock-The Oregon RanKcrs- Yellow
Wjah-^VVlutcs Interview witli Chief EIlis-His Conciliatory Prom-
-es. and How Tl.ey were Kept-His Departure from Orego.K . m
xiv
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XII.
ORGANIZATION OF THE I'ROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
1843.
PAOX.
Methodist Officials — A Probate Court Needed — Meeting of the Settlers —
Officials Chosen — Withdrawal of the French Catholic Element —
PHirther Political Elements — The Oregon Lyceum — Fresh Overtures
to the Canadians — The Land Law — Another Methodist Movement —
The ' Wolf ' Organization — The Canadians Brought in — New Selec-
tion of Officials — Report of the Legislative Committee — Govern-
ment Expenses — The Four Great Districts — Measures against
McLoughlin — lofluenco of Shortess on Political Affairs 292
CHAPTER Xin.
THB CATUOLIC MISSIONS — MORE Of THE PRESBYTERIANS.
1838-1847
Call of the French Canadians — Coming of Blanchet and Demers — The
Vicar-general among the Cayuses — St Francis Xavier on the Cow-
litz — Protestant and Catholic Rivalry — Langlois and Bolduc — The
Jesuits in the North-west — Lalsors of Father De Smet — Point and
Mangarini — St Marys on the Bitter Root — Mission of the Sacred
Heart — De Vos and Hoecken — Jesuit Reenforcements — Blanchet
Made Archbishop — St Pauls — Affairs at Waiilatpu and Lapwai — Li-
solence of the Savages — Whitman's Winter Journey to the East —
His Treatment by the Board — Return and Disappointment 315
CHAPTER XIV.
OREGON BEFORE CONGRESS.
1820-184G.
Oregon's Early Cliampion — Irrepressible Destiny — Crude Ideas of the
Country — Expediency of Occupying the Columbia — Tortuous Course
of Floyd's Bill — The Russian Ukase — Baylies, Tucker, Colden, Mal-
lary. Wood, Walker, Breckenridge, Buchanan, Dickerson, Benton,
and Others Express their Views — End of the First Epoch of Legisla-
tion — Linn, Clay, Calhoun, Pierce, Cushing, and Pendleton, of the
Second Epoch — Linn's Bill — Popular Feeling — Petitions for the Oc-
cupation of Oregon — The Question of Slavery 349
CHAPTER XV.
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1843.
Effect of CongresLional Discussion and Missionary Agitation — Flocking
to the Rendezvous — Organization — Disaffection and Division — Names
of the Emigrants- — The Light Column and the Cow Column— Along
the Platte — At Fort Hall — Whitman's Doings — On to the Columbia
and down the River— Policy of the Hudson's Bay Company — It is
Better to Sell or (live than Tempt the New-comers to take by Force —
The Applegatca — Other Biographical Notices 391
CONTENTS.
XT
CHAPTER XVL
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDIKGS.
1844.
PAGE.
Old and New
Character of the Immigration of 1843 — The Land Law
Settlers — Organic Laws — Personnel of the Committees — Message of
the Executive Committee — Revision and Correction of Legislative
Errors — Judicial Affairs — The Blessings of Land and the Bp,llot —
Willamette Falls the Seat of Government — The Question of Boun-
dary — Law Relating to Marriage — Liquor Law — Slavery — Negroes
and Mulattoes — Attitude toward the British Fur Company — Lide-
pendence of Oregon 425
CHAPTER XVn.
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1844.
Belligerent Attitude of the British and Americans — Vancouver Forti-
Hed — Gathering of the Emigrants — Tlie Several Divisions and Com-
panies — The Independent Colony — Cornelius Gilliam — Nathaniel
Ford — The Journey — Sufferings on the Journey — Their Destitute
Condition — Reception by Missionaries and Fur-traders — Names of
the Immigrants — Biographical Notices 446
CHAPTER XVIII.
AMENDMENT OF THE ORtJANIC LAWS
1845.
The First Three Legislative Bodies — Opposing Parties — The Several
Legislatures — Memorial to Congress — What Benton Thouglit of It—
EHijah White's Exploits — Proceedings of the Legislature — Fusion
of the Americans and British — English Spies in Oregon — British
Vessels — Conduct of McLoughlin Discussed — Unjust Censure — Con-
sequence to McLoughlin 470
CHAPTER XIX.
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
Notable Migration — Various Starting-points— Divisions and Com-
panies — Joel Palmer — Samuel K. Barlow — Presley Welcli — Sauniel
Hancock — Bacon and Buck — W. G. T'Vault — John Way mire — Solo-
mon Tetherow — California Extolled at Fort Hall — Meeting witli
White — His Fatal Triendship — A Long Cut-off — Hardships on tlie
Mallieur — Disease and Death at the Dalles — Heartlessness of Waller
and Brewer — Emmet's Wanderings — Tlie Incoming by Sea — Names
of the Immigrants — Third Session of the Ijcgialature— Explorations
for Immigrant Pass — Wagon-roa<l — Public Buildings, Capital, and
Liquor Questions — New Counties — Revenue 508
xvi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XX.
OPENING OK THE SOUTHERN OREGON ROUTE— IMMIORATION OF 1846.
PAOB.
Road-inaking aa a War Measure — A Pass Required — A Company Organ-
ized—They Proceed to Rogue River — Whence tlicy Continue East-
ward and Cross the Cascade Range into the Humbohlt Valley —They
Proceed to Fort Hall — Hastings and his Cut-o6F— Immigration of
1846— Applegate's Cut-ofF — J. Q. Thornton, Iiis Book and his Vin-
dictivenesa — Sufierings of the Emigrants by the New Route — Com-
ments of the Settlers on the Southern Route — Biographical
Notices 542
CHAPTER XXr.
THE WAR FEELINO IN OREGON.
184C.
Social Eflforts of the Crew of the ' Modeste ' — First Theatrical Entertain-
ments — First American Newspaper on the Pacific Coast — A Military
Company — Arrival in the Sound of H. B. M. Ship ' Fisgard ' —
President Polk's Message— Arrival of the U. S. Schooner 'Shark ' —
Horse-racing — Howison on the Situation — Wreck of the ' Shark ' —
A Flag and Guns for Oregon — Passage of the Notice Bill — Overland
Railway — T!io Boundary Determined — How Tidings of the Treaty
Were Received 573
CHAPTER XXn.
POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
184C-1847.
Waiting for a Territorial Government — The Question of a Delegate to
Washington — Attempts to Provide for the Bljectment of British
Subjects from their Land — Legislative Proceedings— Memorial to
Congress — Public Reproof to Trespassers — -Reelection of Abernethy —
Douglas' Bill Ur: Establishing a Territory, and its Failure — Action
of the People — Private Delegate to Congress — Biographical Notices —
The Immigration of 1847 600
CHAl'TER XXIII.
THE WHITMAN M A S SA C U E .
1847.
Savages a» a Handiwork of the Creator — They might have been Better
Made — But They are not so niucii Worse than White Men, who are
Rid Enough — Rival Claimants for the Rewards to Follow their Con-
version — Portentous Clouds Hanging over Marcus Whitman —
Strange He cannot See the Darkening Sky — The Natives Maddened
by the White Man's Diseases, and by the Coming in of so Many to
Take from Them their Lands — Attitude of Catholics tud Protestants-
Rival Roads to Heaven— The Savages Prefer their own Way— And
Thereupon They Perpetrate a most Horrible Deed 639
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIV.
BESCUE OF THE OAPTIVBS.
1847
His Honor the Indian-Preparations for War-Le«rislativ« P. ^ • '
propriatio-i and Private Subscrintinn« T j"^^" °™'^-P"l'l'c Ap-
entof I-idian Affairs-ChS S o 7 /f '"""^ Superintend-
Cay„se.-The Ranson. met!d-Pr2'^;: tl^Tr"''' *''^
respondence between Og.len and A Ww ^h P f 'r~^°"
play of Hot Distemper between Catholics and Protestants'. .!' . .
xvu
PAOK.
669
chaptj:r XXV.
THE CAYUHK WAR.
1848.
Organization of the Armv— Dnlnnd o;\y t,
must be Delivered Un n! f. Tj. , Cayuses-Tlie Murderers
aumes Co„nCl-S~r„v p T' Gilliam-Major Lee As-
munition ~v^rE„r:7T;' P-olamation-Scarcity of Am-
Sketches. . . . ! ! ''•' ''"^ ^^°"P^ ^"«*^-d out-Biographical
700
CHAPTER XXVr.
OREGON'S ENVOYS-ERECTION OF A TERRirORTAr r,
A lERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT
1848.
T'.l.^r'""-,*;'™'"'^" "' M~--Th. Piou. Lawyer .n<l the
755
! n '
1 1:
AUTHORITIES QUOTED
IN THE
HISTORY OF OREGON.
Boston, etc., 1868.
aSK i?V^->i'').^«*- '^' R- Reports, vi.
A& tKLtf -k^''^-^'- ''4'-^'' Ulysses S. Grant.
ADemethy (Anne), The Mission Family. MS.
^i,£™"' "■'" """"'^ **"'«'■ ""S". Democrat, 0„g„„ «„„,„,
A^bum Mexicano. Mexico, 1849 et sec,. ^ ^•
Allan, iiemmiscences. MS
with England, n pi n d ' ' "" ""'' ^l^tions
""'XtLdtmn^Jh^N^^^^^^^ Benton County. 1874; McCormick's
New York, T838et sell' ^'"''^' ^^^'^^'l^lphia, 1863 et seq., Tribune,
^'744^Tong?2Ts™*li£ril8t"^r.^^«l^^^^^ ««^*- ^«76.
American Citi|k (Thef'sSi F^ancS ] A eK^f "^*°"' ^«'«-
1858-61. folio. 39 vols ' ^^'^-'•^- '^ vols.; Vashmgton, 1832-4;
fPr^r&t%"^^^^^^^^^ Territory. A
Anlr" (f SS ?"4'^>' NortSto^^VlSory. MS.
, ATg" if ifst'^'^^'plPTS "" "" '"'""^ '^^'' ^ WashV,n-and Oregon.
A^lTf CrL^'TlthTl'sH^^^^ ^''^^ Commission. 1865.
congress. [Ist to I8th Congress.] Washington, 1834-56. 42 vols.
'. xlx )
zx
AUTIIOKITIKS QUOTED.
Anthony (E. M.), Siskiyou County Rcniiniacences. M.S.
Anthropographic Chart of State OtKcers, etc., of Cal. Hacraniento, 1869.
Antiouh (Cal.), Ledger.
Applegato (JesHe), Correspondence with Mrs Victor. MS.
Applegate (.Jesse), A Day with the Cow Column in 1843. In Overland Monthly,
i. 127.
Applegate (.Tease), Marginal Notes in Gray's History of Oregon. MS.
Applegate (Jesse), Views of Oregon History. MS.
Applegate (Lindsey), Laying out the old immigrant road into Southern
Oregon, 1846. In Portland West Shore.
Applegate (O. C. ), History of the Modoc War. MS.
Armstrong (A. N.), Oregon. Chicago, 1857.
Arricivita ( J. D. ), Crdnica Serdtica y Apostolic. Mexico, 1792. folio.
Ashland, Tidings.
Ashley (C), Speech in U. S. Son., April ,% 1846, on Oregon Question. Wash-
ington, 1846.
Astoria, Astorian; Marine Gazette.
Astoria, Oregon's Seaport. Astoria, 1875.
Athey (.James), Workshops a* Oregon City. MS.
Atkinson (G. H.), Address befte N. Y. Chamber of Commerce Dec. 3, 1868.
New York, 1868; Address bef re Oregon Historical Soc. Feb. 22, 1876.
n.pl., n.d. ; Correspondence in Home Missionary; Northwe.st Coast. Port-
land, 1878; Reminiscences of Rev. E. Walker. Portland, n.d.; Sketch,
n.pl., n.d.
Atkinson (Geo. H.), Amer. Colonist in Oregon, n. imp.
Atlantic Monthly. Boston, 18.58 ot seq.
Austin (Nev.), Reese Pviver Reveille, April 6, 1867.
Bacon (J. M.), >regon City Mercantile Life. MS.
Baker (E. D.), .speech in U. S. H. of Rep., .Jan. 29, 1846, on Oregon Question.
Washington, 1846.
Baker City, Bedrock Democrat; Herald; Reveille.
Balch (Wm. R.), Mines, Miners, etc. Philadelphia, 1882.
Baldwin (R. S.), Speech in U. S. Sen., June .5, 1848, to Establish a Territorial
Government in Oregon. Washington, 1848.
Ballou (William T.), Adventures. MS.
Bancroft (A. L. ), Diary of a Journay to Oregon. MS.
Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of Alaska.
Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of British Columbia.
Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of California.
Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of Nevada.
Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of Northwest Coast.
Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of Utah.
Biuicroft (Hubert Howe), History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
Bancroft (Hubert Howe), Native Races of the Pacific States. N. Y., 187.'J. 5 vols.
Bancroft Library M.S. Scrap-books containing classified notes used in writing
Bancroft's Works.
Bancroft Library Newspaper Scraps, classified under the following headings:
Fisheries, Manufactures, Modoc War, Oregon Miscellany, Shipping and
Navigation, Trade and Commerce, United States Mails.
Barber (.John), and Henry Howe, History of Western States and Territories.
Cincinnati, 1867.
Barkersville (B. C), Cariboo Sentinel.
Barnes (G. A.), Oregon and California. MS. .
Baxley (H. W.), What I Saw on the West Coast of Southland North Amer-
ica. New York, 1865.
Bayly (T. H.), Speech in House of Rep., Jan. 27, 1846.
Beadle (J. H.), The Undeveloped West. Philadelphia [1873]; Western
Wilds. Cincinnati, 1879.
Beardsley (0. P.), in Wallings' Catalogue, 1875.
Bedinger (H.), Speech in House of Rep., Jan. 15, 1846.
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
zzi
Bceson (John), A Plea for the Indians. Now York, 1858.
Belcher (Edward), Narrative of a Voyage round the World in I83&-42. Lon-
don, 1843. 2 vola.
Bell (J. F.), Speech in U. S. H. of Rep., Feb. 4, 1846, on the Oregon Ques-
tion. Washington, 1846.
Bell (William A. ), Settlement of Seattle. MS.
Benicia (Cal. ), Chronicle, Tribune.
Bennett (Emerson), Prairie Flower, Cincinnati (0.), n. d.
Bennett (Winston), Biograi^hical Sketches. In S. Joad Pioneer, May 26, June
2, 1877.
Bentley (Wm. R.), Pleasure Paths in the Pac. Northwest. San Francisco,
1882.
Benton Co. (Or.), Almanac, 1874.
Benton (Tliomas H), Abridgment of Debates in Congress, 1759-1856. New
York, 1857-63. 16 vols; Speech in U. S. Sen., May 22, 25, 28, 1846, on
the Oregon Question. Washington, 1846; Thirty Years' View. New
York, 1854. 2 vols.
Berrian (Hobart), A Plain View of the Oregon Title. Washington, 1846.
Biggs (Cal. ), Butte Co. Register.
Bigland (John), A Geographical and Historical View of the World. London,
1810. 5 vols.
Blagdon (Francis William), The Modem Geographer. London, n.d. 5 vols.
Blake (W. P.), Production of the Precious Metals. New York and London,
1869.
Blanchet (F. N. ), Catholic Missionaries of Oregon. MS.
Blanchet (F. N.), Catholic Missionaries of Oregon, MS.; in Portland (Or.)
Oregonian, Sept. 1, 1863; Pastoral Letter, 1870.
Blanchet (F. N. ), Historical Sketches of the Catholic Clhurch in Oregon. Port-
land, 1878.
Bluxome (Isaac), Vigilance Committee, by 33, Secretary. MS.
Boise City (Idaho), Capital Chronicle, Democrat, Herald, News, Statesm-'ji.
Bourbourg (Brasseur de), Popul Vuh, etc. Paris, 1861.
Bowles (Samuel), Pacific Railroad. Boston, 1869.
Boiler (Henry A.), Among the Indians. Philadelphia, 1868.
Bonnycastle (J. C), Report on Indian Affairs. [33d Cong., 2d Sess., Sen. Ex.
Doc. IG.] Washington, 1855.
Boston (Mass.), Herald, Missionary Herald.
Bowles (Samuel), Across the Continent. Springfield, 1866; Our New West.
Hartford, etc., 1869.
Boyle (W. H.), Personal Observations on the Conduct of the Modoc War.
MS.
Brackett (Albert G.), History of the U. S, Cavalry. New York, 1865.
Branson (B. B. ), Settlement of Sheridan. MS.
Brasseur de Bourbourg, Popul Vuh. Le Livre Sacr^. Paris, 1861.
Breckenridge (John C), and Joseph Lane. Biographical Sketches. Wash-
ington, 1860.
Breeding (W. P.), Reminiscences of the Cayuse War. MS.
Breeso (S.), Speech in U. S. Senate, March 2, 1846.
Brensletter, Discovery of the Boise Basin. MS.
Briggs (Albert), Settlement of Port Townsend. MS.
Bristol (Sherlock), Idaho Nomenclature. MS.
Bristow (E. L.), Rencounters with Indians, Highwaymen, etc, MS.
British Columbia Sketches. MS.
British Quarterly Review. Ixxvii.
Brockett (L. P.), Our Western Empire. Philadelphia, etc., 1881.
Brooklyn (N. Y.), Catholic Review.
Brouillet (J. B. A.), Authentic Account of the Murder of Dr Whitman. Port-
land, 1869.
Brown (B.), in Umatilla (Or.) Columbia Press, July 27, 1867.
Brown (J. Henry), Autobiography. MS.
Brown (J. Henry), Oregon MiaceUanies. MS. and Scraps.
-Ill
T
zstt
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
Brown (.T. H.), in Ashland (Or.) Tidings, Oct. Ifl, Nov. 2, 1877, in Trans. Or.
Pionoor Association, 1877.
Brown (J. Henry), Huttloment of Willamette Valley. MS.
Brown (().), in H. Coin. Report, .S()8, '28th cong. 1 at seas.
Browne (.1. Ross), Lower California, see Taylor; Report upon the Mineral R«-
sources of tlie States and Territories West of the Rocky Mountains.
Washington, 18G7; Wasliington, 18(58; San Francisco, 18G8.
Browne (.). Ross), Resources of the Pacific Slope. San Francisco, 18tiS).
Buchanan (.laa. ), Letter on Oregon (Question, Aug. 30, 1845.
Buck (W. W.), Enterprises. Oregon City. MS.
Bulfinch (Thomas), Oregon and El Dorado. Boston, 184}G.
Bunker (Wm. M.), In the Lava Beds. In Californiau, Foh. 1880. 161.
Burhank (A. R.), Statement. MS.
Burnett (Peter H.), Ijctter of July 25, 1844, in Niles' Register, Ixvii.
Burnett (Peter II.), Letter on Afiairs in Oregon. In Nues' Itegister, Ixviii.
3JKI; Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer. New York, 1880.
Burnett (Peter H.), Recollections of the Past. MS. 2 vols.
Burton (Richard F.), City of the Saints. I ..don, 18G1; N. Y., 1862.
Butler ( ), Life and Times. MS.
Calhoun (John C), Speech in U. S. Sen., Jan. 24, 1843, on the Oregon Bill.
Wash,, 1843; Speech in U. S. Sen. March 16, 184G, on Abrogation of Con-
vention of Joint Occupancy. Wash., 1846.
California Jour. Assembly, 1857; Military Affairs, Scraps.
Cr-'Iifornian (The). San Francisco, 1880 et seq.
Camp (David W. ), American Year-Book. Hartford, 1869.
Gampbcil (Alexander), Speech, July 30, 1863. Sacramento.
Campbell (J. F.), My Circular Notes. London, 1876. 2 vols.
Camp-fire Orations. MS.
Canyon City (Or.), News.
Card well (J. A.), Emigrant Company.
vJarr (Ezra S. ), Patrons of Husbandry.
Carson City (Nev.), Appeal; State Register.
Carver (J.), Travels through the Interior Farts of North America. London,
1778.
Catholic Almanac, in Do Smet's Missions. Gand (Belgium), 1848.
Chadwick (trcorge F. ), Public Records at Salem. MS.
Chadwick (S. F.), Message to Or. Legislative Assembly, 1878.
Chalmers (J. W.), Speech in U. S. Senate, March 24, 1846.
Charles (Wm.), Deposition before Joint Commission, 1865.
Chicago (III.), Tribune.
Chicago Land-Owner, in Portland Oregonian, April 24, 1875.
Choris (L. ), Voyage Pittoresquo autour du Monde. Paris, 1822. Folio,
Cincinnati Gazette, in Portland Oregonian, March 2, 1867.
Clackamas County (Or.), Resources, 1876.
Clarke (H. S.), Speech in House of Rep., Feb. 6, 1846.
Clarke (Mrs H. T.), Emigrant Trail. MS.
Clarke (S. A.), in Califomian, July 1880; in Willamette Farmer, Aug. 31,
1877.
Clarke (Samuel A. ), Klamath Land. In Overland, xi. 548; Oregon Twenty-
five Years Ago. In Overland, x. 410.
Clarke (H. F.), and G. Wright, Letters and Military Correspondence. [34th
Cong., 3d Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 1.] Washington, 1857.
Clayton (J. M.), Speech in U. S. Senate, Feb. 12, 1846.
Clyman (Jas.), Note-Book, MS.
Cocke (Wm. M.), Speech in House of Rep., Jan, 15, 1846.
Codman (John), The Round Trip. New York, 1879. ,
Coghanour (David), Boisee Basin. MS.
Coke (Henry J. ), A Ride over the Rocky Mountains to Oregon and California.
London, 1852,
Columbia, Department of, General Orders. 1865, et seq, ; Military Reports,
1867 et seq.
MS,
San Francisco, etc,, 1876.
AUTHORITIES QUOTED,
xxiu
33bmpton (P. N.), Forts and Fort Lite. M8.
Congregational Asxociatiou of Oregon, Minuteg of Annual Meetings. Salem,
1870 ct 80(1.
Congressional I)el)ate8. flStli to 25th Congress. 1 Wash., 1824 et seq. 14 vols.
Congressional (Jlobe. Waalungton, XH'Mi et secj. 4to,
Cooper (.1. (i.), and (i. Suckley, The Natural History of Washington Ter-
ritory. New York, 18.')9. 4to.
Coos Biiy, Settlement and Early Settlers. Marshtielil, 1879.
Corvallis, Benton Democrat; Courant; fxazette; Oregon Union; Willamette
Valley Mercury.
Courterey (H. C. ), British CohunUia Mines. MS.
Cox (Ross), Adventures on the Columbia River. liondon, 1831. 2 vols. New
York, 18.S2.
Cox (Thonuw), Biography. MS.
Cram (T. J.), Topographical Memoir on the Department of the Pacific. [35tk
Cong., 2dSe88., H. Ex. Doe. 114 J Washmgton, 1859.
Crate (Wm. F. ), Deposition before Joint Commission, 1805.
Crawford (Medorem), .Journal of the Expedition Organized for the Protection «it
Emigrants to Oregon, Jan. 9, 186.3. [37th Cong., 3d Sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 17.]
Crawford (Medorem), Missionaries and their Work. MS.
Crawford (P. W.), Overland to Oregon. MS.; Id., pt. ii. MS,
Crescent City (Cal. ), Courier.
Crittenden (Jolin J.), Speech on Oregon Question in U, S. Senate, April 16,
1846.
Cross (Osborne), Report on March to Oregon City, [31st Cong., 3d Sess., H,
Ex. Doc. 1.]
Curry (Geo. B.), in Adjt.-Oen'l Oregon Report, 1866.
Curry (' Jeorge B. ), Sketches of Life on the Plains. MS.
Curry (George L. ), Biography. MS.
Dalles, Itemizer; Inland Empirt. Liberal Republican; Mountaineer; Oregon
Republican; Polk County Signal; Polk County Times; State .Journal;
Tribune.
Dalles Mission Case, Argument of James K. Kelly in behalf of Appellees,
n.pl., n.d.
Daly (Charles P.), Annual Address, Jan. 13, 1873. In American Geograph-
ical Society. 1873.
iJamon (S. C), in Or. Spectator, n. d.
Dana (C. W.), The Great West, Boston, 1861.
Darwin (Charles), .fournLl of Researches into the Natural History and Geology,
etc. London, 1345; New York, 1846. 2 vols. London, 1852.
Das Oregon Gebiet. n. pi.
Davidson (George), Coast Pilot of California, Oregon, etc. Washington, 1869;
Directory for t'le i*acific Coast. Washington, 1868,
Davis (leflferson C), Annual Report 1873. n.pl., 1873.
Davis (W. H.), Glimpses of the Past in California. MS.
Dayton (W. T.), News,
Deady (Matthew P.), Address to Graduating Class of University of Oregon.
Portland, 1878; other addresses; Portland on Willamette. In Overland,
i. 37; Portland— What Sort of a Port it is. In S, P, Bulletin, July 6,
1864; numerous other articles; Report of Cases determined in the Circuit
and District Courts of the U. S. of Oregon, etc, S. F., 1872; Scrap Book.
Deady (Matthew P.), Oregon History and Progress. MS.
Deans (James), Vancouver Island, MS.
De Bow (.1, D. B ), Encyclopedia of the Trade and Commerce of the U. S,
London, 1854, 2 vols,
De Smet (P, J.), Letters and Sketches. Philadelphia, 1843; Missions de
rOregon, Gand., n.d.; Oregon Missions, New York, 1847; Voyages aux
Monti^nes Rocheuses, Lille, 1859; Western Missions and Missionaries.
New York, 1863.
Dickinson (D. S.), Life, Letters, etc. Now York, 1867, 2 vols. ,
XXIV
AUTIIOHJTIKS QUOTED.
Dickinson (O.), Letter in Amor. Himio Mi«8ionary, xxvii. 187.
dictionary of the t'liiiUKik .Iiirgci. Victoria (B. ('.), 1873.
l)iniH(lulu (ThouuiH .).), The Vigilanten of Montana. Virginia (Jity, 18(K>.
I)irt'ctoricH, Kant of ('iiacadc NiountiiinH, Owen; Oregon BuHincMH; Portlanil,
Mt^Corniiuk; I'liget tSonncl, Murphy and Harncl; Salcin, Hrown.
IHHturnuU (■!.), Intluenccs of C'liniato in North and 8uutli Aniurica. Nuw
York, I8(>7.
I>ix (.John A.), Snouoh in U. S. Sonate, Juno 20, 1848.
hodgc ((J. .M.), Surveys for LI. l". Uailway. Washington (D. C), 1870.
l>oiigIas (.las. ), .lournal. MS.; I'rivato Papcr-s, "Jd scr. MH.
Oowell (H. I'".), Brief in the ( 'ase of Bandy ami I)ooly vs. I.,angoll and Chigago.
Fairlield, 18(il; Letters of a Packer. Scraps; Memorandum liook in tfiti
Canvas. Scraps; Petition a.^king pay for Oregon Volunteers, n.pl.,
n.d.; Railroad lieports. Scraps; Scrap Jiooks. iJ vols.
Dowell (B. v.], Biographies. MS. and Scraps.
Dowell (B. F. ), ( 'onununiuation on Oregon Indian Wars. MS.
Dowell (B. v.). First Marriage in .facksonville. MS.
Dowell (B. F.), Narrative. MS.
Dowell (B. F.), Oregon Lulian War. MS. 7 vols.
Dowell (B. F.), and Addison ('. (iihhs, lirief and Argument of. .Tackson-
ville, 1877.
Drew (C H. ), Conununication ou Indian War in Oregon. HlGth Cong., Ist
Seas., Sen. Miss. Doc. .W.] Washington, 18(50; Owyhee lieconuoissunee,
.Tacksonvillo, 1805.
Dryer (T. .J.), Location Liiw. Portland.
Ihifur (A. J.), Statistics of the Stjite of Oregon. Salem, 1809; in Roseburg
Ensign, .July 17, .31, 180!).
Duncan (L. J. C. ), Southern Oregon. MS.
I>unlop (.James), Digest of the (loneral I^aws of the U. S. Philadelphia,
1850.
Dunn (John), History of the Oregon Territory. London, 1844; The Oregon
Territory and the British N. American Fur Trade. Philadelphia, 1845.
Dunraven (Flirl of), Tl»o Oreat Divide. New York. 1870.
Dwindle (John W.), Address before Pioneers, 1800. San Francisco, 1806.
Dyar (L. S. ), Statement. In Applegate, Hist. Modoc War, MS.
East Portland Charter and Govt, 1874.
East Portland Democ. Era.
Eastwick (Philip (r.), Puget Sound Coal Mines.
Ebberts (G. W.), Trapper's Life 1829-39. MS.
Ebey (Mrs), Letters. MS.
Ebey (WinHeld S.), Journal. MS. 12 vols.
Edinburgh Review. Edinburgh, 1802, et seq.
Etlwarda (Philip L.), Diary, 1837 MS.
Edwards (Philii) L.), Sketches of Oregon. MS.
Elkin (Richard), Sailor and SaddL Maker. MS
Eells (Mrs. M. F. ), Funeral Servic
EUicott (Eugene), Puget Sound No
Ellis (J. F. ), Letter Regarding Pa
Elko (Nev.), Independent.
Episcopal Church in Oregon. Van*
Eugene City, Guard; Oregon State .
Eureka (Nev. ), Sentinel.
Evans (El wood). Annual Address be
Pion. Assoc., Trans., 1877; oth
MS.
1 in Memory of. Portland (Or.), 1878.
enclature. MS.
■3 University. MS.
ver (W. T.), 1876.
, irnal; Review; State Republican.
)ro Oregon Pioneer Association, in Or.
addresses; Gold-hunting in the Cas-
cade Mountains. Vancouver, i801; North West Boundary. Scraps;
Oregon Military Organization. Portland, 1860; Protection to Immi-
grants, n.pl., n.d.; Puget Sound, Its Paat, etc. Olympia, 1869; Scrap
Books. 5 vols.
Evans (Ellwood), Documents "L." MS.
Evans (Elwood), History of Oregon. MS.
AUXnoRITIKS (QUOTED.
XXV
KvaiiM (Kh»'no(l), Tndifin War, IS-'f) 0. MS. ami Scrajw.
Kvati.s ((i. M.y, ill Ort^giin linllutin, eopiutl l)y*Munil<ii'ino (C'al.) l>vino„rat,
IVl.. I, 1872; Spifili in U. S. Sonuto, Miinli '.» ami 11», 184(5.
Kvaiis (Elwowl), Ix^ttcrto A. MiKinluy, Duo. 17, 1880. MS.
Farnhatn (Edwin), Floronco and VVarrt-n. MS.
Farnliam (J. T. or Tlum. .J.), Hiatoiy dI ()ri;Ki>n Territory. New York, 1844;
Lift!, Advontuix'H, and Travols in C'al. IMetoriiil ed. N. Y., I8r)7; LilV,
Advcnturi'M, and Travels in Cal N. Y., 184t;; N. Y., 1841»; N. Y., 1850;
N. Y., 18r.;<; Tnivils in tiie CaliforniuB. N. Y., 1844; Travels in the
(ireat WeHtt^rn Prairies, i'oughkeepsie, 1841; New York, 1843.
Fery ( Julfs), Cold Sfarclies MS.
Fay (CalehT.). Historical Farts. MS.
Findlay (AK'-xander (J.), Directory for the Navigation of the Pacific Ocean.
London, 1 8.') I.
Finlayson (liodcrick), Vancouver Island r " Northwest Coast. MS.
Fir t IJfiptist Church, Portland, (Ircgon, .Manual of. I'ortland, 187<).
Fislier (Richard Swainson), and Cliarles Colhy, American Statistical Annual.
Now York, IS.^*.
Fitzgerald (.James Edward), Charter and Proceeding of Hudson Bay Co., with
reference to Vancouver's Island. London, 1849.
Fitzgerald (O. P.), Calif(.rnia Sketches. Nashville, 1879.
Flint (Addison R. ), Reminiscences. In Oregon Sketches. MS.
Flint (Timothy), Hist, ami (loog. of the Mississippi Valley. Cincinnati, 18.S2.
Ford (Ninevali), Pioneer Koail Makers. MS.
Forest (Srove, Independent.
FrMzier (Mrs R.), Mosaic Gleanings, 1880-3. Oakland (Cal. ), 1883.
Fr^inont (.John C), Narrative of Exploring Expedition to Rocky Mountains.
New York, 1849.
F'ronterizo (Tuscon, Ariz.), Jan. 27, 1882.
Fry (F.), Travellers' (ruide. Cincinnati, 18C5.
Fulton (.Fannys), Eastern Oregon. MS.
Fulton (James), Lett'jr in Eastern Oregon. MS.
ffallatin (Albert), The Oregon Question. New Y'ork, 1846.
(kudcnof the World. Boston, IS.'iC.
(ieary (Edward R. ), Centennial History of the Presbytery of Oregon, n.pl.,
n.d.
Goer (Ralph C), Address before Oregon Pioneer ABsociation, in Or. Pion.
Assoc, Trans., 1879. •
deer (Ridpli C), Blooded Cattle in Oregon. MS.
Gcer (Riili)h C), Pioneer Nurserymen. MS.
i icer (Ridpli C), Waldo Hills. MS.
(Hbbs (Aildison C), Notes on the History of Oregon. MS.
(iibbs ((icorge), Indian Afi'airs, Report, March 4, 1854. In Pac. R. R. Repts,
i. 402; Tril)cs of Western W;ishington and Northwestern Oregon. In
Powell's (rcog. Survey, i. 402.
Giddiiigs (iMlwaru), I)«^ositioii before Joint Commisaion, 18G5.
Gidding^ (Joshua R.), Speeche; in Congress. Boston (Mass.), 1853.
(files (W. F.), .Speech in House of Rep., Jan. 9, 1840.
Gilfry (H. H.), Resources of Oregon. MS.
Goddard (bred. B.), Where to Emigrate, and Why. New Y^'ork, 1869.
Gold Hill (Nev.), News.
(fold Hunting in the Cascade Mountains. Vancouver, 1801,
Good (.Folm B.), British Columbia. MS.
(footlyear ( W. A. ), Coiil Mines of the Western Coast of the U. S. S. F., 1877.
Cfray (W. H.), A History of Oregon, 1792-1849. Portland, 1870.
Greenhow (Roliert), Answer to Strictures of Thoniaa Falconer, n.pl., n.d.;
History of Oregon and California. Boston, 1844; London, 1844; Boston,
1845; New York, 1845; Boston, 1847.
Grim (J. W.), Emigrant Anecdotes. MS.
Hist. Ok., Voi,. I. c
XXVI
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
I!
I'll' !■
Grover (Tjafayette), Message to Or. Leffis., 1872; Public Life in Oregon, etc.
MS.
Orover (Lafayette), Oregon Archives. MS.
Grover (Lafayette), Oregon, Notable Things. MS.
Hale (C. H.) va Finch (D. B.).
Haley (W. G. ), in Or. Statesman, Aug. 2G, 1846.
Hall (Edward H.), The Great West. N. Y., 1865; N. Y., 1866.
Hamlin, (Hannibal), Speech in House of Rep., Jan. 12, 1864.
Hancock (Samuel), Thirteen Years' Residence on the Nortliwest Coast. MS.
Handel and Hayden Society, Constitution and By-Laws. San Francisco,
1873.
Hanford (Abby .J), Indian War of Seattle. MS.
Hardingc (Seth), Modoc .lack. New York, n.d.
Harper s New Monthly Magazine. New York, 1856 et seq.
Harvey (Mrs Daniel), Life of Jolni McLoughlin. MS.
Hastings (Lansford W.), Emigrants' Guide to Oregon and California. Cin-
cumati, 1845; New History of Oregon and California. Cincinnati, 1849.
Hayes (Benjamin), Scrap Books, 1850-74. 129 vols. ; under the following sub-
titles: Agriculture; California Notes, 5 vols., MS. and print; Indians, 5
vols; Miniiif?. 1.3 vols.; Natural Phenomena, 3 vols.
Healdsburg (Ca Enterprise, March 13, 1879.
Hearn (F. G.), California Sketeiies. MS.
Helena (Montana), Republican; Rocky Mountain Gazette; Virginia City Post.
Henry (A. C), Speech to the citizens of Yamhill, Dee. 3, 1855. u.pl., u.d.
Heron (W. P.), Statement. In Camp-fire Orations. MS.
Hesperian (The). San Francisco, 1858-64. 11 vols.
Hewitt (R. H.), Memorandum of Journey across the Plains. Olympia, 1863.
Hilliard, Speech in U. S. H. of Rjp., March 33, 1848, on Bill to establish
Territorial Government in Oregon. Washington, 1848.
Hill (Lair), in Agric. Soc. Report, 1862.
Hillsboro, Washington Independent.
Hines ((Justavus), Oregon and its Institutions. New York, n.d.; Oregon:
Its History, Cont'.ition, etc. Buffalo, 1851; Voyage round the World
Buffalo, 1850.
Hines (H. K.), in The Dalles Tribune, May 23, 1877.
Historical Correspondence. MS.
Historical Magazine and Notes and Qucriei. Boston, etc., 1857-69, 15 vols.
Hitchcock (E. A.), Reports on Indian Affairs. r32d Cong., 1st Suss., H. Ex.
Doc. 1; 34th Cong., 3d Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 76. J
Hittell (John S.), History of San Francisco. San Francisco, 1878. Re-
sources of California. San Francisco, 1879.
Hittell (John S.), Tlie Commerce and Industries of the Pacific Coast. Saa
Francisco, 18.")i.. 4to.
Hodgkin (Frank E.), and J. J. Galvin, Pen Pictures of Representative Mea
of Oregon. Portland, 1882.
Hofer, History of Idaho County. MS.
Holdcn (Horace), Oregon Pioneering. MS.
Holt, Journal. In Oregon Spectator, March 4, 1847.
Home Missionary (The). New York, 1846 et seq.
Honolulu, Friend, 1843 et seq.; Polynesian, 1857 et acq.; Sandwich Island
News, 1846 et seq.
Hopkins (C. T.), Explorations in Oregon. la Pioneer, i._282.
Houston (Saml), Speech in U. S. Senate, April 1846.
Howard Quarterly (The). San Francisco, 18J7 et seq.
Howison (N. M.), Rjport on Coast, Harbors, etc., of Oregon, 1840. [30th
Cong., 1st Sess., H. Miss. Doc. 29. J Washington, 1848.^
Hudson's Bay and Pngjt Sound Agricultural Companies, Evidence for the
United States. Washineton, 1867; Memorials presented to the Comtnis-
sionera April 17, 1865. Washington, 1865; Supplement and Appendix to
Argumerts in behalf of the U. S. u. pi., n. d.
I
4:.
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
XXTU
HumboliH (Alex, de), Cosmos. London, 18(54. 5 vols; Essai Politique, sur le
Royaunie de la Nouvellc Espagne. Paris, 1811. folio. 2 vols, and atlas;
Political Essay on New Spain; Translated oy John Black. London, 1814.
Hunter (R. M. T.), Speech in House of Rep., Jan. 10, 1846.
Hunt's Merchant's Magazine. New York, 1839 et seq.
Huston (H. C. ), Autobiography. In Brown Miscellanies. MS.
Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine. San Fr.incisco, 1857-61. 5 vols.
Hutton, Early Events. MS.
Idaho City, Boise News; Idaho World; Signal.
Ido (William B.), Biographical Sketch. [Clareniontl, 1S80.
Imray (Jas. F. ), Si'iliug Directions for W. Coast of N. i^.mcr. London, 181)8.
Independence (Or.), Riverside, June 13, 1879.
Independence, Riverside.
Indian Affairs on the Pacific. [;i4th Cong., 3d Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 76.] Wa.sh-
ingtoTi, IS!")?.
Indian War, lS.")iV6, Claims, Expenses, Petitions, Reports, etc.; 34th Cong.,
1st Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 48, 93, 118, Sen. Doc. 26, 46, 66; 35th Cong., 1st
Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 45; 35th Cong., 2d Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 51; 36th Cong.,
1st Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 11; 37th Cong., 2d Sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 46; Sen.
Com. Rept. 8; 40th Cong., 2d Sess., H. Miss. Doc. 88; 42d Conf., 2d
Sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 1; 42(1 Cong., 3d Sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 24, 51; 43d
Cong., 1st Sess., H. Com. Rept. 837.
Irving (Washington), Adventures of Bonneville. New York, 1860.
Irving (Washington), Astoria. New York, 1860.
Isaacs (H. P.), Upper Columbia Basin. MS.
Jackson (( rcorge W. ), Reminiscent cs. In Camp-fire Orations. MS.
Jacksonville, Democratic News; Democratic Times; Oregon Intelligencer;
Oregon Reporter; Ravcille; Sentinel; Southern Oregon Pres.s.
Jacksonville, Ordinances of the Town. Jacksonville, 1876.
Jacol)s (0.), Argument in favor of the restoration of the Lands, n. pi., n. d.
Jenkins (John S. ), U. S. Exploring Expeditions. Auburn, 1850.
.Fcssup (Tl. S. ), Report upon cost of transporting troops and supplies. Wash-
ington, 1854.
Jolmson (Tlieodore T.), California and Oregon. Philadelphia, 1851; Id., 1857;
Id., 1865.
Jones, Solilioring in Oregon. In Harper's Mag., xiii. 522.
Josct, Tlie War of 1855-6. Mi\
Kaiser (P. C), Emigrant Roiwl. MS.
Kearny (S. H ), Report of a Summer Campaign to the Rocky Mountains.
[•2<)th Cong., 1st Seas., H. Hx. Doc. 2.] Washingcon, 1846.
Ke;'Lr (J. M.), Teaching in OregoDi. MS.
Kelloy (Hall J.), (Joneral CircuLir to all Persons of Good Character who
wisli to Emigrate to Oregon Territory. CharlestoW", 1831; (Jeographical
Sketch of tliat Part of North Ainerica called Oregon. Boston, 1830;
Histcry of the Ct^lonization of the Oregon Territory. Worcester, 1850;
History of the Seltlemr.it of OregHi. Springfield, 1868; Memorial pray-
ing for a tlonation of Land, etc. n. pi., n. d.
Kip (Lawrence), Army Life on the Pacific. Redfield, 1859; Indian Council
in the Valley of the Walla Walla. Si:i Francisco, 1855.
Kirchhoff (Theodor), Reisebildcr und Skisscn aus Amcrika.
1875, 1876.
Knapp, Statement. MS.
Knight's Scrap Books, A Collection of 40 volumes.
Now York,
La Fayette, Democratic Sentinel; Courier.
LaCrande, Blue Mountain Times; Gazette; Grand Rond Sentinel; Mountain
Democratic.
Lakeside Monthly (The). Chicago, 1872.
xxviu
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
Lakevlew (Or.), State Line Herald.
Lane (Joseph), Autobiography. MS.
Lane (Joseph), Remarks in U. S. H. of Rep., May 7, 1856, on Indian War ia
Oregon. Wash., 185G; Report on Indian Hostilities in Oregon [2.3d
Cong., 1st Seas., H. Ex. Doc. 1, 37]; Speech in U. S. H. of Rep., .April
2, \Si)C>, on Suppression of Indian Hostilities. Wasli., 1856; Speech in
U. S. H. of Rep., May 18, 1858, on Payment of Oregou War Debt- Wash.,
1858.
Langley (Heiu-y Cr.), Trade of the Pacific. San Francisco, 1870.
Ijarkin (Thomas O. ), Documents for the History of California, 18X9-56. MS.
9 vols.
Larkin (Thomas O. ), Official Correspondence as U. S. Consul and Navy Agent,
1844-9. MS. 2 vols.
Latourelle (D. C. ), Mhiutes of tlie 28th Anniversary of the Willamette Bap-
tist Association, etc. Portland (Or.), 1876.
Lawaon (Jas. S. ), Autobiography. MS.
Lee (Daniel), and J. H. Frost. Ten Years in Oregon. New York, 1844.
Legend of the Cascades. In Harper's Mag., xlviii., 1874, 313.
Lewis (Philip H. ), t 'oal Diiicoveries in Washington Territory. MS.
Lewis (Meriwether), and William Clarke, Expedition to the Sources of the
Missouri and Pacific Ocean, 1804-6. Philadelphia, 1814. 2 vols; New
York, 1842. 2 vols; Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and
across the American Continent. London, 1814. 4to; liondon, 1815; nu-
merous other editions.
Lewiston (Idaho), Golden Age; Idaho Signal; Northener; Teller.
Linn (E. A.), and N. Sargent, Life and Public Services of Dr Lewis F. Linn.
New York, 1857.
Livingstone, Biographical Sketches. MS.
Logan (David), Telegram to Mayor of Portland, Maine.
Lockington (W. N.), Notes on Pacific Coast fish and fisheries, n. pL, 1879.
London, Chronicle; Morning Post; Punch; Spectator; Times.
London CJeographical Society, Journal. London, 1831-70. 40 vols.
Long (Stephen H.), Account of Exploring Expedition from Pittsburg to Rocky
Mountains. Philadelphia, 1823. 2 vols.
Los Angeles (Cal. ), Evening Express.
Los Angeles County, Historical Sketch. Los Angeles, 1876.
Los Angeles County, History of (Thompson and West). Oakland, 1880. Atlas,
folio.
Louisville (Ky.), Courier-Journal; Democrat.
Lovcjoy {A. L.), Founding of Portland. MS.
Love (Thomas), Deposition before Joint Commission, 1865.
Lowe (Thomas R. ), Lowe the Laborer, San Francisco, 1877.
Lyons (J. D. ), in Historical Correspondence. MS.
Lyons (J. D. ), Hours with. MS,
Maofarlane (James), Tlio Coal Regions of America. New York, 1873i
MacCrregor (John), Commercial Stfitistics, iii.
Mack (Nathan P. ), Oregon from Sannder Island. MS.
Mackenzie (Alexan<ler), Voyage from Montreal to tlio Frozen and Pacific
Oceans, 1789-93. London, 1801. 4to; New Y'ork, 1814.
Maize, Early Events. MS.
Mann (S. S.), Letter to Mrs Victor. MS.
Malto-Brun (V, A.), Prdcis de la (It^ograpliie Universelle. Bnixelles, 1839,
6 vols.
Martin (R. M.), The Hudson's Bay Territories, etc. Loudon, 1849.
Massett (Stephen C. ), Drifting About, etc. New York, 1863.
McCabo (.Tames D. ), A Comprehensive View'of our Country and its Resources.
Phihidelpliia, etc. n. d.
McClano (J. B.), Fiist Wagon Train to Or"gon. MS.
McCormick (S. J.), Almanac, 1876, 1878.
McCrackeu (Jolm), Early Stcamboating. MS.
i".
\UTH0RITIE8 QUOTED.
XXIX
■McDonaM (A.), Deposition Iwfore Joint Commission, 1805.
McDonald (D. H. Forbes), Britisli Coluniliia and Vancouver Island. London,
18(5.3.
McKay (William), The Early History of the Dalles. In Dalles Mountaineer,
May 28, 18G9.
McKinlay (Archibald), Deposition before Joint Commission, 18G5.
McKinlay (Archibald), Narrative of a Chief Factor of Hudson Bay Cf)mi)any.
MS.
McLoughlin (JohnI, Copy of a Document. In Oregon Pion. Assoc, Trans.,
1880.
McLoughlin (John), Private Pajjers, 18'2.")-r)G. MS.
McMinnville, Courier; West Side; Yamhill County Reporter.
Mann (S. S. ), Recollections. In Historical Correspondence. MS.
Mann (S. S.), The Settlement and Early Settlers of Coos Bay. Marshtield,
1870.
Marsh (John), Letter to Commodore Jones, 1842. MS.
Marshall (Henry), Statement. 1843. MS.
Marshall (T. W. M.), Christian Missions. Nev/ York, 18G4. 2 vols.
Marshfield, Coos B;iy News.
Marysville (Cal.), Appeal; Telegraph.
M;issacro of Immigrants by the Snake Indians in Aug. 1854, Correspondence
relating to. Saleiti, 1854.
Mathias (Franklin), Fraser anil Thompscm River (Jold Mines. In Olympia
Pion. and Dem., May 14, 1858.
Matthieu (F, X.), Refugee, Trapper, and Settler. MS.
Meacham (A. B.), Indian Policy. [41st Cong., 2d Sess., H. Ex. Doc. I4G.]
Wash. 1870; The Wigwam and War Path.
Mearos (John), Voyages made in 1788-89 from China to the N. W. Coast of
America. London, 1790; Id., 1791, 2 vols. ; other editions.
Mendocino County History. San Francisco, 1880.
Mercer (A. S.), ^laterial Itesources of Linn County. Albany, 1875.
Mercer (T.), Reminiscences. In Wa.shington Territory Sketches. MS.
Methodist Episcopal Church Columbia River Conference, Minutes of iVnnual
Sessions. Sau Francisco, 1875 et set^.
Military Posts from Council Bluff's to PaciKc Ocean, Report on. [27th Cong.,
•M Sess., H. Com. Rept. 31.] Wu.sliiiigton, 1S42.
Military Roads, Report of ("ommittee. [lUth Cong., 1st Sess., H. Rept. 188.]
Washington, 185().
Miller (.loacjuin). Life amongst the Modocs. London, 1873; Ride through
Oregon. In Overland, viii. 303; Shadows of Shasta. Chicago, 1881.
Milwaukee (Wis.), Star.
Mining Magazine. New York, 1853 et scij.
Minti) (.lohn). Early Days of (h-egon. MS.
Minto (M. A.), Female Pioneering in Oregon. MS.
iMissionary Life in the Nineteenth Century, Pictures of. London, 18.58.
Missionary Labors in Oreg<m, Documents, 1830-48. [41st Cong., .3d .Sess.,
Sen. boc. 37.] Washington, 1849.
Missionary Heruhl. Boston, 1841 et seij.
Mitchell (John H.), Speech in U. S. Sen., Feb. 12, 1874, on Indian depreda-
tions in Oregon. Wash., 1874; S|ieecli in U. S. Sen., Dec. 7, 1877, on
Northern Pacific and Portland R. R. Wash., 1877.
Modoc War, Letters of Secretary of War, Jan. 25, Dec. 15, 1874. [43(1 Cong.,
2d Sess., H. E.\. Doc. 45, 131.] Waah., 1874; Memorial for Compensa-
tion. [43.1 Cong., 2(1 Sess., Sen. Misc. Doc. .32.) Wash., 1S74; Official
Correspondence. |43d Cong., 1st Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 122.] Wash., 1874;
Scrap lidok, Statement of. Portland, 1873.
Mofras (Eugene Dutlot de), Exploration due Territoire do I'Oriigon. Paris,
1844. 2 vols, and atlas.
Monmontli, Christia.i Messenger.
Monmouth (Or.), Christian College Catalogue, 1878.
Monterey, Califoruian, 1840-8. Also a vol. of MS. extraots.
XXX
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
Monterey (Cal.), Democrat.
Moore (J. M.), Instructiona to the Surveyor-Gen. of Oregon, etc. Wash,, ISt'I,
Morris (.lamea), Recollections. In Camp-fire Orations. MS.
Morrison, Reminiscences. MS.
Morse (Eldridgc), Notes of the History and Resources of Washington Terri-
tory. MS. 24 vols.
Moseley (H. N.), Oregon: Its Resources, etc. Lon<lon, 1878.
Moss (Sidney W.), Pictures of Oregon City. M.S.
Moss (Sydney W.), Pioneer Times. MS.
Mountaineering in the Pacific. In Harper's Mag., xxxix., Nov. 1869, 793.
Mullan (John), Miners' and Travellers Guide to Oregon, etc. New York,
1805; Report on the Construction of a Military Road. Wash., 18(53
Multnomah County Medical Society, Constitution, etc. Portland, 1873.
Murdock (Wm. D. C), Our True Title to Oregon. Georgetown (D. C), 1845.
Murphy (J. M.), Directory of Oregon. Portland, 1873.
Murray (Walter), Narrative of a California Volunteer, 1847. MS.
Myer (W. C), Percheron Horses, etc. Salem (Or.), 1878.
Napa (Cal.), County Reporter, Nov. G, 1880.
Naah (Wallis), Oregon: There and Back in 1877. London, 1878.
National Almanac, 1863, 1864. Pliiladelphia, etc.
National Democ. Quart. Review, Nov. 1859.
Nesmith (J. W.), Annual Address. In Or. Pion.
Occasional address in Or. Pion. Assoc, Trans
of the Rogue River War. In Or. Pion. Assoc,
Nesmith (J. W. ), Recollections. In Camp-fire Orations,
Nesmith (J. W. ), Reminiscences. MS.
Nesmith (J. W.), Speech in U. S. Senate, April 1, 1864.
Nevada (Cal. ), Gazette; Journal.
Newberry (J. S.), (rcological Report upon Route. In Pacific R. R. Repts., vi.
Newbury (J. S.), Zoological Report, in Pacific R. R. Repts., vi.
■ " ew York, 1800.
Assoc, Trans., 1880, 8;
, 1875, 42; Recollections
Trans., 1879, 43.
MS.
,17. MS.
Oregon. In Portland Demo-
Newcomb (Harvey), A Cyclopedia of Missions.
Newell (Robert), Memoranda. MS.
Newell (Robert), Letter to E. Evans, Feb. 27, 1
Newell (V^^ H.), Strictures on (iray's History c,
cratie Herald. Oct. 1886.
New Haven (Conn. ), Courier and Journal.
New Mexico Rcvisita Cabolica, 1883.
New Orleans (La.), Picayune.
New Tacoma, Herald; Ledger; North Pacific Coast; Times.
New Westminster, British Columbia Examiner; Mainland Guardian.
New York, Christian Advocate and Journal; Engineering and Mining Journar;
Ethnological .lournal; Express; Herald; Journal of Commerce; Meth-
odist; Sun; Times; Tribune.
New York Eng. and Min. Journal, in Portland Herald, March 25, 1871.
New York Evening Post, in S. F. Bulletin, Nov. 8, 1866.
New York Maritime Register, Jan. 30, 1877, in Portland Wkly Oregonian,
Feb. 16, 1878.
Nicholson (John), Deposition before .Joint Commission, 1865.
Nichols (Roweiia), Indian Afl'aira. MS.
Nichols (Roweiia), Rogue River War. MS.
Nicolay (C. G.), The Oregon Territory. London, 1846.
Niles' Register. Baltimore, etc, 1811-49. 76 vols.
Nordholf (Charles), in Harper's Magazine, Feb. 1874.
Nordhoff (Charles), Northern California, Oreg(m, etc. New York, 1874.
North American Review. Boston, IS19etseq.
Northern Pacific Railroad, Charter, etc. Bo.ston, 1865; Guide to Limds. New
York, 1872; Land Department, n.pl., n.d. ; Land Grant, n.pl., n.d.;
Memorial of Board of Directors. Hartford, 1867; Report of E. F. John-
son, Nov. 18(»7. Hartford, 1867; Route, Res(mrces, etc. n.pl., n.d.;
Stewart's Report in U. S. Sen., Feb. 19, 1860. [40th Cong., 3d Sess.,
Rept. Com. 219.J Washington, 1860.
AUTH0111TIE8 QUOTED.
XXXI
ish., 18tl.
ton Terri-
)9, 793.
ew York,
1863
1873.
C), 1845.
1880, 8;
illections
epts., vi.
1 Demo-
ournaf;
Meth-
foiuan.
New
n.tl.;
John-
n.d.;
Seas.,
North Pacific Review. San Francisco, 1802-3. 2 vols.
Northwestern Storage and Conuiiission Company, Articles of Incorporation.
Portland, 1875.
Nouvcllea Anuales des Voyages. Paris, 1819-60. 168 vols,
Oakland (C'al.), Evening Termini; Times; Torchlight; Tribune.
Oakland (Cal.), Transcript.
Oakland (Or.), Centeimial; Umpqua Call.
Odd-Fellows. A large mimher of puMications of dififerent lodges of the
order, cited under the ahovo title.
Odell, Biography of Tliurston. !MS.
Odeneal (T. B.), The Modoc War. Porthuul, 1873.
Ohio, Statesman.
Olympia (Wash.), Unitarian Advocate.
Olynipia (W. T.), Commercial Age; Columbian; Pioneer and Democrat; Puget
Sound Courier; Territorial Kcpublican; Transcript; Washington Demo-
crat; Washington Standard.
Oregon, An Election Tract, n.pl., n.d.
Oregon Afl":iirs, Letter of Secretary of War, April 11, 18(50. [36th Cong., 1st
Sess., 11. Ex. Doc. 60.] Waslungton, 1860.
Oregon, American ami Evangelical Unionist. Tualatin, 1848.
Oregon and Cal. R. R. Tarifl', 1876.
Oregon, Anecdotes. MS.
Oregon and California, A Collection.
Oregon and California R. R. Company, Collection of Laws and Documents,
u. pi., n. d., fol. ; Local Freight Tariff. Portland, 1876.
Oregon and Washington, Claims growing out of Indian Hostilities. [35th
Cong., 2d Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 51; 36th Cong., 1st Sess., H. Ex. 11.]
Wash., 1858-9; Indian Hostilities. [34th Cong., 1st Sess., H. Ex. 118J.
Wasli., 1856; Indian Service, Rcpt. Sec. Int., March 2, 18<J0. [3()th
Cong., 1st Sess., Sen. Ex. 17.] Wa.sh., 1860; Ri'S(mrces. Portland, 1880
etbe(]. ; Scrap Book; Settler's Guide. New York, 1872.
Oregon and Washington Delegation, Statement in regard to War Claims,
n. pi., n. d.
Oregon, Approval of the Oregon Bill, Message from President, Dec. 6, 1 848,
[30th Cong., 2d Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 3.] Washington, 1848.
Oregon Archives, 1844-50, Unitublisiied Documents. MS.
Oregon Commercial Review. Porthuul, 1877.
Oregon Controvcr.sy Revived, etc. New York, 1846.
Oregon: Cost and Conse(piences. Pliiladelphia, 1846,
Oregon, Cultivator; Herald; Marine Gazette.
Oregon, Facts regarding Climate, Soil, etc. Boston, 1876; Boston, 1877:
Boston, 1878.
Oregon, Fur-hunting in. In Harper's Mag., xii., 18.56, 340.
Oregon, Instructions to tlie Surveyor-tJeneral. Washington, 1851.
Oregon, Its A<lvan;iges, etc. Portland, 1870.
Oregon, Journals of Assenddy, Council, H(mso and Senate, 1st to 9th session,
1849-76, 19 vols., containing all public documents printed l)y the States
which arc cited in my notes by their titles and (hites, the title consisting
of 'Oregon,' followed by one of the following heaibngs: Acts; Adjutant-
(ieneral s Report; Archives; Code of Civil Procedure; Constitution; Deaf
and Dumb Institute; Election Laws; Inaugural Addresses of Governors;
Insane Asylum Reports; Institute for the Bliiul; Investigating Connnis-
sion; L;iws — Organic, (ieneral, and otlic^rs; Message and Documents;
Public Instruction Reports; Public Scliools Reports; Revenue; Se<Tetary
of State Reports; Scliool L;inds; Sdiool Laws; State Agricultural College;
Stiite Agricultural Society; State < leologist; State Librarian; State Peni-
tentiary; State Treasurer; Statutes.
Oregon, Mnnites of the Congregational A.ssociatiou. Porthmd, bSliOetseip
Oregon Missions, letter of the Secretary of tiie Interior, Keli. 8, 1871. |41st
Cong., 3d Sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 37.] Washington, 1871.
m :i
xxxu
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
Oregon, Memorial of the Legislative Assembly relative to their preseut situ-
ation and wants, August 10, 1848. [80th Cop '., IstSess., H. Misc. Rept.,
1)8. J Wiishington, 1848.
Oregon, Petition of Citizens that laws of tho U. S. may be extended, May 8,
1848. [30th Cong., Ist Sess., Sen. Misc. Doc, 13G.] Washington, 1848.
Oregon Relics. MS.
Oregon, Report of the Committee directing an inquiry into the situation of
the settlements on the Pacific Ocean, etc. Jan. 25, 1821. Washington,
1821.
Oregcn, Report of Select Committee, Jan. 6, 1838. [25th Cong., 2d Sess.,
Sen. Rupt. 470.] Washington, 1838.
Oregon, Report of Committee on P'oreign AflFairs, Jan. 4, 1839. [25th Cong.,
3d Soss., H. Rept. 101.] Washington, 1839.
Oregon State Immigration Society, Articles of Incorporation. Portland,
1877.
Oregon, Sketches. MS.
Oregon, Sketclies of Mission Life among the Indians of. New York. n. d.
Oregon Speeches. A Collection.
Oregon Spectator, 1848. MS. extracts.
Oregon Stock Protective Association Report.
Oregon Supreme Court, Reports, by Jos. (}. Wilsi.i. New York, 1862-9. 2
vols. ; Reports of Cases argued and detemunea ty Bellinger. San Fran-
cisco, 1880. 7 vols.
Oregon, The Early Labors of the Missionaries of the American Board. [4l8t
Cong., 3d Sess., Sen. Ex. I)oc. 37.] Wasliington, 1872,
Oregon, Wealth and Resources. Salem, 18(54.
Oregon Board of Trade, Annual Reports. Portland, 1 875 et sen.
Oregon Central Military Road, Report of Recent Sui-v'eys. Eugene City,
18{>5.
Oregon Central Rfiilroad Company, Address to the People. Salem, 1868;
Statement of Facts relative to Incorporation, etc. Portland, 1808.
Oregon Medical Society, Proceedings. Portland, 1875 et seq.
Oregon Medical and Surgeon Riiporter. Salem, 1809 et seq.
Oregon Monthly Magazine. Portland, 1854 et seq.
Oregon Pliysio-Medical Journal. Salem, 18C0 et seq.
Oregon Pioneer Association, Constitution, etc. Salem, ^1875; Trar actions.
Salem, 1876 et sec[.
Oregon Protestiint Episcopal Clmrch, History of. Vancouver, 1876.
Oregon City, Enterprise; Oregon Argus; Spectator.
Overland Monthly. San Francisco, 1808-75. 15 vols.
Pacific Northwest, Facts relating to the History, Topography, etc. New
"S'ork, 1882; Travellers' Ciuide. Portland, 1882.
Pacilic Radroad Reports. Wasliington, 1855-00. 4to. 13 vols.
Pacific Tlirashing-machine Circular. Portland, 1878.
Pacific University and Tualatin Academy, Catalogue. Portland, 1864 et seq.
Palmer (Joel), Early Intercourse. MS.
Palmer (.loul), Journal of Travels over the Rocky Mountauis, 1845-<). Cin-
cinnati, 1852.
Palmer (.loel), Wagon Trains. MS.
Pajaid (Cal.), Times.
Parker (Samuel), .lournal of an Exploring Tour beyond the Rocky Mountains.
Ithaca, 1838; Id., 1840; Auburn, 1842; Id., 1846.
Parker (J. (J.), Puget Sound. MS.
Parkman (Francis), The California iind Oregon Trail. New York, 1849.
"arvisli (J. L. ), Anecdotes of Oregon. MS.
Parsons ((rcorge F. ), Life and Adventui'es of James W. Marshall. Sacra-
iiDuto, 1870.
tcit.'e (H. M.), Journals, MS.; Memoranda, MS.; Rough Sketch, MS.
Peihii ton. East Oregonian, Independent.
Poii.lU ion (J. S.), Speech in House of Rep., 1846.
in i'
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
XXXllI
it situ-
Rept.,
May 8,
I, 1848.
.tion of
ingtoii,
iSesa. ,
Cong.,
rtlaud,
a. (I.
:-9. 2
Frail-
[4l8t
City,
1868;
tions.
New
seq.
Cin-
Pendleton (Or.), Tribune.
PenfM-a (B. J.), Report of Recent Surveys of the Oregon Central Military
Roail. Eugene City, 1865.
Peoria (Illinois), Register.
Perkins (James H.), Annals of tlie West. St Louis, 1850.
Petaluma, Argus.
Pettygrovo (F. W.), Oregon in 1842. MS.
Phelps, Reminiscences of Seattle. MS.
Philadelpliia, Council Fire; Sun.
Philomatli, Crucible.
Philomath College, Catalogue. Philomath, 1877.
Pickett (Charles E.), The Paris Exposition, etc. San Francisco, 1877.
Pioche (Nev.), Record.
Pioche (Nev.), Journal.
Pioneer ('li.o). San Francisco, 18.54-5. 4 vols.
Pioneer and Historical Society of Oregon, Proceedings. Astoria, 1872.
Placerville (Cal.), Courier.
I'ollock (J.), Speech in House of Rep., Jan. 16, 1846.
Poore (B. P.), Congressional Directory, 1882-3. Washington, 1883.
Portland Academy Catalogue, 1868.
Portland, Information for the Guidance of Foreign Vessels. Portland, 1875.
Portland Newspapers, Advertiser, Bee, Bulletin, Catholic Sentinel, Commer-
cial, Commercial Reporter, Democratic Era, Deutche Zeituug, Dramatic
Chronicle, Evening News, Herald, National (iazette. New Northwest,
News, Oregon Churchman, Oregon Herald, Oregonian, Oregon Times,
Pacific Christian Advocate, Pioneer, Real Estate Gazette, Rieal Estate
Journal, Standard, Telegram, Temperance Star, West Shore, Willamette
Farmer.
Portland Academy and Female Seminary, Catalogue. Portland, 1868 et seq.
Portland Board of Trade, Reports. Portland, 1876 et sen.
Portlanil Library Association, Annual Reports. Portland, 1865 et seq.; Con-
stitution, etc. Portlan<l, 1878.
Portland Oregon Case, Brief on Behalf of Stark, Coffin, etc. Washington,
n. d.
Portland Public Schools, Rules and Reg\ilations. Portland, 1875.
Portland (East), Charter and Ordinances. East Portland, 1875.
Port Townsend (W. T.), Argus; Message.
Prescott (Ariz.), Arizona Miner.
Prim (P. P.), Judicial AflFairs. MS.
Proceedings First Natl Convention of Cattlemen. St Louis, 1884.
Protestant Episcopal Church, 2.3d Convocation. Portland (Or.), 1875.
Pueblan el Nuevo Oregon, in Olivera Docs.
Quarterly Review. London, 1809 et seq.
Quigley (Hugh), The Irish Ilace in California, etc.
Quincy (111. ), Union.
MS.
San Francisco, 1878.
Rabbison (Antonio B.), Growth of Towns.
Raymond, Notes. MS.
Raymond (R. W.), Mining Industry, etc. New York, 1874. Silver and
Gold, etc. New York, 1878. Statistics of Mii.es and Mining. Wash-
ington, 1S70.
Red Bluff (Cal), People's Cause.
Re.lBluflF(Cal.), Sentinel.
Rees (Willard H.), Address before Oregon Pioneer Assoc. In Or. Pion.
Assoc, Trans., 1879.
Rees (W. H.), Letter to H. H. Bancroft, Sept. 8, 1879; in Proceedings of
Or. Hist. Society, 1875; in Portland Wkly Oregonian, Feb. 5, 1876.
Reid (of North Carolina), Speech in House of Rep., Feb. 7, 1846.
Reid (William), Progress of Oregon and Portland from 1868-78. Portlaud,
1879.
JCXXIV
AUTHORITIES QUOTEE
Hemy (Jules), and Julius Breuchley, A Journey to Great Salt Lake City.
London, 1861. 2 vola.
Keno (Nev.), Gazette,
lioao (Nev. ), State Journal.
Revere (Joseph Warren), A Tour of Duty in California. New York, 1849,
etc.
Rhinchart (W. V.), Malheur Indians. MS.
Rhinehart (W. V.), Oregon Cavalry. MS.
Richardson (Albert D.), Beyond the Mississippi. Hartford, 1807.
Ridpath (John C), Popular History of the U. S. New York, 18V7.
Ritz (Philip), Great Northern Interior. MS.
Robert (H. M,), Annual Report upon the Improvement of Rivers in Orogon«
Washington, 1873.
Roberts ((ieorge B.), Recollections of Hudson's Bay Co. MS.
Roberts (William), Tlic Oregon Bible Society. Portland, 187<5.
Robertson (Wyndham), Oregon. Washington, 1846.
Roder (Henry), Bellingham Bay. MS,
Roseburg, Ensign; Independent; Pantagraph; Plaindealer; Western Star.
Ross (Alexander), Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon. London,
1849.
Ross (John E.), Narrative of an Indian-Fighter. MS.
Rossi ( L'Abbe), Souvenirs d'un Voyage en Oregon et en Californie. Paris,
1864.
Russell (Florence), Child Life in Oregon. Boston, n. d.
Russell (John), Recollections and Suggestions. 1813-73. Boston, 1875.
Russell (William), Narrative. In Oregon Sketches. MS.
Ryan (R. F.), Enos, or the last of the Modocs. San Francisco, 1873; Judges
and Criminals, In Golden Era [1853].
Sacramento (Cal.), Bee; Record; Record-Union; Transcript.
Saint Amant (M. de), Voyages en Californie et dans I'Oregon. Paris, 1854,
St Helena (Cal.), Wkly Star.
St Helen's (Or.) Hall, Catalogue, 1873.
St Louis (Mo.), Gazette; Republican; Union,
St Louis (Mo,), Republican, in Salt Lake City Tribune, Oct, 2, 1879.
St Matthew (Jolm H.), in Overland Monthly, vi, 299-303.
Salem, American Unionist, Argus, Baptist Beacon, Capital Chronicle, Chron-
icle, College Dial, Democratic Preso, Democratic Review, Literary
Gazette, Mercury, Oregon Arena, Oregon Educational Monthly, Oregon
Statesman, Real Estate Circular, Record, Town Talk, Willamette
Farmer.
Salisbury (Conn.), News.
Salt Lake City, Herald; Tribune.
San Bernardino (Cal,), Argus; Guardian-Times.
San Diego (Cal,), Union,
Sandwich Islands Gazette; News.
San Francisco Newspapers, Alta California, Cal. Courier, Cal, Farmer, Cal.
Star, Call, Christian Advocate, Chronicle, Coast Review, Commercial
Herald, Elevator, Evangel, Evening Bulletin, Evening Picayune, Exam-
iner, Golden Era, Globe, Herald, Journal of Commerce, Mercantile Re-
view and Ship, Register, Mining and Scientific Press, Mining Review
and Stock Ledger, Monitor, New Age, News Letter, Pacific News, Pacific
Rural Press, Post, Scientific Press, Times,
San Joaquin County, History of. Oakland, 1879. Atlas, folio.
San Jos^ (Cal.), Patriot; Pioneer.
San Jos^, Times,
Santa Barbara (Cal, ), Index.
Santa Cruz, Sentinel; Courier.
Santa Rosa (Cal. ), Democrat.
Sawyer (L. S. B.), Reports of Cases Decided in the Circuit and District
Courts, etc, San Francisco, 1873-80. 5 vols.
I
AUTHORITIES QUOTEU.
XXXV
Paris,
latrict
Raxon (Isabella), Five Years within the Golden flate. Philailelphia, 18C8.
Saxton (Charles), in Niies' Itegister, Ixix. '242.
Saxton (Charles), Oregon Territory. Oregon City, 1840.
Say ward (W. T.), Pioneer Ileminiscenccs. MS.
Scammoa (C. M.), In and around Astoria. In Overland, iii. 495.
Scenes in the Rocky Mountains. Pliiladelphia, 1840.
Schoolcraft (Henry R.), Archives of Aboriginal Knowledge. I'hiladelphia,
18(50. Gvols.
Schultz, Early Anecdotes. MS.
Schumacher (Paul), Researches in the Kjokkenmoddings and Graves. In
U. S. Geol. Survey, Hayden, Bulletin III. No. I. '27.
Scraflf (John P.), Letter of. In Walla Walla Union, April II, 1874.
Scribner's Monthly Magazine [later The CenturyJ. New York, 1871 et seq.
Seattle (Wash.), Intelligencer; Pacific Tribune; Puget Sound Dispatch.
Seattle Wkly Post.
Sevier (A. H.), Speech in U. S. Senate, March '25, 1840.
Seward (William H.), Speeches in Aliiaka, Vancouver's and Oregon, Aug.
1809. Washington, 1809.
Sharpies (A.), Introductory Address, etc. Salem (Or.), 1807.
Shaw (William), Pioneer Life. MS.
Shea (John Gilmary), History of the Catholic Missions. New York, 1855.
Shuck (Oscar T. ), Representative and Leading Men of the Pacific. San Fran-
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Silliman (Benjamin), American Journal of Science and Art. New Haveu,
1819 et seq. 107 vols.
Silver City (Idaho), Avalanche; Owyhee Avalanche.
Sims (of North Carolina), Speech in House of Rep. , Feb. 7, 1840.
Sinnnons (M. T. ), Deposition before Joint Comiiiissioii, 1805.
Simpson (Alexander), The Oregon Territory. London, 1840.
Simpson, in Indian Afi'airs Report, 1804.
Simpson (Sir G.), in Hud. Biiy Co. Report, July and Aug. 1857.
Simpson (Sir CJeorge), Narrative of a Journey round tlie World. London,
■ 1847. 2 vols.
Siskiyou County Affairs. MS.
Sketches of Oregon. MS. ,
Small (Hugh), Oregon Resources. MS.
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Springfield (Mass.), Republican.
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Steele (Alden H.), With the RiHe Regiment. MS.
Steilacooui (Wash.), Puget Sound Express.
Steilacoom (Wash. ), Puget Sound Herald.
XX XVI
AUrHORri'IEN gUOTEl).
i\
Stephens (Akxandor), Speech in U. S. H. of Rep., Fel». 12, 1859, on AdmiH-
«ion of Orejjou. n.pl., n.d.
StovenH (Hiiziiid), Letter to H. H. Bancroft, April 17, 1884.
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War Plxpenses of Wash, and Oregon. Wiish., 1860; other speeches.
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Stickland (W. P.), History of the Missions of the M.
Cincinnati,
MS.
E. Church.
1854.
Strong (William), History of Ore);on.
Stule, The Modoc Question. MS.
Sturgis (Wilham), The Oregon Question. Boston, 1845.
Stram (A.), Letter to H. H. Bancroft, Axig. 7, 1884.
Suckley {(ieorge), and J. U. Cooper, The Natural History of Washington
Territory, etc. New York, 1800; Summer Sauuterings over the lines of
the Oregoh Railway and Navigation Company. Portland, 1882.
Supremo Court Decisions, in Or. Lsiws, 1870.
Surveyor-deid (Or. ) Report, in Zabriskie (J. C. ), Land Laws.
Sutherland (Thomas A.), Howard's Campaign against the Nez Perc^ Indians.
Portland, 1878.
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Sutton (James N. ), Scraps of Southern Oregon History. In Ashland Tidings,
Sept. 28, 1878.
Sutton (James M.), Reminiscences. In Oregon Sketches. MS,
Swan (JaTnes G.), The Northwest Coast. New York, 1857; Scrap-book.
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Tacoma (Wash.), Pac. Tribune.
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i
A UTUDHITIES y UOTKI>.
XXX vu
A.dinin-
, J858;
I Final
ou thtj
B8.
iinnati,
lington
lines of
ndians.
Folio,
'idings,
k.
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vols. , folio, 8 vols.
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Reports, Bulletins, Miscellaneous Publication, etc. Wash., 1872 et sen.
United States Geological Surveys West of the 100th Meridian. George W.
Wheeler. Bulletins, Reports, and Various Publications. Washington,
1874 et seq. 4to. atlas sheets, maps.
United States Government Documents; Accounts, Agriculture; Army Regis-
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Pacific Rivilroail; Meteorological Reports; Patent Office; Postmaster-
General; Post-offices; Revenue. Cited by their dates.
United States Government Documents, House Exec. Doc; House Journal;
Hoxise Miscel. Doc; House Reports of Com.; Message and Documents;
Senate Exec. Doc; Journal; Miscel. Doc; Repts. Com. cited by con-
gress and session. Many of these documents have, however, separate
titles, for which see author or topic.
U. S. Pub. Doc, as follows: Acts and Resolutions, 29th cong. 2d sess., 38th
cong. 1st sess., 43d cong. Ist sess.; Burchard (Director of Mint), Report,
1880, 1881; Commissioner of Agric. Report, 1869, 1878; Comptr of Cur-
rency Report, 1878; Food Fishes, Report of Commission, 44th cong., 1st
sess.; Message of President, Feb. 20, 1845; Secretary of Treasury Re-
port, 1800, 1867; Smithsonian Institution Report, 1873; Statutes, 4:)d
cong., 2d sess.
Vallejo (Cal.), Chronicle; Solano Times.
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71; All over Oregon and Washington. San Francisco, 1872; From
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West. In Overlarid, iii. 148; The New Penelope. San Francisco, 1877;
Oregon Indians. In Overland, vii. 344; Pioneers of Oregon. In Over-
lanif, xiii. 38, 122; River of the West. Hartford, 1870; Trail Making in
the Oregon Mountains. In Overland, iv. 201; Woman's War with
Whiskey. Portland, 1874.
Victor (Frances Fuller), Captain Jack and His Defence. MS.
Victor (Frances Fuller), in Overland Monthly, xiii. 129-31.
V^ictoria (B. CoL), British Colonist, Cariboo Sentinel, Chronicle, Gazette,
Standard.
XXXVllt
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
I
Virginia City (Nov.), Evening Chronicle.
Virginia oikI Hclona (Mont.), Post.
Waldo (Daniel), Critiques. MS,
Walker (Joel P.). Narrative. MS.
Wallamet, or Willaitiette. n. |)1., n. d.
Wallainot University, Catalogue. Salem, 1863 et seq.
Wallaniettu River Improvements, Memorials of Oregon Legislaturn, Oct. 1874,
Sept. 1870. [4:i(l Cong., 2(1 Seas., Sen. Misc. Doc. 49.] Wash., 1874.
r44th Cong., 2a Sess., H. Misc. Doc. 20.] Wash,, 1876.
Walla Walla, Statesman.
Walla Walla (Wash.), Union, Nov. 20, 1809.
Warren ((}. K.), in Pac. 11. R. Reports xi.
Washington Territory, tlournal of tlie Council. Olympia, 1855-77. 7 vols.
Washington Territory, Sketches. MS.
Wivs-sen (F.), The District of the Lakes. In Overland, ii. 160.
Watt (Jos. ), in Camp- lire Orations. MS.
Watt (W. W.), First Things of Oregon. MS.
Weed (Charles E.), Queen Charlotte Island Expedition. MS.
Wells (William V.), Wild Life in Oregon. In Harper's Mag., xiii. 588.
Wentworth (of 111.), Speeches in House of Rep., Jan. 27, 1846; Jan. 14, 1846.
Western, Biography of Joseph Lane. Washington, 1852.
Weston, Lea(ler.
Whatcom (Wash.), Bellingham Bay Mail.
White (Col.), Recollections. In Camp-fire Orations. MS.
White (Elijah), A Concise View of Oregon History. Washington, 1840; Ten
Years in Oregon. Ithaca, 1850; Testimonials and Records. Wash., 1861;
Tlirilling Adventures. New York, 1859.
White (Elijah), Government and the Emigration to Oregon. MS.
Whitman (Marcus), Results of the Oregon Mission. In Missionary Herivld,
Dec. 1806.
Whitman (Perrin B.), Letter. MS.
Whitman County in the (Ireat Palouse Country, Descriptive. Colfax, 1878.
Whitman and the Massacre of his Protestant Mission. San Francisco, 18''4.
Wick (Wm. W.), Speech in House of Rep., Jan. 30, 1846.
Williamson (R. T.), in U. S. Senate, .31 cong., 1st sess.
Williams, South-western Oregon. MS.
Wilkes (Charles), Narrative of the U. S. Exploring Expedition. Philadel-
phia, 1844. 4to. 3 vols.; Philadelphia, 1845. 5 vols.; London, 1845.
Wilkes (Charles), Western America. Piiiladelphia, 1849.
Wilkes (George), History of Oregon. New York, 1845.
Willamette Baptist Assoc, Minutes of Anniversaries. Portland, 1860 et seq.
Willamette Falls, Canal, antl Lock Company Circular. Oregon City, 1869.
Williams (George H.), Speech in U. S. Sen., Feb. 4, iS68, on Reconstruction.
Washington, 1808.
Williams (L. L. ), South-western Oregon. MS.
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R. Repts., vi.
Wilson (Elizabeth), Recollections. In Oregon Skesohes. MS.
Wilson (Joseph G.), Addresses on the Death of. Columbus, 1873; Railroad
Lands in Western Oregon. San Francisco, 1872.
Wimmel (H.), Californian. Cassel, 1807.
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Wood (H. Clay), Young Joseph and Nez Perc^ Indians. Portland, 1876.
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1878.
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Sen. Ex. Doc. 32.] Washington, 1859.
iL.
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
mix
Long Jcumoy from Atlan-
ct. 1874,
1., 1874.
vols.
Wyeth John B ). Oregon, or « Short History of
Wysc (Frano.8), America. London, 1845.
Zaval,.hm (l>.mtry), Delo o Kolouiy liJas. MS,
5.
, 1846.
S;Ten
1861;
erald.
1878.
18''4.
adol-
seq.
19.
tion.
cad
CO,
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MrHijtni'iitrc
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WapwiVAo ^
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-«
HISTORY OF OPvEGOK
CHAPTER I.
OREGON IN 1834.
TiiK Northwest Coast and the Oregon Territory-Physical Features
—Mountain Ranges and Rivers— The Imperious Columbia— Distri-
RUTioN OF Vegetation- Climate— Sunshine and Rain— Post-plant-
ings OF Civilization— Fort Vancouver — Its Lord Paramount—
The Garden— Hospitality— Money, Morality, and Religion— Fokt
(iEORGE — Fort Nisqually — Forts Langley, Umpqua, and Walla
AViLLA — Okanagan and Col viLLE — Forts Hall and Boise — Fort
AViLLiAM AND Wapato Island— TiiE French-Canadian Setplement
—Missionaries, Traders, Farmers, Horse-dealers, Scientists, and
Fur-hunters as Empire-builders— Origin of the Term Oregon.
^ The Oregon Territory, when first tlie term came
into use, embraced the same somewhat undefined
region wiiich in these Pacific States' histories I have
denominated the Northwest Coast ; namelv, the lands
lying between the Rocky Mountains and" the Pacific
Ocean, and extending northward indefinitely from the
forty-second parallel of latitude. Later the name
Oregon was applied to a narrower area.
In surface and climate it is varied; in resources
limitless, though its possibilities are little known.
There is grand and beautiful scenery in every portion
of it; some wild and rugged, some treeless and lonely •
altogether a magnificent stretch of primeval wilder-
ness. It IS divided longitudinally by the Cascadt;
Mountains, one with the Snowy Range of California
(n
oimiox i\ 18:m.
and Nevada, and so called from the turmoil of the
Colmnbia in passing through them ; while the eastern
portion is cut transversely by the Blue Mountains —
in popular parlance blue, from the contrast of their
violet shadows with the tawny plain. Another and
lower range rims the seaboard from Lower Califor-
nia and along the Oregon frontage to the Russian
possessions; the high spurs thrown out by the Coast
and Cascade ranges separate the valleys thus formed
in southern Oregon by barriers as insurmountable as
those in Greece.
Besides mountains and rivers there are forests, not
spread over broad areas of level surface as they were
back of the English Plantations; beneficent nature
has for the good of civilized man ct)nfined tliem to
tlie mountain sides and r.) tlie low lands along the
streams. On the mountains different species of pine,
fir, and spruce prevail, while near the streams grow
deciduous trees, oak, maple, ash, alder, cotton-wood,
and w^illow. This distribution of forest and prairie
gives a charming diversity to the landscape in tlie
western portion of tlie territory, from California
northward; and singularly atliactive is the valley of
the Willamette witli its infinite variety of forms, the
richness of verdure, and the frequent small rivers
with their fertile and wooded borders.
In western Oregon there is scarcely a spot, and few
])laces in the eastern part, where there is not visible
some lofty snow-dad peak of the Cascade Range,
standing as sentinel of the centuries, and forming a
landmark and guide. In many places three or five of
these ijlisteniniif heisjfhts mav be seen at once. Hardlv
less striking are the purpled sununits of the continu-
ous range, silvered with snow in spring and autumn,
and glowing during the afternoons of sunnner under
a rosy violet mist. Eastern Oregon seems less prolific
of natural beauties than the country west of the Cas-
cade Range, where the Colund)ia River provides not
only uninterrupted navigation from the sea to the
EASTERN AND WESTERN.
110
heart of the mountains, hut constitutes in itself a
continuous panorama of rare views, to which minds
even of tlie least ideality soon become attached. As
the eastern foothills sink to plain, tlie forest disap-
pears, only a few scattering pines remaining in the
vicinity of the Dalles; by the bars and on sandy mar-
gins of the river grow willows and low shrubs, while
above them rise high rounded bluffs, bald and mo-
notonous, yet not without picturesque effect. Beyond
these the country rolls off in broken plains, covered
in spring by a delicate verdure bright with flowers,
later wearing a russet hue that early gave it the name
of desert. Yet even through this eastern part there
is much to please the eye in the softly flowing outlines
of the ever-changing scene, in the calm blue which
canopies the im])erious Columbia raging at its rocky
obstructions, and in the deep canons that channel the
inflowinif rivers from the south. A hundred miles
from the mountains there are smaller streams with
open valleys, occupied as grazing lands by native
horse-owners, the tJmatillas, Cayuses, Walla Wallas,
and Nez Perces.
Yet farther east, beyond the Umatilla and Walla
Walla countries, is the Snake or Lewis River region,
in the eyes of those who visit it as worthless as it is
wild and lonely. Its waterless deserts, severely hot
in summer and cold in winter, inspire the overland
tourist with dread ; and many a trappei- and voyageur
meets his death fi-om want in crossing them. Yet
fertile spots are found, pleasant little valleys where
the climate is delightful, and, so far as appears, the
earth fmitful. North (»f the Snake River the whole
region is unexj)lored except as traversed by fur-hunt-
ers; iiRle^d. away at the base of the Rocky Moun-
tains i,^ a large and diversified tract, a terra in-
cognita to the world at large. And for many years
to come this portion of the Oregon Territory offers
few attractions to agriculturists. On the other hand,
all the western portion of Oregon, especially the
L
4 OKECION IN 1834.
Willamette Valley and the Puget Sound region, has
been favorably spoken of by successive ex[)lorcrs, until
its spreading fame agitates the question of ownership.
Little is yet known of agricultural and mineral re-
sources, but its mild and equable climate, affecting as
it does the quality and value of furs, and being in itself
so })eculiar considering the latitude, is l)etter under-
stood. The winters of western Oregon are so mild
that little ice forms; but they are wet, and cloudy of
sky. The rains begin about mid-autumn and continue
with greater or less constancy till May, after which
fleeting showers occur until the June rise of the Colum-
bia begins to decline. This excessive moisture comes
in a measure from the Japan current, and is more im-
mediately owing to the south-west winds of autumn
and winter, driving inland the evaporations of ocean,
which being arrested by the Cascade Range are pre-
cipitated on its seaward sides. Hence the j)eculiari-
ties of the Oregon climate ; the mountains wall the
moisture from their eastern slopes, Tendering that
region arid. The dense growth of the western forests
are of those trees that live on the moisture of the
atmosphere, but do not like it about their roots. The
evergreens of Oregon, the firs especially, refuse to
grow on land tluit is subject to overflow, and their
foliage protects the roots from rain. Spruce, yew,
hemlock, and cedar wow on lower lands than firs
and pines. It may seem anomahtus that trees which
avoid water should thrive in a so-called moist climate,
and also that, while the climate is so wet, Oregon's
ntmosphere is remarkably dry, as evidenced by the fact
that wet articles exposed to the air, but protected
from the rain, dry quickly even in the rainy season.
Observing this, the early Oregonians call their ordi-
nary rains 'mists,' and maintain that they do not wet
people; and by a further stretch of imagination their
descendants may fancy themselves not affected by the
December and January mists.
But even if the winters are unpleasantly rainy, the
CLIMATE AM) Fl)01».
wuiuiuors componsato. By the first of July the cloudss
wliich clothe the prairies in waving grass and beds of
flowers have passed away, and a clear sun ushers in
each long delightful day, which begins in a clear
twilight two hours after midnight, and ends only
in another lingering twilight, softer though not more
beautiful than the first. ()ften the temperature of the
dry sunnner season falls to sixty or fifty-seven degrees
Fahrenheit ; seldom it exceeds seventy-two or seventy-
six, though occasi(nially rising for a brief period to
ninety or one hundred; yet whatever the heat of
meridian, by four o'clock in the afternoon it begins to
abate, leaving the evening so j)leasantly cool that the
bed requiies a blanket — ^so comfortably cool that the
settlers acquire a love for sleep that becomes charac-
teristic, antl is sometimes mentioned to their discredit.
About four months of drv weather, with little or n(»
i-ainfall, ctinstitutes the summer of western Oregon,
during whicji the grass becomes yellow and tlie earth
])owdered drain ripens and is gathered in August.
Septeml)ei' is seeding time, experience early teaching
that it is better to have the wlieat in the ground over
winter, even if it must be pa.stured down, than trust
the chance of late sj)ring sowing.
The food resources native to western Oregon are
fish, game, and berries. The Indians use a root re-
sembling the potato, which they call trapato, found
in abundance on Wapato I.sland, and also in some
shallow lakes or overflowed prairie land. In wild
fruit the country is prolific ; but none are as fine as
the same kinds in the middle states of the continent.
Elk, bear, and deer are plentiful, but ov.ing to the
difificulty of pursuit through the der.se undergrowth
of tlie mountain forests, the cliase is laborious. Tliere
is an abundance of water-fowl, conspicuous among
Vvhich are brant, geese of several species, cranes, mal-
lard, canvas-back, and summer duck, blue-winged and
green-winged teal, snij)e, golden and killdce ph)vei',
antl other wading birds, some «)f which are not pal-
OREOON IN 1834.
atablo. Of game-birds found in woods tluTo aro also
plenty; grouse, quails, pheasants, and wood-doves in-
habit the thickets of young tirs, and tlie groves of oak
young tirs, and tJie gr
and fir that skirt the older and darker forest. Sin»^
ing birds wliich make tlieir homes in trees are rare.
The only really musical l)ird of Oregon is the meadow-
hirk, whicli carols to the passer-by of the happiness
he finds in his humble life near the ground.
The streams are well stocked with fish — the brooks
with trout, and the rivers with salmon of two or three
sjtecies. The most palatable and largest of these,
the salmo quiunat, has been one of the chief articles
of food for twenty years, and constitutes a staple in
the Hudson's Bay Company's supplies; in fact, the
com|)any's servants receive dried salmon and nothing
else when other articles are scarce.
Such were the natural conditions of life in Oregon
in 1834. European civilization, however, had already
driven in its stakes here and there about the wilder-
ness preparatory to its overthrow. For some time
j»ast the country had been dominated exclusively by
fur- traders from Canada and Great Britain ; now
people from the United States begin to come and
settle. Ownership becomes a nuKjt question ; the
territory is held by the United States and Great
Britain under treaty of joint occupancy. Altht)Ugh
in the History of the Northwest Coast I have given full
descriptions of the fur- traders' forts and incipient
settlements, I deem it advisable t(3 review them here,
so that the reader may have the picture fresh in his
mind at the opening of this part of my history.
The most important post and place in all the Ore-
gon Territory was Fort Vancouver, the Hudson's Bay
Company's headquarters. It was situated upon a
beautiful sloping plain, on the north bank of the
Columbia, about six miles above the mouth of the
Multnomah River, as the Willamette below the falls
was still called, and opposite the centre of the Wil-
FORT VANCOUVER.
lainette Valley, at a jtoiiit where the Columbia is
hroad and much lUvided by low, woody islands, which
add diversity t«> a prospect embracing every element
of grandeur and grace, from glistening snow-peaks to
the reriections of leaning shrubbery, whose flowers of
white or red are mirrored in the calm surface of this
most majestic of rivers.
The fort was not formidable in appearance. It c<m-
si.sted of a .strong stockade about twenty feet high,
without bastions, embracing an area of two hundred
and fifty by one hundred and fifty yards. Within this
enclosure, around three sides, were ranged the dwell-
ings and oflices of the gentlemen in the company's ser-
vice. In the centre, facing the main entrance or great
gate, was the residence of Doctor John McLoughlin,
the governor by courtesy of the Hudson's Bay Com-
j)any in Oregon, a French Canadian structure, painted
white, with piazza and flower beds in front, and grape-
vines trained alojig a rude trellis. The steps leading
to the hall of the governor's liouse were of horseshoe
foi'm, and between the two flights stood a twenty-four-
})ound cannon, mounted on a ship's carriage, and on
either side of this were two mortar guns, all with shot
piled orderly about them, but otherwise looking in-
nocent enough in their peaceful resting-places. There
were no galleries around the walls for sentries, nor
loop-holes for small-arms, no appearances, in fact,
indicating a dangerous neighborhood. Near the cen-
tre of the enclosure rose the company's flag-staft*,
and everything about the place was orderly, neat, and
business-like. The magazine, warehouses, store, and
shops were all contained within the palisades, and dur-
ing the hours a})pointed for labor every man attended
to his duties, whether as trader, clerk, smith, baker,
oi" tailor,
A bell large enough for a country church was sup-
ported by three stout poles about twenty feet high,
covered with a little pointed roof to keep ofl' the rain.
This brazen monitor rang out at five o'clock in the
8 OKKiiON IN I»:M
iiiorning, roiisino- tin; furriern, mochanics, and fannor«
to their tasks. At ui<(lit it aimouncud breakfast; at
iiiiii!, work ajj^ain; at twelve, dinner; at one, work; at
six, suspension of labor, and suj)j)er. Saturday's work
ended at five in the afternoon, at which time the
physician of the establishment served to the men
their week's rations, consisting in winter of eight
gallons of j)otatoe's and eight .salt salmon, and in
summer of pease and taU(>w; no bread or meat being
allowed, exeej)t occasionally. The Indian servants of
the Indian wives hunted and fished for additional sup-
plies. Nor was this unremitting industry unnecessary.
The management of the Hudson's Bay Company re-
quired its posts to be self-su])porting. The extent of
territory they traded over was innnense, and the
number of their forts increased the demand for such
articles as could be j)roduced only in favorable localities.
For instance, at Fort Vancouver the demand for
axes and hatchets for the tra])pors and Indians re-
quired fifty of them to be made daily. In addition to
the manufacture of these, the smiths had plenty to
do in rej)airing farming tools and milling machinery,
and making the various articles required by a com-
munity of several hundred people. The carpenter,
the turner, and the tailor were equally busy; two or
three men were constantly enq)loyed making bread
for tlie fort peo})le and sea-biscuit i\n- the coasting
vessels. The furs had to be l)eaten once a week to
drive out moths and dust. The clerks had not only
to keep accounts and copy letters, but keep a jour-
nal of every day's affairs. Am(>ng so many persons,
some were sure to be in the hospital, and on these
the best medical care was bestowed. Thouijh so fai-
fi'om the world as to seem removed from the world's
wants, Foit Vancouvei- was no place for the indul-
gence of poetic idleness.
And if within the fort this industry was necessary,
it was none the less so without, where a larm of about
.seven hundred acres had l^een brought under cultiva-
TIIK (iAUbKN AM> lAU.M, 9
tion, on wliicli was mi.sed ahuiidaiicf of ^Tain and
V('«(otal)l(>s, it'quirinj;' extensive storehouses. Lai«;-e
hands of cattle and slieejt were kept, the latter iin
proved hv careful hretsdinijf until thev yielded twelve-
pound Het'ces. From the few Enj,dish a|)|ue seeds
elsewhere mentioned had sprun<^ trees which, thout^h
youn«^, were so crowded witli fmit as to nctul pi'op|iin_L>',
and from the peach sprouts hrought from Juan Fi-r-
nandez Island had »^rown lar«(e trees that were hearin*;
their first fruit. Indeed, the garden at Fort Vancouver
jejoiced in a scientific overseer by the name of Bruce,
who on visitintj^ England with McLoughlin would see
nothing in the duke of J)evonshire's garden so pleasing
to him as his Fort A'^ancouver plants, yet was careful
to abstract as many of the C^hiswick improvt nents as
his mind could carry. Even tlu n, and before, Bruce
cultivated strawberries, figs, and lemons, tlie first with
'reat success, the other two with the fruitl.s.s efforts
that alone could be expected in the northern tem-
jterate zone ; ornamental trees and flowers also received
his fostering care.
On the farm was a flouring mill and thrashing
machine, worked bv oxen or horses in the Arcadian
way, vet sufficient for the wants of all. A few miles
above the fort, on a little stream falling into the
Columbia, stood a saw-mill, cuttinif kunber enouuii
durmg the year to supply not only the fort, but to
load one or two vessels for the Hawaiian Islands,
Between the fort and the river, on the smooth
sloping plain, lay a village consisting of thirty or
forty log houses, ranged along a single street, and
occupied by the servants of the com])any, Canadians,
half-breeds, and Hawaiians, with a few from the
Orkney Islands. In every house an Indian woman
presided as unstress, and the street swarmed with
children of mixed blood. Xothing offensive met the
eye; everywhere cleanliness and decorum j)revailetl.
When a visitor came to Fort Yancouvei- and the
fort was sekkan without its ouest even in 18;U— he
10
OREtON IN 1834.
\l
i
would, if a person of consideration, be met at the boat-
landing by the presiding officer, McLoughlin, a tall,
large, commanding figure of bene^'olent mien, who
courteously made him welcome to every comfort and
convenience, as well as to his own genial society and
that of his associates. Entering by one of the smaller
gates at either side of the principal entrance, he was
escorted to the dc^ctoi's own residence, and assigned
[)lain but comfortable quarters; for it was not in
empty show that the hospitality of Fort Vancouver
consisted, but in its thorough home-like features, its
plenty, and its frank and cordial intercourse. The
visitors were all of the sterner sex, no white ladies
having yet set foot within these precincts.
It was a rule of the company that the Indian wives
and offspring of the officers should live in the seclusion
of their own apartments, whicli left the officers' mess-
T'oom to themselves and their guests ; and while no more
time than necessary was consumed at table, the good
cheer and the enlightened conversation of educated
gentlemen threw over the entertainment a luxury and
refinement all the more enjoyable after the rude ex-
periences of a journey across the continent or a long
voyage by sea. After the substantial dinner, concluded
with a temperate glass of wine or sj)irits, the company
withdrew for half an hour to the 'bachelors' hall,'
to indulge in a })i}>e, and discuss with animation the
topics of the time. When the officers and clerks re-
turned to business, the guest might choose between
the library and out-door attractions. A book, a boat,
and a horse were always at his command. The sab-
l)ath was observed with the decorum of settled society.
The service of the established church was read with
impressiveness by Doctor McLoughlin liimself, and
listened to with reverence by tlie gentlemen an<l
servants of the company. Respect for religion was
inculcated both by prece})t and cxam}»le. Observing
that during his ten years' residence in the country
maii_y young children were coming forward in the
FOU'JS GEOiy-iE AND NISQUALLY.
II
[•e-
sn
It,
ib-
fy-
th
]icl
lid
las
lig
[y
he
village and within the walls of the fort, McLoughliu
secured the services of an American as teacher, one
Solomon Snnth, left objectless by the failure of
Wyeth's expedition ; and the school thus organized,
the first in Oregon, was a good one, wherein were
taught the English branches, singing, deportment, and
morality. It was tiie heart and brain of the Oregon
Territory, though there were other places pulsating
in res})onse to tlie efforts at Foi"t Vancouver.
The most western establishment was Fort George,
the Astoria of 18 1 I -14, It no longer deserved to l)c
called a fort, the defences of every tlescri})tion havin.g
di.sappeared, while at a little distance fn)ni the old
stockade, now in ruins, was one principal building of
hewn boards, surrounded with a nundn^r of Indian
huts. Only about four acres were under cultivation,
and only one white man, the trader in charge, resided
there. It was maintained luoi'e a« a point of observa-
tion than as a post affording commereial advantages.
A ])lace of more in»portance was Fort Nisqually,
situated on a little tributary of the river of that name,
and less than a mile from the waters of Puget Sound.
It consisted of a stockade about two hundred feet
square, guarded by bastions well armed, enclosing a
dozen small dv/ellings and the magazine; and ware-
houses of the company. The situation was unsur-
passed, on an o[)en plain, yet convenient to exhaust-
less forests of good timber, within a short distance of
navigable waters, and wirh the grand Mount Rainier
in full view. The fort had only been established
about one year, at this time. Away to the north., on
rivers draining the valleys of Bntisli Columitia, were
several trading posts, Fortl^angley and the rest, owing
allegiance to the Oregon governor, but not re<piiring
mention in this connection.
The only other post of tlu; Hudson's Bay Company,
in what is now Oregon, was situated near the con-
fluence of Elk Creek with the ITnipcjua Kiver, two
hundred miles Sduth of the Ccdmnbia, and occu]>ying
1-' OKEliON LN lo.i4.
a fine poHitioii among the hills of that beautiful coun-
try. It was but a ^inall place, with a twenty-acre farm
attached, under the charge of a French trader. The
neat, dwellings and other buildings were surrounded
ijy the usual palisade, with bastions at the corners,
KORI'S.
for tho Tiulians in this quarter were more ravage than
those in tlie vicinity of the Columbia.
About two hundred miles oast of Fort \"anc;)uvei\
on the east bank of the ( 'olumltia, near where 't makes
its great i»»md to the west, and at the mouth of the
WALLA WALLA AM> OKANAGAN.
13
Walla Walla River, was a fort of that uaino. This
t'StahlishiiK'nt was also a stockade, and heing in the
country of warlike savajj^es. there were two bastions,
with an inner jj^allery, and otlier defences strongly
constructed of drift-logs which had been brought from
the mountains and heaped ashore at this 2)lace by the
June freshets. Little agricultural land being found
in the vicinity, and no tind)er. Fort Walla Walla was
without the attractions of Fort V^ancouver, but it
ranked nevertheless as a place of importance, being
the ]>rincipal trading post between California and
Stuart Lake, and accessible by water from Fort Van-
couver. It was on the way from the great fur-hunt-
ing region about the head-waters of the Snake River
and its tributaries, and the first resting-place the
overland traveller met after leaving the Missoui'i
River. There was always a genial and generous
officer stationed at Fort Walla Walla, on whose head
many a weary [)ilgrim called down blessings for fa>»/is
U'ceived. Horses were plentiful, and a few cattle
were kept there, but no grain was raised. The little
garden spot by the river furnished vegetables, and
those of an excellent (juality. The cliinate w as usually
delightful, the only discomfort being the strong sum
nier winds, which drove about with violence the dust,
and sand, and gravel, so that it was di'emi'd impossi-
ble to cultivate trees or shrubbciy ; hence the situa-
tion appeared without any beauty exct'pt that dei'ived
from a cloudless sky, and the near neighborhood of
the j)icturesque cliffs of the Cohnnbia and Walla Walla
rivers.
())ie hundred and thirty-eight miles north from
F(»rt Walla Walla lay Fort Okanagan, at the mouth
of the Okanagan River, like the otlu'rs a stockade, in
charge of a gentlenjaidy officer. Other trading posts
were locati'd at favorable points on the Kootenais
River, on the Spokan(\ on Lake Fend d'Oreille, and
on the Flathead River, besides s(>veral north of the
fiftieth parallel. But the i)ost of the greatest impor-
14
OUEaON LV 1834.
tance next to Fort Yalicouver was Fort Colvillc, situ-
ated on the Columbia River, one hundred miles north-
east of Fort Okanagan, though much farther by tlu;
windings of the river. In the midst of a good agricul-
tural country, with a fine climate, good fishing, and
other advantages, it was the central supply post for all
the other forts in the reiifion of the north Columbia.
Established shortlv after Fort Vancouver, with its
allotment of cattle, consisting of two cows and a bull,
it had now like Fort Vancouver its lowing herds,
furnishing beef, butter, and milk. It had, besides,
bands of fine horses and other stock, and a grist-mill
for the lar<ife vield of jjfrain. On the well-cultivated
farm grew also excellent vegetables in abundance.
Such a convenience as a saw-mill did not exist in
all the u})per country, notwithstanding the number of
l)osts, hence there could be little architectural display
or furniture except of the rudest kind. Bedsteads
and chairs were luxuries not to be thought of; bunks
and stools were made from sj)lit logs, with a hatchet.
Yet, since those who called at Fort Colville had trav-
elled many hundred miles with only a blanket for a
bed, the good fare hen' afibrded made the place to
them a Canaan.
Two forts had this year been established in the ter-
ritory east of the Blue Mountains drained by Snake
River. The first was Fort Hall, erected by an Amer-
ican, Nathaniel J. Wyeth, on tliis river, at its junc-
tion with tlie Portneuf; the second was I'rec-ted by the
Hudson's Bay Company, on tlie same river, a mile
below the mouth t)f the Boise, and called Fort Boise.
The American, Wveth, this beinij: his second ad-
ventu)v in these parts, wlu) had thus recently built,
stocked, and manned Fort Hall, went on to the lower
Columbia River that same autumn to meet a vessel,
the brig May Dacre, of Boston, latlen with goods
frojn the United States, as the eastern seaboard of
tlu' gi'cat republic was then designated by westei'ii
adventurers, and at the time of which 1 write he was
M
I
FORT WILLIAM.
15
engaged in building a fort and trading post on Wapato
Island, which he called Fort William. With him came
others, of whom I shall have occasion to speak in
another place. While the work was being advancetl,
the men in Wyeth's service were living in temporary
huts; pigs, chickens, goats, and sheep were running
about in the vicinity; iho May Dacre was moored to
the bank, and a prospective rival of Fort Vancouver
was already well under way. Mr Wyeth's adventures
are given at length in Tlic Aorfhirest Coast, this volume
beijinniniif with an account of settlers from the Ignited
States promising ];ermanence.
Nor was Fort William the only settlement in Ore-
gon exclusive of the Hudson's Bay Com})any's forts.
Thomas McKay, one of the race of Alexander McKay
of the Astor expedition, and one of the com])any's
most celebrated leaders, occupied a farm on the Mult-
nomah opposite the lower end of Wapato Island.
And there were other farms from fifty to a hundred
miles soutli of this. The servants of the company
were hired for a term of years, and were free at its
expiration. But as they had been obliged to receive
their pay in kind, for which they had not always
use, and had seldom saved their earnini>fs, if thev
wished to retire they must live not far from Fort
Vancouver, and ccmtinue as the company's dei)end-
ents, raising wheat, in ex(;hange for which they re-
ceived sucli indispensable articles as their condition of
life demanded.
There were of this class, commonly called the
French Canadians, a dozen or more families, most of
them settled on a l)eautiful and fertile prairie about
forty miles south of the Columbia, in the Valley Wil-
lamette, They lived in log houses, witli large fire-
])laces, after the manner of plt)neers of other countries ;
liad considerable land under cultivation ; owned liorses
of the native stock, not remarkal)le for l)eauty, but
tough and fleet; and had the use of such cattle as the
l(i
()UE(i()X IN 1834.
fur company chose to lend them. Numerous luilf-
hreed cliildren played about their d<H)rs; tliey liad no
cares of cliurchor state; no aspirations beyond a com-
fortal)]e subsistence, which was theirs; and being on
good terms with tlieir only neighbors, the natives,
tliey passed their lives in peaceful monotony. At the
falls of the Willamette were the log houses which had
been built by McLoughlin in connection with his
mill-works there, and which were occupied occasion-
ally by the company's servants, some improvements
bi'ing still in ])rogress at that place.
In addition to the French Canadians were a num-
i)er of Americans who had come to the country with
Wyeth's first expedition, and had also made settle-
ments in the same neighborhood, on the east side of
the Willamette River. In all the American terri-
tory west of the Blue Mountains there were about
thirty-five white men, including the })arty at Fort
William, who had not belonged to the Hudson's Bay
Conipan}', but were there with the intention to settle
|iernianently.
Another element was this yt^ar introduced into the
early society of Oregon. Since the fallen condition
of the race left no spot of earth untainted, it followed
that missionaries were needed to look after the spir-
itual iiiierests of tlie natives of this western Eden.
Missionaries weiv there in the persons of two brothers,
named Lee, assisted \>y certain laymen, who, after
having been received with the usual hospitality at
Fort Vancouver, were busy erecting a dwelling and
making other inij)rovements at the }»lace selected for
their station, a little to the south of the French Cana-
<lian settlement in the Willamette A'allev.
Besides tlie missionary family, there were at Fort
Vancouvei' two uentlemen from the United States,
who were travelling in the interests oi' science, Messrs
Townsend and Nuttall, naturalists, jifter whom and
Vty whom so many of our western plants were named;
so that it cannot be said of Oregon that her earliest
THK NAMK OUKOON.
17
.0 the
ition
)wed
spir-
den.
aiu
M
society was not good. After the faihire of the Astor
adventure, and previous to 1834, few persons had
visited tlie Colunihia Kiver except those in some way
connected with tli(! fur-traders. Wyetli's first com-
pany of twelve, iuchiding himself, was the only j)arty
of the kind and number to enter Oregon. Two years
previous, David ])ouglas, a Scotch botanist, had visited
the territory and had s[)ent some time roaming over
its mountains; and rarelv liad the river been entered
by a foreign or American vessel.
Another constituent of early Oregon society a})pears
at this juncture, and if not so respectable as the fur
magnates, so religious as the missionaries, so learned
as the scientists, or so ordt'r-loving as the French
Canadians, united with the small American element
it l)ecame a power in the land. It made its appear-
ance in the form of ten persons coming with a band
of horses from California, and led l)y Hall J. Kelley,
who once figured on paper as the would-be founder
of a new Pacific empire.
East of the Blue Range, and in and about the ]^ockv
Mountains, were American trappers and traders, who
from their wandering and precarious mode of life
could not be accurately numbered, but were in all
probably ten or twelve hundred, to whom were opposed
e(jual numbers owing allegiance to the Hudson's Bay
Company. These were at that time hardly to be
spoken of as component parts of any Oregon commu-
nity, but siHue in time added themselves to those who
had come from the United States.
Thus has been outlined a picture of the Oregon
Territory in 1 8:] 4, at which time this History of Ore-
yon begins.
XiiK Xamk Okk<h>n'.
Tn regard to the word Oregon, its signification and origin, I will hero give
what is known. Its first appearance in print was iu the book of Jonathan
Carver, who therein represents that he heard from the natives in the vicinity
of the head- waters of the Mississippi, to which region he peuetratiMl as early
aa 1T()<), oi a great river flowing int. he great western ocean, an.l called hy
Hist. Oit., Vol.. I. 2
18
OKEOOX IX lau.
them the Oreijou, Oreijan, or Orii/ttn. Nothing is said by Carver of tlie mean-
ing or origin of the word. It is doubtful whetlier Carver understood the
natives, or whether tliey made such a statement, though there may have been
some sound or symlxd l)y wliich or from whicli to coin tlie word. There coubl
have been no ol»jeet, apparent to us, for him to misrepresent ; he could never
have dreamed that tliis probably meaningless sound, caught up from the wind
by his too attentive ear, should ever be applied to the designation of a great
progressive state. P'rom his atan<lpoint, it was as much to his crcilit to report
a great river to which there was no name, as one to which there was a name ;
or he may have preferred to manufacture a name. We cannot tell. Kut it
so, he did it in a most foolish and bungling manner, in evidence of which I
will further explain.
As a rule, the aboriginals of America have no name for tlieir rivers, and
mountains, and lakes. It is not necessary they .slioultl have; they can live by
but one river at one time, and tliat to them is ' the river.' Or they may apply
to it, as to other natural objects, general, local, or descriptive terms; it is
common for the town, country, river, and tribe to be designated by the
name of the chief, which name changing, changes all the rest. According
to lUanchet in J/i.i(oriciil Mmjitzhn', ii. 33"), the lower Chinooks called the
L\i\\xm\na, ytihiitl-minmkl, 'great river,' purely a general anil descriptive term,
a:id no name at all. Chief Factor Tolmie, of the Hudson's Bay Company,
writes: ' Indians have names only for particular localities, ami not for rivers.
Ihe white people gave the name Walamet to the whole Wallamet valley and
river.' When Clarke, of the Lewis and Clarke expedition, visited the coast
about Tillamook Hea<l, he understood tlie Indians to say that they procured
wapato roots by trading with the Indians over on the Shocatilciim or Cohunbia
Iviver. There can be no doubt of Clarke's misapprehension of the meaning of
his informant, for the word was never heard of afterwartl, and it certainly bear.s
no resemblance to the one whoso origin we are seeking. With reference to thi.s
rise I nijvde special inrpiiry of an intelligent chief of one of the most intelli-
gent tribes of the region of the upper Colundjia, the Nez I'erces, living on one
of its tributaries, whether it was possible for that stream ever to have had a
distinctive appellation by which it was known to any peoples upon it, or about
it, or about the head-waters of tlie Mississippi, or Mi.ssouri, or any other .stream;
and he Jissured me, what I knew before, that it was not possible. It is very
certain that the word Oregon does not I)el()ng to any of the several dialects of
the territory drained by the Columbia River. In looking fur traces of it among
those of the country which was travelle<l over l)y Car\er, in which the r sound
is wanting, words must be looked for with the cognate / or other con.soiiant.
In the Iro(piois language the word i/irf'/tn, meaning 'all,' is closely related to
'great,' as in k-iniii and koirnnca of the Oneida \nA Cayuga dialects. It is to
be noted here tliat the Iroquois travelled far and wi<le with the fur-traders.
In the Algonijuin tongue oiini-i/nm, according to Mackenzie, signifies ' port-
age;' while again in Iroquois, according to Schoolcraft, ti-nr-o-ijii means 'a
place of water rocks,' t! being ' vater,' ni/a 'a place,' and nr an abbreviation
of tar, 'rock.' (riut, in AlgoiKpiin, Knisteneaux, Ojibwa, Snake, and other
Indian tongues, is a common ending. In Algonquin, yioi signifies ' lake,' being
usually, however, combined with other words, as in Sci(jai/i<j<ni, the Knisten-
INDIAN AND SPANISH ORKJIN.
10
oaux as well a Algonquin form. The terminal syllable in the different dialects
in variously pronounced </aii, ijini, and i/on. In the Shoshone language occur
two wordH bearing some relation, if not a very near one, to the Hubject. O-i/ii'ii,
ways Stuart in his Moiitniin, means 'river,' and Oo-rook-iiii 'under,' 'on tiie
bottom;' and a word of a similar sound in Algoncjuin has a similar mean-
ing. Schoolcraft mentions that o is a common prefix to the names of various
parts of tlie body, hesides tliese various analogous sounds and meanings in
several of t)ie native languages, we have in the Oregon territory one river with
the prefix o and the ternnnal </(/»- the Okamujau. After all this research we
arrive at nothing nearer tiian that the word ;/«« relates in several ilialects to
water in some form, and might possibly be used to signify a river, any river,
but not necessarily tlie Colundtia.
A popular theory, and one frequently advanced as new, concerning tlie
origin of the word, is that the first European discoverers called the L'olund)ia
Iwiver, and country adjacent, Oregon, from tlie abundance of oriyaiiiim, or
wild marjoram, a plant iiossessing some medicinal virtues. This conjecture
is open to several objections, the first that the plant mentioned grows a long
distance from the coast, the only portion of the country visited by the early
navigators; nor is the presence of it very conspicuous anywhere. Mengarini,
a writer in the Xew York Ethuoloij'iml Joiinial, i., 1871, advances the idea tliat
the word comes from huracan, the Spanish for hurricane, founded on the fact
that at some seasons of the year strong winds prevail on the Columbia lliver.
The Spaniarils derived their word ' liuracan ' from a native American word
found among the people of the central parts; ' liurakan ' is tlie name of a
(juiclie god, meaning the tempest. Tlie Englisli hurricane and the Fre;>ch
oiiriii/(tii are forms of the same word; but an the French had little to do witM
tlie earliest history of tfie Northwest Coast, the origin of the name has nevei
lieen ascribed to them.
Of .all the conjectures hazarded by writers from time to time, the one th.'*;
•suggests a Spanish origin from orejou, meaning 'a pull of the ear,' bi'.t for
tliis purpose often interpreted ' long ear ' or ' lop ear, ' seems to have been most
popular, though not supported by facts or probabilities. It has been often
repeated, with not so much as a qualifying doubt, that the Spaniards travel-
ling up the northern coast met a tribe of Indians with ears of extreme length,
weighed down ))y heavy ornaments, and from tliis circumstance the Span-
iards called them 'Long-ears,' and the country La Tkrni di' los Orcjoiix,
which became corrupted into Orci/on by Englishmen and Anierican.-i. Otlier.-s
assert that while the derivation is correct it was not properly ai)plied by
these first-named writers, but that it signifies the country of lop-eared ralibits,
this animal abounding there as well as in California. So popular became this
tiieory in tiie mining times of 1848-9 that tlie Oregoniaiis went by tlie i. >iie
of ' Lop-ears ' among the Californiau miners. Indeed, I suspect tliiri ;>pportuiiity
to ridicule their ol>trudiiig neighbors, proving too good to be losi, really
first gave currency to the idea. From jest it grew to earnest; soberer-
minded people then began to lo< k for a more distant origin. On inves-
tigation it does not appear that any tribe upon the Oregon coast was ever
20
()UE«iON I.N KSH4.
«
IP
iiioro (idilicted to tar oriiameiitation than is cninmon to all savaj^o nations,
or that they woru heavier ornaments. Neither is Oregon inhabited by lop-
lared rabbits in a degree to distingiUHh it from some otlier countries.
Dates must not be disregarded as we look for proof or disproof of the cur-
rent theories concerning the word. 'Ihat it is not of early Spanish origin is
established by the fact that it does not occur in the Spanish voyages, or on
the Spanish maps. The Spaniards never had a name for the Cohnnbia Ilivi r,
unless it be Sun Rottuf, which they applied in 1775 on one of their maps,
Carver's Mai*.
without being sure that any river llowed there. On their sidiaecpient nmps in
i 7!) 1-2, after the river had been visited, it was put rlown as Ifio tie In Columbia.
It is clear, then, that the name Oregon had not been applied to the country
l)y any navigator up to that time, nor for a long time afterward. 'Ihe word
docs not occur in Lewis and Clarke's journal, though it is found in Jefferson's
iiLstrnctions to Lewis, but not with reference to the river. It is not in any
work published in the United States or England previous to the year 1811,
the first year of American settlement, with one exception; that exception
is the book of travels by Carver first mentioned, and which was published
in London in 1778. It comes in thus: 'From the intelligence I gained from
the Naudowessio Indians, among whom I arri\cd on the 7th of December,
CAIlVKIl AM) lUlVANT.
21
.ps lu
mbid.
iiitry
Iwonl
any
1811,
ptioii
slied
from
Ibur,
aii<l wlxmi- language 1 perfectly ac(|uiri'<l iluring a iiMidunei- of seven nionthf.
uuil also fioiii tlie accounts I afterward obtained from tlie AwHiuipoils, wlio
wjicak tlie same tongue, being a revolted hand of the NaudowesHioH; and
from the Killistinoes, neighbours of the Assiniitoils, who speak the t'hipi^way
language, and inhabit tlie hea<ls of the Kiver lUmrbon; I say, from these
nations, together with my own observations, 1 have learneil that the four most
capital rivers on tlio Continent of North America, viz., the St l^awrence, the
Mississippi, the lUver liourbon, and the Oregon, or the I{iver of the West, have
their sources in the same neighborhood. The waters of the three former are
within thirty miles of each other; the latter, however, is rather farther
west. '
There is a happy audacity in CarA'cr's statements, whether or not he iu-
temled to deceive, common to discoverers and geographers of that day. On
Ilia map he has tlie J/hhIm o/ tliv Orlijuii put down in latitude 47^ longi-
tu<le 117°, and in the immediate vicinity of the head-waters of the upper
Mississippi. Meantime, antl d(ud)tle.ss while his map was being engraved, he
received reports of the iliseoveries and movements of the Kussiaus in the
Pacific, who hatl been active during the years intervening between 170(5 and
1778, the latter being the date of publication of Carver's book in London.
On a map of 17()8 by .leilerys the name Ji'iiff of the Went 'according to the
Kussian maps ' is shown. In the very year of the publication of Carver's
narrative Cook was making his famous voyage along the Northwest Coast,
and a general interest was felt among the maritime powers as to the results
of any expedition of discovery. Enough had come to Carver's ears to make
liim place in the text of liis book, though it was too nmch trouble to do so
on the map. the sources of the Origan 'rather farther west, ' and to add to
his imaginai'y stream the secondary name of Uiver of the West.
His assertion that four of the greatest rivers of the continent rose within
thirty mili^s of each other, though pointing toward truth, was purely specula-
tive. It Mas the fashion in those days to array speculation in positive forms.
Also when he said, ' This shows that these parts are the highest lands in
North America,' he meant those lands where he was, about the hea<l of the
Mississippi; therefore, if any such river as Orij^in existed, it rose there, in
that neighborhood, 'ihe partial discovery of the Russians, and other inimors,
led him to identify it with the Iliver of the West; and the discovery made
8ubse()uently that there is a i>oint on the continent where three great rivers
head near togetlu'r gave a weight to the former sup})ositiou which it did not
merit.
The first American writer, after Carver, to make u.se of the word Oregon
seems to have been the poet Bryant, in 1817. Struck with the poetical images
suggested to his youthful mind by reading Carver's narrative, and knowing
just enough of the country, from the reports of ship-masters and rumors of
the hasty government expedition of 1804 (i, to fire his imagination, he seized
upon the word that fitted best his metre, an<l in his T/iiiiiii/o}>sls made that
word immortal. The popularity of Bryant's verse both at home and abroad
lixed it in the public mind. Its adoption as the name of the territory drained
by the Kiver Oregon I am inclined to ascribe to the man who claims it. Hall
2*i
oKKdON IN ih:w.
J. Kelky, the evidence heing in Iuh favor, ami no a<U*rHc olainiant ai)iH'ar-
ing. Ah Htated in his ni»lor;i of thf. Sflllftiifiit of (hrijnii, ht- wan the hrMt
to make that apjilication faniiliir to the puhlie uiimi, whiUi previonH to
liiH writings ami coireBpondenco tlie country was known as the ' Northwest
Territory,' 'Colunihia Kiver.'or 'River Oregon.' Ahont the time tliat Kelley
was lahoring to raise a compat.y for Oregon, and importuning Congress and
the cabinet menihers for aid, thfre are fre(|nent allusions to the Hul)ject in
Xili'x' IteijUfi'i; xl. 407: xli. 28 j; and xlii. 8'2 and ;188. lie, t<M>, was looking
MArKENZiE's Map.
for its origin, and says: 'Oregon, the Indian name of this river, was traceil
hy me to a large river called Orjon in Chinese Tartary, whose latituile
corresponds with that of Onyoii in America. The word Killdnnirk/i, the
name of the trihe a little south of the outlvt of the Oregon, was also traced to
11 people called Kilviuc/in, who anciently lived near the mouth of the Orjon
in Asia.' This coiueideuue, however, does not account for the nhanner in
which Carver ohtained it; for he did not ohtaiu it upon the 8lu)res of the
Pacific, hut about the head- waters of the Mississippi. Kelley, in his anxiety to
prove hi.'j assertions, states, without other evidence than a reference to the
' .Miirine Archives of Madrid, 'that Cuadra, a Spanish capbiin in the service of
the viceroy of Mexico in 1 7!>2, and who in that year was at Xootka with Captain
Vancouver of the Britisli exploring scjuadron, and captains (Iray and Ingra-
ham of the American trading fleet in the Pacific, 'called this rivcv Ori'i/on.'
The reference to a manuscript in the archives of Madrid must iiave been for
KKLLKY AM) HUMHOLDT. 98
<1i>tplay, giiico luitlier Kt'lUy imr liis rea<hTs oiilil liavo lia'l access to it
without jouriit'yinj^ acnwH tlie Atlantic, iiud it it* t'xtreiriily douUtful if he
ha<l ever Been niiythinir Mhc it; though he may have believed, in the confused
Htate of )iis intellect, that H\u-ii a fact had been coinnumiuated to him.
Ill aiiotiuT pliice he remark.s: 'After Hurveyiiig f' mouth of the Colum-
bill I Hui)ii(wed the word Ori-jini to be <if Portuguese derivation— 0)-f|/o«, a fort.
It Mecinc.i an ai(j(roi)riate name; tlie entrance of tlie river being well fortified
liy nature." He alno refers to the fact that lluinboldt speaks of ' le mot
Indian Origan,' ami says, 'Humboldt Wius a particular observer and correct
writer, and would not have called this word Indian without good authority.'
lint this is a statement a.s disiiigenuouH as the first. In referring to (iray's
Cookk's M.\p.
discovery of the Columbia River in ITO'i, TTumboldt adds a note, wherein ho
mentions a doubt thrown by Malte-Brun upon the identity of the Columbia
witli the Tncoiitchi-Teme, or Ort!i/(iii oi Mackenzie, which illustrates how far
great men may sometimes wander from the truth. Mackenzie in IT'JH, after
the discovery and naming of the Columbia, having come overland from Canada,
discovered a river, tlie Fra-ser, wliicli he hopetl and believe<l was the Columbia,
and which in iiis narrative he calls by that name, alternately using ' Tacoutche
Tesso ' and '(ireat River ' in his book; and having 'Tacoutche Tesse, or Co-
lumbia River,' engraved on his map. Hut that Mackenzie calls any river the
Origan, or Oregon, is not true.
Ifuiiiboldt's criticism on an unknown geographer, however, furnishes a key
to the manner in which a merely speculative idea became perpetuated through
a mistiike in map-engraving, when he goes on to say that he does not know
whether the Origan enters into the lake placed in 3i»" to 41' north latitude,
tir pierces the mountain chain to enter some little bay between Bodega and
Cape Orford; but that he objects to the fittempt of a geographer, ordinarily
learned and pnulent, to identify Ortf-gan with Origeii, a name which the above-
mentioned gef)grapher erroneously believes to have been placed on tiie map of
Antonio Alzate, <,'>o<j. Math, el P/ii/fiiiiiK ft Politiiiiie, toni. xv. 110-17; and
lie further explains that Alzjite had placed the words ' cuyo origen se ignora '
near tiie junction of the Oila and tiio Colorado, and that the words being
separated liy the engraver, tlie geographer whom he is criticising, not under-
24
OKKliOX IN l.s;U.
Htaniling the SpanUh language, aut\ seeing the word Origen, ami prnhahly
having read Carver's hook, jumps to the conclusion that this is the Origan,
and so represents it, to which Jlunil)olilt very properly takes exception, in
tile language so disingenuously quoteil hy Kelley. He has confounded the
•Spanish word Oriijen witli ' Ic mot Indkn Orii/fin.' But Huniholdt calls it an
Indian word because lie has Iieen so told hy Carver and those M'ho copied
him; hence his mistake; the Indian word resemhling it in the countries
explored hy Hundioldt ))eing, as .alreaily mentioned, 'huracan.' On a map
contained in ('oob''x Unirfrxitl (troi/roji/ii/, printed in London, without date,
Imt from the names upon it not existing before Vancouver's surveys, we may
infer the time o. its publication, the Columbia la represented as rising near
\PtlfNCCW flOVAlk
->ISLKHOfr
9. CllarlolU4 m,
'ing Omrgt Si
^"^%^^.
QDIVIRA
Pavnk's jVIai'.
the Mississijipi, and running nearly dut^ west to the Pacific Ocean; it is called
/fimr of till' WcM near its mouth, and /^'cc;- Oreijoii where it rises. In a
similar work by Johr. I'ayne, New York, 17SM), the River of the West ia made
to delmuch into the strait of Juan cle F\ica, while the name Oregon appears
on the heail, which is far east of the heail of the Missouri. Both are evidently
borrowed from Carver.
<!reenhow thinks the word M'as invented by Carver. He s;iys: ' Ou leav
i ig the river, Cray gave it the name of his ship, the Cobitiiliin, which it still
bjars; though attempts are made to Hx upon it that of Orc(jon, on the
.strength of accounts which Carver pretended to have collected, in J7l)(i,
iunong the Indians of the upper Mississippi, respecting a River Oregon, rising
near T,ake Superior, and e.uptying into the Strait of Anian.'
Ihus have I given in detail all that is known concerning the niime and the
naming of Oregon, from which it appears clear to my mind that tlie word
tame from Carver through Hryant and Kelley. How Carvcu- o])tained it —
whetiier with him it M'as pure Hction, vagary, caprice, or the embodiment of
a fancied soimd — we shall never kn<"v. That any natives of America c^ver em-
jiloyed the word for any purpose there is no evidence. Out of some Indian
word or words, or parts of words, perhaps. Carver made a name for that yet
inisceu river, flowing into that mystical and mythical strait «hich had been
the dream of discoverers for over two hundred years, and f<ir which they had
FUKTHEU AUrHOKITIES.
■J.i
ot ceascl t. look when hi. book was i,„l>li.she,l 'J l,„,.efo,.,. .1
the evidence vr.uM rea.U-Om/o. invent.,! hi ■ «">n.n.ng of
I"« .....norials to Cn^ros. n " ! n'-' "'T' '"' ''^' '^'^"'-'>' ^''-''^'^
it frcu the three .sonLhe.rjiv;!!" '''"""' ""'""''' ^^''^ -'"l'^-'
Jl. n,'y;., no. 101 0-7- J'^ninT t '^'''^ ^^"''■' ■'^^' Con.,., 3d 8,...,
7'm«.. 0.,/o. Plon^n- jJr^^'I^l '"-"'• ■\''"''- /->''. MS.. 15-11,;
-■" ^'"n.n, Aug. 7 /sri. /;w,/f '■""""■'' '"""•"'///- i- 70: r./Z/br-
^"""•'/, Aug. 20, 1874, IW. R. R. R,^„,t i ', 'v^"' ,f '"• ^"^''"« C''-"
Tnu to ore,o,, 170; si:';;':! if'-^-^^r';;: rru''" ''-"' ^""
Mn.yhy\. Onyon ])!r., 187-^ so- V a^ ' ' ^^"jl'Onl . ]\ orhl, v. {,10;
PM
MM
If
m
CHAPTER II.
LIFP: AT FOIir VANCOUVER.
1825- I S4().
MARRIAr.F, ReLATTONS — FiDKT.lTY- S(>( I.\l, CONDITIONS — MrLotTOHMX —
Douglas — Pei .^k Skken <}<ii)EN — ERMATiN(i kk — Thomas McKay-
Duncan FlNLAYSON — GaIRDNER AND T0I.MIE— PaMBRIN— McKlNLAY—
Bi.At'K — Rae — \r(L(jr(iiiLJN Junior — Lewks — Dunn — Roberts — Bar-
uiwW — Mansox — McLeou — BiRNiE, (^RANT, MiBean, McDonald, Max-
well, Ballenukx, axd McTavish — Patriots and Liberals — Aititudk
toward the Settleus — The Blessed Beavers.
So long and so conspicuously before the world stood
the metropolitan post of the Pacific, so unique was
its position, and so mighty its influence on the settle-
ment and (Hcui)ation of Oregon, that although I have
often briery rioticed the place and its occupants, a
ch)ser scrutinv, and furtlier familiarity with its inner
hfe and tlie characters of its occupants, seem not
undesirable or uninteresting at this juncture.
Up to August I 8.'}(), Fort A'^ancouver was a baclielor
establisliment in character and feeling, if not in fact.
The native women who hehl the relation of wives to
the officers of tin; cc.npany were in no sense equal
to their station; and this feature of domestic life in
( )regoM was not a ]>leasing one. It was with the com-
panv a matter of business, but with the individuals it
was something different. To l)e forever debnrred from
the society of intelligent women of their own race;
to become the fathers of half-l)reed children, with no
prosjK'ct of transriiitting their names to })osterity with
increasing dignity, as is every i ight-minded man's de-
sire ; to accunudate fortunes to be devoted to anvthing
(2f.)
MMVES AND CHILKKEN.
27
Imt t'iin()V)l(Mn<'nt — sucli was the ])rosent life and tlie
visible future of these oeutlenieii. The coimeetion was
so evidently and purely a husinesb .le that, as I have
before stated, the native wives and children were ex-
cluded from the officers' table, and from social inter-
(M)urse with visitors, livinij^ retired in apartments of
th. 1 ■ own, and keepin<i;" separate tables/
>Jot to be dtij^raded by conditions so anomalous pre-
su]>poses a character of more than ordinary strength
and loftiness; and this, a close scrutiny of the lives
of the ])rincipal officers of the company in Oregon
will show. But if there was ])rescnt no higher motive,
' 'i 111' fiiinilics lived separate ami in private entirely. ( ientlenien who came
tratling to the fort ni^ver saw the family. ' We never saw anyl)o<ly.' Ifonri/'.t
l.i/i' of Mrl,oiii;liliii, MS., 13. '1 he stiitemeiit of Mrs Eloi.se MeLoughlin
Kae Harvey ')■•.:! been of j,M-eat use in (leterinininj,' many points of the history
of those early times. Jioss Cox, in his gf)ssipy hook, Ai/nntiiri'M on tin'
I 'oliiiiiliiii l}'ni'i\ v.. 'M',\ A, says: ' 'I he half-hreed women are excellent wives
and mothers, and instances of improper conduct are lare among them. 'I hey
are very expert at tlie needle, and make coats, trousers, vests, gowns, shirts,
shoes, etc., in a manner that would astonish our Knglish fashioners. 'I hey
are kept in great s>d)j<'ction liy tlieir respective lords, to whom they are slav-
isiily suhniissive. I hey an; not allowed to sit at the same tahle, or indeed at
any tahle, for they still continue the .savage fashion of s(|uattingon the ground
at their meals, at which their lingers supply the place of forks. 'J he propri-
etors generally send their .sons to Canada or Kngland for eihication. 'Ihey
liave a wonderfid aptitmlc for learning, and in a slii>rt time attain a facility
in writing and speaking iioth French and Knglish that is quite astoni.shing.
'Iheir manners are naturally and iinaflectedly polite, and their conversation
ilisplays a degree of pure, easy, yet ini])a.s.''ioned ehxpu'ncc! seldom heanl in
the most refined societies.' '1 his is a soinewliat snjierticial view. 'Ihe quick-
ness in the chililreii is true euo\igh, hut the paternal name soon disappears,
'i'lie daughters often marry whites, the sons .seldom. Saya another writer:
' Many of tli<^ officers of tlie company marry half-hreed women. 'I hese dis-
charge their several duties of wif-, .Mid mother with fidelity, cleverness, and
attention. They are in general go id hoiisowives; and are remarkalily ingenious
as iicedle-women. Many of them, hesides possessing a knowledge of English,
speak Frendi correctly, and possess other accomplishments; and they some-
times atteiiil their husliands on tiieir distant and tedious journeys and voyages.
I hese half-lireed women are of a superior class, lieing the daughters of chii'f
traders and tactors, and other persons high in tiie comiianys service, liy In-
ilian women, of a su[ierior desctiiit or of siiperi" .crsonal attractions. 'Ihough
tiiey generally dress after tln^ English fashion, according as they see it used
l>y tht^ English wives of the superior odicers, yet tlu^y I'etain one peculiarity
tlu^ leggiu or gaiter, which is niai^.e, now that the tanned deerskin has been
superseiled, ot thi' liiiest and most gau-' \ 'oloreil cloth, heantifuUy ornamented
with heads.' /)iiiiii'x Orri/on Tnrifnn/, 147 S. 'I his seems to he iin eivst(>ru
view jiresented .second-hand hy tiie author. Heforo l.S4'J or IStlJ tiiere was
not a white \\ife of a Hudson's Hay officer in Oregon to he imitated. Aliout
that time (Jeorge H. KohiTts, who had lieen on a visit to Englanil, hrought to
Fort Vancouver the only white woman evtr at homo witiiin its walls. She
diecl in IH.'iO at tlie Cowlitz farm.
28
LIl'K AT KOIIT VANCOUVKU.
III!
tlu'V were eonipelled to a lite of eouiparative viitiui
by way of exnmple to their subordinates. He who
respected not liis own marriage rehitions, or those of
others, must suffer for it, eitlier l)y incurring tlie
wratli of the c-ompany," or the vengeance of tlie na-
tives, or both. Licentiousness could not be tolerated,
and this was one reason why, with so many discordant
elements in the service, such ])erfect ordi^r was main-
tained. And this discipline was as rigidly enforced
outside the fort as within it.'*
Notwithstanding the conjugal n^lations here de-
scribed, society at Fort Vancouver end)raced many
happy elements, and nund)ered among its mend)ers
men who would have graced a court.
Fonnnost among these, we may be suri', was John
McLoughlin, always a pleasing character to contem-
])late. On the consolidation of the Northwest and
Hudson's Bay fur companies, he had l)een sent to
•^ There is a story iu Cox's Coliimlmi Plii'r, .345, in which is given au iii-
utauce of the seduction by one trader of another's wife; Imt it resulted in
the seducer quitting tlie company's service, anil the discarding of the unfaith-
fid niistresy. Cox also tells us that wlien a trader wislied to separate from
his Indian wife ]ie generally allf)wed her an aniuiity, or married her comfort-
ably to one of tlie voyageurs, who for a dowry was glad to becouie tlse 1ms-
l»and of III <l<niif il'iiii hoiiriji-oii. A retired partner, thus disend)arrassoil, on
arriving in Canada was soon an object of inti'rest to the ladies of Montreal
and (jhiebec, where he was met by numiTous hosjiitable invitations, and
wluire, in slior„, he soon was able to marry a wife to his taste. More often,
liowever, vhen the period h.o had fixed upon for quitting the Indian country
ari'ives, he finds the woman who had been for many yeai's a faithful partner
cannot in a moinent be whistled ofl' and ' let down the wiml to prey at fortune."
Children have grown up about him; the jiatural att'ectioii of the father de-
spises the laws of civilized society, the patriot sinks in the parent, and in
most cases the temp(;rary Unison ends in a permanent union. See JIUt. Nortli-
vest Coaxt, arid J list. Hrif. Col., this series.
■' In the spring a clerk who understood the country would go with the
trvppers, and ^.■hatevcr that clerk said, the others had to do. They wi're all
free, but at the .same time they had to conu^ iiiider the control of that one
man. Ihey had their by-laws, which were enforced. ' If tiiey did anyihitig
wrong, it was reported to the company, and they wouhl br punished aeeord-
iiigly. 'Ihey all had Imliiin wiimen, never more than one. Old I'octor Mc-
Loughlin would hung them if they had more than one.' Mottliim'n /'ij'iii/<(',
MS., 17. Saint-.Vuiant asserted thai tne coinp.my's jioliey of reidmpensing
ag.mts without iuii)osing sacriliees, of maintaining the Imlians in absolute
dependence with tile aid of tiie Ci'.nadians, and of errating more eonsuiners.
eau.sed tiieni to fa\(ir marriages <.f subalterns, especially those wlio hud some
n;eans, with Indians, ami to grant tlieni lauds along the Willamette, Cowlitz,
and Nisqually,
JOHN .M( I»U<;JIM.V.
•29
III-
.1 ill
ifaitli-
roiii
'ort-
huti-
OII
real
Jim I
iitry
■tiii'V
iiiio.'
(k-
! ill
•trtii -
till'
all
OIU'
liiiK
Mug
luti'
rrs.
line
litz,
tt^
Oivadii as fliiet' factor and virtual yovcruor of the
irreat Xoj'tliwost. He was Ixd-ii in tlie citv of Que-
bee, of Irisli parentage/ in 1 784, and educated in
Paris foi' the profession of niedieine. He fiiterctl the
Xorthwest (onijiany at an early age, and \vliile in
their service was stationed at several jjosts, and finally
at Fort Frances, on ]jake of the Woods, fi-oni which
station he was transferred in IH"J4 to the ( 'ohnnhia
River.
Finding Fort George unsuitable for a })ennanent
cstablislnnent, .such as he desired, he founded Fort
Vancouver in 1824-5, leaving the okl jjost at the
mouth of the river in charge of Donald Mansion. The
selection of the new site was fortunate; prosperity
reigneil, and the days at Fort A'ancouver were of the
])leasantest in the early amials of the Northwest
('oast. Here he lield sway for many years, absolute
monarcli of the district of the Columbia, comprising all
the Hudson's Bay trap])ing-groun(ls west of the liocky
Mountains, antl extending as far south and north as
the trapping parties ventured to j)enetrate.'
Of McLoughlin's ])ersonal appearance almost every
visitor who came to Fort Vancouvei- has left a sketcli.
All agree in r-epresenting liim as of couMnanding
])resence, paitly the effect of a tall, well-foinied ])cr-
son, somewhat inclined to stoutness, flowing whiter
hair, and a benevolent ex})ression of countenance.
He seems to liave become gray early in life, for lie
was onlv thii'ty-nine when he came to Oreiron. To
'Sec ///.<^ lirit. Col., chiip. xvii., this si-ries. Ifowison, Rept. on Comt, \'2,
afiinns that McLoughli" io i f Irish parentage; aii<l Je«so Applegato, in liis
\"kii:s of ICytori/, MS., 27, saj s tile name; hut (icorge '1'. Alkii, wh.i was tor
many years at Fort Vaiicimvei and siioiilil lie good authority on this (loint,
says ho was Seoteh. ' I am not i ure but liis grand latlier cniigratid to ( 'aiiada.
'Ihedoetor, thougli a true Cuiiadiaii, used to tell ^iiieechites of ohl Scothiiid,
possil.ly fllrlli^'hed hy his graudfathcr. One I renieinher, of a certiiin iligli-
land elm f win. wa.s in the hahit oi eiurviiig a v "ow cane, ami of druniiiii^ig
the unwilling of his ehui to eh.ireh with it, s., that the faith of that trdie
eaiiie^to he edled the religion of the ydlow stiek.' Alla,i\i /.V»i(«wff«<y<.,
•'NleLoughlin was failed ' governor hy courtesy, hut he had no right to
the title. Sir dohii H. I'ell.v was the governor in Kngland, and Sir (Jeorgc
Simpson the resident governor, /,'ot«ris /,Wolltrthii.<, .MS., 78.
30 LIKK AT FOIIT VANCOUVER.
this fine personal a})poaraii('e lie added courtly man-
ners, an<l ij^reat ali'aUilitv in conversation. With the
air of one nionarcii-ljorn, he was fitted to govern men
both hy awe and love. Such was the autocrat of the
Columbia when he first became known to American
traders, missiona) ies, and settlers. White men and
led alike revered him."
He prevented wars, upheld rii^ht and justice, and
ruled with a strong, firm hand. Perha])s there is no
more difticult office to fill than tliat of sole arbiter,
not onlv bv reason of the immerous cares atteiidini*; it,
but becausti tlie struggle of a single will to maintain
the mastery of the many recjuires a great expenditure
of mental force. Absolute monarchs must be strict
disciplinarians; to relax in the ieast is to encourage a
freedom fatal to tlieir infiueiicc. McLougldin ])os-
sessed and acted or tliis knowledoe; and like other
potentates, acquired a certain (juickness of tianper
that made him the terror of evil-doers, from the
trader to the ploughboy."
This unlimited power carried with it imlimiti'd
responsibility, and placed McLoughliu in very deli-
cate pt)sitions, not alone with regard to his business
with the comiianv,'^ but also in dealino's with and treat-
ment of tliose who had no connection with the eom-
j)aiiy, and es})ecially Americans, witli whom, on account
of the i)olitical situation of the Oreiifon Territorv, he
*Ho ix thus spoken of iiiauy years lator l)y aii American settler in Oregon:
' McLouglilin was one of nature's nol)lenien. He was six feet six or seven
iaelies in heiglit, and his locks were long and white. He used to wear a large
blue cloak tlirown around hiui. You can iniagiae a man of that sort — a most
heautiful picture. See him walking down to his church Sunday morning —
it was really a sight.' C/uk I trick's J'li/ilir IIccoiiIh, MS., 4,. 5; Jhtrnii'x L'lJ'i
of MrfAmijIiU'i, MS., o, G. See also J/isf. lirit. Col., cliap. xvii., this series.
'' J/iim'if'.s Lift' oj' JfrLniiij/iliii, MS., 1()-18. '1 may mention tiiat a young
American gentleman, Mr Dwigiit, of Salem, Mass., having come across the
jilains, liad been rather impo.scd upon hy the comj)any's agent then at Fort
Hall, having had to leave his rille for provisions supiilied liini tliere, and com-
jdaiued, or ratlier s[ioke ot tiie matter to me, tlien at tlie Sundwieli Islands. I
wrote and explained tlie case to McLougldin, who innnediately sent orders to
Fort Hall and had the rifle forwarded to Mr Dwight free oi all cliarge. 1
!iad the pleasure of returinng it to liini.' Allmi's licwinitirfiircs, MS., JO, 11.
* ' McLougldin was a stout, hearty man, and very deternnnud in character.
Even the directory in London eoidd not well control him: lie would have his
own wav.' Fiiilit)iso)i'.i )'. /., MS,. 70.
JAMES 1)()U<;LAS.
31
egon:
poveu
large
llllOHt
|"g—
tries.
the
iFort
I
was (ispt'cially careful to be in friendly relations, as
well for the honor of the company as from a nice
sense of justice. Yet it will 1)("! seen that he dared to
discriminate, as in the cases of Kelley and Young.
His liberality of sentiment and freedom from secta-
rian j)rejudices w ere proofs ecjually of a noble nature
and a cultivated mind,' and his energy and genial
dis})<)sition placed liini foremost in every good work.
I miglit have some doul)ts as to the [)ropriety of
attributing so many high qualities to a single character,
were it not that every authority I turn to — and they
are mnnerous — bears me out in it, and compels me
to record some small ])ortion of the almost universal
j)raise. McJ^oughlin tlid not always ])lease, but in the
end most ])eople came to say with Finlayson, "By
the light of maturer years, and considering the eir-
cunntances under which he was ])laced, I cannot but
express my utmost admiration of his character."
While McLouglilin was at Fort William, on Lake
Superior, James Douglas, a youth of seventeen, was
sent there from Scotland, and placed in the service of
the company. McLoughlin was to him as an elder
brothel-. For years they were C(mstantly associated.'"
Tall like McLoughlin, but unlike the doctor he
was dark and grave, as was the Black Douglas, the
strongest pillar of the Scottish throne. Unlike the
doctor, too. I'.e was not (piick or enthusiastic, but
painstaking, cool, methodical, and resolute. His man-
ners were by some thought pom])()Us; but courtly
beai'ing," in a man of his size and gravity of dej)ort-
ment, nmst partake somewhat of })omp. I think hf
* He wa.s .ibove proselyting. Ho was liroad in liis views. 'A man, dying,
left him lii.s daughter to l">ring up; the fatlier being a I'rotestant, McLoughlin
would not put the daughter to a Catholic school, so conseiontioiis was lie.'
Ap}ili'(i(i/r'.t I ■/>(/>■, MS., 14.
'"See Hi/it. lirit. Vol., chap, xvii., this .series.
" ' I have ofte!i smiled at Dougla-s' l)ehavior to people, honest perhaps,
liut rough, who had not been accustomed to show much outward respect to
any one; lii.s excessive politeness would e.xtort a little, in that way, from
tl.eni.' /'ol>('rf.i' Ii'ecolli'clioiis, MS., 17.
32 LIFE AT FUUT VANCOUVKU.
inipressed all tlie early settlers of Oreijon as heinj;
much less approaehahle than the dootoi', Avhile at thi^
same time they could but admire his bearing toward
them.'"'
Next in rank at Fort A^aneouver was Peter Skeen
Ogden, son of Chief Justice Ogden of Quebec. His
father had been a loyalist, in early tunes, in New
York, and had emigrated to Canada. Young Ogden
was for a short time in the service of Mr Astor, and
later of the Northwest Company, from which he was
transferred to the Hudson's Bay Company. He had
been active in establishing posts and negotiating com-
mercial relations with Indian tribes. In one of his
expeditions he discovered the Humboldt River.'* Og-
den was a contrast in every way to McLoughlin and
Douglas, being short, dark-skinned, and rather rough
in his manner, but lively and v, Itty, and a favorite
with everybody." He died at Oregon City in 1854,
aged sixtv years.^''
Frank Ermatinger was another pc^rson of note at
Vancouver; a stout Englishman, jovial and com-
panionable, but rather too much given to strong
drink. He was a successful trader, and was sent out
to compete with the American fur companies in the
Flathead and Nez Perce countries. Afterward, when
Oregon City had been established, he took charge of
the com})any's business there, and figured a little in
American affairs, being nuich esteemed l)y the set-
'■* ' Douglas would not flatter you. .McLougliliu w;is uioro free aiul vaay
tliail lie. Hi! was a man borii to comuiaiid; a martial fellow. Jf"' never gave
au evasive answer; he was a gentleman, too.' Wtili/o'i Critiijm.'y, .MS., 11.
^■'Ai>i>k';i<if,:'.i Vkir.^, MS., 13.
'^ He carrieil his lo\ i: of fuu and frolie to groat lengths. ' One of his trieUs
played at home was, as I liave ofteu heen told — and played too ou his own
mother — to sentl notes to all the midwivcs in (^ueliee, asking them to repair
to the house of .Mrs Ogden at a eertiiiu liour, greatly, of course, to the aston-
isiunent and indignation of that lady.' A linn's Rcnihiisccnroi, MS., l).
'•^ There is au anecdote, told l>y au eye-witness, of Ogden's Indian wife, to
tlie effect tliat wlieu the Hudson's Hay and American companies were com-
peting in the mountains, riding into tiie enemy's camp to recover a pack-animal
loaded with furs, the gallantry of the American trappers permitted her to
recapture the pack. Tlie Indian women were very useful to the traders in
many ways.
lAtTOKs, tiiai>j:j{s, and CLKJJKS.
Xi
tiers. Allan, a brother rlork, stiys he was soiiKitiiiies
styled J-}ar(l()]i)]i at the fort, fVoiii tlie color and size of
Ills nose; tliat hv, was fond of taikinin', and would
aildress liiniself to tlie governor in all liuniors when
others stood aloof, bearding; the lion in his den, as the
clejks called it, and beiin'' met sometimes with it
^rowl. "Frank," said the governor, "does nothing
i)ut bow, wow, wow!""*
One of the most noted storv-tellers of the bach-
elor's hall was Thomas McKa}^ a step-son of Mc-
LougJilin- — for the doctor's wife was an Ojibway
woman, formerly the wife of Alexander McKay, who
was lost on the ToDquin. Thomas McKay acquired
a reputation for daring which matle him the terror
of the Indians. Townsend, who met him at Fort
Vancouver, said he often spoke (»f the death of Ids
father with the bitter animosity and love of ven-
geance inherited from his Indian mother; and that
he declared he would yet be known on this coast as
the avenjjfer of blood. But had he been in truth so
hloody-minded he could hardly have been so success-
ful a trader. He was undoubtedly brave, antl led
many a trailing jwrty into the dreaded Blackfoot
country ; and was accustomed to anmse the clerks at
Fort Aumccmver with his wonderful adventures. In
telling a story, says Allan, he invariably commenced,
"It rained, it rained; and it blew, it blew" — often
throwing in by way of climax, "and, my God, how it
did snow!" (|uite regardless of the unities.
McKay was tall, dark, and powerful in appearance,
and often Strang-^ in his deportment. Perhai)s the
tragical fate of hih father had impressed him, as well
as the recollection that in iiis own veins ran savatjfe
blood. His first wife was a Chinook, the mother of
William McKay of Pendleton, who was brouglit uj)
'* Enncatinger married a Miss Sinclair, a relative of Doctor McLoughliii's
wife. He was rather too intimate witli the doctor to suit Sir (leorge Simpson.
He went home to England on a visit, and, to annoy the doctor, Simi)son pre-
vented his return to Oregon, where he ha<l left a joung wife, and ordered him
to he stationed at Red River. IMicrt.i I'ecolkctioii^. MS., '2.
Hist. Oh., Vcu,. I. 3
:;4
LIFE AT FOKT \'AX(.OUVEU.
tf
in McLouglilin's houseliold, and afterward sent to the
oast to be educated. His second wife, the niotlier of
the famous scout, Donald McKay, half-brother ot
William McKay, \va8 a half-breed daughter of Mon-
toure, a confidential clerk of the company. They
were married at Vancouver by Blanchet.*'
Duncan Finlaysc^n, one of the many Scotchmen in
the company's service, came; to Fort Vancouver in
1 8 'H, remaining there until 18.'J7. It is believed by
those who know best that the council in London wei-c
for some reason dissatisfied with McLoughlin's man-
agement, and sent out Finlayson to keep an eye on him.
He had no direct charge, yet was consulted on all
j)oint8 by the head of the department. Matters of
this kind were kept close at Fort Vancouver. By
the light of subsequent events, however, it seems
probable that the London council were dissatisfied
with the invasion of the territory west of the Rocky
Mountains by the American companies, and desired
more vigorous opposition. Hut McLoughlin, however
irritated, was too just to visit his anger upon the com-
j)any's agent, wlio remained at Fort Vancouver on
the most amicable terms with its governor.
Previous to 1833 there had been no physician at
Fort Vancouver, except Doctor McLouglilin, who,
through the epidemic of 1830 and the several seasons
of fever that followed, suti'ered nmch fatigue from
care of the sick, and nmch annoyance from tlie inter-
ruption of his business. In 1833 two young surgeons
came out from Scotland, Gairdner and Tolmie. The}'
had for their patron Sir William Hooker. Gairdner
Jiad been studying under the celebrated Ehrenberg.
He was surj^eon at Fort Vancouver from 1833 to
1835, but being troubled with hemorrhage of the
lungs, went to the Hawaiian Islands in the autumn
of the latter year, where he died. Being a young-
man of high attainments, his death was much de-
•'Or. Skrt<-h,<, MS., 21; Noberfs h'lroUi'CtloH-^ MS., 03.
w
OKNTLEMEX SUBOKDINATKS.
:«5
II at
who,
i,soiis
Toni
itei-
eons:
liey
Iner
erg.
5 to
the
linn
luno-
de-
M
|»loied. Dr CJairdner made a study of tlio sahnon of
the Columbia Kiver, and his authority o^i their liabits
is still hijjfh.
William Frazer Tolmie, his associate, was from the
University of Glas<ifow, and made botany a stmly.
He had been at Fort Yaneouver but a few months
when he was assigned to tlie post on Millbank Soun<'
Returning to Fort Vancouver in 18:H), lie served in
the medical department for stn'eral years.
Thus we see that there was no lack of good society
at Fort A'ancouver. Besides the residents, there were
many gentlemen scattered ovci- the country at the
dilieVent posts, and in the field as traders, leading-
trapping parties, and carrying on connnercial warfare
with tiie American companies, and usually getting
the better of them, owing to a superior organization
and a better (jualit^ of goods.
Prominent among tlie cViief clerks who had charge
of posts in the Ulterior was Pierre C. Painbrun, for
several years in charge of Fort Walla Walla, where
he dispensed hospitality with a free hand.'*'
Archibald McKinlay, who succeeded Pambrun at
Walla Walla, was another Scotchman who had been
in the service of the Northwest Com})any. Genial
and stout-hearted,*" he was a worthy successor of th(>
favorite Pambrun, and the friend and ally afterward
of the American missionaries in tlie upper country.
He possessed that very necessary acquirement in an
Indian countrv, knowledge of the native character.""
'■'' Mr Paiultrun was of Freudi (.'aiiadian origin, ami wius foniiL-rly a lieu
tenant in the I'oltit/i'iirH ('(inndkn.t. His wife was a native woman, l)y wliom
lie liail several children. One of liia daughters was married to l>r Barclay, of
the Hudson's Bay Company, in IS.SS, at the same time that her father was
formally married to her inotlier. l'aird)ruu died in 1M40, from bruises received
in a fall from his horse, occasioned hy the slipping of tiie giii<liiig-rope from
the mouth of the animal, which thereupon became uumana.geahlo and ran away
with iuni. lildtic/ie/'n Ctit/i. Church in Or., 47; Lfe and Fro.i('n (Jr., 215; Faru-
h(im'/i Traveln to (he Rockij Mounfnin.'i, 155.
'• He was a tall, fair, sandy -complexioned Highlander, weighing two hun-
ilred pounds, sociable, civil, clever, and a man of some intellect; a very lively,
active, sharp Scotchman. J/aw' Pioneer Tiniex, MS., 'M.
"See //?V. Northwest C'oaw<, this series, passim; MrKinlay's Nnrratiw,
MS., 9-12; (>/■. SpecMtor, Aug. 5, 1847; I'irtor's Hirer of the M'est, 31.
'M
LII'K A I I'OKT VAN<UIVKK.
I Jiin jiwaro that it was a coimnoii Ix'licf aiii(>ii<x
tlu! t'arly scttlcrH, lurausi! tlio Hudson's Hay people
were less tVeijUeiitly attacked than (»tlieis, tliat they
eiij()ye(l iimnuiiity; hut such was not tlio caso.''
Nothing' l)ut their uiiiroriii just treatment, and the
firnniess and intrepidity of the leach'rs and officers in
charuje, ))reserved tliis appan>nt se<'ur'ity. ivxcept in
thi; vicinity of Fort Vancouver, or aniontjf the (hseased
and wasted tril)es of tlie Wilhmiette and (\ihunbia
valleys, tlu-n^ needed to he exercised sleepless vijj^i-
lance, and a scrui)ulous reiifard to the sujH'rstitions of
the (liH'erent tribes.
( 'hief Factor Samuel Black, in chai'n^e of Fort Kam-
loop at the junction of Fraser and '^rhomi)son rivers,
was a great favorite, antl many were the stories told
of him." His nuu-der by one of the fort Indiiins
shows that, though he had l;ei'n among them many
years, he was no more safe from tiieir fury or super-
stition than were others."^
William (jrlen Hnc, a large, handsome man, educated
at Ediuburgli, was a native of the Orkney Islands.
From IH.'U to I8;}7 he was emi)loye(l as trader at the
dirt'erent posts, and was then appointed head clerk at
Fort A^ancouver. In I HoS luMuarried Maria Eloiso,
daughter of J)r McLoughlin, soon after which he was
ap})()inted chief trailer, antl sent to Stikeen Kiver in
IH40 to receive from the Russians their fort at that
})lace, leased to the Hudson's Bay Company. He left
the po.st at Stikeen in cliarge of John McJjoughlin,
son of ])r McLoughlin and brother of his wife. In
1841 he was sent to California to take charge «;f the
-' Tradorn of iiitorior j)o«ts were in constant (liin<,'cr of Tinliaii attacks
(hily a few men could bo ke))t at eaeli post, and the Indians at times were dis-
contented. Wliou in want of provisions they cfmld not get, they would become
I lesperate and easily excited, liitniclt'x Ricollir/ioii", M.S., i. 1J2.
'■'■^Sec }/int. Xortliiir.it Count, passim, this series. Black was an odditv. He
iiad a ring presented him at the coalition of the Northwest and Hudson'^s Bay
companies, engraved, ' To the most worthy of the worthy Northwesters. '
Bolivrts Jierollectioii.% M.S., !).
'" MrKi)iltii/'n Nar., MS., 13, 14; SiinpnoHH Nnr., i. IT)?; h'obcrtu'' lieroUa--
lion.", M.S., 10; ToiV.'^ NcwCnleilonh, MS., 13-19.
Ft'HTHEK CHARAtTEUlSTICS.
a;
vij^n-
loatod
aiuls.
it tlu'
ik at
loise,
was
er in
that
e left
lilin,
11
10
T
tJ
ktaoks
. Ho
iBay
sters.'
leollri:
foinpuny s l)usiiio.ss, wliidi c(»iitimu'(l uiidor liis nian-
uircnifiit until his death hy hi.s own hand in IH4(>.**
John MeLouglilin. junic .-, second son of Dr Mc-
Jioughlin, was hut a young man to bo placed in charge
of a fort, and appears to liavo hoon in no way worthy
of the name he horo. About a year after Mr liao left
him at Stikeen. he was murdered by his own men,
Canadians and. kanakas. An account of the affair is
given in the History of Uie North wed Coast One who
kne,v him <'alled him too y<»ung and hot-headed for
such service ; but there is reason to think that he
brought about his own death by his debaucheries.'^''
JSir (leoige Simpson, who investigated the nmrder,
treated it in such a way as to incur the life-long dis-
pleasure of Dr McLouglilin. This, however, was not
the only cause for ofi'ence,'" a tacit disagreement having
existed for at least ten years between the resident gov-
ernor of the Hudson's Bay Ccmipany and the 'emperor
of the west.' Sir George was of humble though re-
spectable origin, a Scottish family of Caithness, and his
father was a schoohaiaster. He was in the possession
of no personal qualities that could awe McLoughlin.
-* Mrs Uai; had tliree children when .she returned to Oregon on the death
of her husl>and, a sou and two daugliters. '1 lie sou inherited a largo property
in the Orkney Islands, but died early. The daughters became Mrs Theodore
Wygaiit and Mrs Joseph Myriek of Portland. Mrs llae was married again
to Daniel Harvey of Oregon City, who wiis in charge of McLoughlin 's mills at
that place, and by whom she had two sons, Daniel and Janies, both becoming
residents of Portland. Noherts' liec, Mii.,'24, f)7; Harvey's Li/e of McLough-
lin, MS., passim.
'^•' l)octor MuLoughlin hatl three sons; the eldest, Joseph, was uneducated.
He settled at the mouth of the Yamhill River, and died there. His widow, who
was a daughter of Mr McMillan of the Hudson's Bay Company, in early
Astoria days marrieil Etienne t irt^goire, a French settler. David McLoughlin,
the younger son, was sent to Paris and London for education, and was some
time at Addiseoinbe, where young men are trained for the East India Com
pany. He returned to Oregon, spent his inheritance, and became a resident
of Montana.
■^" ' I don't know how the feud between the doctor and Sir George originated.
The doctor was "at outs," I think in 1831, and threatened to retire; and Dun-
can Finlayson, who afterwards married a sister of Lady Simpson, and cousin
of Sir George, came to supersede him. The doctor did not leave for England
till March 18H8, and returned still in the employ of the company. It wa.s
said that Sir G'.'orge had prei)are<l the governor and committee to give the
doctor a " wiiigging, " but that when he came into their presence his fine
matily appearance and bearing was such that they had no heart for the fight.'
Roberts' Recollections, MS., 22-3.
I
rw
38
LiFE AT FOKT VANCOUVEK.
I
il I
The fop of the Columbia district was John Loo
Lewes, an old Northwester, who after having been
many years at the several northern posts was placed
in charge of the district of McKenzie River, and
afterward at Fort Colville. He was a man of fine per-
sonal appearance, and possessed many good qualities.
He had the misfoi'tuni! to lose his right hand by the
accidental discliarge of a gun. When he retired from
the service in 184G he proceeded to Australia with
the intention of remaining there ; but habit was too
strong upon him, and he returned and took up his
abode at Red River. '^^ A son of Mr Lewes was the
first representative from Vancouver county when
Oregon territory was organized.
John Dunn, who wrote a book on Qyogon made up
])artly from his own observations but more largely
ffx/m those of others, was
in
charge
of I'ort Mc-
Loughlin, cm Milbank Sound, in 1830; but later ho
was at Fort George on the Columbia, where he re-
mained till about 1840. Dunn was one of two young
naval apprentices sent out in the ship (ianymede in
1830. George B. Roberts of Cathlamot was the
other. This latter gentleman was for many years
clerk at Fort Vancouver, being cognizant of a long
series of interestinii' events. His Reconvictions in man-
uscript, from whicli T have made so many extracts,
has proved very valuable to me."^
" Aiiilermnx Hist. Xorf/mr.st CouM, M.S., 8,'5-C.
■'"Roberts li.us, by recjui^st, fiirnishcil his own biographical aketch. It is,
like all Ilia writiuga, rich 'ii incident ami allu.sioii, and though not written
with the expectation that ii woidd bo inserted verbatim in thi.n lii.story, there
can be no objection to the follnwing (piotation: ' I oajj born at Ahlborou;,'h in
••^uiiolk, east coa.st of England, lifty niilea or ho rortli of the Thainevi, Khh of
December 1815, tlie birthplace of the poet ( 'rabbi. Throuij;li the kind intfrcst
of Sir Edward Beriy, Nelson's llag-ca))tain at the Vile, to wliom Nelson s dd of
the French iw the lleet entered Aliouki;- Jiay, "Count 'em. Sir Kd'ard,".SV,(</(t7/'rt
hij'f nf Nilsoii, I was admitted to the (i.'cenwich Royal Naval Scho-..i at the
age of between eleven and twelve, on tie 30th of August '27, where I rc-
inaineil till .'M of November 1830, and wat^ then with several others bound
apprentices for seven years to the Hudson's Bay (.'onipany's naval service, and
sailed from London on the 11th of November 1830 in the )>ark <t<i.i>i/t,it(/i'.
Captain Charles Kissling. She wa.s only 213 tons, had a crew of l\0, carried
6 cannonades in the waist, ami was for all Indian purposes a safe sh'p. 'Iho
small si/t was owing to the diflieulties and dangers of the Columbia, th -i
'jcing no charts, buoys, or pilots in those days. Wc arrive! at the Columbia
li
SOME WRITEllS.
31)
loin^
It is,
rittfu
there
III {h in
l(hh of
rest
!iiu (tf
i/lmi/'n
lit the
I re-
|)l)UIl(l
ami
lirrioil
'Uio
Ith' "i
Biiilna
■•5lj
Alexanflor Caullield Anderson was born at Cal-
cutta in India, in 1814, and educated in England.
At about twenty years of age lie entered the service
of the Hudson's Bay Cor.ipany on the Northwest
Coast, but was not so much at Fort Vancouver as
north of tliat fort. Fr.Mu his inanuscri})t Hiskmj of
Ihe XortJnrcst C(ia4 much valuable and interesting
matter has been obtained.
Doctor Forbes Barclay came to Ore,.;<':i in the ser-
vice of the coiupany in 1839, and remained at Fort
Vancouver till 1850, when he became a resident of
Oregon City Mid a natui-alized Amei'ican citizen.
Barclay was a native of the Shetland Islands, and
was born on (^hristmas-day, 1812. While but a lad
after calling at the S. Islaiuls, ahout Augus^i Ist. The iipjjrentices were traiis-
lerri'l t*i the Cudhoro, for tho c«ii«t — lint all hands were ill with the ague (wo
calk'il it). We Iiatl to go into tt^iits in Baker'.s Hay. I was the last to fall ill,
aufl w;is sent to Fort < reorge when tlie ship sailed for the Nortliwest Coast. I
went to Vaiicoiivor in t'ulpruary and assisted Douglas (Sir .lames), wlio was
then a clerk on DICK) a year. When the expedition to tlu! Stikeen was fitted
out in "M 1 apiplied to join my seliool-mates, 1)ut oji the return of the exix^li
tion, in the winter of "34-3."), 1 ha<l ha<l enough of the sea, and resumeil my
former hcrth, thougli for one y(-ar I kept tl.e school of some oO Indian ehil-
ilren — it must have licen after S. II. Smith ran oti' witli our old liaker's Indian
wife. I was then employed 'ii the otlico and stows till Or Mel^oiighlin's de-
parture for I'higland, wlien l>(iuglas assumed charge, and took me for aid
Mistead of Mr Allan to oversee the men. We )iad ahout 1(H) to !.")(), sometimes
'-MM), and I w;us the overseer. I eontinueil in tliis witll tlu; exceptions of a.
month or two at C'im litz farm in '.'?',(, Oregon ( 'ity in '40, and ( 'lianipotig in '4'2.
I left tliat seiison, Novemlier '4'J. for Mngland, with < 'aptain McNeill, as a pas-
senger of course. Tlie doctoi an • Douglas, then the hoard of niaiiagemeiit,
reatl tome tlieir puhlic lettei eomim cling me to the governor and comnnttee,
and tluniglitfully i.sking them ti > allow me to return if I was so disposed,
lireaking the rule of the M-rvice in my ease — generally there was no return to
t.lio service. We leaeliea '.ondoti by way of the Islands, 10th of May '4;i. 1
was soon tii'eil of lunne, where I was out of ])lace and a nohody, and availing
myself of the tlioughtfnluess of tiie doctor and Douglas, marri<;d my first
cousin. Miss Maitiia Cable, of Aldhorough, and sailed from ('owes, Isle of
Wight, otii of Dec<>.i,l>er, on hoanl tliL' hark /init/urs, Captain I'lere, a char-
tered ship; '-'.ud arrived at tiie Islands in April, where we took as fcdlow-pas
stn.'jer Rev. (ieorge (ifvry. who was coming to settle up the .Mi-thodist .Mission
hi- mess alter the death of .fason Lee. |Mr (iary si^t out hefon; the deatli of
.la .HiliOe.l Wo arriveil safely at N'aneouver in .May '44. From theiiee on to
D cenlier '41), I luul charge of the company's ilepot, wholi'sale Inisini-ss, that
it I r' i.'eived and shipped all cargoes, kept separate account of eacli po»t and
f dp. 1 may say that up to that time 1 had a better aciinaintaut^' of ail thingH
'; Vanoouver tlum anybody else. I came young, soon b .irMcd p'reni ii and
li.dian, knew wluie e\ erytlnng was, and everybody. 1 hardly thiidc there
was a book or paper that 1 hi"In't fullest access to. I went to take charge of
the ( 'owlit;'. tarni in 184,i. In '48 came the ineash's, and a sei'iie of de.tth; ill
'4!»a typluiid or eamp fever, of which my poor wife died in .inly 'M. In ';">.">
I luarried Miss Rose Birnie, of Aberdeen, Scotland.'
i
H
II
40
LlKJi; AT FOKT VANCUUVEn.
lie wont <tii a crui' t' with Sir Jolm Koss to the Arctic
regions, in search of a nortii-west passage. The ves-
sel was wrecked, and nearly all on board were lost.
Among those wlio escaped and were ])icked up by the
Eskimos was young Barclay. He was .taken to the
island of Fisco, where he lived witli the Danes for
several months, finally returning to Scotland on a
vessel which touclied at tlie island. Resuming his
studies, he graduated at tlie royal college of surgeons,
in London, in July 1838, and left the following year
for Oregon, where lie arrived in the sprhig of J840.''^"
Donald Manson was also a native of Scotland, wiio
had received a good education, and in his seventeenth
year, 1817, entered the service of the Hu<lson's Bay
Com[)any. lie remained on the east side of the
mountains till 1828, when he accompanied Black into
the country now known as the Cassiar mining dis-
trict, after which he returned to Athabasca, and in
the autunm of 1824 was ordered to tlie Columbia
River, arriving at Fort \'^ancouver in April 182;i.
In the summer of 1827 he assisted in the erection of
Fort Langley, tlie fii'st trading jiost established by
the company west of the Rocky Mountains and north
of Fort Vancouver. He returned to Fort Vancouver
in 1828, in which year two American vessels, the brig
Oiryhce, Captain ])ominus, and the schooner Convoy.
Captain Tomson, entered the Columbia to trade. Man-
son was sent to occupy the deserted post at Astoria,
and oppose the interlojiers. He found the old fort in
so ruinous a state that he lived in a tent for the season. "'
•^lu 1842 he married Miss Maria J'linihnui, diuighter of Pierre C. Paiii-
l)ruii, l)y whom he hail five cliildreii. 'J'ho rules of the company prohibiteil
him from leaving the fort to practise liis profi'ssion. But in the early settle-
ment of Oregon it was the custom of tlie Americans to go to the fort for
meilical advice, which was always freely gi\en. He was seven years mayor
of Oregon ( 'ity, nine years a councilman, and eighteen years coroner. Ever
attentive to the duties »if citizenship, stiictly lionest, sagacio\is, and henevo-
lent, he was trusted and esteemed hy all. l)(Ktiir liarchiy died at his home
in (Oregon City. -May 14, 1873. Om/on Ci/i/ EiitmyrUc, May Iti, \H'',\\ Oli/niyiii
Stmii/iiril, May 'i-I.IST.S; /'nrflom'/ (>i;ui'o,)iaii. May 17, 1873; Portland Her-
•il,', .May 17. IH'li; S. /•' Coll, May 111, 1873.
"'It was during this year that the ship WiWaw mul Aim was cast away
win 11 a little distance inside the har of the Columhia, and all on hoard, 'JG
MANSON AXJ> M.LKOl).
41
In 1829 Mansoii {ic('(»in})<uiUMl Oo-drii to erttal)lisli
Fort Si)ni)s<)n, north of Lunoley ; ami in 18:30 a post
oil MilUank Sound, Fort McLouglilin, wliero lie vv-
niained in charge until 18:39, when lie was granted
a year's absence. Returning hi 1841, In; succeeded
Mr Black, who had just l)een murdered at Kaniloo|);
and in 1842 he succeeded John McLoughlin, mur-
dered at Stikeen. In 1844 he was a})pointed to the
command of the district of New Caledonia, where
he remained as executive otKcer until 1857, when he
resigned. Soon afterward he purchased a farm at
Champoeg.'"
Donald McLeod, born about 1811, in one of the
western isles of the county of lioss, Scotland, came
to Oregon in the company's service iti 1835 by sea.
He was leading trapping parties in the Snake country
'vith Thomas McKav in iy:)(), and remained in this
' .upatiou ten years, when he settled on a farm m the
Lualatin l*lains, where he died February 20, 187o,
leavinir a Lir^je foniilv.'^'^
:iii
hiteil
Utl<-
foi-
iiyor
JVO-
iiviii
Iter-
ay
•-Mi
l>ursous, lost. Tliis, liowevor, was boforu tlio jirrival of the American ve.s.sols
or Mr Maiisou at tlie inoutli of the river, and there were none Imt Indian wit-
nesses. Tiie erew gained the siiore witli arms wet ami (U'fencehiss, anil were
all miussacred hy the t'latsoiis. This wjus avenged, and the two t'latsop chiefs
killed. Tlie Ixohellit, Cafttain llyan, ran agronnd on Sand Island in IHSO, and
Wiis abandoned hy tlie crew, wlio proliahly dreaded the fate of those of the
Williitm itinl Ann. Tlie vessel was lost, llad the men remained hy the sliiji
until the tide turned tliey miglit have saved her. A part only of the cargo
w;us lo.st. Ace (iiiii Fro.it',1 Or., KM) 7; Naliirfs' JtWollir/ioiit, .SlS.. 1."). Tlie
h)ss of another vessel two year.s later, ijuite as imieli as the occasional visits
of Anierieau traders, caused tlie company to occupy the post at Astoria con-
tinuously after 1S;?0.
■'^ Triiii.'i. Or. Pioii. A,i.tof., DST'J, .")(!; /{iirmi's M<r. Li/i\ MS,, '2"2-.'{;
(/rim'-H Bmiiinnif. Aiiicilo/ci, MS., 12; I'urtliiiiil Orfijonhnt, March 28, 1874;
/(/., April 8, 1871); /(/., Feh. ;"), lS7t>; S^ili'iii Fnniin; .March 17, 1870. .Mr
Manson's wift^ was Felice Lucier, of l''rench I'rairie, whom lie married in
Octoher 1828, at whicli time her father had heeii two yt-ars .settled in the
Willamette N'allcy.
■^^ Port Id ml /'ii<-if!r,(:/iri.iliiin Ailrarufr, .March (I, 1S7:1. .McLeod whih' in
tlie mountiiius suil'ered so Bcverely witli liiles tiiat he could neitiier riih' nor
sit, hut was carried on a litter between two horses. Tiie hnliaii wife of an
.Vnierican trappir, Klilierts, gave liim a tea made from pounded i<iots gathered
near Fort X'ancouver, wliieii cureil liini in a few days. He pri'sented ner witli
some gay dresses and other trides; and to Kliherts, wiio was in need of a saw
anil two augers, he sent a whole cliest of tools. l-'J,l»rlx' '/'/vi;i;(f /'.v l/i/c, MS., 42.
.Fames Biriiii- ot Ahenleen, .Scotland, wlio entered Oregon in 1818, succeeded
Ihinn at Fort <^eorge, and remained at tliat (mst for nia"v years. Wv tiually
retired to (.'athlamet, where he died Oeceuilier 21, KStU, iiged G'J years. He
1
I i
42
LIFE AT FORT VANCOCJVEK.
The livt-s t»t' tliese men, separated by thousands of
miles from the civilized world, and entirely deprived
of the companionship of cultivated women, might easily
have been barbarous through the lack of example
and enudation which everywhere exists in the world
of intellect and relinement. The highest praise that
can be bestowed upon them is that under these
temptations they never forgot themselves. As nearly
as })ossible McLoughlin nuiintained the fashions of
manor life in England, the hospitality, the courtesy,
tlie riding, hunting, and conversation. A dinner at
Fort A'ancouver was a dignified and social affair, not
lacking either in creature comforts or table-talk. As
early as 183() there was good living at this post;
plenty of cattle, sheep, swine, salmon, game, and an
ample garden. Tlie tal)le was set oil' witli a display
of fine English glass, and ruddy wines. No liquors
were furnislied. McLouglilin never drank either wine
or li<|Uor, except on great occasions, to open the fes-
tivities. He presided, and led the conversation, the
was tlu' first vliitc niiiii to dcsooiul tlic I'liijxjiui Kivcr to its inoutli. Tlie
second wife of (leorge li. Kolierts was a sister of Mr Biniie. James (iraiit
was ill eliarge of Fort Hall win ii the lirst overland ininiigratioii to Oregon
crosseil the continent, and until (juitu a late period. No man in Oregon has
lieen more remarked niion, not to say reviled, hy the American immigrants,
thoiigh with what justice let him who reads decide. Tiie same might almost he
said of William MeBean, successor t<v McKiiday at Fort \\'alla Walla. 'J'lie
!>istory of events will jioint to the justice or injustice of i)o])ular opinion.
.Vrchihald .McDonald, for a long time iu charge of Fort t'olville, and who had
a daughter famous for her heauty, talents, an<l liorsemanship; Angus Mc-
Donald, in charge of Fort Hall, ami afterward of Colville; Henry Maxwell,
dohn Balleliden, aud I Migald McTavish, who were the last chief factors at F\irt
N'i'ucouver— were some of the yet larger niunher of gentlemen who graci'il
these halls with their constant or occasional presence. In the early days the
selection of olHcei's for the service; of the Hudson's liay Company was made
cliietly with regard to strength of coustitiition and geni'ral jirohity of chai'-
acter, family intlucuce, of course, regulating the stdection. In after years
the necessities of their position, in couse(iuence of the active rivalry of the
Is'orthwest ('omi)any, demanded the infusion of more energetic elements, and
ill tills way a hody of oHicers was graiiually introduced who fully ecjnalled
ill all respects the pushing characteristics wliieli marked the service of the
Northwest < 'ompany. A ii'/fr-son'.s llisl. Xorflnrcxt. ('oast, MS., 87. ' ( 'oimected
with tiie Hudson's IJay Coiiipaiiy there are also many geiitleiiieu who would
do no discredit to any ciri'le of society. These gentlemen sustain the forms
and courtesies of civilized life liiuch more than .Americans engagi^l in the
same pursuits.' Kilirin-il-*' ShlrJi afOri'ijon 'firrifori/, MS., "J."). Take them all
in all. they were a hody of luen who, for physical strength, courage, cool-
ness, and general intrepidity of character, were rarely fijualled, ami perhaps
nowliere excelled.
•?s
iiOClAI. CUSTOMS.
4.3;
,li. Tho
'.s (iraut
I Oregon
gou has
igrants,
luowt )>e
II. Til.!
iliitiidii.
|\Il<> liail
us Mc-
axwi'll,
at Fdit
graced
;iys the
,s iiiailu
f ohai'-
yuais
.f the
H, anil
ualloil
(it tlio
leetod
uoiiM
fdl'lllH
|iii till'
in all
Cliol-
rhapn
others being seated aceordiiii;' to rank. Xo more time
was consumed at table tlian was convenient; there
was present neither gkittony nor intemperance.*' IT
i;-uest8 were present tJio cliief devoted some time to
them; after dinner lie showed them the farm and
.stock, offered them horses and guns, or perhaps made
up a pai'ty to escor-t them wherever they wished t<»
go. Did tliey remain at the fort, there was the oppoi -
tunity to study a whole museum of curious things
from all parts of the .savage and civilized worlds all
kinds of wea})ons, dresses, ornaments, mechanisms,
and art. When these were exhausted there were the
pipe and books, and the long-drawn tales of evening.
Wher't; were met together so many men of adventurous
lives, mariners who had circunniivigcitcd the gh)be,
leaders of tra[)[)ing parties through thousands of miles
of wildcrni'ss, among tribes of liostile savages, in heat
and cold, in sunshine and stoini, contending always
with tlu' iidiospitablc wliims of n\other nature, there
could bo but little fla<>t>ing in the conversation. Some-
times the .story was a tragedy, sometimes a comedy:
but no matter what the occasion f(»r mirth, discipline
was always pii's(>r\'ed and j)i'oprietv regai'ded.
Afany Americans found shelter and entertain-
ment at Vancouver, as \ve shall .see, most of whom
have made suitablt; acknowledu'ment, testifvinu- to tiie
gener-ous assistance given to (ivery enterprise not in
conHict with the coni])any's business. Wluither it
was a rival trapj)ing })arty lik(! Jedediah Smith's,
which found itself in trouble, or an unlucky trader
like \N yeth,''* a mi.ssionarv, a naturalist, or a secret
" ' I can SCI' (HiroM N'ain'oiiviT ilinning-hall, with tlu' iloctoi'at the head of
till) tilhli; siiiidt'iily pull tlio hcUtiussi'l. " Bruce I' and in a few minutes
Bruce would he on hand «ith an oiion uiuU, from which a [liuch would ho
taken, without a word on either «ide. The (loctnr never .siiio'-od; chewing
wa.s out of the (|ne»tioii; ho occasionally took siiufl', hut soerved afraid to
trust himself w itii any.' f,'ol„r/K' ItifolkHioi,'', MS., :i8.
"' Wht II Wyetli returned home he sent out a keg of choice smoking 'ol)acco
with a friendly letter, to the gentlemen ol Ba.'lielor's Hali. 'I'he doctor and
he were great frien.ls, and corrcsiionded for many years afterward. Allnnn
/fimiiiixnnris, MS., ".). The tohacco sold hy tlie eonipar.y was mostly from
lirazil, twisted into io]h' an inch m diameter, and coiled. It went by the
name of liail-rojic tolmeeo among the .\mericar. settlers.
u
I, IKK Al" KOUT VANCOUVKH.
11
aijccnt of the Uiiitod States in (lis»niist', one universal
law of brotherhood eiiihiaeed tliem all. Their charity
sometimes went so far as to elotlie as well as house
and feed wanderinj^' stars of American wit, as in the
case of Thoraas J. Farnham, wlio visited Fort Van-
couver i(i 18 CD.'''
Likewise theie were other resources at hand. Tlie
annual slnj) biought hooks, ri'views, tiles of news-
l>apers ; and the mail was brought overland by express
from York Factory, Red River, and Canada. With
uch
d the leadi
)f th
arrival tne leadmg to{)ics ot tne tune were
discussed, more closely l>erhaps from the lengtli of
time before the* next batch of .subjects could be ex-
pected. A'^ery early in Fort X'^ancouver life, owing
to the relative positions of the two governments,
British and American institutions and ideas were com-
l>ared, and defended or condenmed accortling to the
\ iews of tlie disputants.'*" But after the advent of the
first niissionaries and settlers as an An)erican element,
these discussions became more frecjuent, and in fact
developed a great deal of j»atriotism on one side, and
a liberality not to be ex[)ected on the otiier. John
Dunn ri'lates that in those dayn, from L8:U to 184;},
then; were' two parties at Foit \ anouver, i)atriots,
and liberals, or philosophers."' Tlie Briti.sh, or pa
triots, maintained that the governor was too chival-
rous, that his geni'i'osity was tlirown awa} , and would
be unre(]uited, that he was nourishing thost' who
wcmld bv and 1)V rise and (luestion liis own authority,
and the British right to Fort Vancouver itself This
party cited the American free tra|)pei". and the advo-
cates of the border lynch-law, as s})ecimens of Ameri-
can ci\ ilization. They had no faith in American
■'■' ' Kariihiuii was a jovial, jolly fellow . l>oiiglii.s fitted liiiii oirt from his ow-u
warilrolu! ho as to make hiiu preseiitiilile at mess, h'olx'r/.i' liVCoUrvtioiis, MS., !7.
'"' ' The doctor was very foiid of argmnelit, especially on iiistorical points
connected witii the first Napoleon, of wlioni lie was a j;reat adrnir>er, and often
entereii into them with Captain Wveth.' .(/^(»'.^■ I!iiiihii.ia'n<'i''<. MS., !),
^' Dunn was very il'-'/eral toward the Auiericans, having I>»^n e.xcitetl h^
the eoHipetitiou on »he north coast, wiile stationed at Mui/ank Sf»und.
liohert"' mrothcfioN^. MS.. 1.
",'M
I'ATUKVrs AM) I.IBKHALS.
4o
With
J were
;-tll of
be ex-
owing
ueiits,
B coin-
to the
of the
'luent,
II faet
e, and
John
184;},
riots,
r pa
n\al-
Adiikl
who
»rit\ .
Th'is
idvo-
neri-
Irieau
.S.,!7.
] points
|l ot'tmi
iftunii.
missionaries, noi' approbation for American traders.
In sliort, tlie term Ameriean with tluMn was synon}'-
mous witli boorishness and dishonesty.
The hbcr.d jiarty, of whieii McLouglihn was nnder-
stood to be tlir leader, thoutj^h they admitted tliat
Americans were not exem})t from cliarges of trickt'ry
and tyranny, l)ein«»; slaveliolders, and sonustimes even
as states repndiating- lionest debts; and tliat the lialf-
apostolical and lialf-agricultural cliara^-ter of the
missionaries was not, in their judgment, the liigliest
example of clerical dignity; and that the American
traders did domineer over and corrupt the riatives;
yet he thouglit that Americans ought not to be ex-
cluded, because they had some claims to tlie right of
occupancy, claims really existing, though feeble, wliich
would make it both im[)olitic and unjust to prevent
them any possession. And as to American lynch -law
and other usages repugnant to justice and liunuijiity,
they were ratlier I'xceptions to the American cod»; than
examples of American principles (»f legislation, which
in commercial and civil matters was, generally speak-
ing, just and humane, and fnun which even British
legislation might derive some us* ful hints. They had
hopes, too. tliat the Americans, by tlie iuHui-nce of the
gentlemen fur-tradei's. would beconi more civilized.
Sucli sentiments amused Farnhain when he was at
Fort Vancouver,''"' and troubled many later comers,
who felt tlieir national iliunitv assaulted l)v Britisli
patronage of tliis son.'^"
There was an An-adian Nunpltcity aitout Fort
N'ancouver life, in it> early days, tiuit awakens some-
^*' 'Another was a Mr Simpson, a yonnf,' Sooti ' maxi of ro.sp<'ctal>li- family,
a clerk in tli<! service of the liiulroitrs Iky ( oinp ly. Tlii.s w:*-- a line fellow,
twenty-Hve years of agc^ full .>i mtM-iiy and ^ihhI feeling, wiU informed on
general topics, and like most otlu i Bntisli buhjeets aUroad, tronlileil witii an
irrepressible anxiety at the growing pow-r of the States, and an o\ erwhulniing
loyalty toward the mother country and its soven-ign skirts.' Farnfiam's Cult-
J'orniii II till <h mil, 8.
^'1 often iiL:. -d 'h MeLoughliii .^y : "Tl^*^ Enghahmcn when they first
''ome out are such raliid democrats: hut in a fvw years they always are at
UMwt conservative. ■■ ■ h'oln-iiy' /,'iro/lri'fiiih'. MS., 17,
w
4i;
IJFK AT FOKT VANCOUVKH.
thing- of poetry and sentiment. It is a bit of feudal
life in the wildei'iiess. The fort is the duke's castle;
the otlier ])Osts the de})endent baronies; the leaders
of trapping ])arties the cliiefs who sally forth to do
l)attle for their lord. Every summer, when the season
is at its height, the fortress gates are opened to re-
ceive, not the array of knights in armor, but the
brigade of gay and happy trappers home from the
mountains witli the year's harvest of furs. It is like
the return of the conquering heroes. It does not
need a bugle at the gates to announce the arrival. A
courier has been sent in advance tt) give notice.
When within two miles of the fort, the song of the
boatmen can be distinctly heard, keeping time to the
oars bright Hashing like Tc^ledo blades. The company's
Hag waves proudly from the tall staff. Everybody
is eager and excited, from the servants to the
grand master himself, who stands at tlie landing with
the rest. Presently tlie boats swi'cj) round the last
l)()int into full view. The number depends on the
success of the year's traffic; there may be twenty-
five, or Iciss; and each can carry fifteen or twenty tons.
Down they conw with the cun-ent, in perfect order,
aniitlst shouting and cheering fiom the shore, every
voyageur in gala di'ess, ribbons tiuttering f»'om Cana
dian caps, and deerskin suits ornamented with beads
and fringes.
The arrival of tin' brigade was the great event of
the year at Foit A'ancouver, and as we have noticed
before, the occasion when Mclioughlin relaxed his
abstemious rule, and drank a glass of wine to open the
festivities, which were expected to last twenty-four
hours, and during which evervbodv did as he ])leased.
Tl
lere was m
tl
itli
le irentlemen s
unmii-Jial
a iifi
and
(liimer on such occasions, at which jollity, anecdote,
and wit enlivened the table more than the red wine
that was drunk. ""^
Another picturesque feature of this early Hudson'
A]yple<i<it('',i Vicwri, Ms., I".
THE TKAPl'KUS (AHA VAX.
47
tlie
with
; last
iit of
:icecl
his
the
[tour
Ibsed.
rand
[ote,
fine
Ion's
M
I
Ba}' life in Oregon was tiiat of the chief trader's
caravan when it moved thntuu^h the Indian country;
or when the oov^Tnor himself made a tour thr()Ui>h
the Willamette Valley, as occurred at rare intervals.
On these occasions Indian women were conspicuous.
In addition t«) the trapiuu's' wives, there M'as the
grand dame, the wife of the l)ourgeois, or leader.
Seated astride the finest horse, whose trappings, were
ornamented with colored quills, beads, anil fringes to
which huno" tiny hells that tinkled with everv mo-
tion, herself dressed in a petticoat of the finest Idue
hroadclotli, with embroidered scarlet leggings, and
moccasons stiff witli tlie most costly beads, her black
braided liair surmounti-d by a hat trimmed with gay
I'ibbon, or su[)poi'ting drooping feathers, slie presented
a picture, if not as elegant as that of a lady of the
sixteenth century at a liawking party, yet quite as
striking and brilliant.
When the caravan was in progress it was a })ano-
rama of gayety, as each man of the l>arty, from the
chief trader and clerk down to the last tra])per in the
train, filed past with liis ever-j)resent and faithful help-
mate in her i)rettiest dress. After them came the
Indian boys, driving the ]»ack-horses, with goods and
camp utensils. When the governor went on a visit,
it was like a royal j)romenade; the camp equipage con-
sisted of evervtliing necessarv for comfortable lod^i-in"',
and a bountiful table, the cook being an important
member of the numerous i-etinue. Here was feudalism
on the western seaboard, as I before remarked. Tht;
Canadian farmers were serfs to all intents and pur-
poses, yet with such a kindly lord that they scarcely
felt their bondage; or, if they felt it, it was for their
good.*'
" ' It \va.s a iiinst remarkalilc condition of tilings. The old doctor would go
lown to t'hanii)oeg, and wliatevur lie toltl them to do, they would do. If they
were shiftles.s, he wouM not give them half what they wanted. If thev were
industrious, even if they wore not successful, he would give them what they
wanted. He kept himself constantly informed aoout thos(! people, as to how
they were doing. If they went around horse-racing, ho woul.l lecture them
severely, and inak.; them afraid to do so. There were no laws or rules. If
48
J.IFK AT K(»l!l' VANCOrX T.U.
So nlisolntc was McL(»ut;lilin's autlioritv tliat pre-
vious totlie scttlciiuiiitot" Ainericaus in tlio Willanietto
A'allcy no Icu^al forms lia<l been thou^lit nrccssary,
except sucli as by the conipany's ijfrant wvrv. so niadt;;
tlic f^overnor and council having' power to try and
punisli all ort'enders belon^ini;' to the company or
tiuv crimes committtid in any of " the said company's
jilantations, forts, factories, or ]>laces of tr-ade within
Ihulson's Bay territory." The ( 'anadians and other
servants of the company yielded without <juestion to
the company's cjiartered rijTfht to judjuro and punish.
]-Jut Avith tlu' Aniei-icans it was different. The charter
forl)ade any British subject from trcspassinj.^ upon the
c<»ni})any's territory for purpose's of ti'ade ; but it could
not forbid Americans or other })eo[)le. The chartei*
])ermitted the com[)any to go to war, on its own
account, with any unchristianized nation ; but the
Americans could not be styled unchristianized, thouuh
they might, if proyoked, become belligerent. The
Americans, though so lacking in civilized conceptions
according to the ideas of the gentlemen at Fort Van-
couver, were stubborn in their legal rights, and were,
1>esides, turbulent in tlu.'ir habits, and might [)ut
thoughts of insubordination into the minds of the
company's people.
Foreseeing the troubles that would arise on this
account, McLoughlin took timely measures to pi'o-
vide against them, and ])rocured, by act of ])arbament,
the appointment of justices of the peace in difi'erent
parts of the country, James Douglas tilling that office
at Fort Vancouver. These justices were empowered
to adjudicate ui)on minor ott'ences, and to impose pun-
ishment; to arrest criminals guilty of serious (;rimes
and send them to Canada foi- trial; and also to try and
give judgment in civil suits where the amount in dis-
thcre wtTc any disputes, lie settleil tlu^m ail)itrarily. .Fust wliat lie said was
tliclaw.' Cnnr/on/ nJlis.t., MS., 10. ' He -was a disoijiliiiariaii, strict and stem
to tlios(^ nn<ler liiiii. He had a great many Indians and kanakas. \yh<atcver
lie told tlieni to do they had to do. He was often very violent witii them.'
lincon'^ Mrr. /.!/<■ <h\, MS., 20.
'm
HXliUSll AXI> A.MKRICANS.
49
h this
MHont,
iereiit
office
weired
I ])U11-
1-rinu's
fv and
In dis-
laiil was
lid stern
Ihatever
them.'
pute did not exceed two hundred pounds; and in ea.-o
of non-payment, t<> inijuison the debtor at their own
forts, or in the jails of Canada.
J)unn relates tiiat in the discussions at Fort A'an-
eouver the hbera! party had an advantage, even in
Ids estimation, wlien the ne,<;;k'ct of tlie home gov-
trmncnt, and of tlie Britisli and Foreign ALissionary
Socit'ty, touching tlie conversion and civiliziition of
tlie natives, was brought u}). The })atriots were
fitrced to admit that this state of affairs was highly
censurable, and that since England had so grossly
neglL'cte<l the natives, tiny couki make no proper
objection to American missionaries. Even should
they prove to be as l)a(l as other Americans in the
country, contact with the J^ritish residents would
render them more gentlemanly, t(»lerant, and honest.
Sunday was observed both in the matter of reli-
gious services and suspension of labor; but tlu' latter
}>art of the tlay was allowed for anmsements. After
the first American missionaries came to Oregon, the
doctor (juestioned whether it was right to be without
a cha])lain at Fort Vancouver, or dignified for so great
a conn)any to pay so little regard to religious forms.
The American ministers mij»ht not be to his taste,
but some there should be who were. These Ameri-
cans, uncouth })erliaps in dress and bearing, had set
themselves to teach not only the children of the Cana-
dians, but those within the fort, his children, and the
sons and daughters of uentlemen hiiih in the com-
pany s service.
Should he not have to aeknowledge that they had
been missionari(^s to him? Such an admission ndght
never ])ass liis li})s; but in many ways he must ac-
knowledge his approbation of the work, and his heart
was full of fi.endliness toward them, which alas I they
did not always requite ,with kindness. They could
not be so liberal toward him as he had been with
them. He followed their lead whenever he saw good
in it, even when he was doubtful of its being the best
Hist. Ok., Vol.. I. 4
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TEST TARGET (MT-3)
V
/
O
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:A
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2.0
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Corporation
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WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80
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4^
iV
iV
\
:\
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is r.^
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4>
%^
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)
%1
f*^,-
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80
LIFE AT iOUT VANCOUVEll.
oi" tlie safest course, because he could not refuse to
ciiicourao'e the ris^ht.
As early as 183G the lever was applied to the foun-
dations of the old society that was destined to over-
turn it. The boasted civilization of this English com-
pany, aristocratic and cultured, could not stand before
the face of one white woman. The Nereid, coming
from England an<l the Sandwich Islands, brought a
chaplain to Fort Vancouver — a direct result, it may
reasonal)ly be inferred, of the American Mission. The
name of this new officer on the governor's staff was
Rev. Herbert Beaver, an a[)proj)riate name for tlie
service, and one whicli the junior" clerks undoubtedly
repeated among themselves with the highest satisfac-
tion. Mr Beaver had been chaplain of a regiment at
Santa Lucia, in tlie West Indies. He was of the fox-
hunting type of Englisli clergymen, and had been
nmch diverted l)y the manners of his fellow-passenger
from Honolulu, Mr Lee, whom he was constantly in
the habit of quizzing. From the glimpse Dunn gives
of the sentiment o'' ' lielor's Hall, his gil)es at his
Methodist 1)rothei ast have provoked responsive
mirtli. But the imnates of the fort, grave, dignified,
disciplined, and accustomed to respect, did not always
escape the reverend gentleman's sallies of wit ; nor, as
it proved, his strictures on their innnoral and uncivil-
ized condition.
Gray, who saw him at Fort Vancouver, descril)es
him as ratlier a small ])ors()n, with a light complexion
and feminine voice, who made pretensions to oratory,
entirely unsui)ported by the facts. Also, his ideas of
clerical dignitv were such tliat he felt himself defiled
by .association with the gentlemen at Fort A'ancouver.
McLoughlin was uncivil, tlu> clerks l)oors, the women
savaaes. Here was a finis beginning of Enolish mis-
sionarv work! And yet the feudal lords could not
deny it. Theie was ^[rs Jane Beaviu", who had accom-
panied h<'r husl)and. They might kick the chaplain,
MKIHTY MRS BEAVER.
51
Scribes
lloxioii
jatorv,
leas of
lefiled
buver.
roiiieii
|i inis-
(1 not
^com-
Iplaiii,
but the chaplain's wife had a way with lier, recognized
in all Christian coninmnities, of calling such manner
of living vile. These lords of the Hudson's Bay Coni-
panj' were compelled to chew the reflective cud, and
tt) stifle their warmth at clerical interference, wliile
they slowly made up their minds to take the only
alternative left them, if they would associate with
olergvmen and clergymen's wives. It was not enough
for the Beavers that the governor, the chief factor,
chief traders, and clerks attended the Sunday service
and oV)served decorum. There was an abominati<>n
within the walls of the foi-t that Christianity could
not tolerate.
Had Beaver's objections to the domestic relations
of Foi"t Vancouver been his sole ground of criticism,
his natural fli|)pancy and professional arrogance might
have been tolerated. But he found many things that
were wronir in the practices of the Hudson's Bav
Comj)any, and so reported to the Aborigines Pro-
tection Society at London, to which he complained
that his attempts to introduce civilization and Chris-
tianity among one or more of the neighboring tribes
had not succeeded, because his ettbrts had not been
seconded by the company. The ti'uth was, that
Beaver was quite too nice for the task of civilizing
Indians in the vicinity of Fort Vancouver. He was
dissatisfled with the plain quarters assigned him, the
parsonage being only a cottage built of rough lum-
ber, uncarpeted except witli Indian mats, which Mrs
Beaver prcmounced filthy, and unfurnisheti witli any
of the elegancies of an Englisli parsonage. He despised
and disliked the natives, and ablK)red the [tractice ot
the jrentlemen at Fort A^ancouver of coliabitino- witli
them.
Roberts .says that Beavei' kept a good tai)le, al-
though his salary was only £l'00 a year; imt every-
thhig was furnished him except clothes. He was kind
enough to invite the young clerk to diimer frequently,
but Roberts thinks the risk im])osed ujion his smd in
52
UFE AT FORT VANCOUVER.
making him sponsor-general to a motley crowd of the
vilest of the vile, whom the chaplain insisted on hap
tizing in his character of missionary, more than offset
the dinners.
While Beaver haptized reluctant heathen, white
red, and mixed, in the intervals of his hunting and other
anmsements, Mrs Jane Beaver held herself scornfully
aloof from the wickedness of private life at Fort Van
couver. When she had been present about six weeks,
there arrived from across the continent two other
white women, wives of missionaries also, who re-
mained as guests of the C(mipany from SepteMiber to
November, and who soon made themselves acquainted
with its social life, not in the manner of Mrs Beaver,
but in a humble, kindly way, which won for them the
deference of every gentleman from the governor dowai.
Finally, in January 1837, Mr Beaver had the satis-
faction of celebrating the church of Enohuid mar-
riage-service at the nuptials of James Douglas and
Nelia Connolly. McLoughlin too thoroughly despised
Beaver to submit to remarriage at his hand, but to
quiet the scandal w'hich the chaplain so loved to
scatter in Europe;, he had the civil rite performed
by Douglas in his capacity of justice of the peace.
Whereupcm, in the nostrils of Mrs Beaver the social
atmos})here of Fort Vancouver became somewhat
purified of its aboriginal stench, though to the pure-
minded and chivalrous gentlemen of the fort the
Beavers were far more obnoxious than the aboriginals.
Beaver returned to England in 1838, having been
an imnate of the fort a 3'ear and a half His depart-
ure was hastened by an unusual outburst of the
doctor's disgust. It was the chaplain's duty to for-
ward a written report to the London council, which
he was required to place in McLoughlin's hands be-
fore sending. On reading one of these reports, the
contents so incensed the doctor that he demandi'd an
explanation on meeting the waiter in the fort yard.
The reverend gentlemen re})lied : "Sir, if you wish
AN IMPUDENT CLERCJVMAN.
5;j
to know wliy a cow's tail ^roxvs downward, I cannot
tell you; I can only cite the fact."
Up went the gcvenior's cane of its own volition
2w dt'" ^t^"tf ^ ''"'' ^^^^^^^ "^ '^ 1-^ ^-d "-
in n .V' r '''"''i ^^'"^^' "I'"'^ *^'^' siioulders of the
iinpudont diynie. Beaver shouted to his wife for his
pistols long-barrelled flintlocks; but on retlec ion c ,
<-lud.u^ he would not kill the d<,ctor just then, nZ
day there was an auction of the effects of Captain
Hone, drowned m the Columbia; and while the
P->plo were gathered there, McLoughlin W t c
for ho nuhgnity I laid upon you yestLay » ^-'sf?
I dl not accept your apology," exclaimed the cha '
F;;rt! A^n::ter>'""^""^ ""' "^ ^"^- ^^-Pi-- to
Journal: Om-laml Monthh, viii Tl . "I ([>« ^och/ MoiaitaiM ; Palmer'.,
« a. related by an eycSl^s ' '"' ^'^'''''''' -^^^'Lougiaiu and Beat4r
CHAPTER III.
settlement of oregon.
j8:w-18:m.
Thk Flathead.s at St Loris — They Ask for Missionariks — Intkrkst
Kaisek AMON(i Relihious People — The C'hurihes Roused — A(;tion
OF THE Methodist Board — Ja.son and Daniel Lee Chosen Missiona-
ries — Wyeth (.'onsulted— Jockney Oveuland from Independence —
PREAi'iiiN(i at Fort Hall— Arrival at P'okt VAXiorvKR— Visit to
THE WlLLAMETlE VaLLEY — MISSION SlTE ( 'H08EN — REASONS FOR
Abandomn(j the Flathead Plan — The French Canadians — Campe-
MENT DU SaHLE — HaLL J. KeLLEV— fSo.MKTHINi! ABOUT THE Men Who
Came with Lewis and Clarke, the Astor Expeditions, Wyeth,
Kelley, and Ewino Young.
About the year 1832 four native chiefs from the
rcLjion round the head waters of the Columbia ap-
peared at St liouis asking for Mr Clarke, of the
Lewis and Clarke expedition, then resident Indian
agent at that place. Their fathers had told them of
his visit to their nation. From various sources, from
the praise of pious travellers and the oaths of impious
trappers, they had learned of the white man's God,
and the V)ook which he had given. And now, would
the great white chief grant tlieir prayer and send
religious men to point their people the way to heaven?
It was promisetl them accoi'ding to tlieir request.
Soon after two of them sickened and died; t)f the
other two, one met death during his return, and the
other reached his people and reported.^
'Such ia the story, Miniplitietl from iiiauy ('onriicting statements, and pro-
i<ciite<l in the form of reason and probability. There is no doul)t in my ininil
as to the truth of the matter in tlie main, though it has V)een denied by
8on\e. As to the date and general incidents. Shea, C<Hh. Mitin., 4t)7 — see also
White, in Ortijon Sj^ectator, Nov. 1'2, 1840 — states tliat since 1820 the Flat-
loi)
A CALL UPON CHRlf<TENl>OM. 55
This incident, lioralded tlirouglitlio pres.s, elaborated
in the pulpit, and wioui^ht into divine and spiritual
foniis by fervid reli^nonists. wiio saw in it the finger
of God pointing westward, awakened general interest
in that direction. Moved l)y ins})iration, they saitl,
and in obedience to the order of a council of chiefs,
these messengers liad come from beyond the Rocky
Mountains, travelling thousands of miles, and under-
going many hardships and dangers; and in the accom
plishment of this sacred work they had yielded U}>
their lives. Among others the Missiona.y Board of
the Methodist Episcopal Church was importuned to
establish forthwith a mission among the Flatheads.
the
ap-
the
idian
u ot
roni
Itious
;od,
lould
icnd
on?
Iiest.
the
the
pre ■
linintl
].l l.y
also
iFlat-
licada and Nez Percys ha<l l)eeii Christian at heart, tlie result of instnictioiis
in the Catholic faith by certain educateil Iroquois who found their way to
theni. The Flathea<l chiefs were in the habit of asseuihling every year at tiie
Bitter Root River, whence in 1831 a deputation of five chiefs was sent to St
Louis to obtain priests. None of the five reached their destination, and others
Were sent; but the bishop had no priests to spare. John \V. York of Cor-
vallis, in a private conununication dated Aiiril 'J5, 1870, to J. C^uinn Thorn-
ton, which is enibodiecl in T/innitnn n Hi.if. (Jr., MS., makes the nund)er five,
and tlie daieof their arrival at .St Louis Sept. 17, IS.SO. All other authorities
place ti<e i.undjer at four, and the date at al)out ISIW or 1831. Evans, ///."/.
'h:, MS., 209, and Atkinson, Spalding, and others, make the date 18;W. The
messengers were geuenUly called Flatheads: though some say Nez Percys;
and Smith, in the Bos/on JZ/Vs/ohk/v/ Herald, A_.g. 1840, intimates that they
were Spoki'.iios, and thiit six started, two turning back. Thornton, Or. and CaL.
ii. 21, states that ' two natives were permitted to pass in company with a party
of Capt. Sublette's trapper.s, from the Rocky Mountains to the Indian agency
of the late Major Pilcher, and thence to St Louis.' Pilclier himself asserts, if
we may believe Kelley, Scttlc/ni-ntu of Oriijoii, 03, that 'four thoughtless and
sottish Indians accompanied Capt. Sublette's party of hunters to his, Pilcher s,
agency. They seemed to have no particular object in travelling. Sul)lette
refused to let them proceed farther in his company, unless they would there
obtain a passport, showing a good reiusou for a, visit into the States. M r Pilcher
furnished the Indians with a reason and excuse for their visit to St Louis.
\Vhatsoever tlie trutli of all this, the Catholics claim to have been the first
teachers of the natives of that region. .Tohn W. York, himself a Methodist
elder, asserts in the letter just quoted that he was summoned, in company
with two brother Methodists, McAlli.sterand Edmunilson, to an interview with
Clarke in relation to the Indian delegation just then arrived. York, whose
stiitemeiit I take with .some degree of allowance, says that on that occasion
Clarke assured him 'that lie wsis a Roman Catholic, but that the Methodist
travelling preachers were the most indefatigable laborers, and made the great-
est sacritices of any men in the world.' He further remarked that Catholic
l)riests could teach the mysteries of religion, but Methodist ministers tiuight
practical piety and husbandry, and the two unitc^il would be the best arrange-
iiient he could think of. ' From ( 'larke's house we went to the conference nnim
anil rej)orted the interview. With closed doors the conference accepted the
generals proposition, and resolved, if jiossible, to send a missionary to Oregon.
As to the fate of their messengers some say that all <lied, two at St Louis and
the others on their wav back.
60
SETTLEMENT OF OREciON.
The voice of Wilbur Fisk was heard rousino- the
churches.^ And to no one more than to Hull J. Kellev,
the Oreiifoii enthusiast and the religious fanatic, di<l
this curiosity of the simple savages a[)pcar as tlic
immediate work of tlu; .\lmighty, and the incident
greatly aided his eti'orts. His schemes nmltiplied; his
pen worked with new vigor; he urged the preachers
of the Word not to cc^nfine their efforts to the moun-
tains, hut to descend the broad Kiver of the W^est to
the Canaan there awaitinijf them, and unite earthlv
empire with heavenly enlightenment.''
In answer to the call appeared before tV, 3 Metho-
dist board two men, sometime from Stanstead, Can-
ada, first Jason Lee, and afterward his n* pliew, Daniel
Lee, offering themselves as laborer's in this western
field, and were accepted. They were formed of good
material for pioneer missionary work ; the former
had been engaged in similar labors in the British
provinces, and he presented striking characteristics,
carryiiig them on the surface; qualities pronounced,
wliich made the presence of the possessoi' felt in any
society in which he lia})pened to be placed. He was
now, in 183.'5, made member of the Methodist con-
ference, and onlaiued deacon, and latei-, elder.
At the time of his appointment to a position
destined to be more conspicuous in Oregon's history
than at that time he could have surmised, Jason Lee
was about thirt} 3'ears of age, tall, and powerfully
built, slightly stooping, and rather slow and awkward
'■' So declared the missionaries themselves. See Lm ntid Frost's Ten Yenrs
in Or., 109-l.S; niii'--i' Orfi/oii, Jfixt., !). A highly wrought account appeared
in March 183.'J, in the Xeir York C/iristiivi Adrocate <iml Journal, then the
leading organ of the Methodists.
^Indeed, if Mr Thornton, Or. owl Col., ii. 21, is correct, 'i^ early as the
year 1831, the Methodist Board of Missions had l)een iniluced hy Mr Kellev
to detennine upon sending Messi's Spahlin^ and Wilson as iinsfjimaries to the
Indians of Oregon, but the expedition which tliey proposed ti accompany
having l>eeu Ijroken up, they changed their destination, and wen : to Liberia. '
And Kelley himself says; ' In the year 1832, I pulilished several articles in
the Zion'n Hernli/'—wc affidavit of tlie editor, \V. B. Brown, Jan, .30, 1843—
' calling for missionaries to accompany the expedition, and two years after,
.lason aud Daniel Lee wei'e sent to commence missiouai-y labors on t..b Wal-
laniet. '
JASON AX1> 1>ANIEL LEE.
in his iiiovonu'iits; of ligiit roiiiplt'xiou, thin Hps
closely shut, prominent nose, and rather massive jaws;
eyes of superlative spiritualistic blue, hi»?h, retreatino-
forehead, carrying- mind withhi ; soniewliat lono- hair,
pushed l)ack, and yivin^" to the not too stern but
positively niaiked features a siiohtly puritanical as-
pect; and withal a stomach like tliat of an ostrich,
which would digest anything. In attainments there
was the broad open pasture of possiliilities rather
than a well-cultivated tield of orchard, grain, and vine
land. He believed in the tenets of his church; in-
deed, whatever may become of him, liowsoevei' he
may behave under those varied and untried conch-
tions which providence or fortune hold in store, we
may be sure that at this beginning, though nt)t devoid
of worldly aml)ition, he was sincere and sound to
the core. Strong in his possession of himself, there
was nothino- intrusive in his nature. Though talkinij
was a part of his })rofession, his skill was exhibited as
much in what he left unsaid as in his most studied
utterances. Frank and atfable in his intercourse with
men, he inspired confidence in those with whom he
had dealings, and was a general favorite. If his in-
tellect was not as broad and bright as Burke's, there
was at least 'lo danger of the heart hardenino; throuixh
the head, as with Robespierre and St Just. Un-
questionably he was a little outside of the ordinary
minister of the period. Some would have said he
lacked refinement; others that his l)rusque straight-
forwardness was but simple honesty, unalloyed with
clerical cant, and strip[)ed of university gown and
sectarian straitlace. We shall find him later delighting
in his manhood; and while he would not so darkly sin
as to quibble over his creed, forest freedom proved a
relief from the prison walls of prescribed forms.
The nephew, JJaniel, was quite a different charac-
ter, less missionary or man com})lete than su})plement
to the uncle. Like Boswell beside Johnson, measured
beside his colleague, the form and character of Daniel
M
ISKTTLEMENT OF OKE(iON.
assume laij^'er {noportioiih than thoy are really entitled
to ; he was in truth a desiccated Dominie Sampson, that
later stood as a Imtt before the wits of Fort Vancouver ;
a thin, bony form, surmounted by thin, bony features
Itcaininu^ in hapjty, <r(),)d-natured unconsciousiiess of
his lack of knowledi^'e, particuhirly of knowledge
of the thin<^s of this world. He was a pious Pierrot,
a man in stature, but a child in mind and maimers.
Yet this |)ersonage had his admirers, to whom the
faults of mind and body beside the more finished forms
(»f the ungodly were but the graces of awkwardness;
just as the constrained motions of the hero, who
having lost a limb in battle now hobbles on crutches,
apjtear to the worshippers of war the poetry of motion
as compared with the amblings of the eHeminate city
top.
Together at this outset they were well enough
mated, though when they talked religion in company
their discourse was as interesting and instructive as
would be the witnessing of an interview between
Father Tom and the Po])e. Often sensitiveness is
the enemy of success; bravery in brass wins where
])olish fails. Not that Jason lacks bravery; for as
courage was needed it came to him with high resolve
and all attendant sacrifice, over wliich there was no
thick covering of ass's hide. But hi both, tensely
strung, were expectation, will, and conscience ; and
there were thousands who of each with Cicero would
say, "Homo sine fuco et fallaciis."
A missionary meeting was held in New York the
10th of October, 1883, to arrange for the early de-
j»arture of the volunteers; and six days after, the sum
of three thousand dollars for an outfit was voted by
the boartl. It was then further decided that two
laymen should be selected to attend and assist the
missionaries ; and the latter were to begin their work
at once by travelling and raising funds, preaching the
crusade as far south as Washington, then working
^
THE iliUKE ASSISTANTS.
80
and
rould
the
dc-
SUUl
klby
two
the
Ivork
the
Iking
wt'st t<^ join some oonijmny of fur-tradors for the
Flathead country the t'ollovvino; sjninj;.
Frequent and fervid nieetini^s were tliut* lield in
every quarter, and on tlie '20t\\ of Novenilier there
was a farewell j^atherini^ at the Forwyth-street ehureh,
New York, Bishop Heddin»; presiding. Though
Methodist in attendance and tone, it is well to note
here, as sli(»wing the general feeling, tliat the meeting
was addressed by Doctor McAuley of tiie Presby-
terian church, and by others <»f ditlerent denomina-
tions.
At this juncture, and before the missionaries had
left New York, tidings were received of the arrival
at Boston of Xathaniel J. Wyeth from his first at-
tempt to establish a trading post on the lower Colum-
bia/ With him were two Indian boys from beyond
tlie mountains, to whom now attached more than
oiilinary interest by reason of the leaven working in
the comnmnity. By orders of the board Jason Leo
at once visited Wyeth and obtained information con-
cerning western parts, })articularly in regard to fields
for missionary enterprise. Lee's attention was thus
directed to the natives of the Lower Columbia, as well
as to those of rhe upper country; and since the
Columbia Kiver Com))any, as Wyeth and his asso-
ciates styled themselves, was about sending a vessel
round Cape Horn, Wyeth himself proceeding across
the mountains in the spring to meet it, opportunity
was thus offered the missionary men, not only to for-
ward their supplies by water, but to secure the neces-
sary escort for their ])roposed overland journey.
The two laymen finally chosen to accompany the
Lees were C}tu>-' Shepanl of Lynn, Massachusetts,
thirty-five years of age, and Philip L. Edwar-ds, a
Kentuckian bv birth, latelv of Richmond, Missouri.
Courtney M. Walker, also of the place last mentioned,
was engaged for a year, for pecuniary consitleration, to
* For full .iccoiints of \\'yetli'a first tuul secoml expeilitions aiul efforts, see
Jlist. Xort/ivriil Coiixf, this series.
7m
(K)
SETTI.KMENT OF OKECON.
assist in estahlishinsr the mission. Edwards was a
3'()un«^ man, not yet tweiity-tl nee, of rather more than
ordinary attainments, and a lover of" order and refine-
ment. His constitution was tU'heato, his temperament
nervous, ami Jiis (hsposition amiable. He loved ••■ood
comjiany, and enjoyeti the hadierous, buthis<(ood sense
prevented him from boct)ming an example of it, like
J)aniel Lee. A frontier man, hv knew how to confoiin
to the crudities of pioneer life, foi- which by na^ui'e he
was not very well adapted. Whili' possessed of a high
moral sense, he was not religiously inclined, nor did
he ever consider himself in that .-*ense a member ot
the mission. Cyrus Shepard, on the other hand, was
devoted tt) religion and a missionary at heart. Hi'
was a little older than the elder Lee, tall, and fine
looking, yet of a sci-ofulous tendency and feeble health.
The other member of the mission party, Walker, was
.still less than Edwards a missionary, being business
agent. Like Edwards, he was young, of good ante-
cedents, but of greater physical powers; lie was the
only one of the j)arty who became a permanent settle'"
in the country. '
Leaving New York early in March 1 8;U, Jason
Lee proceeded we \ lecturing by the way. Daniel
followed him on the 19th, and was joined by Shepard
at Pittsburg. As they approached 8t Louis Shepard
hastened forward, took charge of the mountain outfit,
and proceeded by boat up the river to Independence,
the rendezvous. The Lees made the journey from
St Louis on horseback, meetinof Edwards and Walker
at Independence. Wyeth was there before them,
and l)efore setting out they were joined by Sublette.
There were present also two scientists, Townseml
and Nuttall.
The exj)edition, as it filed westward the 28th of
April, consisted of three distinct parties, numbering in
•'Townsoml sjieaks of thciii as ' throe younger men, of respectable standing
in society, who have arrayed themselves under the missionary banner chiefly
for the gi-atitieation of seeing a new country, and participating in straagu
adventures."
ON THE WAY.
61
<ill seventy men, with two liundred and fil'ty horses.
First were Wyoth and iSuhlette. with their rea|>e(cive
retiiiners, and in tlie rear the missionaries, with their
horses and horned cattle. ProeeecHn*^: slowly they
erossed the Kansas River, then l>y the forks of the
Platte and tlu' I.aramie, past Independi-nco Hoek,
arrivinur at (ireen River and the rendezvous at the
end <»f two nuinths.
On the way the elder Lee c<mdurted liimsclf so
as to command the rt'speet of i^^ reli<,Mous and irre-
li*,Mous. Till' eharaetei of the ma i infolded in beauty
and fragrance under the stimulaHi ^ prairie sun. No
discipline of lecture-room, \ iiera^ mini'- nation, or
other experience could have ,^een so v.luahle a prep-
aration for the duties awaitiriuj 1 ''n at ])is destina-
tion us the ruile routine of th .; )Verlan(l days. It
seemed to him as if his theolo<jfi(;al sea had suddenly
hecimie boundless, and he mi^^ht sail unquestioned
whithersoever the winds should carry him. lb was
delightful, this cutting loose from conventioiialisms,
for even Methodist preachers are n)en. Not that
there was present any inclination toward a relaxation
of principles, as is the case with so many on leaving
home antl all its healthful restraints; on the contrary,
he felt himself more than ever tiie chosen of (^od,
as he was thus brought nearer him in nature, wlieie
he was sustained and guarded by day, and at night
infolded in his starry covering. Fires, both physical
and mental, blazed brightly, and he was not one
whit behind the most efficient of this company in
willingness, ability, and courage." Nor were his asso-
ciates broad-collared, long-haired, })uritanical jirayer-
mongers, but wide-awake, hearty, and sympathetic
men, bent on saving souls and having a good time.
An incident characteristic of the man Avas told of
* ' Looks as though lio were well oaloiilat.-il to hutfct difficulties in a wild
country.' The horses stampeile an. I some one must go for them. ' This party
w;is licaileil hy Mr Lee, our missionary, wlio with his usual prou^ptitude vol-
unteered his services.' Toicnscitd's Xnr., 24, 37.
I ! i
62
SETTLEMENT OF OKEOON.
Jasoii Lee by eye-witnesses: Noticing on one occa-
sion that a cow belonging to his herd was sutiering
from the burden she carried, he stopped to niill< lier,
and in so doing tell behind the company. The cry of
' Indians I ' was raised. " Mr Lee 1 Mr Lee I They will
be on you I " his men shouted. Jason turned his eyes in
the direction of the rising dust which marked the ap-
proach of the savages, then slowly said, " Unless the
Lord will it otherwise this cow moves not until her
load is liii'htened," and continued his milkinyf till the
arrival of the band, which proved to be friendly Xez
Perces instead of terrible Hlackfoot. So all throuuli
the journey, which was pleasant and profitabU', men-
tallv, to tlu' missitnuvries, Mr Lee stood ever as readv
to minister to the comfort of his dumb beasts, and
to the bodilv necessities of his men, as to hold foith
in abstract s})iritual 'propositions, though he did nt)t
fail to preach as occasion offered.
For exami>le, service was held at Fort Hall on
Sunday, the 27th of Julv, which was not onlv at-
tended bv Wyeth's men, but bv the fur-hunters of
the vicinitt', and notablv bv a body of Hudson's
Bay Comi)any people, half-brei'tls and Indians under
Th(mias McKav, who, owing to the Sunday training
at the forts, were exceptionally di'votional. it was
a grand and solemn sight, these rough and reckless
children of the forest, gathered from widely remoti'
(juarters, with varied tongues and customs, here in
the heart (A' this mighty wilderni'ss, the eternal hills
their temple-walls, and for roof the sky, stantling,
kneeling, with heads uiwovered, their souls bowed
in adoration before their one creator and ijovernor.
What these same devout worship[)ers were doing an
liour afterward, dritdving. tratticking, swi'arlng, ami
stabbing, it is needless to detail. Man is oft an
irrational animal, and we are least of all ti> look for
reason in religion.
The following Wednesday the missionaries con-
tinued their westward way, driving with them their
LOL'ATIN»T TUE MISSION.
03
%
cattle, which must needs havi- time and travel leisurely,
while Wyeth remained to complete the fort which he
was huUdinLC, that is to sav, Fort Hall. With the Lees
were now' Stuart, an English captam travelhnj;- m
the Kocky Mountains, and ^[cKay, who sent some
Indians forward with tluin to Walla Walla, where
they were a^ain joined hy Wyeth. Leaving there
the cattle, they were transported hy harge to tlu;
Dalles, where they took canoes, most of which were
demolished at the Cascades. The greattu' })ortion of
their etfects were hy this time lost; and in a be-
draggled condition, in advance of the others, Jason
Lee presented himself at Fort Vancouver. When
the remainder of his party arrivetl, the IGth of Sej)-
tember, he stood at the landing beside McLoughlin
to receive them.
ilall on
nly at-
ters of
ludson's
under
aining
It was
H'kless
emote
ere in
1 hills
|nding,
bowiMl
lernoi'.
|ng an
and
\\'t an
il: for
con-
their
The brig JlFay Dacre, Wyeth's vessel, on which
were the tools and goods of the missionaries, had for-
tunatelv arrived and was Ivino', as before mentioned,
at Wapato Island. The innnediate consideration was
to locate a mission. Jason and Daniel Lee had strictly
observed the uppei' country as they passed through it,
and had conversed freely with its inhabitants. Mean-
while, among other ))laces, they had hi-ard nmch of the
valley of the Willamette, and entertainer! a stronu'
desire to behold it before establishing themselves.
Therefore, after a brief rest, leaving the three lay-
men at Fort Vancouver, they j)rocee<led thither, A[c-
ijoughlin kindly furnishing them horses, j)rovisions,
and men to accompany them. The route taken was
the one then common to trappers, by canoe to Thomas
Ml Kay's farm, situatiMJ a little way up a small creek
that fell into the ]V[ultn.tmah, and from this place
vvitii horses, passing ovei- a high ridge, several miles
in extent, to the Tualatin Plains, through a series
of gently rolling prairies, divided by groves of tir
and oak. Beyond the plains was found what the\'
describe as a delightful hilly tract, scversd mih's in
64
SETTLEMEMT OF OREiiON.
extent, thinly wooded at intervals, otherwise open and
covered with grass. From these hills they descended
V)y a gentle grade into the Chehaleni Valley, that
stretches away east to the Willamette. On reaching
the river at this place they swam their horses, and
crossed to the east side, where settlement had been
V)egun. Along the river they found about a dozen
families, mostly French Canadians, who had been
hunters in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company,
or free trappers, and had very lately left that occupa-
tion for farming, so as to obtain surer support and
greater security for themselves and families. They
seemed prosperous and hap})y, and ga\(> the mission-
aries a polite and generous welcome. One night Joseph
Gervais, a leading [)ersonage thereabout, set up their
tent in his garden, among melons and cucumbers.
It reminded them of the passage in holy writ, "a
lodge in a garden of cucumi)ers."^
It was all ({uite diflerent from what those might
be led to expect who undertake to carry the gospel
to an unknown wiklerness, among unknown savage
tribes. The fascinations of the place were too strong
to be resisted; so without more delay, about two
miles above the farm of (xervais, on the east side
of the river, sixty miles from its mouth, they chose
their location, upon a broad sweep of low alluvial plain,
whose rich grassy meadows, bordered by oak, fir,
cotton-wood, white maple, and white ash, lay invit-
ingly ready for tlie plough."^
lii'turning to Fort A^ancouver, the Lees })roceeded
to remove their men and eflects to the site chosen.
Again they found McLoughlin readv to tender them
every assistance. A boat and crew were })laced at
their (lis])osal to transport the mission goods from
the M((i/ Jhirrc. Horses were given in exchange for
others that liad been left at Fort Walla Walla. Seven
' This liy the missionaries themselves. L< c luid Frost, Tin Vi "/w hi Or. , 124.
*" liiiiiiel Lee is verj' entiiusiiistie in his Jescriiition of tlie Willamette A al-
ley tlimuglirmt, althougli lie calls Kelley's idea thereof extravagant.
:1
HEAVENLY AN1> KAKTHLY EMl'IRE.
65
'n and
ended
, that
iching
M
s, and
'"^^1
been
dozen
been
^^9
iipany,
'-^8
ccupa-
rt and
They
lission-
Joseph
p their
mibers.
Tit, "a
might
■La
gospel
savage
■1
strong
it two
Lt side
1 cliose
'
1 plain,
Ik, fir,
1 invit-
fcceded
.|
Bhosen.
1 them
£i
moid at
H from
1
Id'i' for
^
^Wl
■Seven
'
m>,:, 124.
1
^Htte'Val-
oxen were loaned with which to haul timber for build-
ing, and eight cows with their calves were furnishetl,
and one bull, in ])lace of the two cows that had been
driven from tlie Missouri to the Columbia lliver and
left in the U])per countrv.
The labor atU-nding the driving of the cattle and
of transporting the goods, which required carriage
round the vails and reloading in the canoi'S, was con-
siderable, and occuined several days; but by the (ith
of October stock and eflects were safely placed on
the bank of the Willamette, ready for eonsecration
and use.
Tlie causes governing the selection of a site are
obvious. Jason Lee was a, man ; although a servant of
the Lord, he was already the master of men. How
far the thought of empire had hitherto mingled with
Ins missionary })lans prol)ably he himself could scarcely
tell. He could n(»t but see that human }»ossibilities
were broader, mightier, in the fertile valley of the
Willamette, open through its Columbia avenue to the
sea, than the inaccessible so-called Flatliead country.
Were lie altogether missionary, and not man, he might
have felt that, though tlie possibilities for man were
here greater, with God all things are possible, and
so have remained in the rock-bound region of mid-
continent. But 1)ein<j full of human ambition as well
as of human sympathy, it was not difficult to make
the interests of God indentical with his own."
"Diinit'l Ta'o says tliat in tlie occasion wliich originated the iilea of the
I'"hitlieail mission tiie chiini of the Flatliuada to tlie lir.st niis.sionary etforts liaii
hecu overrated, and that Huhse(|Uent iiu|niries had furnished reasons for he-
lieviiig they wouhl not be justitied in attempting to ojien tlieir mission work
among that tribe. These reiisons were, the didiculties of obtaining food,
and of tiansporting building material and imiilements a distance of tiOO
miles; the small number of the I'latheads, whose perjictual wars «itii the
Hlackfoot Indians jirevented tiu'ir inerea.se; tin; fact that tlie latter wi^-e
a,s much tlie enemies of white men as of the neigid)oriiig tribes, and would
cherish besides additional hostility toward any who should become allied
with them, either white or red; and the desire the missionaries had for a
larger tielil of usefulness than that of!' red by a sinj^h' tribe. They took into
account, he said, the wants of the whole eouidry, jirest'iit and ]pros|ieetiv»!, and
honed to meet those wants in the progress of their work. They chose the
W'dlamette station as a starting-point and centre of a wide field of proposed
Hist. Ok., Vol.. 1. .">
66
«ETTLE.MENT OF UKEGON.
The incipient attempts of the French Canadians in
the valley of the Willamette can scarcely he called
the hegimiing of Oregon settlement, although they
did so l)egin and effect permanent work. The object
of such a movement must 1)e considered, no less than
the result; the object, and the action taken toward
its ciMisummation. The organization of a common-
wealth, or the establishing of empire, was not among
the purposes of the fur company's servants; they
desired simply retirement, with ease and plenty. And
lienevolcnt action, wliere unlimited supjilioa could lie jirnduuoil as required:
lieuce they here Htruek the first blow for the Oregon niissionsf, and here began
tlie arduous toil of elevating the heathen. This will do very well for Daniel,
though his reasoning is not all of the soundest. White. Tin Yi'iirs in Or.,
125, says that ' Lees object seemed principally to introduce a better state of
things among the white settlers. .. He had originally been sent out to labor
among the Flathead Indians, and passing througli the country, leaving tli'-in
far to the right, went on to the Willamette, intending to .sj)end tiiere a winter
before proceeding to his destination. He found tlie udld erpiable eliuuite,
and society, tiiough small, of wliites, more congenial to his habits than any-
thing he could expect in the section to which he had been sent. Thinking
that he discovered signs of the colony becoming an extensive and valuable
field of u.sefulne8s, and that, for various reasons, the Flatheads had less claim
upon missionary efforts than had been supposed, he determined to assume the
responsibility and commence a mission on the Willamette.' It is but fair
to state in this connection that at the time this paragraph was written and
printed White and .lanson Lee were not on the best of terms. (Jray, 7//V.
Or., liu, finds a reason in the selfish report of the Hudscm's Bay Company,
which led them 'to believe that the Flathead tribe, who had sent their mes-
sengers for teachers, were not only a small, but a very distant tribe, and vei'v
disadvantiigeously situated for the establishment i.nd support fif a missionary,'
and which induced them to turn their attention to the lower Columbia.
Tliis is only jtartially true. McLoughlin did advise the Lees to settle in
the Willamette Valley, Init not for the reiusou named. I shall have occa-
sion to refer again to McLoughliu"s views upon this subject in a subse(juent
chapter.
The fact uuist be taken into taecount tiiut Daniel Lee wrote after nine
years of Oregon life. It is easy to see that when he talks of tlie wants of
the whole country, present and prospective, lie nmst have had more than two
or three weeks' exi)erience of it; anil it must have been better known to him
than it could have l)eeu by a voyage down tlio Columbia and a ride of 00
miles afterward through a wilderness. It can hardly be doubted that when
•lason Lee came to see, as he did in his journey across the continent, how
much less interesting a being was the real Indian than the one pictured upon
the warm imagination of the missionary society, his intuitions came into
jday, and his fund of good sense and I'eason nuuie it apparent to him that
the task he had undertaken wa.i of too lai'ge proportions for even his strengtii
to accomplish. He was ou the ground, however, on Oregon territory, and
he would do the be.st he could to fulfil tiie intentions of those who liad sent
him, without entirely sacrificing himself and his associates. Tiiere were
Indians enough, not to mention half-breeds and wiiite men, in tlie Willamette
Valley, who needed the teachings oi' the gospel; and here he would remain,
within reach of civilized society and the protection of the friendly fort.
HATJ- J. KELLEY.
67
by ivason of continued debt and close intercourse,
they were abnost as niucli serf's of the lords para-
mount at Foi't Vancouver when in the Valley Wil-
lamette as when on the River Columi)ia."'
On the other hand, anionu, those who laid the foun-
dations of Orei^oii's present institutions, of Oregon's
})reserit society and prosperity, I should mention first
of all t'.ie Uoston school-master, the enthusiast, the
schemer. Hall J. Kelley, though he never was a
settler in the country, though he remained there but
a short time, under inaus})icious circumstances, and
dei)arted without making any apparent mark. It was
iie who, more than any other, by gathenng information
since 1815 and spreading it before the peojile, kept
alive an intelligent interest in Oregon; it was he who
originated schemes of emigration, beginning Avith one
from St Jjouis in 1828, which, though it failed and led
Ifter iiiiu'
wants ot
Ithau two
In to him
Vie of GO
Jiat when
lent, how
led upon
liino into
liini that
jstrengtli
loryi a'>'l
IkuI si'nt
I're wero
llhunett"'
I remain,
ft.
" AcconUng to a statement of McT^oughlin, the hegiiining of the Frencli
settlement liappened in this wise: Etienne Liieier, wliose time had expired
in 1828, a«ke(l MeLougldin if he helieved the Willamette Valley would eve."
he oecupied hy settlers, to which the latter replied that wherever wheat grev.
there would he a farming eomniunity. T^icier tlieii asked what assistanci'
woulil lie given him should he settle as a farmer. The Hudson's Bay Com-
pany were hound under heavy penalties not to discharge their servants in tlie
Indian country, Imt to return tiiem to the place where they were engaged.
Jiut McLoughlin otlered a plan and rides for settlement to Lucier which wen^
accepted anil afterward liecame general. First, to avoid tlie penalty, the men
must remain on tiie company's l)ooks as servants, hut they might work for
themselves, ami no st^'vice wonlil he reipiired of them. Second, they must
all settle togeciier, and not scatter about amongst the Indians, with wiioin
their half-hreed cliildren would he taught hy tlieir mothers to sympathize,
making tiiem dangerous neighbors; while hy keejiiiig their Indian wives
among themst-lves e.\clusiv(dy, these women would serve as hostages for tint
good conduc"^ of their relatives iu the interior. Third, eacli settler must have
fifty pounds sterling due l:im, to supply himself with clotiiing and imple-
ments, which rule was designed to make them saving and industrious, and hy
making their farms cost them something, attach them to tiieir homes. Fourth,
seed for sowing anil wlieat to fee<l tlieir families would lie loaned them for
the first year, anil two cows each for an indefinite period. These were tlu'
terms which secured oidy the hetter class of Canadians as settlers, and kept
the idle and dissolute from hecoming incorporated with them. The American
trappers, having no credit on the company's hooks, were nevertheless fussisted
iu the same way and to tlie same extent, as the l)est means of making of them
good citizens instead of roving fireln-ands among the Indians. At the end ot
the first three years all the settlers, French and American, were out of deht.
This interesting account wa.s only recently discovered among the privati:
pap^Ts of I>r McLoughlin, ami liy consent of Mrs Harvey, his daughter, was
printed among the archives of the Oregon Pioneer Association, under the
title of Copi/ of a Document, in <h\ Pioneer Asuociatioii Tntn-f. ISSi), p. .")0.
%
y
I !
II h
;: «a
I : if
68
SETTLKMENT OF OUECON.
to another futilo attcin})t by sea in I H32, was tlie father
of several exix'ditions, notahlv tliat of Wveth ," and
was the innnediate cause of the settk'nient of many
prominent [)ioneers; it was lie, tliis fanatic, wlio stimu-
lated senators to speak for Oregon on the floor of
congress, and even shaped the presidential policy.
[ am not prepared to give Mr Kelley all he claims,
hut I am ])repared to give him his due. With regard
to the missionary brothers Lee, wlio arrived in
the country l)efore him, he maintains that they too
received their first knowledge of Oregon through
him, and that he was the first person to advocate the
christianizing of the natives. That he did impress upon
the new connnonwealth some portion of his ideas, that
he did influence its destinies, there is no question,
thoutfh we have on means of weiuhinu,' that influence
with any degree of-exactness. Regarding settlement his
writings contain some practical suggestions; indeed,
without clear discrimination between desiuii and neces-
sity, and read by the light of subsequent events, some
of them miglit be pronounced prophetic.'" For a sketch
" ' This novel expeditinn was not, liowovcr, the original or s|)ontano()us
motion of Mr Nathanii'l J. Wyotii, nor Wius it entirt'ly owing to tlie piiblicii-
tions of Lewis and ( larke, or Mackenzie. . .Tliey were ronsed to it by the
writings of Mr Hall J. Kelley.' Wi/i'/Ji'.t Orojoii, 3.
'•'Tako, for example, what he says jvhont the designs, dnties, and proba-
hilities of settlement in his unrealized scheme, entitled, A (Iviicnil Cirnddr to
oil I'lTKOim oj' (loful Cliiinirtfr irlio irinli, to mii/niffl to tlie Orajon Tcrritori/,
I iiilirnriiii/ some Arrouiit of the C/innictir und Ailrdiititiji'.s of' the ('oniitri/: The
IfUjIit niid the Meni)/' mi)/ Oyerntioii.'^ Iii/ ir/iich it /.s' 'o he xittlcil : — mid idl iii'r<:i-
siiri/ direftioiiK for hcroiiihuj mi luiihjrmit. H.\i,r, J. Kki.lky, (ivnentl Aijoil.
By Order of the A nierirmi iSorhti/ for Enron ritijhiii the Settlement of the Orei/oii
Territorij. Iiixtilutiil in liofton, A. I). ISJ'J. It is a plan of ' Oregon settle-
ment, to he commenced in the spring of 18.S2, on the delightfnl and fertile
l)anks of the Colunihia River.' Among the tir.st results of in(]uiry is a
' clear conviction that the time is near at iiaiid, and advancing in the ordinary
course of Providence, when the Oregon country shall lie occupied liy an en-
lightened people, skilled in the various improvements of science and art. A
people, thus enlightened and skilled, and enjoying the advantages of a climate,
soil, and markets as good in their kind as the earth affords; ami other natural
means, which mostly contribute to the comforts and convenience of life;
(iliergized ami blessed by the niilil and vital principles of the American
repunlic, and the sacred ordinances of the C'hristaiii religion ' — must l)e pros-
perous and happy. ' 'J'lie settlement, carrying on a trade witli the islan<ls of
the Pacific ami with the people about the shores of that ocean comn\ensnrate
with its wants, nmst advance in prosperity and 2)ower unexampled in the
history of nations. From the plentitnde of its own rcBOUrccs, it will soon be
^
I'KorosEi) cniKs.
69
oftlie lift' of this remarkable man, with an account of
iiis visit to Oregon in 18;}4, and an analysis of his
cliaracter, I nmst refer th^ reader to my History of
the North ii<est Coast, where also may be found an ac-
count of Wyeth's expeditions, and of those persons
arriving in the Oregon territory prior to the opening
eiiiililol to rfustiiiu its own oporations, aii<l will hasten on to its) own majesty
to a prmiil rank (Ml the eartli.' T!ion lie goes on at length to apeak of what
should he (lone to seeiire these results. ' ^leasu^es will he adopted for huildiug
oaOray'a Bay and at the mouth of the r'ver eominereial towns... This bay
oliens into tlie northern hank of the Coluinhia, ahout eleven miles from its
nioutli,' he says. Five miles 8(iuare of territory at this place ' will he LJd out
into the necessary configuration and divisions for a seaport town.' Streets of
convenient width will run from the water, bisecting other streets at right
angles. At distances of two sfjuares is to be an area of ten acres for parade
or pleasure ground, which is forever to remain open and unoccupied witii
hiiitdings. The centre of the main street or thoroughfare, of the width of
Kkllky's 1'lan ok ax Oregon I'ity.
100 feet, is to be (levoted to the purpose of a public market. The valley of
tlie Multnomah is to be chierty occupied for commercial, agricultural, and
manufacturing iperations. The metropolis of tiie country is designed to ])e
a', the falls. Portions of the outlands adjoining the towns will be put into
lots, 40 by 1()0 rods, or 40 acres each; making the number of their (livisions
e(iual to the whole nund>er of emigrants over fourteen years of age, not in-
cluding married women. Next to these will be other lots of KiO acres each,
making up the complement of 200 acres to each emigrant. Roads as far as
practicable are tc) be laid out in right lines, intersecting each other at right
angles. It is desirable that all topographical surveys anil divisions of farming
lands be made i>y the method which two years ago was suggested to con-
gress, and wliicli was examined, approved of, and recommended by General
Hernard, then at thi' liead of the corps of civil engineers.
For purposes of relii'ion, a fund was to be set apart for proselytism, and
missionaries were urge(l to end)ark in the work of general conversion. These
and many other things relating to the proposed adventure were printed in
pamphlet form, and the newspaper pres.s throughout the country solicited to
70
.SKTTLEMKNT OF OKKliON.
(late of this volume, wliose iiaino^ arc not lierein given.
Tliere was one in particuhir among Kelley's com-
panions, Ewing Young, wlio remained, and of wlionj
I shall have much to say. As previously shown,
Wyeth's ])urpose was not settlement, but tratlic; his
occupation at Waj)at<> Island was fishing and trade in
furs with the natives. As this did not suit the gen-
tlemen of the Hudson's Bay Company, who were
strong in the land and desired the continuance of
their monopoly, but who were without the political
right to drive out the people of the United States,
while entertaining them hospitably, as a rule, at Fort
A'^ancouvcr, they so circumscribed and defeated their
busines.*- efforts in this quarter that Wyetli among
others waso finally forced to sell to them and retire
from the field. With the subsequent affairs of this
history the expeditions heretofore given have little
to do, excej)t in connection with those of their numbei"
who remained to settle.
As their terms of contract expired, the Hudson's
Hiiy Company began to retire its servants, giving
them choice lands not too far removed from its
benign rule. This was the origin of tlie French Cana-
dian settlements in the beautiful Vallev Willamette,
>.'ive the contents further circulation throuf,'li their columns, to the i>roinoti()i)
of individual happiness and the prosperity of the country.
The settlers were to carry with them their own government, as it should
lie formidated for them by congress. Special attention shoidd be paid to
schools, morals, and religion. No drones or a icious persons should lut
accepted hy tlie society, and all proposing to emigrate must bring cortiticates
of good character. The society would supply most of the expenses of emi-
gration, and on arrival the emigrant was to receive town lots and land worth
from §2,000 to .S10,(MK). The person proposing to emigrate must deposit
twenty dollars with the society, and swear obedience to all just regulations,
wliich at first were to he militery. The route slundil be fron" St Louis up
the Platte, through Soutli Pass, and down the Columbia, and the expedition
sliould take its departure the last of March. Tlie funds of tlie society were
to consist of %;'20(),(K)0, subscribed stock, divided into sliarcs of ^\W), each
share entitling the holder to KiO acres of land, besides deposit money ami
such donations as shoiUd be obtained from jiublic-sinrited men and the gov-
ernor.
Ten years after Kelley had left Oregon, hoping yet to return and realize
liis dreams of establisliing ui)on the shores of the Pacilio a virgin state which
slmuld grow into an empire in the progress of time and events, most of the
formative ideas set fortii in his circular were actuall being carried out by
emigrants from the United States.
J-KENCH rRAIKlE.
71
And there were those continuing in the service of
Uie company who <fa.\i' tlieir names to localities —
instance Cox, the Eunueus of Fort Vancouver, and
Sauve, who kept the dairies on Wapato Island, after-
ward Sauve Island.^'
FkKNCII I'ltAlKIK.
French Prairie, the ti-act where the servants of the
fur company began their planting in the AVillamette
''The curioMs elements out of whicli new countries are colonized, and tlie
varied character of the recipients of the Hudson's Hay ('onii)any's protection,
are well illustrated hy this same swineherd, wiiose name is given to I'ox
I'lain, two miles below Fort Vancouver, wiiere among tlie oaks tliat skirt the
("olumhia he lived witli his herd. Cox was a native of the Hawaiian Islands,
and had witnessed the death of Cajitain Cook. He afterward went to
72
SETTLEMENT OF UKEliON.
Valley, oxtendt'd from tho inreat westward bend of that
river south to IjUc l^a Hiclie ahout tweiitv-tive miles.
[t had the Willamette to the west and Puddinjj;-
liiver " on the east. Between it and the Willamett(i
was a belt of low wooded land. It was beautified
l)y proves of fir and oak at frequent intervals, and
watered by nuinentus .small streams. East of Pud-
dino' River rose the foothills of the Cascade Ranf.^e,
and towerini;' beyond and over them the shaggy
heights of those grand mountains, overtopped hero
and there by a snowy jicak.
The entrance to this lovely region from the north
was, as already in+imated, op[)osite the n»outh of the
Chehalem, a smah stream flowing into the Willamette
from the west, and famous for the charming features
of its little valley. ^'^
The landing at the crossing of the Willamette on
the east side was known as Cauipement du Sable,
being a sandy bluff and an encampment at the point
of arrival or departure for French Prairie. Two
England with the island king, and as a guard presented arms to Oeorge III.,
and was rather lionized in London. He came at last to he the swineherd of
tlie chiefs at P'ort Vancouver, where he lived and died amongst his oaks.
Am/crKOii'n J/i/if. A'orf/iireKt Count, MS., 8!)-lK). An lilnglishman named Felix
Hathaway, save<l from the wreck of the Hudson's Bay Comj)any'8 vessel
W'lUiiim Olid Ann in 1828, l)ecanie ,a resident of Oregon. Another sailor
who came to Oregon in 18'2t) was James M. Bates. He is claimed l)y
some to he the first American settler in Oregon, as he remained in the
country and cultivated a piece of land on Scappoose Bay, an estuary of the
( 'olumhia, south of and helow Sauv(5 Island. >le was still living in Oregon
in 1872.
'* The nomenclature of the various posts whose historj' is presented in
tliese volumes will lie given in their natural order as the work progresses.
The name Willamette and its orthography are discussed in the History of the
Northwest, Coant, to which the reader is referred. Pudding River receiveil its
name from the circumstance of a trapping party which had become bewil-
deretl and out of food; there they ate a pudding made from the hlood of a
mule which they killed. W/iitv's Ten Yenrg in Or., 70. Lac I^a Biche, or
I )eer Lake, took its name from the abundance of game in its v icinity in the
period of tlie early settlement of French Prairie.
'■■Chehalem is an Imlian name, whose signilicatiou is not clear. Parrish,
ill his Ori'i/on Aiurdotcx, MS., 15, attempts to sIkiw thiat the prefix rhf which
occurs so frequently in the Indian dialect meant town or 'ville.'and cites
C/ieineketa, C/icnoii'di/, ChenmhiU, an<l other names. He fails to make evident
tiie analogy, as these were not names of villages, l)ut rather of valleys or
localities. Cheamhill, now corrupted into Yamhill, aignifies a beautiful view
of a range of grassy hills near the ford of the Yamhill River. Deady'ti Hint.
Or., MS., 7C; Victor's Or., 195
; i!
,,
i !
KAKI.IKST SllTTLKIlS IN OKKliOX.
>^"
miles above this })(»int Mas Chnmpoeg,'" tlu; Hist
settlement.
Amono' those wlio were living:; on French Pi'uirie
at the time of" the ai'rival of tlie Lees were sonit-
who had eome with the Astor exjx'ditions, some
who hinted at havint^ been left behind by l^ewis
and Clarke; and to tliese were later joined the rem-
nants of the expeditions of Wyetii and Kelley.
[rge III.,
lehenl of
liij oaks,
led Felix
[a vessel
!r sailor
Imed by
ill the
of tlie
Oregon
;(l in
Igresses.
I// of thf
lived its
bewil-
|od of a
bhe, or
in the
^arrish,
J which
ll cites
Ivident
]ey8 or
' view
Hht.
I will give hero the names of some of those who first settled there, and
such information concerning them as I have been al>le to obtain. Some of
them we sliall frequently meet in the course of this history, according an they
play their several parts in the colonization of Oregon. It has been claimed
by or for Francis Rivet and Philip Degie that they were with Lewi.s and
Clarke. Roberts, in liis litroUeiiionx, MS., states that Rivet was a c<mtiden-
tial servant of the Hudson's Bay Company for 40 years, living most of the
time at Fort Colville. Degie was born in Sorel, Canada, in 173!t, and died in
Oregon, February 27, IS47, at the remarkable age of 108 years. Rivet died
September 15, 1852, aged 05. Omjoii Citij S}url(Hoi; July 29, 1851 ; Snu frnii-
rixro I/eriilil, August 14, 1851; Plarer Tiiiirs <t)ul Tran.icripf, Nov. 30, 1851;
Sun FniiiciMco Alto, Aug. 14, 1851. Their claim becomes somewhat insecure,
though not -lositively invalid, as we turn to the Lewk ami Vlarken Trnveln, i.
178, written in April 1805, when the expedition was making its final start
from the Mandan village, and read : 'Tiie party now consisted of tliirty-two
persons. Besides ourselves were sergeants .Tohn Ordway, Nathaniel I'ryor,
and Patrick Gass ; the privates were William Bratton, John Colter, John
Collins, Peter Cru/atte, Robert Frazier, Reuben Fields, Joseph Fields, (ieorge
(iibson, Silas Goodrich, Hugh Hall, Thomas P. Howard, Baptiste Lapage,
Francis Liibiche, Hugh McNeal, John Potts, John Shields, ( Jcorge .Shannon,
John B. Thompson, William Werner, Alexander Willard, Richard Windsor,
Joseph Whitehouse, Peter Wiser, and Captain Clarke's black servant, York.
The two interpreters were George Drcwyer and Toussaint Chaboneau. The
wife of Chaboneau also accompanied us, with her young child, and we hope
may be useful as an interpreter among the Snake Indians. She was herself
one of that tribe, but had been taken in war by the Minnetarees, by whom
she was sold as a slave to Chaboneau, who brought her up and afterward
married her. One of the Mandans likewise embarked with us, in order to go
to tlie Snake Indians and obtain a peace with them for his countrymen.' In
an old man at Fort Colville, Parker, Joiirual, 202, saw one of Lewis and
Clarke's men.
"Lee and Frost spell this word C/iiimpory, and say that it is ide.itic ' p"
to location with Campement du Sable. Chauii)oeg, is said to be an L a
word, though it might have come from the French rhitni]H'(iu.v, or plains, with-
out as mucn change as many names have iiude.g(mc.
74
SETTLEMENT OF OKECiON.
|l
I
lAm'iM Piohetto left ('iiiiada in ISI", with ii C()iii|iaiiy of 'J.'» trappern, ami
wiiitoreil (III tilt' |iliiiiiN, liwiiig m'vcn of tliu iiiiiiilifr, and arriving at Axtoria
in 1818. i'icliutto rciainctl (vlxmt in C'ulifornia anil Oregon for twelvu yuarH
in the Hervice of the MikIhoii'm Ifciy ('oiii]iaiiy. In ]H'A'> he nettled on a farm
ill tin: \S iiiaiiiette Valley, where lie reHiiled for over 40 yeai'M. He died
Noveinher 20, 187*), ageil 78 yearn. I'oillnml Sfnmlitrtl, Deceinher '2'2, 187G;
StiO'iH WiHomiltc Fiiniiti; Dee. '2'2, lH7(i ; Suli'in S/nfiMmiiii, Dec. '2'2, 187(i.
Other Canadians whiLse naine.s apiiear aiiiong the early Hettlern an: Franein
l^uemiel, who died in 1844, aged ()"> yearn ; Loiiin Shaugarette, who died in
183.">; lienideM Payette, Hilake, Koudeau, PournafJ'e, ("hanil>'"laiii, and jiroliahly
others. Andre La Chapello wan jirolialily of I'iehetteV, iiirty. He was iiorn
in Montreal, August 14, 1781, and left Canada for Oregtiii in 1817, to join the
nerviee of tlie Northwest Company. In 181!) he was ordered to take a partj'
up the Coluinliia as far as lioat Fiiieampmeiit, or the ' liig liend ' of that river,
ill latitude nearly .VJ" north, to meet the expresa from Canachi. That year Wiw
noted for a great Hood on the Coliimliia, and eneampmeiit eould lie made in
few places. There was ten feet of watt^r over tiie prairie where the ttiwii <if
Vancouver now stiuids. When hea<l(|uarters were removed from Astoria to
Vancouver, La Chapelle went to Fort Vanc<iuver to reside, and remained in
the eonipany's service as a ' leader ' until 1841, when he retired and settled
■with the other Canadians in the Willamette Valley. For 40 years he lived
on his farm at Champoeg, and died .luiie 11, 1881, having attained to within
two months of 100 years. I'ortliiiul (h'rtjoiiioii, .luiie '21, 1881; Sun Fntiiwro
C/iroiiklc, .luiie 'M, 1881, Francis Dupre, another of the French settlers in the
Willamette \'alley. died in 18r)8 at the age of W) years. These quiet, ohedient,
simple-hearted people. Arcadians all, were remarkalde for their longevity. All
had Indian or half-lireed wives, and numerous children. Louis Pichette had
'Jl ofl'spring. 1 tind mentioned the name of Andrew Duhois, and his wife
Margaret, who were living on French I'rairie in 1840, and had probably been
ill Oregon several years. Siiiri/t'i-'.s licyt. of Ciu^cx, ii. 4.Sr).
With the overland Astor expedition under Hunt came, with others, Joseph
( iervais, always prominent in the French Canadian settlement. After serving
the Hudson's Bay Company, and acting for ten yi^'irs as an independent trap-
per, he took a farm on the jirairie. Another noted man was Michel Lii Fraiii-
boise, the leader of the southern annual trapping parties to California, who.
was so attentive to Kelley when sick. He settled on the west side of the
Willamett' . Another was Louis I.iii lioiite, who settled on the west side of the
river in 18 '{, in what is now Yamhill. Etieiine Lucier, also of Hunt's party,
remained ' serve the British Company, and afterward settled in the Willa-
mette Val. where in the autumn of 1829 he took a farm on the Willamette
where Eiist ortland now stands. He afterward removed to French Prairie.
Lucier, acco i'lg to McLoughlin, was the first settler. La Bonte died in
I8(i0, aged 8( ears. Lucier died in 18.")^, and (lervais in 18()1, the age of the
latter being ^ years. AVilliaiii Cannon, a Virginian, and a sohlier from Fort
Mackinaw, s .tied on the west side of the Willamette River, opposite the
falls, and lived to the age of 00 years, dying in 18r)4. Still another of the
arrivals of 1812 was one Montoure, who is always mentioned by his surname.
He selected for ;■. farm that rich jirairie where Samuel Brown subseiiuently
\VVKTMS MKX.
l!i
ha<l n:i rxtcnHivc fiirniing ontablichmcnt, nnil whtTo tlio town of fJorvaia now
Ntaiuln. Montoun^ koM liii* iiuiirovoiiu'iits to ^'icrrc I)('i>ui>i, wlio romainnl
mi thr fariii till IH.'iO, wlicii it wan Mold tn Mr Hmwn. Simim rimnomUiHu in
Willi by Dunn, in his On-i/nii Ti-rrifoi\i/, '2'M\, M'itli aiuitlit'i' Ciinailiaii, Kancaiilt,
to liuvc l)ceii the tipNt Frciu-hiiiaii to nettlf in tlic Will.iiuutto Valley, liy
which 111' limy have meant French I'rairiu. I'lunmnileau had mitvoiI as cock-
Hwain todeneral ('««« in an expeilitioii to the northwcMt territory, iuul was
a very Mkilfiil and relialde lioatnian and woodsman, and served several Ameri-
lans in the Oregon territory, among others Lieutenant Wilkes, in IS4I. U. S.
K.i: AV., iv. X^S. Among the reniniints of jinnt's jiarty in Oregon were
Madame Dorioii and her son; the woman was still living in the ^\'illamette
X'alley in ISiV).
.lohu B. W'yetii, Onynii, 51, names ten m(ui who in ISH'J continued their
|(iiirn''y with his '.....ther to the Colnmhia: (J. Sargent, W. Hreck, S. Hurditt,
('. 'I'ihlietu, (J. TntmhnU, .1. Woodman Smith, John Hall, Whittier, St Hair,
and Alihot. As a matter of iiwt, there were eleven, the other i)rol)alily liiMUg
Solomon }\. Smith, who came to Ori^gon in that year. Holu'rt Camphell of
St LouiH, originally of the nnmher, does not apimar to have reaehed western
Oregon. Alilmt, who remained to trap on Salmon Kiver, was, with one of his
companions, killed l>y the lianuack Indians. Toiriiti'in/'.i A'";'., '_'■_'.'». (!ray adds
two names, for which I lind no authority— Moore ami (ireely — the former
killed hy Indians, the latter not accounted for. He makes no mention of .lohu
Kail, reputed the tirst American farmer in the Willamette^ N'alley. iSargent
died in IS.Sli, of dissipation. According to <iray, ///.•</. (h:, I'.M, Whittier
was given a passage to the Sandwich Islan<ls hy the Hudson's Bay ( 'onipany,
and 'rrumhuU killed himself hy overeating at Fort A'ancouv(>r.
On the Ist of .lanuary, KS.'W, .lohu Hall was installed as teacher «>f the
tialf-hn^ed children at Fort Vaiicouv.'r. From spring till autumn he engaged
in farming with Calvin 'rit>liets in the XN'illamette N'alley. As no .Nmerican
sc^ttlcrs arrived, and disliking the controlling power of the ]lud.son's Hiiy
Company, he emharked on a whaling vessel for South America. Ultimately
he settled at Craud K;ij>ids, Michigan. Mr Tilihets remained in Oregon, and
is one of the founders of American settlement in the Willamette Valley. He
removed to Clatsop, near the mouth of the Columliia liiver. Mr Solomon H.
Smith succeeded Mr Ball as jieihigogut) from tlie 1st of March, remained long
enough to fall ill love with the Indian wife of the liaker, ran away Mith her
and her chihlreii, and estahlished a .school at the house of .Foseph (iervais.
RdwH.-i' l(iroU<'cfioii<, MS., 'M\; Porthtuil J/irnld, March 1(), IST'J; Orcijoii.
Sjiictaior. Nov. 1, 1849. After the missioiiai'ies arrived ami l)ej;an preaching.
Smith 111 t with a change of heart, according to ])aniel Lie, though he never
returned the baker's wife. Lee uml FroMf'x Ti'ii YenrM in Or., 2(>!). He proved
a good citi/eii of Oregon, finally settling among his w ife's relatives at < 'latsoji,
where he liecaiiie a thriving farmer, and dieil at an advanced age. ]n liis
worldly afl'airs his Clatsop wife, to whom he was formally marrieil, was of
material lieuelit to him. Toliiiir's Piiijot Sumii/, MS., '_'. Of those who iicconi-
jiaiiied Wyeth in KSIU, aliout twenty reai'heel th(^ lower Columlpia; hut few of
their names have been jireserved. We know of .lames H. O'Neil, 'riiomas
•letferson Hnbl)ard. Uicli.iid McCrary, Paul Uicliardson, Sauslmry, Thornburg,
i 1
i
X
4 I
76
SETTI.EMKNT OF ORK«;0?>.
and CouHney M. Walker. Thoruburg was killed l)y Hubbard in a quarrel
about an Indian woman in 1835. Thoruburg being tlie assailant, Hubbard wa.s
allowed to go free. TownKi'iid\i iViir., 2*23^. Hubbard continued to reside in
Oregon, unmolested if not very respectable, settling on a farm two or
three miles north of Lafayette. He was active in the affairs of the early
American settlement. When the gold discovery in California drew nearly
the whole adult male population from Oregon, he built a boat at Oregon City,
loaded it with Hour, and in it safely sailed to San Francisco, where he sold
both cargo and vessel. He also Imilt a saw-mill in the Willamette Valley,
and was one of tlie first to export cattle to t'alifoniia. In 1857 he re-
moved to eastern Oregon, and died at the Umatilla reservation April 24,
1877, aged 78 years. Onyoii City Euteiyrixe, May 3, 1877; Portland Standard,
May 4, 1877. Richard Mct'rary, meeting with unpleasant adventures as a
trapper among the Blackfoot Indians, abandoned fur-hunting, took a Ne/
Perc6 wife, .and settled on a farm five miles below the mouth of tlie Willa-
mette. JJinin' Hist. Or., i32-;}.
O'Neil settled in Polk County, where he died in September 1874, aged 74
years. Salem Rerord, Sept. IG, 1874; Sali'in ]t'illaincttr Farmer, Sept. 18, 1874.
Paul Richardson did not remain in Oregon, having accompanied the Wyetii
expedition only as guide. He was a man o£ note in his way. Born in Ver-
mont about tlie year 1793, he removed to Pennsylvania, where he married,
but unhappily, and abandoned his « ifo to seek forgetfulness in the wilderness
beyond tlie Missouri, where he became a solitary and fearless explorer. In
1828, according to Ids own account, he reached tlie head waters of Fraser
River. He crossed the continent a number of times and had countless ad-
ventures, which he sehlom related. He died in California in 1857, poor and
alone, as he had lived, l/ai/c/i' Col. Cul. A'oten, ii. 292. Besides these few
Americans whose antecedents are to some extent known, the names of J.
Ednninds and Charles Roe appear in the writings of the Methodist mission-
aries of that date; they probably belonged to Wyeth's last expedition. These,
so far as known, were the only persons in the country in the autumn of 1834
not connected witli the Hudson's Bay Company. See, further, Portland
Oreyoniun, March 9 and 1(5, 1872; May 4, 1872; duly 8, 187(); If. //. h'w.i,
in Oregon Stutennuin, June 20, 1879; Trans. Or. Pioneer Asso., 1875, 5G;
McLouijhlins Private Payers, MS., passim; /ilanchet'n Cat/i. Church in Or.,
7-8; S. F. Alta California, April 22, 1853; Portland Herald, Mareii 5, 1872;
Salem Statesnuin, June 20, 1879; S. F. Bulletin, July 25, 1877.
The party accompanying Kelley and Young, on arriving at the Columbia
River, consisted of the following persoiis: John McCarty, Webley Jolin
Hauxhurst, Joseph (Jale, Jolin Howard, Lawrence Carmichael, Branny wine,
Kilborn, and (leorge Winslow (colored). Grafs Hint. Or., 191. This number
corresponds witii McLouglilin's acctiuiit, and is probably correct as to names,
though Daniel Lee thouglit there were 'about a dozen,' and gives the name of
Elislia Ezekiel, found only in one other place, namely, in if. S. (for. Doe., ,id
Sess., J.'ith Conij., 11. lleyt.. No. 101. Ezekiel was employed at the mission,
whicli explains the omission from the count at Fort Vancouver. Let Ezekiel
have praise for something; he made the first cart-wheel in the Willamette
A'alley. See Let and Frost's Ten Y^ars in Or., 129. Joseph Gale was a man
li
ft
HAUXHUKST, WINSLOW, AND M( KAV.
77
1 a quarrel
libilld wa.s
reside in
111 two or
tlie early
rew nearly
•egon City,
ure he sold
tte Valley,
Si")" lie re-
April '24,
! Stiimiard,
itures as a
,o(»k a Ne/
the Willa-
74, agetl 74
t. 18, 1874.
the Wyetli
jrn in Ver-
iie married.
1 wilderness
plorer. In
s of Kraser
untless ad-
poor and
these few
lines of .1.
inission-
)n. These,
nil of 18H4
Porllaiii/
11. Ki'vx,
187;"), 50;
7( in Or.,
5, 187--';
iif education, Imt had spent many yi^ars in the mountains with the fur com-
{■anies. He settlcMl in Oregon, and took active part in atl'airs until the Amer-
ican element acquired ascendency. He farmed, M-ent to California iis miister
of the first vessel Ituilt in Oregon hy American settlers, mined in California,
returned to Oreg m, and subsequently settled c;uit of the Cascade Mountains,
first in the Walla Walla Valley, and afterward i i Eagle Creek Valley, on the
eastern confines of the state of Oregon, where he died December '2.3, 1881,
aged !l'2 years. Fond of exploring, he joined several expeditions in searcli of
new mines during the excitement of 18{'>'2-7, hut finally engaged in fanning.
.•\ few months before his death he sold .**2,0()0 worth of produce raised on six-
teen acres of ground on Kagle Creek. Through all his life in Oregon he
enjoyed the respect of his neighbors.
Hauxhurst, a native of Long Island, also stood well in the territory,
especially with the missionaries, by whom he was converted in 18.17. He
bnilt the first grist-mill in the Willamette Valley. McCarty and Carmichacl
were stroiiglj' opposed to the Hu<lson"s Bay Company. None of the others
appear to have been conspicuous in any direction, except < teorge Winslow, the
negro, who took iin Indian wife and settled with 'ler in a c.d)in on Clackamas
I'rairic, six miles below Oregon City, and raised a family of bl.:ck red-skins.
< icorge assumed to be a doctor, and complained to subsecjuent emigrants to
Oregon that the advent of Doctor Barclay of the Hudson's Bay Company had
•bust out' his business. He also sometimes rtpudiated his antecedents, and
related how he came to Oregon in 1811 as cook to .lohn .Tacob Astii" Modx
/'io)wer Tirih^'ii, MS., 13-16. Truth was never a con.spieuous ingredient of
liis character, and in his large stories he sometimes seemed almost to forget
liis name; as ten years after his arrival in Oregon I find a negro calling himself
Wiiislow Anderson liviiig near Oregon City, and having some trouble with the
Indians, .lean Bfiptiste Deportes McKay came with Astor's company, and
settled at Cliampoeg in 1831.
Columbia
ley Jt)hn
ntiywiiie,
number
|to names,
name of
l)oi\, Sd
mission,
Kzekiel
tUamette
Ls a man
CHAPTER IV.
METHODIST OCCUPATION
18:M-18S8.
Kkmovai, ok EvKErrs — FKNciNd, Biilding, and Plantino — The Sorrow-
kit, Work ok Co.nvkrsion — Missionahv Failtrks - - Danikl I<ek
Visits thk Islands — Arrival ok Kkllev am) Young — Fkiueroa's
LeITKR- KsTRANOEMENT OK EwiN(i YoiMl Al'lAlK O^ '■ InC'OMINi;
Party «v thk Natives ok Ko(!i e River The Aki \ik ok the Dis-
tillery — AkKIVAI. OV a (JOVEliNMENT AliENT.
Wk left the missionaries with their ett'eets upon the
landing at Freneli Prairie. The labor of removal tt>
the spot selected had given the well-trained muscles of
Daniel Lee and Edwarils an)})le exercise. Lee relates
how thev missed the trail in i>oing to the farm of
Thomas McKay for horses, soon after landing, ami
floundered through quagmires and wet tide-land grass,
and how tliey were welcomed, < ii finally reaching
their destinati«)n, by Monsieur La l^onte, whose son
Louis assisted in drivinu the animals. Takini>' the
fur-traders' path over the mountains that border the
Coknnbia and lower Willamette, tlu'ough the Tuala-
tin' plains, and the valley of the Chehalem, they met
at Campement du Sable the canoe party with the goods,
and together thev soon concluded their iournev.
The little company who here [)itched their tent,
during these last davs of the ()rej>"on sununer, found
before them much to be done. All around prairie,
river, and sky; mountain, beast, and man stood inno-
cent of contact with human intelligence. Their busi-
ness now was to apply this mind-culture of theirs to
' That is to sav, 'lazy man,' from its sluggish iiKivt'iiicnts. Afoni Piomvr
Timi:s MS,, 22.
(78)
SHKLTEK AND FOUD.
79
Sorrow-
<IK1, l-KK
KiCEROA's
I N COM IN O
THK UlS-
wn tlie
oval to
sc'k'« of
1 relates
mil of
and
j>'rass,
8'
aeliin*>'
)se son
lo- the
[er tlie
riAiala-
■y met
Li'oods,
tent,
Ifoiiiul
raii'ie,
inno-
busi-
lirs to
I Piomrr
reelainiiiig for eivilized man tliis wilderness, and to
wage war ui)on primeval nature. And ))y so-called
]nnnl)le ways this mighty achievement nmst be begun.
There was the grindstone to be hung, and tools had to
be sharpened ; before proceeding to build for themselves
a habitation, rails nmst be split to make an enclosure
for the half-wild oxen, and yokes and ox-bows must
be made. The task of vokinjif and drivin"- the re-
fract(jry brutes was one to try the patience, courage,
and ingenuity of the missionaries, whose united efforts
could scarcely reduce them to submission. The cows,
too, lately driven off the pastures, were intractable,
and had to be tied by the head, and liobbled, before
they could be milked. "Men never worked harder
and performed less," says Daniel Lee. The trees
being felled, cut into the })roper lengths, and squared,'
a buildinii' twenty feet by thirty was in the course of
erection when the first autumn storm of rain and wind
came on, drenching some of the goods, to which a
tent proved only a partial protection. By the 1st of
Xovember they had a roof over their heads, and a
puncheon floor beneath their feet, while a bright fire
blazed under a chimney constructed of sticks and clay.
The doors of this primitive mansion were hewn out
of til' logs, and hung on wooden hinges; a })artition
(Hvided the house int(j two apartments, and four
small windows, whose sashes were whittled out with
a pocket-knife by Jason Lee, admitted the dull light
of a cloudy winter. Little by little tables, stools,
and chairs were in like manner added. Of bedsteads
there is no mention in the writings of the only one
of their number who has left any record. A blanket
and a plank served for a coucli. As to the food of
tlie family, it was as simple as their lodgings. They
had shi])[)ed nothing from Boston excej)t some salt
pork, which was boiled with l)arley or pease j)urcliased
^The ln'oadaxe whicli lieweil thoso log.s in ikiw kept as carefully as was
the liow of Ulysses. It came
(1 ( 'ape Horn in Wyetii's .ship, ami was
xhihited at the meeting of the Pioneer Association near Salem in 1878. P<ir-
r.^h'nOr. Amctlotc'*, MS., 1».
80
M KTHODIST OCCUPATION.
ot'tlie Frencli settlers. Unleavened lu'ead made fr(»ni
Hour broiiji^lit from Fort Vancouviir, and a little milk,
to which was sometimes added a haunch of venison
obtained from the natives, comi»leted their list of eat-
ables.
To Cyrus Shepard, unable to endure the hardships,
McLoUi^hlin oave charofe of the school at Fort Van-
couver, previously taught by Solomon H. Smith, wh(»
had taken up his residence with Joseph Gervais, and
whose children, among others, he instructed.^ Shepard
rejoined the mission probably soon after tlie house w^as
made comfortable, about which time C. M. Walker,
having fulfilled his engagement with the Lees, entered
the service of Wyeth as clerk.
Then came tlu^ labor of beginning a farm ; and the
winter being mild, a field of thirt}^ acres was })loughed
and enclosed by a rail-fence, and in the spring wjis
{)lanted and sown in wheat, corn, oats, and garden
vegetables. For the security of the prospective cro})s
a barn was erected thirty by forty feet, of logs cut by
the Lees and Edwards, assisted by Rora, a Hawaiian,
and a Calapooya l)oy called John, the Canadians
of the vicinity helping to lay up the logs. Later,
two of the men who came with Kellev and Youny:
were hired to saw logs into planks and boards for
flooring and doors, the barn being in some respects
an improvement on the house. Shingles were sjilit
from four-foot sections of fir logs, and were kept in
place by heavy poles, the buts of the second course
resting against the pole on the first, and so forth. In
this manner a o-ood roof was obtained without nails.^
M.
Such were tlieir secular pursuits. But it must not
be forgotten that missionaries had other labors to per-
' Smith Wfi8 from X. H., and fairly educated. He was a large, well-formed
man, with a nuMy comploxioii and clear gray eye, intelligent and pleasing
in conversation. See aiiiJendix, eliaji. iii., tliis volun>e.
* Tliis method of making a roof was not original with tlu^ missionaries, but
eoniniou to the frontier of Missouri and the settlements of Oregon. Tlie
sliingles were called ' elaiihoards,' and were often used for siding a cahin,
heiiig put on iierpcndicnlarly.
FUTILE ATTEMPTS AT (ON VERSION
81
\ oung
*
(Is for
ii
ispects
^ split
ept in
iff
■i
'ourse
1. In
ails.^
■:-P.
4
st not
) \}VV-
■formt'il
)lea8iiig
ic8, but
I. The
cfibiii,
form. The first sonuoii in tliis (juarter was delivered
])y Jasoii Lee on Sunday, the 28tli of September,
before a mixed congregation of officers an<l servants
of the fur company at Fort Vancouver. On the l4tli
of ])ocember religious services were again held at tlie
same ])lace, when Lee baptized four- adults and seven-
teen children, and received from the gentlemen of the
fort a contribution to the Mission of twenty dollars."*
And now on every Sunday since their arrival at the
station, a meeting of the settlers was held at (xer-
vais' house, and a sermon preached on the duties of
godliness and sobriety, an occasional meeting being
a])pointed for the Champoeg settlement. A sabbath-
school also was soon begun at Gervais for the benefit
of tlie children in that neighborhood. But these
hebdomadal eft'orts could hardly be regarded as reg-
ular missionarv work. Three native children onlv
were received at the Mission house the first winter,
namely, two or})hans, John, already mentioned, his
sister Jjucy, who was called Hedding after the Metlio
dist bishoj) of that name, and another lad, all Cala-
pooyas. John, being a healthy boy, was required to
fell trees and perform other outdoor* labt)r-. This was
directly o[)posetl to the aboriginal idea of dignity, and
contrary to taste and habit; so Jolm soon returned to
his former" ways, leaving sick and scrofulous Lucy to
be cared for and converted by the men-missionaries,
Alas for the wily wickedness of the savage heart !
Xo sooner did genial s})ring i)egin to warm his blood
than the other lordly young aboriginal, who had come
hither naked and star'ving in the cold wet winter
for comfoi"!: and consolation, jx-r^emptorily declined all
labor, whether of the hand or mind, and marched
away to his ])urple-glowing mountains,
Certain Umjxpias in j)lanting-time left a boy with
the missionaries, to be taught far'ming and religion;
but in the midsummer the latl died of consumption.
which
1 circumstance Mines says came near bringmg
' HineK' (h-i'ijon Hist., \'^.
lUst. OH., Vol.. I. Ci
Uill
i
'
i,'h
> 'H
I
1
1
.1
■ i
1
Li
8'i METHODIST OCCUPATION.
destruction on Daniel Lee and Cyrus Sliepard;" but
this Lee denies. The Kilkiniooks hrouulit a lad of
their tribe to the .^fission for instruction, who would
neither work nor learn to read ; all day long he would
sit on the bank of the Willamette ijazinj; tearfully
toward the coast, where he was born, exhibiting all
the anguish of an exile; hence on the first visit of his
people he was permitted to depart. In the midst of
tlie harvest the effect of noxious exhalations from the
freshly ploughed earth, which had for a long time been
poisoning their blood while unsubstantial diet thinned
it, became distressingly manifest in fierce attacks of
intermittent fever, each member of the Mission family
l)eing in turn i)rostrated. Fortunately the disease
yielded to medicine and all recovered.
About the begimiing of Sej^tember Louis Shanga-
ratte, of the French settlement, sud'lenly died from
the bursting of a blood-vessel, leavmg three half-
breed orphans and five Indian slaves without a home.
McLoughlin, zealous for the Mission and the children,
desired Jason Lee to take charge of this family, and of
whatever property Shangaratte might have left them.
The })roi)osition was accepted on condition that the
slaves be emancipated. These eight persons proved
a burden on tlie establishment, which was partially
relieved by the elopement of two of the natives.'
Soon three of the others, including one of Shanga-
ratte's children, died of syphilis, a disease by which
^ Hincfi' On'ijon J/iMori/, 14. Soon 'after his death his brother came to
tlie Mission, ilcteriniiied to seek revenge for the death of Kenoteesh, by taking
the life of Daniel Lee and Cyrus Sliepard. He remained overniglit, and was
prevented from aeeomplishing his design only by the interi)osition of an Indian
who accompanied him. Bent npon glutting hia vengeance on somebody,
lie crossed tlus rivei', and fell upon a band of unarmed Indians, and savagely
nnirdered several of tliem.' Leo affirms ot the lad's deatli tliat ' a messenger
had been sent to notify his relations of his danger, that they might come and
•see him before his death, and that they might have no occa«i(m for jealousy
in ease of liis decease. However, some days Ijeforc they came he was deacl.
They gathered around his grave, and remained some time wailing aloud; but
tliey appeared to be satisfied tliat everytliing ha<l Ijuen done well on our part
on Ills behalf; and after a friendly parting, tliey retui-ned again to their own
country.' Lee ciiil Front's Or., I'M.
' Daniel Lee liimself says it was a relief ' in a case where there was no little
to Iiope.' La' II 11(1 Frost's Or., 1311.
DIS(.!OUUA( J KM KN 1 S.
83
more than luilt' the native chilthvn in the Wihanictte
and ( 'olunihia valleys were infeetetl. A fourth lingered
in a serofiilous condition for two years, anil then died,
leaving hut two of these Mission wards remaining.
Durino- the autumn the Calapooyas hrou<(ht a y<)uni>-
child, the daUL,diter of a chief who was dying of con-
sunij)tion, to he cared for by the missionaries, hut she
soon followed her father to the grave. Of the four-
teen children received the first year, five died heforr
winter and five i-an away; of the remaining four two
dit'd during the next two years, leaving two for secular
and sacred ministrations.^ This was hrave work in-
deed for champions of the cross. To the poor mission-
aries, about this time, the place seemed as profitless
as that of dentist to King Stanislaus, obtained by
L'Eclure the day U})on which the king lost his last
tooth ; and Jason anil Daniel talked about it, and won-
dered if hitherto heaven's light had come to them
I'olored as through a painted window, for it was as
clearly apparent to them now, as the mark of the
avalanche on the mountain side, that their efibrts
were a failure. And later Daniel Lee was called U])on
to satisfy pul)lic iniiuiry by giving the reasons which
caused his uncle to abandon the Flatheads and settle
among Canadians and half-breeds."
* During tin; wiutor of ISIJ't a singular complaint attackc<l the Indian
cliililren. The tirst symptom was a violent pain in the ear, which rapidly
spread through the head, the pulse heing feeble and not vjry frecjuent.
The extremities soon became cold, and a general torpor spread over the system.
Unconsciousness and death shortly followed. Piirkrr's Jour., 1G5.
* Sec chap, iii., this volume. In the Or. Pioneer Amoc. Tnitin., 1880, is given
:i paper under title of ' Copy of a document, ' wherein McLoughlin speaks plainly
upon this subject. He admits that he used all his inHuence to induce the mis-
sionaries to settle where they did, giving among others the reasons afterward
furnished by Lee. He told them that to do good to the Indians they nmst
station themselves where the Indians could be colh^ctcd about an agricidtural
establishment, taught to cultivate the ground and live without hunting, v/hile
receiving religious instruction. He assured them that the Willamette afforded
a suitable situation for this purpose, and promised thi' same aid in begin-
ning farming which tho Canadian settlers received, all of wiiich engage-
•nents were generously kejit. In giving advice, however kindly inten(h!d,
the great fur magnate did not lose sight of what he deemed to be the best
interests of his company. He could not know how missionaries would be
received among the warlike tribes of eastern Oregon. ShoubV there be hos-
tility, war would follow; the company must punish any shedding of white
man's blood. War tended to diminution of profits. By i!ulucing the mis-
84
METHODIST OCCUPATION.
! ■■
Besides harvesting a plentiful croj),'" an addition
was made to the house more than ecjual in size; to
the oi'iginal strueture, and fifteen acres of land ad-
ditional were ploughed for sowing, the labor being
[)erformed by the Lees and Edwards, She})ard acting
as housekeeper and luirse. With his own liands Jason
Lee salted six barrels of salmon, then the chief food
of the country.
By the time this was accompli. Jied tlie Mission
was approaching a state of dissolution. E(lw;»rus had
joined the Lees in the first instance from love of ad-
venture, and to benefit his health, which being accom-
lished, he was desirous of returning home. The fur
company's vessel, the (lanymede, Eales connnander,
was about to sail for the Hawaiian Islands, and
Edwards bade ftirewell to the Mission su})erintendent.
He was accompanied to Fort Vancouxcr by the
younger Lee, who was in need of medical advice for
a disease of the throat which threatened consumption.
But on arriving at Fort VancouA(>r Edwards' plan
of returning to Missouri was changed by the verdict
of McLoughlin upon the case of Daniel Lee, who he
sionaries to establish themselves on the Willamette, in the vicinity of the for-
mer servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, this danger would he avoidiMl,
the lives of the missioi'aries would be rendered secure, and at the same time
those tribes most fretjuently brought in contiict with white men, and least
liable to resent innovations upon their customs, or t<i yield to the temp-
tiitif)nH of their savage natures, might grailually be taught foreign arts
and a foreign religion. It could not be expected that wnen the rules of
the corporation imposed upon the manager the duty of sending the company's
own servants, of whatever class, out of the country as soon as their terms of
service had expired, lest peaceful relations with the natives should be dis-
turbed, the head of the company should encourage wide-spread settlement by
other nationalities. But by placing the missionaries beside the Canadians,
whose names on the company s books gave them a right to be there, the un-
pleasant necessity vraa avoided of objecting to any choice they might other-
wise make, and the ends of fiir- trading and niiooion work thus became happily
adjusted. But Jason Lee, with a few months' experience, such as has been
described, began to entertain serious doubts of the rapid evangelization of tlie
natives of western Oregon. This I gather from his nephew s account; but
that he did not so inform the board of the missionary society in New York is
evident from succeeding events.
'*It consisted of irio bushels of wheat, 35 bushels of oats, 5G bushels of
barley, and 87 bushels of pease, not to mention potatoes and other v egetables.
In 183(5, 5()0 bushels of wheat were raised from 27 on the mission farm, 200
bushels of pease, 40 bushels of oats, 4A bushels of corn, 3i bushels of beans, 319
bushels of potatoes, and plenty of other vegetables.
DANIEL LKH VISITS THE ISLANDS.
,s.»
said should ^o inniicdiatcly to tlu' Islands for his
hoaltJi, aiitl to whom he offered free ])assage by the
(hniynii'dr. To leave the elder Lee with only the
half-invalid Shepard was to leave him virtually alone,
which Edwards was too generous to do. Overeome
by Lee's persuasions, he went back to the Mission dis-
ajipointed, and Daniel Lee j)roceeded to the Islands,
(in this ship was Nuttall, the botanist, who had spent
a year in studying the flora of the Pacific coast. The
previous winter both Xuttall and Townsend had
visited the Hawaiian grouj) in Wyetli's ship, the May
Darn'. The naturalists were now sej)arating, Towns-
end to remain another year in Oregon, and his friend
to go to California by way of the Islands. All these
people travelled freely on the fur company's vessels
without charge."
"Townsend loft Orogon in Novenibur 1831) in the company's bark Coliiin-
hilt. Captain Royal, l\oun(l to England liy way of the Islandt. He expresses
regret at leaving Vancouver. 'I took leave,' he says, 'of Dr McLoughliu
witli feelings akin to those with which I sliould bid adieu to an affeutionatu
parent; anil to his fervent "(Jod bless you, sir, and may you liavo a happy
meeting with your friends," I could only reply by a look of the sincerest grati-
tude. Words are inadefjuate to express my deep sense of the obligations I
feel under to this truly generous and excellent man.' X<ir., 'iO.'l. Townsend
was a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelijhia. The idea
of joining \Vyi'tl\'s expedition across the continent being suggested to him by
Nuttall, who Iwni determined to do so, was eagerly seized upon, the thouglit
of visiting unexplored regions being irresistible. Townsend seems to have
been very industrious, and was iiasisted frefpiently by the scholarly gentle-
men of the Hudson's Bay Company. He gives a list of the quadrupeds and
i)irds of the Oregon territory, many of which were new to science. Among
the former are the dusky wolf, Vdiiii.^ iniliiliin: two species of hare, Lcjiiis,
'J'owii.^i'ikIH and Lrpun aHem<:itn; a third new species is called Nuttall's little
hare, Lcjnin Niiltollii. Two new species of marmot, SiH'rmap/iilita Town-
sfiidii, and a small pouched marmot not named; also two f>f the meadow-
mouse species, A n''rol(i Totrnxcndii and A rricold Omjonii. Several new species
of scjuirr"! are named; downy squirrel, Sciiinin Idnwjiiwuiin and Sriiiriix Rich-
(trdMuii; little ground-scjuirrel, Tamins mhinms and Taminn TowtiKcmlii :
and Oregon tiying-squirrel, Pferonn/s OrcijoiK'nxU. Of moles there is iS'fdijjw
Towiisemia, given as new; and a new shrew-mouse uudescribed; besides two
species of bats, Plerotiw Towiiwiidii, or great-eared bat, and a small bat uu-
described. Townsend's list of birds found in Oregon is long, and many of tiie
species were new to naturalists. Th::y were the chestnut-l)acked titnuiuse,
/'(f/vw rit/citcen-t; brown-headed titmouse, Piirim Minimus; mountain mock-
ing-bird, Oiy/ieim moiitiinux: white-tailed thrush, not deseribetl; Townsend's
thrush, Ptilio()oni/s Tou-iinetidii: Morton's water-ouzel, Ciii<iux Morlonii; Co-
lumbian water-ouzel, Ciiidii/t Toiriiseiidii: Tolmie's warbler, Si/lria Tolmei,
named in compliment to Dr Tolmie of the Hudson's Bay Company; hermit
warbler, Siflvia oceidentnliH: black-throated gray warbler, Si/lma niyreacenn;
Audubon's warbler, SyMa Amhdioiii; Townsend's warbler, Sylvia Townxendii;
ash-headod warbler, not described; western bluebird, Sinlia occidentntis;
II
II
I
!i /■
86
MKTHOI »1ST (X I'LTATIOX.
J)aiU(!l Leu remained iiwtxy iieaily a year, that is
to say, till Au<^ust 1830, when he returned in the
Hudson's Bay Company's hark Nfreid, Captain Royal,
with renewed health, and contrihutions to the (Oregon
Mission from christianized Hawaiians. Among his
Aillow-passengers were tlu; Reverend Herhert Beaver,
newly appointed chaplain of the fur eomjjany, and his
wife, who took u}) their residence at Fort Vancouver,
and of whom mention has already heeii made.
Meanwhile the winter of 1835-0 had passed quietly
at the Mission. Edwards liad taught a small school
near Champoeg. The following sunnner some twenty-
five children were hrought in fi-om the settlers of
French Prairie, and from tlie natives on either side
of the Cascade Mountains, increasing tlui mimber of
])ersons at the Mission to thirty. Though in a lovely
wilderness, in midsummer, the folly of breathing foul air
was permitted. All the people there must be crowded
into one small house ; all of them were unaccustomed to
such confinement ; many of them were diseased ; many
b(!came ill from change (^f diet, so that in the malarious
atmosphere there came an epidemic bearing in its diag-
nosis a near resemblance to diphtheria. ^^
browu longspur, Plectrcyphanes TownsemW; Oregon snow-tinch, Friiiffill"
<>re.<jo)Uf; green-tailed lincli, not described; black, white-banded woodpecker;
and black, red-backed woodpecker, not desiribed; Harris' woodpecker, PicuK
/farnsi; Vaux's chimney swallow, Cjiyifelux Vanxi; long-tailed i)lack pheas-
ant, not described. Of water-birds there were added to the catalogue the
white-legged oyster-catcher, Ild-.mntopiin Jiachmani: Rocky Mountain plover,
Cluiradrius nioiUanux; Townsend's sand-piper, Friiica Towruicndii: violet-
green cormorant, Phalneromrnx ftiilciidi'u.i: Townsend's cormorant, Phalncro-
rorax Townnemhi; and slender-billed guillemot, Uria Towiimmlii. Of these
birds a half-dozen are craditcd to AuiUibon, who WEis exploring in the region
of the Kocky Mountains; and one, Townsend's warbler, to Nuttall. From
Townsend I learn all that I have to tell of the seientitic lalwrs of Nuttiill.
' Throughout the whole of our long journey,' he says, ' I have had constantly
to admire the order and perfect indefatigability with which he has devoted
himself to the grand object of his tour. No difficulty, no danger, no fatigue
lias ever daunted him, and he finds his rich reward in the addition of nearly
a thousand new species of American plants.' This w;is certainly reward
t^nough. One of the most beautiful trees of Oregon bears his name, Cornnn
jVuttallii, a tall ami full blossoming dogwood, equal in the splendor of its sil-
very flowers to the magnolia of the gulf states. The Oregon alder, A Inmt
Oregona, a handsome tree, and Fmximua Ore<jo)ia, the Oregon ash, were first
described by this botanist.
^'' Daniel Lee says of it: ' Some of the symptoms were alarming, resembling
the croup ' — membranous croup is probably meant, us in both diseases a mem-
RESULTS.
OT
Besides this, there were frequent eases of interinit-
teiit fever. Soon the liouse beeanie a li()s|)ital, in
wliicli sixteen children were lvin«f ill in one small room.
\() })hysician being at hand, the younger J^ee a})plied
liis i)oor skill, assisted by the ever-patient and truly
(luvoted Shepard, whose i)art in the Mission labors was
most trying. Jason Lee himself had not escaped the
})revailing sickness. It is not always the virtuous
that the oak shrub will not poison, nor the fair whom
the mosquitoes refuse to bite. He was at Fort Van-
couver for medical aid when his nephew arrived.
Lucy Hedding, the Calapooya girl, was also there,
though past relief, for she died on the 5tli of October.
Edwards afterward took another patient to Fort Van-
couver; and in November Jason Lee, suffering from
his third attack, o!ice more resorted to the superior
practice of Doctor McLoughlin, remaining with him
five weeks.
The fact that only two had died and one deserted
greatly encouraged the Mission superintendent this
year. The sum of spiritual benefits received as an
offset to the physical penalties i)aid for religious in-
struction appears to have been this: Joseph P<>urnaffe,
a lialf-breed, seventeen vears of aije, of uentle and
obedient temper, gave evidence to his teachers that
tlieir labors were not lost, by dying with the sanu;
docility that he had shown during life.^'^ Probably
tliere never was formulated a creed which might be
adapted to the purpose with less friction than that of
the Methodists. Xo expounding of dogmas is neces-
.iiivy; sufficient is the simple statement that sin is
present, and that Christ's blood will wash it away.
To the Indian, who had some idea of atonement, the
brane eitlier forms or is 8loughe<l oflF. Ijce's own throat was affected with that
sloughip^ off wlieu ho went to tlie Islands. There would seem to l)e evidence
tl'!it 1.1U8 character of throat disease is tlue to malaria, or miasmatic condi-
tions of the atmosphere; and it is a fact tliat the scourge of iliphtheria ia
even now more dreaded, because more fatal, than any other in tlie rich valley
lands of Oregon, and calso that it breaks out in newly ploughed districts where
it was never known before, an, for example, where pasture-lands are turned
into grain-fields.
"Zee and Fronts' Or., 142; Jfim.i' <h: JIUt., IS.
II
il
88 MKTIIODIST OCCLTATKJX.
♦ locti'iiii' n'<iiiir('s hut little iliuidatioii. Happy indi-tMl
is tlio pool', sirkly, (Ic^^nidcd licino- hero, who can he
l>rou<;ht to look torwanl to rielios, lioalth, i)leasuros,
and a <^l(»rious cxisb^Mco htjroaf'ter. It is the ideality
of relijijion, the p(H'tfy of I'vei'lastin*;' life.
iJut thouj^h the Mission seemixl for a shoi-t time to
promise some fruit, the expectation was lessened by a
return in the first niontlis of I8;{7 of the former dis-
orders in a more threateninj^ and fatal foi-m. A chief
of the Cayjiscs, h.'ivinjj^ nnnoved in the autumn with
his family to the Wilhiniete Valley in order that liis
<hildren may attend the Mission school, lost two
of tliem in (juick succession, and a third became ex-
tremely ill. In his alar-m he fled to Fort Vancouver
with his family, hut at tiie momt^nt the canoe touched
the lantlinin' the child ex])ired. An incident like this,
togetlu'r with the continued sickness of the inmates
of the Mission, })roduced a dread of the place in tne
minds of the Indians, and their i)arents refused the
risk of earthly loss even for heavcudy gain. At no
time were there more than thirty-five or forty pupils
in attendance, and of all that were received to the
close of IH.'iS, one third died, and the remainder were
sickly." When will men learn that in the affairs of
the savages the benevolence of civilization curdles into
^* Nines' Or. J I int., 35. These details are gathered from the writings of
tlio missionaries themselves; but I fiiul in a report made to the United States
government by its agent, MrSlaeiim, a more flattering account. According
to this report, ina<le it must be assumed from informatfou furnished by the
lices, there were within fence l"-'* -ores o: land in the winter of 183(5. The
Mission family consisted of Sai'itl'a ■ nd 23 Indian and haif-brcod children,
ten of whom were orphans. Th*M'! v > re, besides, 22 Indians and 8 half-breeds
wlio attended the day-school. All vi-ere taught to speak English, and several
could read. The larger boyp '.i-.i I ed on the farm in fine weather, earning, at
Ihe lowest pay of the Hudsiii/a Bay Company, their board, clothing, and
tuition. The school and family, it was. said, could be increased, but the mis-
sionaries did not wish to add to their number until they had further assistance;
a ;id nothing whatever was stated showing any of the discouragements under
V hich they labored. Mr Slacum's report was much like other similar docu-
Ments furnished the government, that is, nuide to suit the occasion. Of the
f.iitlifulne.ss and zeal of the Lees and their assistants up to the period of
Slacum's visit, no doubt could be entertained. We have McLoughlin's testi-
mony that no men 'could exert themselves Uiore zealously.' Vopn of a Docu-
iiu'iit, in Tnui-s. (>r. /'loiin'r, !88(), iiO. For Slacum's account, see X'.J/A Com/.
M AyM-v., //o».«' Ifcp/. 101.
KKI.I.KY ANI> Y()rN(..
89
a cursi^, ami missionary i-tlorts aif lik*- a Imist jK-at-
l)(>«r sowiiii'" its Mack mud over the land I
Wliili' tlui missionaries were lailldiiiiL,'. plovin'hin^',
and liarvestino', teach in*;-, |)reacliin«;', and en(hiriiii;',
and hciconiing somewliat incorporated with the French
settlers, a new element, and one in some respects less
tractable, introduced itself in an unexpected manner.
It was the party of Hall J. Kelley and Ewinj,^ Voun*;-,
which arrived in the Willaniettt; Valley late in Octo-
ber IH.'M. Soniethinj:'' has been said of Kelley in tin;
History of the Nortliiirnt Coast, but his appearance in
Oreuon at this time was a feature in the earlv history
of the country demandm;;;' more than a }>assin<;" notice
here.
Kciiey's object was to found an American settle-
ment, and assert the rights of the United States
government to the sovereignty of the country. Dis-
appointed in Ins scheme of colonization, he set out
Avitii a few persons in 18.'];{ to visit Oregon, travelling
by a circuitous I'oute through Mexico. At New Or-
leans he se})arated from or was desertod by Ids l)arty,
and proceeded alone to Vera Cruz. He was robbed,
and suffered many hardships, but was not deterred
from prosecuting his design.
Reaching California, he fell in with a mimber of
American adventurers, chief amonjjf whom was Ewino-
Young, a native of Knox County, Tennessee, a cabinet-
maker by trade, a man of fine intelligence and nerve
united to a grand jjhysique, and too restless and fond
of new experiences to remain beside a turning-lathe
all his life. As early as 1828-9, Voung had visited
California with a trapping party, hunting on Tulare
Lake and San Joaquin River.''' Returning to New-
Mexico, he married a Taos woman, and was soon l)ack
in California witli another ])arty of trapj)ers, which in
1831 broke up at Los Angeles, leavhig Young to fol-
io ,v his bent among the friars and native Caiiiornians,
^"Lox Aiitji'lfs Hist., 18-19.
90
METHODIST OCCUPATION.
He and Kelley first met at San Diego; subse-
quently at Monterey the acquaintance ripened. On
one side were the thrilling tales of wild life which
Young loved to tell ; on the other, the romantic scheme
of colonizing Oregon. These were always themes of
mutual interest. Kelley recognized in Young the bold
and enterprising spirit he needed to accompany him
to the yet far away Columbia, and being possessed of
superior attainments as well as extraordinary enthu-
siasm, he was able to gain him over to his plan of
laying the foundations of American empire beside the
River of the West.
The party which left California for the north in the
summer of 1834 consisted of sixteen men, picked up
at Monterey and San Jose, some with a character not
of the best. They had among them nearly a hundred
horses and mules designed for use and sale. Several
parted from the expedition before it reached the
northern limits of California, but they had remained
long enough to stamp upon the company their own
thieving reputation, as we shall presently see.
While toiling among the mountains of southern
Oregon, Kelley was stricken with fever, which ren-
dered him helpless, from which condition he was
rescued by JV'Iichel La Framboise, who nursed him
back to life, while continuing his way to Fort Van-
couver with the season's return of ifurs. The only
other incident of the journey worth mentioning was
a difficulty with the Irulians on Rogue River, a rapid
and beautiful stream wliich derived its name from
the rascally character of the natives in its vicinity.'*
'* ' It was sniiietimea called Kiiscal Jliver by early explorers.' Williams' S.
11 . Or., MS., 2. ' Hence the name Leu Coiptim (the Kojjue.s) and La Itivib-e
iiuv Vcxjiiiiin (the Rogue River), given to the country oy tlie men of the
l)rigade.' Blanchct's Vnth. C/i. m Or., 04. Townsend calls them the Potdiueos,
liut says that they are ''ulled the 'ra.scally Indiana,' from their uniformly evil
disposition, and liostility to white people. Nar., '228. Tliis is the true oi igin of
the name, though sev(;ral otiicr tiieories have been advanced. In EUicott's Pii-
ijct SoKinl, MS., '20, he makes tlie mistiikc of confounding it witii liio Saii Jfoi/iic
or the Columbia. (Jrover, in J'lih. Life, MS., 13-1.5, 18-1!), mentions a map
(if French origin and 8ome anticjuity, whereon the Klanuith and Rogue riv(T«
are united and calle<l 'Rouge Clamet,' or Red Klamatli. The author of the
REWARD OF FAVORS BESTOWED.
91
subse-
i. On
which
scheme
jmes of
he bold
ny him
!ssed of
enthu-
plan of
lide the
1 in the
jked up
iter not
lundred
Several
led the
miained
ir own
)uthern
3h ren-
was
jd him
Van-
le only
hg was
rapid
fron»
unity.'"
In passing through the valley of the Willamette,
Young's party paused at the Mission station, one of
his men remaining to assist the Lees in construct-
ing a cart. Daniel Lee says some of them had been
sailors, some hunters in the mountains and in southern
Oregon, and " one Mr Kelley was a traveller, a New
Englp.nd man, who entertained some very extravagant
notions in regard to Oregon, which he published on
liis return," and with this notice he dismisses the
j)arty of " about a dozen persons," "
Proceeding to Fort Vancouver, a somewhat peculiar
reception awaited them. The Hudson's Bay Com-
pany's schooner Cadboro, which arrived there before
them from the bay of Monterey, had brought a com-
munication from Figueroa, governor of California, to
Chief Factor McLoughlin, denouncing Young and
Kelley as horse-thieves, and cautioning the fur com-
pany to have nothing to do with the party, as they
were banditti, and dangerous persons — -an accusation
all the more significant because Young had between
seventy and eighty horses in his possession.
This letter of Figueroa's closed the gates of Fort
^/ancouver against both Young and Kelley, though
1)11 account of Kelley's health, the fever having re-
turned, he was given a hut such as was occupied by
the servants of the company outside the fort, with
iui attendant, medical aid, and all necessary comforts
for the winter/"^ Tu return he viijorouslv plied his
pen, settiiig forth the abuses pra(;tised on American
citizens by ilic i^ritish company in Oregon.
Meanwhile Yountr returned to French Prairie to
tlliama' S.
\a liivitre
of the
Intaiiicos,
>)nly evil
I origin of
itt's Ph-
l(/.' Rwpu'
lis a map
In; rivers
V of the
map could hardly liave called the Rogue River red had he ever seen it, as it
is (if a beautiful blue color. Sou also Crnrn'n Top. Mem., X\.
'' Kelley resents this ignoring of himself an<l his cffort.s to ostabli-sh niis-
.sious in Oregon, which was a part of his plan, and says that Daniel Lee in his
lidoli, and Jason Lee in his lectures delivered subsecjuontly in the east, assigned
untrue causes for the Oregon mission, 'insinuating that they themselves were
its originators.' See Ktllcys SelUemfiit o/Ori'i/cn, (>2-.'{.
'*' \Vliile Kelley in liis numerous pamphlets •! in plains bitterly of the indig-
nities put upon him at Fort Vancouver by reason of Fiijx-- ■ .ia."s letter, he admits
the charity of McLoughlin in providing fi;r his Mrnts, and acknowledges tliat
lie was prcsent'.'d with a small sum of money .>n leaving for tlie Islands.
92
METHODIST OCCUPATION.
''l\
I
I
. .
find himself posted bandit and liorst'-tliicf'. Strangers
were cauti(>ned to receive none of tlie vagabond i)artv
into their houses. Young an as furious. He tore down
the notices, builed maledictions on the California gov-
ernor, and warned the Canadians against accepting
such lies. Though the haughty temper and indignant
denial of Youni>' were not without etfect on McLouijh-
lin, yet official information to an official could not be
<]isregarded.
On one occasion, being in need of clothing, Young
sent some beaver-skins to Fort Vancouver witli which
to })urchase the desired articles. McLoughlin refusetl
the skins, but sent the goods, with some food, as a
present. Thereupon Young's rage broke out afrcsl ,
and he retui'iied every article. Then he went to Foi <:
Vancouver and poured forth his displeasure in person,
the interview ending in rather strong words between
tlie autocrat of Oregon and the Tennessee cabinet-
maker.'" The former modified his opinion somewhat;
and when the Cadboro returned to Monten^y in the
s[)ring of 18:^5 McLoughlin inquired of Figueroa the
foundation of his charges against Young and })arty.
A letter also went fiom Young demandinu" why he
had been so maliuned. But as no answer could be
expected to these inquires for several months, aiiairs
remained in ."ttatit quo, Young meanwhile locating
himself hi the Chehalem Valley, opposite Champoeg,
where he tended his mustangs, and traded when he
had aught to sell. He hau some dealings with C.
M. Walker, late of the Mission, but now at Fort Wil-
liam, as agent of \\'\eth, who had returned to Fort
Hall.'-"
'" At the same time Kelley says that Young caHoil on him, ami threatenefl
liis life for having persuaded him to undertake tlie settlement of Oregon.
Kellei/'.i Coloiiiziifioii qf' Orvijon, 5-r.
'■"C. M. Walker, who knew Young well in the times referred to, in .fanu-
ary 1881, at his home in Tillanu)ok, furnished a Skrfc/i qf' Eirimj Youmj,
from whieh I have drawn some of these facts. See .>i. I'ioiiiir Ansoc. 'J'raii-i.
for 1880, THk 8. Walker states that Young was the first settle.- on the west
side of the Willamette River. He callc him industrious and enterprising, and
a man of great determination. See fUso White n Emiiirnfioii to (h\, MS., 3;
Emiin' Hint. Or., MS,, '205; Iam Aw/i'les Co. Hint., M.
KELLE Y ".S ( DM V I , AI NTS.
93
»g
oa the
)artv.
IV ho
ik'i bo
jittairs
catinn
ipoeg",
Ml lit'
th C.
Wil-
Fort
bi Janu-
1 Youmi,
Trans.
|>c west
g. and
IS.. 3:
m
There is no doubt that by forbidiUiiu" the Canadian
farmers to trade with Y(ning, and liiniselt" n!fiisin<j^ to
sell to him, McL(mghlin exjieeted to drive from thr
country what he had been assured was a band of
thieves, and so save troul)le with the natives and
injury to the settlers. But Youn*;^ and Kelly i>fave
to McLoufTjldin's conduct a dift'eront interpretation.
Kelley said to Yount^, and all others who visited him
outside the fort,"' that it was opposition to American
settlement upon political and ])ecuniary i^rounds. He
so placed the matter before Jason Lee, who, he says,
often clandestinely left the fort that he might converse
freely with liim on liis plans; but Lee had oblij^ated
himself to retard immijj^ration to the country by accept-
injj^a loan from McLoujijhlin for the purpose of o])ening
a farm which should be a su})ply establishment for
other missionary stations yet to be erected.""
'^' These were not many. Kelley dwells with proud sensitivnness upon hu
own countrymen'^ neglect of him. That Wyi'tii, whose name wa.s on the
catalogue of the 'American Society for Encouraging the Settlement of th(!
Oregon Territory, ' foundeil by Kelley, should not have bestowed sonu; atten-
tion upon a man of his antecedents, even at the risk of opposing himself to
MeLoughlin, is signiticant. Keiley also icviles Townsend and Nuttall, who,
he says, were tlie recipients of tlie company's civilities anil lilieral hospitality,
and were receiving their ' good things, while he was only receiving their ' evil
things.' 'One of tlusm,' he says, 'had resided in ('and)ridge, Massaclinsetts,
for many years, witliin a mile of my place of abode, and had reail my books,
seen my works, and learnt mort! or less about the spirit which moved me.
He was not ignorant of the fact tliat the only path leading to the country of
pretty (lowers west of the Rocky Mountains had been opened wholly at my
"xpeuse, and his journey tliitlier liad been made easy ami [ileaaurable tlirough
my means." Cyrus Shi'pard was tlie only person from tlie fort in the habit
of visiting Kelley. KcUiifx Colonlzntion o/ Orn/nn, .")(>, 58.
-^ Kt'lUii'ti Scttkitu'iit nf Ori'ijon, Si). Wliile Kelley exhibits nnu'li excite-
n.ent an ' jealousy in his renuirks on .lason and Daniel Lee, we nmst admit
t'..at there was some foundation for the assertion that tlie Lees were 'opposed
II persons coining to settle ' in tlie Oregon territory, except such as should
liecoino memliers of tlie Mission, ami aid in its purposes; and that his views
were identical witli those of MeLoughlin, tliougli their motives may have been
ilifi'erent. KcUcy blames tlu; Lees for claiming to liave b(>i;uii tlie seltlemetit
of Oregon witliout rcs]iect to his previous ctl'orts, and liis Himultaneous appear-
ance in tlie cmiutry with a party of settlers; for their avoiding him wliih;
there; for disparaging remarks conecniiiig him made in the east, which he
construed to be an etlort to deprive liim of any credit as .i pioneer of coloniza-
tion; aiul for the small noticiMif him in I>ani<l Let's book, where lie is di.s-
missed with three lines. 'J'liis work, to which I must often refer ius the earliest
authority on tliis period of the history of Oregon, if tile inanuscri])ts of
.Mcf.oughlin are excepted, is unfortunately divided in the authorsjiip witli a
Mr Frost, who came to the country some y(^ars \\\ivr tlian liCe, and is so
arraiigjtl that without an intimate knowleilge of the subject the reader is at a
i Rl
^
94
METHODIST OC(;UPATION.
Witli a !^,chenie of an exclusi ^ ely MetluwJist colony,
a sort of r jligious republic in his own mind Jus<^n Ltn;
was not likely to listen with favor to the plans of a
man who, however religious in his own sentiments,
had come to the country in conn)any with horse- thieves
and banditti ; and Kelle>', with a sore heart and half-
crazed brain, was left to dwell in solitude on the failure
of his magnificent scheme of an ideal American settle-
ment devoted to liberty, virtue, order, education, the
enlightenment of the savage tribes of the north-west,
and the promotion of individual happiness.-"' So little
sympj^l^hy and so nmch blame did he receive from those
he ha " in wittingly hi vol ved in his misfortunes, thr „
lie did ; aiture during his stay in the country to
visit the , lamette Valley, being deterred therefrom
by threats of vengeance.'* In the spring, accepting
passage on the company's ship Dryad, Captain Keplin,
he departed from tlu; country upon which his grandest
hopes had been so centred, sailing for the Hawaiian
Islands.
But if Kelley was forced by untoward circumstances
to leave the country, he did not fail solenuily to affirm
in a comnmnication to McLoughlin, that while he was
not a public agent, acting by authority from the United
States government, but only a private individual, he
was yet a freeborn son of American independence,
moved by the spirit of liberty, and animated with the
hope of being useful to his fellow-men. ^'^ That those
who had come with him were not idle or profligate, in
such degree as to threaten the peace of the community,
loss to know what portion of it to attribute to either writer. It ia only that
j)art of the book which relates to events happening previous to 1840 that we
can feel sure was furnished by Lee, unless it be where he speaks of himself by
name. Lee writes fairly, and with less of the usual religious cant than might
be expected of a Methodist missionary of nearly Hfty years ago. He simply
puts down events, leaving the reader to make his own comments. His truth-
fulness, compared with other authorities, is nearly absolute. Like his uncle, he
could refrain from mentioning a subject; but ii he mentioned it, what he said
was likely to be correct. The title of his book is Ten Yenm in f'nipn, and it was
publiskcil in 1844 in New York. It is quoted in this work as uee and Frosl'n Or,
'^Kcllcy'n General Circtdar, 13-27.
'■" Kclky'8 Colonization qf'Or., 50.
'^'' Kelleij's Colonization o/(h:, 37.
SOMK WHO CAME WITH KNMXC VOLNO.
9S
is evident from the rarity of offences. They were in-
deed useful ill tJieir way."*
One of Young's men, Webley J. Hauxhurst,
erected a grist-mill at Chainpoeg in the summer of
1834, adding greatly to the convenience and comfort
of the inhabitants of French Prairie, including the
missionaries, who had previously pounded their barley
in a large wooden mortar, and ground their wheat in
a small cast-iron mill called a corn-cracker. Haux-
hurst, who was a native of Long Island, subsequently
joined the Methodist church, being the first fruit of
missionary work among the settlers. His conversion
took f ;^ce in January 1837, and he was ever aft'T a
faithful adherent to the organization; nor were there
any of this so-called band of horse-thieves who seemed
indisposed to earn an honest living.
Another party of eight, coming in the summer of
1835 to join in the colonization of Oregon,'''" on reach-
ing Rogue River were attacked by the savas;;eG, and
four of the number slain, the others with difficulty
escaping
2S
2* Mention is made, in chapter iii. of this volume, of the killing of Thorn-
l)urg by Hubbard at Fort William. But these were Wyeth'a )ncn. Captain
Lambert and Mr Townsend lield an inquest, and after hearing the evidenof,
returned a verdict of justifiable homicide. TownneniVs Nar., 224. Gray, in
Hi'it. Or., 197, tells Hubbard's story as liappening several years later, when
there waa a magistrate in the country, before whom he M'as tried. No such
trial ever took place. Hubbard was given a certificate by the coroner's jury
to show that the killing was in self-defence and to clear him in case of arrest.
Lee contributes tlie fact that the desire for strong drink, that article being
obtainable at Fort William, led to the stealing of a pig, and tlio selling of it
for liquor wliich the thief ' barburou^ly compelled the owner to lU'ink; and
now, poor man, he has no pork to eat in harvest I ' Leu iiwl Fro.Ht\t Or., l-M.
'^' Toiriisend'-n A'ar., "28. ' Cray with his usual inaccurracy says there was
no arrival of settlers in 1835.
'^* The same who later caused the bloody wars of 1833 and 18r>5-(). Kelley
relates that while he aiul Young were en roiUc, for Oregcm, some of those men
who iiS'l joined and left them, and who were formerly trappers under the
famous leader, Joe Walker, of tlio American fur company in tiie Rocky
Mountains, wantonly slew the California Indians on several occasions where
they hung upon their rear, and tiiat Young approved of tiie murders, saying
they were Slamned villains, and ouglit t<t be shot.' But no mention is made
of any encounter with the natives after entering tlie Oregon territory, not
even on Rogue River, a probable consequence of their having fallen in with
the Hudson s Bay Company trapping party, leturning from California under
Micliel La Framboise. The policy pursuei' by the Britisli company made
the prssence of one of their parties in the neighborhood a safeguard to all
white men alike, thougli even La Framboise Wiuj sometimes compelled to in-
06
M ETHOl )LST OCCUPATION.
The names of three were WiUiani J. Bailey, George
Gay, and John Turner. The last-named, with his
native wife, was the iirst to reaeh the Mission, where
he landed from a raft, induced by the welcome sight
of cattle. They were kindly cared for by the mis-
sionaries, while all waited with painful anxiety for the
appearance of any others who miglit have escaped.
After the ]ai)se of several days (xay and Bailey were
discovered standing on the hank across the river from
the Mission. Perceiving signs of civilization, Bailey
plunged in and sti'uck for the opposite shore; but the
current being strong, and the swinnner having been
badly wounded and without food, save roots, for fifteen
days, he would have perished had not his companion
saved him. While the two were battlhig with the
watei', a canoe was sent to their rescue. Bailey was
afterward jilaced in a hospital at Foit Vancouver.
Th«: founh man failed to discover the settlements,
and struggled on the whole distance to the Multnomah
River, arriving at Fort William more dead than alive.^
tlict a salutary puiiislimeut upon the Rogue River people, as Wilkes was tolil
l)y liiui. 'I questioiieil liim relative to tlie stories respecting tile shooting of
Indians on tlie route to ami from California, and he tohl me they had no Tiat-
tles, hut said it was necessary to keep them always at a distance. On my
repeating the niiestion, whether tlie report we hail heard of several heing
killed during tl^e late expedition were true, he, Freuehman-like, shrugged his
shoulders, and answered: "All, Monsieur, ils sont des mauvais gens; il faut en
prendre garde et tirer sur cux quelquefois. " ' Witkcx' ym:, U. S. Kcplr. Ex.,
v. l.'.'J.
-"•' Townsend, who wiis at P'ort A'ancouver when Bailey arrived, describes
his appearance as frightful, iiud his sufferings as excruciating. He was liter-
ally co\-ored with wounds. One upon the lower part of the face entered the
upper lip just below tlie nose, cutting entirely througli both the upper and
the lower jaws and chin, and passing deep into tlie side of the neck, narrowly
missing the jugular vein. Not being able, in his extreme anguish, to adjust
the parts, but only to bind them with a handkerchief, in healing the fiieo was
left badly distorted. Xar., 2'J9; Lee (iiid Frost'. ■< (Jr., \'A\~2. Bailey was an
Kiiglish surgeon of good parentage, but had led a life of dissiputiou, toT break
him off from which his mother removed to the United States. Jjeaving his new
home, his mother and .sisters, he shipped as a common .sailor, coming in that
capacity to California, where for several years he led a roving life. ()n recov-
ering from his wounds he joined the Willamette settlement, and his medical
and surgical ac<iuirenients coming to the notice of the missionaries, he was
encouragetl in liis practice. He thus became an ^itUichi of the Mission, married
an estimable lady who came to»Oregon as a tefieher — Miss Margaret Smith —
settled on a farm, and became one of the foremost men of Oregon colonial
times. See W/iitr.i Ten Yeitr.i in Or., Ill-IT); Wilke-HWur., U. S. Explr. E.r.,
iv. 387. Bailey died at Champoeg, February 5, )87<), ageil about 70. Snlem
YOUNG'S DISTILLERY SCHEME.
97
Cieorge
itli hiis
where
e siylit
ic mis-
for the
scaped,
jy were
er from
Bailey
but the
ig been
r fifteen
iipanioii
itli the
ley was
leouver.
einents,
tnoiiiah
1 alive
20
.'8 was tolil
iliootiug of
liul no hat-
On my
leral being
•nggeil his
il faut en
'Jxplr. Ej:,
lltl!
describes
was liter-
reil the
ipper and
narrowly
to adjust
fiieo was
y was an
t<f break
g liis new
■g in that
)n reeov-
niedical
|, he was
married
I .Suutli —
cohmial
jIi: Ej:,
). SnleM
This murderous attack upon travellers caused no small
excitement at Fort Vancouver. An expedition was
proposed to destroy the savages, but the scheme was
not undertaken, and it was left for American settlers,
miners, and United States troops to consummate the
destruction of this tribe at a later date.
If John McLoughlin for political or commercial
reasons, or Jason Lee for other cause had thought to
discourage the settlement of the Willamette Valley
by independent parties from California or elsewhere,
they must ere now have been convinced of the hope-
lessness of such an effort. McLoughlin, at least, was
wise enough gracefully to accept the situation, and
extend a helping hand — a conciliatory course for i
time imitated by Lee with good results. As to Ewinj ;
Young, though Governor Figueroa in due time re-
turned a letter of exculpation, explaining that the real
thieves had attached themselves to Young's party,
but on finding themselves suspected had deserted it ;
and though McLoughlin was willing to make amends.
Young chose to remain sullen and unyielding, and
employed his time in disseminating those anti-British
niono})oly sentiments which Kelley had so strongly
expressed in their stormy interviews at Fort Van-
couver. In this spirit, and rendered desperate by
the social outlawry to which he was subjected on
the part of both the fur company and the Mission,
Mercurij, Feb. 11, 1876. (xeorge Cray was also an Englishman who left home
iu 1830 on a whaling voyage to the North Pacitic. In 1832 he deserted with a
whole boat's crew, iii a California harbor, and aft<;r various adventures tleter-
mined to join Kelley find Young's Oregon sjettlement. Ho took a farm in the
Willamette, becoming a notable personage in his way, or as Wilkes calls him,
' a useful member of society, ' but not at all an ornanientiil one. For a lengthy
description of the man and his manners, see Wilkes'' Nar., U. S E-rplr. Ex.,
iv. 382. John Turner was with Jcdcdiah Snuth when attacked by the Unip-
quas. At that time Turner had defended himself with a firebrand success-
fully, and on this occasion he resorted to the same means, laying about liim
!'':; a madman, and l)eing a large ami powerful person, with equal success.
He too became a resident of the Willamette Valley, though living in seclusion
at some distance from the other settlers. WhUi''n Ti'ii Ycurx in Or., 114. The
name of the fourth man who escaped to the settlements is not mentioned,
though his arrival at Fort William is recorded in Lee and Froit's Or., 132.
Hist. Ou., Vol. I. 7
98
METHODIST OCCUPATION.
1
1
1
*
li'
Young resolved to erect a distillery for the manu-
facture of ardent spirits at his settlement on the
Chehalem.
In the beginning of 1836, when Wyeth broke up
his establishment at Fort William, Young secured
one of the caldrons used in pickling salmon, and set
about the accomplishment of his purpose, aided by
Lawrence Carmichael, another of the aggrieved colo-
nizers. Now this was a well-aimed blow, and it
struck both fur company and Mission in a most sensi-
tive point, their commercial as well as moral con-
science. During the year in which trade was carried
on at Fort William, intoxicating drink was sold to the
natives and settlers, in consequence of which some
brawls and petty offences disturbed the good order
otherwise maintained in the country.
On hearing of the design of Young and Carmichael,
McLoughlin showed them how drink would ruin the
farming interests, and destroy the colony he proposed
to plant, and offered Young pecuniary aid, and agreed
to establish him in some honorable enterprise. The
missionaries took alarm. The Oregon Temperance
Society was organized, and a meeting convened to
consider the steps necessary to prevent the threatened
evil. The conclusion reached was that Young and Car-
michael should be addressed by letter, and requested
to abandon their enterprise. And for the following
reasons: the prosperity of the settlement, temporal
and spiritual, would be retarded, and the already
wretched condition of the natives rendered worse.
Nor did they fail to appeal to Young's loyalty to
American ideas, reminding him that selling intoxi-
cating drink to aborigines was contrary to law.
To those who can discover it, there is an avenue to
every lieart. Young pompously professed allegiance
to the United States government as the best and
purest the sun ever shone upon, whose citizens —
among whom he was by no means the least — were
the rightful owners of all that region, though on what
A GOVERNMENT AGENT.
99
ground it would have puzzled him to tell. And how
was he to be at once champion and law-breaker ? The
missionaries said further: "You do not pretend to
justify yourself; you plead the want of money. We
are very sure you will not find it profitable, and we
will reimburse you for your expenditures thus far."
This communication was signed by nine Americans
and fifteen Canadians,*' who subscribed in all sixty
dollars toward purchasing the obnoxious distillery, and
promised to furnish whatever further amount was
required. Yet another influence, to. be mentioned
presently, was brought to curb the purposes of the
obstreperous Yankee.
Young arrogantly rejected the advances of Mc-
Loughlin, and refused reimbursement at the hand of
the missionaries, but he promised to abandon his
sclieme for the present.''^ He would withhold his hand
from sowing drunkenness broadcast over the land, but
he could not deny himself the pleasure of railing at the
fur company. In his reply to the temperance society.
Young declared that McLoughlin's tyrannizing op-
pression {\nd disdain were "more than the feelings of
any American citizen could support;" and declared
that the innumerable difficulties placed in his way by
the company under McLoughlin's authority were the
occasion of his being driven to consider so objection-
able a means of obtaining a livelihood.
On arriving at Boston, Kelley hastened to publish
a pamphlet setting forth in strong terms the fact that
the American settlers in Oregon were suffering great
'* I fines' Oregon Hist. , 20. This author seems inclined unfairly to ignore the
efiForts of the Hudson's Bay Company in the matter. The fifteon^ I renchmen
were still on the books of the fur company, and Daniel Lee more correctly
affirms that 'McLoughlin seconded the cflforts of the missionaries and
friends of temperance, and that the course he has taken in regfird to spirit-
uous liquors has done much to preserve tlie general ortler and harmony of the
mixed community of which the settlement is composed. ' Lee and Frost's Or.,
140.
" Walker, in his sketch of Ewing Young, in Or. Pioneer A s.toc. Tram. , 1 880,
58, says tliat ' upon this appeal and ofifer he abandoned the distillery, and then
was planning for a saw and grist mill.'
100
METHODIST OCCUPATION.
hardships througli the exclusiveness of the Britisli fur
coiii[){iny, which, while })retending to occupy the coun-
try jointly with the Americans, maintained a policy
which practically reduced to servitude all persons in
the country. It did not hesitate to put in force the
most cruel and arbitrary measures to drive away such
as would not submit."*^ Thereupon John Forsyth,
secretary of state, by direction of the president, ad-
dressed a letter to William A. Slacum, a gentleman
connected with the United States naval service, in-
structing him to proceed to the Northwest Coast of
Americii and to the River Oregon, by such means as
he should find best, and there ascertain the truth of
Kelley's story. He was to visit the different settle-
ments on the "c(mst of the United States" and on the
banks of the Oregon River, and learn the relative
numbers of white men and Indians, the nativity of
the latter, the jurisdiction they acknowledged, the
sentiments entertained by all in respect to the United
States and the powers of Great Britain and Russia,
and to collect all information, political, physical, and
geographical, which could prove useful or interesting
to the government.
Slacum soon entered upon his duties, proceeding
to Baja California, where, being unable to procure pas-
sage to the Colmiibia River, he took a vessel to the
Sandwich Islands, and there chartered the American
brig Loriot, Captain Bancroft, in which he sailed for
his destination. He crossed the bar of the Columbia
December 22, 183G, taking shelter from a high wind
in Baker Bay, but advancing as far as Fort George
the following day. Here he was politely received by
James Birnie, the gentleman in charge, who at once
despatched an express to Fort Vancouver, with infor-
^K'.'Uh Couij., 3d SexK., If. Jiept. 101, 60. McLoughlin says: 'He pub-
lished a narrative of liis voyage, in which, instead of being grateful for the
kindness shown to him, he abused me, and falsely sttated that I h.d been so
alarmed with the dreatl that he would destroy the Hudson's Bay Company's
trade that I had kept a constant watch over him, and which was publislied
in the report of the iJuited States congress.' Private Papers, MS., 2d and 4tli
series.
THE SPY AT FOUT VANCOUVEll.
101
Illation of the arrival of an American vessel on an
unknown errand. The same express carried a request
from Slacum to Finhiyson of the latter station, to
send a pilot to bring the Loriot up the river, which
was done Slacum was also invited to visit Fort
Vancouver. Further, Douglas,
being
on an errand
to Fort (xeorge, took Slacum in his ciiiioe and landed
liim at Fort Vancouver the 2d of January, 18;i7.
As the Jjjriot had no cargo, the object of her visit
was politely asked. In terms equally courteous, tlie
fur magnates were told that it was a private expedi-
tion for the purpose of gaining knowledge, and to
meet an expedition overland from the United States.
But McLoughlin was not to be so easily deceived.
He plainly saw the spy in the private gentleman
travelling for information,^^ and further, that the
visitor was a government agent of tlie United States.
All he saw and heard would in due time be reported
to his government. As a matter of course, McLough-
lin need not answer impertinent inquiries, but would
it not be better for the fur company to make its own
statement fully and freely in regard to all matters at
issue, and so have them placed upon the record ? And
this was done."''*
Slacum remained several days at Fort Vancouver,
departing on the 10th of January for the Willamette
^' Mrfjouijhlin's Private Papers, MS., 2il ser. 5.
^* Slacum's report, after relating briefly the incidents of his journey and
r(!ception at Fort Vancouver, gives an abstract of the history of the Hudson's
Bay Company from the date of its charter, with the extent and rules of trade
of the company in Oregon, a description of Fort Vancouver, an account of the
American vessels that hail visited the Columbia River since the restoration of
Astoria in 1818, remarks upon Indian slavery, with other statistic- , "orma-
tiou al)0ut the Indians, an elaborate account of the mission, ami i. ))rief
observations upon the ])hysical features of the country. In addiii> a lo Sla-
cum's report, the same <tocument contains one by Kelley, giving a brief account
of his expedition to California and Oregon, with many valual)le remarks upon
the geography, topograpliy, ami natural history of those countries, em ling
with an account of the profits of the fur company, its monopoly of trade, ana
arbitrary rule over all persons in the country, with reminiscences of his own
unpleasant experiences. The document contains other memorials, to wliich I
shall liave occasion to refer in a future chapter. Tlie whoh; co-.istitutes the
RejtoH oj the Committee on Foreign Ajfairx, to tchirh was referred a Mensinje
from tlie President of the United States, with a resolution of the House, in rela-
tion to the territory of the United Statcsheyond the Rocky Mountains. February
!li, 1839.
102
METHODIST OCCUPATION.
.settlements, in a canoe furnished by McLoughlin, with
a crew and every comfortable provision for the jour-
ney. At Champoeg he was met by Ja.son Lee, to whom
the same ever-courteous autocrat had sent an express
to make aimouncement of the arrival in tlie coun-
try of a distinguished stranger, and of his intended
visit. By this uid^ounded lioerality and unremitting
att^Mition two objects were gained: a favoral)le im-
pression of the i)crH(m'iiel of the fur company was
established, and a perfect knowledge of the move-
ments of all strangers was acquired. By politely
assumiiig that every individual who came to the
country was dependent on Fort Vancouver for the
conveniences of living, a perfect system of surveil-
lance was maintained without offence being given.
In company with Lee, Slacum called on all the
settlers of French Prairie at their homes, after which
he spent a few days at the Mission, rendering himse'^
thoroughly conversant with the affairs of the A me
can settlement.
The case of Ewing Young had been stated to Sla-
cum at Fort Vancouver, and he found it a subject of
anxiety, both at the fort and the Mission, that a distil-
lery was to be put in operation in the Willamette Val-
ley. At the fort he was authorized to say t/^ Young
that if he would abandon his enterprise of making
whiskey, he would be permitted to get his necessary
supplies from Fort Vancouver on the same terms as
other men,^' and to this proposition Slacum counselled
him to accede, saying that in his opinion his point
with the fur company was gained by this concession.
Young, however, continued obdurate. Slacum then
proposed to furnish him a loan of one hundred and
fifty dollars with which to procure for himself and
Carmichael a supply of proper clothing from Fort
Vancouver, to be purchased in Slacum's name ; and to
give both a passage to California, where Young desired
^''24lh Cowj., Sd Sens., II. Rept. 101, 38; Sen. Doc. 24, 1 830-7 ; Kelky'n Set-
tlement of Or., 56.
ilin, with
'he jour-
to whom
I express
le coun-
inteuded
LiiTiitting
ihle im-
iiiy was
Q move-
politely
to the
for the
surveil-
iven.
all the
r which
himse'^
Ame
DEPARTURE OF SLACUM. job
to go, heing still very much incensed with Governor
!< igucroa. To so generous an offer no reasonable
objection could be made, and Young promised a reply
on the followmg day. It was while entertaining this
proposal that he sent his answer to the appeal of
the teniperance society, in which he alluded to son e
favorable circumstances which had governed him in
relmquishing the design of manufacturing ardent
Slacum remained but a short time in Oregon, taking
his departure from the Willamette on the 23d of Jan-
uary, and his final leave of the country on the 10th of
February. The further results of his mission are re-
served for another chapter.
to Sla-
bject of
I distil-
te Val-
Young
iiaking
iessary
rms as
nselled
i point
ession.
II then
id and
If and
Fort
and to
esired
l^'n Set'
§
Iliit
CHAPTER V.
COMING OF THE PRESBYTERIANS
1834-1836.
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions — Parker and
Whitman Sent to Choose Mission Sites — Whitman Uetlrns East fok
Teachers — Parker's Adventures — His Favorable Opinion of the
Indians — Their Desire for Teachers and Religious Observances —
Parker Selects a Site at Waiilatpu — Religious Services Estab-
lished at Fort Vancouver — Parker Returns Home — Whitman and
Spalding and their Wives — Their Overland Journey — Whitman's
Wagon Route — Stuart and Pilcher — The Welcome at Fort \'"an-
couver — Return of Gray fop. More Teacheks — Later Missionaries,
Walker, Eels, and Smith.
It is not to be supposed that of all the Protestant
denominations the Methodists alone responded to the
demand of the Flatheads for teachers. The farewell
meeting of the church in Forsyth street, which
blessed the departure of Jason and Daniel Lee for
the almost unknown wilds of Oregon, was attended
by pastors of other religious creeds, notably the Pres-
byterians, whose sympathy led them to take part in
the addresses on this occasion.^ But the Presbyterian
church, more careful and conservative, did not plunge
into an unknown country and work as did their Meth-
odist brethren. In a history of the American Board
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, published in
1840, appears a mention that the Dutch Reformed
church of Ithaca, New York, resolved to sustain a
mission to the Indians west of the Rocky Mountains,
under the direction of the board. Rev. Samuel
Parker, Rev. John Dunbar, and Samuel Allis were
» Lee and Frost's Or., 112.
(104)
fl
i
PARKER AND WHITMAN.
10&
[etli-
loard
Id in
lined
lin a
liins,
liuel
.^ere
accordingly appointed to explore the country for a
mission site. They left Ithaca in May 1834, arriving
at St Louis too late to join the annual caravan of tlie
American Fur Company, as they had intended. Parker
returned home, while Dunbar and Allis remained in
the region of the Missouri, and in the autumn joined
a band of the Grande Pawaiees and Pt wnee Loui)s,
travelled with them, and endeavored to teach them
sacred things. In the following spring Parker re-
peated his eflbrt, and this time with success.
The Rev. Sanmel Parker of Ithaca was a minister
no longer young, of good education and manners,
rather precise in address, but of intelligence, close
observation, and sincere devotion, sho'vn at the call oi
duty in leaving the comforts of home and polite usage
which his nicety of taste and habits made more than
usually dear. He seems to have impressed people
generally as a specimen of the studious, sedentary
preacher, whose solenmity of deportment was by no
means as acceptable as the overflowing spirits of the
circuit-riders with Avhom thev were more familiar, and
which to common n^inds obscured his real courage
and singleness of heart. On the 14th of March,
1835, Parker left his pleasant home for Oregon. His
route was from Ithaca to Buftalo, Pittsburg, Wheel-
ing, Cincinnati, Louisville, and St Louis, staying with
pious families when convenient, distributing tracts, and
holding religious services in the ladies' cabin of the
steamers, to the dissatisfaction of irreligious passengers.
He reached St Louis by the 4th of April, where he
found awaiting iiim Marcus Whitman, M. D., wlunn
the board had appointed his asst)ciate.
Dr Whitman was altogether a ditiereut person,
younger, being then thirty-two years of age, out-
spoken, with easy mani.'^rs and a houlnnme which
recommended him to western men; yet prom])t, ener-
getic, determined, and helpful as he was brave; nort
careful of aj>pearances, (|uick to take upon himselt
the work for which others were too weak, scorning
tf:f
106
COMING OF THE PRESBYTERIANS.
that refinement which unfitted him for any necessary
task, and ready to endure the severest privations.
His appearance was an index to the vigor of his
character, a spare, sinewy frame, strong features, deep
blue eyes, and hair already iron-gray, a man made for
responsibility, for overcoming obstacles, and equally
by his great energy and kindness fitted to be the
leader of a new mission. He was from Rushville,
New York, and had reached St Louis by way of
central Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, several days in
advance of Parker.
As it was not possible to travel through the Indian
country, even with a guide, except in parties of
considerable size, the two missionaries must seek an
escort. Fontenelle, a trader of the American Fur
Company, was preparing to set out for the Rocky
Mountains with sixty men and a caravan of pack-
animals and wagons loaded with Indian goods. He
courteously offered his protection, and they at once
took steamer for Liberty, Missouri, the frontier town
from which the caravan was to start. Here, as they
were delayed three weeks until the preparations for
the long march was completed, Parker occupied
himself in visiting a small Mormon settlement neai'
by, and riding to Cantonment Leavenworth, "twenty
miles out of the United States," where he preached
three times on Sunday to the garrison.
On the 15th of May the caravan left Liberty for
Council Bluffs, l^arker making note that this was his
last day's lodging with a civilizetl family f )r a long
time to come, but declaring shortly afterward that he
preferred sleeping out of doors to lodging in untidy
houses — an opinion most well-bred persons will sliare
with him. His fastidiousness in this and other mat-
ters, liowever, was tlie je^t of his less refined travel-
ling companions. It was not until the 22d of June
that the final start was made from the trading post
of Bellevvie, oii the west side of the Missouri, a few
nules below the present city of Omaha, the delay
THE JOURNEY.
107
giving Parker an opportunity of visiting Allis and
Dunbar, the missionaries to the Pawnees,^ and of
studying the tribes in the vicinity, in whom he took
much interest. While at Bellevue the cholera broke
out among the men, three of whom died almost imme-
diately. Doctor Whitman, with characteristic kind-
ness, devoted himself to the care of the sufferers, and
the disease was arrested by removing the sick from
the riverside to the higher prairie, after which no
new cases appeared. Besides winning the gratitude
of the men whose lives he had saved, and of Fon-
tenelle, whose company was kept from breaking up,
the doctor's n-putation was established among the
Rocky Mountain hunters and trappers, to whom the
fame of his skill and goodness was spread by the new-
comers at the summer rendezvous.
The journey was marked only by the usual inci-
dents of travel across the plains : the early morning
start ; the long march before breakfast, which with
supper constituted the only meals ; the frequent thun-
der-storms, in which everybody became drenched and
chilled ; crossing rivers in a wagon-bed for a boat,
made water-tight by a covering < i" undressed skins;*
the occasional visits of Indians, m ith now and then a
buft'alo chase or a rare accident. The Black Hills
were reached by the 26th of July, and Fontenelle
remained at Fort Laramie, a post of the American
Fur Company, while Fitzpatrick, another partner,
t'^cl: charge of the cai'avan to the rendezvous.
On approaching T^aramie, an exhibition of mountain
manners rather tried the nerve of Parker, who, leav-
ing the road with a single attendant to examine a
singular elevation called Chimni'V Rock, about three
miles from the caravan, was alarmed by a com[»any
'■'In IS'M Mr Allis waH still living at his lionio on the cast side of the
Missouri, nearly opposite to tlie old IJuUevuo trading post.
•' The jireen hides are sewed togetiier, and tigiitly stretched over the boxes,
llesh sitlc out, and fastened with strong taciis to tiie wood, when tlicy are
placed hi the sun to dry. Repeated stretcliing and drying iircparcs tiio siiin
to iveep out the water. These are called l)ull-hide boats, huing usually made
of Ijuflalo-skins. Burnett's liec. o/a Pionvvr, MS., 112.
108
COMING OP THE PRESBYTERIANS.
of mounted men, seemingly natives, riding full tilt in
his direction. Fontenelle, at the hurried flight of
Parker, hastened to his relief with a squad of armed
men; but when the wild cavalcade came near enough
for recognition, they proved to be a party of trappers,
dressed in Indian finery, coming out to welcome the
St Louis partner with the year's supplies. Then
all was merriment, questionings, and mutual rejoic-
mgs.
On the Ist of August, the wagons being left at
Fort Laramie, which Parker called the Fort of the
Black Hills, and the goods all packed upon nmles,
the caravan resumed its journey to the rendezvous
on Green Kiver, where it arrived on the 12th, and
where Parker remained until the 2 Ist, waiting for an
escort to pursue his explorations westward. While
at the rendezvous Dr Whitman gave surgical and
medical aid to a number of persons, among other
operations extracting an iron arrow three inclies long
from the back of Captain Bridger, who afterward
built Fort Bridger on the Black branch of Green
River, and an arrow from the shoulder of a hunter
who had carried it in his flesh for more tlian two
years. The exhibition of his skill excited the wonder
of the Flatheads and Nez Perces there present, and
roused their desires to have teachers come among
them who could do so much to relieve suffering.*
The evident anxiety of the natives to secure the bene-
fits of the white man's superior knowledge, through
the instrumentality of " a man near to God," as they
called Parker, led to a consultation between the mis-
sionaries upon the ])ro])riety of briiiging out teachers
without delay. Witli his usual impetuosity. Whitman
proposed to return with the caravan to St Louis,
obtain assistants, and join the same escort to the
mountains the next spring. To this Parker readily
consented, having confidence that God would go with
and protect him as s: urely without as in the company
* Parlrr.'i Jour., Ex. Tour, 77.
WHITMANS RETURN.
lOQ
Ig
I'lie-
)ugh
mis,
the
clily
v^itli
any
of his associate.^ The Flat heads and Nez Perces of-
fered to escort liim to the Columbia River.
According to the new plan of operations, Parker
on the 21st joined the company of Captain Bridger,
consisting of about sixty men who were going eight
days' journey upon the same route as the savages, to
Pierre Hole, an extensive mountain valley on the
head waters of the Snake Kiver. Here the com-
pany of Bridger took a course toward the Blackfoot
country, the main body of natives and their guest
travelling north-west in the direction of Salmon River.
Becoming better acquainted as they proceeded, Parker
taught them the commandments, which he found they
readily understood and obeyed ; and further than this,
they gave up their polygamous practices, and went
back to their first wives, whom they had put away.
In all respects Parker found himself treated with the
utmost kindness and consideration by his escort^ and
so far wari he from fear, that he rejected an invitation
by letter from Wyeth's agent at Fort Hall, Mr Baker,
to pass the winter with him, preferriug to proceed to
Fort Vancouver at once. No better opportunity could
ofl'er of studying the character and customs of the
})eople he desired to christianize than he at present
enjoyed; though somewhat misleading, the savages
were in their best mood, and displayed their best
behavior. But the hardships of the journey, with
the sudden changes of temperature in the mountains,
cost Parker an illness, the serious consequences of
which he averted by free use of tlie lancet and medi-
cines. One cannot but feel an interest in the elderly
clergyman, accustomed to the order and comfort of
his family, in a land of plenty and peace, now left
■"■That IS H-liat Parker himself said. lu Oroi/'s Jlkt. Or., 108, it is stated
tliiit Wliitiiiau went baek because lu? and his superior oouhl not iigrec;
tlirtt i'arker could not abide tlie slovenly habits of tlie doctor; but tliat 'their
siMise of moral obligation was sueli, tliat a reason must be given why Pr
Whitman returns to the States, and Mr I'arker iirocecds alone on his perilous
journey.' It is most probable that tlie want of congeniality made it accept-
able to botli, when their best usefulness to their mi.^sion allowed them to
separate without any r.vVi double dealing as the extract would indicate.
110
COMING OP THE PRESBYTERIANS.
alone with a few wandering bands of Indians, starving
one day and feasting the next, watchful for an en-
counter with the dreaded Blackfoot hunters on their
common buffalo-grounds, and startled frequently by
false alarms.
On the 18th, anxious to reach some post of the
Hudson's Bay Company, Parker took ten Nez Perces
and went forward, making twice the distance in a day
that could be made with the main body, and pushing
Gil over the rough and precipitous Salmon River and
Kooskooskie ranges, reached the Nez Perc^ country
on the 28th, his health rapidly improving as he emerged
from the " wild, cold mountains," as he pathetically
styled them. The Nez Percds received their friends
and their reverend guest with the usual noisy demon-
strations, firing salutes, and feasting them with dried
salmon. On the following day the journey was con-
tinued to the confluence of the Kooskooskie with
Lewis River, whence, after crossing the former river,
the little party hastened, by a well-worn trail, to Fort
Walla Walla.
On reaching this post, the 6th of October, Parker
was kindly received by Pambrun, the agent in charge,
wlio set before him roasted duck, bread, butter, milk,
and sugar, spread upon a table, with a chair to sit
upon, unwonted luxuries which excited the warmest
thanks. Here Parker rested for two days only, but
long enough to note the difference between the conduct
of the servants of the British fur company and the
boisterous and reckless behavior of the American
hunters and trappers in the mountains. Instead of
boasting of the number of Indians they had ki^^ed, as
the latter often did in his presence, he found the Brit-
ish company commendably kind in their treatment of
the Indians, whose friendship they strove to gain, and
whom they sometimes even instructed in religion and
morality.^
"Parker's Jour., 124.
ON THE COLUMBIA.
Ill
On the 8th, three muscular Walla Wallas, with a
canoe furnished with provisions by Pambrun, took
the hopeful traveller in charge for a voyage to Fort
Vancouver. The first day's experience of the Co-
lumbia rapids so alarmed him that he begged the
natives to put him ashore, but he yielded to their
assurance that there was no danger. He visited the
Cayuse tribe on the south side of the river, and some
savages, whom he called Nez Perces, on the north
bank. The Cayuses were curious to know what had
brought a white man who was not a trader amongst
them; and being told that he had come to instruct
them how to worship God, they gave him a salute, as
the Nez Perces had done, every man, woman, and
child shaking hands with him, and expressing their
satisfaction. Not being able to converse freely, and
having no interpreter, he promised to meet them in
the spring at Walla Walla, and bade them farewell.
Arriving at the Dalles on the 12th, the Walla
Wallas were dismissed. Here he met Captain Wyoth,
on his way to Fort Hall, who furnished him a short
vocabulary of Chinook words for the necessary busi-
ness of a traveller among the natives below the
Dalles. After this he engaged a canoe and crew of
Wascos, and again set out with a few strange savages.
Being near the middle of October, the season of
storms was at hand, as he was informed by the strong
south wind which obliged him to encamp. On the
second and third days from the Dalles it rained, and
the portage at the cascades compelled a toilsome walk
of several miles.
About noon of the 16th, he was surprised by seeing
on the north bank of the river two white men and a
yoke of oxen drawing logs for sawing, and soon after
a large mill, around which were piles of lumber and a
group of cottages. Cheered with tlie sight, lie landed,
and was offered a breakfast of pease and fish by the
Orkney laborers. Reembarking, he landed at Fort
Vancouver at two o'clock in the afternoon, and was wel-
112
COMING OF THE PRESBYTERIANS.
coined by McLoughlin, who invited him to take up his
residence in the fort as long as suited his convenience,
an invitation most gratefully accepted ; "and never,"
says the explorer, weary with more than six months'
travel, *'did I feel more joyful to set my feet on shore."
After a single night's rest, the May Dacre being
about to sail for the Sandwich Islands, Parker de-
termined to avail himself of the opportunity of visit-
ing the mouth of the river and the sea-coast before
winter set in. Going down the river, he had frequent
opportunities of studying the character of the natives
who inhabited the shores, as they often came on board
to trado,^ and he soon discovered the difference between
those and the mountain tribes, the latter loading the
stranger with favors, while the others never ceased
begging for them. Nevertheless he summed up his
observations of natives by declaring that in his opin-
ion the character of uiiabused and uncontaminated
Indians would not sufter by comparison with any other
nation that can be named ; the only material difference
between man and man being that produced by the
knowledge and practice of the Christian religion.*
Returning in an express canoe from the mouth of
the Columbia, where several days had been spent ex-
amining the coast, Mr Parker went into winter quar-
ters at Fort Vancouver October 30th, having half of
a new house assigned him, well furnished, with all
the attendance he could wish, with books and horses
at command, "and in addition to all these, and still
more valuable, the society of gentlemen, enlightened,
polished, and sociable."
' As an example of the traits of the Skilloots, Parker gives this: A chief with a
few of his people came on board, being very talkative and sportive. ' He asked
that, as they were about to part, Captain Lambert should give him a shirt, which
having received, he put it or., saying, "How much better wouhl a new pair
of pantaloons look with this shirt. " The pants being given him, he said,
"A vest would become me, aiid increase my influence with my people." This
'ift being added to the others, he then said, "Well, tyeo [chief or gentleman],
t suppose we shall not see each other again; can you see me depart without a
clean blanket ? " ' Failing to obtain the blanket, he l)egge<l some trifling present
id went away well satisfled. Parhrs Jour., Kc. Tour, 144.
f
for Ilia little sc 'i, and
^Parker's Jour., E.c
Tout
■ay
, loj.
PARKER AT FORT VANCOUVER.
113
Late ill November, the weather beiuj^ j)leasant,
Parker set out for an exploration of the Willainotto
\''alley, liaving for a guide ^fitienne Lucier, and being
provided by McLoughHn with provisions and con-
veniences for the journey. He went to Chauipoeg by
canoe, and thence on horseback to the Methodist Mis-
.sion, making observations upon the country and its
advantages for settlement. At the Mission he was
joined by Jason Lee, who accompanied him several
miles south, showing him the excellence of the soil,
grass, and timber, and the pleasing variety of wood
and prairie in that part of the Willamette Valley.
On his return journey to Fort Vancouver he
preached at Champoeg, to a congregation of nearly all
the inhabitants, and visited Mr Edwards, who was
then teaching a school at this place. A call at Fort
William, and return to Fort Vancouver on the 2d of
December, finished his explorations west of the Cas-
cade Mountains.
During Parker's stay at Fort Vancouver, lie n-
ceived a visit from the chief of a village at the Cas-
cades, who wished to talk with him about the white
man's God. This chief appeared intelligent and
serious, putting questions to his teachei which it
would have troubled him to answer, had the darkness
of the Indian mind, the barrenness of the [ndian lan-
guage, and Parker's ignorance of it been less than they
were. He wished Mr Parker to instruct his children,
both in material and spiritual matters, and was grieved
when it was explained to him that the man had not
come as a teacher. "How many sleeps," asked the
chief, " before teachers can come ? " "A great numbe .","
was the reply. '-'Will it be moons?" "Yes, at least
two snows." With a sorrowful countenance the chief
arose and departed.
About the middle of February somt> natives from
the Dalles visited Fort Vancouver, osklng to be pres-
ent at the Uf-'ual Sunday services, conducting them-
Hl.XT. OK., Vol.. I. 8
114
COMING OF THE PRESBYTERIANS.
selves solierly, and taking part in tlie exercis'js.
Having prayed with tliem, Parker tried to convey
to these people some idea of the [jrineiples of Chi.'s-
tianity. When he had conchided, the head chief
<lesired to be heard. He told Parker that he had
many times prayed to the great spirit without find-
ing his heart better, but rather worse. He had before
listened to the teachings of a white man, who had
told him to observe the sabbath by raising a flag
whicli he gave him, on that day, by praying, singing,
and dancing around the flag-staff"; and that he ob-
served these instructions for a long time without
benefit. He wished to know if it was riglit. On being
told that it was all right but the dancing, he [)rom-
ised to give that up, and to teach his peojjle the
right way. Parker told this benighted being, who
humbly acknowledged his ignorance, that he needed
a teaclier, but did not promise him one, though he
felt like weeping over him ; nor did he propose to
send him one, having learned very early in his ex-
perience that an Indian cannot discriminate between
a proposal and a promise." A month afterward a
party of the same natives visited Fort Vancouver,
and related that since they had left oft' dancing on
the sabbath their prayers had been answered; that
when they were hungry and prayed for deer their
hunting was successful. They agam appealed, unsuc-
cessfully, for a teacher.
Winter over, on the 14th of April Parker bade
farewell to the inmates of Fort voiicouver with a
lively sense of the obligations under which they had
placed him. They had even declined to accept any
return for Indian goods, or interpreter's services fur-
nished him on his several excursions, where according
to custom payment was made to his nati\^e crew in
ahirts and blankets. His design was to go back to the
Nez Perc(5s, to whom he felt bound by their services
* Parker's Jour,, Ex. Tour, 79.
IN THK Ul'PHK COUNTRY
115
\g on
that
their
LUSUC-
bade
ith a
had
i any
fur-
ding
w in
the
ices
of the previous year, and by his promises made to
them at that time. To the Cayuses, also, he had given
his word to return and meet them in the spring at
Fort Walla Walla, Further, his ititontion was to
exphjre the country as far as possible in the region of
the Upper Columbia with reference to mii-sion stations,
and then to return to Green River to meet Whitman
and his associates,
End)arking in a canoe belonging to a ciiief from the
Dalles, he set out with a chance company of Indians,
half-breeds, and white men, on the second day out
meeting with Captain Wyeth returning from his fort
<.)n Snake River, with whom he exchanged a few words
as their canoes passed. At the Dalles horses wcTe
hired from the natives to take him above the narrows,
where was a bateau which conveyed him to Walb.
Walla, where he arrived on the 26th, finding a num-
ber of Nez Perces and Cayuses awaiting him. He
remained two weeks instructing them, being treated
with such kindness as to inspire a hope that their
disposition to learn was more than the mere love of
novelty. The only opposition to his teachings was
made by a Cayuse chief, who would not accept the
doctrine of monogamous marriaij-e with the readiness
of the Xez Perces, declaring he would not part with
any of his wives, but as he was old and had always
lived in sin, it was too late for him to change his prac-
tices, and he preferred to go to the place of burning.
On the 9th of May Parker set out on his return
to the^ rendezvous at Green River, in company with
several Nez Perces, spending a night at an encamp-
ment of this tribe, and witnessing the burial of a
child,^" at the head of whose grave the Indians pre-
pared to place a cross, when he interrupted them, and
l)roke the symbol in pieces, telling them that they
should place a stone instead, to which they readily
consented." Parker excuses himself for this by saying
'* For luaiincrs ami custoiiia of the Nez Percys, Cayxises, and \\''alla Wallas,
8tH> Nutive RticeK, i. .310.
^^ Smet's Lettem, 212.
Illli
His
(0.\lIN<i or Till-; J'KKSIiVTKItlAXS.
that tlui Indians wiTt; luoro lik«^ly t«» make the cross
a steppinjjf-stonc! to idohitry tliaii to umlerstaiid its
spiritual siL^iiiHcaucc; not ap|)earin<i^ to purcoivo that
lie was deahiij^ with savages who were already inihue<l
with the ])rineiples of the Koiiian Catholic religion.'"
After travelling several days to the Kooskooskic;
River, Parker, dreading the tc'rril)le Salmon River
Mountains, where ho narrowly esi -aped death the year
hefore, tried to persuade the Nez Pcrces to take the
(Irande Jloiide and Snake River route usually trav-
elled hy the Hudson's Bay Com})any's parties. As
the Indians, however, preferred the Salmon River
route, which avoided the hostile Rlackfoot warriors,
he changed his design, and after sending letters hy
"As this mistako of I'arki^r's afterward a.-<Humcfl serifuiH import, soiiio
explanation should l)c made of tlic religions ideas of the natives sek'ct(!<l
by hiiu as most hopeful and teaehahle. It will he renieml)ered that tiio
Palles people olwervod Sunday as a holiday, in the nianncr of the Catholic
einirch. Parker lunmelf exi)lains in a note, p. 2.H, that the reason assigned
to him for daneing being included in their ceremonials Wius the fear tiiat if
it were forbidden they could not be intercHteil in jnire worslup; obviously th's
reason was not fumi::he<l him by the natives tl)f)msclves. Again, in rehiting
tlic circumstance of the burial cross, he remarks. Jiat they hiid probably l)een
told by some Iro(pu)is, a few of whom he hail seen west of the llocky Moun-
tains, to place a cross a", the head of a grave, again showing he was not
wholly ignorant t»f Indian theology in this quarter. Slica, in his Ilixlorii of
t/ie Citf/inlic J//'.v>i/o/w, 407, says that some Iroquois formerly of the Coughna-
waga Catholic mission, joined the Flatheads 2)revious to 18'2(), the tribe be-
coming christianized about tnat time, tlirough tlieir example; ami that tlu'ir
desire for teachers led to the pilgrimage to St Louis before mentioned. They
oontinued in the ceremonials and practices of the church, daily offering up
l)rayers to (Jod, and keeping the sabbath. This agrees with the obserx'ations
of Bonneville in 1 SIM, who Hnyi, the Flatheads, Nez Perces, and Cayuses had
a strong devotional feeling, but speaks of it as successfully cultivated by
some of the Hudson's Bay Company's peoph;. So far as Mr I'ambrun of
Walla Walla is concerned, this I believe to be the triith, but not of the com-
pany's servants generally, as Dunn in liia HiMorji of the Oin/oii Territori/,
181, informs us, they having occiision to blame tliemselves for their neglect.
So well advanced in the Christian religion were tiie tribes mentioned, ac-
cording to Bonneville, that they would not raise their camps on Sunday, nor
tish, hunt, or trade on that day except in eases of severe necessity, but
passed a jwrtion of the day in religious ceremonies, the chiefs leiidiug the
ilevotions. and afterward giving a sort of sermon upon abstaining from lying,
stealing, cheating, and quarrelling, and the duty of being ho8i)itable to
strangers. Prayers and exhortations were also made in the morning on week
ilays, often by the chief on hor.sel)ack, moving slowly about the camp, and
giving his instructions in a loud voice, the people listening with attention,
iuid at the end of every sentence responding one word in unison, apparently
equivalent to amen. While these ceremonials were going on every employ-
ment was suspended. If an Indian was riding by, he dismounted, and at-
tended with reverence until the conclusion. When the chief had finished, he
said, 'I have done,' upon wliieh there was an exclamation in unison. 'With
I
IX SKAUCH OF MISSION' HITKS.
u:
the Iiidiaus to ])r Wliitninii to \)v torwuicU'd to tlw
Unitt'd States, lio turii'Ml hack to the (\iliinibia Kiver,
iletoriniiu'd to tako tiu' sea route lionie.
No loiijj^or lacking for time, he decided to make
furtlier explorations for I'lission stations, and noted
with favor the ui)per pari of tiie Walhi Walla Valley
as a site for an estahlishment, the only objection to it,
in his mind, beinu^ that it was not central for the No/
l\Tces, Cayuses, and Walla Wallas, to whom he had
].i
■omised a mission.
H
ow easnv
le
says,
"miirht
the ])lonijfh i^o througli these valleys, and what rich
and abundant harvests might be ijathcsred by the hand
of industry. But even now the spontaneous growth
of these vast plains, including millions of acres, yields
these religious services,' says Bonneville, ' probably deriveil from tlio white
men, the tribes above mentioned niiiinle some of their old Indian eerenio-
iiialn; such as dancinjf to the cadence of a song or ballad, wliiuh is generally
done in a large lodge providf'd for the purpose. Besidt\s Sundays, they like-
wise observe the canlinal liolidaya of the Roman Catholic church.' Imntjn
Hoiiiici'illc's A)hriitiin:-i, 38!)-'.)0. Says .lolni ^\'yeth, who also gives thest;
savages a good cliaraetcu": ' I know luit wliat to say of their religion. I saw
iidtliing liiie inuiges, or any objects of worship whatever, and yet tlicy aj)-
pcared to keep a sabbath, for tliero is a day on which they do not hunt nor
gand)le, but sit moping all day, and look like fools, lliere certainly ap-
l)eared among them an lionor, or conscience, and sense of justice. Tliey
would do what they promised, and return our strayed horses and lost
articles." Orei/nn, 54. ToMnisend was equally struck with the religious ciiar-
ac'ter of the Nez I'erces iind Cayusos, and after describing tiudr family wor-
sliip, concludes by saying: ' I never wiis more gratilieil by any exhiliition in
my life. Tlie liumble, subdued, and beseeching looks of the poor untutored
beings who were calling upon tiieir heavenly father to forgive their sins, and
continue Ins mercies to them, iind tlio evident and hi^art-felt sincerity wliieh
characterized the wliolo scene, was truly atl'ecting, antl very impressive.' A'ar.,
107. Elijah White, in a letter to tlie Oreijon SpecOi/or of November 12, 1S46,
says: ' Indeed, the red men of tliat region would almost seem to be of a differ-
ent order from those with whom we have been in nioro familiar intercourse.'
I'arker lumself often remarked upon the reverence and attention with whicli
the I'latlieads and Nez Perces listened to his devotional exercises, in wliicli
they joined M'ith an intelligence that surprised him. The eil'ect of the
teaching they had some time had was apparent in tlie exhibition of that hos-
jiitality, care for f)thers, and general gootl conduct to which he often referred.
On one of his journeys with these peojjle he says: 'One sabbath <lay al>out
eight in the morning, some of the chiefs came to me and asked where they
should assemble. I asked them if they could not be accommodated in tlie
willows which skirte<l the stream of water on whicli we were encamped.
They thought not. 1 then inquired if they could not take tlie poles of some
of t.icir lodges and construct a shade. They thought they could; ami with-
out any other directions went and ma<le preparation, and about eleven
o'clock came anil saitl they were ready for worship. I found tlieni all as-
sembled, men, women, and children, between four and live hundred, in
what I would call a .sanctuary of (iod, constructed with their lodges, nearly
one hundred feet long, and about twenty feet wiile; and all were arranged
IIS
COMINO OF THE rUESBYTKllIAXS.
ill such profusion, that not tlio fiftieth part becomes
the food of organic life."^^
A mission located in this valley he believed would
draw to itself a settlement of the Indians, who would
cultivate tlie soil, while at the same time they were
taught sacred things. Accordingly, he selected for a
mission station a spot on the north bank of the Walla
Walla liiver, near the moutli of a small stream now
known as Mill Creek, where there was a small A'alley
.'overed luxuriantly with rye grass, from which the
Indians called it Waiilatpa, or Waiilati)u.^* It was
not the most cheerful of sites for a homestead, being
surrounded almost entirely by high rolling hills cov-
ered with coarse bunch-grass; but it furnished water
and wood, and presented a certain })icturesqueness
which its very is( )lati(m enhanced. It was but twenty-
two miles from Fort Walla Walla, which was by no
means an unim})ortant recommendation to a solitary
white family. ^^
in rows, through the length of the huilillng, upon their knees, with a nar-
row spaee in the niiiliUe, lengthwise, resenihling an aisle. Tlie wliole area
within was eari)ete(l with their dressed skins, and they were all attired in their
liest. Tlie ehiefs were arranged in a seniicirele at the end which I was to
occupy. I co\ild not liave believed they had the means, or could have known
liow to liave constructed so convenient and so decent a place for worship, and
especially ius it was the first time tliey had liad public worship. Tlie whole
sight taken together sensibly affected me, and filled me with astonishment;
and I felt as though it was the liouse of ( iod and the gate of heaven. They
all continued in their kneeling position during singing and prayer, and when
I closed iirayer with amen, they all said what WJis etpiivalent in their lan-
guage to amen. And wlien I commeuced the sermon, tliey sunk back upon
their heel:?.' Porhr'x Join:, Kt: Tour, 1)7-8. Notliiag could be more evident
than that at some time some iiiHuential and competent tee-vclur had laid tlie
foundati<ms of religion and morality with eonscieiuious care. Who lie was,
whence lie came, or whither he went, is almost purely conjectural. The ex-
|ilanation giver, by Shea is re[ieate<l in Sfrirklniid'.i Mifnioim, 120.
'^ Notwithstiinding this early recognition l>v Parker of ihe north of t.ie
Walla AVi'Ua Valley for settlement, it was thirty years before it began to be
esteemed lor farming purposes; and another decade had ptossed cro the fact wa'.i
accepted that this was one of the most i)roiluctive wheat-fields of the world.
'*^ ' Place of Rye (trass.' This word is commonly spelled '\ith a terminal
II instead of a, which some say changes its signification, afiirining tliat a is
the proper termination for the word with the above .neaning.
'■' Undoubtedly, this spot Wiis the choice of I'arker, though in (rnii/'t^ Hint.
Or., 1(55-1), the reader is made to believe that the choice WiU' left to Whit-
man. Parker says that after encamping for a iii^lit on the 'upper part of
the Walla Walla River,' he rode twenty-two miles and arrived at Walla
Walla, Whitman may liave selected a spot, not the identical one, in tlie
Same vicinity.
WAIILAXPU.
119
At the time Parker made his selection of Waii-
latpu he was alone, except so far as he was surrounded
by Indians, who overtook him and his Nez Percd
guide, and continued with him out of curiosity or
interest. To these he undoubtedly communicated his
intention of founding a mission at this spot, and prob-
ably obtpined their sanction, as tliey were eager to
have a misfjion established among them. There is
nothing, he wever, in his account of his journey,
which indicates that he offerod the Cayuses, whose
country it vas, anything in ptyment for the land, or
that the subject was discussei. On the contrary,
having no interpreter with him, he mentions a diffi-
culty in communicating with the Indians ; and there is
no evidence that at this time t .le Cayuses set any value
on land required for an individual farm. It seems to
have been taken for grar Lud that there was to be a
mission for the benefit of the Indians, and not of
the missionaries.^^
in their
was to
known
hip, and
wlioh;
liment;
They
when
ir lan-
upon
•vident
lid tlio
was,
"ho ex-
Hisf.
Wliit-
)art of
Walla
in tlie
'"In Brouillet's Autheulk Account nf the. Murder of Dr WMtman, 2.3, is a
Htateni(!ut by John Toupin, which must be taken with allowance. Toupin,
who was interpreter at Fort Walla V/alla from 1824 to 1841, tirst avers that
Mr Parker made the selection of the luissiou station in 183,5, which is not
possible, as during this journey he proceeded to F'ort Vancouver with the
delay of only ouo aay to ai lange for his passage down the river. This might
have been simply an error in date, did not Toupin go on to say that Air
Parker, in company with Mr Pambrun, an American, and liimself as inter-
preter, went first to Waiilatpu, a place belonging to three chiefs of the
('ayuses, where lie met tliem by appointment to select a site for a mission for
Whitman, who, he told thtm, would come in the ' following spring ' — whereas,
if the error wa*; in date, it woidd have been tlie following autumn tliat he
promised them that they would see Whitman. From the (.'ayuses, says
Toupin, Parker went to the Nez Perces, about one hundred and twenty-live
miles distant, on a small creek emptying into the Ko.iskooskie, or Clearwater,
seven or eight miles from the place afterwanls chost n for tlie Nez Perc(5 mis-
.sion, where he made the same promises. 'Next spring there wnll conu^ a
missionary to establish himself here and take a piece of lan<l; but he will not
take it for nothing; you shall I)c paid every year; this is tlie American
t'asliioii.' The facts as given by Parker show that the only occfisious wlieii
lie could have been ^t Waiilatpu were those when he was alone with a cluance
company of Indi.ans, and witiiout an interpreter. So ini])ortunt a circiim-
stiuice as a formal meeting of himself with the chiefs .ind interpreter, witnessed
by I'ambrun, and an American, would not liave gone unmentioned, wlien
so sli','ht a fact as a ride with Paniln'un to tlie contiui'uce of the Snake and
''olumbia rivers is carefully recorded; therefore it wouM seem that the story
of To«])in was invented to Berve a purpose; and tiiat Parker, who was so
careful of liis word, did not promise the C'ayuses payment or annual rent for
their laud.
'i!
I
^|:l
ii
120
COMIN(} OF THE PRESBYTERIANS.
Returning to Walla Walla, Parker made arrange-
ments for a tour up the north branch of the Columbia
to Fort Colville, the most northern post of the Hud-
son's Bay Company on that river, in the course of
which he expected to meet other tribes than those he
liad seen, and to gain much interesting informaticHi.
Ill this design ho was encouraged by Pambrun, who
])rocured for liim Indian guides, and chose two Frenoii
voyageurs to be his assistants, one of wjioni spoke
the English language, though imperfectly. In order
to see more of the country and the n.itives, it was
decided to travt^l with hoi-ses, rather than by l)oat
IX THE SPOKANE COUNTRY.
121
r»
— h;
i
y--^
b«4.
icli
.kt-
us
)at
in going up the river, and to pass by way of the
Spokane country, leaving the great bend of the
Columbia a long distance to the left.
The 23d of May being fi' d upon for beginning his
journey, the first day's tra.ol brought him opposite
the mouth of the Pavilion or Palouse River, up v/hicli
lay his course to the head of the Spokane River. At
this first encampment he made the acquaintance of
the Palouses, an inferior branch of the Nez Perc^
nation, whom he paid for assisting him to cross to the
north side of Snake River. Passing over hills and
valleys destitute of trees, and meeting with several
villages of Xez Perces and Spokanes, he encamped
the close of tlie second day at one of the latter, his
guides explaining to them the object of his visit to
their country, at which they expressed their satisfac-
tion.
On the third day the guides missed the trail, and
the traveller was nearly lost on the trackless j)rairie;
but they fortunately fell in with a party of Spokanes,
one of wIkhu consented to show them the way to the
Spokane River, leading the party to within sight of
a lake, and telling them that on the east side of it was
the main trail leading to their destination.
What struck Parker witli astonislimcnt was the
conduct of his new guide in refusing to go with him
to the river, thoui>]i he offered a larj^e reward for
the service. *' I have shown the way ; you cannot
miss it; why sliould I allow you to ]>ay me for un-
necessary labor ^ " iiujuircd this punctilious savage ; nor
could he be persuaded from his determination. This
conscientiousness, as it appeared to liim, and which
would have been extraordinary in a man of civilized
habits, so moved tlie missionai'v that he not onlv ])aid
liim well on tlie spot, buj afterward sent him a pres-
ent of powder and ball.
Crossing the SpH.ane River on the 27tli, his ferrv-
lujin guided him to the ])rhicipal village, where there
was a small field of Hourishuig )»otatoes. [lease, l^eans,
12-2
COMING OF THE PRESBYTE11IAN8.
and other vegetables, the first instance of native
agriculture Parker had seen west of the Rocky
Mountains, although the Hudson's Bay Company
would at any time have encouraged the Indians in
planting in tlie neighborhood of their forts, had they
cared to cultivate the soil. The Indians about Pu"ret
Sound, more than any others, seem to have taken to
the cultivation of the potato for food,
Encamping for the night, sixty miles from Colville,
he found many Si)okanos and Nez Perces gathered,
who had heard from others that a teacher of reli-
gion was passing through the country, and they were
anxious to see and listen to so great a personage.
They brought with them, with wise forethought, an
interpreter of their own, a young Spokane, who had
attended school at tlie Red River settlement, and who
understood English fairly. There was i)resent also a
Xez Perce chief who knew the Spokane tongue. For
their edification religious services were held in the
evening, and as the interpreter rendered the sermon
into Si)okane, the Nez Perce translated it into iiis
language, wliich was done without disturbance, and
was entirely the idea of the Indians themselves. So
wonderfully interesting did the preacher- find these
people, that he regarded it as a special providence
that he had suffered several detentions wliich pre-
vented his passing them ; and as he rode next day
through a very fertile but narrow valley extending
north and south for fifty miles, he settled in his
mind that here too should be a mission, from which
the tribes of the Spokanes, Coiurs d'Alene, Pends
d'Oreillc, and Shuyelj)i, or Kettle Falls, could all be
reached.
Reaching Fort Colville after a hard ride, on the
evening of the 28tli, in an almost starving condition,
having exliausted his supplies, he found liimself just
too late to see McDonalcI, the gentleman in charge,
who had a few days before gone with tlie annual
brigade to Fort Vancouver. Every attention was
1! ■'
DEPARTURE OF PARKER.
12S
j)ai(l toward making hiin (.•(.)ii)lortal)k! by tho people
at the fort, hut his visit extoiidod only over the
sabbath, v^'^hich he spent as usual in preaching, and
teaching the Indians. On the 30th he journeyed to
the Grande Coulee, in whose deej) chasm a night was
passed. He was again lost for a few hours on the
great plain of the Columbia; but more by his own
judgment than the knowledge of the Indian guides
lie made his way safely to Fort Okanagan.
At this place he made no stay, but obtaining a
bateau and two natives to assist the voyageurs, set
out on his return by river, sending his guides with
the horses to Walla Walla, where he arrived tlio 3d
of June, having been eleven days, Sundays excepted,
in the saddle or bateau. After a rest of two days he
left for Fort Vancouver, where he arrived in safety
on tlie evening of the Dth, and took passage in one of
the fur company's vessels to the Sandwich Islands.
It is worthy of note, in connection with Parker's
residence of several months at Fort A'ancouver, that
thence originated the practice of assembling the
Canadians twice every Sunday, and reading to them
in French a ]>ortion of the scriptures and a sermon :
which practice was kept u[) until the r.rrival of Mr
Heaver.
Before leaving Oregon Parker witnessed the intro-
duction of a steam-vessel into the coasting service of
the company. This was the Beaver, which arrived in
the Cokunbia River in the spring of 183(5, and on
which Parker with a party of gentlemen from the
fort took an excursion on tlie 1 4th of June around
Wapato Island, indulging during their enjoyment in
"a train of prospective reflections upon the ])rol)able
changes wliich would take ])]ace in these remote
regions in a very few years," and in the dream ''a
new empire be added to the kingdoms of the earth.'"'
'• Pnrkvrn Jour., Kr. Tour, 810- ■ . This pioneer steamlmat on the Pacific
Ocean was eominaniled by Captain Oavid Home, her consort being the Nereid,
Uoyal, niaater. She was a hnv-i)rcssure, side- wheel steamer, 110 tons register,
hid
124
COMING OF THE IKSBYTERIAXS.
On the IHtli of June Parker took final leave of
Fort Vancouver, and sailed for Honolulu, where he
was compelled to wait until the middle of December
for a vessel to the United States, reaching his home
in Ithaca the 23d of May, 1837,^** having- travelled
28,000 miles.
i! -f. :
1 i.i
We have now to deal with the results of the explo-
ration ordered by the American Board. When Mr
Parker decided to proceed alone, Dr Whitman turned
back with tlie caravan to St Louis for the next year's
supplies, reaching the Missouri frontier late in the
autumn of 1835. The business in hand was some-
thing requiring all his superabundant energy, for
before spring he must bring into the service of the
Presbyterian missions in Oregon persons enough to
set up at least two stations, one among the Flatheads
and one among the Nez Perces.
To enlist the symj)athy of Christians, he took with
him two Indian lads, as did Columbus, Pizarro, and
Wyeth, and as do othei-s, down to the Indian agents
and military men of the present day, when wishing to
interest the public in alien and savage races. With
these he went directly to the missionary board, and
rei)orted the field of mission w( rk west of the Rockv
built at Blackwell, England. Her paddle-wheels were small and well forward.
She carried a crew of thirty men, arniament 4 six -pounders, with a large
supply of small-arins. Tlie decks were protected by boarding-netting, the
natives being restricted to the gangways for access. After leaving the Colum-
bia in 1837 she never afterward entered it, but was engaged in coasting the
northern seas, collecting furs, ami supplying the northern forts. This steamer
entered the harbors of Esquimalt and Victoria in 1830. She was in 1881 a
tug in tlie latter harbor. Heattle InleUiijenevr, Jan. 1, 1881; FinhiysouK V. I.
itiid X. W. Cmut, MS., ().
'"With tlu! departure of Mr Parker from Oregon ends his relation to its
history. He publishe<l in 18.''t8 at Itliaca, N. Y., a Join-iKtlofn, Erploniii/ Tour
lUfumil t.lic /fiH-ki/ MoiniOiiim, the first iictnal report of the country and the
Indaiu iribes since tlie expedition of Lewis and Clarke, if we except the partial
accounts of Kelley, William Strong of Porthmd remarks in his Jlist. Or.,
MS., '23, that he was a jiroof-reader on Parker's book, 'the first book in
regard to the country l)y an American.' Parker's remarks upon the geography,
geology, climate, productions, and possil)ilities of tlic tlien unsettled Oregon
territory show close ol)servation, and supplementing his own discoveries with
information contributed by the gentlemen at Fort Vancouver, formed a faith-
ful and valuable account of the country.
WHITMAN AXI» Sl'ALDINd.
125
Mountains as ripe and waiting for the liarvtstors. Yet
he seemed unable to awaken sufficient eiitlinsiasni in
individual members of the ehureh to draw them from
their conifortable firesides into the storms of March,
which thev nmst face to join a caravan for the sum-
mer journey over a homeless wilderness. For it was
families, not single men, whom Whitman wished to
establish as missionaries among the Indians. In his
difficulty, and fully determined to return himself as a
missionary, he appealed successfully to Miss Narcissa
Prentiss, daughter of Judge Prentiss of I^rattsburg,
New York, and in February 1836 they were married.
Mrs Whitman w^as a bright, fresh-looking woman,
with blue eyes and fair hair, good figur-e and jileasant
voice, more than commonly attractive in person and
manner, besides being well educated, and something
of a contrast to her husband in her careful habits
and regard for small refinements. But one man and
woman could not go alone into this new world, as
did the primal pair, and Whitman s«)Ught some other
husband and w'li'v to accompany them. He had, how-
ever, started on his westward journey in March, before
he found at Pittsburg, on his route, the Rev. H. H.
Spalding and wife, newly married, graduated only a
short time before from Lane Theological Seminary
and the female college near it in the suburbs of Cin-
cinnati, and who were already on their way to the
Osages as missionaries.
Mr Spalding was considered a man of plain, practical
talents, more esteemed for his sincerity and faithful-
ness than for his gifts, yet lionored as a zealous and
comparatively successful missionary. Mrs Eliza Spald-
ing, daughter of a farmer named Hart, of Oneida
County, New York, had been taught to spin, weave,
and make clothing, as well as to cook. These were ex-
cellent attainments for anew country; added to which
she was an apt linguist, and something of an artist in
water-colors, both of "hich acquirements proved of
use in the missionary work, the first in catching the
I h
126
COMINd OF THE PRESBYTKHIANS.
native tongues, the second in teaching by rude but
vigorous pictures what coukl not be conveyed with
force in language. The tall, slender, plain, dark
woman, with few charms of voice or feature, saga-
cious, decided, sympathizing, and faithful, won the
confidence of all about her. What she lacked in
personal charms she made up in the excellences of
her character, taking for her own standard that of
the highest in pious life. She was fitted by nature
for the work of a missionary, and found the reward
of self-sacrifice in elevation of spirit.'^
Nothing could have been more opportune for
Whitman's purpose than meeting these people, to
whom he immediately proposed to change their des-
tniation, and join him in his mission beyond the
Rocky Mountains. Spalding hesitated on account
of his wife's delicate health, and as too hazardous
an adventure for women, but Mrs Spalding asketl
twenty-four hours for prayerful consideration, which
ended in their undert'kino' the mission. Innnediate
preparations were made for the more extended jour-
ney, and Mrs Spalding, without returning to the
home of her parents, set her face toward the far-ofl'
Oregon.
The company of four, with a leenforcement for the
Pawnee mission of Dunbar and Allis, now proceeded
to Liberty, Missouri, where they were joined by the
fifth Oregon missionary, William H. Gray of Utica,
New York, who had been engaged as a mechanic, and
secular aid to the mission."*' He was a oood-lookinu'
young fellow, tall of stature, with fine black eyes, with-
out special education, but having pronounced natural
abilities, of (juick feelings, and a good hater where his
jealousy was aroused.
The Indian bovs, John and Richard, were of the
party, and before leaving the frontier, a boy of six-
" Prhnte Letter of Mr Spaldhig. Lecture of Mr Spalding, in A Ibany SUrU'A
Ilii//itK Democrat, Jan. 11, 18',)8.
' '^ Omi/'-i Hixt. Or., \]'2: U. .S. Er., II. B. Co. Claims, ir)9-(M).
WHITE WOMEN ON THK I'LAIN.S.
127
tlio
dec!
the
]hs
tiHe.-<
toeii years, named Miles Goodyear, from Iowa, a.sked
tlie privilege of joining the company as .servant and
lierder. He performed his duties satisfactorily until
he arrived at Wyeth's Fort, on Snake River, where
he left them to follow a fur-hunting expedition.
Enough has already been said of the mode of travel
with the fur company's caravans, but since this was
the first attempt of white Nv^men to cross the great
plains, put down on the maps of that day as a desert
country, let me recapitulate so far as to show the
outfit of these two women, celebrated by Presbyterian
writers as the real pioneers of civilization in the
Oreyfon Territorv.
Dr Whitman was furnished by the American Board
with the necessary material and implements for begin-
ning a settlement, blacksmith's tools, a plough, grain,
and seeds to commence farming, and clotliing for two
years, with many other articles thought indispensable
to moderate comfort. At Liberty he bought wagons,
with teams, also some pack-animals, riding-horses, and
sixteen cows. Additional teams were hired, making
quite a train, which was placed in charge of Spalding
and Gray, assisted by the Indian boys and Miles
Goodyear. At Council Bluffs the additional team-
sters were dismissed, and after crossing the Missouri
the mission goods were readjusted, and as much as
possible reduced in bulk. The journey from Liberty
to this point was full of accidents and delays of the
march, occurring often through the inexperience of
the men in charge; there were broken axles, and gen-
eral repairing to be done, and the caravan began to
move b-^fore the missionary train was ready. By
great exertion, however. Whitman was able to over-
take Fitzpatrick's company at the Pawnee village on
the Loup branch of the Platte River, a few days'
travel west of the Missouri. The train now consisted
of nineteen carts drawn by two mules tandem ; a light
wagon, and two wagons and teams belonging to the
P18
]28
COMINli OF THE I'llESBYTEKlANS.
' ¥
1,
same ('aj)tain Stuart who luul travelled in conniajiy
witli tlie LeC's to tlic liocky Mountains in 1834.^^
Stuart had for a comj)ani')n a young Eii<>lish gen-
tleman, and a few servants. Another, not helonging
to eitlier the fur company or missionary party, was a
gentleman called Mfijor Pilclior, of St Louis, Indian
agent to the Yankton Sioux, whom Parker, havmg
met him the year before, calls intelligent and candid,
and well dis|)osed tow»ard mission enterprises, but
who by his loppish dress excited the remarks of at
least one of the mission party, who perhaps fancied
that he occupied too mud, of the attention of the
two ladies, whom he was good-naturedly desirous of
uumsing. According to Gray, he wore a suit of fine
buckskin trimmed with red cloth and porcupine quills,
fine scarlet shirt, and elaborately ornamented moc-
casons; and he must have made a conspicuous figure
in any c()nii)any. Major Pilcher was one day showing
tlie ladies some singular salt clay-pits, when going
too near the edge it ga^■e way, imnicirsing his fine
white mule, himself, and his elegant Indian costume
in a batli of sticky liquid clay. It was with difficulty
he was extricated, when lie j(jined heartily in the
merriment liis predicament occasioned.
Aside from the occasional storms to which the
travellers were exposed, and the meat diet to which
in a short time all were restricted, a sunnner's journey
under the j)rotection of so varied a company was
most interesting to the two untravelled women from
central New York. Piftv years at Pi-attsburcf, or at
tlie Osage Mission, would not have aiforded the oppor-
tunities for expansion of thought, or the accumula-
-' From the frequent mention made of him liy travellers, Stuart seems to
Imve haunted the lloeky Mountains for more than ten years. Oray asserts
that lie waa 'Sir William Dvummond, K. B., \\\w had come to tlie United
States to allow liis fortune to recuperate duriiii,' his absence,' and describes
him Jis a tall figure with face worn by <lissipatioii, and says that lie spent his
winters in New Orleans. In Kilex'' liciji-iti'r, Ixv. 70-1, 214, 1843, there are
references to a party from New Orleans under the leadership of tliis gentle-
man, one of whom was Mr Field of the N. O. Picni/iim'. Lee calls him
Captain Stuart, 'an English half-pay oflieer, who liad then, in 1834, been for
some time roaming the mountains, l.rc mid FroH's Or., 12*2.
A BRAVK RECEITION.
l'2ii
tion of expciieiit'c's, which so long a stretch of travel
througli novel and wonderful scenes, in the society
of men of cultivation and wide observation, offered
to these missionary ladies. This episode in their lives
may be regard( d as not only a kin«.lly, but as a most
useful introduction to the duties before them.
Mrs Whitman's lively tcmjjerment and perfect
health enabled her to enjoy and benefit by these
experiences; but Mrs S\
{^7 .
spaldi
ngs
streni' li seemed
inadequate to the strain. Her health so rapidly de-
clined that fears were felt that she would not be able
to finish the journey.
According to custom, the fur company left their carts
at Laramie and packed their gootls on mules to the
rendezvous. But on Mrs Spalding's account Whit-
man decided to keep the lighter of his two wagons,
and the fur company als(^ decided to take one of
theirs to Green Hiver. Loaded wagons had as early
as 1829 been driven to Wind liiver,-'^ and at difl'eient
times to various mountain posts, but tlier*' was no
beaten track as from Fort Laramie eastward. The
doctor, who drove his wagon, had, however, little
trouble in following the natural highway which leads
through the mountains by the Sweetwater or South
Pass, and Mrs Spalding was thus carried safely
and comfoi'tably to the great camp of the fur com-
pany.
Two days before reaching the rendezvous, great
consternation was created for a moment by tlu; ap-
pearance of a party of ten Nez I^iTces and Flat] leads,
who with a few American trappers constituted a self-
delegated committee of welcome. Their apjiroach
was like the rush of a tornado down a mountain side,
the cracking of their rifles and tlioir terrifying yells
like the snapping off of the brandies of trees before
tlie wind, and the fierce bowlings of a tempest. As
soon as the white flag carried by the advancing caval-
cade was discerned, all fears of the Blackfoot gave
^■^ nines' (Jr. 11 kt, 408-0.
Hist. Oh., Vm,. I. 9
I:
tl
m
C()MIN(t OF THE PKKSBYTKRIAN8.
way, and as the wild limitor.s swooped down the line
a salute was retunuid as hearty as their own.
Tlie appearance of the natives slie had come to
teach interested Mrs Spalding more than the antics
of till! mountain men, wlio wore eager to get a
gliin})so of white women, many of them having boen
years in the wilderness without seeing one. To Mrs
Whitman the novelty and excitement of the meeting
were exhilarating; and when a mountain man witli
an attem})t at deferential courtesy made a militar\'
salute and addressed some words to her of resi)ectful
comphnient, she answered him with gracious and cor-
dial bearinJ,^ While ^Irs Whitman was receivini; this
attention from gentlemen and trappc^rs, tlie natives
gathered about Mrs Spalding, wlio, anxious to aequiri'
the Nez Perce language, tried hard to e(-)nverso with
them.
Arriving at the rendezvous, a second grand display
was planned and executed by the Flatheads and Nez
Perces in honor of the missionary party. The general
camj) on Green River was in several divisions: the
camj) of the fur company, surrounding a rude hut which
answered for a trading-liouse ; and near by, those of tlie
hunters and trappers, between one hundred and two
hundred in number; the missionary encampment; the
camp of the English travellers; and those of the sev-
eral tribes t)f Indians who travelled with the American
Pur Company — Bannacks, Snakes, Flatheads, and
Nez Perces, forminjj: altoi>ether no inconsiderable
village, with a vigilant police.
A grand reception was planned in honor of the
missionaries, and on the day selected a })rocession of
all the Indians in uala dress was formed at one end
of the plain, each tribe having a company of warriors
in iiLihtinij costume, which was a breech-clout and
l)lenty of paint and feathers. All were mounted, and
the fighting men cairied their weapons, drun:s, rattles,
and other noisy instruments. When everything was
in readiness a terrifying yell buist forth, aiid to
AT THK RENDEZVOUS.
181
the
of
tnd
)r,s
Ind
liid
as
I to
a barbarous diorus the cavalcado charyfcd tliroUiih
the valley at frantic; speed, and returning in the
name manner, porforinrd tlieir skilful evolutions in
front of the niissionarv tent, the whole heinjjf con-
ducted in the ouler of a jiieeoncerttHl niilitarv move-
ment, the force of several hundred warriors obeyinjjj
the sianal of its leaders as an orchestra olx^vs the
conductor's baton. But although perfect order was
niiiii'taiiieil, such was the impc^tuosity of the savages,
\vl;o ga\e the'!iselves u}) to the excitement of this
mimic charu'e, that the women's nerves were S(»n^lv
tried. When all was over, having done so juuch to
ejiteitain their white friends, the red men l)egan to
crowd idw.ut tl'.o missionaries to satisfy their curiosity.
Whihi the comjtany remained at (ireen Kiver,
Captain Wyeth arrived from Fort Vancouvi'r, having
sold his forts and goods to the British conn)any, to
the great dissatisfaction of the American traders and
trapi)ers, who had not, however, offered less o}>i)osi-
tion to him than had the Hudson's Bay traders. He
was accompanied by Thomas i\[cKay and John Mc-
Leod, a chief trader of the British c(jm{)any, who,
after receiving Fort Hall from Wyeth, intended to re-
turn to Fort Vancouver, and kindly oftered his escort
to the missionary i)arty. McLeod told Whitnmn that
he thought, instead of encouraging the American
mountain men to follow him and settle in Oregon,
it would be more profitable to send a missionary to
travel with the camps of the hunters.
dray, who ])i'obably knew of the prejudice created
by the publications of Kelley, was prepared to see in
this advice opposition to American settlement in the
country, and to resent it with his natural warmth;
although he had ample opportunities of learning that
the character of many of these ct)untrvnien of his
made them a dangerous element among the Indians,
as l*arker could have informed him."^ MeLe<jd
^■' ' Tluir (loiiioraliziiig iiiHuence,' says I'iiikfr, ' with tlio Iiniiciiis has lieL-ii
lanieiitahle, aiul tlioy luive imposed upon them in all the ways that sini'iil pro-
It
J i
132
COMINU OF THE 1'KESBV1EKLV>;.S.
Iri'
went so far, we are told, as to say that if the mis-
sionaries needed assistance in erectinj^' buildinj^s, or
making other improvements, the company lie served
would prefer furnishing it to having these reckless
men introduced into the Oregon settlements, all of
which advice Captain Wyetli indorsed, though Gray
helieved it was because he felt the uselessness of
opposing the autocrat of Fort Vancouver, whose
fixed policy toward unprinci})led men, whether Amer-
ican or French, was to keep them as much a^ possible
at a distance.
There is no evidence that Dr Whitman shared the
feelings of his subordinate; his letters to tJie Amer-
ican Board refer in polite terms to tlie assistance
rendered him by the British fur company, and not to
any opposition to liis plans. Arrangements were
iunnediately made to proceed to Fort Vancouver,
where the missionaries were assured tluy could replace
tlie farmiujjf and blacksmithingf tools and other arti-
cles which the}' were advised to leave at Green Kiver
as too heavy to be transported on their flagging
horses over the difficult route to the Columbia River.
I i
1;
Two or three w(;eks of rest, with a change of iliet,
and the favt)rable effect of the climate on the west-
ovn slope of the Rocky Mountains, made a decided
imjirovement in the health oi Mrs Spalding. But
Whitman still liesitated. to give up his wagon, whicli
if possible ho wished to take to the Columl)ia River;
and lightened of all umiecessary things, he conveyed
it with littl*' difficulty as far as Fort Hall, receiving
some assistance from the Indians.-'
poiisities dictate. It i.s saiil they liavo mAd tlioiii packs of cards at liij,'li
j>rices, calling tliem tlic l)il>l(^; ami have toM tht'iii if tlicy sl.oulil refuse to
give whi'^c men wives, (lod would Ik angry with tlieni, ard puuinh them
eternally, etc. Piirkt'rtt Jo'- r.. Ex. Tiwr,Si\ 1. ( i ray himself relatiii-' tiiat one
whom he mot at (ireen River, and who afterwaril settled in the Willanu!tte
Valley, amused himself teaching his little halfd)reed son to utter profane sen-
tences, lli.st. Or., I'J"). SaysAVyeth: ''I'lie preponderance of had character
is already so great amongst traders and their people, tliat crime carries ■> ith
it litthi or no shame.' ,.'ntli Con;/., .Ul Scti'<., II. h'cpt. 10 1.
■'' (."oncerning tiie Flatheads and Nez l'erc(''s, and the currespondi u'e of
ji'arkurwith Wlutman, somethinj; sliotdd Ik; said in this ph.ie. Act, r<ling to
AN HISTORICAL CAKT.
133
At J^'oit Hal] one pair of wheels was taken off and
the way^on reduced to a cart.'^' N(jt wishing to be
detained by the ])ossible accidents and hinderances of
road-making, McLeod advised Whitman to abandon
his idea of getting the cart through to tlie Columbia,
time and provis^ioy.s being of the greatest value from
this point westvard. But the doctor insisted on driv-
ing his carriage to Fort Boise', keeping up with the
pack-train all the way, the worst obstacles to )»e
overcome being sand and sage-b.iish. At the crossing
of Snake River he was in dai!.. er of losing his life,
the current being too strong for the horses; but by
the coolness and dexterity of Thomas McKay, the
threatened disaster was averted. Mrs Whitman and
Mrs S})alding were; ferrit3d over on bulrush rafts, the
goods being cairied on the backs of the largest horses.
At Fort Boise, the horses were so worn out that
he was forced to relinquish his idea, and the cait was
left at this post, whei-e thret; years later another'
American ti'aveller found it, and was told that a route
had recently been discovered by which wagons could
easily pass to the Ci^lumbia.
Oray, I'arker fiuiiid it prudent to send no instructions to Wliitman at (irtien
River, Imt only a wliort note, all of wliich Wyetli explained iut dictated l)y
caution, knowing tlu' etforts of tlie Hudson's Bay Company to (lestroy Amer-
ican i'ltluence in the country. As Parker had not tlien reached liis destina-
tion, there could not have been much to say. In tlie following spring, when
he turned l>ack fioni : 'le Nez Ferct^ country, leaving tlie Indians to proceed
without him to iic reu >zvous, he mentions writing several letttirs to be for-
wanled to the Uniii'<l States from On^en R«ver, but does not mention MTiiing
to Whitman especiallv. His fhial dire<;tions and advice may have awai'',ed
A\ hitman ai !"ort Walla Walla, or even at Fort Vancouver, where lie undoiDt-
«^dly expected W hitman to consult with McLoughlin; anil from the fact 'at
nassions were estid)lishcd at the identical ]ilaces chosen by him, this t'" .ny
would seem to be establisiied. Parker calls the principal cliief of tlie N'-z
Perees T.iii/uininitin/i; Oray calls h.m TtikkTiixiiifaM. Parker does not name
the se.'ond clii^'f of the Aez Percy's; Oray calls him l-s/i/iol/ioli'iodtx/ioii/s, ti •
nuire frequently ' Lawyer,' a xolirii/iiit applied to hini by the mountain men
on account of his argumentative powers and general shrewdness, by whicli
lie obtaiii'.'d great intluence both with his people and witli white men. He
was son of tlie cliief who took cliarge of tlie lior.'ses of Lewis and Clarke while
those explorers visited the lower Columbia, and was about thirty-six years
of age. Both Oray and I'arker praise the kindness of these cliiefs, and Ijuw-
yi'r bccaiiie a great favorite with the missionaries, witli wiiat rciwon we shall
see hereafter.
'■'■'This cart is historical as tlie lii-st wheeled vehicle to iiass licyoud Fort
Hall.
p
I h:
1
1 " !
Ik
II
I!
134
coMiNrr OP thp: presbytekiaics.
Some of the cattle were also left at Fort Boise,
being too weak to travel farther; and Whitman re-
ceived from the agent in charge an order on Fort
Walla Walla for others to supply their places. The
women were here jiresented with " eight quarts of
dried corn," all thei'e was at the post, and a precious
gift in that country.
On the 1st of September the missionary party
arrived at Fort Walla Walia, McLeod having pre-
ceded them by a few h.ours to prepare a suitable re-
ception, which, says Gra}^ must have been witnesstnl
to be fully realized, every demonstration of joy and
respect being manifested. The best apartments were
placed at the service of the women, ;ind tlie men were
relieved of all care of their horses and cattle; the
table was furnished with luxuries in the way of pota-
toes, green corn, and melons, and it was like a home-
coming to all. Yet in the midst of this enjoyment
Oray was warned by Townsend against interfering
with the trade of the Britisli company,'* as if the mis-
sionaries were indeed a company of traders.
On the 3d the missionary party continued on tlieir
way, as it was most important that they should pre-
sent at once their letters from the secretary of war,
and should consult with McLoughlin on matters con-
nected with the establishing of the missions, the pro-
curing of mechanics, and the prospect for obtaining
supplies. They were accompanied to Fort Vancouver
l)y Pambrun, who was in charge of the furs brouglit
by McLeod. Townsend and McLeod i)receded them
one day.
Portages were made at all tlie principal rapids,
where the savages were astonished at seeing the white
'^''' Gnti/'x niif. Or., 142. This is Towimond's report of the single interview
he had with Wliitnian'a party. ' I have had this evening some interesting
eonverwition with our guests, the missionaries. Tiiey appear admiral)ly <ju.ili-
fied for tlie arduous duty to vrhieh they have devoted themselves, their minds
lieing fully alive to the mortitieations and trials incident to a resi<lence .among
wild Indians; but they do not shrink from the task, believing it to be their
religious duty to engage in this work.' Sm:, 24l(.
ARKINAL AT FORT VANCOUVER.
135
women treated with so much respect; tliey did not
even carry the goods around the falls, as their own
women were com})elled to do. In the heart of the
mountains a storm of wind detained them in camp
three days; after which all went well, the com[)any
reaching the saw-milU on the 1 1th, where the last
encampment was made to give opportunity for those
changes in dress which even the French voyageurs
never neglected on approaching Fort Vancouver. On
tl e forenoon of the 1 2th, as to the music of the French
boat-songs the bateau rounded the point where stood
the fort, the passengers saw two shi[)s lying there gayly
decked in flags, while the company's colors waved from
the fort. At the landing WcMted two magnificent-
looking men, John McLoughhn and Jame« Douglas,
who greeted the missionaries, and escorted the ladies
with stately courtesy within the walls of the fort.
There they were again made welcome, and assigned
to convenient quarters according to rank. Here they
met Jason Lee, and Herbert Beaver and his wife,'^^
as we have seen before.
A few days of delightful repose wei-e enjoyed. In
matters of business tht^ missionaries found McLoughlin
willing to render them such assistance as the am[)le
means of the company allowed, upon condition that
men should not be employed at wages higher than
the company's regular rates, or any other rules of
the com})any's trade infi'inged u])on."'*
Having left at various points along tlie overland
route nearly everything they liad started with except
their clothing, they were obliged to purchase with their
winter's su})ply of provisions goods enough to load two
luiteaux, with which, at the end of the week, Whit-
•' Mr ami Mrs BfiiviT rcinaiiu'd in tlio country until tlie sjiriug of 18.S8,
when they went to Englund, having done little to ailvauce tlie cause of reli-
gion. Tlie natural antagonism ot McLougiilin ami Heaver is mentioneil in my
lliKtorji (if I III' yortliiiTut ('onxt. Mr Beaver evidently had some right on his
side; luit his manners were not suited either to the society at Fort Vancouver
or tlie American settlement.
-*• Deposition of W. H, Gray, in U. S. Er., //. li. Co. ( lihns, 1(H» 1,
satasfsasass
III
I '
1
i
136
CO.MINd OF THE ITvE.SHVTEKlANS.
man, Sitakliiig, and Gray returned to Fort Walla
Walla, leaving the women at Fort Vancouver until
suc-h time as a dwelling should be prepared for them.
The first stake was set at Waiilatpu, at the place
first chosen by Parker among the Cay uses. With
the assistance of the Indians and a man or two from
the fort at Walla Walla, the first house was rapidly
built out of sucJi materials as were at hand. Another
was hastily put up in the small valley of Lapwai, about
a dozen miles above the mouth of the Kooskooskie,
and before Christmas Dr and Mrs Whitman were
settled at the first station, and Mr Spalding and his
wife at the other.
It was now apparent that if Parker's engagements
with the Flatheads or plans about the Spokanes
were to be carried out, more missionaries must be
brought into the field; and that no time might be
lost, Gray was directed to return to the east the fol-
lowing spring to jM'ocure reenforcements."" This he did,
travelling with Erniatinger, a trader of the British
fur company, to the Flathead nation, whence he
accompanied the Indians to the summer rendezvous
of the Hudson's Bay traders on the Jefl:erson branch
of the Missouri. At the rendezvous, several of the;
Flatheads offered or were induced t<j escort him ; and
he was joined b}' two young American adventurers
who were to go with him to the Missouri River. At
Ash Hollow, since famous in the history of Indian
wars, his Flathead escort was attacked by a band of
Sioux, and every one murdered, including a young
chief called 'The Hat,' ^^•ho had been })artially edu-
cated at Red River. Gray with his companions was
saved by the intervention of a French trader, ami
succeeded, by travelling at night, in reaching the
friendly tribes to the east, and finally in arrivino-'at
his destination.""*
'^Animal Ifcjiorf, A. Fi. <'. F. M., 1848, 239; a document of the Ainurican
lloawl of Coiiiiiiissiouenj for Foreign Missions.
'^(h'Oji'n HiM. Or., 11)8-74; A^v('e//'.s .Strirtitred on (r/vfi/'.x //m^ Or., in Port-
land fh'mocntdc Herald, Oct. 18GG.
nu
AMISSIONS KSTAliLLSllEl).
137
Gray ^vas successful in cnli.sting for the mission
three clcroyinen with their ne\vl\- married wives, a
young unmarried man, and a young woman who be-
came his own wife. In a private letter wiitten after
her death in 1H81, he says that it was an instance of
love at first sight, which continued as lono- as her life.
He met Miss Mary Augusta Dix, a liandsome, stately
brunette, on the evening of the 19th of February,
1838, and l)ecame engaged to her the same evening.
Six days after, they were marrixl,, and on the morning
of the 20th started westward to jt)in the car-avan of
the American Fur Company
On account of the feeling among the Flatheads
over the loss of five of their ])eople and tiie young
chief, in Gray's companv, his d(\stination as mis-
sionary to them was changed, and he remained alter-
nately at Laj>wai and Waiilatpu. visiting several tribes
both in eastern and western Oregon, and going l)ack
to secular j)ursuits after three oi- four years. A mis-
sion Avas begun at Kamiah, sixty miles up tlie Clear-
water, above Lajjwai, by lie v. Asa B. Smith, in May
1839, and abandoned in 1841 on account of the hos-
tility of the upi)er Nez Perces, who were in sympathy
with the Flatheads. Thus, after all the cx})ressed
desire of this tril^e 'for teachers^ no Protestant mis-
sionary was allowed to establish himself among them.
Elkinah Walker and Cushing C. Eells, with their
wives, established a permanent mission on the Clie-
makano'''^ branch of the S])okane Kiver, within easy
distance of Fort Colville. C/orndius Rogers became
a teacher, first at Lapwai, and then at Waiilatpu.''"
V
le
It
^'Chcmakauo, according' to WilUi'«, iiicaiis 'tlic iilaiu of siiring.s, ' from the
fact tliat the streams sink in the t'arili, ami jiassinu uiiilerifrouiid a fow niilcx,
Imrht forth a):aiii in sji.-ings. Wilki'i Xnr., I'. S. Kijilr. K.i., iv. 4X3.
•'-'Rev. Klkiuah Walker, thirty years of ago, tall, sjiiire, aixl liglit complex
ioned, was from North Vai'numth, Ale, and was educated ai Kindiall Academ.v ,
M.'rideu, N. H., from which he went into the Kangoi Tlieologieal Seminary,
wluie ho studied for three years, lie was a diflident ami -iiniaMe man without
strong traits. He intemleil to <io a-s a missionaiy to Zuln)..;ii!, South Afnoa,
hut heing prevented liy a lierce trihal war, was reai'.y to respoiid to the first call
elsewhere, which came from Oregnu. He was married viu tlie Sth of Marnli,
ISHS, ami next day started for St Louis to t"i" 'iray. Ten years afterward
138
OOMlNCt OF THE PRESBYTERIANS.
ii ■ »
he settled on the Tualatin Plains in the Willamette Valley, where he became a
leading citizen, ami one of the founders of the school which is now the Pacific
University,' His family consisted of six sons and one daughter. One of his
sons went as a ini88i("inary to China. The father died Nov. 21, 1877. Tram.
Or. Pion. Ahsoc, 1877,08-72; Oakland Tramcrlpl, Dec. 1, 1877; SeaUk Pacific
Tribune, Nov. 28, 1877; Ashland, Or., Tidinys, Nov. 30, 1877; Salem Willa-
mette Farmer, Nc)^■. 30, 1877. For many years Mrs Walker lived at Forest
Grove, nuar tho Pacific University, having devoted her life to the duties of
missionary, wife, and mother, and enjoying the reward of a peaceful and
prosperous old age. Gushing C. Eells was of Massachusetts birth, and was
one of a succession of clergymen. In Cromwell's time one of his ancestors
was an officer in the usurper's army. Mrs Myra EcUs Fairbanks wits
descended from a lino of Presbyterian deacons. She was bom in Holden,
Massachusetts, M.ay 26, 1805; and died at Skokomish, Washington Territory,
August 9, 1878, her funeral services being celebrated at that place and at
Seattle; and there was a memorial pamphlet published, from which the above
facts are drawn. Like Mr Walker, Mr Eells settled at Forest Grove in 1848,
and helped to build up tlie Pacific University. He was also mainly instru-
mental m establishing Wliitman Seminary at Walla Walla, at a later date.
In 1875 he returned to his first work as a missionary to tlic Spokanes. His
youngest son, Myron Eells, became a missionary to the Skokomish. Seattle
fntrllujencer, May 29, 1875; Portland Oreyonian, June 5, 1875; S. I. Friend,
vii, 57. Rev. AsaB. Smith is described as a man of fine literary attainments,
who constructed a vocabulary and grammar of the Nez Perce language,
assisted by Mr Rogers and the Nez Perc(5, Lawjer, who knew a little English.
Smith's wife wa." a delicate woman, unfitted for the trials of missionary life;
and the chief of tho upper Nez Perces proving v sry overbearing, and as Smith
thought, dangerous, he quitted the Kamiah Miasion for the Sandwich Islands
after three years among tho Indians. Cornelius Rogers was a native oi Utica,
Now 'iork; but at the time of his joining Gray's missionary party wa;.< living
at Cincinnati, Ohio. He remained as teacher at the different missions until
1 842, when he went to tho Willamette Valley to settle, soon after which he
died. Hines Oreijon Hist., 135-6; White's Ten Years in Or., 198-9; Gray's
Hist. Dr., 270-i.
Dr Samuel J. Parker, bon of Rev. Samuel Parker, in a manuscript called
The Northwest and Pacific Coast of the U.iited States, gives a treatise on the
early history of the Oregon territory, and defends his father from +he slurs
contained in Gray'i^ Hist. Or. Tho manuscript lacks only a personal k.\owl-
edge of the subject; by tho author to be vi.lnal)li.'. It is written in a fail and
manly spirit, though not withoxit some errors.
CHAPTER YI.
THE AVILLAMKTTE (,'ATTLE « OMPANY.
1830-1837.
Need of Caitlb i\ tiik Willameitk Vai.i.ky — The Hi'dsox's Bay Com-
pany Retose to Skm. — McLocohlin's Views on the (^iestion— Meet-
ing AT Champoeo — Formation of the Cattle Company — E\vtN<i
YouNf! ANi. Party Sent to California for Stock — Solemn and
Momentous Necjoi'iations — The ( 'rossino of the San JoAgriN- -Herds
Drawn Across hy Roi'es and IIapis— An Indian Amuush— Plot to
Shoot Edwards and Yorsi; — Division of the Stock and its Increase
IN Oreoon — What Became of Ewing Yoi no's Property.
Civilization needs certain thini;s to make it respect-
's of Confucius may feed on rice,
able. Tlu! foil
owe
seem
I ait it is not seemly that Christianity should have to
oat only hear ir.eat and Sidmon-herrics, It was quite
that til
>f C)i
■ihould h
necessary tnat tne missionarn
cows and horsi;s l)eforo they could take rank among
the foremost nations of the world. Ewino; Younu' saw
this, for he was a, thouu^htfu] , practical man, ready to
assist proi^ress and minister to the wants of the race;
and as his proposal to su])ply the settlers with that
fiery adjunct of civilization, whiskey, had met with
poor encouragement, he concluded to do what he could
toward stockinii' the vnllev with those i>entle boasts
which men make their c(^)mpai,ions, not to say masters.
Younji^'s distillery speculation iiad l)oen hke tlio labor
of Cloanthes, who support< d Iiiinsi'lf l)y diawiny' water
at night hi onler tlu.t h» might indulge in plucking
the liowers of philosophy during the day; it was not
appreciated by the Willamette Areopagus, and his
ju 'gos were delightoil o^ or tlio prospect of suck a
( i;ti' )
Ji,
Pii
140
THE WILLAMETTE t'ATTLE COM TAN V
IV
useful and ])erha])s dangerous ocru])ati()n for so rest-
less a settler. If Young would help civilization and
the settlers in this matter, jjerhajjs the settlers and
civilization might help Young.
"I found," observes Slacum, "that nothhig was
wanting to insure comfort, wealth, and every hap})i-
ness to the people of this most beautiful country, but
the possession of neat-eattle, all of those in the country
being owned by the Hudson's Bay Company, who
refused to sell them under any circumstances what-
ever."^ This oft-repeated charge, in the tone of
sufferers from tyranny and injustice, it may be as well
to explain. McLoughlin asserts that in 1825 the
comjiany had but twenty-seven head of cattle of any
age or size. So precious were these that they were
allowed to nmltiply with lut tlie slaughter of a single
animal. As late as 18.39 the company declined to
furnish with beef tiie surveying squadron of Sir
Edward Belcher, who complained of this refusal on
his return to England.^ The policy of the fur mag-
nates could not therefore be called an an ti Amer-
ican restriction. McLoughlin I'easonctl that if he
sold cattle U) the settlers they would l)e entitled to
the increase, and he would be deprived of the means
of assisthig new-c(jmers, and the interests of the coast
letarded. If two hundred dollars, which was otferetl,
were paid for a cow, the })urchaser would ])ut such a
iji'ice on the increase that the settlej-s could not buv.
He therefore thought it better, while cattle were still
few in the country, to lend to every settler cows and
oxen to make lum comfortable, tliough he was not
mjide rich, and all to sliare alike, while the herds
suffered no diminution.'^
Jason Lee, Ewing Young, and others so repre-
sented the benefits of cattle to them that Slacum made
a proposition to carry to California in the brig Loriot
' SlucH)ii\t licport, in Stipp. (o If. Rcpt. 101, 2-'>lh Coii;/., StI Sens.
• Bdr/ii-r's f'oi/oi/c, i. 'JlHi; Ajijilcf/n/c s I'icirx <•/ 7J!.i,\, M.S., 28.
^ Copy of a DocntiK'iit, in Trans. Or. Pioneer A t\to<\, iJiSO, 51.
i ■■' ':»li
C0NTH11JUT()K8.
141
all persons wisliino- to 'Xo tliitluT, where c-attle eould
l>e lK)U<iflit for three dollars a head. A meetinjjf was
ealled tor those so inclined to convene at Chanipoeij^
to form a cattle company. Tlie object hein^ one of
interest to the Canadian as well as to the American
settlers, there was a (general attendance, and the Wil-
lamette Cattle Com[)any was orijfanized, with Ewing
Young as leader and P. L. Edwards as treasurer. Mr
Slacum at his own option advanced Jason Lee $500,
and to this sum was added by the settlers, who had
money due them at Foi"t Vancouver, enough to make
the amount $1,(500, to which was added nearly !?U00
by McLoughlin for the Hudson's Bay Company. The
collection was purjtosely made as large as possible, for
by purchasing a great number the cost of each would
be less, and the expense of driving a large herd was
little more than that of driving a small one. But
McLoughlin is never mentioned by the missionaries
as having thus contributed to the success of the Wil-
lamette Cattle Comjiany.''
On the contrary, from the moment of the ap])ear-
ance of Slacum in Oregon, and his cham])i()nship of
the ostracized party of E\\ ing Young, the former ac(jui-
escence of the missionaries in the Willamette Valley
ill the rules and regulations of the fur company was
changed to an opp )sition as determined, if not so
open, as that of either Kelley or Young. That Sla-
cum enci)uraged this course is true, for he came as
the agent of the United States to oiler proti'ction to
Americans from the despotism of a British cor[)ora-
tion, assuming that Oregon was United States terri-
tory, and the fur company had no rights, south of the
'It is stilted in I/iiii.t' <)r('(/oii Hist., 'l',\, tluit the organization of a cattlo
co.iipany was indirectly opposed by the autlioritii's at Fort N'anoouver; but
this can liardly he true. Slacum says in his I'cjmrt, already (juoted, that !ii!l,ti(H),
or enough to purcluise 500 cattle, was raised in tlie Williimette Valley hy his
advancing SolK). Daniel Lee states in his account, L<e aiul Froxt'.'<<)r., 14-KJ,
tiiat 800 were purchased at $3 a head, and 40 horses at $12 a head, making
the whole outlay ^2,880. If it were not for the explanation given by Mc^Lougli-
lin himself, in .4 Copy of a l)o<'umt!iit, Traiit. Or. Pioneer Ax^hoc., 1S80, ■")!, we
should be left as much in tlu; dark by the missiimary statements as by Slacum
himself, concerning the source from Mhich the I^SSO additional Mas obtained.
142
TiiK willam»>:tte c'attlk company.
i 3'
iii:
Columbia at least, except such as Great Britain could
tifive it under the convention of 1818.
In Slacuni's report to the secretary of war, he says
that at the public meetiiii^ hold at Chanipoe^ for the
orsjfanization of the cattle (H)nipany, he told thi^ Cana-
dians that, althouii^i they were located within the
territorial limits of the United States, the title to
their farms would doubtless be secured to them when
that government took possession of the country. He
cheered them also, he says, with the hope that ere-
long measures would be adopted for opening trade
with the Or(\gon Territory, when, instead of getting
fifty cents a bushel for their M'heat delivered at Fort
Vancouver, they might receive the dollar and a halt
which the Russians paid in California.'' So much
interest was he able to create by this suggestion, that
a petition was drawn up praying the congress of the
United States "to recognize them in their helpless
and defenceless state, and to extend to them the pro-
tection of its laws, as being, or dessiring to become,
its citizens," and signed by both Americans and Cana-
dians.
Little time was consumed by Slacum in executing
his mission in Oregon. On the 17th of January, four
days after he was met at Champt)eg by Jason Lee,
who had been on business to Fort Vancouver, eleven
members of the Willamette Cattle Company" left in
a canoe for the anchorage of the Ix)riot, a mile and a
half below Wapato Island, to embark for California.
On the 21st they went on board, and the following
morning Jason Lee took leave of them, first gather-
ing the comi)any on the (|uarter-deck. and })raying for
the success of their undertaking.
*In another i)iirt of liis report he says that a cargo of .'ijOOO Imshcls couhl
at that tiiiio ho iihtaiiuHl from the hittlors on the WiUamettc, ami also that
the Russians reijiiired •_'."), 000 hushels aiimially. This was, of course, a great
iuiUiceiiieut to tlie settlers to strive for iiidepeiulence in trade, and to oppose
the uiouopoly of the fur company.
''Their names were P. L. lldwards, Kw:n<i Young, Lawrence ("armicliael.
James O'Xeil, Oeorge (iay, t'alviu Tihhets, Jolin Turner, AN'. J. JJailey, Weh-
ley Hauxhurst, and two Canadians. l>e Puis and Krgnette,
CALIFORNIA KXPEUIENc'ES,
143
Two days were s|)eiit in (lesceiHlinjr the river, and
when Haker Bay was reachc^d it was found that tiie
Nereid and LUnna, two of the fur conipany's vessels,
had been detained there since the '22d of JJeceniber.
The sea hein*^' still roui^h, on the inorninii; of the .'JOth
of January the Loriot parted her cables and was
driven on shore, but, bein«5 assisted by the other
vessels, escaped uidiarnied. It rendered it necessary,
liowever, for Captain Bancroft to return to Fort Van-
couver to procure a chain-cable and anchors, so that
it was not until the 10th of February that the I/)riot
was able to go to sea. Nine days were occu}>ied in
the voyage to Fort Koss, where })ernussi()n was ob-
tained to land the cattle company at Bodega, anil
horses and guides were furnished to take Slacuni to
San Francisco.
On the 28tli the Jjmot, with Edwards and Young
on board, resumed her voyage to San Francisco Bay,
while the eight men left at Fort Ross found employ-
ment and good wages at Cooper's mills, until their
services should be needed by Young. The Jjmot,
after some dangerous coast navigation, arrived at San
Francisco on the 1st of March, and takin«>: on board
Mr Slacuni, proceeded to Monterey, where was the
residence of General Valkyo, whom Young wished to
consult about driving out cattle, to whicli measure
the Mexican government was averse. Edwaids re-
mained behind, occupying his time in excursions about
the bay, and in studying the customs of the country."
On the 10th Young returned from Monterey with
the tidings that Vallejo declined giving jiermission to
drive cattle out of the country, saying it was the pre-
rogative of the civil government, which was at Santa
Barbara. Thither Young had proceeded, while Etl-
wards continued to increase his knowledu'e of Califor-
" Among other scraps of knowledge, I'C remarks in his /)!")•)/, MS.. 13, of
the expedition, tliat on the stouk-ranches 'spotted mares are generally lirokeu
in, and mueh esteemed on the following aeco>i:it : all the horses of a hand fol-
low her, attracted by her peculiarity of color, and arc not so likely tu stray
abroad. '
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144
THE ^VILLAMJ:TTE CATTLE COMPANY.
it:
nia customs, and the affairs of Americans whom he
found about San Francisco Bay, visiting, in company
with Birnie, Lease, and McNeil of the Llama, the
mission of San Rafael, Sonoma, Martinez, Cooper's
mills, and the farms of several of his countrymen.
On the 8th of May he took passage in the ship Sarah
and Caroline, Captain Steel, for Monterey, where on
the 12th he met Young, who, after going from San
Francisco to Monterey, from Monterey to Santa Bar-
bara, and from Santa Bdrbara to Santa Cruz, and
back again to Monterey, where the matter was laid
before the deputation then in session, had at length
obtained consent to drive from the country seven
hundred head of cattle, on condition that they were
purchased of the government, and not of the missions
to which they belonged.'^ The sale of cows was only
brought about after much exertion on the part of
Vallejo, who on second thought lent his influence to
assist the Oregon company, and won to the purpose
Alva. ado ard the president of the missions.
P(;rmission beiiig thus obt; ' , the next step, and
owe quite as difficult, was to ^he cattle and horses
into safe possession. There were forty horses pur-
chased near Santa Cruz and driven to San Francisco.
Young was then obliged to go to Sonoma to obtain the
order of Vallejo, who had been appointed government
agent in the sale of the cattle. The order was given
for two hundred head from the mission of San Fran-
cisco, one hundred and seventy cows and thirty bulls;
but the administrator at the niission used every means
to evade the order, and insisted on inverting the ratio
and only furnishing thirty cows. Thereupon Young
was obliy-ed to return to Yerba Buena to have the
order translated, that he might be sure it was correct.
This being at length explained, and part of the men
having joined them, Edwards and Young proceeded
■ And (ill this nimpus, * says Edwards, ' on account of an oM colonial law
wliich forbids the exportation of male and female animals from the colonies.'
Dinri), MS., IG.
THE RETURN.
145
he
toward the San Josd mission with their first purchase,
there to obtain the remaining' five hundred. The
administrator of San Francisco, for collecting and
guarding the cattle as far as Martinez, exacted presents
for his Indians, as he pretended, to the value of over
fifty dollars, and Young had a sharj) altercation with
the authorities there on account of these exactions.
The whole number of cattle purchased was not de-
livered until the 2 2d of June, three weeks having been
occupied in gf)ing from San Francisco to the mission of
San Josd. Some of the animals escaped on the way ;
and of those at the mission, some were found to have
l)een kept seven days in a corral with little or nothing
to eat. The wildest were starved or beaten until
sufficiently subdued to drive ; but then they were too
weak to travel, and many dropped to the ground the
first day. Complaint being made to the administrator,
lie agreed to furnish others for those that were lost,
from a place beyond, but on reaching the spot desig-
nated no cattle were there. Then another order was
given, to*be filled from a rancho still farther on ; never-
theless when they reached the San Joaquin River, the
25th of June, eighty animals were missing.
To cross the river was next in order, and at the
same time to train these wild snorting brutes to cross
rivers, for there were more of them beyond. The
company were nearly all together again, and their
number was here augmented by Henry Wood, B. Wil-
liams, Moore, and two others. First, a strong corral
was put upon the river bank, and the cattle driven
into it. Then on the 12th of July a few cows were
induced to swhn over after their calves, which were
towed across by men in a canoe. Next day all present,
some on foot and some mounted, lent their aid to
induce the cattle t(^ take to the water. Most of them
were driven in ; but when half-way across a j)anic
seized them and they turned back, with a loss of seven-
teen drowned. To lasso and tow each animal over
singly was next attem[)te(l, for the accomplishment of
Hkst. oh., Vol. I. 10
ft
146
THE WILLAMETTE CA'ITLE COMPANY.
wliich rafts of bulruslies were made, and on them men
seated themselves, some to pull the raft over by a rope
stretched across the river, and others to drag each an
animal through the water by a rope about the horns.
In tliis tedious labor the company engaged till the
20th ; the work of herding and guarding at night being
increased by the division of both men and cattle on
the opposite side of the river. Edwards, who was on
the north side, was obliged to be on horseback some-
times the greater part of the night, after toiling, as he
says, "in sweat, water, and great danger" through the
day, with myriads of mosquitoes which maddened the
animals beyond bounds. There had been little oppor-
tunity to rest since the first of June, and this last trial
taxed strength and patience to the utmost. But the
climax came on the same afternoon that the crossing-
was finally effected. While driving to a new encamp-
ment, the horse on which the anmmnition was packed
ran into a small tule lake or pond, and all the powder
became wet.
All day long Edwards had ridden hard," and far
into the night he had labored to induce his charge to
cross a slough, albeit but knee-deep ; and now before
he could sleep he must return to Yerba Buena for
powder. If he had ever rebelled at the wild ways of
the half-broken oxen of the Hudson's Bay Company
in Oregon, he now remembered those days with regret.
"The last month, what has it been!" he exclaims.
"Little sleep, much fatigue, hardly time to eat, mos-
quitoes, cattle breaking like so many evil spirits, and
scattering to the four winds, men ill natured and quar-
relling ; another month like the past, God avert ! Who
can describe it?"'' And yet he was only sixty miles
on his way, with five hundred miles still between him
and the Willamette Mission. Agahi at Mission San
Josd he exchanged two horses for cattle, to replace
some which were lost; but when he brouglit the pur-
chaser to Livermore's, where one of the horses had
* Diary, MS., 24,
DASTARDLY CONDUCT.
U7
been left, lie found it liad been stolen. By dint of
bargain and exchange, however, he secured twenty
head, which with considerable assistance were driven
to camp. With these, and others he was able to pur-
chase on the road, notwithstanding losses, he had seven
hundred and twenty-nine when he encamped on the
San Joaquin August 14th.
On the 20th the company reached the mountains
at the head of the Sacramento Valley, fording the
Sacramento River without difficulty, following the
trail of Michel La Framboise and his trapping party.
As they proceeded north the mountains were higher
and harder to ascend, being stony, with a close growth
of bushes, into which some of the cattle escaped. On
the afternoon of the 26tli a high and rugged mountain
seemed to close the way. Riding up the steep. Young
declared that there was another mountain above it.
" Now," said ho to Edwards, " if you are a philosopher,
show yourself one ! " But alas ! no man is a philoso-
pher longer than his bodily frame can be made to
support, his resolution. The patience of tlie company
was nearly at an end. The men, tired of eating dried
meat, and irritable with toil and privation, insisted
that a beef should be killed that night, which Young
refused, on account of having to carry the meat over
the mountain. A quarrel ensued, in which they defied
authority. " Kill at your peril ! " said Young ; and the
storm blew over. The mind of the leader was stronger
than the nmscles of the men ; still it was evident that
tlie courage of the company was declining.
It was not until the 12th of September that the
Rogue River Valley "^ was gained. Threats had been
made by Turner, Gay, and Bailey that after Rogue
River was passed there would bo Indians killed in re-
venge for the attack on their party in 18:55. Their
pui'pose was kept hidden from Young, who for the
safety of the property would have forbidden retalia-
tion.
" Edwards in his diary calls this place Chasta valley and river.
148
THE Willamette cattle comi'ANY.
If
HH
On the 14tl), having crossed the river, camp was
made about five miles beyond. A few natives ap-
proached, and one of them, accompanied by a bt)y ten
years of age, entered the camp in a friendly manner,
(ray deliberately raised his gun and fired, and as tlie
Indian attempted flight, Bailey also fired, and the man
fell. The cry then arose, "Shoot the boy! shoot the
boy ! " but lie escaped behind a point of rock. This
dastardly act could not be excused on the ground ot
revenge, as the spot where these men were attacked
two years before was yet four days distant. The folly
of inciting a conflict with the natives, under the cir-
cumstances, was indefensible.
The men had become so excited by past wrongs and
present suflerings, aggravated now by bloodshed, that
on the following dav, after a toilsome march through
dust and heat, their insubordination culminated in a
quarrel with guns and knives, which continued for
fifteen minutto, while threats and curses emphasized
their acts. Then once more the firnmess of their
leader prevailed, and peace was restored.
For several days and nights Young was on the alert
for the expected retaliation of the natives ; he doubled
the guard, and used extreme caution in passing through
the frequent defiles, where the enemy might lurk in
ambush. The first night Edwards fired on a party of
five Indians stealing through the woods, and frightened
them off. The next day there were arrows shot from
each side of the road, and several of the cattle wounded,
but only one killed.
On the morning of the ISth, when the company
entered that i^art of the country where Turner, Gay,
and Bailey had been attacked, Indians were discovered
running along the mountain side as if to intercept
them in some defile. It was nearly noon, and they
were passing l)etween the banks of the Rogue River,
when suddenly from the thickly wooded mountains
yells were heard, and arrows showered upon those in
advance. Young, apprehending such an attack, was
EDWARDS' DIARY,
149
making a recoiinoissance witli throe of his ii\en some
distance in advance in the pass, but had discoverd
notliing until the cattle came within range of the
arrows, when the savages were found to be on both
sides of the trail. Young ordered the men in charge
of the cattle to remain where they were, while he
undertook to repel the enemy. The Indians were
driven off after Gay had been wounded and Young's
horse shot with two arrows. That nioht strict y:uard
was kept, and no further trouble was experienced.
From this point onward, though the road was still
rouirh and over toilsome mountains, the condition of
the cattle improved, as there was an abundance of
grass and water. With prospects more favorable, a
better state of feeling was restored, and they reached
the settlement in good spirits about the middle of Octo-
ber, nine months from the time of their departure.'^
Edwards' unpublished diary of the expedition is
the only reliable account extant of the experiences of
the cattle company on the road. It is evident that
to hin\ this journey was a prolonged horror. In one
place he remarks: "Short-sighted man! happy that
his knowledge is not prospective, else he would not
adventure upon some of his most ennobling enter-
prises. Few of our party, perhaps none, would have
ventured on the enterprise could they have foreseen
all its difficulties. It boots little to reflect tliat the
future gains will amply compensate for present suffer-
ing. Most of the party cursed the day on which they
engaged, and would hardly have exchanged a draught
of cool water for their share of the profits." ^"^
'' Lee and Froxl's Or., 146,
^'Edwanlx' Dinni, MS., 30-1. In the Nemda Gazette of June 5, 1869,
is an article by an anonymous writer which refers to this expedition. It
represents Young as overbearing, and ilinliked !)y tiie men; also saying tliat
in the Siskiyou Mountains five of them had couHplred to kill him and others
on a certain niglit, and to divide the stock among tliemselves, the nmrder to
be committed as Young and Edwards returned from looking for lost cattle,
Turner being the one elected to shoot Y'oung. On coming into camp and
seeing by the looks of the men that something was wrong, Y oung (piestioned
them, and one of the conspirators commence<l cursing Turner for his cowardice,
and the plot was revealed. An altercation took place, aiul the company
!i:
150
THK \VII,LAMETTE CATTLK CO.MrANY.
The jT^reat object of the Willainctte settlerg was
accomplished, and an era opened in colonial history
which rendered them in no small measure independent
of the fur company. The precedent thus established
of bringing cattle into Oregon was followed three
years later by the Hudson's Bay Company, which
obtained a permit in Mexico to drive out from Cali-
fornia four thousand sheep and two thousand horned
cattle, Scotch shepherds being sent to select the sheep^
and the company's trappers in California being em-
ployed as drivers.
The number of cattle that survived tlie first expe-
dition was six hundred and thirty, two hundred having
been .lost by the way. The expenses of the expedition,
and the losses, brought the price up from three to nearly
eight dollars each. They were divided in the manner
agreed upon when the company was formed, the sub-
scribers taking all that could be purchased with tlieir
money at seven dollars and sixty-seven cents a head ;
while the earnings of the men who went as drivers at
one dollar a day were paid to them in cattle at the
same rate. The stock obtained were of the wildest,
the administrators taking good care that it should be
so, and their value was lessened in consequence. But
the settlers were allowed to keep the oxen borrowed
from McLoughlin in exchange for wild cattle, and
calves were accepted in place of full-sized animals, as
they were wanted for beef later. ^'*
There is some difference of opinion as to whom the
credit of this enterprise is due. Mr Hines^* thinks
that it was Jason Lee's energy and perseverance which
laid tliis foundation of rapidly accunmlating wealth
for the settlers. Perhaps it might more justly have
been attributed to Edwards ; but as a matter of fact,
being pretty evenly divided, an armistice was agreed upon, the division being
contniued to the end of the journey, and the guard at night being made up of
iMjual numbers of both parties for fear of treachery. This I take to be a sen-
sational story, as Edwards makes no mention of it in his Diary, where lesa
important quarrels are described minutely.
^'■^Copif of a Document iii Trans. Or. Pioneer Assoc., 1880, 50-2.
'* JJine'' Oreijoii History, 23.
1>EATH OF EWINO YOUNG
lol
1
1
it was Ewing Young, as Walker says, who " put in
motion the introduction of Spanish cattle in Oregon." '•'
He was the only man among the settlers who knew
enough of California and its customs to intelligently
propose such a plan, and to overcome the almost in-
superable difficulties of its execution. ^^ He, too, it
was who resented the restrictions of the fur company,
and determined upon the independence of American
settlers. No longer under a cloud, after his return
Young rose to an important position in the colony.
He built a saw-mill on the Chehalem at considerable
expense, whicii was kept in operation until tlie winter
of 1840-1, when it was carried away by high water.
Soon after this misfortune Young died." The pro-
visional government of 1841 was organized to take
charge of Young's estate, and the jaii was built with
it, the government pledging its faith to restore it or
its value to his heirs. It was restored in part to his
heirs years afterward when Oregon hcd become a
state.
In 1854, while Oregon was still a territory, there
appeared Joaquin Young, a son of Ewing Young by a
Mexican mother, who petitioned the territorial legis-
lature for his father's money An act was passed
empowering him to commence suit in the supreme
court to recover the sums paid into the treasury of
the provisional government by his administrators, said
action to be prosecuted to final judgment. The suit,
however, was not brought; the legislature deferred
passing a bill authorizing the ])ayment of the judgment
until 1855. Finally the supreme court, consisting of
George H. Williams and M. P. Deady, gave judgment
for Joaquin Young. In tlie mean time the claim-
ant sold his interest to O. C. Pratt; and when this
was known, R. P. Boise, a member of the legislature,
'* Sketch of Ewing Young, Or. Pioneer Assoc. Trans., 1880, 58; Wilkes'
Nar., U. S. Ej-plr. Ex., iv. 384.
»8iVar»/i'«/.c<fcr, MS., 10.
" It wa.s said that his mind became affected by disease, or from his many
trials and disuppointineuts. Wltite'.t Tvn YeAirs in Or., 154.
152
THE WILLAMETl'E CAITLE COMPANY.
and ()j)pOHed to l*iatt in jjolitics, secured the passage
of a bill stopping the ])aynient of the judgment. The
tiiatter then rested until 18G2, when a law was enacted,
chiefly through the influence of Judge Deady, author-
izing persons having claims against the territory or
state to bring suit for recovery. Under this act Pratt
brought suit, and obtained judgment for the amount,
receiving $5,108.94, in November I8G3, twenty-two
years after the property was taken in charge by the
Methodist Mission. ^^
Slacuni, after having been of such real service to
the settlers, sailed for San Bias a few days after his
arrival in California, on his way through Mexico to
Washington. He took a share in the company, and
deputed Young to take charge of his proportion of
the stock, amounting to twenty-three animals. Four
years afterward, in consequence of Slacum's death, his
nephew, a midshipman of the United States exploring
squadron, claimed his uncle's share, with the increase,
which amounted to sixty-three, and these he obtained
and sold to McLoughlm for $8G0.^^
^
From the presence of Ewing Young in Oregon
sj)rang two important events in the settlement of the
country: the coming of an authorized agent of the
United States, and the disinthralment of the settlers
from what they felt to be the oppressive bt)ndage of
the fur company. By his death Ewing Young gave
the colony a further and still more important impulse,
as will be shown during the progress of events.
From the life of Ewing Young — indeed, from any
man's life — we may safely conclude that it is better
to laugh at sorrow and slight, and even indignity,
especially where the wrong is only fancied, as is usually
the case, than to cry over these things. There is
nothing in the wide world worth mourning for ; if all
'8 See
See Special Laws Or., 1855-6, 92; General ^ Laws Or., 18(52, 78; Mes-
tmije and Docs., 1864, 72; Or. Jour. Council, 1S55-G, app., 5)2; Or. Statesman,
Jan. 2, 1855.
'» Wilkes Nar., U. S. Ea^lr. Kr., iv. 384.
THE UFE OF A MAN.
163
our joys have taken thuir departure, tliey are but a
step before us. But it has always been so, the chief
occupation of man being to torment himself withal.
At first, on coming to Oregon, Ewing Young would
be king; but finding there a monarch so much his
superior, ho fell into hateful ways. S(J mightily had
he been mistaken in the begiiming, that so mi he felt it
hardly safe to be sure of anything. But when the
shore lines of his life were worn somewhat smooth by
the eroding waves of humanity's ocean, and the rewards
of benificent conduct far exceeded the most sanquinc
anticipations of benefits to flow from evil practices,
might not the broad truth have come home to him,
that he is made as conspicuously uncomfortable whose
virtues lift him above the conmion sentiment of so-
ciety, as he whose vices sink jiim beloAV the general
level ?
! I ^ n
CHAPTER VII.
COLONIZATION.
1837-40,
TuREK Missionary Bi!inKs~-J.\soN Lkk's MARRiAfiE- Sea-coast Excur-
sions — Branch Mission amomi the Calai-ooyas — Petition to
CONORESS FOR A CiVII, (tOVERNMENT — LeE GoES EaST — DeATII OK
Mrs liEK — Missionary Entih siasm in the East— Bill for the
Occi taiton OF C)ke(U)N — 8aii,in(j of th." ' Lausanne' with the Mis-
sion Colony — Treaty of Commerce with the Hawaiian Lslands —
Affairs in OitE(iON l>KowNiN(i of th"-: First White Boy lioRN in
THE Ieruiiohy- Death of Shei-au)- Keliuiois Interest at the
Dalles — Arrival of the Mission Colony.
; I
Danikl Lkk does not iiu'iitioii what the superin-
teiuleiit wrote to the iiiissioiiaiy society of the Metho-
dist cliureli on estaUishin*^ liiniself in tlie Willamette
Valley, but it is to be presv 'led that whatever it was,
the action of the society »vas founded upon it. A
reenforecenient for the Mission, consisting of eight
adults and several children, sailed from Boston on the
28th of July, 183(5. They took passage in the ship
Hamilton, Captain Barker, bound for the Sandwich
Islands, where they arrived late in the winter. There
they remained guests of the missionaries at Honolulu
until the latter part of April 1837, when they sailed
in the brig Diana, Captain Hinckley, for the Columbia
River. On the 18tli of May, three months after the
departure of the hmot with the cattle company,
tidings of the new arrival rej^ched the Willamette,
and Jason Lee hastened to Fort Vancouver, and found
them already provided with c( mfortable quarters by
John McLoughlin.
(154)
WIHTK, HKKUS, AND WILI.SON.
1^
The principal person of the reentoreenient. and ono
whom it was expected would supply the jj^reat neetl of
the Mission, was Elijah White, A[, JX,tVoni Tompkins
County, New York. J)r White was little more than
thirty years of nirv, with li<jfht complexion, hlue eyes,
and dark hair, and of slitrht, i-lastic frame. He was
thin, too, when he lanck-d fi-om his lonu^ voyaufe,
thoujj^h not so thin as Daniel Loe, to whoso shoes the
leaden soles of Philetas would scarcely have heen out
of jdace.
His manners were of that ohlij^iinj; . id flatterinj^
kind which made him })o}»ular, esDt -ially amontjc
women, but whi(^h men often called sycoMliantisI, and
insincere. Ho was fond of orat<un-al d'-ij)1 i^ and of
soci ty, affectedly rather than truly piv is. not alto-
i^etmsr a had man, though a weal: on._. Y^et we shall
see that in such a society an ert'eiriinate man may ho
of no less consequence than a mascidine woman, for
here, as elsewhere, M'o find, as Lm Fontaine says, a
"bon nomhre d'hommes qui sont fenmies." Ho had
no talent, as Hcinrich Heine would declare, hut yot a
character. And strange to say, the longer 1m^ dwelt
upon this coast, the more he became smooth and sli})-
pery like <^^lass, and flat withal, yet Ikj could be round
and cutting on occasions, particularly when broken on
the wheel of adversity. He was accompanied by his
wife, an infant son, and a lad of fourt(^en years named
(xeorge Stoughtenburg, whom he had adopted. Mrs
AVhite was a cheerful, amiable young woman, and do-
yotcd to her husband.
Next we will mention Alanson Beers, a blacksmith
from Connecticut, a man of low stature, dark com-
plexion, thin features, and rigid alike in his views of
religion and social propensities, an honest, worthy
character, entitled to respect. Ho also brought his
wife, a woman of comfortab.^' physique and yielduig
temper, together with three children.
Another, W. H. Willson, a ship-cariienter, had
» Moss' Pioneer Times, MS., 3.
I
? !•
loC.
COLONIZATION.
sailed out of Now Bodford on more than one wlialing
voyaj^e. Judging from the commendations lavislied
upon him by liis associatos, lie was a more than or-
dinarily worthy man. Tall, with a well-knit frame,
cheerful teni})er, and an allectionate dis[)osition, kind
to children and animals, he was a general favorite,
aside from the stories of sea-ii^oinu' adventures with
which he was ever ready to entertain his listeners.
Mr Willson vas unmarried. While on this journey
he studied medicine under White, and was afterwards
given the title of Doctor, to distinguish him from
others of the same name in Oregon, who spelled their
name with only one 1."
The other adults of the reenforcement were Miss
Anna Maria l^itman of New York; Miss Susan
Downing of Lynn, Massachusetts, who was engaged
to marry Cyrus Shepard ; and Miss Elvira Johivson,
froni central New York. Miss Pitman was tall, dark,
somewhat gifted with ])oetic genius, fervently pious,
and full of enthusiasm for the missionary life. Miss
Downing was a less i)ronounced character, ])ersonally
attractive, possessed of a fine figure, dark hair, blue
eyes, always exercising good taste in dress, and po})U-
lar with her associates. Miss Johnson, winning in
manner, and ])ure and zealous of spirit, was devoted
to her duty. She, like Miss Downing, had dark hair
and blue eyes, and was to become the wife of a mis-
sionary.
It was understood that Miss Pitman was to marry
Jason Lee, if tliey sliould suit cacli otlier. The meet-
ing, tlierefore, was of considerable interest, not to say
embarrassment, to both, when McLoughhn having
introduced Dr White, that gentleman brought the
su])erintend(;nt face to face with the lady. "A light
blush rose to her cheek, and a slight trepidation,
which, added to the charm of lier manner, was all the
evidence," says White, "that slie was conscious of the
peculiarity of her position." With Jason Ijce it was
-' W/ii/c's T< II Yearn in Or., passim; Mrs Wilson, in Or. Skctchi.'i, MS., 'l',\.
FURTHKR ARRIVALS.
157
m
TV
im*
II,
le
le
as
(littbrent; lie was evidently [)leas(>d that the society
had sent him so prepossessing a woman for a wife,
iind took nmcli pains to render himself agreeable.
On tlie day after Jason Lee's arrival, the whole
company, including Captain and Mrs Hinckley, and
Mr J. L. WhitcomI), from Honolulu, second officer
of the Diana, set out in canoes for the Mission, the
superintendent and Miss Pitman accompanied only by
their Indian crew who understood no En^jlish, an
arrangement which was apparently not disagreeable.
At the close of the first day, which had been bright
and musical, an encampment was made under the oak
trees on the south bank of the Willamc^tte where Port-
land now stands. The following day they reached
the mouth of Pudding Kiver, above the falls; and at
an early hour on the third day, they finally disem-
i)arked at the landing of Baptiste Desportes McKay,
at Champoeg, where horses were obtained, ami the
journey ended witli a ride through Frencli Prairie,
At the landing, a letter from Daniel Lco was found
awaiting them, with the request that Dr White should
hasten forward, as twelve persons lay sick at the Mis-
sion, some of th(;m dangerously so. This ])ressing de-
mand for assistance was responded to by the doctor,
who, with Willson, IVfrs Hinckley, Miss Pitman, and
Miss Downing, mounted and rode oft' at a rapid pace
in advance of the others.
The reception at the ^lission might well have been
disheartening to the new-comers. Think of those
refined }oang womiMi, fresh from the comforts aiul
orderly ways of eastern homes, ilismountiiig i)efore
the rude, substantial Mission house in tlie wilderness,
to find its fioors covered with the sick, lying on mats
and blankets, more than a dozen (»ut of the tliirty-
eight native children who found a homo there down
with fever, and the ivst of the strange uidvem[>t brood
peeping through doors and windows for a sight of
the straiiirers. With natural care Miss Downinj'- had
158
COLONIZATION.
i 1 '
t f
dressed herself in trim, becoming style for the eyes of
her affianced husband. This neat and gentle maiden,
who would gladden the heart of any lover, happened
upon (^yrus Shepard in the brown linen frock he wore
about housework, and which did not by any means set
off his tall synnnetrical figure to advantage. It was
a trying situation, but thougli Shepard deeply blushed
in his embarrassment, he did not entirely faint away,
and finally recovered himself sufficiently to welcome
the ladies, after which he ])roceeded to lay the table
with a brown linen cloth and tin plates, and to
prepare dinner for the hungry travellers. The fare
was venison, sausages, bread of unbolted tlour, butter,
cheese, and fried cakes, with wild strawberries and
cream for desert."' The Mission nmst have done well,
indeed, to have been able to offer su[)plies like this in
the third year of its tixistence, it being too early hi the
season for a garden.
How sixteen new-comers were accommodated with
beds when even the floors were occupied by the sick,
not one of the chroniclers of earlv events has told us.
Fifty-four, and for a short time fifty-seven, unnates
found lodgment in a building forty by eighteen feet,
the space increased by a fiooring overhead, which was
converted into an attic under the rafters.
Thus we see in the chemistry of west-coast adven-
ture an adaptation of self to circumstances, not unlike
that of sulphuric acid and water, which when mingled
are contained in less space than they separately occu-
pied.
In apparent enjoyment, the missionary recruits and
their guests exi)lored the ct)untry by day, and slept
under the same roof at night; until, after a few days.
Captain and !Mrs Hinckley returned to Fort Van-
couvci'.* Dr White, on looking about for the cause
' WhiUi's Ten I'ca/'.-i //( Orci/on, 7'2.
* Mrs Hinckley tlioil not long tafter her visit to Oregon, and t'aptain Hinck-
ley married a daughter of Martinez of California. In deaurihing the wedding
festivities, Mrs Harvey says tliat dancing was kept up for tliree nights, with
luiU-fights in the daytime ; feasting, and drinking a good deal, especially sweet
wines. L{/'c oj McLouijhVw, MS., 25.
PREACHING AND PKACTI81N(i.
159
t)f' disease, found an accumulation of vegetable matter
washed up by a freshet, decaying and })oisoni!ig the
air. He also noticed tliat a dense grove of lirs be-
tween the house and the river ])revented a free circu-
lation of air. At once he set the Indian bovs to
lopping off branches of trees, and clearing away rub-
bish ; after which the general health improved.
Shej)ard was soon prostrated witli fever, and Miss
Downing's loving care was as the ministration of
an angel in this dark wilderness; by good nursing he
escaped with a short illness. Jason Lee was fortunate
in the prosecution of his suit; nmch of tlie time being
spent with Miss Pitman in riding about the country,
and the favorable first impression deepened. On the
IGth of June there was a large gathering in the grove
near the Mission house, it being the sabbath, and the
marriage of Cyrus Shepard was expected in addition
to the ur.ual service.
Jason Lee delivered a discourse on the propriety
and duties (jf marriage, a ceremony too lightly re-
garded in this new country. When he had finished
his remarks he said, " What I urge upon you by pre-
cept I am }>repared this day to enforce by example ;"
and characteristic as it was, without such a purpose be-
ing suspected by any one, he went to Miss Pitman and
led her forth in view of all the congregation. Then
rose Daniel Lee, and solenmly read the marriage
service of the Methodist Episcopal church, after
which Mr Lee led his wife back into the assemblage,
and returning took his nei)liew's ])lace, and jterformed
the same service for Mr Shepard and Miss Down-
ing. When the marriages were duly solemnized, Lee
preached his usual Sunday sermon, after which the
communion service was held, and two members were
admitted to the church.'"' The whole mimber of com-
municants was fourteen. There was a tiiii'd mar-
riage on that day, that of CharVvs J. lioe and Nancy
McKay, some of whose brothers were in the Mission
^Ifliies' Orc'/oii Ifht., 2'); /.<■<■ ami Frost'n Or., 149,
ItiO
COLONIZATION.
school.^ A weddinjj^ breakiast followed the conclusion
of the services. Thus was inaugurated the marriage
ceremony in the Willamette Valley, where heretofore
christianized forms had not been deemed essential.^
f 1' r-
The labor of settling the families now occupied all
the time that could be spared from the harvest, in
both of which Jason Lee and White assisted. Beers
and Willson spent most of the sunnner in transport-
ing the goods which arrived by the Diana from Fort
A'^ancouver, by the slow conveyance of canoes. A log
house and shop were built for Beers. White had a
hewn-log house, in which the skill of the mechanic
Willson was very serviceable. A school-room was
added to the Mission house, and Miss Johnson in-
stalled as teacher. Mrs Shepard made and mended
the clothing of the Indian children; the other women
attended to the general housekeeping. A temperance
meeting was held to keep alive the sentiment against
the introduction or manufacture of intoxicating drinks,
an tfort in which the missionaries were successful
for a numl)er of years after the first formation of the
Oregon Temperance Society.^
In August, Jason Lee made two exploring excur-
sions in company with his wife and Mr and Mrs Shep-
ard. The first one, under the guidance of a French
settler named Desportes, was toward the upper end
"Roo hail a strange liistory. He was l)orn in New York in 180(5, aiul came
to Oregon in ISIU. Ho early joined the Metliodist chnrcli, in whicli for many
years he liail a goo<l standing. On tlie deatli of his wife lie iharried again in
IS.")ti another half-breed girl of gooil character; hnt lieeoiiiing jealous of her,
lie nmrdered her in 185'.), for which he was hanged, professing to hope for for-
giveness, and expressing a willingness to pay the penalty of his sin. Jfim's
ilm/on JIM.. '2">; Or. SfaffMinaii, March 1, 18.V.).
' Parker says that when he nrged tlu! dtity of the marriaii;e relation he was
nut l>y two reasons for dispensing with a h^gal marriage: one, that if the men
wished to return to tiieir former liomes they could not take tiieir Indian
familit^s with them; and tiie other, that the Indian women did not nnder-
stand the ohligations of the marriage covenant, and might at any time,
througii caprice, leave them, Pnrhr'n Joitr., E.i\ Tour, liS<)--l.
''Wilkes, whose visit to the Willamette .settlements occurred in 1841, ex-
pressed liis surprise at tile general regard for temperance, and f.pjwisitiou to
distilling spirits among a class of men who might he expected to favor that
indulgence. Kut they were all convinced that their welfare depended on
sobriety. Wilb-'i' Xttr., U. S. Explur. Ex., iv. 380.
MOKE MISSIONARIES.
161
(jf the Willainetto Valley, by an eastward circuit to
the head waters of the Mollale, and down that stream
to its junction with the Willamette, which he crossed,
and returned to the Mission by the west side. The
second excursion was to the sea-coast, at the mouth
ot" the Salmon Kiver, under the guidance of Jose})!!
(^ervais. Here they sojourned seven days, batliing
'II the salt water, and preaching as they were able to
the Killamooks. Health and pleasure with lioht pro-
fessional occupation was the object of these excur-
sions, Shepard particulai-ly being in need of change
of air. This visit to the coast was an example which
later became the custom, namely, for camping parties
to spend a portion of the summer on the west side of
the Coast Range, there to enjoy the sea-bathing and
rock-oysters."
Hardly had the excursionists returned to the Mis-
sion when news came of the arrival of a second reiin-
forcement, which left Boston on the 20th of January,
18:37, in the ship Sanuitra, and arrived at Fort Van-
couver on the 7th of September following. The Su-
matra was loaded with goods for the Mission, and
brought as assistants t<^ Lee the Rev. David I^cslie of
Salem, Massachusetts, Mrs Leslie, and three young
daughters, Rev. H. K. W. Perkins, who was to marry
Miss Johnson, and Miss Margaret Smith, afterwai-d
the wife of Dr Bailey. Perkins and Miss Johnson
were marrietl November 21, 18M7, Bailey and Miss
Smitli in 1H40.
The family at the Willamette mission now num-
bered sixty n)oml)ers, including the nati\e cjiildren, or
nearly an ecjual nund)er of Indians and white persons.
It was a somewhat ex[)ensive process, one civilizer
to every savage, especiall}' where ninety-nine out of
every hundretl of tlie latter died under the infliction.
'A pear-Hhapeil mollusk in a soft shell, incased in the sandstone of the
Bca-shorc at tlie mouth of the Salmon River. It is found hy lircakitig open
the rock, ami seisms to have enlarged its cell as remiired for growth.
Hist. Oh., Vol.. I. U
-^^
1G2
COLONIZATION.
tn
'\- 5
Tlieretbre it was deemed best tliat the niissioiiaries
wliould divide. Lee had purchased a farm recently
opened hy a Canadian near tlie Mission premises, with
a small house now occupied by Leslie and Perkins
with their wives. White and Beers were domiciled in
houses of their own, leaving the Mission building in
possession of Lee, Shepard, Edwards, Willson, and
Whitcomb, the latter at present employed as farm
su})erintendent. In addition to these accommoda-
tions, it was decided to erect a hospital, which was
accordingly begun.
The amount of labor caused by the addition of so
jnany persons unprovided with the conveniences of
living, the transportation of the second ship-load of
goods, and the care of the cattle which came in Octo-
ber, retarded the progress of the Indian school, which,
notwithstanding sickness and other drawbacks, was
in a promising condition. Perhaps l)ecause his mind
is empty of tlie loftier civilized conceptions, the sav-
age is a ready scholar in the elements of learning,
thouii'h he rarely masters more than these. A native
lad in the class of Solomon Smith at Fort Vancouver
learned reading, writing, and the whole of DalioU's
arithmetic in eleven months, writing out all the ex-
am[)les for the benelit of the other scholars. Some
simi)le penalty usually kept these primitive pupils in
good order, such as being made to wear an old gun-
lock sus})ended round the neck by a string. ^^'
The first [)rejudice of the adult ab(jriginals against
leaving their cliildreii at the Mission was not over-
conu?, the sch(H)l consisting chiefly of those who had
no })arents, wliich, if they were to be educated in any
sense, was a favorable circumstance. But from pu])ils,
the wards of the Mission were likely to become ser-
vants, while so mucli labor was reijuired to make their
teachers comfortable ; and as the savage is by nature
averse to labor, the demands made upon the children
'"IiKlividual instances of s,.vage intellect are often founil which are fai-
superior to the average civilized mind.
THE DALLES MLSSION.
168
at the Mission were sure to operate against tlie suc-
cess of the scliool.
A meeting to t)rganize a society for the henofit of
the Calapooyas, held on Christiiias-dav, was well
attended, as occasions for social intercourse anioui' the
settlers were rare. Moreover, the Mission being to
the VVillan^ettc Valley in points of intiuence and pro-
spective importance what Fort Vancouver was to the
Oregon territory, great interest was felt in its pro-
jects. It was i)roposed to form an organization among
the missionaries and settlers to induce the natives
to locate at a branch mission on a piece of ground
which they should be taught to cultivate, and that
they should receive encouragement in their work,
and assistance to build comfortable homes. About
four hundred dollars weie sul)scribed; Frenchmen and
Americans contributing from five to twenty dollars
each men who themselves used dried deerskin in
place of glass for windows, and who possessed few
comforts beyond the actual necessities of life, and yet
had farms well stocked. Much more than this would
the people have done for Lee and his associates, for
the visit of Slacum, tht' petition to congress, and the
successful formation of the catth; company had in-
s})ired them with a respect and confidence in the judg-
ment, energy, and enterprise of the Americans. The
branch mission was a failure, as might have been fore-
seen ; for though asssted wdth their farming, tlu;
natives were so indolent and a])athetic that the
attempt h.ad to be abandoned.
n
It was decided in missionary councils during the
winter that the Dalles of the Columbia offered supe-
rior advantages for a mission station, and Daniel Lee
and Perkins were assiijfned to that |»lace. (hiw states
m his account of the Presbyterian missions, that he
urged Whitman to establish a station at this point;
" Aw nmf Frwt'n Or., 150.
1(14
<'OL()NIZATI()N.
I i '
it
u
and peiliaps tin' lattei' intended to <1(» so when lio
sliould l)e ssutficitiiitly reiinforced. Hut wIkmi (iray
returned from the Ignited States in the autumn of
1838, he found tlie place already o('cu[)ied hy the
Methodists,
About the middle of March 1838, Perkins and l^ee
proceeded by canoe to the Dalles, and selected a sit(!
three miles below the narrows, and half a mile from
the Columbia River on the south side, where there
was good land, s})rings of excellent water, a plentiful
supply of pine and oak tind)er, and a fine view of the
Columbia for several miles. Back of the chosen site
the ground rose rather abruptly, and was lightly
wooded with lofty pines. Standing like a watch-
tower in the south-west was Mount Hood, whose icy
cliffs wrap]»etl in the silent sky flung back the sun's
rays defiantly.
Assisted by the natives, who at first labored with
zeal, hoping now to realize the good which then-
interviews with Parker had taught them to expect,
a house was built in which Mrs Perkins came to live
in May, Unlike the natives of the Willamette, those
at the Dalles showed a willinu^ness to be tauo-ht reli-
gion, assembling on Sundays, and listening with a sober
demeanor to sermons })reached through an interpreter,
and this to the great encouragement of tlieir teachers.
After several journeys by river to trans})ort suj)-
plies, each of which took three weeks to perform,
early in September Daniel Lee undertook the serious
task of bringing cattle from the; Willamette to the
Dalles by an Indian trail over tlie Cascade Moun-
tains,^'" being assisted in this labor only by the natives.
Lee's description of his squad of savages might be
compared with Palstaff' s remarks in nmstering his re-
cruits. There was an old C-hinook, blind in one eye;
'^ Daniel Lcc calls lliese monntaiiis the President's Range, after Kelley;
nor were tliey as a range ever otherwise formally named. It was from the
circumstiince that traN'ellers so often said 'the Cascade Monntains, ' to dis-
tingnish tliem from other ranges in the country, that they obtained their
present name.
DANIEL LKK'S KXl'KDITlON.
165
I
a stout yoiiiif? Walla Walla, knij^ht of the sorrowful
c'ountoiiaiicc, whoso name signified 'destitute,' because
he had gainl)le(l away his patrimony; also another
Chinook with a flattened head and wide mouth, a
youth wearing the dignity of manhood; another was
a W^alla Walla, also a jramestcr and a roi>ue, thouij:h
shrewd ; yet another was a cripple with sliort, crooked
legs, who carried a crutch of great length on which
he poised himself and swung his hody forward three
or four yards at a leap.'' The sixtli was to have been
the guide, but failed to keep his engagement, which
led to much trouble.
With ten horses belonging to the Mission, and ten
others owned by the natives, and j)rovisions for six
davs, Lee set out on his undertaking. The trail i)roved
worse than he had anticipo.ted, passing through I'avines
and across rapid streams, and often obstructed by
fallen trees. Sometimes it lay along the margins of
dangerous cliffs, and at the best was everywhere over-
grown with underbrush. On the west side of the
summit it was lost altogether under many generations
of leaves. The six days' provisions were exhausted,
and two of their horses, starving like themselves, were
eaten before they had reached the Willamette, at the
end of two weeks.
On this expedition Lee was overtaken, soon after
leaving the Dalles, by John A. Sutter, then on his
way to California. With Sutter- was a party of
mountain men, who were unwillino- to follow the cir-
cuitous route taken by Lee's guides, and broke away
from them, reaching the Mission in six days — a feat that
was considered incredible but for the ])roof of letters
sent by T-*orkins.'* Eight days more j)assed, and as
Lee had not yet returned, a party was forming to go
ill seai'cli of him, when he made liis apitearance.
A good guide being procured, antl the services of
'^ Lee n»il Fro.i/'s Or., 1.")').
^^ Slitter's Persoiint Jt'eininisreiices, MS,, 7-8; Siittir f \i. Ilisi., 'j;j; Ynlni
Co. Hixt., -M.
Hit J
COLON IZATION.
two wliito mow oiif;nf(i'<l, the return jouriU'V was inoro
casilv accoinplislu'd. On the 5tli of October, ciu'lit
days from the Willamette, Lee arrived at the Dalles
with fourteen head of eattle, to find that Perkins and
his wife had ^one to the old Mission to s])end several
months. Thus he was left dui'iiiir the ^ivater j)art of
the winter- alone, with the exception of a man nami'd
Anderson, who had heen hired some time previously
to assist in roofiiiij^ the house. As timber for fenoini*'
and for farminsjj utensils was required before spring-, nnd
harness and imjilenients had to 1k^ made, there was little
tinu' for nussion woik. Pei'kins returned to the Dalles
with his wife and infant son in February, and farmin*;"
was begun, part of the ground being held on shares
with the natives, who helj)ed to fence and plough
it. But the soil, being newly stirred, did not yield
abundantly ; and the crop, small as it was, was
partly stolen by other Indians, which so discouraged
the laboring savages that they abandoned work and
took, without leave, the vegetables raised by the mis-
sionaries. The latter, however, })ersevered, building
another house in the sununer of IB:]!), which was used
for a church, and improving their home. And here
for the jiresent we will leave them, to return to the
afiairs of the parent Mission.
I. 1
r. S ■
W
From this ])oint we regard Jason Lee less as a
missionary than as an American colonizer. When
he first conceived the idea of appropriating the valley
of the Willamette for the Methodist church under the
protection of the United States is not very clear, for
Kelley's account of Lee's intentions is o])en to the
charge of j)rejudice, the former feeling himself un-
justly treated. But there can be little doubt that
the scheme took form on being enc(niraged by Slacuni
to look for the support of government in sustaining
American supremacy south of the Columbia,
Lee had been lonu; enouuh in Oreudii when the first
reenforcemcnt arrived to have discovered that the tribes
CHAN(iE OF BASE.
167
r
of the Willamette Valley, and of the Columbia River
west of the Cascade M(tuMtaiiis, were hopelessly
diseased and depraved; and that to sustain an asylum
with a few sickly orjthans tlid not re([uire the services
oven of those persons already on the <^round. Xt)r
was the character of the. J)alles savages unknown to
hira as tho banditti of the Columbia Kiver ntgion,
whom there was littler hoi)e of benefiting. With tho
exception of tlie Umiujua and Rogue Kiver valleys,
and a portion of tho southern coast, regions avoided
on account of the hostile character of the natives, he
had traversed the whole country south of the Ct)lumbia
without finding a single place where there was any
prospect of success in missionary work. Slowly it
dawned upon his mind that he and his associates would
have long to wait for the spiritual sky to fall, that
they might catch some larks.
What should he do { Clearly as special agent of
the Lord, the Lord did not ri'(piire his services here?
Should he then serve his fellow-man, or even himself?
Miglit not -le serve God as well by ministering to
civilized man, ministering in things material as well
as in things spiritual, assisting in establishing a grand
and virtuous commonwealth, as by waiting on sickly
savages? Would it not please his Maker as well if
he becauKi a little more a colonizer and a little less
a missionary? and would it not please himself better?
But how would the good people at lumie regard such
a change of base, those earnest in sewing-societies,
church sociables, and in gathering the Sunday-school
pennies? Jason Lee felt that tliese would not ap-
prove of such a course; that in their eyes the one
sickly savage was more than the ninety and nine of
civilization, and that to abandon the attempt of con-
version would be apostasy. He knew well enougli
that it was not the abandonment of his trust, or of
any trust worthy of his manhood; in fact, tliere wa*
nothing to abandon. Nevertheless, for the sake i
the cause, which was just now b^'ginning to assume
1G.S
COLONIZATION'.
sliaiH' ill his iniiid, In- would ducoivo tluaii a little; for
tlu; sjiko of proii^ross and tho (iod of pro;^rit.Ha, Ids
CJod and theirs, lie would not tell them nil at once his
whole heart.
For tlic old alfair he had more help than he needed;
for iiis slowly evolving purpose he had not enough.
Moreover, the fruits of the sewing -societies and the
Sunday-schools would be none the less acceptable to
civilization than to aavauism at this juncture. There-
for-e he tlecidi'd in the winter of 18'57-H to visit the
states and obtain more men ami means.
Preparatory to this, Lee made a hasty excursion m
March 18."}8 to the Ump<pia N'^alley, to inform him-
self of its nature and advantages for the i)urposes now
in contemplation. A convention was called in order
to meriiorialize congress to extend jurisdiction over
the Oregon colony. The memorial set forth that the
settiement began in 1832, and had pros])ered beyond
all expectation; that the ])e()})le of the United States
were ignorant of the value of the country west of the
Rocky Alountains, of the mildness of its climate, the
wealth of its resources, and its commercial advantages
in relation to China, Lulia, the Islantls of the Pacific,
and the western coast of America; for all of which
leasons the government was urged to take formal
possession without loss of tinu'; not (»nly because of
its general importance to the nation, but for the con-
secpient benefits to the colony. Moreover, if this were
not done, evil to the settlers would ensue. The inter-
ests of the nil 'norialists they declared were identical
with th<»se o; the country of their adoption. They
felt themselve, the nucleus of a great state, and were
anxious to oive t at the beiiinniniij an elevated moral
and intellectua tone. They were concerned, also,
about the char "ter of those who mlulit emii'Tate to
Oresfon, and desiied conijress to sav bv whom the ter-
ritory should be populated. Unpi-inciplcd adventurers,
Bctany Bay refugees, renegades from civilization now
LKKs Msrr KAsr.
1U9
roamiii;:^ the l^ocky Moiiiituiiis, deist rtiM<^' seaimiii tVom
J*<»lyii('siii, aiul banditti from Spanish Anieriua were
not \vanti!«l.
T1)UH fill', said tlio nuMnoiial, tlie colony liad dc-
})endod t<»a i^rcat extent on the inthienee of the Hud-
son's i^ay Coni[»any, vvhicli had j)iesei\ t-il peace an lonj^'
l)oth the settlers and the natives hy its jucHeions
nianat^ement. Hut they couM not lioDe, as tlie settle-
nients heeanie independent of the fur eonipany, that
this condition of harmony would remain unchanged,
with a mixed population, and without a civil code.
The memoriid is dated March 1(5, 18;{8, and sij^ned l»y
the ten })roachers and laymen, Ewin^' Youiit;" and ten
other colonists, and nine French Canadians.''
Toward the last of March, Lee left the Willamette
Valley on his projected mission, and j)roceeded to Fort
Vancouver, tin; Dalles, and F( )rt Walla Walla. Eil wards
accompanied Lee, having long contemplated leaving
Oregon; yet althougli he had no disposition himself
to remain, he gave favorable accounts of the country,
during subsecjuent years, to the frequent inquiries for
information on that subject.'** There were also with
them F. Y. Ewing of Missouri, and two Chinook boys
named W, M. Brooks and Thomas Adams, who had
been m the mission school for some thne.^' Possibly
^'>25th Con;,., M Sfsx., If. J},yt. in/ ; I'^ninx' Ilixt. (>,:, MS., •23.-)-G. The
sij,'iiiiig of this iiiumorial by Ydiiiiy aiul liis ansdciatL's iuilicatcs tliat their
Htaiidiiig was vi^ry (Uffuruiit at tliis time from wliat it was whuii tliuy tirst
(^iiturod the valley- and were ostracized hy .McLoiigliliii; otherwise they were
siirniiig a pi^titioii to exehide just sueh adventurers as themselves. .lasou Leo
had marked al)ility in using others for his own advantage; Kdwards was his
instrument in <h-awiiig u[i this memorial, enal)liiig Leu hiniself to keep in the
hackground, Kilirttrdx' Shtfh of Oriijoii, MS., 17.
"'Heturnini' to Mi.ssouri, Kdwards studied law, married, and iluring the
Mormon trouliies in that state in 1S41 did military duty, reeeiving the title
of colonel. In ISoO he emigrated to California, settling in Xe\ada Countv.
where he engaged in politics as a wliig and afterwanls as a re[)uhliean. in
Shnrk's JlvyntftiitiUire Men, 4tjl-7'i, is a l)iogr.4)hy written hy Kohert K.
l>raper; and there is also his Dinri/ of l/ir WiUaiiictIr Cattle CoinjMiiiy, and
i^ikelch of Oreijon. He died May 1, 181)!), leaving descendants in California.
"Daniel Lee does not mention them in this connection, and Mines in his
llixt. Or., 30, agrees witii Lee. Wliite states that Alexander, William, and
.Tohu McKay accompanied Jason Lee, and tiiat they returned in 1842 from the
east; having gone there to be etlucated in tlie Wilhraham Academy, Mas.sa-
fhusetts, where the Loes, years before, had completed their stuilies. Mrs
J,|
170
COLONIZATION.
the three sons of Tlionias McKay were also of the
party, thciigli there is a conflict on that point in the
statements furnished.
The first tidings of his family received by Jason
Lee were of a most painful character. At Pawnee
Mission, near Council Bluffs, an express arrived from
Fort Vancouver, sent by McLoughlin, with the intel-
ligence of the death of Mrs Lee on the 26th of June,
three weeks after the birth and death of a son.^"^ Mrs
Lee was buried among the firs that had overshadowed
her when her marriage vows were taken, and her
burial was the first of any white woman in Oregon.^*
After crossing the Mississippi, Lee began a lecturing
tou. , drawing large audiences in the churches, where
he presented the subject of Oregon with the ardor of
an enthusiast, and stimulated his hearers to furnisli
funds and men for the settlement of that paradise of
the west. The effect of his labors was to draw into
his paradise "hundreds of immigrants," says White,
" from the western frontier of the states, of a restless,
aspiring disposition." who gave him subsequently no
little uneasiness.^" The interest at Peoria, Illinois,
was augmented by the illness of Adams, the young
Chinook, and by his remaining there through the
Eliziibeth Wilson of the Dalles says that Jason Lee persuaileil McLoughlin to
liave William C. McKay sent to Wilbraham in8tea(l of to Europe as was in-
tended. There lie remained two years, and then entered a medical college
at Ploaat .iton, Vermont, and subswiuently attended lectures at Albany. Or.
Sketch's, MS., 21-2; Ten Yiwh in Or., 140.
^* If men' HM. Or., 31-2; l^ce and Frost's Or., 153. Gray docs not credit
McLoughlin with sending the message the entire distance. GrnijsHixt. Or.,
182.
" Later the remains were removed to Salem. ' In the mission graveyard
at Salem, Oregon, is a grave, on the head-stone of which is recorded these
words: " Beneath this sod, tlie first ever broken in Oregon for the reception
of a white mother and child, lie Iniricd the remains of Anne Maria Pitman,
wife of llev. Jason Lee, and infant B:)n. Slie sailed from New York in July
1830, landed in Oregon June 1837, was married in July 1837, and <Hed June
20, 18.18, in full enjoyment of that love which cousti-ained her to leave all for
Christ and heathen souls. So we have left all, an<l followed Thee; what shall
we have therefore."' Portland P. C. Adivaitv, Jan. 2, 1879. It will be ob-
served that the inscription is incorrect as to the date of Miss Pitman's arrival,
which was in May.
'"' Ten Years in Oreijon, 91.
LEKS EFFOHT.S.
171
'eyard
these
iptioii
tiniin,
July
June
ill for
: Hliall
ob-
rival.
winter. In his imperfect Engli&li he told marvellous
stories of the Columbia River, and the salmon it
contained, which excited a desire among some of the
young men to ent^^r into business there, and to found
a city at the mouth of that niagnificen& stream. Of
this attempt details will be given in another chapter.
At New York Lee made his report to the mission-
ary society of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
upon his information a call was published in the Chris-
tian Advocate and Journal for five missionaries, and
for laymen, physicians, farmers, mechanics, and young
Avoraen for teachers. This call was responded to by
thirty-six i)ersons, and sixteen children increased the
number to fifty -two, all whom the missionary society
was asked to employ in Oregon in addition to those
already there. The ship Laiisanne, owned by i arn-
ham and Fry of New York, and commanded by Cap-
tain Josiah Spaulding, was chartered, and laden with
everything that an infant colony could require, at a
cost to the society of $42,000. It was not without
effort that this extraordinary sum was raised ; and
the talent of the Oregon superintendent is well illus-
trated in his success. Hines says that Lee met with
warm ojiposition from some members of the board,
who doubted the expediency of the measure; but the
superintendent, who had just come from the field of
operations, perseveringly and powerfully urged the
claim, of tlie Mission, and succeeded in obtaining
more than he viemanded, for in his opinion but two
n)inistcrs wen; required, but in the estimation of a
majority of the board, if there were to be as many
layiren sent out as Lee called for, two ministers would
not be sufficient. "^
While the nuissionary board were considering the
question of ways and means, the missionary colonizer
'-' Jlixt. Or., S(>-7. ' No inksionarieM, ' say8 Blancliet, ' wore ever despatched
ti> ri'itruseut tlie varioUH sects hi any land uiuh^r more favorahle auspici-.s than
weni the ladies and gentlemen belonging to the Methodist Episcopal church
...amidst the "wilds'" of Oregon.' JJiit. Cath. Cfiurrh in Or,, 12. 'It was
i
172
COLONIZATION.
I i
was not idle. The petition prepared in Oregon was
forwarded by him to congress, whereupon Caleb Gush-
ing of Mussachusetts wrote to Lee, desiring further
information concerning the population of the country,
tlie classes composing it, and the objects of the Mission.
Lee replied from Middletown, Connecticut, January
17, 1839, that there were in Oregon belonging to the
Methodist Mission 25 persons of all ages and both
sexes, who would shortly be reenforced by 45 more,
making 70. As a matter of fact, the number reached
was 77. There were IG persons belonging to the mis-
sions of the American Board ; and about 20 settlers,
missionaries, and others, going out from the wep\.ern
states in the spring; in addition to which there were
about 45 men settled in the country who had Indian
wives and half-breed children. After declaring the
objects of the Mission to be the benefit of the Indians
west of the Rocky Mountains, by the establishment
of manual-labor schools, making it necessary to erect
dwelling and school houses, to farm, to build mills,
and in fact to establish a colony, Lee proceeded to
the main object as follows:
" It is believed that, if the government of the United
States takes such measures in respect to this territory
as will secure the rights of the settlers, most of those
who are now attached to the Mission will remain as
permanent settlers in the country after the Mission
may no longer need their services. Hence it may be
safelv assumed that ours, in connection witli the other
settlers already there, is the commencement of a per-
manent settlement of the country. In view of this,
it will be readily seen that we need two tilings at the
hand of government, for our jirotection and prosperity.
tlie greatest Methoilist exodus probobly evor sailing from an eastern port to
any eoast. ' WUko)), in Or. Skclclien, MS. , "23. ' Tliis particular mission involved
an expenditure of ^2,000 in a single year. . .At the entl of G years there were
OS persons connected with this mission, men, women, and children, r'' sup-
ported ))y this society. How a number of missionaries found employment m
such a field it is not easy to conjecture, especially as the ureat body of tlie
Indians never came under tlie influence of their labors. Olin'n Worku, ii.
4'27-8; M(irn/iaU\i Chrixtian Mixaionn, ii. '203-4.
rcJLlTlC'AL I'IIDPOkSALS.
173
" First. We need a guaranty from government tliat
the possession of the land we take up, and tiie im-
provements we make upon it, will be secured to us.
These settlements will greatly increase the value of
the government domain in that country, should the
Indian title ever be extinguished. And we cannot but
expect, therefore, that those who have been pioneers
in this arduous work will be liberally dealt with in
this matter.
" Secondly. We need the authority and jirotection
of the government and laws of the United States, to
regulate the intercourse of the settlers with each other,
to protect them against tlie peculations and aggres-
.sions of the Indians, and to protect the Indians
against the aggressions of the white settlers.
" To secure these objects, it is not supposed that
nmch of a military force will be necessary. If a suit-
able person should be sent out as a civil magistrate
and governor of the territory, the settlers would sus-
tain his authority. In proof of this, it is only necessary
to say that almost all the settlers in the Willamette
Valley have signed a memorial to congress, praying
that body to extend the United States govermnent
over the territory. . . . You are aware, sir, that there is
no law in that country to protect or control Ameri-
can citizens. And to whom shall we look, to whom
can we look, for the establishment of wholesome laws
to regulate our infant but rising settlements, but to
the congress of our own beloved country ^ The coun-
try will be settled, and that speedily, fr-om some
quarter, and it depends very nuicji upon the speedy
action of congress what that population shall be, and
wiiat shall be the fate of the Indian tribes in that
territory. It may be thought that Oregon is of little
importance ; l)ut, rely upon it, there is the germ of a
great state. We are resolved to do what we can to
benefit the country; but we are constrained to throw
ourselves upon you for protection.""
"~W/t Con,,., a,l Scss., IT. ffept. 101, 3, 4.
I 4
n
174
COLONIZATION.
Ill the 1 ght of this correspondence with Mr 'Cushiiig,
Jason Lee's object in demanding S(/ large a reenforce-
iiient of laymen is unmistakable. His declarations
present him unequivocally as a missionary colonizer ;
and though born a British subject, and with no evi-
dence to show that he ever became a naturalized
citizen of the United States, yet he talks glibly of
appealing to ' our own beloved ' country for the estab-
lishment of laws.
In August 1838, at Lynn, Massachusetts, the old
home of Cyrus Shepard and Miss Dov/ning, a society
called the Oregon Provisional Emigration Society
was organized. The intention of this association was
to send to Oregon at the outset not less than two
hundred men with their families, to be followed by
other divisions at intervals, until thousands should
settle in the country. The constitution debarred all
persons from becoming members who were not of good
moral character and believers in the Christian religion,
and the general exjienses of the enterprise were to be
paid out of a joint-stock fund, no member to be assessed
more than three dollars a year. The society published
a monthly paper devoted to the exposition of its ob-
jects, called the Oregonian. The officers were Rev.
Samuel Norris, president ; Rev. Sanford Benton, vice-
president; Rev. F. P. Tracy, secretary; Rev. Amos
Walton, treasurer. The committee consisted of four-
teen members, ten of whom were ministers.^
While Mr Cushing was in correspondence with
Jason Lee, he received letters from the secretary of
this organization, and in reply to inquiries as to its
object, was told in a letter of the 6th of January, 1839,
that it was designed, first, to civilize and christianize
the Indians, and secondly, to avail themselves of the
advantages offered by the territory for agriculture,
commerce, and manufactures.
" Having reached the territory," says the secretary,
"f5</t Cong., 3d Sess., U. Rept. 101, 25, 28.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
175
"we shall seek such points of settlement as will aiford
the greatest facilities for intercourse with the tribes ;
for agriculture, manufactures, and commerce ; and also
for defence, in case of hostilities from any quarter.
For the benefit of the Indians, we propose to establish
schools in which instruction in elementary science will
be connected with labor; the males being made ac-
quainted with farming, or some useful mechanical art,
and the females with household duties and economy. . . .
For our own emolument, we shall depend principally
upon the flour trade, the salmon fishery, the culture
of silk, flax, and hemp, the lumber trade, and per-
haps a local business in furs. We shall establish a
regular commercial communication with the United
States, drawing supplies of men and goods from thence ;
and ultimately, we shall contemplate the opening of
a trade with the various ports of the Pacific. A
few years only will be required to fill the plains of
Oregon with herds as valuable as those of the Spanish
savannas, and various sources of profit will reveal
themselves as the increase of the population shall
make new resources necessary. We shall wish that
no person in connection with us may have a claim
upon any tract of land unless he shall actually settle
upon and improve that land. . . . We shall, of course,
be very unwilling to settle in a savage wilderness,
without first having obtained a sufficient title to the
land we may occupy, and without being assured that
political obstacles will not be thrown in the way of
our pros})erity.
"We are confident that our settlement, more than
anything else, would subserve the purposes of our
government respecting the Oregon Territory. Our re-
lations with the Indians will give us an influence over
them which Americans will hardly obtain by any other
means, and which, at a future day, may be found an
advantage to the United States. We shall by the
same means, as well as by our local situation, be pre-
pared to hold in check the avarice of a foreign j)ower,
n
-):?''■
t r
17*;
COLONIZATION.
and to establish and maintain American interests
generally, witli the leas^, expense to the nation and
the best prospec-t of bio jdless success."
If Jason Le(3 had anything to do with the forma-
tion of this society, it does not appear; and yet its
objects and those of Kelley were identical with his
own; it is possible that Lee's action with the govern-
ment in his colonizati(»n scheme led the society to con-
sider itself forestalled, or possibly it depended upon
the success of certain measures in congress which
Lee put in motion ; at any rate, the society never sent
out any persons as emigrants.
On the 28th of January, 1839, the memorial drawn
up before Lee left Oregon was presented to the senate
by Linn of Missouri, and Ox Jered to be printed. On the
11th of December, 1838, Linn introduced a bill in the
senate authorizing the occupation of the Cv,lumbia or
Oregon river ; organizing a territory north of latitude
42° and west of the Rocky Mountains, to be called
Oregon Territory ; providing for the establishment of
a fort on the Columbia, and the occupation of the
country by a military force of the United States;
establisliing a port of entry, and requiring that the
country should be held subject to t^^e revenue laws
of the United States. On the 22d of February he
made a speech in the senate supporting a bill to pro-
vide protection for the citizens of the United States
in the Oregon Territory, or trading on the Columbia
River. "^^ It is not necessary to follow the action of
congress further, in this place. The reference is here
made to point out the agency of Jason Lee in direct-
ing that action, and the strong influence he seems to
have wielded in Washington as well as with the mis-
sionary board. How much his suggestions, especially
concerning land matters, moulded subsequent legisla-
tion will be made evident in considering the action of
the government at a later period. A proof of the
favor with which his designs were regarded by the
'" I/mni* Lijc oiiif fSi'rricfs, 224.
THE MISSION FA.MILY.
177
cabinet is furuishod by the appropriation of consid-
erable money from the secret-service fund, for the
charter of the Lausanne, as related by one of her
passengers."'" Lee kept the secret, and so did those
who gave him the money, until the boundary ques-
tion was settled between the United States and
Great Britain.
e
e
Everything being finally arranged, the mission fam-
ily, a term by which this emigration was more par-
ticularly designated, assembled at New York, whence
the Lausanne was to sail. Jason Lee had certainly
improved his tune in several respects ; for the so lately
bereaved husband was returning comforted with a new
wife. Following are the names of the members of
this reenforcement : Mr and Mrs Jason Lee ; Rev.
Joseph H. Frost, wife and one child ; Rev. William
W. Kone and wife ; Rev. Alvan F. Waller, wife anti
two children; Rev. J. P. Richmond, M. D., wife and
four children ; Ira L. Babcock, M. D., wife and one
child ; Rev. Gustavus Hines, wife and one child ;
George Abernethy, mission stew- art, wife and two
children ; W. W. Raymond, farmer, and wife ; Henry
B, Brewer, farmer, and wife ; Rev. Lewis H. Judson,
cabinet-maker, wife and three children ; Rev. Josiah
L. Parrish, blacksmith, wife and three children;
James Olley, carpenter, wife and children ; Hamilton
Campbell, wife and children ; David Garter, Miss
Chloe A. Clark, Miss Elmira Phillips, Miss Maria T.
Ware, Miss Almira Phelps, teachers; Miss Orpha
Lankton, stewardess; and Thomas Adams, the Chi-
nook whom Mr Lee had brought with him from
Oregon. The other Chinook, Brooks, had died.
It was on the 10th of October, 18."39, that the Lau-
sanne sailed. The mission family gath< red on the
''" Fry and Farnham not being able to furnisli a ship to bring out the mis-
sionaries for the price offered by the soeiety, thi; government paid fifty tlol-
lars adibtional for each person. Parrish, who relates this, says also that lie
waa not aware of this assistance by the government until he had been seven
years in Oregon. Or. Anecdotes, MS., 8.
Hist. Ok., Vol. I. 12
178
COLONIZATION.
I
H
1. 1
steamer which was to convey them to Sandy Hook,
where the ship was anchored. Assembled there were
many friends, and some strangers drawn thither by
curiosity regarding so unprecedented a missionary
exodus. ReHgious services were held conducted by
tlie reverend doctors Bangs and Anderson, secre-
taries of the American Board. Stronger to move the
heart than sound of brass or stretclied strings is tlie
music of the human voice; and as prayer and song
fell upon the ears of those excited by hopes and fears,
their souls were stirred within tlieni, and sobs, tears,
and embraces mingled with the farewell benedictions,
as the travellers stopped from the steamer to the
ship. No company ever sailed from that port whose
departure was watched with more interest by reli-
gious and political circles.
The ship reached the harbor of Honolulu on the 1 Itli
of April, 1840, where all disembarked, and were hos-
j)itably entertained until tltc 28th, when they set sail
for the Columbia River. During their sojourn, Lee
held a conference with Kamehameha III., relative
to an exchange of productions between the Islands
and Oregon, and an informal treaty of commerce was
entered mto, to the manifest pleasure of the king.-^
Before the Lausanne reached its destination, it may
be well to glance over the condition of things at the
Mission during Lee's absence. In June had occurred
the death of Mrs Lee, as previously related ; in A u-
gust White's hifant son was drowned, the first boy-'
•^nUnes' Hkt.Or.,m.
■•" From a comparison of dates, it appears that the first cliihl of white
parentage born ui Oregon was Alice Clarissa Whitman, born at Waiilatpu,
March 4, 1837, and drowned in the Walla Walla River June 22, 1838. .lason
Lee White was born in July 183(); he was eleven months old at the time of
his death. Lfeaiid Frwt's Or., 212. While canoes were the only means of trav-
elling by water, fatal accidents were not infre(iuent, which makes the coinci-
dence in the mode of death of the first two infants less notable. On the 15th
of September, 1837, Joseph Beers was I)orn, and in 1882 resitled in Marion Co.,
the oldest American native of Oregon. On the 15th of November, 18.37, a
daughter named Kliza was born to Mr and Mrs Spalding at Lapwai, and she
afterward married a Mr W^arren of Brownsville, Linn County. The next birth
was that of Jason Lee's son, June G, 1838, who died soon after, and who was
THE LCXilC OF RELKilON.
179
borii ii the Willamette ValU-y of AvJiite parentage.
This accident occurred at tlie cascades of the Colum-
bia, a canoe containing Mr and Mrs Leslie and Mrs
White and her infant being upset. Mrs White and
Mr Leslie escaped witli great difficulty.
The house occupied by Mr Leslie was burned in
December, with all the personal effects of the family,
a loss the more severe on account of his wife's serious
illness. Their pecuniary loss was met by the board.
An event of this year was the forming of the second
cattle company, numbering twenty-seven nien, under
the connnand of T. J. Hubbard. Its object, like that
of the first, was to bring cattle from California. In
pursuance of this plan, a party proceeded as far south
as Rogue River, where they were attacked by natives.
The men scattered in the mountains, some wounded
and suffering many hardships, but all finally reaching
the settlements.
Late in December protracted revival meetings were
held at the Mission, Mr Leslie preaching with earnest-
ness and power ; and besides his own daughters and
White's adopted son, there were added to the church
a number of the settlers and many of the natives.^
At the Dalles, Lee and Perkins found the effect of
their teachings very different from what they had
expected. It was easy for an Indian to believe in
miraculous power ; old superstitions concerning spirits
u-
lite
[HI,
son
of
iv-
ci-
ith
the fifth child, and third boy — though J. L. Parrish claims him for the first.
See an article in tl»e Riifrmle, a weekly newspaper published at Independence,
Oregon, June 1.3, 1879. On tlie 7th of December, 1838, a son was born to Mr
and Mrs Walker, at Waiilatpn, the first boy of white parentage in eastern
Oregon, or what is now Washington. Olynipia Travxrr'qH, Dec. 10, 1870;
Seattle Piirific Tribune, Dee. 1, 1870; CorndliH Gazette, June 23, 1876. A son
was l)orn to Mr and Mrs W. H. (Jray about this time. In the autumn of
1838 a daughter was born to Mr and Mrs 8hepard, named Anna Maria Lee,
and a son to Mr and J Irs Perkins.
'■"* Among the converts were James O'Neal, Cliarles Roe, S. < }. Campbell,
Baptiste Desportes McKay, J. P. Edwards, and Solomon Smith. Daniel Lee
.says: 'The scene was awful. Poor C. felt as if he was just falling into liell,
and with great earnestness besouglit the prayers of all present. Prayer went
up, and shouts of praise followed, for the soul of the i)risoner was soon re-
leased. About nine o'clock several of tlie boys and girls came rushing into
the room, fell upon their knees, and began crying aloud for mercy.' Lee owl.
Frost's Or., 107-8. Tlie excitement continued for some weeks.
i,
11
180
COLUNIZATION,
of good and i\\\], and their intlucnco on liuinan affairs,
]>r(.'pared them to aceept tlie Christian belief, hut in a
sense surprising to their teaehers. The })rinei])al point
in the Metliodist faith is tlie etticaey of prayer, whieli
was ini})ressed upon the minds of tlie Indians in their
first lessons, causing them earnestly and sincerely to
strive for tliat state whicji they inmgined necessary to
the working of the spell which was to hring them
their hearts' desires. On being disappointed, they
lost faith, antl reproached their teachers.
Said an Indian to Perkins, "I want a coat. Per-
kins replied, "You nmst work and earn one." "Oh,"
says the neophyte, " I was told if I took your religion,
and prayed for what I wanted to have, I should get
it. If I am to work for it, 1 can earn a coat at any
time of the Hudscm's Bay Company."'"
On one occasion a chief at the Cascades set adiift
a canoe belonging to Daniel Lee in order to sell him
one of his own. To secure his friendship and i)revent
a repetition of the theft, Lee presented him a musket,
which so affected the chief that when he met another
of the missionaries at Fort Vancouver he assured him
that his people now all obeyed Lee's instructions, and
as for himself, "his heait was full of pray."^" They
often stopped in the midst of their supplications to
demand pay for praying. ^^
In the autunm of 1831) the natives at the Dalles, by
this time convinced that prayer did not place them on
an equality in worldly goods with their teachers, be-
came so intrusive and connnitted so many thefts that
the missionaries began to fear for their lives ; and Dan-
iel Lee took the precaution to provide himself with
arms and annnunition from Fort Vancouver, intending
to garrison the mission house, and to resist any hostile
attempts. To his relief and astonishment on return-
ing to the Dalles he found Mr Perkins in the midst
of a "work of God," among the Indians. Several of
'^ /{(n/moiii/'.-) yof.cM, MS.
•'« Lee and Froxt's Or., 2:V).
^^Oriyon City Ar<nt», April 18, 1S.")7.
PKRKINS AT THE DALLES.
IHI
hth
illii'
Irii-
dst
of
the natives had begun to pray, and one was conveiied,
wliicli greatly encouraged Mr Perkins.
The meetings were continued all winter, Mr and
Mrs Perkins following up the good beginning and
visiting all the tribes along the river in their neigh-
borhood. In the spring a canip-nieeting was held
among the Kliketats, when twelve hundred Indians
were present, and during the winter and spring several
hundred, thought to be converted, were baptized and
admitted to connnunion.
The account of a large Indian church at the Dalles,
shortly afterward published in the east, ci'eated great
enthusiasm among religious people. But this was
hardly written before the converts began to fall fi-om
grace. A chief was killed by an enemy, and the
hearts of the Indians were cast down. "What was
the good of praying?" they asked. Their chief had
})rayed, and now he was dead. If prayer would not
avert death, why pray ? If they remained Christians
they would not be jiermitted to avenge the nmrder of
their relatives, or to fight their enemies; and though
Perkins restrained them at that time from violence,
they were not satisfied that it was the better way.
They assumed an importance, too, now that they were
Christians. Perkins sent away a native boy for some
misconduct, soon after which the boy died. This
became the occasion for demanding pay, as Perkins
was held responsible for the death of one of the
tribe. Their demands not being complied with, the
savages became insolent, and indemnified themselves
by stealing horses. They even pretended to be offend-
ed because they were not honored by a visit from the
superintendent cf the missions, from whom they
})r()babl3' ho})ed to receive presents for their efforts at
good behavior. To control these capricious natures
was beyond the power of any missionary.
nil
Elijah White was again afflicted by the death,
the l()th of August, 1839, of his adopted son,
182
COLONIZATION.
Goor^i' St()U«:flit<;nl)ur«^, who, while attomntiiijj^ to ford
the WiUainotto on horseback, about a nnlc bi'low the
Mission, was drowned. Tliat autumn Sliepard was
seriously ill with a scrofulous trouble, which necessi-
tated the amputation of Jiis lejy^; he did not lon^ sur-
vive the oi)eration, his death occurring on the 1st of
January, 1H40. For two years he had suffered from
the disease. He It^ft a wife and two infant dauj^hters."*''
Thus passed away from his work in the Methodist
Mission its most faithful and successful servant, whose
gentleness had won inm the hearts of all his asso
ciates. He was a larj^e, fine-looking man, but little
( )ver forty years of age at the time of Ins death. With
Shepard died all interest in tlie ho|)eless scheme of
educating the native children of the Willamette. We
cannot l)lame his associates for feeling its ho})elessness ;
to them it was a rootless Sahara, upon which the sun
miirht beat for centuries without bringing forth fruit
enough to feed a whii)p()orwill. And yet his was a
self-sacrificing, generous nature, that never lost faith
in the power of love to redeem the lowest humanity.
Such was tlie conditit)n of afiairs in tlie spring of
I 840. The Lausanne not arriving as early as was ex-
pected, Daniel Lee, wlio had been waiting a few days
at the Willamette Mission, grew impatient, for his be-
trothed was among the passengers, and he hastened
forward to meet tlie ship at its anchorage. Solomon
Smith accompanied him with his Clatsop wife, who
wislied to return to hei vwn ]>eople ns a missionary,
having experienced p danxtie of heart; and on the
IGth of May they startc '' on their trip, and held re-
ligious services with the Indians wherever they found
it convenient to land. They had just encamped on
the 21st of May at Chinook, when a vessel was seen
coining up the channel under Cape ])isappointinent,
and anchoring in Baker Bay. Lee lost no time in
going on board, and in meeting his uncle and the
'-He was born in Pliillipston, Massachusetts, August hi, 179'.).
SILENT CENSUKK. *88
srreat reenrorcomont. Miss Maria T. Ware was the
one ahovo all others whom he soui^ht; for to her he
had been eii«^agecl for some time, and on the 1 1th of
June following they were married.
Jason Lee, impatient over the necessary delay, and
anxious as to the acconnnodation of so larjjfe a company,
took a canoe and went in advance to the Mission.
When there he handed over the shi[)'8 list of passen-
}ifers, headed by the name of Mr and Mrs Jason Lee,
that he might notify liis old companions that he had
returned with another wife. He made no remark on
the subject, and nothing was said to him. Deeply
stirred had been the sympathies of his old associates
as they thought of his return to his desolate home;
and now the revulsion of feeling was so great that the
suprenviicy of Jason Lee in their hearts was thence-
forth a thing of the past.
on
lO
•e-
id
m
ni
t,
\n
le
9 ^
I;
CHAPTER VIII.
t'LOSE OF THE METHODIST REGIME.
1840-1841.
Settlement of CLATaop Plains — The Nisqually Mi.ssion Site — Daniel
Lee Returns East — T);e Willamette Station — Trials of Inex-
perienced Pioneers — Exploration of the Umpqua Valley — White
Determines to Leave Oueoon — Accident at the Falls — The Oregon
Institute — Plan to Drive McLouohlin from the Falls — Conduct of
Waller — Parts Played by Hastings and Abernethy — Ingratitude
and Trickery — Legality of Claimants to Oregon City — Lee Super-
seded BY George Gray — Progress of Colonization.
As soon as information of the arrival of the Lau-
sanne reached him, McLoughHn sent fresh bread,
butter, milk, and vegetables to meet the vessel in the
river; and on her arrival at Fort Vancouver, he in-
vited the whole ship's company to take tea with him.
The invitation was accepted by Captain Spaulding and
several others. On the following day rooms were
made ready for the whole fifty-three persons, who were
quartered and fed at Fort Vancouver during the
several weeks unavoidably spent before places could
be assigned them.^
Having acquainted himself with the existing con-
dition of the Mission and the territory, Jason Lee
allotted to tlu* colonists their several fields of labor.
The j)oints selected covered the places likely to be
of most importance in the country when the "United
States should extend jurisdiction t)ver it.
^ Journal of Spniirdiiiti, in ('. S. If. idpt. SSO, 27th Con;/., 2<1 Scmk.:
^nnn Norfhwi'Mf ('(vi.it, MS., 203; Mrljomihliit'-i I'rh'dti' I'lqx'fK, MS., 2(1
Ifini'M Omjon I {hi., IM>,
A miff-
Hcr 9;
ON THE CLATSOP Pl^AINS.
186
Before returning from the mouth of the river, Daniel
Lee had already accompanied Solomon Smith and
wife to Clatsop plains, where were good farming and
pasture lands, though not conveniently situated, being
eighteen miles from Astoria, and reached by eight
miles of rather routrh water in Meriwether Bav, or
as it is now c^alled. Young Bay, and ten miles of land
journey among alternate marshes and sand-dunes.
But as Americans foresaw that a city would be built
at the entrance of the Columbia, few considerations
would weigh against the importance of securing this
location. Daniel Lee and Frost were accordingly de-
tailed to erect a station on the Clatsop plains. Lee
seems to have preferred staying at the Dalles, and
Frost spent most of the summer between the missions
and the forts of the fur company, apparently waiting
for some one to provide a pleasant place for him.
At length, after his family had been a long time
the guests of Mr Birnie^ at Astoria, Kone was sent
as associate, and they set to work with the aid oi
Solomon Smith to prepare a residence among the
Clatsops ; but having only Smith to assist them, and
Frost being afraid of canoes, bears, savages, and, in
a general ANay, of everything not to his liking, they
made little progress, and the autunni rains came on
before the green log house was ready for use, or
the Mission goods Iiad been brought from Astoria.
However, by tl. j time the Decembor storms had set
in, with the st; ong south-west winds and Hoods of
rain, they h.'d ct)mfortable covering; but at night
their floor was often covered with sleeping Indians of
the filthiest habits, and through the leaky roof the
water came down upon their beds. Tliese trials wore
increased by the difficulty of getting to Astoria i'or
supplies, the marshes being overflowed and the }>laiMs
a quagmire Fortunately, about Christmas they were
reenforced by Calvin Tibbets, wlio had determined to
.settle near the sea-coast, and l>v a negro named Wal-
•See Porlhii'l lUiHn 0)-fijnv!»». T)nr. >2\) ISU: n^lifrU' Ih-c, MS., 100.
186
CLOSE OF THE METHODIST REGIME.
lace, a deserter from the American brig Maryland,
then in the river.
With this help the missiona^'es began to explore
for a road to the landing which should be on firm
ground ; instead of which, they found upon the shore
of the Columbia, about half-way between Young
Bay and Point Adams, four miles from their house,
a convenient place for building ; and it was decided
The Clatsoi* Ccjstry.
that it would be better to remove to this place, where
supplies could be brought all the way in boats, than
to make a road to the locality first selectetl. Upon
this idea Frost, Kone, Smith, and Tibljets at once
counnenced preparations for building. By the lOtli
of February, 1841, a one-story log hous \ twenty by
thirty feet, floored and roofed with rougli lumber from
the Fort Vancouver mill, was ready tor oocujiation,
AFFAIRS AT CLAT80P.
187
and thither the families and goods were removed.
Mrs Kone, wlio had been ill, wa.s carried in a chair
the greater part of the way, while Mrs Frost and
the children walked, there being as yet no horses or
cattle on the plains, and the distance by the beach,
tlie only practicable route, being seven miles.
As soon as the household goods were transported
to the new place, Smith and Tibbets put up cabins
near the mission house, and the settlement of Clatsop
may be said to have begun,^ especially as Smith set
about cultivating a vegetable garden on tlie plains
as soon as spring opened; and with much difficulty
l)rought down two horses by boat from tlie V/illa-
mette settlements.
During tlie sunnner, Frost and Solomon Smith
explored a route to the Willamette l)y way of the
coast and the Tillamook country. So far as known,
no white men had visited this part of the coast since
180(), when Captain Clarke partially exploretl it, and
the trail from Tillamook Bay to the Willamette Val-
ley was then known to the Indians only. But Smith
and Frost, with an Indian guide, reached the settle-
ments in safety at the end of two weeks, and drove
back to Clatsop by the same route some cattle and
horses, to stock the plains of that excellent grazing
region.
'-> In November of this vcar, in view of his wife's
iiealth, Mr Kone applied for permission 'to return to
tlie states, which was granted, and he took leave of
Oregon I "ter a residence of a ycuir and a half, leaving
i:<) grand acliieveinent, and harboring in his breast no
regrets for his lost occupation. Before leaving, he
had been detailed to superintend tlie mission farm
opened at (^latsop, and a lionse was in process of
erection for liim, at the original spot cliosen by Lee
and Frost, on the plains. In 1842 Mr Raymond and
family, with Miss Phillips, occupied this house, and
took charge of the farm. Frost also nniioved thither
' niaW Xar., U. S. K-rplor. Ex., W. 'MX.
ibS
CLOSE OF THP: METHODIST RECJIME.
u; V
in August of uliis year. Auotliei settler at Clatsop
arriving about this time was Peter Braiiiard, a young
man who canie from California with Calvin Tibbets,
who brought thence a small band of cattle which was
driven to Clatsop plains.* This was the second cattle
expedition in which Tibbets had been concerned, and
it added much to the prosperity of that portion of
the country. Tibbets and Smith now built themselves
houses on the plains, which with the farming improve-
ments gave the j)lace an air of permanent occupation.
In February 1843, Frost requested and received
his discharge from the Mission. He was suffering
from a d H.as?e of the throat which unfitted him foi'
exposure, ..i . which Mrs Frost, a kindly and cheer-
ful woman b , ture, was much broken down and dis-
couraged. They sailed for California and the island of
Oahu, August 14, 1843, on the bark Diamond, Captain
Fowler, of Scarborough, England, leaving J. L. Par-
rish as principal of the Clatsop mission.
The actual mission work performed among the
Clatsops was small, for what has been said of the
Willamette people is true of the Clatsops, nothing-
could exceed their degradation. When Frost and
Kone had been long enough among them to discover
their character, they were glad to avoid them, though
when they came in the way, which was sekU)m, they
"Vvore instructed for conscience' sake.^'
During the previous year a mission station had
been begun near Fort Nisqually, on Puget Sound, by
Willson. And now Kichmond and family are sent
thither, Miss Clark accompanying them. It is meet
that Miss Clark and Willson should marry, therefore
they marry. The site of the Nisqually mission was
well chosen for an American settlement north of the
* Lee ami FroH'x Or. , 'A'2i.
■' Wilkin' A'<ii:, U. S. E.rphr. Kr., iv. ."^4. Piirrish, who succeeded Frost,
Imt who is an oxtreiiie fidvocate of tlie excellence of aboriginal character, says:
' I liave seen as bright converts among the Indians as the whiter, and that,
too, among the Clataoiis." Or. Amritotcx, MS., 'M.
THE NISQUALLY MISSION.
189
Columbia, particularly if the primary object was to
curb the pretensions of the Puget Sound Agricultural
Company.
A comfortable log house was ready for the reception
of Richmond's family, and a tract of land was claimed
on the creek between the fort and the sound. The
place had many attractions, lying on the l^orders of
a beautiful prairie skirted with flowering wild shrub-
bery, and divided from the sound by a belt of magnifi-
cent timber. In the vicinity was a picturesque lake
where Wilkes celebrated the Fourth of July in 1841,
and gave it the name of American Lake, which it
still be rs.«
The neighborhood of the fort, and of the large
Steilacoom farm, held for sheep-raising by an English-
min named Heath, under a lease from the Hudson's
Bay Company, redeemed the spot from the loneliness
and savagery which made the Clatsoj^ plains at first
such an uninviting field. But for agricultural purposes
the plain on which the mission was situated wns almost
worthless, being a bed of gravel covered with a light
soil, soon exhausted, and requiring more rain to bring
a crop to maturity than fell there during the summer.
It was not the want of success in farming which
caused Richmond to ask for his discharge at the end
of two years ; but because the })rospect of usefulness
amonjjf the natives would not warrant his remainint>-
as a missionary," and he had not enlisted to spend his
time and talents as a fa^-nur. His family had suffered
from the acclimatizing process, aggravated by the in-
conveniences of their rude manner of living; and on
the 1st of September, 1842, he left for home in the
American vessel Clioiatnai^, bound for Newl)uryp()rt,
and the Nisqually mission was not long afterward
*The lake \v;»a never formally named; but on account of the American
eolebratiou ami the residence of the missionaries, wjw callotl Aniericau^Lake,
and sometimes Kichmoiul liake, by the settlers of the I'uget Sound Comiiany.
The prairie was also called the American Plains; and by the natives, 'Boston
lUehee ' Kiyiiis' PtiyoUiip Ailt/n-sx, in Xi'tr Tucoma Lidijvr, .July l*, 1880.
'/,('(; (i)nl Front's Or., W'lW.
190
CLOSE OF THE METHODIST RECilME.
abandoned. In tlie same vessel sailed Mr Whitconib
and family of the Willamette mission, liis health being
so broken that it was doubtful if he would live to
finish the voyage.
At the Dalles, Lee, Brewer, and Mrs Perkins con-
tiimcd to labor at mission work and farmini; for three
years after the arrival of the great reenforcement ; but
in August 1848, Daniel Lee with his wife went east
in the same vessel with Frost. At the same time Di'
Babcock dissolved his connection with the Mission,
and went with his family on a voyage to the Hawaiian
Islands. Toward the close of the summer of 1844
Perkins, after Shepard the most faithful missionary
of the Methodists in Oregon, also returned to the
UniteJ States, and the station at the Dalles, now no
longer byany construction worthy to be called a mission,
was pliced in charge of the Rev. A. F. Waller.
Mrs Shej)ard, after a year or more of widowhood,
married J. L. Whitcomb, superintendent of the niis-
r.ion farms, a worthy man. Mrs Leslie, who had had
two daughters since her arrival in the country, lingered
in a feeble condition until February 1841, when she
died, leaving to her husband the care of five girls, the
oldest of who'n was fourteen. Had the missionaries
been as well acquainted with the needs of their bodies
as they were with those of their souls, it would have
been better for themselves, their families, and their
undertakings altogether. But they knew no more of
hygiene, and its infiuence on the human spirits, than
most other excellent people of the same day and cul-
tivation, and they suffered accordingly.
Let us now return to tlie parent Mission, and follow
its fortune from tlie year 1840 It was soon evident
to the mind of Jason Lee that a better locality than
French Prairie, for both missionary and colonization
purposes, might be found. The French Canadians still
owed allegiance to Fort Vancouver. A society ot
CHEMEKETA PLAIN.
191
low, illiterate half-breeds was not the best soil in
which to plant American institutions. Let him have
something apart from all the world, plenty of room,
plenty of agricultural land, with some commercial
facilities if jDossible, and he would clear the ground
for a commonwealth of intelligent freemen such as
God would delight to prosper. If there were another
Columbia River that he might occupy like McLough-
lin, placing the natives under tribute, temporal and
spiritual, holding the key to the interior by means of
a metropolis on the bank of a stream into which ocean
vessels might easily enter and depart, with a nobler
ambition than to collect the skins of wild beasts, with
loftier aims than to keep the country and its inhabi-
tants wild and primitive, and stay the hand of progress
— in such a case, on this western shore he might rivjd
Raleigh, Smith, Penn, or any &f the great founders
of empire on the eastern seaboard.
But unfortunately the River Umpqua was not like
the Columbia; it offered no safe refuge for the tieets
of nations, no site suitable for a commercial metropo-
lis. It is true, there were savages present, however
averse to conversion, and these might serve as capital
in enlisting money and recruits among the religious
people of the east. But something more than money
and recruits was needed if success was to attend his
efforts; there must be good land, and pleasant sur-
roundhigs, and all the conditions stimulating to prog-
ress. Thus in pursuance of the grand scheme, more and
more 2)ossessing him, prior to his departure for the east
Jason Lee had selected his position where there was
land enough, and all other absolute requirements of the
ambitious superintendent, the fine harbor, the magnifi-
cent river, alone forgotten by nature, being wanting.
The spot thus chosen was a large and fei-tile plain,
south of the original site, and only ten miles tlistant.
The place was called by the natives Chemeketa, that
is to say, 'Here we Rest.'^ In front, on the west,
^BrotvH'n Willamette Vol., MS., I'J
I
192
(LOSE OF THE METHODIST REdlME,
fiowed the Willamette between banks verdant with
lowland vegetation. Beyond rose the beautiful Polk
county hills, while to the south-east was the line of the
Waldo heights, whose softer crests melted into the hori-
zon. On the east a forest stretched away toward the
purple shadows of the Cascade Range, overtopped
here and there by a snowy peak ; groves of ^r and
oak at intervals studded the great plain toward the
north. A stream furnished mill privileges; and the
whole was central to the great Valley Willamette.
The late reenforcenient, except the portion detailed
elsewhere, as hereinbefore narrated, had been reserved
for service at French Prairie, and to his new and
charming Place of Rest, on his return from the east,
Jason Lee immediately removed his people. Between
two thousand and three thousand acres were selected,
and a part put un^er cultivation, but owing to the
scarcity of men accustomed to farm labor and to the
inexperience of those present, they were obliged to
leave the larger part untouched. A mill was greatly
needed, and nearly the whole summer was ct)nsumed
in getting milling and farming machinery on the
ground.^ And when the mill was there, the mission-
aries could not put it together. The stones were set
running the wrong way, and when at work threw out
all the wheat.^" The sagacious sui)erintendent had
^ ' We were three or four months before we had finy of the conveniences of
living, tliough we lia<l a tieet of five canoes plying between the Mission an<l
Fort Vancouver, where the cargo of the Laii-taiuie was lying. There were so
many of us, and the cargoes had to be so light in tlie canoes, that it was a
little for this family and a little for that family, and a little for the other.
We did not fetch any furniture of any amount, because we brought a cabinet-
maker, a cliair-maker, and such like. There was not a board in the ccmntry.
Everything liad to be takcsn out of the fir-trees. Our supplies were brought
in the canoes to t'hampoeg, and then we had to get them up by horses and
wagons to tlie Mission, twenty miles above. Well, you start one of those men
down with a team toC'hampoeg, and if after loading up, a whipple-tree broke,
or the hol^l-back to the M'agon, or anything of that kind, he had not the fir.st
idea of how in fix it up, and abandoned the whole thing on tlie prairie.' Par-
i-i.i/i'.i Or. A iii'rt/offs, ^IS., 10, til). Wilkes reporte<l finding farm machinery
and other valuable property, which the society in tlie east had paid for, ex-
posed to the weather and uncared for about the Mission premises.
'" Parrish says further, that for a long time he used to get as good flour out
of a large coffee-mill he had brought with him as could be made at the mill;
and that ' half the mcu who came to Oregon ought to have btayed at home..
LEE AMON(i THE UMPtjUAS.
iit:{
the
ight
and
ineii
)ke,
first
\ir-
lery
ex-
out
lill;
leared some such results from t)ie employineiit of
preac'lier-mechanics, and had insisted on bringing out
a majority of laymen ; but the board had thought
preachers were wanted for missionary work, and mis-
sionary work was their first consideration, while the
dominant idea in the mind of Jason Lee was now
material develoj)ment.
As soon as possible the manual-labor school was
removed to the new location, that the Indian boys
might be made useful on the farm. This 8cht)ol now
numbered twenty-five, and the colonists were too busy
to instruct these young natives, had they so desired.'^
It was impossible to complete the work of removal
the first year, or even the second, or until a saw-mill
should be in operation, it behig the intention to build
larger and better houses than those at French Prairie.
Of those at the latter place the largest and the best
was the hospital, now completed, a frame edifice two
stories high, with a double piazza, in which the Mis-
sion steward, Abernethy, and three other families,
were comfortably domiciled.
After starting the new settlement of Chemeketa
plain, which went by the name of "The Mill," for want
of a better, Jason Lee set out to select a location among
the lTmp{|uas, intending even yet to make a settle-
ment at the mouth of their river. In company with
White and Hines he proceeded without difficulty or
adventure as far as Fort Um])qua, at the junction of
Elk Creek and the Umpqua lliver,^^ where they were
entertained at the house of Gagnier, agent in charge
They knew nothing about tlie liardsliips of a new country ; and the hardsliips
WL'i'e sucli that they oould not endure tlieni.' He pays i handsome tribute to
tlie women, saying that they were 'noble, splendid woirien, who stootl right
U[) to their duties as well ;is the men.' Having to eat boiled wheat for a
year was nothing compared to the loss of society, which waa their greatest
trial. Or. Anecdoh'.t, MS., 2().
"Wilkes saj's that in 1841 no tixed plan c>f operations had yet been
digested, and tliat the boys, nearly grown up, were ragge<l and half-clothed,
lounging about under the trees. IVilkcn' N<ir., U. S. E.rplor. Ex., iv. ^iTS-D.
^^ White relates that on arriving at the top of Elk Mountain, a vm-y sharp
and rough ridge, Hines arose in his stirrups, and exclaimed in a very earnest
manner : ' My wife never climbs this mountain !' W/u/v'd Tea Ycar^ In Or,, 127.
Hist. On., Vol. I. i;i
_-.uq^4- ^
'('?
f
l\)i
CLOSE OF THE METHODIST RE(iIME.
of the fort.'"' From this point White returned to the
Mission, and Lee and Hincs continued their journey
toward the coast,
Hines, who is the journahst of this expedition, par-
ticularly mentions that Gagnier was unwilling that
they should go alone amongst the coast tribes, telling
them of Jedediah Smith's adventure near the mouth
of the river. It happened, however, that while the
The UiaryUA Kivkk.
subject was under discussion, a party of natives ar-
rived at the fort from the coast, in charge of a brother
of Gagnier's Indian wife ; and Lee proposed that this
bellow should go with them as guide, and to explain
the object of their visit. It was finally agreed that
the wife of Gagnier should also be of the party ; and
i^Fort Umpqua at this period was a substantial stoiv.house of hewr slabs,
a miserable dwelling, .and a barn eiielosed in a stockade. About eighty acres
of land were enclosed, l)nt very little improvement of any kind was ever made
at this post, the farming being confined to cultivating a few vegetables and
raising cattle. C. S. Eo., II, B. Co. Claims, 12-?4, 21-3.
KOUT U.Ml'QUA.
193
with these two guides and interpreters Lee and Ilines
proeeeded.
Tlie oliservations ujion the river, the st-enerv, and
tlie facilities for settU'n»ent in Hines' journal are clear
and to the j)oint. No difficulties were found in reach-
ing their destination, the natives seeming well disposed
toward their visitors, who held their devotional ser-
vices with the hands among whom they encamped,
and found them easily impressed, and apt at imitating
the forms of devotion.
On aniving at the coast, where were three small
villages, they i)itched their tent at a little distance
from the larger one, and through their interpreter
asked an audience. Mrs Gaijfnier delivered the ad-
dress of Lee, explaining the character and pur])()se of
his mission to them, and asked for an expression of
their wishes in the matter.'^
Hines says the natives appeared solemn and showed
a desire to learn; hut he hardly danxl hope they
understood nmch, tliough they appeared interested.
The prayers impressed them, and the singing of
Heber's missionary liynm drew fixed attention. Lee
promised them a teacher in the following summer,
and the two missionaries then returned to Fort
Umpqua,^'' where they found Gagnier much alarmed
for their safety.
A chief of the tribe at the fort had seen a patent
** The chief's troubled conscience seems to present itself, as he says: ' ( ireat
chief! we are very much pleased with our lands. We love this world. Wo
wish to live a j^reat wliile. We very much desire to hucome old men before
we die. It is true we have killed many people, but we never have kdled any
but bad people. Many lii^s have been told about us. We have been culled
a bad people, and we are glad you liave come to see for yourselves. We liave
seen .some wlnte people before, but they came to get our beavr "one ever
came before to instruct us. We are glad to see you. We wan' 1- i;'n. We
wish to tlirow away bad things and become good.' This wius spoken with
violent gestures and genutlections, rising on tiptoe, and stretching his lumdM
;.l)ove liis liead, then bending almost to the earth. J/ini:t' Orcijnii Hist., ]()4-r).
'■* Hines remarks upon the counti'y: 'We found but little land ah)ng the
river wliieh liolds out any inducement to emigrants, the country on both sides
becoming more ami more mountainous. Whatever the country may be back
from the river, it is certain that along the stream it can never sustain nmch
of a population. Hills upon lulls and rocks piled u})oi>. rocks characterize
almost tlie whole distance from Fort Umpipui to the I'acitic Ocean. ' lliiici'
omjoii Hist., mi
I'.Mi
CLOSH 01" THK .MKTHOKlST UKCI.MK.
shot-poudi wliirli Loo woro aUout liis luick, and l>o
lievod it a had uiodioino with which ho intondod t(»
kill thoni all. (laj^iiior's wit'o know this, and with
hor hrothor kopt watch throu^ifh the wholo nit^ht,
novor porniittini^ tho canip-firo to y^o out, or hor eye-
lids to closo.^" It was not strange that those savajj^es
should he ahirniod at the shoi-|)ouoh. Like tho trihes
of the Columbia, they hnd suflerod from such fatal
tliseases since white nu^u came as to liavo heen nearlv
sw(;pt from tho earth. Hines tells us that all ho could
obtain knowlodi^e of in that part of the country wore
no inore than three hundred and soventy-fivt! souls,
and ox})resses his conviction that tho doom of extinc-
tion is over this wretched race; and that the hand of
Providence was removin*^ them to oivo place to a
])oo})le more woi-thy of so beautiful and fertile a coun-
try — a doctrine comfortinj^' to tho missionary who
fails to perceive its unfair roHection on Providence.
With such convictions, it was scarcely to be expected
that a mission should prosper anywhere; so after
hasty exploration of the Ump(|ua Vallo}', the ff
sionaries returned home, and the subject of a statL
in that quarter was droj^ped.''
Soon after his return from the Umpqua country, a
misundorstandinti^ arose between Jason Lee and Elijah
White. The reason of the rupture remains some-
what of a mystery. White himself said it was an
honest difference of opinion in relaticin to the best
way of carrying on the Mission work.^^ The truth is,
'* Gray, iliat most mendacious missior.ary, makes f tagnior an jigent of the
Hudson's Bay (.'ompany for the killing of Hines and Leo, ami to render more
plausible his horrible hypothesis, he twice falsely cpiotes from Hines.
" A newspaper at the Sandwieii Islands, commenting on the secular nature
of the work m the Willamette Valley, said: 'As settlers we wish theni every
success, but advise them to drop the missionary in their connnunications,
nowadays.' /'oli/>ics!iiii, Nov. '21, 1S41.
"* Whiten Tt'ii Yciirt ill Or., l.'?!. Parrishimore pointetlly ascribes it to a
misappropriation of the Mission funds in Lee's absence. Or. Anecdotes, MS.,
108. ( Jray, who hated White, assigns, dishonesty, treachery, libertinism, etc.,
as the reasons which brought about the difference. Jii.^l. Or., 175; and Ray-
mond accuses him of improper relations with the Indian girls of the Mission
school. Soks of a Talk; MS., 4. AVilkes says that he was told, when in Ore-
LKE AND WHITES yLAUKEL.
1D7
tliat White, wlu) was prono to take tho upper hand,
led L(\><lie, tho superintendent of tho work, to spend
nioro money in l)uikUn<^ the hospital than was ap-
proved of hy Lee, who had otiier uses for tho nu)noy.
The disa<?reenient ended in tho resignation of White,"
who took j)assa<:;'e for homo in the Lausaime, in the
summer of 1840. As a penalty for being too nmeh
influenced by White, Leslie was left without an ap-
pointment, and consequently without a salary, when
tlie next annual meetin<( of the society came round.
The affair was unfortunate for the superintendent.
White presented himself to the board, and pleaded
his cause, which resulted in having liis expenses paid,
though he was censured for deserting his i)ost without
leave from the board. Then he quietly resumed his
former practice. Letters received by the Ijxusanne
from Kichmond, Kone, and others, comfirmed the un-
favorable impression which > hite was able to give
of the superintendent's course.
In these dissensions, which arose soon after the
assignment of the reiinforcement to their several
])laces, Hines, Waller, Abernethy, and Parrish, with
the laymen (nnployed in the Willamette Valley and in
the more favorable locations, appeared on the side of
the superintendent, while the others arrayed them-
selves against him. Probably dissatisfaction with
their circumstances had much to do with this ill feel-
ing. Some complained that they were not allowed to
visit the Missicm in the Willamette, or their missionary
predecessors, before being sent to the wilderness to
hew out uncomfortable homes. But Lee knew t!>e
value of time, and the necessity of providing shelter
and getting: established before winter, and had cause,
besides, to fear that if they saw the Willamette
Valley they might Jiot go so willingly to another
quarter. The misunderstandings which disturbed
fjon, that White had been of iimch service to the countrj'. WUh's' Xar., U. S.
JC.rphr. Ex., iv. 375.
'"-( Coyy of a Document, in Or. Plonvr Aaxoc. Tntnx., 1880, 50.
198
CLOSE OK THE METllOmST REAilME.
the liarnioiiy of the Mctliodist colonists arose to a
i^reat degree from the unavoidable tiials (*f a new
settlement in the hands of inex[)erienced persons.
It does not appear, from anything discovei-ed in the
writings of the missionaries, that Jason Lee told his
{issooiates of his correspondence with agents of the
government. Had the disaffected members of the
Mission known that they had been used to carry out
a colonization project, some expression of their resent-
ment on finding themselves the victims of so worldly
an artifice would somewhere appear. But the colo-
nization scheme is never alluded to as a cause of their
disappointment.^"
White hr.vinu: resitrned, Babcock was called from
the Dalles to the Willamette, where the usual summei-
sickness was dioabling the Mission. Chills and fever,
ending in a low typhoid, prostrated the white popula-
tion and carried off the nativcs.^^
'-■" Frost ,.iiy;! tliat lie does not in tlio ioast regri't that ho etiihark'Ml in the
enterprise, iiltliough in the three jears lie remained in Orej^on lie nuijed his
healtli for life, for he believes he aeconii>lisheil some go<>(l to the Imliaiis by
preventing murders, which were formerly freijuent amongst the"i. Arc din/
/''/•(Mt'.i Or., .S31-2. Hines, who wrote later, when more was known ab'.iit the
facts, excuses the fraud on the missionarv society l>y explain!. ig that the
Indians Lee expected to teach nearly all dieil during his visit east. Orm/oii
lliM., '2'M\.
■-' I'arrish says 500 Indians died in the Willamette Valley in 1S40. Un-
doubtedly an over-estiiii.i.t-j, as this nundier of Iniliana enuld not bi found
within the range of observation of t!?" missionaries in that valliiy. ih\ Aiivr-
i/i)/(K, MS., ;<,■). Of the personal atl'airs of i,!'.'^ missionaries from 1S40 to 1S4S,
I have gleaned the following: In the summer of 1840 .f. L. I'arrish lost, his
il'lest son by the prevailing fever. On the ISth of January, 1841, a daughter
was born to Mr and Mrs Perkins. On the Kith of February of the same year
l>avid CartiT of the late reeiiforeement married Miss ()r]iha Lankton of the
lianie. Miss l..ankton was daughter of Abra and Tiiankful Lankton of IJur-
lington, Connecticut, i)ora ()i:tober '2, ]80(). Mr Carter died in 18411 or KSoO,
and Mrs Carter again marrieil Rev. John McKiiniey of tlu' .Methoilist eliurch.
.She liad three sons by ]h\v lirst husband, oiie died at So lavill j, Linn ( 'ounty,
Septend)er 'JC, 1873. I'ortiuiil I'. C. Ai/mnif,; Nov. V.i, IST,'?. On the 'JlJd of
March Mrs Oaniel Lee presented lu'r husband with a son, who was named
\Vilb\ir Fisk. It was about this time that Mi' Wliiteomb married Mrs Slicp-
ard. On the Ctli of .May, a young man named .biseph Holiiian, whom I shall
have occasion to mention in another place, and whoarrivi.'il ;it Fort Vaneomer
on the ihiy the rceiiforeeiiielit laiKled, iiiarritNl .Miss .Uinira lMiel])s of the
mission family. Miss I'iielps was born July '_",), 1814, at S[iringlield, Mas-
sachusetts, and ediieated at \Vilbraliani Academy in that .^tate. .Mrs Kolman
died at Salem, Oregon, t)etober '2;\, 1874. Su'lcin Mcrriin/, Oct. '2'A, 1.S74;
IWtbuid Adivciiiv, Nov. 1,'i, 1874. On the 'J8th of Fel r.iary, 1S4U, Mrs Jason
I
A SAD CALAMITY.
109
Jii-
11(1
".*•
lis
Ut
ar
lu'
ir-
r.(i,
ii.
y.
(if
About the 1st of September of this year, CorneHus
Rogers, who had reiiioved from the Presbyterian mis-
sions of eastern Oregon to the Willamette Valley,
married Satira Leslie, a girl of fifteen years, eldest
daughter of David Leslie. The marriage took })lace
under circumstances at once trying and romantic.
Mr Leslie, having lost both his wife and his salary as
a member of the Mission, was nmch conc(?rned about
his future, and thinking that in st)me way a voyage to
the Islands, where ho would place his elder daughters
in school, would help to settle matters for him, made
arrangements to embark with his family in the brig
Chenamas, the same vessel in which Richmond, Whit-
comb, and Bailey, with other families, left Oregon in
Sopteml)er 1842. Rogers' jn'oposal came at the last
moment, and the marriage took place on, board the
(lienamas; and it was there arranged that the two
older girls should accompany their father, while the
two younger should remain in the country with their
married sistei
Rogers returiiod to +he Mission with his wife and
the two children, and prepared tt) remove to the Wil-
lanjotte Falls. During the winter Raymond arrived
from Clatsop to ])roeure sui)plies for that station, whicli
were to be carried in a large; canoe belonging to the
^Mission, and in which Rogers determined to emlniik
for the falls, with his wife and her youngest sister.
Dr White, who liad lately retui-ned to ()reg()n, and
Nathaniel Crocker, of Lansingville, New York, who
Lt'(.' gave liirtli to a (laughter, siion after wliicli .><l)c died, leaving to the stiper-
iiiteiideiit only his infant girl as the fruit of two marriages. I'his child was
named Luey Anna Afaria, after hoth of Jjee's wives, and was taken ehiirue of
liy Mrs nines, to whom she heeame as a daughter. Her own mother, w^iosc
maiden name was Liuy Thompson, and who was from liiirre, X'ermont, W'as
huried in tiio eenietry at t'.ie new mission, to wliieii plaee and to tiie same
grave were removed the remains of that Anna Maria after wlio." tiie eiiild M'as
named. Miss Ijce was edueated at tiie Oregon Institute and Willamette Uni-
versity, in whieli she was emjjloye 1 as a teaelu^r for several years. When ahout
twenty-two years old she marrie(i Francis M. (iruhlis, another teacher, and
taught with him in the university and ;''>eral other Methodist scliools. Her
constitution was delicate, and she died in 1S81 at t!ie l)alles, at the age of
thirty-nine years. J/iinn' Or. I/ixf., Itlil; Umix' Or. uml /iis/i/ii/ii>ni, 240, '247,
-.")7; Iiuli'iK-ndrniri', Or., Riwrsidv, June !.'{, 187',t; S. 1. Fri'wl, iv. iui.
f
200
I l-OSK OF THE METHODIST REGIME.
Iiad also lately arrived in the country, l)eing desirous
of seeing the mouth of the Columbia, decided tt)
accompany Raymond to Clatsop.
A sad calamity awaited them. The Willamette
was running with great force, the winter rains having
swollen its flood. On coming to the rapids above
the falls the passengers all left the canoe, which
was thereupon let down with a rope to a point near
the landing, where Mr and Mrs Rogers, Aurelia
Leslie, White, and Crocker, with four Indians, again
entered it. Raymond and three Indian^ lemained
on shore to hold the line while the canoe dropped
down to the proper landing. It passed this by a slioi-t
distance, and was brought alongside a large log, used
us a landing. As White touched the shore v/ith one
foot he endeavored to hold the canoe with the other,
but the slight impetus given it by his fir-st movement,
and the force of the current catching the l)ow, wJiich
Avas up stream, threw the canoe out into tlie river,
which was moving on toward the cateract with resist-
less power.
It was in vain that those on shore endeavored to
cling to the ro])e. They were drawn into the water,
and forced to relinquish their hold to save them-
selves. Then the freed craft darted like an arrow
toward the fatal verge; a cry of anguish went u[)
from the doomed, the plunge was made, and five white
[)ersons and two Indians descended hito the rocky
vortex from which none of them ever issued alive.
Only two of the bodies were recovered, those of
Rogers and Crocker. Two of the Indians sprang
into the water wlusn the danger wan first })erceived,
and gained the shore.
Tliis event occurred February 4, 1843, and threw
a gloom over the whole Mission colony. The previous
December James Olley, local preacher and carpenter
to the ^lission, while endeavt)ring to raft some logs to
the mill, to make lumlKT for finishing his house, had
been drowned in the Willamette. The loss of life bv
ORK(;ON IN.STITUTK
201
sickness and accident in the Mission circle in the space
of five years was thirteen, ten being in the Hush of
youth and prime of hfe, while three of them were chil-
dren. When to these is added the mortality among the
Indians and half-breeds, the impression might be that
the climate was deadly. Yet the climate of Oregon
has since been ])roven exceedingly salubrious ; and to
the causes of disease already enumerated, there seems
nothing more to add except the theory advanced b}'
some writers, that a disease when newly introduced
into a country is most virulent.'^
Meanwhile tlie superintendent is perfectino' his
plans for the foundation of a Methodist state. At
the first annual meeting of the Methodist society in
May 1841, a committee is appointed to select a loca-
tion for the manual-labor school, which is chosen
not far from the Mission mills, on the southern bor-
der of the Chemeketa plain. Here a building costing
ten thousand dollars is erected, in which an Indian
school is kept for about nine months, begiiming in the
autumn of 1842, which comes to a clos^ through the
causes long tending in this direction.-"
The education of the children '"f the missionaries
and settlers, now twenty in number, is a subject more
pleasing to contemplate than tli<i education of the
natives. On the 17th of January, 1842, a meetiny: is
held at the house of Jason Lee, who is now living at
the new settlement, to pre[)are for the establishment
of an educational institution for the benefit of whitr
children, and a committee appointed to call a public
meeting and prepare the way; the committee to con-
sist of J. L. Babcock, Gustavus Hines, and Davit!
Leslie, the last named having returned from tlie
Islands in April, by the fur company's vessel IJavut.
Captain Nye. The meeting is held on tlie 1st of
Februai'v followiiii'', at the t)ld mission house on
'" /htnriii's I'oi/tti/)' roiiii(f t/ic W'orlil, i.SI -(>.
'^ Craii'J'or(/'/i MinKioiKiricx, MS., 4; J/iiicn' fh\ nii'l lustitutmiis, ItiO.
202
CLOSE OF THE METHODIST REGIME.
French Prairie, and it is decided to begin at once to
lay the foundation of this institution. The name
selected is the Oregon Institute ; and the first board
of trustees are Jason Lee, David Leslie, Gustavus
Hines, J. L. Parrish, L. H. Judson, George Aber-
nethy, Alanson Beers, Hamilton Campbell, and J. L.
Babcock,
Present at this meeting is the Rev. Harvey Clark,
an independent Presbyterian missionary, who is then
living on the Tualatin plains, and about whom more
will be said by and by. This gentleman exhibits
nuieh interest in education, and is put upon a com-
mittee with Lee, Hines, Leslie, and Babcock to select
a location. Their choice falls on a beautiful situation,
at the southern end of French Prairie ; but owing to
a deficiency of water, this spot is abandoned for a
plain known s the Wallace Prairie, about three miles
north from the mill, on an eminence half a mile south
of the farm of one Baptiste Delcour, and near a fine
spring of water.
Having |)roceeded thus ftir, a prospectus is drawn
up on the Dth of March, and a constitution and by-
laws on the 15th."* Soon $4,000 is pledged, in sums
-* This constitution and by-laws may be found in full in Jlhics' Oreijon and
il.1 liixtiliilioiix, 143-51, a work of SOO pages, duvoted to .'vdvcrtising the Wil-
lamette University. It was puldished in New York in 1808. By the first
article the institute is j)lai:ed forever under the supervision of some religious
denomination. By tlie second it is maile an academical boarding school, until
it sliall be expedient to make it a university. Tho thinl declares that tlio ob-
ject of the institution is to educate tiie children of white men ; but no persori
shall be excluded on account of color wlio possesses a good moral character,
and can read, write, and speak tlie English languiige intelligibly. The re-
ligious society whicli shall first pledge itself to sustain tiie institution is by
article fourth entitled to elect once in three j'ear.s nine directors, two thirds
of whom shall bo members of this society, whose duty it shall bo to hold in
trust tlie projierty f)f the institution, consisting of real estate, notes, bonds,
securities, goods, and cliattels ; and any person siibscrilnng Sr>0 or more shall
lie entitled to a vote in the business meetings of the society relating to tlie
institution. The scliool is divided into male and fenialo departments, to be
taught and controlled by male and female teacliers ; and placed in charge of
a steward, whose duty it is to provide lioard and to direct tho condnct of the
resident pujiils ; besides which a visiting committee of the society shall ex-
amine all the departments, and make public reports. Annual meetings are to
be held to fill vacancies in the board ot trustees, appoint visiting coinmittees,
ami transact other business. Should no society pleili;e itsilf liefore tb.e last
of May 1842 to sustain tjie institution, then the busin .ss shall be transacted
VERY SHAKP rRACTlL'E.
203
ranjTfing from 5? 10 to .$500, all but $350 beiiii^ sub-
.scribod by the inissioiiarios. On the 2Gtli of ()etober
it is resolved at a meeting of the Methodist society
of Oregon, to make the pledge required by the con-
stitution of the proposed institution of learning, and
assume prf)prietorship of the jiroperty in the hands
of the board, which is done. A building is connnenced
soon after, under the superintendence of W. H. Gray,
formerly of the Presbyterian mission ; and in tlie course
of the year following $3,000 has been expended in
its construction.
There was one more scheme in which the superin-
tendent of the Oregon missions was deeply interested,
but to which he did not care j)ublicly and personally
to commit himself This was no less than the acquisi-
tion for the Methodist colony of the water-power at
the falls of the Willamette. To this place, as we
have seen, John McLoughlin held the })rior claim,
and the unsettled condition of tlie Oregon boundary
allowed him to maintain it; but from this the Metho-
dists were plotting to drive him, standing ready to
take his place when he should have been forced to
abandon it.
It was a plan worthy of persons who, ])rofessing
piety, had turned the sanctified gold of their sup-
porters into personal profit.
Their intention was made known by report to Mc-
Louijfhlin soon after the arrival of the ij^reat retin-
forcement. He at once notified Lee of facts with
which every one was already well aware, namely, tliat
possession had been taken of the place by him in
1829, at which time, and since, improvements had
lieen made, consisting of several houses and a mill-
hy those who subscribe §")() or upwards, until such time as soiiio society sliall
Ml jibMlge itself. The liy-liiws proviile that no suhscriiitioli is biudiiiff until
Nunie society has come forward and assunied the resjionsiI)ility of maintaining
the Oregon Institute, and as notiiing can be done without fumls, and as there
In no other Protestant religions society in the Willamette ^'allev able to take
eharge of tlu^ proposeil sciiool, it falls, as it was nitended to ih), to tlie Meth-
odis^t Episcopal church.
204
(.LOSE OF THE METHODIiST REdlME.
race. Furtherniorc, he declared liis intention to hold
the property us a private claim when the boundary
should be finally determined. The ground claimed
was " from the upper end of the falls across to the
Clackamas River, and down where the Clackamas
falls into the Wallamette, including the whole point
of land, and the small island in the falls on which the
portage was made.""''
The correspondence appears to have been begun in
July 1840, soon after Waller had been sent to estab-
lish a mission at the falls, in which he was generously
assisted by McLoughlin, who gave him permission to
erect a house out of some timbers that had been pre-
viously squared by himself for a mill. After giving the
notice mentioned, McLoughlin concluded his letter
with these words: "This is not to })revent your build-
ing the store, as my object is merely to establish my
claim."
A satisfactory reply was returned, and Waller pro-
ceeded in the erection of a building, divided into two
apartments, one of which served as a dwelling and
the other as a store-room for the goods of the Mis-
sion. And yet Hines tells us that Waller was left
without an appointment by Lee in 1840, in order
that he might assist " in the erection of mills on the
Wallamette River." -"
For some reason no mill was begun at the falls at
this time; but in 1841 Felix Hathaway, in the eni-
phn'ment of the Mission, began to build a house on
the island, at which McLoughlin again took alarm and
remonstrated with Waller in person. At tliis inter-
view Waller, without directly denying the intention of
the Mission to hold the site at the falls, quieted the
apprehensions of McLoughlin by stating that he
had taken a claim on the Clackamas River below
McLoughlin's claim. At the sanu> time Hathaway
desisted from his building operations on the island,
'■^ MrLoHiihlin'x Primte Payifrt, MS., Istser. 1*2.
''■'^Hiiu'^'hi: //Uf., <M).
WALLERS WICKEDNESS.
205
while McLouglilin liiniself put up a small house,
and matters ran smoothly until the autumn of 1842,
when a report was again brought to McLoughlin
that Waller intended to dispute his claim at the falls;
l)ut on speaking to Lee on the subject, the superin-
tendent assured him that Waller had no such design.
By this time, liowever, McLoughlin had caught
the drift of missionary operations in Oregon, and
began again improving his claim, having it surveyed
and laid off in lots, some of which he gave and some
he sold to persons who arrived in the country that
season. The first to select a lot in Oregon City, as
the site of the first town in Oregon was named by its
founder, was Stephen H. L. Meek, a mountain man
who had desired to settle in the Willamette Valley.
When Meek proceeded to select a spot on which to
build, he was interrupted by Waller, who asserted
that he claimed thereabout a mile square, within
which limits building-lots were at his sole disposal.
Informed by Meek of W^aller's position, McLough-
lin appealed to Lee, who replied, modifying his former
denial of sucli intentions by alleging tiiat he had only
stated that he understood Waller to say that he set
up no claim in opposition to McLoughlin's ; l)ut that
if the doctor's claim failed, and the Mission ])ut in no
chum, he should consider his right paramount to that
of any other; adding " from what I have since heard,
I am inclined to think I did not understand Mr
Waller correctly, but I am not certain it is so. You
will here allow me to say, that a citizen of the United
States by becoming a missionary does not renounce
any civil or political right. 1 cannot control any man
ill these matters, tiiough I had not the most distant
idea, when I stationed Mr Waller there, that he would
set up a private claim to the land.'""'
According to the reconunendation of Lee, Mc-
TiOUijhlin next souuht an interview with Waller, who
reiterated his former assertion that he set up no clann
-" Letter of Jason Lee, in McLouijhlins Prinitc PajKrii, MS., Ist ser. 5, 6.
20)5
CLOSE OF THK MKTHODIST RK«;IMH.
ill opposition to liiiii, but should, in case lio withdrew,
ho the next claimant. He further requested leave to
keej) })()ssession of some land he had cleared, and allow
some persons to whom he had j>iven lots to retain
them; a proposition to which McLoujj^hlin agreinl,
j)rovided an equal amount of land should he given to
him out of Waller's claim adjoining, to which Waller
consented. But before the survey was completed.
Waller retracted, saying, before two or three wit-
nesses, " ]^o you keep yours, I will keep mine."''*
But the next day he had again altered his mind, and
wished to make the exchange. When McLoughlin
declined, Waller returning several times to the sub-
ject, the doctor at length paid him for clearing the
land in ({uestion, and again the matter rested. In this
transaction Lee, thinking the charge made by Waller
extortionate, appeai'cd in his character of supei'in-
tendent, ami refused to accept more than half the
amount demanded, the negotiations being conducted
through McLoughlin's agent, Hastings, an American
lawyer, who came to Oregon in company with White,
two months previously.
Waller's vacillating course could only be explained
upon the hypotliesis that he was endeavoring to hold
the falls claim for tlie Mission, and the land at the
Clackamas for himself, and was unwilling to trust the
Mission to make good the land he had agreed to ex-
change with McLoughlin. jVEeantime the purpose of
the missionaries was being develoj)ed by the forma-
tion of the Island Milling Company in 1841, three
fourths of whose members belonged to the M_ission,
and tiu^ remainer being settlers, mIio were allowed
to take that amount of stock in order that it could
be said that the enterprise was a public one, and not
a missionary speculation. ]^ut had it in I'eality been
to benefit the settlements, a site thirty or forty miles
■^"Tho witiicssi's were L. W. Hastings, J. M. Hudspi'atli, ami Walter
Pomerny, iimiiigraiita of 1842. Crnir/ort/'-i Mhnio)iiirii'M, MS., 'JO-1. Uuds-
])i'ath lai i off Orugou City as tar as Eighth street in tin' autumn ot' 1S4'J.
Mats' I'loiuir Times, MS., '1\.
ABERNETHY USES SHORTESS.
207
>kl
of
1.1-
-eel
l.l
lot
en
I'S
tor
.Is-
4-_'.
Up the valley would liave been preferable."" In Octo-
ber 1842, the lisland Millinijf Company had erected a
saw-mill on the island part of McLou<:fhlin's claim,
intending to follow it as early as possible with a
grist-mill.^"
McLoughlin now became satisfied that it was the
intention of the missionaries to seize his land, and
deprive him of his rights. Hence to save his inter-
ests he built a saw^-niill on the river bank near bv, and
gave notice that a grist-mill would soon be added.
Indignant at what they chose to term the ai-bitrary
proceedings of the Hudson's Bay Company monopoly,
a petition to congress was framed. This was done by
George Abernethy, who kept the Mission store at
Oregon City, and from notes furnished cliietly by
Robert Shortess,^^ a convert of the Mission before
Lee had turned his attention to colonization and self-
aggrandizement. The memorial is known as the
Shortess petition, for Abernethy was unwilliiug to have
his own name connected with it, and to avoid this it was
copied by Albert E. Wilson, employed in an American
trading-house established in Oregon City in 1842."''''
This petition was of considerable length, and set
'■""Tliis is the best site in the country for extensive tl(>iiring or lumber
mills.' Fiinihatu'.H Trnii'U, 17'-!.
■^ Crair/onrK Minxiomiric-i, MS., '25-{5; McCnicb'n''< Kur'i/ Sfedntboofhi'/,
MS., 0. _
^' Robert Shortess was a native of Ohio, l)ut emijjrateti fro'Vi Missouri.
He arrived in IS.'i!) or 1840 alone, or nearly so. I find liin) writing a letter to
I>aniel Lee in January 1841, in which he announces hi.si^'„iveri!>.)n toCiod from
a state of gloomy inlidelity. He was a man of good attainments and exten-
sive reading, but possessed an ascetic disposition and extreme party feelings.
Me immediately ailopted the anti-Hudson's Bay tone, and maintained it, as it
suited his temperament. He invented the phrase 'salmon-skin aristocracy,"
as applied to the gentlemen of that company. (!ray, who thoroughly sympa-
thized with his anti-British spirit, says that he and many others shouhl have a
pension for maintaining the rights of Americans on tlie west coast. Shortess
and (Jray represented tiie extreme of American fanaticism. Shortess ili.-d in
1877 near Astoria, where he had lived as a recluse. (Irnii'n lli.it. Or., '207;
Stroilij'n Hlxt. Or., MS., ',\7i; .ijijilcj/nfi'.i I'itir.i, .MS.. .S8; Aslilninl, Or., Tiiliwjx,
Sept. 14, 1877; i'rawfortl'.-i N<tr., .MS., 135; \\'/ii/i''s Kmiiirtilion to Or., MS.,
.1,0.
'■^Such is the statement of Shortess ma<lc to Elwood Evans liy letter in
1807. Abernethy was afraiil that his standing with the *'ur company would
be injured if his connection with the petition w;-.s known. Erniix' UiM. Or.,
MS., '2G0.
' f
'
.'IW
CLO.se of THK MKTIIODLST UE(;LME.
if I
fortli the luaniKT in wliicli the British fur company
opposed American enterprises. The futile \\ yeth
iittem])t to estabhsli trade on the ( \)lund)ia was jited,
and the failure of the Island Milliui.'' Comi)anv to drive
...
McLoughlin from the possession of his claim; the
millinji;' C()nn)any had commenced operations on the
island before l)ein<if informed by McLoughlin that
the land was claimed by him, so they aftirmed. Mc-
Ijoughlhi held a nund)er of claims in the Willamette
N'alley, and American settlers feared to let him know
they had taken up land lest their su})plics should be
cut of B<!sides, a house had been erected at the falls
by order of Mr Slacum, to secure the claim for liim.
McLouLfhlin was further charjifed with refusinu' to
allow the fur company's vessels to become common
carriers between the Hawaiian Islands and the Colum-
bia River, and with paying one Hastings, a lawyer, five
dollars for drawing a deed of a lot in Oregon City.
McLoughlin had no right, they said, to the land lie
granted or sold, and could not have any until congress
gave it to him. They also C()mi)lained that United
States officers of distinction were entertained at Fort
Vancouver with lavish attentions, and even a credit
was granted to the sub-Indian agent, then in the
country, furnisiiing him with funds and supplies to
carry on his business.
The real motive of the memorial was betrayed in
that paragraph which comi)lained that when the mill-
ing company had, witJi much exertit)n, built a saw-
mill at the falls, McLoughlin had done the sai»ie with
ease ; and asserting that now competition had been
introduced in the lund)er and Hour trade, their business
would be practically worthless, because McLoughlin
would be sure to undersell them. To cure these evils
and others, they asked congress to take immediate
action, and that good and wholesome laws should be
enacted for the territorv.'"
■'•' The petition contained several rtagrant misrepresentations, among others
that when a cow died, wliicli liud Itoen loaned to the settlers, they were re-
THK .S110iaE.s.S I'KliriON.
'JOU
TIk' iK'tition was sij^nifd Uy about slxty-fivt- ))ci's<)iis,
half of tlifiii not liaviii*^' Imhmi iiiort' than six months
in tlic fountrv. The siynors know litth: of the untler-
hand war wa^ed on McLoujjfhHn hy the niissionaries
and tliose wlioni they contiolled in the WiUainette
Valley; they afiixi'd their names without caring to
know the tenor of the doeument, and because they
were asked to do so.'*
While neither Jason Lee nor Abei-nethy sij^ned the
petition, for whieh they were ashamed to beconie
responsible, nevei'theless their intluenoe was felt.
Shortess, havin«»' secured sio-ners enous^h to present a
respectable showint>', made a forced voyage to ovei'-
take William C. Sutton, then on his way to the States.
He came up with him at the Cascades, and delivered
to him that absurd document which afterward fi»;ured
in the reports of congress as the voice of the people,
to the <^reat annoyance of McJjou<(hlin. The doctor
(iiiircd to pay for it. McIiOUgliliu refers to tliix statement in .1 ('opi/ oj' n
Doi'inneiit, in TntiiK. Or. Pioii. .•I.v.voc., 1S8(), and says tliat cattle were sonii--
tinies poisoned l)y eating a noxious weed that grew in the valley, l)ut that no
attempt Wiw ever made to recover their value from the settlers. In all tlie
statements made, it was inteiuhul to create a feeling in the congressionid
mind that the British fur company was directly and maliciously oppressing
American citizens, and to gain credit tliemselves for tlie patriotism with
which these tyrannical measures were resistetl.
Then followed in a puerile strain a recital of injuries indicted upon American
trade hy the fur company. An instance of this was in tiie Canadian practice
followed hy McLougidin of having the wheat-measure struck to settle the
grain in purchiusing wiicat from the settlers ; forgetting to stJite that when it
was found that Oregon wheat weighed I'l \h». instead* of tJO Uis. per hushel,
a ditierence of sixpence was nuide in the price. In regard to the charge con-
cerning Hastings, they neglected to state tliat he was an American, or that
the deeds he drew up wcr^ for lots freely given to American citizens ; nor
ilid they remendier tiiat they liad no legal claim themselves to the land in
Oregon. It was forgotten that Slacum liad promised the C'anailians that
tiieir rights to their lands should lie respected ; and tliat McLougidin was not
different from any other settler, except tliat they asserted that lie held the
Oregon City claim for the Huilson's Hay Company, and not for himself, wliich
he denied. McLoiii/lilni's Prini/c Piijh'i-m, MS., 1st ser. 30. And they seemed
to forget that in times past they had been the reciiiients of the verj' favors
tiiat tTiey now complained were liestowed on their countryinen.
''*In a letter to McLougidin, written 1iy L. W. Hastings, the latter ex-
jiresses his surprise that the petition slumld have ix^en signed, not only hy
many respectable citizens, but by several of his party who arrive(' in the pre-
vious autumn; and that on in(juiry they were ready to afiirm they had l)eeu
imposed upon, land that tiiey supposeil tiuy were only petitioning the United
States to extend jurisdiction over the country. McLoinjhUn'a Friratv Po})f !•■■<,
MS., 1st ser. ."W.
lUsT. UK , Vol. T. 14
\ !|
1 v
III!
fi ' :
III
210
CLOSE OF THK MKTHOlUsT RK(iIMK.
jukirossod a Icttoi* to Sliortess, April 13, 1843, awkiiii,'
for a copy of" tlie p(!tition circulated hy him, aiul
which ho was infoniicd contained t'harijfcs iniuriou.s to
himself and the com])any he represented, hut Shortoss
refused liis recjuest.''' Such were the methods hy
which the memhers of the Methodist Mission exhih-
ited their hostility to the man who had pursued (»ne
uuvarvinj^ course of kindness to them and their coun-
trvn\en for ei<jfht years, with no other cause than their
desire to deitrive him of a piece of piopeity which
they coveted. "As mi<»ht well he imagined," says
one, "many of the brethren fell into temptation after
buffeting Hatan some years in Ore«^on."'"'
White was the only one who o[)eidy ])rotested
ai^ainst this treatment. He wished to prevent the
j)etition from heinj^ sent, and that it nu<^lit he partly
deprived of its force, wrote to the United States
commissioner of Indian affairs that had anv one
not ccmnected with the fur company been at half the
j)ains and expense to establish a claim at the Willa-
mette falls, there would ha 2 been few to object.''
Some who signed the jjotition with too little care, or
under the influence of its framers, years afterward
wholly repudiated the sentiments therein contained.''"'
The constant defamations with which he was pursued
under the name of patriotism, for years after the
arrival of the great Methodist reenforcement, must
have warped any character less strong and generous
than McLoughlin's, but with him it was not suffered
to change his settled policy of benevoleu'-e toward
all men, though it sometimes betrayed him into exhi-
bitions of resentment, or of helpless protest against
3^6'(v»v'.s //M^ (Jr., 232-0; iV/7p.s' Jfe'/., Ixv. 2(>: Ifohn-f^' JimiUvctiou-i,
MS., 21.'
»"Mm Edwards, in Or. Sketrhx, >[S., 23-4.
- Whitr'x Ten Yearn in Or., 20()-l; Emits' Hixl. Or., MS., 2<J0.
•""Says Medoruin Crawford: 'The universal svntiiiK'nt oi the country then
and now is, tliat Dr McLoughlin wa.s a gooil man.. . . that his lieart was right,
and tliat he never did wrong; that he encouraged society to a greater degree
tlian any other man in the country.' Mi^sfonnri'-s. MS., 0, 7; J/cws' Pioiui r
Times, MS., 20.
JOHN uicouD, K.syL:iKi:.
211
or
us
'd
li-
eu
It,
tlio tlovicos of liis eiioinios. Little of that jjfraticuilo
(lid lie i-eceive which is the lieurtiest j)iaise to man.
the lioiiest praye • to heaven. " Nil homiiie terra
pejus int^rati*) ereato," says Ansouius. Well ini<i^ht the
se^ttlcrs on the Willamette have proHted by the juris-
jtrudeiice of Lilliput vhere iiii»ratitude was a eapital
eriine. Informed of ilie aoeuaations l)rouj;(ht a«^ainst
him and the Hudson's Hay (\>mpany in the j)etition
of lH4.'i, he exelainu'd indij,;iiantly : " Heally, really,
the citizens are themselves the hest judges if we did
so or not, and 1 am certain if they ar-e so lost to a
sense of what is due to truth as to make such an
assertion, it is usekss for me to say anythinj^'," " J
am astonished," he adds, " that there should be one
person in the country to say such a thing of me.'
'» 3!»
The milling company continued to make improve-
ments upon the island })ai't of Mcljoughlin's claim,
while Ahernochy, Waller, and others still i-esided on
the site of the town. In the autumn of 1843 there
airived the first large innnigration overland, of fami-
lies, many of whom remained at Oregon City acquir-
ing l)uilding-lots and making im[)rovements. This
aggregation of peo})le and means at this place hi-
creased the determination of the missionaries to secure
the land to themselves, and alarmed McLoughlin still
more lest tliey should succeed.
Among the innnigrants was one John Ricord, of
tall, commanding person, insinuating address, and some
legal knowledge, all shown off cons])icuousl3" by per-
sonal vanity. He signed himself " Counsel of the
Supreme Court of the United States," whatever that
might mean, and was both admired and laughed at
by his fellow-travellers.
•"•Letter to L. "W. Hiwtiugs, in Prti-dte Pnwr.<, MS., 1st ser. 41. Tliis
brings to iiiiml the reniiirks of a clerk of the Hudson's Bay Company, John
Dunn, referred to in a previous chai)ter. 'Tlu! patriots,' at Vancouver, he
says, ' maintained that the doctor was too chivalrously generous, that his
generosity m as thrown away, that he was nurturing a race of men who wonld
hy and by rise from their meek and humble position, as the grateful ackuowl-
eilgers of his kindness, into tlie bold attitude of (juestionersof his own autlior-
ity and tlie British right to Vancouver itself.' Dnini's Or Tir., 177.
212
CLOSE OF THE METIIOIUST KE(il.ME.
{*'-
The question of legality of claims at Oregon City
was every clay growing more important to the con-
testants. They now took the ground that McLougli-
lin as a British subject was precluded from holding
land by preemption. Thereupon McLoughlin con-
sulted Ricord on points of American law, l)ut found
him unwilling to give advice. Not long after, how-
ever, he visited Vancouver in company with Jason
Lee and made a proposition in writing to tlie follow-
ing eft'ect: He would become McLoughlin's legal
adviser, provided the doctor should so alter his pre-
emption boundaries as to exclude the island part
of liis claim, on which had been erected the sav and
grist mills of the Island Milling Company, concecHng
to them as much water as was necessary for their
n)ills; that Waller should be secured in the ultimate
title to two lots in Oregon City, already in his p(w-
session, and other lots, not to exceed five acres, to be
chosen by him froui lots unsold ; and that Jason Lee
should be in like manner secured in the possossioji of
certain lots in Oregon City not described or numbjrcd,
to be held for the Methodist Episcopal Mission; all
of which conditions he considered necessary to an
amicable arrangement.
For his services in attempting to establish Mc-
Loughlin's preiimption rights, Kicord demanded the
sum of three iiundred pounds sterling, to which was
added the request tiiat the fact sliould !iot be made
public tluit he had been retained by McLoughlin,
and the suggestion that some j)ers<»n not directly
connected with the Hudson's Bay Com])any should
l)e appointed as McLouglilin's agent at Oregon City.
Shoidd these ternjs not be com[)lied with, he should
]>roceed, at the earliest (.p|iortunity, to the Hawaiian
Islands. " These terms of Hicord's," says McLoughlin,
" ap[)eared to ]>ropose an amicable arrar.gement, when
all tiie sacrifices were to be made by me." Ten days
were asked in which to consider this pro])osition, at
the (jxpiration of whidi Mcljoughlin wrote to Kicord
FURTHER .rROPOaALS.
>i:5
tliat some of his proposals were inadmissible, as he
could not dispossess certain persons of lots already
deeded, to give them to others; and that he did
not see how he could accept his services on the con-
ditions oifered. To this Ricord replied that it was
the only proposal he could make in respect to his
friends at the falls, and affecting to regret the circum-
stance for McLoughlin's sake and the sake of the
})eace of the community, expressed the hope that
the matter might be arranged by an interview with
Waller.
Soon alterward McLoughiin offered to compromise,
by yielding to tue Mission ei^^ht lots for church and
school purposes in Oregon City, to be chosen out of
unoccupied property, the Mission to restore certain
lots held by them which we' e necessary to his business,
on one of which Abernethy was living ; he offered to
pay for Abernethy's ho .r.e whatever it should be ad-
judged to be worth by iive commissioners, two chosen
by the Mission, two by himself, atid the fifth by the
four. In addition, he would allow the Mission to re-
tain one lot on which tliey had built a store, and one
on which Waller's house stood ; these lots to revert
to him in case the Mission should be withdrawn, by
his paying for the improvements; or he would take
them and pay for the improvements, giving two lots
in closer pro.ximity to the eight lots offered, in their
place.
He proposed also to permit the milling company to
retain possession of the island until the l)oundary
question between the Ignited States and Great Britain
was settled, when if his claim should be allowed, he
would purchase their property on the island at the
price agreed upon by five connnissioners, or sell them
the island in the same way, the choice to be o})tionul
with him which course to pursue.
The pr()[)osal here given was made t<» Ricord and
Ijvv at F'ort Vancouver, the latter expressing himself
satisfied with it, as being fair and liberal, but regretting
214
CLOSE OK THE METKODlf^r KE(aMi:.
i* •
il?e-J;
that lio had no power tc treat for Waller, always the
Mission superintendent's most convenient scape-goat."
I would not present Jason Lee as a bad man, or as
a good man becoming bad, or as worse now, while
tricking his eastern directors and cheating McLough
hn out of his land, than wliile iHeaching at Fort Hall
or seeking the salvation of the dying Indian children.
He was the self-.same person throughout, and grew
wiser and better if anything as the years added ex-
j)erience to his li'c. He was endeavoring to make the
most of himself, to do the best for his ccmntry, wliether
lalmring in the fiekl of piety or patriotism; and if on
Jtbandonintf th<^ missiouarv work and enM-au'int'' in tliat
of emi)ire-budding he fell into ways ctilled devious by
i)uslness men, it nmst be attributed to that s})ecious
Hne of education which leads to the a})proj)riation of
the Lord's earth by ministers of the I^ord, in so far as
tlie power is given them. In all tilings he sought to
do the best, and he certainly was doing better work,
work more })eneficial to mankind, ajid more praise-
worthy, as colonizer, than he had formerly achieved as
missionary. He had ])assed through his five years of
silence during wliich time l^ythagoras had Ijeen wash-
ing out his mind and clearing his brain of rubbish, and
being now in a ;)osition to learn something, lie was-
fast learning it.
While })reten(ling so nmch conci>rn over what he
ternu'd the obduracy of Waller, he was plotting deei)ly
*"T)io duplicity practisuil in tin, att'aii' of tli(^ Oregon City claim, and other
matters, reflects serifusly on Jason Lee'.s character for trutlifulness. Mc-
Longhlin atKi .is that in tlie summer of IMS lie spoke to Lee ahout the
pretence of tlie milling company tl\at they did not know of his claim wjien
they coinnienced buildiiig; and Lei; re))lied, that they must havt^ known ot
it, as he had himself told them before they hegau operations. Not long after-
ward, Lee and I'arrish lieing togetiier at Fort Vancouver, the latter at the
puMio taltlc declared he had never heard of the doctor's claim before the mill
was begun, when Lee replied, 'I attended your tirst or second meeting, anil
it is the only meeting 1 attended, and I told you that Mcl^oughlin claimed the
island,' This must iiave bi'i.'u rather hard lor I'arrish, wiio was acting accord-
ing to instnietioiis; iuit .lason !,ee had his part as superintendent to play,
which wa.s not to aMowliimself to be implicated, or he wovdd lose his inthienco
with th.e fur company. »
WALLER DISCLOSES HIMSELF.
215
to areomplifsh more than Vraller, as ]iis scori't agent,
ever aimed at. He had determined to again visit
tlie United States, to secure, if possible, from tlie
government a grant, conditioned on the sovereignty
of the United States, of c/"! tlie tracts of land settletl
upon as missions, wliich »'ould include Oregon City,
and a gift of $5,000 in money toward the endowment
of the Oregon Institute.^' With this pur|)ose in view
he had resiijned the presidencv of the board of directors
of the institute in September, and had oftered his ser-
vices as a;i agent for the collection of money in the
States, Avith which to furnish chemical and other ap})a-
ratus to the school, an ofl'er gladly accepted by the
other members of the board.
The visit to Fort Vancouver, before mentioned, was
while he, in company with Ricord, and Hines and
family, was on his way to tlu; mouth of the river to
embark in the fur company's bark (/olumhia, Captain
Humphries, for the Sandwich Islands. Bef( )re lea\ iiig
the Willamette Valley, Ricord had penned a caveat
against ^IcLoughlin, in which he called Waller his
client, and in which ]\IcLoughlin was warned that
measures had been taken at Washiiii^ton to substan-
tiate Waller's claim to Oregon City as the actual i)re-
emptor upon six huiulred and forty acres of land at
that place; and that any sales which ^IcLoughlin
might make thereafter would be regarded bv his client
and the governiiieiit as fraudulent.
Waller founded his claim on tlie grounds of citizen-
ship of the United States, prior occuj)ancy of the land,
and improvement. He denied ^rcLoughlin'a claim
for the following reasons: that he was an alien, and
so not eligible; that he was officer of a "foreign cor-
}»orate monopoly ;" that he did not reside and never had
resided on the land; that wliile h(> picti'iided to lioli
it for himself, he was in fact holding it for a foreign
corporate body, as was jirovetl by the employment of
individuals of tiiat company as his agents: and as no
*' \V/)iti's Till Yiiii.< in III-., l".".'; lliuis Or. (Iiul Ins., I .">."..
II
i
I -!
210
CLOSE OF J HE METHODIST KEIJIME.
<•< )!'])( irate body in tli'3 United States eould hold land
]>y {)reenipti()n, so no foreign coi-poration could <lo it;
and lastly, that if" his claim had any validity at all, it
arose more than two years subsequent to Waller's. '•-
In addition to the caveat prepared for McLoughlin,
Ricord framed an address to the citizens of Oreti^on,
in which he counselled them to resist the a^-gressions
of McLoughlin, and talked grandiloquently of the
rights of his client; going so far into this missionary
enterj)rise as to declare that he had read a correspond-
ence, which never took place, between McLougldin
and Waller, in wjiich the latter asserts his rights "in
modest and firm terms," offering, however, to relin(|uish
them if McLoUi^hlin would complv "with certain very
reasonable and just conditions." These documents
had been prepared, and left in the hands of tlie mis-
sionaries, to be made public only when Tjee and Ricor<l
were embarked for the Islands.
It was on the 3d of February, 1844, that tliev sailed,
and the caveat was served on McLoughlin on the '22d.
Lee was weh informed of all these things, wdieu he
earnestly and with every appearance of sincerity ex-
])resscd the hope that Waller would agree to Mc-
Loughhn's proposition before mentioned ; he also drew
a promise from McLoughlin to take no measures to dis-
possess the Mission at the falls before his return from
the United States; which having obtained, he de-
parted, satisfied tliat he would return armed with an
assurance fronj the government of the United vStates.
wliich would bring heavy loss on McLoughlin, and
trium})h to himself and tlu. Methodist Mission.'*"
^'^ Letter of Joliii Ricord, in MrLoiiiililin'a I'riraU' p(iy<i:i, MS., Lst Her.
17-10. If IK) coi'poriite l)()<ly coiilii liohl l;in<l li\ preemption, liow could Mr
AViillcr liold Oregon City for tlie Mi.ssion ?
*'Tlie /'ririitc l*ii)>tiA of John Mi-ljoiujldin, from \\liifh tlio liiittory of tlic
Oregon City claim is ehielly ohtuined, eonsist of several doeumcnts, witli his
comments .".nd e.v]il;iniitionrt. They are divided into series, as they relate tu
ilitferent matters to tlie settlement of tlie country; to early efl'orts at traih^
by the Americans; to tiie millin;,' company, and the Ore^v^on City claim in mis-
sionary and afterv.unl in territo'-ial time.->. McLon^idin was no writer, in a
literary .Menso; hr.t e\ i^ry sentence penned byliim is endowed witii tliat (piality
which carries onvietion with it; direct, siniide, ii.t.>ove suliteriuge. The care
THE MERITS ()K THE CASE.
'2\:
g claims to
As to the actual merits of the opposin
Oregon City, the facts on the side of McLoughlin
were these : The improvements at the falls of the
Willamette were begun in 1829 for the Hudson's Bay
(^ompany. But the company objected to the location
of a mill south of tlie Columbia River, for the reason
that in the settlement of the boundary (juestion it
would almost certainlv be found on the American
side of the line ; fin* at tliat time, and for many years
thereafter, it was understood from the official an-
nouncements of the British jrovernment that Eny:-
land would insist only on the countrv north of the
Columbia being conceded to her in the future boun-
dary treaty,''* and tliat no claim would be made of anv
territory south of the Columbia, in Oregon.
McLoughlin, however, who had a fondness foi'
farming, after aureeing to settle some of the released
servants of the company in the Willamette Valley,
which he foresaw would be a great wheat-raising
country, determined to build the mill with his own
means for himself; but being strenuously o})posed by
«ome of his friends in the company, he decided about
1 8^58 to relinquish the land and the water-power at
the falls to his step-son, Thomas McKay. He finallv
yielded to his own strong inclination in favor of the
place, however, and determined to keep it, putting up
a house to rejjlace those destroyed by the Indians,
and openly claiming a ])reeinption right to tlie land,
keeping himself informed ol' the proceedings of tin-
United States congress in the matter of Oregon
lands.
Linn's land bill, which was suggested by Jason Let^
himself, had no clause ])reventing foreigners of any
nation fi( ni bi^coming citizens of Oivgon, but bestowetl
11
with which letters and other liistoricul duta wero preservod hy McLoughhn
renders these pajiors of givjit vahic They wi'i ■ furnished hy Mrs Harvey t'>
tlie fund of niatei'i'd out of wliieli tliis iiistory lias hecii made. Without
tlunn, many of th(.' secrets of ti-'"sionary ingratitude wmdd never have come
ti) light; with them, mueli thav ras ohneure is made })hiiii.
'* A Copi/ oj' a Ikiciniii'ii', in 'J'nni.s. Dr. /'ioinir Ai-ior., ISSO, 4'.t.
■
'ff
218
CLOSE OF THE METHODIST liEGI.ME.
i'. L
m
on every white male inhal)itant six hundred and forty
acres of land. MeLouij^hlin accordingly had that
amount surveyed to himself in 1842, and although
Linn's bill never passed the house, he with the Amer-
icans confidently believed that this, or some similar
law, would follow the settlement of the boundary of
Oregon, and he intended to take advantage of it.
The opposition he met with in his endeavor to hold
his claim occasioned increased expenditure. The im-
provements made by both claimants drew settlers to
()regon City, and made it more valuable as a town site.
Strictly sjjeaking, neither McLoughlin nor Waller
liad any legal right to the land in question. But in
justice, and by a law of connnon usage among the
settlers of Oregon, McLoughlin's claim, being the
elder, was the stronger and the better claim. His
right to it would be decided by the future action of
congress. The greatest difficulty he ex})erienced was
that of meeting the untruthful representations made
to the government, and the efforts of his enemies
to mould ])ublic opinion in Oregon. As liicord has
already given the points in Waller's case, they need
not be repeated liere.
Lee and Ricord were within four days' sail of Hono-
lulu when the truth was ms-ue known to McLouglilin
I'oncerning their covert proceedings. But that mill
of the gods wliich slowly grinds into dust all human
ambitions lickl Jason Lee between the upper and the
nether millstone at that identical moment, though he
knew it not. On reaching Honolulu, and before he
stepped ashore, he was met by Dr Babcock with the
intelligence that he had been sui)erseded in the suj)er-
intendency of the Oregon Mission by th:' Jiev. (^eorge
.Gary, of the Black River conference, New York, who
was then on his way to Oregon to investigate Lee's
career since 1840, and if he thought proper, to close
the affairs of the Mission. The reports of White,
Frost, Kone, Richmond, and others had taken effect,
i»EAlH OF .lA.SDN LEF.
219
and an inquiry was to 1)0 instituted into the financial
affairs of the Mission in Oregon
Wlien Lee left Oregon it was witli the intention of
waiting at the Islands for a vessel going to New York
or Boston, and with the exj)ectation that Mr and Mrs
Hines and Jiis little daughter would aeeonii)any him.
He had been superintendent for ten 3'ears, and just
at the time wlien the ])osition seemed most important
to him he was to be deposed. For a whik^ he was
staggered, but after the first revulsion of feeling he
determined to make at least a protest. After con-
sultation with Hines and l^abcock, it was settled
that tluy should return at the earliest opjwrtunity to
( )reg()n, and do v* iiat thiy could in his interests there.
Without waiting for an American vessel, and leaving
his child, he hastened on to Xew York by the Ha-
waiian schoonei' thm Tifa, for Mazatlan, and thence
proceeded to Yera Cruz and to his destination.
In the work of colonization the wav was oftentimes
(litiicult, and seemed at times exceedingly slow, yet he
could not V)ut feel that though the soft air bites the
granite never so gently, the rock will crund)le beneath
coiistant eflbrt.
He felt imeasy at the thought of meeting his
Itrethren. Surely there were enough redskins in the
West who knew not God. What should he sa}' to
those who had sent him forth, when they should ask
why he had not converted the heathen !* Though he
miffht wrap himself in a newlv slain bullock's hide,
after the maimer of tlu; Scotchman, and lie down
beside a water-fall or at the foot of a j)iecipice, and
there meditate until the thoughts i-ngendered by
tlie wild surroundings should become inspiration, yet
could he not fathom the mvsterv why (lod's ci'eatui'es,
whom he had been sent by (jrod to instruct, should
MMther and <lie at his touch I
** Tii'i'titii-xcrritth Aiiiiiiitl Rf'port of iln M-imiijirs of tin' M!.s.yloii<in/ Siyli/i/
(if tliv M. K. C/iiiy/i, ill \Vliit(','< Ttju Y'lirs in <>r., \'A'2. Sen also Ulnrs Oni/on
'Hht., -J.-io 7.
220
CJ.()SK OF THK METHODIST RKcilME.
:i f
Lee arrived at New York in May, but what trans-
pired between himself and the missionary board is
unknown. He em]>loyed himself durini( the year in
soliciting'' funds for the Oregon Institute, which he was
destined never to see again, for he died March 2,
1845, at Lake Memphremagog, in the ])rovince of
Lower Canada. His last act was to make a small
be(juest to the institution for which he was laboring,
and for the advancement of education in tlie countrv
of his adojjtion.''"
In the books of the missionary writers, ''Jason Lee
of precious memory" is alluded to only in his char-
acter as director of a religious mission, no referenci-
ever being made to his ])olitical schemes. The reason
is obvious. To impute to him all that belonged to him
would be to acknowledji'e that the missionary society
in New York was riiifht in dismissinii" him for mis-
representation of the requirements of Oregon, and a
misappropriation of a large amount of the funds of
the society; the^v fore, that j)art of his career which
best illustrates his talents is left entirely out of the
account, and appears only in the reports of congress
and the ])rivate manuscri[)ts of McLoughlin. That
he had tlie ability to imi)ress upon the Willamette
Valley a character for religious and literary aspira-
tion, which remains to this day; that he suggested the
manner in which congress could promote and reward
American emigration, at the saiiu; time craftily keep-
ing the government in some anxiety concerning the
intentions of the British government and Hudson's
Bay Company, when he could not have been ignorant
of the fact that so far as the country south of the
(^olumbia was concerned there was nothing to fear;
that he so carefully u;uarded his motives as to leave
even the sagacious McLoughlin in doubt i'(*ncerning
them, u]) to the time he left Oregon — all of these
taken together exhibit a combination of qualities which
"wei-e hardly to be looked for in the frank, eusy-tem-
*'' Hiiiis Or. It III f fii.i/ihi/inii-^, ].")('i,
HONOR TO JASON LKK.
•-'•Jl
jK'red, but energetic and devoted missionary, who in
tlic autumn of I8;U built liis rude house beside tlie
Willamette River, and gatjiered into it a lew sickly
Indian children whose souls wei'e to be saved though
they had not long to remain in their wretched botlies.
How he justified the change in himself no one can tell.
He certainly saw how grand a work it was to lay tlu^
foundation of a new empire on the shores of the Pa-
cific, and how discouraging the prospect of raising a
doomed race to a mouientary recognition of its lost
condition, which was all that ever could be hoped for
the Indians of western Oregon. There is much credit
to be imputed to him as the man who carried to suc-
cessful completion the dream of Hall ,J. Kelley and the
purpose of Ewing Young. The means by which these
ends were attained will a[)i)ear niore fully when I come
to deal with government matters. Taken all in all,
and I should say, Honor to the memory of Jason ]jee I
Hines and Babcock retmiu'd to ( )regon in Api'il
i>y the brig ClioicniKi.^, C^ajitain CoucJi, and (lary, the
uvw superintendent, arrived at Oregon ( ity on the
1st of June, 1844. Early t)n tlie 7th of that month
a meeting of the missionaries took j)lac(! at Chemeketa,
for the pur])ose of consultation upon afl'aii's of the
Mission, and an investitjjation l)v (iarv. "Such was
the interest involved," savs Mr Hines, "that the in-
vestigation continued until dayliglit th(> next morn-
inii'." The result of the conference was tlu; dissolu-
tion of the Mission ; the laymen being oflered a ])assage
for themselvt's and families to their former homes, or
its equivalent out of tlic ])roperty owned by the Mis-
sion, an amount, in each case, reaching $H()0 or 61,000.
W. h one exception the laymen all jtreferi'cd to remain,
and were discharged, except T^rewer, wlio was retained
at the Dalles. The Mission farm, buildings, and cattk'
at Clatsop were ordered to be sold. The property of
the Willamette Mission, consisting of houses, farms,
cattle, farm-tools, mills, and goods of every descri})-
222
CLOSK OF THK MKTHOIUST UI^JCIMK.
tioii, was likewise sold. Maiiv of the iniiiu}»iants of
the previous year \voukl liave been i»la<l to puieliase
part of tlie property, bvit tlie missionaries secured li
to tlieinselves.
Hamilton Campbell 2)urchased, on a long" credit,
all the Mission herds, and was then'after known
among the indignant immigrants as Cow Campbell,
a sobriquet he always continued to boar.''' George
Abernetiiy came into })ossession of the Mission store,
and bought u]) at a discount all the debts of tlu'
French settlers, to whom a considerable amount of
goods had been sold on credit.*^ In a similar manner
houses and farms were dis})osed of to the amount of
over $20,000, or at less than half the original cost,
the sales amounting to little more than a distribution
of the society's assets amonu' the missit»naries.
The manual-labor school building, which had cost
the Mission between $8,000 and $10,000, with the
farm beU)nging to it, and the mill site, was sold to
the trustees of the Oregon Institute for $4,000,
and that institution was removed from the site first
selected on Wallace Prairie by Jason Lee, to the
larger and better building on Chemeketa plain, wheie
in the autunm of 1844 a school for white children
was first opened by ^Irs Chloe A. C^lark Willson,
from which has grown the ]Methodist college known
as the Willamette University/'' Soon afterward the
trustees developed a ])lan for laying out a city on
the land belonging tt) the institute, which was ac-
cordingly surveyed into lots and blocks, and named
Salem l)y Leslie, })resident of the board of trustees.
Here, for the present, I leave the history of the
*'' liiirk's Eii/i'rpriKOi, .MS., 10; LoviJoi/'-i Porflatiil, M.S., 41. ('aiiipl)ull, ;il-
tlioiigh ho aiiiassLMl money, was not respected. He lost most of liis property
later in life and went to Arizona, where about IHO.'Hie was murdered l>y a
Me.xican for gold. Portlow! Oreijoii'mn, July 29, 1803.
** liolin-tx" livvolb'cliom, MS.', ;W; Mox^' Pioni;-r Tiwrs, .MS., 31; M. 1'.
Deady, in ,<>'. /'. IMlHin, July (i, 18()4.
'"Mrs Willson, iir'i> Clark, was horn April 1(>, 1818, in the state of Conneoti-
eut, and educated at Wilhraham Academy. She ilied .Iu!U''29, 1874. /'. ('.
Adivcnte, June 30. 1874.
WIN1)IN(; UP THE Bl'.SINESS.
Si'S
Oroooii In.stitute, to follow Ciaiy in his efforts to
cloHe up the business of the Mission.
Gary seems to have hecome imbued with the spirit
of his a(h isers, and to liave eclipsed his j>re<le('es8ors
in rapacity. Bt'fore his advent, simie time in the month
of April 1844, at the suj4'i;estion of White indorsed In-
Major Gilpin/'"' who had arrived in the country the
previous autunm, McLouo-hlin was induced to attempt
once more to come to a final understai iin<;" with Waller,
and agreed to leave the matter to Whitt', Gil[)in, and
Douj^jas as arbitrators on liis side, and to Leslie and
Waller on the side of the Mission. After nmch dis-
cussion, Wiiite and Gilpin considering^ the demands
exorbitant, to settle the matter McLoughlin consented
to allow the Mission fourteen lots, and to pay VVallei'
five hundred dollars and give him five acres of land
out of his claim. This barfjain would not have been
ec summated had it been left to White and (xilpin,
but Douglas thought it better for McLoughlin " t»j
give him one good fever, and have dov with it."
But this was not the last, and he had not yet done
with the missionaries. On the 18th of July Gary
offered to sell back to him the lots he Iiad donate , to
the Mission. To this offer Mc]joughlin replied that,
considering the extortionate manner in which the lots
had been obtained, and the fact that thev were those
he required in his t)wn business, the demand upon him
to pay the Mission for them and whatever they might
ask seemed unreasonable; but if he could make an
exchange of other lots for those, lie would do so. It
was not land, however, that the Mission wanted now,
but money. " It would be the fairest way," said Mc;-
•'" In liis younger days ' lilpin was sent to West Point from the state of
])elaware, and belonged to a regiment of dragoons. He eame to Oregon with
Fremont, Init not under orders, for ht^ liad resigiie<l. It is not eertain wlien
lie Meiit away; 1 think in 1.S44. One tiling is certain, that his pretensions
made in tlie New York Triliiiiii' of March 'I'l, 1879, where lie elaims to liavo
organized the provisional g(»vernment, and founded the town of Portland,
besides being a 'sofa delegate' to congress from Oregon, are without any
foundation in fact, as tlie reatler fif this history will perceive. lu 1801 Gilpin
was appointed first governor of Colorado, by I'lcsideiit Lincoln.
\m-
: ii
m I
234
rLosi; OK THK Ni kthodist ki:<;imk.
Loujj^liliii, •" t'oi" you to t^ivti me bark my lots, since tlu'
Mission lias im» loiif^'cr any usf for tlu-ni, and lot me
pay you for the iinprovcnicnts. '
'I\) this (iury liatl a leady iv})ly. Tlu' lots weic
Mission ])i()|)erty ; tlu'ic were those who stood ready
to purchase them; and lie was only jj^iviui;' tlieir ori<jji-
nal owner the first offer. Six thousand dollars was
the estimate put upon the property, two lots bein^ re-
served for the Methodist ciuircji edifice besides; and
lie would not consider himself jiled<^ed lonjj^ei- than a
day or two to take that amount. Stunj;' and wor'^ied,
and suffeT'injjf in his business on account of the uncer-
tainty of his position, McLou^hlin once more yielded,
and agreed to [)ay the six thousand dollars, a ])art of
it in the autunm and the remainder in ten years, with
interest amuially at six [)er cent. Had he known all
the insitle history of the scheme to de[)rive him of the
M'hole of the ()regon City claim, which had met a
clu'ck in the dismissal of Jason Lee, lie would have
thought hin.;;;'lf fortunate to rec(n\!r and retain it at
that price.
The Methociist Missions in Oreu'on were now closed,
the Dalles stat'on only i)eing occui)ied with the object
of securiiiij;' a valuable land claim when congress should
enact the lon,g'-|)roinised lan<l law. When Waller was
no longer needed to hold any part of the Oregon
City claim, he was sent to the Dalles, but the Indians
there becoming troublesome, and Whitman wishing to
purchase that station, it was sold to him; and Waller
returned to the Willamette A'^alley.
Thus ends the history of ten years of missionary
labor, in whicli nothing was done '' that ever in the
least benefited the lndian.s, but which cost the mis-
sionary society of the Metln>di>^t episcopal church a
(piarter of a million of dollars."- As colonists, the
seventy or eighty persons who were thrown into Ore-
'^ McClane's Firxf Wm/nn Tnini, MS., <(, 10; ' niirronl'.i Jfixsioiiiirii'-i,
MS., 4, r>.
•'■ .ijiplf'ijutv'l \'«'li:t I,/ Hist., Ms., ■_'<.l; Hulls' < )i\ It nil ! iistilutlOtt.'!, 222.
RESULTS.
S25
j^on by the Hoeiety wvrv jjfodd citi/.ciis, and t'xorcistd
a wliolc'soiiu' moral iiitluunci", which fxtciidiHl from
missionaiy tiiiu's down to a much hitcr day. Not
liaviiiji;' to struj^*;lc for an existence as (Hd the early
immigrant settlers, and lu-ini;' turnished with the
means M'ithout any exertion of thi'ir own, they were
enabled to found the first school, and do many other
thin<(S for the im|>r<)vement of society, for which this
j^eiieratlon lias reason to he j^rateful.''^
^ Sfrirklfiwl'i J/m««o/ix, 144-'). Among the missionary writciH who tiiltn
iiii exalted v'„vv of tliu merits of his cla.ss is (riistavu.i tliiieH, horn in Heriiinier
Connty, New York, Septemher 1(>, KSO'.t. He was ajujoiiited to preaeli liy
the (teneseo conference in li>>V2, and appointed to the Orej/on Mis.sion hy
Hishop Hedding in ISH!). He returned to New York in 184(), hut in IH.VJ wuh
sent hack to Oregon hy Hisiiop Waugh. During iiis residence east, hetween
l)<4()aud 1852, he pul)lislied Ids Onijoii. iU lliMorii, Conilitioii, untl /';(wj«r/.<,
" o.v'"',i."j.;/ 11. lA .,rri]itioil nf (he ijiixirnjiliil, rliiiititr, a ml pfiMliiclionx, irith ]" rsoiml
iKfirntiintt (imoni/ titc IikIhiiis, atv. liuti'alo, l.S.")l. 'I'iiis hook is not witiiout
some faults of style, asiiU; from its verlxisity; luit is in the main trutliful, its
errors of statement heing traeeahle to hearsay. Without heing hittirly
|>artisan, it contains allusions wldcli hetray the i»ent of tiie Metiiodist and
American missionary mind of the poriixl. As a narrative of early events aucl
adventures it is interesting. In ISliS Mr Hines puhlished a second Iiook,
under the name of (h-n/oii imil its /ns/ifn/ians: ( 'omjintnii/ njiitl J/is/ori/ tif llir
WiWutieUv rniri'rxitii. New York. Tlds work is half deserii»tive ami half
historical, containing in the latter portion imich fulsome laudation of the mis-
sionary society and the founders of the Willamette University, ahout which
very full particulars are given. After Hines' return to Oregon he continued
to res'de in the country up to the time of his death, Decemher !(, 187;{. Tiiree
year' hefore, March 14, IS7<>, his wife, Mrs Lydia Hines, an exemplary
t'hristian woman, died at the age of hS years. Porflaml /'. C. Adroni/r, Dec.
11, !87:i; Siilfiii Stiilfsniiin, Dec. l.S, 187:5; IiL, March l(i, 1870; Si'lnn Wll-
liimcUf Fitniici; March lit, 1870. Waller returned to the Willamette Valley,
where he resided up to the time of his death, in l)ecend)er 1872. He ac-
quired riches, and occu])ied honorahle positions in the Methodist churdi
and Willamette University. IIiiicm' Or. iiwl Iuk., 27(i; I'ortldiiil I'. ('. Ailm-
riile. Fell. '27, 187;{. llev. L. H. Judson continued to reside at Salem, where
lie died March 'A, 1880. .V. /•'. liidkfni, March 22, 1880. J. L. J'arrisli, who
was sent to Clatsop when Frost returned to the states, remained on the
Mission farm until it was sold, when he returned to Salem, where he con-
tinued to reside. He was a circuit preacher, and special Indian agent in
territorial times. He acquired a comfortahle fortune, and owned a pleasant
home in the outskirts of Salem. His tir.st wife, Mrs Eli/.aheth I'arrish, )i(<'
Winn, diecl August .'SO, 18()!), soon after which he contracted a second mar-
riage. There are several children hy hoth unions. \n 1878 Mr I'arrish fur-
nished, for use ill this history, his Orfi/oii Atirciloti-i, a manuscript hook of
more than one hundred pages, illustrative of ]>ioneer life and Indian charac-
teristics, with narratives of his adventures as Indian agent. His views are,
tliat to henetit the Indians it is necessary to he let down to the level of their
comprehension, and to learn to think and reason from their stand|)oint, Mr
I'arrish was horn in Onomlaga County, New York, January 14, I80G.
IlisT. Oil., Vol.. I. 10
CHAPTER IX.
PROGRESS OF EVENTS.
18:«)-1841.
The 1'eoria Party — Incidknts of thk Jouuney — Farnham Arrives in
Oregon— Retukn of McLouohlin from London — Dissatiskaotion
OF Missionaries and Colonists — Petiiion to Conuress— Belcher's
EXPEDITION^EXTENT OF CANADIAN JuRISDIirriON- -MoRE iMMUiRANTS
FROM Illinois — Missionaries LViNtinue to Arrive — The Neweli.
Party — Missionary Hosi'italit- — Spaildincs's Report — Wilke> on
THE Coast — The 'Star ok Ofehon' — Overland Ex.-loration to
CvLiKORNiA — Sir George Simpuon at Fort Vancouver— IvIofi'as'
Mission— The Red River SErixERs.
l:M
I HAVE termed Jason Lee a Methodist colonizer,
but he was in reality more than that. His well-
directed eft'orts in behalf of his church could not, in
their effects, be restricted to that body. They were,
in fact, quite as likely to fire tlie ima^>ination of the
adventurer as to stir the pious zeal of the sectarian,
while tlie di.scussions which they had provoked in
congress attracted the attention of all classes. The
first ri])p]e of imuiiirration springing from Lee's lec-
tures at Peoria was in tlie autumn of 18.'}8. It will
be remembered that one of his Chinook boys, Thomas
Adams, was left there ill. Tom was ]>roud of being
an ol)ject of curiosity to the young men of the place,
and was never better' ])leased than wht;n suj^plemcnt-
ing Lee's le- -lures witii one of his own, delivered in
broken English lielped out witli expressive pantomime,
and dilating upon the grand scenery of his native
country, the wcaltli of its hunting-ground v and the
abundance of its fi?,lu ries. liude as Tom's ( escriptions
were, they stirred the ardor o( his hear -rs, and sug-
(220)
ii
FARNHAM'S COMPANY.
.).>7
gested to certain ambitious young men the project of
establishing a commercial depot at the mouth of the
River of the West.
A company of fourteen persons was formed, imm-
berinsT amonji: its members Thomas J. Farnham,
Joseph Hohaan, Amos Cook, Francis Fletcher, li.
L. Kilborne, Sidney Smith, J. Wood, C. Wood, Oak-
ley, Jourdan, and, later, a Mr Blair. The necessary
outfit for the journey, costing each man about a hun-
dred and sixty dollars, was h< < r. secured, and all being
ready to start, the adventuious little band gathered
before the court-house, wher(3 a prayer was offered in
tlieL- behalf Their motto was ' Oregon or the Grave,'
and they bore it aloft upon a flag ])resented to them l)y
Mrs' Farnham, their ca})tain's wife, who accomj)ani(Ml
them one day's march. Their declared intention, upon
reaching the Columbia, was to take possession, as
American (iitizens, of the most eligible points, and
niake settlements.^
So now, liaving pledged themselves never to desert
one anotliei, they set out from Peoria about the lir.st
of Ma}' 18.'M), and proceeded to Independence, where
they took the trail to Santa Fe. The}'^ had not been
lony: on the wav before Smith received a shot from
his rifle in drawing it from the baggage, and having
previously rendered himself obnoxious to several of
his con:pa.ii tis, it was proposed to abandon ium.
The prepofcal was denounced by Farnliam and some
othexo and the disagreement thus occasioned cjvused
the breaking-up of the party. W^hen eig'lit wei l;s on
the journey Farnham resigned the command ; and two
oi the l)est men having joined some Santa Fe tra lers,
the company fell into disorder. At Bent Fort, on the
Arkansas River, where Farnham arrived the r)th of
July, the company disbandtMl. Bent Fort is often
mentioned by early travellers to Oregon. It was sit-
uated eitjhtv miles north bv east from Taos in New
Mexico, and was first called Fort William, but soon
^Peoria, Itlhiols, R:,j!.'<ti'r, May 4, 1839.
'J.\liS
PKO(tllE«S OF E\ KNTS.
Ill
took tl'c name of the tliruo brothers wlio owiud it. It
was eroctetl in IS.'?2, and was a place of roiisi<leral)le
consecjiK'iice, heiiiuj a })aralleh)sjjrani of one liiuuh-ed by
one hundred and fifty feet, witli adobe walls several feet
in thickness and eighteen feet in hei_i>'ht, with a large
gateway closetl by stn )ng doors of ] )la i ik ing. The wall ,
which was surmounted by two armed bastions, enclosed
several buildings, shops, and a warehouse. The country
in which it was situated being a dangerous one, about
sixty men w(!re required to perform the duties of the
place, including that of guarding the fort and the
stock belonijins*' to it."
For uien so lately swearing such fidcility, this was
a bad beginning, but Fanduini'was not dislu;artened.
On the nth of July, the malecontents left the fort foi'
another establishment of the Bents, on Platte Kivtir;
and Fandiam with three sound and good men, and one
wounded and bad one, as he expressed it, resumed his
journey to Oregon. Mis comj)anions were Blair, one
of the Woods, Smith, and a Kentuckian named Kelly,
who was engaged as guide.'*
Smith recovered rapidly, and about the middle of
August the party reached Brown Hole, on the head
waters of (Jreen River, where was St Olair's fort
called David Crockett. Here Kelly's services ended,
Oakley and Wood determined to return, being so p(>r-
suaded by Paul Richardson, a mountain man of some
notoriety, who gave a dis])iriting account of the Or-e-
goi) country in order to secure Noluntcei's for his own
))ai'ty about to start for the Missouri frontier. Witli
oidy Smith and Hlair for companions, and a Shoshone
guide, Farnham pushed on to Fort Hall, then in
'^ F<iriiiiiiiii\i '/'nnili, (>.>().
'' Fai'iiliaiii ilt'Hcriln'.s Hlair as an elderly man, a nieeliaiiie, from Missonri.
'A man of kinilur heart never existed. From tlie plaee where he joineil lis,
to ( h'egiui 'I'lTritory, wiien myself or otlK'rs were worn with fatigue or disease
or stiirvation, he was always ready to administer whatever relit f was in his
power. But towards Smitli, in his helples.s eondition, ho was especially olilig-
ing. He dressed his wound daily. He slept m^ar him at night, and rose to
supply hi.s Iciust want.' Smith he ealls ' hase in everything tli.it makes a man
estimuhle,' ami says ho had an alias, Carroll. TriiirU, .'U» 7, I'-H). In Oregon
Smith, was nickuamud IJluhhor-mouth. (Irnijs Hint. Or , 187.
AMON(! THK PKESBYTKRIANS.
229
c'l large of C. M. Walker. They arrived there Sep-
tember 1st, and i-einained three days, after which,
witli fresli horses and provisions, they proceeded, and
in tiMi days readied For-t Boise, where they were
kindly entertained by Mr Payette of the Hudson's
J^ay Company/
Proceeding thence, an Indian guided them down
the west hank of Snake River fifteen miles, to some
boiling sj)rings; thence to the -narrow valley of Burnt
iiiver, U}) which tlu^y passed through charming little
nooks, to a branch of Powder River, whence, after
resting under the L(me Tree,'' they passed into (xrand
Hoiid Valhsy ; and thence over steep hills to the foot
of the Blue Mountains ; tht.n through a belt of forest,
along grassy ridges, u]) and down hills made difficult
by loose masses of broken rock, through tracts of
tanuled wood, and alonijf the face of cliff's overlian<)fini>c
mountain torrents, coming at last to grassy swells,
and finally to the long descent on the western de-
clivities of the mountains, which brought tliem to
the beautiful rolling ])Iains at the head waters of the
Umatilla and Walla WaUa.* Here Farnham fell in
with a Cayuse on his way to Whitman's mission, and
deciding to accompany him, they arrived there the
2'.]d day of September, while Smith and Blair pro-
ceeded to Fort Walla Walla. Blair spent the winter
at Lapwai, and Smith ol)taine<l employment from
Fwing Young in the Willamette Valley.
After a pleasant visit at Waiilat])U, and a call on
* Kiiriihiiiii liciv iph.sorvi'd ;i cart, iiiailc out ot :i ono-horse wi'.gon, whicli
rayc'tte said Iwul hccu ln'ouj^ht tluTo frdiii ('omu'ctioiit by the Aiiu'rioau iiiis-
.sioiiarius; but wliicli was in lait tlu! cart niaiU; by Wiiitnuiii out of bin ligbt
wagon ill \S'Mt. ' It was Uft ben;,' says Krauiiani, ' under tin; belief tluit it
could not bo taken tiii'oum'ii tbe Blue MouutiiiiiH. But fortunately for the
n(;.\t that siiall attempt to cross tlie contini'nt, a safe ami easy piussage lias
lately been discovered by which vehicles oi tbe kind may be drawn through
to WaUa Walla.'
■' ' L'arbre aeul ' of tbe French trai)i)ers. liiiruett says with regret that the
emigrants of I84H cut ilowu this noble pine, llicni, 124 ").
'' By comparing Fiini/nnii's '/'run Is, 142 ">, with Burnett's Rfcol. of <t J'io-
iiiri; l'23-(), it will be seen that the rout.s ti'avelled iu 18:V,I and 1H4S were
identical, with the diUereuce that for wagon.s it was necessary in Honu> pKieei*
to make a ilitmir to a\(iid some narrow ledges, or too alirupt elevations.
Mi
MM
> Hi
!i
' ■■ I
>'M)
PKCKiRE«S OF EVENTS.
Paml>riin at the fort, Fariiham resumed liis journey
to the Dalles, the 1st of October. He spent a week
with Lee and Perkins, and beeanie imbued with the
prevailing Methodist sentiments concerning British
residents. On the 15th, in company with Daniel
Lee, he took passage for Fort Vancouver, having
narrowly escaped the wrath of the Dalles Indians for
forcibly recovering some of his property which had
been stolen/
At the Cascades they encountered McLoughlin,
lately returned from England, the doctor being prob-
ably some distance l)ehind the express which had
bnmght him from Canada.
Lee presented his newly arrived friend to Mc-
Loughlin, who straightway invited them both to the
fort, where they arrived late on that evening, the 18th.
of October. Farnham, who had been forced to ex-
change his clotlies for horses, was amply sup[)lied by
his host, even to a dress-coat to appear in at dinner.
He made a favorable impression on the inmates of
Fort Vancouver,** where he remained till the 21st,
learninof much concerning the countrv and the fur
trade, which he afterwards turned to account in a
tmmber of works published under difi'erent titles, but
contahiing nmch of the same n)atter.^
' Farnham gives an account of liis skirmish with 40 In<lians, to olitain
possession of the leather portions of his saddle and hridle which luid lieen
taken out of Lee's workshop, in parts, thronjih a window. In tlie fray the
chief drew liis pistol and Faruliani his ride, hut no hlinid was slu'd, thoiigli
tho Indians ^^e^c much excited; the chief refusing to allow liis nu'U to assist
in carrying Lee and Farnham's goods to the canoes. Tiieir conduct on this
occasion wiia the cause of Lees purchase of arms and amnunition elsewhere
alludeil to. See Fcni/iain.i Tniirlx, l(il-H.
•* Alexander Simpson, a relative of Sir ( Jeorge and a clerk of the company,
of whom Farnliam said some annising thougii kiixlly tilings, descrihes Farn-
ham as possessing mucii dry humor, consideraMc intelligence, consummate
impudence, and indoinitahle self-reliance. 'He t. liked grandilo((ueiitly and
acted shabbily.' Perhaps Farnliani's wit had pricked tlie Englishman's
egoism.
"His Troi'i'lii to t/ir I'nrl-// Mounta'uiK, from which I have (pioted, was
published in 1841. Subsecpieiitly he published the same with additional mat-
ter about California an<l tlie interior of the continent, under tiie following
titles-. I'nircls in llif (Irvnt Wi'strrn l^rittni's, tin' A iiii/inur, nnil Iloekji Mauii-
tnin.s, iind in tin- Om/nn Tirriton/; Pictonol TraitLi in ('iilij\rnia and Onyon;
TmnU 1)1 the Calijoruiitx, ami Srrni.-i in llw, Porijir Onan, Life in Ciili/ornia.
He also wroto the lliatory of Oinjou Tvrnlori/; It luinij u DcmomtniUon (\f
FARNHAM IN THE WILLAMETTE.
231
f'i
His observations in the Willamette Yailey ^^•ere
confined, like those of Mr Slacum, to the settl(>nients.
He visited a number of persons at the Missioti, among
them Bailey, White, and Leslie, Jason Lee l)eing
absent. During his stay there several Aniorican citi-
zens unconnected with the Mission consulted him
as to tlie probability of the United States taking
them under the protection of its laws, Thes(3 persons
complained that they were not protected, that for-
eigneers domineered over them, drove American trad-
ers from tlie country, and made them dependent for
their clothing and necessaries on another nationality.
They wanted to know why the Uni-^ed States per-
mitted these things. "I could return )io answer/'
says Farnham, "to these questions, excul})at()ry of this
national delinquency; and therefore advised them to
embody their grievances in a petition, and forv/ard it
to congress." They took his advice, and gave him a
memorial to forward to Washini>i()n, siuiied bv sixtv-
seven citizens of the United States, and persons de-
sirous of beconiinyf such.'"
The petition set fortli that the signers settled in
Oregon under tiie belief that it was a [lortion of the
})ul)lic domain of the United States u[)on w liicli they
might rely for the blessings of free institutions, and
for armed protection; but that so far -is tliey knew,
no such benefits had been extended to them; and
tliat therefore they were at the mercy of the sav-
ages around them, and of otliers that would do
them harm." They conii)lained tliat tliey had no
///(■ 'J'lflc of till' Ciiifi'd St(U('r< of North America to thf Sniiii; vith a iiutjK ami
a wofk entitled Mi'.iiro, Jl.'i <lt'oijra]iliij. People, timf 1 iiKtitutioiix, ii'ith n, maji.
His geograpliy is .superannuated, but lii.s pei>:,in:d olwervationsareainuHiuirand
instructive, l>y rea.son of tlujir litt ralnes.s and siuiplieit} . After many advcn-
tnres ho .settletl in C'llifurnia, wliere he died iu KS.Vi.
'" Fiini/iiiin'n 'J'riirei-i, 17.^. NN'ilkes say-s th^it Karnhani wrote the niomo-
rial from suggestions furiii.shed liiiu liy l*r Hiiiley. Wilkes, who aJuo vis-
ited Bailey, probably received ids inforniatio'i at first hand, which r-rnders it
reliable. See Witlcex Nar., iv. .'i8S, iu)te.
" In O'nifs Jlisl. Or., the ' otiiers that would o > them harm ' is printed in
capitals. As I havo net seen the original of the uocunient I cannot -^ay if
the memorial made it so empliatic; l)ut in either case, the iiifereuce is clear
tliat tiic Hudson's Buy Company was meant.
Ill
232
PROGRKS.S OF E\liNTS.
til'!
M..i
legal protection oxcuj)t the st;lf-('oustituted tribunals,
originated by an ill -instructed public opinion, and
.sustained only b}^ force and arms. They declared
that the crimes of theft, murder, and infanticide were
increasing to an alarming extent, and they were them-
selves })owerless to arrest the progress of crime in
the territory and its terrible consequences.^'^
Having made this appeal on account of their help-
less condition, congress was artfully reminded of the
I'ichness of the country in soils, pasturage, timber, and
minerals; and also that a British surveying squadron
had been on the Oregon coast for two years, employed
in makhig accurate surveys of all its rivers, bays, and
harl)ors.
The latter allusion referred to the expedition of Sir
Edward Belcher, then Captain Belcher, who com-
manded the English surveying squadron in the Pacific.
J^elcher's attention was fixed at this time, however,
not on Oregon, but on the liussian possessions. The
attempts of the Hudson's Bay Company to get a
footing there had up to this period occasioned a
feeling of hostility, which led the Russians not only
to ft)rtify at Stikeen, buc to have a sloop of war in
readiness to repel invasion. The English, not to be
behind i2i a show of strength, sent the >'(//^>//*<r and
the StarliiK/ to survev the Pacific coast, a business
which occupied the exi)edition from 18.H7 to 1840.
The only reference to Oregon in l^dclui's instruc-
tions wa^ contained in a single pai-agraph. '" Political
circumstances have invested tne Columbia Biver with
so nmch importance that it will be well to devote
some time to its bar and chann^-ls of ap])roach, as
well as its inner anchoraires and shores." The icw
'■^ ''^ .ere had not bucii a murder among the white mea since the killing
of 'liiornbun; four years previfms. Thefto of some snvall articles may have
oeourred, l«iit pniliahly by the Indians. To charge iuf.iuticiilo, excej't on the
Indian w.inien, who also practised it, was to create a scandal aboirr the only
white 'vonian in the cfiuntry, those of the Mission. VVilki s mentions that
an ojunion had gone abroad that vice prevail* d at Vaneonx tr; Irtit lie felt soni-
pelled to give his testianony to the eiintrar\ that he saw uu imrttamif ut. which
vice was tolerated iii-aiy degree, Wilkes' y-u:, iv. STm.
sill EDWAUl) BELCH Ell.
Aniericans in Oregon may liave regarded tlio ad\'ont
of this Britisli man-of-war witli suspicion, but tlie
English company at Fort Vancouver sliowed no ela-
tion, nor made the British captain more welcome than
the American niissionai'V or traveller. ^'^
There was as yet no reason to desire governmental
interference. The Americans were not yet overstep-
ping the boundary fixed in the British imagination as
their rightful limits; and perhaps ])ouglas foresaw
that the presence of a war-vessel would alarm them,
and lead them to call upon their govermnent.
Captain Belcher, on his side, was outspoken in
his contempt for the umnilitary appearance of forts
George and A'^ancouver. "No Fort Vancouver ex-
ists," he says; "it is merely the mercantile post of the
Hudson's Bay Company," " And the cajjtain's sneer
was just, inasmucli as the total armament of Fort
Vancouver at this time consisted of a little three-
pounder/'
Belcher, like Simpson, Dumi, and Beaver, blamed
McLougliHn ^or encouraging so many missionary set-
tlers.^® Indeed, it is evident that while tlie Ameri-
cans feared British influence, the English were no less
alarmed about Anu-rican predominance.
In their petition to congress the American settle rs
also alkm'd that the British ijovernment had re* entlv
made a giant to the '^ur company of all the lands
lying ])etween tlie Cohimbia Biver and l^uget Sound,
and that tlie <ompany wen actually exercising acts of
ownership, opening extensive farms,^' and shipping to
^' 'Bfilchor,' says liolnji-ts, ' tlmuglit himself slightud, Ijut I think I>oughw
was only carrving out his irih in.' Kerolkctionx, MS., 8.
'* Helc/i('r\' Vni/fiije, i. '->i>6, UiW,
'" Matf.huii'.'t liisj'uijee, MS., 18.
^■^ Bdeher'H T'lt^riiyp, i. 'Ji(7. 'By.*', strange ami iinpardonal'lo oxersight ot
the local otlicers, niissionarif froi,i the United Static were allowod to take
religious e. large of the iiopula i>n; and these artful men lost no time in intro-
ducing sucli .» !i\iml>er of i,hi ir cfiuntrymea a.H reduced tlie iulliiencf if tlie
British settlers to complete insigniticance.' Hnufnii Miih. J/rnilil, Dec. IfvtKi.
'"As if that were not what the Americans were doing on the south side
of the C'olumhia. But ah to tin. government making j;rants, it couM no more
ilo so than the Anieriean government, hetnre the lioumlarj- should lie detiiiecl.
The Agricultural Associati< r ■duM not e\en incorporate hcfore tin' crown of
ill!
234
riiocREss OF evp:nts.
foreign ports vast quantities of tlie finest pine lum-
ber.'^
Such ^vas the memorial for which Leslie, superL -
tondent of the Mission pro tem., and Bailey, an attache
of the same institution, were responsible, whatevei-
Farnliam had to do with drawing it up. Farnham
remained among the hospitable missionary families un-
til the middle of November, when he rej)aired to Fort
A'^aiicouver to wait for tlie departure of the company's
vessel, tlie Ncra'd, in which he embarked for the Sand-
wich Islands early in December. When he reached
Oahu he addressed a letter to the United States sec-
retary of war, in which he informed the government
that the Hudson's Bay Company had taken upon Iciase,
for a term of twenty years, tlie exclusive right to
hunt, trap, and control bylaw the Russian possessions
in America, Sitka only excepted, possession to be
given in Marc] I 1840; that the British government
had granted a large tract of land to the English fur
company, wlio were niaking grants and sales to indi-
viduals; that the company wc>re making large quan-
tities of flour to supply the Russians, with whom
they liad a contract for a term of years; were getting
out lumber for California and the Hawaiian Islands,^'^
and op(!ning extensive farms in the Cowlitz Valley.
He mentioned the arrival of the Englisli emigrants,
and stated as a significaiit fa(.'t that among them was
a gunner, for Avhoni he could see no use, as the com-
})any confessed there was no danger from the Indians
in the vicinity of tlieir forts; lie also alluded to a
rumor that the fur company had cannon buried on
Oreat Britain became possessed of the territory; so that actually tlie Puget
Sound Company was on ahoiit tlie same basis as the Methodist Mission ; one
was under the auspices of tlie Hudson 's Bay Company, .and the other of the
Methodist Missionary Society, and neither had nor c<>uld '..ave any real title
to the lands thi.'y held.
"*„W/( Con;/., Ut S<'H.H., Si'ii. J>o<: .'>J4; Ovii/k Hkf. Of., lt)4-6. The only
saw-mill of the company at this period w;ts tliat above Vancouver, which
tunieil out about S,(XH) feet daily.
'"Jn his letter Farnham says tlie comiiain's iiiiU turned out 3,()0() feet of
lumber every -IS hours instead of every '2A,
FAUNHAMS LETTER.
23o
19
n-
iis
a
1)1)
itlo
iof
Tongue Point, above Astoria, where they liad built a
liouse,'* and referred to the Enghsh surveying squad-
ron, and a report tliat Captain Belcher liud declared
England's claims to the Columbia Kiver to rest upon
priority of discovery. Though not all true, tiiere was
nmch in his comnmnication of interest to the United
States.
Among other things, he stated that the Canadian
settlers in the Willamette and Cowlitz valleys were
favorable to the American claim, and would yield
willing obedience to American law — an assertion that
required modification. The French Canadians were
l)y nature an amiable, light-hearted, industrious, and
well-disposed people, ready to submit to authority,
and fond of a quiet life. They were by training ren-
dered obedient to the officers of the fur com[)any, and
even more so to tiie teachings of their Catholic priests.
They were friendly to the American settlers, an<^i
looked up to tlie missionaries. Tliey had been prom-
ised a square mile of land when the United States
should extend jurisdiction ovi!r them. So far they
were favorable to American institutions; but should
McLoughlin and their priest counsel them to withhold
their support, they would obey notwithstanding the
ti>mptation of free farms. Such was the character of
all the company's servants who settled in the country. ^^
It was not tr^e that the British company controlled
by law the Kuf.sian possessions in America, or strove
to goVern the American settlers in the Willamette
Valley." By an act of parliament the laws of Cau-
^"Mr Birnie had a potato-lield on T<nij,'ue Point, Imt whether simply to
raise potatoes, which diil not grow well at Ast<iria, or to lioM this promontory
for some otlier purpose, is not known.
-' 'They are now all out of service and renewing tlu^ir endless livi's on tlio
plain.s — part American, part English, sonu; Indian, and still all Kreneli.
Klessiugs on the Jeans, the Jaijues, tile IJaptistes, the .leronu!s ! ' Poriliiiid
"mioiiidii, Nov. 11, 18.")4; Or. J'hnar Assoc, Trims., 1870, 'M\.
'-■■'Faridiam said in liis Tr<vrit, Mi^A), wliat lie did not venture to say to
the secretary of war, namely, that the American settlers ' were liahle to he
arrested for deht or crime, and conveyed to the jails of Canada, arrc^sted on
American territory hy Bri*'sh oilieers, tried by British trihuuals, imprisoned
in British prisons, and liung or shot by British executioners ! '
^36
rUCXiUliSS OF KVKNTS.
atla were extended over British subjeets in ihv terri-
tory west of the ll<»cky ^lountains, hut this was never
enforced so far as linssians or Americans were con-
cerned. Even a Canadian could not he (h'alt witli in
liussian territorv."'"' J^nt jealousv of the CanacHan
jurisdiction led the Americans to a|)[)oint as justice of
the peace amontic themselves, in 1838, J)avitl ]jeslie.
So that without any le^al authority wJiatever Ijeslie
was dispensing justice in tlie Willanu^tte N'^allcy at
the verv time that hi' and Farnham comi)lained tliat
tlierewas a justice of the peace at Fort Vancouver, in
what the company held to he British territory, and he
actuallv tried a British subject for theft not lony- after.""*
Farnliam's report on the country itself was not
pleasin<^ to the colonists, who spoke of liim with dis-
resj)ect after the puhlication of his Tratrls.-'' He dis-
paraged the climate, which was too dry in eastern and
too moist in western Oregon ; he found the forests,
where they existed, too heavy, and in other places
not heavy enough; and the mouth of the Colund)ia
unfit for the purposes of conuneree.^^ Holding these
opinions, it is no wonder that he departed from the
country without attempting to carry out the pur])oses
for wliich the Peoria company was formed.
'•'' All example of this want of jurisdiction in Russian America was furnished
shortly after Farnham was in Oregon. McLnughlin's son .Joliu was sent to
Fort Stikueii, where ln' was placed in charge. But he was young, and did
not know liow to manage liis men, oni; of whom i"urdere<l him. When Sir
(ieorge Simjjsoii vinited tlie company's posts in 1841-2 lie arrested the mur-
derer, wlio was a Canadian, Imt diil not know how to hriug the criniiual to
justice, as neither Canada nor Russia liad any court of eiiminal jurisdiction
in the country. He took the criminal to Sitka, hut as the crime w;w not
committed there, nothing could l)e done Mtth him. Sniipnoiln Xai:, ii. 18'i;
Jhxt. Noiihw<'fit Const, tiiis series.
'•'♦This wa,s in 1841. A canoe, in whirli were »m\w. of the goods of Mr
Kone's fiimily, was upset in tiie Willamette River, and a liox containing some
of Mrs Kone's clothing, coming a.shore, was picked up by a Caiuiilian, whose
wife, an Indian woman, appropriated it to lier own use. Tins led to the
•irrest and trial of tiie responsible party before tlie missionary judge.
'^' Nil<'>C licijiKltr, Iviii. 242. Wilkes, in hx'A J^'nrriitiiv, iv. ;iS8, says they
were dissatisfied with his not putting tlie memorial, ami his letter to tiio sec-
M'tary of war, into his hook. Cray, in Jlt.'if. Or., 18()-7, is very abusive of him,
and says he was expelled from the I'eoria party, which, according to Hohuan,
one of the seceders, is not true.
■^".'rr/i Comj., Sd Svsx., Sm. Dor. JO?.
LATE AliUlV\,S_L.S.
•-';17
Four ot'icr iiu'ImIkts of the orin'mal |iai-tv reached
Fort Vaneouver in the loUowiiij;' May, just when the
Laumnnc, l)eariii^ tlic reonforeeniont of Jason Loe,
touclieil lier lanchnu'. These were Holnian, Cook,
Flctflier, and Kilhorne. They liad jiroeeeded K;isurely
from post to post of tlie fni'-traders, and heen coni-
pi^led to winter in the Hoclvy Mountains. When they
reaeJied Fort Vancouver tliey were clad in skins, hai-e-
headed, lieavily hi>ardi'd, toilworn, and sadly travel-
stained, yet looking'' so hoyish and defiant, that the
sliijj's company at once set them down as four runa-
ways from homes in the States. McLou^hlin, with his
usual kind impulse, at once sent them to the dairy.-''
Like Faridiam, these four seemed to have j^iven up all
thouglit of tln'ir projected city at the mouth of the
rV)lund)ia, and weie content to be incorporated with
tile settlers of the Willamette.-'"*
The Peoria company were not the only adventurers
who made in 1839
'TIr' lirst low wash of waves, where sodii
Sliall nill a huiiiau sea.'
A second ])arty, eleven in number, started from Illi-
nois this season, and followed the same route as
the first, but did not reacli Oregon as a party. "'' As
-" Ifolmitn'n Pcoriii. I'artii, MS., 1-4.
'*■. Joseph Holinaii attached himself to the Mission as a carpenter, ami
Jiiarried in 1S4I Miss Almiiu J'heips, as already mentioned. Vn 1S4."{ he took
a land claim near Salem, and farmed it for (i years. Siihscqiieutly he was
merchant, penitentiary commissioner, suijcrintendent of tli(! eonstruotioii of
tin; state-house at Salem, and president of the I'ioneer Oil Company at that
place. Holman was horn in 1 »ovonshire, Kngland, in 1817, and emi^; ited to
the United States at the age of I!), and to Orej^on at the ago of 'I'l. Portlmiil.
Went Shore, Nov. KSTli; Porliiinl. Sluiiilnnl, July 2, 1880. ]loliniUi!< J'eonn.
Pdrtij, MS., is a, narrative of the adventures of the 4 young malecontents
who abandoned Faruham on account of Sidney Smith, and agrees substan-
tially with Farnham's account up to the time they separated at Bent Fort.
Holmans dictation was taken by S. \. I'larke of Salem in 1878, and contains
several facts whicli do not appear in any printed authority. Of Holman 's
companions, Fletcher settled in Vandiill County, where he died. Cook s\ir-
vived him at Lafayette, in that county. Kill>oi-no went to California in 1N4-.
'■''•'The name of one of tins jiarty has heen preserved, that of Robert .Moore,
who reached Oregon in 1840. lie was born in Franklin ( 'ounty, IVnnsylvania,
October 2, 1781, of Irish j)arentage. He removed to .Mercer County, wliere
he married Margaret Clark. They were the jiarent.s of 10 children. Mooru
served in tlie war of 1812; and i'.i 1822 emigrated to (ienevieve County, Mis*
4m
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WEBSTER, NY 14580
(716) 872-4503
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238
PROGRESS OF EVENTS.
if iiiLssionaries were not likely to outnumber the
natives in Oregon, the North Litchfield Association
of Connecticut, in 18:39, fitted out two vouncf men for
that field of labor. They were Rev. J. S. Griffin and
Asaliel Hunger. Hunger was already married ; Griffin
found a young woman at St Louis who was willing to
join her fortunes with his, and who married him at a
moment's notice, as seems to have been the fashion
with missionaries of that ])eriod. Placing themselves
under the i)rotection of tlie American Fur Com])any,
they proceeded to Westj)ort, Hissouri, where they
wore joined by several persons bound for California.'"^
■si)
if
( I,'
i ^
souri. He was a memhor of tlie lugislature of that state, ami ailvocated free-
statu iloctriiie. In J 835 lie roiiiovod to Illinois, wlu;re lie laid out the town
of Osceola; I)iit l)ueoniiiig cnd,inori'il of tlie far-off Oregon, left his family
and sought the famed Willamette Valley. Seh-eting a claim on the west side
of the falls, he made himself a home, which he called ' liobin's Nest,' where
he was joined liy his family, and where he spent his remaining days,
having acted well his part in the early history of the country. He died
September 1, 1S.")7. <)r<-(joii An/ii.i, Sept. l"i, 1857; U'llb'.t' Nm:, U. S. Erylor.
Ex., iv. 370; Address of M. ]'. Deady, in Or. Pioneer Ax.tor., Tnuix., 1875.
Another pioneer of this pei'iod was a Rocky Mountain trapper, named (Jeorge
W. Ehberts, who settled in Oregon in 183!), whiu'e he was known as S(iuire
El)..erts, or the Black Sipiire. He was born in Bracken County, Kentucky,
June 2'2, 1810. At the age of 19 he oti(.':i"iI with Wm Sublette to go to
the mountaii's as a recruit. He ser\ ars in the American Comjiany,
and 3 years in the Hudson's Bay (> y, leaving the inonntains in tlie
autumn of 1838 and wintering at Lii['\v Farnliam describes an interview
with liim. Seeing a white man on the bank of the river above the falls of tin;
Willamette, he went ashore to speak to him, and found Jiini sitting in a driz-
zling rain by a large log tire. He had already made one ' improvement ' ami
sold it, and was beginning another. He could otl'er no shelter, and took Farn-
liam across the river to the log cabin of William Johnson, which contained a
firejjlaco and a few rude articles of furnituie. Ebberts finally settled in the
Tualatin plains, with several otlier mountain men who arrived a year or two
later, liroirn'n Jfi'iri-lltiiiii.s, MS., '2'2. Ahhi-rt'i' I'rajyfx'r'n L'/<', a manuscript
narrative of scraps of mountain adventure and pi<meer life, shows a man with-
out education, but full of good f(.'llowshii>, bravii, and frank. Ebberts lived in
the Tualatin plains. William .lohn-son, above mentioned, was a Scotchman.
Ho had Iioen in the naval service ol the United States. Subseipiently he
became a trajiper in the Hudson's Bay service, and when his term e.viiireil
settled near Cliampoeg, and took an Indian wife. By l.er iio had several
children, to whom he gave such educational advantages as tlie country atlorded.
U'llliis' X(ir., ('. S. ErjUfir. Kr., iv. 'M\-2; Fdrn/iaiun TrnrdH, 173. Johnson
died in Se])temlK'r 187().
■''' Karniiam, wiio fell in with these persons at Fort David Crockett, in
Brown Hole, says one had the lofty intention of conquering California, otiiers
of trading, farming, etc., on the lower Columbia, and oth- ^s to explore the
womlers of nature on the shores of tlie I'aeitic. Trnirls, 1'20. The names of
this party were William (ieiger, J. Wright, Peter Liissen, and Doctor Wisli-
/enuH and a (rerman com]>anion. A second party for California consisted of
J>. (). Johnson, Charles Klein, William Wiggins, and Davi<l D. Dutton. Two
QUARRELS AMON(; THE EMKiRAXTS.
This coiiipaiiy, like Farnham's, quarrelled l)y the
way. The inissionaiies as well as the secular trav-
ellers lost their patience and good temper, and even
the ladies of the party were not without their little
differences.^' From revelations made hy Gray, and
newspaper articles published by Griffin several years
later, we learn that the Snakes stole some of the mis-
sionaries' horses, and that Griffin wanted to leave
Munger and his wife at Fort Hall, on this account.
The animals were recovered, however, and a concilia-
tion effected. They all finally reached the Presby-
terian missions in safetv.'''
In 1840 came another party of missionaries, of the
Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Harvey Clark, A. T.
Smith, and P. B. Littlejohn, each with his wife.
of the California adventurers turned back at Fort Hall, no guide for Califor-
nia being obtainable, but the others accompanied the missionaries to Oregon,
where, when the Ldiindiine arrived in the following spring, Ljissen, Dutton,
Wiggins, Wright, and .John Stevens took passage for California and settled
tliere. Soldiio Co. Jliil., 4.')8; Sonoma Co. Hint,., (51 -'2; Sun Jo-se Patriot, in
.S^. F. Bulictiu, June 5, 1879. The (Jermans probably went overland to Cali-
fornia, as their object was to explore. Johnson sailed for the Hawaiian
Islands.
^^ Fanihani's Travth, 120.
"Hirittin and wife wintered at Lapwai, an<l Munger and wife at Waiilatpu.
< reiger, who with Johnson declared they were sent by people in the States
to take observations of the country relative to immigration, being unable to
I'xplore it as he had hoped, consented to take the place of Slicpard in the
Methodist Mission sehool, which he retained until the arrival of the reenforce-
inents of the following year, wlicn he joined tlie mission at Waiilatpu, but
afterward went to California. Munger and wife wintered at Waiilatpu and
(irittin and wife at Lapwai. (rrittiu was a man lacking in good judgment ; he
had, moreover, an unkindly disposition, and in the matter of religion was
little less than a fanatic. Early in the spring of 1840 he and his wife set out
for the Snake country with the idea of establishing a missionary station and
stock-farm. They were accompanied only by a native guide, who flescrted
them at Salmon River. After several weeks of painful travel they reached
Fort Boise, and were kindly received by I'ayette. (Iriflin's experience hail
• lamped his ardor for pioneering in the Snake country, and he returned to
Waiilatpu. In the autumn of tlie same year he went to Vaiicouvei , remained
tliere as the company's guest during the winter, and in 1841, with Me-
Loughliii's assistiinee, began farming on the Tualatin plains. I,,ir and frost'. t
()r., 'JIO. Notwithstanding the favors (Jrittin reci'ived from the company,
lie afterward became one of its most bitter opponents, partly because Mc-
J.iOUglilin had embraceil the Catholic religion. Virtor'.-< /I'ircr n/ l/ir West, H77-8.
Munger remained at Waiilat]iu until near the middle of 1841. lie was a
good carpenter and usitfnl to \Vliitman; but about that time the latter noticed
that Munger showed signs of mental derangement, and fi.'aring the efl'eet of
this on the natives, he suggested to the missionary that he return to the
States. Munger starteil with his wife and child an*' a single male companion.
May 13, 1841. Finding the American Fur Company broken up at (ireeu
in,
i!
.iiviiii: .
ii
240
I'liUGKES.S UF K\ENTS.
Thev (lesiijned to sustain themselves iiKlei)eiidentlv'
of the orders of any board, but failed to find any fiekl
for their labors, juid after remaining a year at tlie
missions in tlie interior, settled on the Tualatin plains.
Littlejohn returned to the States in 1845, but Clark
and Smith subsequently became leading citizens in the
country.^"' Witli this party also arrived the first fanj-
ily of avowed emigrants that came to Oregon or the
Pacific coast. It consisted t)f Joel P. Walker, wife,
and five children, all of whom went to California in
1841,"" and Herman Ehrenberg, who had led, and con-
tinued to lead, an advtsnturous life in several parts of
the continent. He went to the Hawaiian Islands soon
after reachini*- the Columbia Kiver.'*'
Kiver, he turned back to Oregon, and going to thi! Willuniette Valley, began
working for tli<! Mission at Salem. Here his mentiil alliietiou grew worse,
until finally he determined to work a miraele to eonvinee the world of his
inspiration, and nailing one of his han<ls to tlie wall above the fireplace in
his shop, so roasted himself in the fire that lie died within three days. Lfc,
'iiitl Front'ii Or., 'Jll; McLomihliii't /'rira/i- I'nyirs, MS., ser. 2; Axloria
Marine (lazettf, .hine \\\, 18()(i; (Irnif.-i IIM. Or., ISo; Siiiij>.'ioii'.-< Xnr., i. l()l.
^^ Centennial iiistory of Tualatin Academy and I'acitic University, iu Port-
tdiii/ (hri/o/iiini, Feb. 12, 1870.
^* Walker'had expected to meet a companj- of ffirty persons ready for Ore-
gon, but was disappointed. According to his A'(UT't//'(v', MS., itwasthepronii.se
of land held out in Linii'.s bill whidi caused the movement. His history belong.s
jji'operly to California, Imt since lie set out for Oregon, he may be claimed as
its first regular overland immigrant with a family. I^le, like the missionaries,
liad two wagons. Tlie fur company had thirty carts. The wagons came as
far as Fort Hall only. Walker was born in (ioochlaiid County, Virginia, in
17!*7, and like all the Western men, kept moving toward the border, first to
Tcniii'ssee, then to Missouri. When only seventeen lie enlisted under Jack-
son to figlit Indians in Alabama, and subse{[uently in the Seminole war in
Fliiriila. In 1822, witli Stt!iihen ( 'oo])e'i', he engaged in trade with the Mexicans
at Santa F'e, and tlius bi'gau what afterward became sucii an important liraiicli
of commerce. Finally he settled in Sonoma County, California. There is a
n.anuscrijit J\'(irrii/.irr by him, in which he says little of Oregon, except that
his daughter Louisa wlio was liorn at Salem, .biniiary 14, 1841, was the first
child of American parentage born in that territory, a statement whieli is
erroiu'otis.
•'•' Herman Klirenberg emigrated to the United States from (ieriuany at an
early age. He was a.t New Orleans wlieii the Texan war broke out, and was
one of Uie few of tlie New Orleans ( Jrays who surviveil the defeat of Fan-
nin and tiie barbarous massacn^ of prisoners after tlie battle of (Joliad. After
the war emled he returned to (Sermany, and induced a large emigration
of his countrymeu to Texas. In 1840 he was in St Louis, and determined to
cross the continent witli a party forming for that purpose. From Oregon he
went to the Hawaiian Islands, and after wandering for a few years in Polyne-
sia, went to California and joined Fremont in his etl'orts to free that country
from Mexican rule. TlieCadsden pureliase next attracted liis restles.s nature,
and in 18,")7 he settled near Tubae, and engaged in silver-mining iu the Santa
THK MOUNTAIN MKN.
241
or Ore-
romiso
longs
iiud us
iries,
iiiiu as
Ilia, in
st to
.lack-
ill- in
ieaus
i'i> uch
•e is a
tliat
lii-st
u'ii is
at ail
(I was
Fall-
After
;ratioii
ll'll to
^i)U hu
olyiic-
miitry
atiiri',
Santa
Soiue WL'eks after tlie iiiissioiiarics had left Fort Hall
a ooiiiicil was held there by eertaiii hunters and trap-
pers, now without occupation and destitute througli
the dissolution of tlie American Fur ('onipany. This
corporation liad broken up tliat same year without
making })rovision of any kind for their servants. Most
of these men had adopted their vocation in youth, and
now, in the prime of life, were almost as poor as when
they took to the mountains- a tact due ui part to the
])olicy of the company, but in a large measure to their
own improvident habits. '"'
As it was now absolutel}' necessary to seek the
settlements in order to live, seven of them determined
to go to Oregon witli their Indian wives and chil-
dren, about their <Mdy worldly possessions, and b(!gin
life anew. Their names were Robert Xewell, C. M.
Walker, J. L. Meek, William Craig, Calel) Wilkins,
William M. Doty, and John Larison. Xewell, Meek,
and Wilkins decide<l to make for the Colund)ia River
i»y the route discovei'ed the previous year, and already
spoken of. Xewell had two wag^)ns, which he had
taken as payment for guiding the dark party from
(xreen River to Fort Hall;'*' Wilkes had another
Avhicli h'ld been left by Walker, and these they re-
solved to take with them. Ermatinger a|)proved the
l»lan and purchased one of Xewell's wagons, which lie
Kita Mountains, Arivica, Cerro Coloratio, .and other parts of Arizona. Hi-
was a civil engineer and scientist of more than ordinary ahility and re])iita-
tion. Tlie town of Ehieiil)i'rg, Yuma County, was laid out hy liiiii ami
named after liiin. lie was killed at Palm Springs on the California desert.
l'7/;/(( ArhoiKi Snifiiicl, Feb. '2'^, ISTS.
''" Faniham gives a pathetic picture of one of tliese deserted mountain
men, .Foseph L. Meek, wiio afterwanl hecaine as famous in the Oregon colony
as he alre.idy was in the mountains. ' Meek was evidently very poor; he had
scarcely clotliiiig enough to cover his liody; and while talking with us tin-
frosty winds whieli sucked up tlie valley iiiadi^ him shi.er like an aspen htaf.
He reverted to liis destitute condition, and complained of tlic injustice of his
former employers; the little remuneration he had received for the toils and
dangers lie iiad endured on their account, etc — a complaint I heard from every
trapper whom I met on my journey. ' Troirli, 127 S.
'" AValker says that the guide of the ( 'lark party was named Craig, but a«
( 'raig and Newell were together at that timt!, tlie ditf'ereiice is iiiiimportaiit.
J have a letter of NewcU's wlueli agrees with Walker in every particular but
this.
JIlsT. Olt., Vol., I. If,
,1
f
ij,
^1
wmmm
n
i'KOGKESii OF EVENTS.
furnished with liorses and employed Craig to drive,
tlius l)eeoniint>' interested in the undertakiiiijf. Meek
was engaged to drive Newell's remaining wagon, and
Walker drove his ow'n.
Loading the little train with their scanty posses-
sions, the party, having been joined at the 1.' st moment
by a (xerman named Nicholas, set out on the otli of
August, and despite the great difficulties of the road,
reached Waiilatpu in good season, and with the frames
of their wagons intact, though they had been forced
to throw aw%ay the beds.^'*
Craig remained in the upper country and settled at
Lapwai, while Meek, Newell, and Wilkins proceeded
to the Dalles on horseback, leaving their wagons to
be brought on at the first opportunity.^'' Newell
owned a few poor footsore cows which had been left
by the passing missionaries at Fort Hall, and these he
drove with him toward the Willamette Valley.
They reached the Dalles on a Sunday, and, fully
expecting a cordial reception, at once called on their
countrymen, Lee, Perkins, and Carter. But, to their
surprise, the doors were closed against them, and no
one appeared to give them welcome. They encamped
at some little distance from the Mission, and were
shortly afterward visited by Carter, who explained
that he and his friends did not receive visitors on
Sunday; at the same time he hospitably invited his
famishing countrymen to partake of a meal of spir-
itual food at the evening prayer-meeting. They went,
inwardly cursing rather than praying, and amused
themselves with the antics of Jandreau, a lively
Frenchman wdio accompanied them. This facetious
personage had no particular h)vc or reverence for the
nnssionaries, though he affected to be suddenly smitten
with an overwdiehning sense of guilt, and kneeling
" Newell's Letter to E. Emus, Feb. 27, 1807; Erans" Letter m A, McKinlmj,
Dec. 27, 1880.
^* This dill not occur till 1842, when Newell had his taken to the Tualatin
l)lains, it being the first wagon that erossetl the plains from the Missouri to
the Pacific.
MISSIONARY J'UKDOMINANClv
■J4:{
I"'".'/.
Ilatin
Iri ti)
down |)()uml fort-li in tones of deep contrition wliut
the missionaries, in their iii'iioranc-e of the hmiiuan'e,
took to l)e a fervent pi'ayer. The mountain miMi.
liowever, reeo^nized it to he one of Jandivau's camp-
fire storii'S, and impiously minglt'd their coarsi\ smotli-
ered lauglitei' witli the I'apturous liallelujahsand aniens
of the preachers.*"
Possibly the mouniain men would not have thought
the missionaries so chui'lish had thev l)etter under-
stood that the orthodox plan of settlement in those
days excluded from Or-egon the renegades of civiliza-
tion from the liockv ^[ountains/^ and scarcelv ad-
mittcd the right of the frontiersmen of the western
states to settle in the Oreuon Territorv. Later in the
history it will be seen how the missionaries succeedt'd
in the struggle to maintain this pi'edominani-e/'-
Our unwelcome colonists now drove their stock
along the river as far as Wind River Mt)untain, whei'i'
the natives assisted them in crossing to the trail on
the north bank, down which they continued until
opposite tlu mouth of the Sandy, when they re-
crossed to tile south side, and drove the cattle through
the woody nortiiern end of the Willamette Valley to
the moutii of the Clackamas below the Willamette
Falls, where Newell and Meek arrived in December,
travel-worn, wet, hungry, and homeless, and alto-
gether beneath the notice of the missionaries, who
very unwillingly sold them a few i)otatoes.
There was now nothing to do but to seek at Fort
Vancouver the relief denied by the Americans. They
easily obtained sup])lios from the fur company, where-
♦• Victor's Jfiwr of the Wext, 282-3 ; Port lam f Hemld, March .S, 1867.
*' Petition of JS.IS, in .J.'>/h Con;/., ..'«/ Si-.-'s., 11. Siqit. Rfyt. 101.
^'■'It Wdulil not l>e fair to iussunie tliat ovory individual belonging to the
Methodist Mission was selfishly inditferent to all other classes ; hut tliat tlie
missionaries iis a body entertained and iiractised exclusive senti.neiits, I ha\ e
already shown from documentary evit fence. There is much ad<litioiiaI evi-
dence in tlie statements of the western piMiple who came across the plains ;
some in long anecdotes, others in terse sentences. See more jiarticularly
Waldo'n CntiifKi-.t, MS., 1,"); Wiilkrr'x X<ii\, MS., Hi, 17; A[iiito'.'< rJiirli/ D(ii/.i,
MS., 2i>-«) ; .l/or.i('.i W(t.'<li. Ti'i-., i. 00-1 ; >fesmith's Address, in Or. /'loiieer
Aimc, Tninx., 1880, 19-22.
k i
^
(.,.,
rr"
at'i
V:
L'44
IMlOilKKSS (II' KVKNTS,
upon tliey crossed to the west side of the AVillamette
River, and drivhi}.'' tiieir cattle t!ir<)njj;"li storm and
niiri^ to the Tualatin ])lains, there selei^ted farms, and
erected cabins for their famiHes. Th(!y M'ei-e joined
soon after hy the otht^r mountain men, Doty, Walkei',
Wilkins, Ebberts, and l^arison, formin>ij, with tlic in-
dependent Presbyterian missionaries, (TT'ittin. Clark,
Smith, and ijittlejohn, with their families, a I'ival set-
tlement to that on Chemck(>,ta plain/'
There was an arrival l)y sea in IS 40 of an Ameri-
can vessel, the Maryl(in<h bclonginj^ to the ( 'ushings
of Newbuiyport, with wliom Jason Lee was in cor-
i-espontlence the [irevious year. The Maryland was
'■'Riibcrt Nowoll was born near Zauo.svilU', Ohio, .March 30, 1807. His
father i'i'iii(>ve<l to ( 'iiiciiiiiati when ho was a lad, and apprenticccl him to awad-
<ller. The deatli of liis father loft him his own master when abont eighteen,
anil to gratify a htve of adventnro, lie engaged with Smith, Sublette, and
Jackson, to trap beaver in the Rooky Mountains. With little education, but
fair talants and good principles, lie oontrivod not to be rained by the lawless
associations which were fatal to so many. For some trifling surgical perform-
ances in the mountains he recoiveil tiie title of doctor, whicli he always ri'-
tainod. Applegate says of him: 'Ho was bravo among the bra- 'est, mirthful
without being undigniiied, prudent and sensible, and of unipiestioned vo-
i-aoity.' He is widl sjiokon of by Evans, in Hist. Or., MS., .'Uli-.S; by Ebberts,
i'.i his Trappcr'.i hifv, MS., 120; by Burnett, in his llcmWrlioiis, MS., i. 11"),
l.'VJ 4, and by other authorities. AN'hile in tiie mountains he took to wife
a Nez Perce, but in 184(1 he uuirried !'''ss llebeoca Newman, of Marion
County, Oregon. His connection with ti^ (arly history of the country was
honorable. In 1807 he removed to Ijowistou, Idaho, where he died Novem-
l)or 14, lS()!t.
.losepli Jj. Meek was a native of Wiushington County, Virginia, born in
1810. His nn)ther's name was Walker, of tiie same family as tile wife of
I'resident I'olk. .Meek, however, grew up without education on a Virginia
plantation, and lieing troubled because his fathi>r contractoil a socond mar-
riage, ran away and joined Sublette at the sann^ time with Newell and
Ebberts. The friendship formed between the two young adventurers lasted
through their lives, and Meek, M'ho ontlivotl Newell several years, sincerely
mourned him. Unlike Newell, Meek was o.xcessivoly frolicsome, and enjoyed
shocking sedate people. While uiidoubtccUy brave and magnanimous, ho
missed much of the consideration riNilly clue his exi>loits, through his habit
of making light of everything, iiuluding his own feelings and ■iv.'^s. Ho
jiossessed a splendid physiiiue, a magnetic presenco, wit, courtesy, and gen
orosity. His wife was a Nez Perci\ who outliveil him. He died Juno '20,
187"). I'ir/or'.'i U'wrr of the Wi.st, 41~.S; Jiiini('U\f Her. of n, Pioneer, ir)7 <il,
173 4; Jlili<horoIii(lei>eiident, Juno '24, 187'); S. I<\ Coll, July 23, 187'); S. F.
l'o.-<t, Juno 2'2, 1875; I'ortlntul Orei/onidii, Juno '24, 187"); Or. Pioneer yl .f.voc. ,
Trnn-f., 1870. William M. Doty <lied .luiie 1872. 0. M. Walker 8e\ tied on
the Nestucoa River in Tillamook ('ounty. Or. /'ioneer A-iine., Trnnn., 1880,
58. Ebliorts mentions .John Kornard, \V. H. (Jraves, and one Severn as being
ill Oregon at this time, and (fray mentions Ueorge W^ilkiiisoii and a man
nani'^d Altgoier. Jfi.sf. Or., 102.
MISKKI'UKSKNTATIONS TO fONOKESS.
coiniiiaiuled by John H. Couoli, wlio rainc to t'staU-
lish u tislRTV on tlio f\)lnnibia."
The petition of the colonists for\vai(le<l to congress
hy Farnhani in the winter of 188!)- 40 was followed
hy a report from Captain SjtanldinL;' of the fMUsaimr,
in which the British fnr company was charged with
avarice, cruelty, despotism, and had goxi'mment, in
terms even more violent and exauiicrated than Farn-
ham had ventured to use.*'"
Such grave accusations, made so holdly and re-
peatedly, at length stirred the governmei)t to sonu;
show of action. The secretary of war could not he ex-
l)ected to know that the patriotic Sj)aul(ling s[)oke oidy
from hearsay, or that all tliese connnunications drew
their aspiration from the same source, the Methodist
Missions. The result was, therefore, that instructions
were despatched to the connnander of the United
States exploring .stjuadron in the Pacific to visit the
Columbia River, and ascertain how nmch ground i-eally
existed for the complaints so frequently made to con-
gress concerning the hardshi])s ini})osed by a foreign
corporation u])on citizens of the United States.
*' McLoKii/iliii'i PriviiU- J^djifi-.i, MS., 2(1 ser. 7; A'-'' niid Frost'-'i Or., 272-H.
( 'ouch was uusiiceeasful in this uiidtTtakiug, and after having sohl his vessol
at the Hawaiian Ishinds, returned to Newhuryport, leaving iu Oregon (Jeorge
W . Le Breton, a young man of intelligence and respectahility, who settled at
tiie falls of the Willamette, and attached himself to the anti-Hudson's Bay
or American Missionary party. Having learned the condition of trade in
Oregon and its requirements, Couch returned there in 1842 with a new
))rig, the ('/leinnniis, named after a Chinook ciiief living opposite Astoria, and
leaving a stock of goods at Oregon City in charge of .Vlhert K. Wilson, who
came out in tiie C/ifiiiiiiius, ami \a> lireton. employed his vessel in trade witli
the Sandwicli Islands, as hail lueii arranged in the informal treaty hetween
.Jason Lee and King Kameiiameha 111.; tiie wliole liusiness l)eing under tlie
name and auspices of Cushing it Co. Conch coiitiniU'd to numage the busi-
ness of Cushing & Co. until 1847, wlien he returned to Newhuryport hy way
of China. In tlie following year he engaged with a company of New York
shipping merchants to take a cargo of gooils to Oregon in tlie bark Mui/oiiiin.
Captain Flanders sailed witli him as first oHicer, and took comnuind of the
Madonna on reaching Oregon, while Ccmch took charge of the cargo, whicii
was placed in store and sold in Portland. Tlie two captains went into Imsi-
ness together in 1850, and remained at Portland up to the death of Coucli,
April 181)9. Besides his hiisiness, Couch owned a laml claim which proved a
source of wealth, being now a part of the city of Portland. His wife and
family came from Massachusetts by sea in 1852. His children were all
daaghters, and the three elder married I)r Wilson, C. H. Lewis, merchant,
•md Dr (Jlisan, all prominent citizens. •'5'. /'. Bitlktin. May I 18(31).
*'//. R^yt., .'7th Conij., ..^/ .Vc.s.-*., 5«-lil.
m
IfTT
1 1
3 1'
246
rum; liEiS.S UK KVKNTS.
TIk! liistory of tln^ I'liitcd States ('Xploriii<;f fxpt'di-
tioii under Lieut 'nant Wilkes is ofiveii in fumtlier
volume. It is only neeessnry to say lieiv that tlie
colonists were not well pleased with its ri'sult. They
complained that Wilkes was entertained with marks
of distinijuished consideration hv the officers of the
fur company, and that he did not see affairs as th(^
colonists saw them ; and wlu'n the navi<>^ator declared
openly that there was no ur^vnt nt;cessity foi- the in-
terference of the United Staters nrovernment so louj^^ as
they enjoyed their present peace, j)ros])erity, and com-
fort, the settler's were disu^usted. He visited, the set-
tlers aver-red, the American settlements west of thi^
Cascade ^[()untuins, and other' of his officers the in-
ferior missions, without discover'irii>' the cavils which
formed the subject of so many |)etitions and reports.
It seems strarin'c that since Jasi^n Lee was at the
head of affair-s in the Willamette Valley, he should
only have met Wilkes l>y accident, when the latter*
stunihled u})orr his camp at the head of Sauve Lsl-
and.^*' After so many api)eals to the Urrited States
govermnent for the protection of its arms and the
heiiefits of its jurisdiction, sur'ely common courtesy
would ha\(' dictated soniethin^' like a formal rece[)-
tion. Hut in this instance, as was his custom, Lec^
left the execution of his designs and the appeararrce
of responsi})ility to other's, and set forth on an ex-
cursion to the mouth of the Columhia. If the colo-
nists were in the situation r'e[)r'esented to congress,
he should have beeir makin<if strenuous efforts to place
the facts befor-e Wilkes. The comnrander of the
United States squadroir was left, however, like arry
ordirrary traveller, to go whither he pleased, and to
for'nr his own conclusioirs, which wer'e, in the main,
contr'ar'Y to the tenor' of the rrrenrorials which occa-
siorred his inquiries.*^
♦« Wil/cen' Nar., iv. 365.
*' It is easy to see from Wilkos' rcniarka on the rolmnbia River and
the Willamette Valley, in vol. iv. (if liis ^' a no tire, tiiat lie was we'll in-
formed of all tlie causes of complaint, from the treatment of Ewing Young
SUSl'lCIOUS SH11'-BUILI)IX<;
1M7
One instiUK't' (jf s(»-('ullt'(l inju^tict' Wilkes took <)<ra-
sion to rij^lit. VVliile lie was still at Fort V^aiicouvei-
lie received a visit from three youiiii^ men, ineinbers
of a party of eiu;ht, who were huildiiii;- a schooner to
take thcni to California, as tliey were anxious to leavi^
a countrv where there were no voun<j; white women
to marry. Tlu^ P<>rty consisted of Joseph dale, wlio
came with Younijj; Felix Hathaway, the only sliip-
carpenter amonjjf them; Henry Wood, who came to
California in I8.'{7 with the catth' company; R. L.
Kilborne, of tlie l^eoria immiu^rants; and Pleasant
Armstron<^, .[ohn (irreen, (Jeorge J)avis, and Charles
Matts, who arrived some time between I H',]H and 1 840.
The company had obtained part of the material
necessary to ])uild their vt^ssel, such as iron and s[)ikes,
i)y represent! n<>' that they wen; wanted for a ferry-boat
to be used on the Willamette. To obtain riLj^iring' they
induced the French settlers to ti^o to Fort V^ancouver
and buy cordaL^e, pretending it n'a.« for use in their
rude ftirm liarnesses. These underliand })roceedings
cominyf to the knowh^dsjfe of McLouti^hlin, naturally
excited his sus])icions. How could lie know that
these wore not prepai'ations for })iracy on the Cali-
to the report that cannon were hnricil on Tongue Point, and from tin-
representationa of the tyranny and vices of the fur company ti> tlie ph'ading.n
for American institutions; for all these suhjects are there hrought up and
answered. He did not syiriiiathize with Waller's complaint of the fur com-
pany's monopoly of trade, hecau.se he coulil not help feeling that it was
' unsuited to tlie life of a missionary to he entei'ing into trade of any kind, '
and that complaints against tlie Hudson's Bay ( '(impaiiy ' came witli an ill
grace from tlie menihers of a inissiou who are daily receiving the kindest atten-
tions and hosjiitality from its otiicers.' He visited some of the settlers, and
wius visited by others; dined with Father Blanchet at the Catholic mission
on French I'rairic; visited Ahernethy at the old mission; criticised the mannei'
in which the Mission people left a patent thriushing-machitie in the mitldle of
the road, 'where it had evidently heen for a long time totally neglected,' and
mentioned that a thonsaml husliels of wheat had heen lost through neglect to
harvest it, and that ahout all the Mission prendses there was ahseiice of repaii
an<l neatness, ' which ho regretted to witness.' He exi)ected to find an Indian
school, hut saw no natives except 4 who were employed as servants. On
iiupiiry he was told that there were aliimt 20 at tlu! new mission; hut when
he arrived there ho w;us informed that the pupils were not in a condition to he
inspected. In short, he found the missionaries interesteil in anytliing rather
than missionary work; and especially anxious ahout the estahlishmeiit of a
temporary government, which lie discouraged But of this 1 shall liave more
to say hereafter.
fir
■SHH
I
I
! 5
L'4S
1'U(m;ki;ss ok events.
Koniia coast? He would liavr iiothiiijj;' t'urtlior to do
witli them, and it was iii vain that thev afterward
uj)i)t'aI(Ml to liiiii. Wood, wlio was tlit; kniHt rcputahle
person in the company, having' <^iven Edwards antl
Youn<^ uiucli trouble on the way from California, took
upon himself to intercede with McLoughlin, who
answ(!red him that without any })a])ers he was liable
to he cai)tured as a piratic, addinn-; "And how do I
know that you tlo not intend to heconie one^"
"Well, doctor," replied Wood, in much excitement,
"you may keep your paltry rig^jino'. But remendjer,
sir, I have an uncle in the States, whom I expect
here shortly, rich enough to huy you out, and send
you all })ackino;."
It was now iMcLoughlin's turn to become excited,
in which condition he always stammered, or re])eated
rapidly the same word. "I am glad to hear so rich a
man as your uncle is coming to this country. Who is
it, Mr Wood 'i What's his name, Mr Wood ? I should
like to know him, Mr Wood."
" His name is Uncle Sam, and I hope you will know
liimi" retorted Woof' as he withdrew.*'"*
When Wilkes lun^ heard the story of the young-
men, and talked the matter over with McLoughlin,
lie paid a visit to their ship-yard. Becoming sat-
isfied that all except Wood were of good character,
he arranged with McLoughlin, after Wood was ex-
pelled from the company, to furnish them the requi-
site stores, chains, anchors, and rigging to complete
the Htar of ihajon. He gave them a sea-letter, and
the first American vessel constructed of Oretifon tim-
her made a successful voyage to San Francisco Bay,
under the command of Joseph Gale. She was there
sold and the })roceeds invested in cattle, which were
th-iven to Oregon the following year, most of the
mpany deciding to return and settle permanently in
CO
the Willamette Valley
** A]yplfijntex I'icir.i of I/inf., M8., '29-30. This story the doctor used often
to repeat with iiuioli eiijoyiuent.
WII.KKs IN ()i;K(i(lN
•.•4',»
gttV''
Tlio loss ot' the l*((t('()ck iiisi<K' •»!' tlio bin
Wilkes a had »»i»iiiioM of the I'litranee to the Coluin-
l)ia River, and his aceouiit tVoin first to last, heino;
anythiiiijf hut Hatteriiitr to the coiiiiMercial prospects of
the country, was particularly disj)ieasiniL;' to those wjio
were eiideavorinj^ to encouraoi; trade. Finally, if
anythin<4' may bo cei'tainly known from Wilkes' re-
port of the colony, or the colonist's o[>inion of VVilkes,
it is that ho considered his \isit uncalh^d for, from a
political ])oint of view, and that tl i ' ieit themsi'lves
badly treated because that was his opinion/"
Late in Autj^ust a company ""^'[is oruranizod ' y liiou-
tenant Emmons of Wilkes' ex^ edition f<v i^n overland
';xplorin<^ toui' to California. The ivirty consisted of
eii(hteen officers a. id men, a lU" ib-'i of the settlors.
and certain innni<.n'ant ',.■"'
Wilkes remained in the country until Octolnsr, sup-
plyinti^ th(! })laco of the lo.st Peacock by chartering the
Thomas H. Perkhts, an American vessel whicli arrived
in the river with a carijfo of li([uor. To prevent its
being sold to the Indians, the cargo had been pur-
chased by McLoughlin, who also bought the charter;
the latter he now sold at a low figure to Wilkes, who
changed the vessel's name to the ihegini:'^
He sailed for California on the 5tli, leaving of his
command but one por.son, a negro cook named Saul,
who deserted when the Peacock was wrecked/'^ and
settled near the mouth of the Columbia.
*^Oro!/'s llixl. Or., 2()4 ; Sirnn's Northrent ConM, ^11.
'"^Tho iiiiinigrants were .loci P. Walker, his wife, sister, three sons, and
two (laughters, who arrived in Oregon the previous autunni; and liiirrovvs,
wife and ehild; Warfields, wife and ehild; and one Xieliols, who I think
t'rossed the continent with BiilwcU's California eonipany in 1841 as far as
Fort Hall. The settlers wlio went to California with Kininons were Henry
Wood, Calvin Tihbetts, and Henry Black, who came to Oregon in 1840, and
Molair and Junass. Tibhetts returned with cattle in 1842, probably joining
(iale's party.
•'' Lie lint! Frait'ii Or., 302; MrL()iii//il!ii'.-< I'ririttf Pnrier.f, M.S., 2d ser. 4;
Farnham\t Trnrcbi, 4.")2 3; WUh'.<' Xar., U.S. E.i"plnr. h.r., v. 121. .See also
Hint. Korthirf-it. Consf, this seiies.
•''^Saul was long known in Oregon as the ma.ster of a craft, a cross between
a Chinese junk and a fore-and-aft schooner, winch plied l>etwee'i Astoria and
Cathlamet, carrying passengers, live-stock, ai'd other freight, and supplying a
necessity in the early devekipnieut of the country. Ori-riiml .Moiilhhj, xiv, 27.'{.
^ ''% M
wv
m
•JIM)
l'U()(iKK.SS OF KVKNTfS.
fi '
I .
> i
Tlu' vt'cir liS4L was re'inarkahlc for briot visits of
ixi)loration, ratluT than f(»i' any eiilai-jj^onu'iit of tlu'
Ainericau colony. Wliile Wilkes was still at Fort
Vancouver, Sir (;}eor«.i^e Simpson, governor of the Hutl-
son's Bay Coni})any's ti'rritorios in North Ainorica,
arrivi'd at that post, having travelled from Mon-
treal in twelve weeks, the whole journey being made
in canoe and saddle."'' Tlie principal objects of his
visit to tlu; coast were the inspection of the fort at
Stikeen, leased from the Russian American (\)mpany,
and the establishment of a [)ost at San Francisco.
After spending a week at A^ancouver he ])roceeded to
Stikeen, and was back again at tlie fort by the 22d of
( )ctober.
Almost simultaneously with Sir (Jeorge's ivturn to
\'ancouver, the French I'xplorer JJuHot do Mofras
airived at that post from the Hawaiian Islands in the
comj)any's bark Coirlitz. In IS'M) Mofras, then an
attache of the French end)assy at Madrid, had been
sent by his government to join the legation at Mexico
with s[H'cial instructions to visit the north-western
portion of Mexico, together with California and Ore-
gon, to report on their accessibility to F^rench com-
merce, and to learn something of the geography of
the country."* Such, at leasts was the ostiMisible pur-
j)ose of Mofras' mission, though there were some who
suspcicted him of playing the s})y for his government.
Sir (xeorge was of this opinion, and he took no [)ains
to conceal it, which so hurt the F^renchman's innour
projirc, that he insisted upon ])aying for his passage in
the (j)ivliiz and defi'aying all other pmsonal exj)enses.
Xevertheless it is possible that Sim[)son's a})prehen-
sions were not wholly groundless, at all exents so far
as Mofras' personal sentiments w^ere concerned ; for tlie
latter in his writings concludes a discussion of the
Oregon Question with the hope that the French Cana-
dians luiglit throw off the hated English yoke and
■''' .S'j'wjwow'.i ^V((;'., i. 1-17-. ^
** J/(j/>(i.«, Explor., i. iirufiice, ;i3-74.
MOFKAS AM) SlMI'SON.
2S1
i*stiil)lisli ;i MOW France "m Aiiu'iica, extoiuliiig truni
the St LawiviK'c to tin- Pacific, or at lea.st a sover-
ciij^n state in the t'cdi'ral union.''
Sini})son also speculated upon tlu> future of tlio
Canadian colony, of whose trade the Hudson's Bay
Coni[)any were assuivd, and rv-marked that the Amer-
ican colony also were in a iLfreat measure' dependent
upon the company. But the rei»resentatives of two
jj^overuments, and one corj»oiation almost o(|ual to a
soverei^'nty, who visited Oieoon this year, all reported
favorably u[)on the moi'al, social, anil matei'ial condi-
tion of the colonists."" Ahout the end (tf November
Sin)pson and Mofrns hoth sailed from Orcij^ou for San
Francisco Bay, in the hark ('oich'fz, accompanied hy
Mcljouohliii and his dau_!L>htei', Mrs Hae, who was
i>^oini«^ to join lu'r hushand, William (JKmi Ha<', in
charge of the new post of the company at Yeiha
Buena.
.lust hefore Simpson's dej>arture there arrived in
^Woj'nfs, Knilor., i. 'J!U: (Iri'ciihow to FiilcoiuT, (!; S011//1. (^iunii. h'crinr,
\v. 218; Dwiiii'lle's SpctH'li, .">, in J'ioniir Sbfr/nx.
"' Sim\>n<m ostiiiuitol tlic wlioli' i>ii{ui1atii>ii of tin- Willanu'tto X'alU'y in
IMI, Aiiii'rii'uii ami Frciu'li, at THH) souIm, (>() (aiiadiaiiM and otluT.s with lu-
iliaii wivt's and liall'-hrccd taniilifs, and ()."> Amorii'an families. A'k;'., i. 'J4!K
Spauliling ^n\v the nnmlitT of Anu'iican I'olonists at "0 families. ;.'7t/i Cvinj.,
.'il Sffs., Si'ii. Iti]>t. ,s'.)'". \\ likes gavt^ liie numlurs of white families at
ahout ()((. Hi- also have the niindiei- of eatth' in the Willamettt! X'alU^y at
10, (MM), wortli .*>10 a head w ild, and nnieh more for milch cows or work oxen.
This estimate of the riches of the colonists in cattle is prohalily too high,
thouj{h some her<ls iiad Keen driven from California sin<e 1,S;17. Simjison
placed the numher of cattle at .M.iMK), horses at .")(M), liesides an iincounteil
nniltitudo of hogs. Kven the lower estimate woidd give an average of '_'t
cattle, 4 horses, and ])lenty of pork to e.icli family. Simjison also stat(^d tho
wheat raiseil 11 IS41 to lie":Ci,tKK) imshels from CM) farms, or ahout ."{(M) hushels
to each farui, with a due ju'oportion of oats, l>arle_\, ))ease. and potatoes. 'I'ho
price of wheat, in 1841, after the Puget Sound Company had openeil its farm
on the Cowliv/, wa.s \\'1\ cents jicr luishel, tor whieli anything except spirits
could he draviii from the company's stores, at .")() per cent advance on London
cost. 'This is supposed,' says \\'ilkes, "all things tiiken into consideration,
1(1 lie equal t( ^\.\'l per liushel; hut it is didicult for the settlers so to under-
stfind it, and dieyaro hy n<) means satisfied with therat^^ Sur. ('. S. h'.niitir.
K.i:, iv. .'{(K); Sliiij>.-«iii's Xin:, i. '2M. The wages of meehiinies in the \\'il-
lamette Valley were .*'2..'"i() to S'l a day, counnon lahorers .*>), and hoth dilHcult
to procure at these pri<'es. It could not reasonahly he said that under theso
conditions tlu' colonists were siitleriii); any severe hardships. For other
.iceounts of tiie colony at this time, see \ii-<>liu/'.i dr. 7Vc. ; liliiiicliit'" llisl.
<'i'l/i. Cit. in (h:; Kvans. in Or. Piounr , I fstx.'. , Trnw<., 1877; Uond, in J7tk
f'otMj,, JU Henit., Sen. Jt'ipt. S.t'iK
,jmtwm.m.m
"■ y
. SI
III
t
m
PKOUKESS OF EVEN1.S.
Oregon a company of twenty-three families, <»r about
sixty , yrsons, from the Red River settlement, brought
out under the aus])iees of the Hudson's Bay Conn)any
to settle on the lands of the Puoet Sound Aijricultural
Com])any. Tliey had left Red River about the first
of June with carts, of whi(;h each family had two, and
with bands of cattle, horses, and dogs. The men and
boys rode on horseback, and the women and children
were conveyed in the carts with the household goods.
The whole formed a procession of more than a mile in
length. They started twenty-eight days in advance
of Simpson, who passed then at Fort Carlton, on the
Saskatchewan, and they arrived about the middle of
October at Nisqually," where it was designed they
should settle. But soon discovering the inferior (jual-
ity of tht! soil in that region, they nearly all removed
to the Willamette Valley, to the great disappointment
of McLoughlin and other members of the Puget Sound
Comnany.'"*
L 1/
The failure of the Red River settlers to remain t>n
the lands of the Puget Sound Company defeated
whatever political design tlie formation of that organ-
ization favored, and during tlie year after their arrival
added a considerable number to the Willamette settle-
ments.
''Gray, in I/i-</. Or., 288, places the arrival of the Red River immigrants
at Fort Colville in September 1842, fine year after they passe<l that place,
(ieorge T. Allan, a clerk of the company at Vancouver, who accompanied
Simpson to the Sandwich I.dands, went to Colville to meet them before Sir
(ieorge returned from Stikeen. liohcrfs'' R^rollrrtinnt, MS., 70; Toliiile'x Piiiji't
Soiintl, MS., 24; Evans' Puyallup Address, in JVnr Tiwoiiia Li'i/i/fi; July !•,
1880. Simpson speaks of treating their guide, a Cree, to a short trip on tho
steamer Hcairr, on the sound, while he wiis at Niscpially in Oct. 1841. Xiir.,
i. 241.
•"* Fitzgerald, one of the ])arty, says that ' tiie treatment they received from
Dr '^IcLoughlin was sucli that after having been nearly starved under the
paternal care of that gentleman, tliey all went over to the American settlement
of the Willamette Valley.' Iliiflnoii's liny ('oiii})iihi/, 14. This is more than
even (Jray can indorse, who says that to his certain knowledge McLoughlin
extended to the Red River settlers every facility within his power; l)ut that
other leading meml)ers of the company were domineering and tyrannical, which
was tho cause of tlieir leaviua; the supposed English portion of the territory.
/fM. Or., IVi. Applegate, in liis marginal notes on (iray's history, says: 'The
Red River settlers made no complaint of ill treatment, but removeil from the
sound to the Willamette because of the superiority of the soil and climate.'
J^ee and Fi'ost give the same reason. Or., 210.
CHAPTER X.
on
tl
al
e-
ants
iU'O.
Ill led
Sir
■ '.'.
tlio
((/•.,
rum
the
neiit
tlliUI
hliu
tliat
hioli
ory.
riic
I the
ate. '
THE SUB-INDIAX A(iKNT\S COMPANY
lS4-i-1845.
TiiK P^KFECT OK Lee's LETrEK TO (JiisHiNii^WnrrE Visits Washinoton—
PUAXS OF THE ' FkIENJ)S OF OkEOON ' — WllITE IS APPOINTED SlB-
Inuian A(iENi' Fou OuEnos He Raises a Lakue Company of Emi-
cKANTs — Incidents of tiie Joikney — A Canine Massacke — Dissen-
sions in Camp — The }Iai,t at Vokv La:iamie— The Sioux Take a
Hand— Fort Hall is Reached — Reception hy ihe Missionaries —
White and the Colonists — Disocsied Immkjkants— McjIjOuohlin
TO THE Rescie— Hastinos JjEads a Pautv to California.
The return to Orc^-on of Elijali White, sonic two
years after Ills quarrel with Jason Lee liad sent him
to the States in disgust, lias already been alluded to.
The immediate cause of his return was peculiar, inas-
much as it was dc^^tined that the man who had prac-
tically heen the means of driving jiim out of the
countr}' in disgrace should involuntarily 1h' the iiieans
of hrinu'inii' him back in honor. It will be reniem-
bered that Avheii Lee wrote to Gushing in January
1839, he urged that tlie settlt>rs and Indians in Ore-
gon sadly needed tlie protection of tlie laws of tlu*
VTnited States, and suggested tliat if a suitable j)erson
sliould be sent out as civil magistrate and governor of
tlie territory, the settlers would sustain liis authority."
There can be little doul>t tliat IjI'c lio|(e(l for the
a])pointment liims(>lf; certainly nothing was furtlii'r
fiom Ids desire than that Wliite shouhl get it.
No action was taken in the n»atter at the time, but
it was carefully kept in mind Ity those persons in the
'^SSthComj., 3d Si MX., II. 1,'iyl. 101, Snjtpl,'i,iinl, 4.
2.18 )
254
THE SUB-INDIAN A(iENTS COMPANY.
States who were interested in the affairs of Oregon,
It was not until the Lanmnnc had returned and Cap-
tain Spaulding had presented his report according to
the representations made to liiin by the missionaries,
that the 'Friends of Oregon' began to regard Lee's
proposition as feasible. But wliere were they to find
the man for their purjmse? It was desirable tliat the
.prospective governor sliould be thoroughly familiar
with Oregon afi'airs, and as such Lfse liimself would
probably have been the first choice; but he was on
the other side of the continent, and they wanted their
candidate on the spot, in order that lie might person-
ally plead his cause with the government, and also
that he might take direction of an emigrant scheme
which they had in contemplation.
In January 1842 White, who had for a year past
been living at his old home in Lansing, chanced to
vi it New York, and while there called on Fry and
Farnham, owners of the jAinmntie, to whom he was
favorably known. Here was the very man the Friends
of Oregon needed. In the consultation which followed,
it was arranged that White should proceed at once to
Washington. He shortly afterward set out, armed
with introductory letters from persons of note to Presi-
dent Tyler, Webster, and Upsher. On reaching the
capital, he was })resented to Senator Linn of Missouri,
J. C. S[)encer, secretary of war, and other high offi-
cials who were interested in the Oregon Question, and
disposed to remedy the evils complained of by the
colonists by adopting Jjce's suggestion to send out
a person to act as governor and Indian agent, though
they recognized tli.e fact that the commissioning of
sucli an official was, undc^r the existing treaty with
Great Britain, a mattt^r of nmcii delicacy,
The plan was only jiartially successful. After con-
siderable discussion the government decided that as
the United States made pretensions to tlie territory
lying between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific
Ocean, they might venture to send a sub-Indian agent
ELIJAH WHITE IN THE STATES.
265
into the coiiutry t(i look after the intercourse l)et\voen
the natives and citizens of the United States. But
as to the office of civil magistrate or governor, that
was a commission the president was not prepared to
issue; though the settlers, if they chose to do so,
could by mutual consent sustain the sub-Indian agent's
claim to be regarded as a magistrate among them
without definite authority from the United States.
All this having been explained to White, he was
commissioned sub-Indian agent, with a salary of seven
hundred and fifty dollars, and the guaranty that if
Linn's bill, then before congress, i)assed, his pay should
be raised to the full pay of an Indian agent, or fifteeii
hundred a year. He was also verbally given permis-
sion to draw upon government funds for the payment
of necessary expenses in the discharge of his duties."
His instructions were to lose no time in returning to
Oregon, but to proceed at once overland, using by tlie
way every reasonable effort to induce emigrants to
accompany him. On reaching home the doctor ar-
ranged his affairs, and having been joined by two of
his neighbors, and two sons of Thomas McKay, pro-
ceeded westward, making known his desire to raise a
company for ()reg(^n wherever he went, by advertis-
ing in the newspapers, and occasionally lecturing to
interested audiences.^ At St Louis everything relat-
ing to Oregon was heard with attention, and the
farther he prcjressed in the direction of Independence,
the former recruiting rendezvous of the now disbanded
fur companies, the greater was the interest evinced.
From this latter place White made excursi(ms through
the country, travelling over the counties of Jackson
and Platte, from which a large number of innnigrants
k:-^ <•
^See hill for relief of Elijali White, and report of cuiniuittee of the senate
(latf.l Feb. 2, 184(5, in White's Conriti: I'li-ir, G4-C.
■^ White gives the following glimpse of his emigration eflforts: ' Last niglit
all the other appointments were ttiken np to hear ma lecture on Oregon, and
i\» tlie weather was tine and travelling good, the noble church was tilled, the
)ul|)it lined with ministers of all denominations, and I talked an lioiir and a
lalt with all my might.' 'fcii Ytarii »/t Or., 142-3: Whi'.es Early Vovernment,
MS., 2*2, 24
256
THE SUB-IN DIAX A(;ENT~S COMl'AXV.
Ill
was gained, while others a[)])earecl at Elm Grove, the
appointed rendezvous twenty miles south-west of In-
depeiidencCj who had come fi'om Illinois and Arkansas,
so that by the 14th of May one hundred and twelve
persons were assembled,* fifty-two being men over
eiijhteen vears of ao^e.'''
White's company was not so favorably circum-
stanced as those which had preceded it and had trav-
elled under the protection of the American Fur
Company. He says that his heart sank when he
began to realize what he had undertaken; and that it
was not made more buoyant when Sublette assured
him that there would be nmch difficulty in organizing
and governing such a large pai'ty, and in conducting it
successfully sucli a distance through a wilderness in-
* It is not to 1)0 I)eliev(Ml that tliese i'inifi;rants from afar came at the doctor's
I'all. Probably they had already begun to move in the direction of Oregon,
and hearing of White's party, joined it for safety This opinion is sustained
by Crawford.
^ Their names are as follows: Thomas Boggs, Gabriel Browax, William
lirown, James Brown, Hugh Burns, H. W. Bellamy, Barnam, Winston,
Bennett, Vandeman Bennett, Bailey, Bridges, Nathaniel Crocker, Nathan
('oonibs, Patrick. Clark, Alexander Copeland, Medorum Crawford, A. N.
Ciiats, James Coats, John Dearum, John Daubenbiss, Sanmel Davis, Allen
l>avy, John Force, Jamos Force, Foster, Joseph (libbs, Girtman, Lansford
W. Plastings, John Hoti'stctter, J. M. Hudsjjeth, Hardin Jones, Columbia
Lancaster, Reuben Lewis, A. L. Lovejoy, S. W. Moss, J. L. Morris(m, John
McKay, Alexander McKay, l>utch Paul, Walter Pomeroy, J. H, Perry,
I>wight Pomeroy, J. K. Kobb, T. .1. Shadden, Owen Sumner, Andrew Smith,
A. !>. Smith, Darling Smith, A. Towner, Joel Turnham, David Weston,
Elijah White. Of these, 10 had families, as follows; Gabriel Brown, Mr
Bennett, James Force, Mr Girtman, Columbia Lancaster, Walter Pomeroy,
.1. W. Perry, T. .1. Shadden, Owen Sumner, and Andrew Smith. But Has-
tings gives the force of armed men as 80; and Frdmoni as 64. Crawford says
the wluile munber of emigrants was 105. The largest nundjer given by any
authority is 100. Lovejoy says about 70 were able to stand guard. White s
statement that tiicre were 112 persons in the company when it organized, and
that this nund)er was augmented on the road until it reached 125, is probably
the most reliable, and agrees with the account given in Lcc and Front'n Or.,
'2'il. McLoughlin, in his Primle Papcra, MS., 2d ser, 7, puts the number at
137, but he pn)l)ably includes a party of mountain men who joined the emi-
grants at Fort Laramie. The authorities on the subject arc: White's Ten
Yearn in Or., 144; l(7(//(,''.'< Eniit/nUion to Or., MS., IS; ^froii;/ n J/int. (Jr.,
MS., 33; llastoniH Or. and Cut., (}; Crawford'^ Mi.tsionarii'M, MS., 20; Loix-
joi/'.t FoiindiiKj of Portland, MS., 4; Bennett's Narrative, in San Joni J'tonerr,
May 2(5 anil June 2, 1877. Gray says there were 42 families, and makes the
\v hole nundjcr of persons 111, but only names two of them. J/tM. Or., 212.
The names of many of the adult emigrants must have been forgotten, the
register having been lost after the death of the secretary, N. Crocker, soon
after reaching Oregon. Mrs .\\u\ IVrry, wife of J. W. Perry, died in June
187y. Salem Weekly PurnKr, July 4, 1870.
ON THE PLAINS.
267
ibia
^estcd with liostilo Iiulicaiis tribes; Imt Sublette gave
valuable advice with reyanl to outfit and reirulations."
The train of eij^liteen larj>e P
ennsvlvania Wimons,
with a long procession of horses, pack-nmles, and cat-
tle, set out on the IGth, White having been elected to
the command for one month from the time of starting.
According to the regulations, camj) was made at four
o*clock everv afternoon when wood and water were
convenient. After the wagons had been drawn up
so as to form a circular enclosure, the animals were
turned loose to feed till sunset, when thev were
brought in and tethered to stakes set about the camp.
Every family htvd its own fire, and ]»repared meals in
its own fashion. The evening was s})ent in visiting,
sino;inff, and whatever innocent amusement suiifi^ested
itself The women and children slept in the coveretl
wagons, and the men under tents on the ground. A
guard was stationed at night, and at the dawn, at a
given signal, everyone arose and Vv^ent about his duties,
the cattle being collected while breakfast was being
prepared. When all were ready, the wagon which
had taken tlie lead the previous day was sent to the
rear, so that each in rotation shcmld come to the
front.
In this manner all ])rogressed amicably until the
roy,
lays
any
.l)ly
>r. ,
at
iiii-
T,;i
>/••,
31V'-
ei'v,
the
VI.
the
uie
*The resolutions adopted were substantially as follows: That every male
over 18 years of age should be provided with one ni\ile or horse, or wagon
conveyance; should have one gun, 3 pounds of powder, 12 pounds of lead,
1,000 caps, or suitable flint i, ")0 pounds of Hour or meal, HO pounds of bacon,
and a suit.ab'.e proportion of provisions for women and cliildren; that Wliitt;
shoulU show his official appointment; tliut tliey elect a captain for one niontli;
that there be elected a scientific corps, to consist of tlireo persons, to keep a
record of everything concerning the road and journey that niiglit be useful to
government or future emigrants. Tliis corps consisted of C. I^mcaster, L. W.
Hastings, and A. L. l^ovejoy. James Coats was elected pilot, ami Nathaniel
Crocker secretary. Moreover it was ordered that H. Burn:^ l)e appointed
blacksmith, with power to clioosc two others, and also to call to liis aid tlie
force of the company; that John Hotfstetter l)e appointed master wagon-maker,
witli like power; that the captain appoint a master road and bridge builder,
with like powers; that a code of laws be draugl\ted, and submitted to the com-
pany, and that they be enforced by reprimand, tines, and final banishment;
tliat there be no profane swearing, obscene conversation, or immoral cf)nduct
allowed in tiiu company, on pain of expulsion; that the names of every man,
"oman, and child be registered by the secretary. Whites Ten Years in (Jr.,
U5-G.
Hist, on., \'or.. I. 17
aw
THE .SL'H-INDIAN AGENT'S COMPANY.
\i
i
T
company liad turned off' from tlie Santa Fc trail in a
north-westerly direction to the crossing of tlie Kansas
River. At this point White startled the company
hy officially recommending that all the dogs in camp
he forthwith killed lest they should go mad upon the
arid plains whicli they were now approaching. King
Herod's edict anent the slaughter of the innocents
could scarcely have called forth a louder wail of
lamentation from the mothers of Judea than was
evoked from the women and children of White's
})arty by this ])roposed immolation of their canine
pets and companions. Many of the men, too, pro-
tested loi Jly against the sacrifice; and although when
it came to a /ote most of them yielded to their leader's
wish, yet the measure was so unpopular that it con-
tributed largely to the election of L. W. Hastings as
captain at the end of the first month.^
At this same camp Columbia Lancaster lost a child,
and as the mother was ill, the disheartened parents
turned back to Platte City, their starting-point. The
Kansas River, the South Platte, and other deep fords
were made by placing boards across the tops of the
wagon-boxes, on which the load was fastened, while
above were perched the women and children. Soon
after passing the South Fork, the company was over-
taken by Stephen H. L. Meek, a brother of J. L. Meek,
then in Oregon, and one Bishop, who was travelling for
his health.
After Hastings was elected to succeed White, har-
mony no longer prevailed. The determination of the
new connnander to "govern and not be governed'"*
divided the party into two factions, who marched in
separate columns till Fort Laramie was reached on
the 2-3d of June. Here they spent a week in refitting,
and during that time Mr Bissonette, who was in charge
o^ the post, managed to bring about a reunion by
" LovcJoi/h PorlUiiid, MS., 3. It appears that after all the iiieasurt! vas
only partially carried out.
'•fhwtiuijM Or. (tii'l CdL, «, 9.
OVER THE MOUNTAINS.
urgiiiu- that tlic; coiiipany would need its full stron<rtli
while passiiiir through tho hostile triUis between
Laramie and Fort Hall.
As the emigrants were told that it would he impos-
sible for them to take their oxen and waijons throujifh
to Oregon, many sold or exchanged them for horses,
the advantage l)eing generally on the side of the fort
jjeojjle." They also laid in a fresh stock of provisions,
for wliicli they had to pay at the rate of a dollar a
pint for flour and a dollar a })ound for coffee and sugar.
Before leaving l^aramie the company was joined by
F. X. ^latthieu and half a dozen Canadians, who had
been in the service of the fur company east of the
Rocky Mountains, and were now going to settle in
Oregon. They had fi'W sup])lies, but de[)ended on
game for subsistence.'"
The company had now no guide for the remainder
of the journey, Coats' knowledge of the country ex-
tending no farther than Fort Laramie; but they had
hardly proceeded a mile from that post before they
met Bridger and Fitzpatrick, of the fur comi)anies,
the former being on his way to the States with a large
"'J'liey tlisposed of their wagoiia and cattle at tlie fort; selling them at the
prices they hail paid in the States, and taking in exchange coffee and sugar at
one dollar a pound, and ntiserable, worn-out horses, which died before they
reached the mountains. Mr Houdeau informed nie tliat ho had purchased
30, and tlie lower fort 80 liead of tine cattle, some of them of the Durham
breed.' Frimont's EjrpeditmiK, 40-1.
'" F. X. Matthieu Wiis born in 1818, and in 1837, at tiie time of the Cana
dian rebellion, was clerk in a store in Montreal. Being a rebel, he employed
liis leisure in purchasing and sliippiug arms to the centres of rebellion, and
was obliged at hint to (juit Canada, which he did in 18;J8. He went first
to Albany, New York, and afterward to St Louis, where ho engaged with the
American Fur Company to tra<le in tlie Yellowstone country; and subsequently
made an expedition to Santa F6, from which place he rejoined tiie fur com-
pany at Fort Laramie in 1841, and trailed for one year with tho natives in the
Vellowstono region. Hut the natives being furnished with rum became ton
savage and dangerous to deal with, and Mattiiieu decided to go to Oregon
witli the emigration. Two of the Canadians with him were Peter (iauthici-
and Paul Ojet. Matthieu went to Etienne [.■ucier at Champoeg, where he
remained two years, working as a carpenter or farmer as circumstances
required. In 1844 he mairied and settled at St Pauls as a farmer. When
the gold fever broke out he went to California for a time. He was afterward
elected constable and justice ot the peace uniler the provisional government
of Oregon. In 1878 he dictated to my stenographer an account of his adven-
tures, which, under the title of Matthicn s llij'iujve, MS., furnishes several
items of interest and importance to this work,
!' ffii
•,'■ il
•_■ Mt
TllK sriMNDIAN .UiKNTS COMI'ANV.
m \
) : ,
quantity of t'uis, jnul acfoinjuiiiicd tliiouifli tlic liostilr
(•((imtry })ytlu! latter. As Hridj^rr no loiiyiT n-cjuiicd
liis Hcrvici's, Fitzpatrick was iiidiicrd l>y White, wlio
claiins to liav(^ acted with authority, to ii^uide the com-
pany to Fort Hall at tiie expense of the novernnient."
The new j^uith; soon had an opportunity to show
his skill in dealiniJf with the natives; for while at
[ndependence Kock, wlu're sonu^ of the paitv were ani-
hitious to inscrihe their names, Hastinj^s and Love-
joy, who had fallen hehind, were cut ofi' hy a }>arty
of Sioux, aiul narrowly escaped to camp after several
liours of detention, the savai;'es followiny^, and i)einL;'
met by Fitzpatrick, who succeeded in arrauij^in^ mat-
ters.''^
The Sweetwater was reached f)n the 13th of July,
and here one of the comj)any, a younu,' man named
Bailey, was accidently shot hy another of the j)arty.
At this place all remained for several days to hunt
huffalo and to dry the meat. The Sioux, who infested
the country in considerable numbers, caused the hunt-
ers great amioyance, frequently robbing them of both
horses and game, though they were kt'pt at a safe
distance from the cam]). The last that was seen ol
them was on a tributary of the Sweetwater, where
the principal chiefs were invited to camp and con-
ciliated with })resents.
As soon as they were clear of the enemy. White
and a dozen others who were well mounted })ushed on
before, taking Fitzpa trick with them. This left Has-
tings in charge of the Jieavier portion of the train,
without a guide, and accordingly caused nmch dissat-
" Hastings says that White liad no authority to employ a gtiidc at the
expense of the government, (h: am/ Ciil , {). Lovejoy, wlio w;is Hastings'
lieutentant, says the same. FoKiii/imj o/ J'or/lnm/, MS., 7. Wliite undoubtedly
liad verbal assuranees that the necessary expenses of his expedition would
be paid, see lietter of J. C. Spencer, in HV/iVe's Ten Ynir.t in Or., 322-5,
an<l was encouraged to expect the protection of P'rcniont's exploring expedi-
tion, which ilid not, however, leave? the frontier until the 10th of June, nor
arrive at Laramie until tli" loth of .Inly, wlicn White's party had been a week
gone.
^' Lfnrjoi/'x Portland, MS., 9-18; Hastimjs' Or. and Val, 11-17; Wlikc'.'i
'J'l It Ymr/i, 155-7
L. W. HASTINGS' I'AUTV
901
ist'actioii. At Green Rivrr another division occurrod.
Al)out halt' the ori<;iiial nunihei- of waijons was still
retained; and now part persisted in euttin*,^ up their
\va»4<)iis and nuikinu^ [)ack-saddles, and travt'llin^ hi-nee-
torth with horses. Heavy rain-storms hiiuU'red hotli
|>ai'ties, who arrived at Fort Hall ahout the same
time. Here the enui^iants were kindly reeeivt-d hy
(Irant, who sold them Hour for half the priee paid at
Jjaramie, taking in payment the running-gear of the
wagons, whieh all now {)greed to dispense with.'''
The company remained at Fort Hall ahout ten
days, exet'pt White's ])arty, who starti'd a few days
in advance. Thev lost a man, Adam Horn, the un-
fortunate cause of Bailey's death, at the crossing of
Snake liiver below Salmon Falls.'^ The doct(n' and
his companions started with Mc])onald, a Hudson's
Bay trader; but the pack-animals not being able to
kee}) up with the fur comi)any'8 cavalcade, the greater
nund)er of the party fell behind, while White and a
fewotl -irs proct^eded with McDonald to Walla Walla.
The route taken by McDonald and White after leav-
ing Fort Boise was the same as that described by
Farnham, through Burnt Kiver Canon, and Grand
Konde A'alley, and thence over the Blue Mountains,
whieh they ci'ossed in two days. From the foot of
the mountains an Indian guided White to Wliitman's
mission. Hastings' party avoided the crossing of
Snake River, proceeding along the south side of that
stream as far as the lower crossing at Fort Boise,
where they came into the' trail of the advance l)arty.
They also turned aside to visit Waiilatpu, where they
were wannly welcomed by Whitman about the middle
" Whi'te'ii Tni Ycarti in Or., 164; Jfmf.im/s' (h: and CiL, 20; Crnn-fonV'*
Mixsionitrii't, MS., 24. Attempts liave been made to sliow tliat tlie HiuUoii'.s
Hay Company's oHicers did wliat tlicy coul<l toolistnict immigration from tlio
States, and purposely exaggerate the ditHeulties in order to induce the emi-
grants to sell their oxen and wagons at a saoriiice. That such was i'''t the
case is proved by (Irant's kindness to White's and other parties. I'^ "'jM
them provisions low, and so far from trying to get their wagons, he jre<l
them that they could travel with them as fur as Walla Walla without serious
interruption. It was their own fault that they did not take his advice.
^' Cntw/ord'M Mi/tiiionork'/i, M.S., 23.
\
fr-
* 'i'l
■-'(»'-'
THE 8UH1NIUAN -UiKNTS COMI'AXY.
11 1 H
I (
of R('pcoinl)or. Here tliov lialtcd scvcnil <la\'s to n-
cniit, and were kept Imsy aiiswcriiii^ the cai^iT (jiit's-
tioiiH of the isolated missionaries eoncerning affairs in
the States."^
F'roni Waiilat|»u the eniit^Tants proceeded with-
out ae('i(h'nt to tlie Wilhiniette \'aliey. which they
icached on the oth of Octoher, Svtnie hy Daniel Li-e s
catth; trail fi-oni tlu^ Dalles, anil others l»y the trail
on the north of the Cohnnhia, swiinniiu'j; their cattle
to the south side when ojjposito the mouth of Sandy
Kiver,
;
i !
i in
White, who appears to have ln'cn anxious to reach
the settlements as (sarly as ])ossil>le, arr'ived at Van-
couver ahout the 20tli of Septemher. ( 'onsidering the
circumstances of his departui'e from Oregon, it was
liut natural that he should have sonu' feeling of self-
importance antl exultation on retui'iiing as tJie first
officer of the United Statiss appointed in that country.
Hut as his connnission as governor, oi- rathei' magis-
trate, was only verlml, and depended on the will of
the colonists, it was prudent at least to ascertain the
sentiment of the j)eo])k', and that, too, before the ar-
rival of the Hastings wing of the immigration, whose
influence was likely to be thrown against him.
The position in which White found himself on pre-
s(Miting his credentials to the colonists was not an
enviable one. A meetiMg was called at Cham})oeg
on tl: ' 23d of September, which was addressed at
some nigth by the doctor, who gave such information
as he It himself authorized to give, as he expressed
it, coi jrning the intentions of the government in
regard > the colony, and the feeling of the jieople of
the Un .ed States toward it. Resolutions were then
l^ssed, oo the effect that the })eople of Willamette
Valley were ha})j)y that the government had niani-
'■'^Lovcjoy, who was of Hivstings' party, had heeii left behind to search for
a lost companion. When he reached Walia Walla, Hastings had gone, so ho
remained at the mission, and in the following month was engaged to accom-
pany Whitman to the Stjites.
KKCKPTION IN THE WILI.AMKITE.
2<J3
toHted its inti'iitioii, tlnoiioli its iij^t'iit, Doctor Wliite,
of extending juiisdictioii aiul protection dvcr tiie
country; jrratiHcd that an Indian aj^t'iit liad boon
a|H)ointcd to j-cj^^ulatc and i^uaj'd the interests of the
nativi's; and pleased with thi' api)ointnient of White,
with wiioni tliev proniisetl to cordially cooperate.
They wore also j^^ratet'ul for the liberal desij^n of the
•government to lend its siippoit to education nnd liter-
ature aniono- tlie colonists. It would ^ivc them the
hi*(hest satisfaction to be J)rout(ht as soon as |)ossil)lc
into this l.-ppy estate, and they tlosire<l that their
views expressed in their resolutions mij^ht be trans-
mitted to the ifovernment.'*' There was nothin*'; un-
friendly in these j^uarded expressions, but it was soon
ronuirk(!d, with ditt'erent de<rrees of acrimonious criti-
cism, that White assumed ])owers not belon<j^in<( to
him, claiming to be virtual governor of the colony,
whereas he luid no commission except a letter <»f in-
structions as sub-ai^ent of Indian atiairs.'" The em-
barrassments of his anomalous position constantly
increased. The missionary colonists, as has alieady
boon shown, wore divided amongst themselves. Those
who diti'ered from Jason Lee as to the proper business
of men in the emj)loy of missionary societies liad
already begun to leave the country. Those wlio
remained, especially those in the Willamette Valley,
belonged to the Lee faction, and were opposed to the
pretensions of White because Lee was opposed to
them. The settlers belonging to the Mission wei'c
governed, as the uneducated classes usually are, by
the opinions of the man with the best facilities for
mahing himself popular, and although Jason Lee's
popularity with this class was not what it once had
'« WhUe'x Ten Ymrx in Or., 168-70.
" Hines says: 'Tliu subject of organizing <a govenimunt wius .again revivftl
in Septoniber 1842; but l)r VVbitc, who was now in the country as sulj-agent
of luilian affairs, contended that his office was ec^uivuk-nt ti; that of governor
of the colony. Some of the citizens contended that the doctor's business was
to regulate the intercourse l)etween the In<lian8 and whites, and not to con-
trol the whites in their intercourse among themselves.' Or. JIM., 421; Aj>j>lt-
<j(t(c.t Vkwn, MS., 3G; Mws Pioneer Tlme-i, MS., 4.
I ')
2G4
THE SUB-INDIAN AGENTS COMPANY.
been, he still controlled the majority of American
minds in the Willamette Valley. This being the
])osition of aftairs, it required no little skill to avoid
the rocks placed in the current which White was
obliged to navigate by the determined and often
underhand opposition of his former associates of the
Methodist Mission.
TJie importance of White's innnigration has never
been fully recognized. First, the missionary historians,
Hines and Gray, were inimical to White, each in his
way damning him either with faint praise or loud
condemnation. After them, writers on immigration,
finding White ignored, fell i'.ito the habit of speaking
o the company of 1843 as the first innnigrants.
Against this injustice the authors of several manu-
scripts protest.^** Hastings, who wrote so minutely
about the journey, and who succeeded White in com-
mand of the company, mentions the name of his rival
but once in his account of the migration, and then onlv
to doubt his authority to employ a guide. From all
of which we may learn that if a man desires to be
properly represented in history, he must avoid coming
ill conflict with the ambitions of other men equally
aspiring who may undertake the rec<^rd of affairs.
U\)on the same authority it is said that most of the
innnigrants were disajjpointed in the country. They
found themselves more than two thousand miles from
th* land of their birth, without houses to shelter
them, destitute of the means of farming, without pro-
visions or clothing, surrounded by unfriendly natives,
and without the protection, of then' government. What
wonder, then, if discontent j)revailed r" McLoughlin
did his best to relieve this feeling, engaging many
in labor at fair wages, and furnishing goods on credit
to those who could not make immediate payment.
The Mission, also, whicli was in need of laborers for
^^ Moan' Pioneer TinirM, MS., 10, 11; Crair/onCji Mm'toimrku, MS., 17;
Wkite'» Eitrlji (loivrnwiit, MS., 1!).
^■^ IhtMiiiijs Or. I'liil CiiL, 'J*J.
DISiSATlSFACTION AND DEPAKTUKE.
265
the contemplated improvements, employed many me-
chanics. Thus out of the industry of this handful of
energetic Americans sprang up Oregon City in the
winter of 1842-.'^. There were thirty buildingfs in the
spring of 184:1, wliere before the innaigration there
liad been l)ut three or four.^" From tliis it would
seem that most of the men with families, and some
without, settled at Oregon City.'"'
But there were others among the immigrants who
could not be i)revented from leaving Oregon by prof-
fers of well-paid labor or other consideration. Why,
it is difficult to say. They had had as yet no oppor-
tunity of estimating the resources of the country or
the advantages which niiffht accrue to them by set-
tling in it. Possibly Hastings was responsible for it.
He and White had been at enmity throughout the
overland journey, and as the latter carried a govern-
'"> Moxn' Pioneer Time.^, MS., 29.
'■'- Medorum Cr iwforil went to Salem, and taught the Mission school during
its last session, after wliich he returned to Oregon City and entered upon the
business of transporting goods around the Falls with ox-teams for the greater
eonvenience of the settlers above the portage. He was born in the state of
New York, being 21 years of age when he came to Oregon. He married in
1843 Miss Adeline Brown, who catne in the same company. Mrs Crawford
died in June 1879, leaving 6 children. CraifJ'ord'H MiMxionai-ien, MS., 4. This
manuscript, was dictated from memory. It agrees in the main with other
accounts of the emigration of 1842, and refers to many Oregon matters.
•Sid. icy W. M(i;i8 assisted in building the original Oregon Institute on Wal-
lace's prairie. He was born in Bourbon County, Indiana, March 17, 1810,
was a stone-mason by trade, and finally took up his residence at Oregon City.
He appears, from his Pietiire-s of Pioneer Timex, to have been a man of strong
l)iases, giving his opinions incautiously, though in the main his statements
were c rcct. H.,i wad of a literary turn, and was interested in founding the
first association for n.'utual improvement in Oregon in the autumn of 184;{,
callc'!. the Falls Debating Society. Moss says that wliile on the way to
Oregon, and during the winter of 1842, he wrote a story called the f'rairie
Floirer, which he giive for publieatu>n to Overton Johnston, an emigrant
from Indiana, wlio roturned to the States in 184:1; and that it fell into the
liandr of Emerson. Bennett, who polished it, and published it as his own,
securmg considerabli; fame thereby, as it was the first <>f a series of those
sketches of border life whicli afterward l)eeanie popular. Bennett subse-
tjuently wrote a secjut'l, Leni Leofi. Matx' Pioneer 7V/«('.>i, Oregon City, 1878,
is a valuiilile maimsci ipt treating ably of a great vari;;ty of historial topics,
chielly relating to Oregon City. David AVeston, a Idacksmith associated witli
Hul)l)ard, with I)orn in Indiana, .July 4, 1820. He became a worthy citizen
of the young common wealtli, serving thiuigh the Caj-use war. He died Dec.
19, 1875. Siilein Former, Jan. 187(). .Manning settled on a farm near the old
Mission, v/here .,8 lived 7 years, but went to California in 1849. Sonoma Co.
Hisf., ()12. Crocker was ilrowned in the Willamette in February 1843, as
mentioned in a previous chapter.
U'i
i
ik n
m-'
260
THE SUB-INDIAN ACENT'S COMPANY
ment ai)p()intmeiit, Hastings may have thought that
his ambition would be more fully gratified by seeking
fresh fields. Wherever Hastings went his adherents
were willing to follow, and the result was that he,
started for California in the spring witn about a third
of the adult male members of the original company,
together with a number of women and children." The
party rendezvoused at Champoeg, and began their
march on the 30th of May. Nothing occurred to in-
terrupt their journey until Rogue River was reached,
where the savages crowded about them in large num-
bers, profiering the use of their canoes in cr. o^'ng.
The travellers accepted the offer, but prudc!itly di-
vided their armed men into two parties, half being
on the farther side to receive and protect the goods,
and half left to })rotect the families which had not yet
crossed. In this maimer, by great watchfulness, and
occasionally driving the natives back by discharging a
gun, this dangerous point was safely passed.
Several days' travel below Rogue River they en-
countered a company en route to Oregon, headed by
J. P. Leese and John McClure. Thi' meeting was the
occasion of serious discussion, both parties encaniping
in order to consider the relative merits of the two
countries. The result was, that about one third of
Hastings' })arty turned back to Oregon with Leese
and McClure.''"* Hastings' company, reduced to six-
''' Hastings gives the whole mimuc* ns 53, and of men hearing arms '25. J.
M. Hiulspetli, wlio was horn in Alahaina Fehruary '20, 181'2, 'a civil gentle-
man,' as Moss says, was one. Sonoma Co. Hint., 478-1). N. Coonihs, who
settled in Napa Valley, was another He died Decemher 1877. AiUioc/i
fii'dijer, Jan. 5, 1878. T. J. Shaddcn is also mentioned. He returned to
Oregon and settled in Yamhill County. Crau[f'ord\H Min.sioiitiries, MS., 29.
Among tlio rest M-ere W. Bennett, V. Bennett, 0. Sunnier, A. Smith, A.
Coneland, (r. Davis, S. B. Davis, Jo'iu ]-)auhenbi88, G. W. Bellamy, H. Jones,
and Mr Briilges. Four of tliese had families. San Jomc /'ioiini; May '20, 1877.
(Jraj' remarks that Hastings relieved the colony of a numher of not very
valuahlo settlers, referring to the fact that tliey were furnished l)y McLough-
lin with BUjiplies for their journey to California, for which tli i most of them
neglected to make payment to Mr Ilae at San Francisco as agreed. McLotuili-
I'm X Primtf, J'apern, MS., '2d ser. 8. But the subsequent career of these nieu
proved them no worse in this respect than some who remained in Oregon.
'' McClun! was from New Orleans, wliere, according to Moss, something
happened tu cause him to leave that part of the world. Hu settled at Astoria,
HASTIXdS IN C'AUFOKNIA.
267
teen armed iiieii, proceeded to their destination, being*
twice attacked by Indians, once at SliasUi River, and
again on the Sacramento, with no other damage than
the wounding of Bellamy, and tlie loss for several
days of two men who became separated from the com-
pany, and who, having exhausted their amnmnition
narrowly escajied death from starvation. At Sutter
Fort all were kindly received and cared for, and Has-
tings, after remaining a short time in California, during
which he gathered nmch floating information regard-
ing the country, pul)lished a narrative of his travels
and observations for the benefit of succeeding emi-
grations.
liis land claim forming a part of the town site, and married a native, a sister
of the wife of (ieorge Winslow, colored, of the many aliases, wliose business
as 'medical doctor' was so unfeelingly hroken up by Dr Barclay, at Oregon
City. James John, M. C. Nye, James Daw.son, and Benjamin Kelsey, his
wife Nancy and one daughter, were of the California emigration to Oregon.
Tiie Kelseys did not Icmg remain, but returned to California; and Dawson Wiuj
drowned, in the Columbia River in 1847. Sun Jodi/iiiii Co. HiM., 15; Sutter Co.
Hkl., 2-).
'■'* Till' Bi)iiijrivils' (liiiilc to Orcijoii niiU Cali/oniin, CoDtAiiuiiiij Smii-.i mid
Inriid'nlii of a J'arfi/ of l)n'</oii Emiijraiits; A JJc.srription of Ort'ijon; Scihvh
tfiif/ /iiridi'iiln of a Par/if nf Cnlifoniin Euiiiinintx, iiml a Dcxrrip/iou of < 'itli-
I'ornid, with a Dexcription of the Diffcrrnt Jioiitcx to thoMC Coinitrifn, onil all
Xfrcssari/ hifonnotion lidittiir to the Ei/liijrmciit, Siijiplii'n, iiiitl the Method
of Triavlliii;/ By Lansford W. Hiistings, leader of the Oregon and Cali-
fornia emigrants of 1842. I'inciiinati, 1845. This compendious title to a
book of 152 pages sutticiently explains the nature of its contents, which are
written in a fair style. Hastings was from Detroit, Michigan. He is described
as a man of practical talent, but of a seltish and arbitrary disposition, and is
charged with having wormed himself into the command. Loirjofs /'orllund,
MS., 'X He headed an expedition, says Moss, to some southern island,
Pioimr Tinien, MS., 8; and I.,ovejoy adds that he married a Spanish lady.
/fiisliw/n' Einii/ntid Cnidi' wAti repu!)lished in 1849 at Cincinnati, an<l bound
with a number of other pamphlets on the same subject, uiuler the title of A
//istorif ofOnyoii and California.
CHAPTER XI.
WHITE'S ADMINLSTRATION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
1842-1845.
The Indian Aoknt'm Troubles — Hi.s Nkhotiations with the Cayusea and
Nez Perceh — A Code op Laws for the Indians— The Peace Broken
AOAIN, AND AOAIN PATCHED VI'-WhITE's TROUBLES WITH ILLICIT DIS-
TILLERIES — The Killinu of Cw^kstock — The Oreoon Rangers — Yel-
low Serpent's Disastrous Expedition to California — Death ok his
Son Elijah — White's Interview with Chief Ellis — His Conciliatory
Promises, /.nd how They were Kepf — His Departure from Oregon.
Thk new Indian agent had not been many weeks
in Oregon before lie was called upon to act in his offi-
cial ca[)acity. Word came to Fort Vancouver that
the Cayuses had burned a mill at the Waiilatpu mis-
sion, besides insulting Mrs Whitman, and that the
Nez Forces had threatened violence and outrage at
Lapwai. This news greatly alarmed the colonists, as
it seemed to confirm a rumor then prevalent that all
the Oregon tribes were preparing for a general attack
on the settlers.^
New to office, White acted with promptness. He
consulted with the veteran McKay, by whose advice
it was decided to visit the disturbed localities without
delay. Accordingly, on the 15th of November, White
and McKay set out, accompanied by six well-armed
men and two interpreters, Cornelius Rogers and Bap-
tiste Dorion. At the Dalles they found Mrs Whit-
man, who had abandoned her home' together with
Littlejohn and his wife, and (jeiger. Littlejohn and
^ Mn/tiiii'ii's /tt/iiiiii , MS., i:{; W'hitr'n Ti'ii Vnjrx hi Or., 17(5-7; /tinea' Ore-
I /nil I fist., 14'i.
1268)
ANOTHER FATHER FOR THE JNI>IAN,
'2im
Goiter joimnl White's party, who received anotlur
important addition at Walla Walla in the person of
MeKinlay, who declared that he would make common
cause witli the Americans in dcjaliniy^ with the Cayusi-s.
But few natives were found at Waiilatpu, and those
were shy; so leaving*' an a})pointment for a meetinj^
with the Cayuses on their return, the party [)roceedcd
to Lapwai. A courier had been sent in atlvan<e to
collect the Nez Perces, and when Spalding's station
was reached on the 3d of December, White was re-
ceived by the assembled chiefs with <(ravity and
reserve. Wishing to ginn the confidence and good-
will of the natives l)efore meeting them in council.
White b(!gan by visiting and prescribing for the sick,
and holding informal C(jnversations with the chiefs, in
the course of which he took care to praise the per-
formance of their children at school, and otherwise
to judiciously flatter them.
At the general conference which followed, he made
an approf)riate and well-turned speech exi)laining tln'
nature of his ofKc(^ He told them that the oljject of
his visit was to show them the friendly intentions
of the United States government, which would pro-
tect them in tlunr rights, even against white nuMi who
would do them wrong; he dwelt upon the high esteem
in which the missionaries were held by their great
chief, the president of the United States, and the
oflfencc which would be given by injuring tliem in
their persons or estate.
MeKinlay also addressed them, alluding to the
forn\er got)d understanding betwe<!n the Nez J'erces
and the fur company; and assuring them that English,
French, and Americans were one in interests and feel-
ings, and allied in the same maimer as were the con-
federated tribes, the Cayuses, Walla Wallas, and Xcz
Perces, liogers next made an ai)peal to tlunn, as
their former teacher, antl hoped they would avoid the
troubles into wliich some of tin; tribes east of the
Kockv Mountains had fallen throu'j^h unreasonable
ir
210
WHITK'S A1)MINI^^TRATI()X OF IXUIAX AFFAIRS.
resistance to the jui^t measures of white men. But
perhaps the most eflfective speed i of all was that made
by McKay, who addressed the chiefs in their own
tongue and picturesque style of oratory. He reminded
them of the tragical death of his father, and of the
many years he himself had spent among them, during
which they had fought and suffered together, and
enjoyed their peaceful s})oi'ts in connnon. Now, how-
ever, he was growing old, and thinking to enjoy repose,
had settled on a farm in the Willamette. But at a
moment when all was quiet, the voice of his white
brethren had arc-.^^^jd him, and he had come in haste
to tell them, his former friends and associatiis, to be
advised, and not to stop their ears, for the children
of the great chief were as numerous . 'i the stars in
the lieavens or the leaves on the trees, and they, wln>
were not fools, as their advancenient in learning
showed, surely would not refuse to hearken to the
voice of wisdom.
When McKay had ended, several of the leading
chiefs replied, avowing friendliness toward the white
men, and expressing their grat'tude to tlie United
States government for sending an agent to look after
their welfare. White next proposed that for their
better government and organization the Xez Perces
elect a head chief, with authority to control the young
men and punish them for wrong-doing, the sub- chiefs
acting as his aids, each with a suite of five men to
execute his orders. He also read to them, clause by
clause, a code of laws which he suggested they should
adopt."
^ \
"Following are the oflFencea named and penalties attached: Murder and
purposely Inirniuj,' a <lMolling, hanging. Burning an out-ltuililing, six months
imprisonment, 50 lasliets, and payment of damages. Burning property through
carelessness, payment of damages. Kntering a dwelling without pern\issiou
of occuj>ant, punishment left to the cliiefs. Tlieft of property of the value of
a beaver-skin or less, pay hack twofold, and L'.") laslies. Theft of property worth
more tlian a heaver-ski ., pay back twofold, and 50 lashes. Lsing another's
horse or other property without perniission, '20 to "Jo lashes, as the chief directs,
and payment for use of the horse. Injuring crops or fences, payment ot
damages, and 'J5 lashes. Oidy those travelling or living in the game country
might keep a dog. If a dog kill u domestic animal, the owner must pay the
LAWS FOR TUK SAVACJK.
'J71
against
Althougli this code was specially levelled
the class of iiiisdeiueanors from wliicli settlers and mis
sionaries suffered most annoyance at the hands of the
Indians, yet its provisions were readily a[)proved and
accepted by the chiefs, who even pro})osed that in
some instances the penalties should be made heavier.
But they were by no means so unanimous in the
matter of eloctinu' a head chief. The canvassinu: caused
much agitation, on account of jealousies among them-
selves, but after a great deal of anxious consultation
with one another and the Americans, who endeav-
ored not to give advice in this important matter,
Ellis, the educated son of the Bloody Chief, was at
length chosen, to the general satisfaction of the tribe.^
Appreciating the truth that the shortest road to an
Indian's heart lies through his stomach, White had
provided a fat ox for a barbecue, together with abun-
dance of corn and pease. After the feast the pipe was
smoked, and then both the civilized and savage gave
themselves up to song and merritnent. On the fifth
day of the visit a final council was held, when White
took occasion to lecture the savajjes on their bey:<jini;
propensities, explaining to them as well as he could
the low estimation in which beggars were held by
white })eo})le. Fifty garden-hoes were then presented
to the chiefs and Mr Spalding for distribution among
the industrious poor ; together with some medicines,
to be given as needed. Then, with a parting admo-
nition not to disagree among themselves or with their
teachers, and an intimation to the chiefs that they
were to be held responsible for the good conduct of
damage and kill the dog. This law w.os suggested l)y the Indians thenistlves.
liaising a gun against a white man, to he puni.-died at discretion of cliiefa. If
a white man do tlie same to an Indian, ho is to he punishc'i I)y white men. An
Indian breaking these laws is "to he punished hy his chiefs; a. white man hreak-
iug them is to bo punished by the Indian agent. White'n Or. Tr>:, 181^.
* Hines describes Kllis as having 'a smattering of the English language,
and a high sense of his own importance,' and says that after he was appointeil
he pursued a very haughty and overbearing course. Ore(/oii. Jlinf., 143. Whiti.'
describes him as 'a sensible man of 3'2, reading, speaking, and writing the
English language tolerably well;' that he had a tine small plantation, a few
sheep, some neat stock, and no leas than 1,100 head of horses. Ten Yeui-fi in
Or., 18G-7.
'-1
l.'7'J WHlTirs ADMINISTRATION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
their pet)plo, the agent and liis party returned to
Waiilatpu, being escorted several miles upon their
way by the Nez Perces.
On reachinj; Whitman's station, White found oidv
a tew of the Cayuse chiefs assembled, and the people
still shy. Hearing that the Nez Perces had so read-
ily accepted laws, and chosen a high chief, they were
much distressed. It seemed to them as if their rela-
tives and allies had turned against them, while the
presence of McK.inlay, and especially of McKay,
warned them that all the white j)eoj)le, English and
Americans, were likely to combine for their punish-
ment. McKay spoke first and was followed by Rogers.
Their earnest reproaches had considerable effect upon
their hearers, one of whom, Tauitau, formerly head
chief of tlie tribe, made a long speech deploring the
incorrigible wickedness of his people, and expatiating-
upon his own sincere but fruitless efforts to control
them. White replied in terms of encouragement,
taking care, however, to warn the savages that there
was trouble in store for them unless they mended their
ways. Finally, it was arranged that a meeting be-
tween the agent and the Cayuses should take place in
April, when it would be expected that a satisfactory
settlement of the existing troubles should be had.
Returning to the Dalles on the 25th of December,
and findiny; the natives much excited between the
warlike rumors they had heard and curiosity about
the mission of White, several days were spent in
instructing and inducing them to accept the laws
instituted for the Nez Perces, to which they finally
consented. Having thus smoothed the way, W^liite
reconnnended that Mr and Mrs Littlejohn should
proceed to Lapwai to reenforcc the Spaldings, which
they did innnediately after the winter holidays, while
he returned to the Willamette Valley.''
' Tlie only child and son of Littlejohn was drowiifil in the inill-race afc
l^ipMiii thu following suininur. Li,- nnil Frost'n Or., -12.
rLAYI!^G THE MA(iISTKATE,
White liad liardly reached home when he was called
to tlio mouth of the Columbia to take measures for
the arrest and punishment of George (ieer, a sailor
who had deserted fnmi an American vessel which hatl
been in the river sellincj liquor to tlu! natives.'' Geer
had acted as aji^ent in this nefarious business, which
had occasioned battles and l)loodshcd amonjjf the Clat-
sops and Chinooks; and Frost had protested some-
what wannlv, as his own life as well as the lives of the
contestants was endangered. This so enraged Geer,
who was, as White expressed it, "a fool as well as a
villain," that he offered a bribe of five blankets to the
natives to murder Frost. White arrested the man,
Vmt not knowing what to do with him in the absence
of any law, prevailed on McLoughlin to allow him ti)
accompany the Hudson's Bay Company's express
across the mountains, on a promise never to return to
the country.
By the 1st of April, 184:3, White had eight prisoners
on his hands, mostly Indians, guilty of various crimes,
[)rincipally horse-stealing and petty larceny of articles
of food. He says in his report that "crimes are mul-
tiplying with numbers among the whites, and with
scarcity of game among the Indians." The crimes of
which the white men were guilty seem to have been
few, and were probably violations of the laws of the
United States reu;ulatini>' intercourse with the natives.
In his zeal to perform his whole duty. White may have
sometimes listened to complaints which might have
i>een disregarded. He was confessedly in doubt as to
his authority to prevent certain acts which he found
injurious to the general }>eacc, and was compelled to
ask the commissioner of Indian aftairs for specific
instructions in the premises." Letters received from
Spalding and Brewer testified to the better behavior
<»f the natives at their stations during the winter, but
m Hiif
I
■'This was the lilnne/ic, Capt. f'hepman, from Boston. Mrr,ouiifiliii'.i Prirnte
nopcr-'i, MS., 2il ser. 7; Lee und Frost' ■■< <),:, .32?
'■ ]Vhif'''s Trn }V'»/-s h, Or., 200.
JlinT. Or., Vol. I. 18.
274 WHITES ADMINISTRATION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
it was rumored that at the Jesuit stations the priests
had been robbed of their cattle and were in fear for
their Hves/ The peace at the Protestant missions
was not, however, of long duration. In the s[)rint>-
White received information from Lapwai, Waiilatpu,
and the Dalles tiiat the natives were ai»ain threat-
enmg the extinction of the settlers, assigning as a
reason that the white men intended to take away
their lands. The Cayuses, Walla Wallas, and Nez
Perces were exasperated because there were so many
strangers in the country, and rumor had it that they
contemplated cutting off Whitman, who was expected
soon to return from the States with a party of colo-
nists.**
The alarm was great and general. Almost every
mail had a plan of his own for averting the impending
catastrophe, for should the savages combine, it was
probable that the settlers would be exterminated.
Several isolated families abandoned their liomes and
sought the settlements. Some urged the Indian agent
to erect a strong fortification in the midst of the
colony, and furnish guns and ammunition. Others
thought it better to go witli an armed force into the
midst of the conspirators and bring them to reason
with words, if possible, and if these failed, to use force.
White himself wished the settlers to pledge them-
selves, under forfeiture of a hundred dollars in case
of delinquency, to keep on hand, ready for use, a good
musket or rifle, and a hundred rounds of annnunition ;
and to hold themselves ready to march at a moment's
notice to any part of the country, not to exceed two
days' travel, for the purpose of repelling the savages
should they attempt to invade the settlements. But
no plan could be formed upon which all would unite.
To add to the general excitement, the Indians in
the Willamette Valley became unusually insolent,
' No hint of this is given by tho Catholic authors, except the acknowledg-
ment of having built a stockade about one of their stations. 1 heir policy was
to represent the natives as being everywhere rejoiced at their advent.
^Mim' Or. llixt., 143-4; niiitc'i Ten Years in Or., 213-14.
si(;ns ok wau.
owino- to a quarrel between some Molallas and the
iie<;j;;ro (Jeorire Winslow, or Winslow Aiulersoii as hv
now called hiniiself. Moreover there was hostile ayfita-
tion among theCalapooyas because White had ordered
some of them to be Ho<>i>'ed for stealing from the
missionaries."
On tlie 20th of April White received a letter from
Brewer urging him to come U]> to the Dalles without
delay, and endeavor to (juiet the excitement among
the natives. He was under an migagcment to visit
them this month, and immediately began to prepare
lor the expedition, whicli involved the raising of both
nien and means. On all other occasions when the
Americans lacked anything, they had obtained what-
ever they needed at Fort Vancouver, and from the
Canadians. But Spaulding's report and the Abernethy-
Shortess petition had given great ott'ence to Mc-
Loughlin, who declared that henceforward he would
extend no favors to the authors of that memorial,
whoever that might be. Nor did McLoughlin favor
White's jiroposal to go among the Indians with an
armed force. Such a step he thought might bring on
a conflict, whereas to remain quiet might soothe their
excitement — an oj)inion which he communicated to
White by letter.
The Americans, however, held different views. But
when White was ready to proceed, not a Canadian
could be induced to accompany hhn, so that when he
set out only Le Breton, one Indian, and an Hawaiian
servant were with him. Nor were the requisite
oquij)menta at hand, or the funds to procure them at
Fort Vancouver. On arriving at the fort, where
according to Hines they " found it rather squally," ^'^'
White requested provisions, annnunition, and arti-
« //»!««' Orenon Hist., 146.
'" Hines says lie inquired of McLonghlin if lie had refused to grant supplies
to those Americans who had signed the inuinorial against him, when the
tloctor replied that he had only said that of its authors. ' Not being one of
the authors, but merely a signer of the petition, I did not come under the ban
of the company; consequently I obtained my outfit for the expedition." Or
nut., 149-50.
!, <'
270
WlllTK'.S ADMINISTRATION OK INDIAN AriAllW.
cleH for j)rusoiits, on an order <ni tlu' Ignited States
treasury," wliich request was granted, notwithstand-
ing the lato aftront to the conipany and its eliief otH-
eer in Oregon, and on tiie 29th tht; [)arty proceetled
hy canoe to tlic Dalles, ^^here Wliite was visited l»v
a deputation of Indians from near the mission of l^ee
and J*erkins. Tlio chiefs complained that they had
much difficuii-y in enforcing the laws, as the people
resisted the whipping peiialt}'. The chiefs, however,
were in favor of continuing the code on account of
the authority it gave them. As for those who had
been whipj)ed, they in(|uired of Wliite what benefit
the whipping system was going to be to them; they
had been Hogged a good many times, they said, and
had received nothing for it. If this state of affairs
was to continue, the law was l)ad and they did not
want it. But if blankets, shirts, and gifts were to
follow, they had no objection to its contiimance.
When White told them not to expect pay for being
whipped if they deserved it, they laughed and dis-
])C!rsed, giving their guardian plaiidy to understand
that they did not })ropose to suiier the penalties of
civilization for nothing.
White found on coming nearer to the seat of dis-
turbance that rumor had not overstated the serious-
ness of its as))ect. The Indians, to justify themselves,
asserted tliat r>aptisi:e Dorion, while acting as White's
interpreter OTi Ini. first visit, had told them that the
Americans d<.'signed taking away their land. The
young CayUrtOi, were in favor of raising a war party at
once, surprising the Willamette settlements, and cut-
ting off the colony at one blow, which by concert of
" Of course the Hiulson's Ray Compiuiy found no one in Washington to
honor Dr Wliito's hills, amouuting, in iiil, to S!(!,(MH). By a proper represen-
tiitiou of the facts, the friends of Oregon in congress, after some years delay,
procured the passage of an act authorizing the payment of these hills. In
the mean time theT)oard of management in London passeil an order, which,
hesides heing an imperative command for the future, was a sarcastic rebuke
for the p.ist. The orilers info; mcd their traders in Oregon ' that they did not
understand government securities,' and forbade them to deal in them, and for
the future to ' stick to their beaver-skius.' Appleyate's Vicwa oj Hist., MS., 37;
White's Or. Tcr , 04- C.
COUNCIL CALLKl).
277
ton t<'
roseii-
leliiy,
. In
hit!h,
elmkc
id not
nd for
!S.,37j
action could easily have been done. But the older
chiefs counselled more cautious measures, j)ointiiit( out
the lateness of the season, and the difficulty of cross-
iiiti" the mountains in the snow. It would be wiser in
any case, they added, not to be the first to attack, but
to be prepared for defence should the Americans
attcunpt their subjugation, So impressed were they
that such design was in contemplation, that they could
not be induced by Geiger to prepare the ground for
cultivation, as usual, early in spring, and could with
difficulty be made to believe that White's small party
was not the advance guard of an armed forte. '"^ The
Cayuses declared that the laws introduced by Whiti'
a»i ong the Nez Percds liad effected more harm than
good, being made an excuse for petty tyranny to such
an extent that the new code was regarded by the
Indians as a device of the white })eople to accomplish
their subjection. They were uneasy also because
McKinlay and McKay had intimated their determi
nation to act with the Americans, if the Indians
exhibited a hostile purpose.
In their perplexity they had sent Peupeumoxmox
to ask McLoughlin what course he intended to pursue
in case tliey were attacked by the Americans. For
answer McLoughlin advised them to keep quiet, assur-
ing them that they had nothing to fear from either
the Americans or the Hudson's Bay Company so
long as tliey behaved themselves.
News now reached White that seven hundred Nez
Perces, fully accoutred for war, were coming to the
appointed rendezvous at Waiilotpu. It was thought
important to prevent a conference or a quarrel between
them and the Cayuses, by holding a council with the
latter at once, and ever}^ endeavor was made by the
whole company of the Americans, which now embraced
Geiger, Perkins, and Mrs Whitman, to bring about
— '^ ' I actually found them, says White, ' aufifering more from fears of wai
from the whites, than the whites from the Indians — each party resolving, how
ever, to remain at home, and tliere fight to the last — though, fortunately, some
:{00 or 400 miles apart.' Ten Yearn in Or., 214.
ii
w
WHITL'S ADMlXlvrUATlON 01' INKIAN AFFAIRS.
this object, but witliont success; the Cayuses would
not talk until they had seen Chief Ellis. When
White proposed to go to Lapwai, and bring the Nez
Perces at once, they were suspicious that his intention
was to prevent the coming of Ellis, and objected. At
length White and his aids were allowed to go, and
were received with a grand parade, such as had been
given to the missionaries in the Rocky Mountains in
1836, and were escorted back to Waiilatpu by several
hundred of the principal men of the tribe with tiieir
families, Ellis signifying his intention of influencing
the Cayuses to accept the laws ado})ted by the Nez
Perces.
It was not until the 23d of May that the chiefs on
both sides were ready for council, the meeting being-
opened by Tauitau. The savages were assured that
the white men had not come there with the design of
deceiving or injuring them. If they would be united,
would cultivate the ground and obey the laws, they
might become a great and happy peo|)le; but if they
persisted in disorder, disob(^dience, and an unsettled
manner of life, their condition could never be bettered.
On the laws being called for and read, Peupeumox-
mox arose and inquired : " Where are these laws from !*
Are they from (xod, or from the earth? I would that
you might say they were from God ; but I think they
are from the earth, because, from what I know of
white men, they do not honor these laws." When
told that the laws were recognized by God, and im-
posed on men in all civilized countries, the chief ex-
pressed himself pleased to hear that it was so, because
many of his people had been angry with him when
they were whipped for crimes, and had declared that
he would be sent to hell for it. Therefore he was
relieved to know that his conduct was pleasing to
God. Here Tiloukaikt, jealous of the apparent c(»n-
sent of Tauitau to the proceedings, and thinking he
might be looking forward to a high chieftainship, in-
quired why the laws were read to them before they
THE LAWS ACCEPl'ED.
279
I ez
liad indicated a desire to adopt thein. "We do not
take the laws because Tauitau says so," said the chief,
angrily. "He is a Catholic, and as a people we do
not follow the Catholic worship."'^ But White ex-
plained that the Americans had different modes of
worship, yet obeyed one law.
A Nez Percd sub-chief, called the Prince, complained
that the white people had not given them cattle, but
they had been compelled to pay for them. He wanted
something tangible, cattle and presents, because his
people had been kind to Lewis and Clarke. Illutin,
also a Nez Perce, declared that he was wearied with
the wickedness of the young men, and asserted that
it was because they had stolen property in their pos-
session that they objected to the laws. But the
prince argued that the white people had long since
been promising them benefits, though they passed on
and left no blessing behind. If the Americans de-
signed to do them good, why did they not bring pres-
ents, like the British traders, who not only promised
but performed. To this very pointed argument White
replied that the Americans among them were mis
sionaries, and not traders. Thus the first day passed
without anything definite being accomplished. After
the meeting adjourned i^Uis and Lawyer came pri-
vately to the sub-agent to tell him that they expected
l)ay for beiny chief>s. The former had counted the
months h'^ had been in office, and thought there nmst
be enough duo him to make him wealthy. It certainly
was a singular civilization, this of White's, which al-
lowed officials no salary, and criminals no recompense.
On the following day it was found somewhat easier
to proceed with the business of the council. The
'■' This was truo, though the Cayuscs were protty evenly divided between
I'roteataiitisiu and Konianisin. Of the chiefs, oidy Tauitau was a (.'atholic.
His brother, Five Crows, was a Protestant; Tih>ukaikt was a I'rote^jtuut; and
"O was Sticcas. I'eupuunioxiiiox of the W-dhi Wall-, ("ayuses was also a
Protestant. Parrish calls Peupeiunoxiriox :> ni.-igriiUviit man. but gives no ■
better reason for tiiis opinion than that lio sent his uni Klijah Hedding to the
Methodist Mission to ue ducated. Or. A iicdof.eji, iVl8., 95. Ho seems to
have been an intelligent savage, an<l beii!(! ri^^'h as well, possessed great
influence.
i
1 :..
280
WiliTE'S ADMINISTRATION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
Cayuses accepted the laws, and Tauitau was elected
high chief, thes=o matters being probably expedited by
the prospect of the feast which followed. But on
the following morning Tauitau, remembering what
Tiloukaikt had said, when the natives were assembled
voluntarily resigned the chieftainship, saying that it
was better so, on account of the difference in religious
matters between himself and the majority of the
people. His brother, Five Crows, was thereupon
elected in his place, the day closing with another feast
of fat beef. On the 27th of May, White took leave
of the Nez Perces and Cayuses, well satisfied wit!»
having averted the thunderbolt of war. Mrs A\ '(M-
man returned to the Dalles with the fur company ')s
brigade, just down from the upper forts, and there
remained till the return of her husband in the autumn.
Thus ended, more fortunately than might have
been anticipated, White's second official essay for the
protection of citizens of the United States in Oregon.
But though he was frequently called on to interpose
his authority in conflicts between the white inhabi-
tants and the natives, or where the laws of the United
States concerning intercourse with the natives were
being violated, he was no nearer being recognized as
governor of the colony than on his arrival, the mis-
sionary influence being dii;!cted against him, and the
number of aspirants for that office belonging to the
Mission party causing the other colonists to oppose
the election of such dignitary."
During White's administration the colony adopted
a provi.sional form of government — an action which
was undoubtedly hastened by missionary jealousy of
White's preteu!^ ions in connection with another matter,
'* Tl»o only one of tlio inissionariex who seemed disposea to give Wliitc a
fair iiulorsL'ineiit wiis Hiiien, wlio at VVIiite's request wrote a letter to the sec-
I'etary of war, declaring tliat he had discharged his duties witli diffidence,
hut with energy and decision; for the performance of wliich he was entitled
to the 'warmest respect of this infant and helpless colony,' and to the conli-
dcuce of the department. Whilv'ti <h\ '/Vc, 4, 5.
.SUPPRESSION OF DISTILLERIES.
281
led
of which I shall give the history in its proper place.
Ill January 1844 complaints were made to tJie Indian
agent that a distillery was in operation at Oregon
City. His authority for interfering was su})posed to
be derived from the laws of Iowa touching the sale
of liquor in the Indian territory, the colonists having
adopted the Iowa code. Since the United States had
not extended the laws of Iowa over Oregon, he had
really no authority. But he was sustained by public
sentiment, and even required by the colonists to pro-
ceed in the matter. Accordingly, he seized and de-
stroyed the distillery, and placed *^ the offender under
bonds to the amount of three hundred dollars. Be-
fore the smnmer was over another distillerj' was in
operation. This also was promptly suppressed. Con-
ner, who was owner in both adventures, challenged
Wliite to fight a duel, for which he was fined five
hundred dollars by the circuit court and disfranchised
for life, but was restored to citizenship by the legisla-
ture of 1844.^«
Considering that he was waging this war on whiskey
with no better warrant than the sanction of those set-
tlers who did not care to buy or drink it, one would
think that White would at most have taken notice
only of cases where the liquor was supplied directly
to the natives. But this did not satisfy his zeal, which
several times led him into embarrassing positions. On
«>ne ocn.sion he boarded a vessel of which J. H. Couch
s/as master, and attein})ted to search for liquors, but
Couch, knowing his rights and duties better than the
Indian agent, ranged his guns fore and aft along the
i
'■"This (Ustillery, the first attempted since 183G, was owned Ijy James
Conner, who liad been in tlie country since 18.38. It consisted of siieet-tin
pipes — the tin purchasetl from Abernethy — joined like a worm-fence, and
placed in a large wooden trough with water flowing through it, tiie whole
iieing covered with boards placed in the form of a house gable. Moiu' Pionefr
Timeg, MS., 5.3-4.
"This second distillery belonged to .Tames Conner, Richard McCrary, and
Ifiram Straight. It consisted of a large kettle, with a wooden top, and a
worm; and the whi.skey, called 'blue ruin,' was distilled from shorts, wheat,
and molasses. HVi/Ve'^ Or, Tvi:, 40; Wnltx Firxl T/iiiujn, MS.. 10, 11; Omjon
Laii'M, 1843-9, 83.
282
WHITE'S ADMINISTRATION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
deck, whereupon the search was rehnquished as hastily
as it had been begun. Private individuals also came
in for a share of his officious attention. For instance,
F. W. Pettygrove, described as " a merchant of good
liabits," was put under bonds in the sum of one thou-
sand dollars for having in his house wine and brandy
for his own use. White also attempted to confiscate
the whiskey-barrel of an Englishwoman named Cooper,
but +' nought it advisable to desist when the Amazon
vigoi rotested "in the name of Great Biitain,
Ireland, i Scotland."
There was but one instance of serious trouble with
the Indians in the Willamette, and that was brought
about by the quarrel between the negro W^inslow and
the Molallas, to which I have already alluded. It
appears tliat Winslow overreached an Indian named
Cockstock in some business transaction. To right
the account, the latter appropriated a horse belonging
to the negro, but was compelled by White to restore
it. Thereupon Cockstock, who was a bold and vicious
fellow, vowed vengeance against Winslow and another
negro named James D. Saules, who was in some way
involved in the dispute. Saules complained to White,
who offered a reward of a hundred dollars for the
safe delivery of the Indian into his hands, intending
to send him to the Caj'uses and Nez Pcrces to be
tried by their laws. This so enraged the turbulent
Cockstock that on the 4th of March, 1844, he called
together a few followers, and putting on his war-pair:t,
rode into Oregon City with many hostile demon-
strations. After creating some alarm, he crossed the
river to a village in search vS recruits. When shortly
afterward he reap})eared on the Oreg jn City side, his
landing was opposed by a confused crowd of white
men, wjio, without a leader, or concert of action, en-
deavored to capture him, some for the reward, and
others with a more deadly pur[)()8e. Fire-arms were dis-
charged on both sides sinmltaneously, and in the melee
WHITE, REI>, A^D BLACK.
Cockstoc'k was killed, and three Ainericajis wounded,
George W. Lo Breton and a Mr Rogers mortally/^
The death of Le Breton, who was an active young
American, and conspicuous in the early politics of
the colony, was severely felt; and a public meeting
was called at Champoeg to consider the subject of the
outbreak, the result of which was the formation of a
volunteer company of mounted riflemen under the
name of Oregon Rangers, this being the first mili-
tary o/*?anization in the territory."* Resolutions were
})assed n. 'orsing and supporting the measures taken
by White in his official capacity, the reason for this
sti p being that McLoughlin had censured the conduct
of the Americans, alleging that the killing of Cock •
stock was an assassination, a view which, liowever
well founded in the fact that the cilizoiis had not
waited for the overt act,'" was extremely offensive to
the Americans. An investigation was (»rdered by
the executive committee, and White cited to appear
before the colonial judge, ( ). Rus.sell, to vindicate him-
self, and remove the stigma from the fair name of the
American colonists."" Probablv the trial never took
his
^hite
en-
and
dis-
lelee
" lioMlOH MUk. Ho-.tUl, Nov. 1844. lilanchet, in liis llrnt. dUli. Cli. in Or.,
145-7, gives a different version, intended to make it appear that tlie killing
of Cockstock was a deed of unprovoked brutality on the part of the Ameri-
cans; but as White, in his report to the secretary of war, gives the corre-
.spondence and particulars, I see no rciuson to depiirt from tliat record. A part
of Blauchet's bitterness ij accounted for where he says, ' Le Breton will pay
daarly for his apostasy.' Le Breton had become fi convert to the Catiiolie
faith at St Pauls in 184'-!, but seeint; he could not get the girl he expected, ho
■ fro n tlie church. A/., \i]; <iriii/'/i //lit. Or., 871: WiiIiIo'h
('ritii/ucs, SilS., 5, (i; Unroii'-'i Jfrr. Li/<' Or., MS., 25.
withdrew gradually 1
""Tiiis meeting was called by tlie executive committee of tiie colony, and
w:i8 held at tlie house of La ("liapellc, on Frencii I'rairie, .Marcii 1), 1844.
W.H. Willson wa." chairman, and'l'. 1). Kai.ser, secretjiry. (Iron'r'xOr. A rr/ihr.t,
■Ui 7. The men enlisted at the time were T. 1). Kaiser, who was elucted cap-
tain; J. L. Morrison, 1st lieutenant; R. .F. Cason, ensign; Charles 1'. Matt,
Ira C. Hutcliins, R. H. Kkin, Peter Brainard, Natiian Sutton, William l)c-
lany, James R. Patterson, John Kdiuonds, Niucveii Ford, William .1. Martin,
James Martin, Wcbley Hauxhurst, Jolin Anderson, Joel Tuniham, .1. M.
• iarrison, Joseph Holinan, John Ford, Charles E. Pickett, John 11. Kaiser,
i>aniel Waldo, Lindsey Applegate, and W. }1. <»ray. Commissions were issued
to the officers April 3d, signed by 1). Hill, J. C.ale, and A. Fieers, executive
committee, and ()verton Johnson, secretary. <^r. Archiwg, MS., 10, 12.
^'^liliiurhi'l'.'* llist.Cith. Vh.inOr.,m-^.
'•■"The letter of .Mr Beers of the executive committee is to Im found in Or.
A rrhiri ■*, MS., ,") 7.
-'>S4
WHITES AUMINISTHAIION OF INDIAX AFFAIRS.
})la('e, as no record of it exists. It is likely enough
that wiien the excitement had died awa}', and all the
circumstances were known, it became apparent that
the encounter might have been avoided by the exer-
cise of cooliKiss and moderation.
Not long after the affair of the 4th of March,
Saules, the negro who had complained of Cockstock,
was himself arrested for joining the Clackamas Indians
in making threats against the life and property of
Charles E. Pickett. There being no prison in which
to confine him, he was permitted to go to Clatsop
with his Indian wife, where he was employed about
the Mission until its suspension in 184G, soon after
which he was arrested on the charge of murdering
his wife, but the necessary proof being wanting, he
was disv'iiarged.'"^ The trouble occasioned by Winslow
and Saules aroused a strong prejudice against persons
of African blood, which was exhibited in a communi-
cation sent by White to the secretary of war, inquir-
ing if the emigration of negroes could not be prohibited,
and in the subsequent legislation of the colonists.
As to the Indian relatives of Cockstock, they were
pacified by McLoughlin paying to the wid«)W of the
chief, on White's order, some blankets and other
goods,"^ and there the matter ended, so far as thej^
were concerned.
The executive committee, however, being deter-
mined to oppose the policy and advice of McLough-
lin, declared that "the idea should be hooted out of
countenance, that they allowed Indians to be nmr-
dered, and paid for it with blankets." If White found
it necessary to take such measures as he had taken,
he should go on, and the committee would "support
••" Oriyoii SfX'cMor, Dec. 24, 184G.
" Petty ijroirK Or., MS., G, 7; Or. Arc/iiirA, MS., 1."?. About 70 Dalles
IiuliaiiM, aceortling to White, presented themselves as relatives of the dead
chief, and demanded indemnity, according to their customs; hut White
showed them that as the Americans had lost two men, by their rule there
■would I)e due the Americans twice what they claimed, on which representa-
tion they consented to accept a present for tlie widow. Or. Tcr., 'M.
TlIK OUKCiON KAN(H-:U.S.
•-M5
him witli thirty mounted riflemen." -'^ This was easy
to promise, but tlie riflemen tliemselves must liave a
voice in the matter. The officers of the ran<^ers wrote
to the committee demandint^ to k/iow if after all tliero
had been any cause for raising troops, or if there
existed any need of their services at that moment.
They were also anxious to be informed where the
military stores, provisions, and pay were to come
from, and concluded by remarking that if they were
expected to fight at their own expense, tliey had
enoujjh to do to fiijht their own battles.'^ The forma-
tion of the company was m fact a mere piece of
braggadocio, intended (juite as much to alarm the
Hudson's Bay Company as to awe the natives. The
only service in which the rangers were engaged wa.> in
tlie pursuit now and then of a band of hungry savages
who had stolen a beef White himself ridicules the
course of the committee in calling out the troops
because a miserable party of natives, whose single
gun was broken and unserviceable, had been tempted
to kill an old ox which chanced to stray in their
vicinity, and for which they were forced to pay the
gun and eight horses. Several of these small affairs
sionalized the existence of the Oregon Rauijers. The
last of the kind occurred in July 184G, when a small
party of natives from east of the Cascade Mountains,
being encamped on the Santiam River, near ]jOoney's
l)lace, and suspected of stealing some Jiorsc^s beh^iging
to him, were surrounded and fired on without further
inquiry, though, as afterward transpired, tlvey were
innocent of the theft. "'^
i
The next serious troubl(> with t1u> natives came
from an unex})ected source. Early in the spring of
1845 White received a connnunication from Whitman
at Waiilat})U, informing liim of the return of a party
'■"Letter of A. Beers, in (h: ArchiiH'n, MS., 5-7.
'" Letters of Kaiser, Morrison, anil Brainard, in Or. Arcfihvn, MS., 12, 13.
'^^(h-cijoii Sycrtntdi; Aug. 1(5, 184(i; M'nilo's Enrhj Dni/n, MS., 38-40; Kni-
M):r'ii A^ar., Mis., 12-14; Kai-irr'-t E'lil'jnin/ Itoiul, MS., 7-i).
U80
WIHTK'S ADMIMSTKATIOX OF IN'UIAX AFFAIRS.
of Spokanes, Cayusos, aiiJ Walla Wallas from Califor-
nia, under circunistam-es wliirh hd him to fear for the
safety of the settlers in the upper country,'"" as Elijali
Hedding, the son of Peupeumoxmox, had been killed
by an American. Before the excitement caused by
this information had subsided, White was surprised
by a visit from Ellis, high chief of the Nez Percds,
who came to recount to him the particulars of this
unfortunate affair. The story told by Ellis was that
the natives had seized upon the idea of procuring
cattle from California, and taking their surplus furs
and horses to exchanoe foi- cows, had set out on this
expedition under the leadership of Peupeumoxmox,
or Yellow Serpent, who was accompanied by his
converted son, Elijah Hedding. The journey was
fraught with danger, as they were obliged to pass
through a country inhabited by tribes with whom
they were not friendly ; but being well mounted and
equipped, they reached California in safety, and were
well received by the white population at Sutter Fort.
An agreement to trade was entered into; all went
well until the natives in hunting met witli a band of
freebooters from whom they took a prize of twenty-
two stolen horses. On returning with them to the
settlements, the animals were claimed by their former
owners. The Oregon chiefs remonstrated, saying that
in their country the horses, having been recovered
from an enemy at the risk of life, would belong to
those who reca})tured them. But the others insisted
that accordino' to the laws of California the animals
must bear a transfer mark before they ceased to be
the prt)perty of their original owners. As the Indians
refused to take that view of it, a ransom of first ten
and then fifteen cows was offered for the captured
estrays. But Peupeumoxmox was sulky, and would
not reply, so the negotiations were broken off,
A day or two later, an American, seeing a nmle
which had been stolen from him among the animals,
'•"^ Jfoiiolulii Fr!eml,
•-'9.
ASSASSINATION OF ELIJAH.
287
roughly doinanded his property, and declared that lu-
would take it himself if it was not promptly surren-
dered. Thereupon Elijah Hedding deliberately loaded
his rifle, and turning to the American said signiticantlv :
"Go, now, and take your mule." The white man,
considerably alarmed, asked Elijah if he intended tt)
kill him. " O, no," carelessly re})lied the young chief,
"I am only going to shoot that eagle on yonder tree."
But his looks ajid manner belied his tongue, so the
American thought it best to leave the mule.
Oi the following Sunday some of the natives
attended religious services at Sutter Fort. After the
close Elijah was invited into another apartment, to-
gether with his uncle. Here they were menaced, and
.subjected to much wordy abuse. Finally the man
who had had the dispute about the mule said to
Elijah, " Yesterday you were going to kill me; now
you must die," at the same time drawing a pistol.
Elijah said, "Let me pray a little first;" and dropping
on his knees, was shot dead in that attitude.
Suca was the story as told by Ellis to White,'" and
as reported by the latter to the secretary of war. As
Elijah was a convert, the same version was generally
accepted by the missionaries;'^** but the truth of the
matter is, that Elijah was a turbulent fellow, and met
his death in a quarrel which he himself provoked.
This side of the story I have, however, related in
detail elsewhere.^"
Having made the most of his story, and put forth
liis finest arts to impress White with a proper sense
of the enormity of the crime which had been com-
mitted, the wily Ellis went on to talk about the
" While's Or. Ter., 49-50.
■'» Parri«ri\o Or. AnealoteH, MS., 00; Mitnion Life Sketches, 20.3. Thi.s
latter is a work of 229 pages, IGiuo, and appears to have been published as a
contribution to Sunday-school literature. The author's name is not given,
l)ut from wliat he says of himself I infer he was H. X. W. Perkins, who canio
with the mission family of 1840. His account of Elijah's death is substantially
the same as White's.
'^ Hist. Californid, this series. See also lieirre'x Tour of Dtitij, 154; Lur-
kins Doc. l/isf. Ciii, MS., iii. 227.
'JS8
WHITES AUMINlSTKATIOxX OF INDIAN AFFAIKS.
retaliation wliicli iniglit ho expected. Yellow Ser-
pent, lie said, had returned to Oregon hurning with
rajie and srriet', and swearin<i: to avenijfe the murder of
his son in the near future.'"' Not only the bereaved
cliiefs own tril>e, but others that were allied, related,
or friendly to it, were furiousl}'^ excited against the
white men, both on account of the murder of Elijah
and because certain persons from tlie Willamette Val-
ley, now settled in California, had called the Oregon
Indians 'dogs' and 'thieves.' So furious was the
indignation of the tribes,, continued the envo^ ex-
tr-aordinarv, that a scheme was on foot to raise two
thousand warriors among the Cayuses, Walla Wallas,
Nez Perces, Spokanes, Pend d'Oreilles, and Shoshones,
and march at once into California to exact retribution
by pillage and slaughter. There was an influential
party among the natives, Ellis added, who were for
holding the Americans in Oregon responsible for
Elijah's death, since it was one of their countrymen
who had killed him. Should this be avoided, however,
he was specially charged to learn whether the Oregon
settlers would remain neutral while the people of Cali-
fornia were being swept from the face of the earth.
Such a relation was enough to make one shudder;
and it was all the more alarming when the hearer was
officially responsible for any trouble that might occur
with the natives. Perha})s White showed agitation ;
at all events, the envoy pushed his advantage by refer-
ring to another source of discontent which had nothing
to do with the matter innnediately in hand. It seems
that when the immigration of 1844 was expected,
White had sent to the natives a number of ten-dollar
drafts, presumably made payable by the government,
with which he said cattle mio^ht be bought from the
innnigrants. This he claims to have done in order to
deter the natives from plundering the new-comers.
But the immigrants had declined to accept the drafts,
'" Tliis threat was nevcv fulfillod, though the C'aliforniaus aubsequeutly had
caiiso to rciiienil)yr tluit it had huuii made. See Hltt. C«l., this series.
BKOKKN I'RO.Ml.Sl-X
•on
img-
;uk1 ii(»\v cliicf Klli.s was anxious to know liow Wliito
was ^oin^ to coinpensate liis jicoplo for tli«'ir disa))-
poiiitnuMit.
At liis wit's end liow to conciliate and prevent tlie
threatened destruction, tlie uidui)){)y agent resorted to
Hattery and fair proniisiis. He feasted liis savage
guest to liis soul's content, sJiowod his library, |)erst)n-
allv conducted him over his i)lantation, and in every
way treated him with great consideration. Besides
this, he promised to write to the governor of California
and Captain Sutter concerning the recent disturbance,
and also to address the United States government on
the subject. Furthermore, he gave Ellis letters for the
chiefs, sym})athizing with them for the wrongs they
had suffered, and inviting them all to visit him in the
autunm of 1845 and exchange their worthless drafts
for a cow and a calf each out of his own j.ords.
Finally he promised them that if they would defer
their invasion of (California for two years, and assist
liim to the amount of two beaver-skins each, he would
establish a good school for the children, adjust favor-
ably all their grievances, and at the end of that time
would give them five hundred dollars out of his own
purse with which to buy cattle in Calif()rnia.
Flattered by the attentions he had received, and
elated by the success which he imagined had attended
his mission, Ellis returned home to use his influence
for peace with the chiefs of the Walla Wallas and
C'ayuses. But his trium})h was not of long duration,
for before the autunm of I K4o White wj^« on his way
to the States, caring littU; for his en*;;;; j^ nents, and
leaving no one behind to redeem his promises tf> ])ay.^'
The sub-Indian agent, from the moment he entered
upon his duties in Oregon, encountered serious diffi-
culties. So awkwardly did he find him.self situated,
'" In his report to the secretary of war Wliite bestows praise upon tlie good
coniliict, progress, industry, and prosperity of Ellis and liis people with an
••iithusiasni which his own experie' e certainly diil not call for. Such a re-
[port, however, rellected credit on his own efforts.
Hist. Olt., Vol.. I. 19
bi
too
WHITK'.S AI»M1N1STUAT10N OF INDIAN AFFAi ..S.
that ill 1844 he wrote that lie was stroiii^ly inclined
to leave the country, but was deterred hy tlie tiiought
that his ])resen<'e was beneficial, and the hope of beino-
relieved from his enibarraHsnients. Wiiatever were
his schemes, it is due to him to say that in opposin*^
the introduction of intoxicatinj^ liquors, aiid in set-
tling difficulties between the white inhabitants and
the natives, his services to the colony were of im-
portance."'^
Not the least of White's embarrassments arose from
the fact that the njen in Washington wlio had become,
verbally at least, responsible for the payment of his
salary and ex|)enses, were no longer in a position to
befriend him. Before his accounts were settled there
was a change in the administration, and persons who
did not know White were in the places of Webster,
Tyler, Spencer, and Linn. Being solici'^-^d by the
legislative assembly of the provisional g nnient in
1845 togotv) Washington as the bearer^ memorial
to the United States government, he presented him-
self at the capital, and was requested to continue in
his office of Indian agent. He was obliged, however,
to remain at the east until a bill should be passed by
congress for the payment of debtj due the Hudson's
Bay Company, and granting him additional compensa-
tion for services. A year was consumed in waiting,
during which time certain representations were made
by his political enemies in Oregon which lost him the
position, and closed his connection with Oregon affairs."'
He returned in 1850 and engaged with James D. Hol-
man to build a town on the claim of the latter, which
he called Pacific City, which was afterward trans-
'■' Applegate'ti Marginal Nofat, in Grui/'x IlinL, 259.
^^ \VhUeii Ten Ymrs in Or., 322-5; iVhite'n Or. Ter., 64-6; Allen' RegMter,
Ixix. 407. The occasion of White's loss of place was the belief in Oregon
that he would make an offinrt to get a scat iu congress as delegate from the
territory, whenever tlie expected settlement of boundary was consummated,
and a territorial government established. That he so intended in 1845 seems
probable, from tlie fact that on passing through Missouri, the St Louis Era
spoke of him as a delegate from the self-constituted government of Oregon,
going to ask for a seat in congress.
'ri/iiitci;
Oregon
om the
niatetl,
i seems
lis A'/"
)regon,
SKETCH OF WHITK.
Lit I
I'tTivd to other liaiuls. He then wtsiit to reside at San
Fraueisco, where he died in March 1871).'^
" While on a tour througli Oregon in 1878 1 was informed that Klijali
Wliite, a most important witnuus in thu early annals of the state, was living
in San Francisco, and then: on my rctarn I fonml him practising medicine,
liis ortici! liL'ing withiti a stone's throw <if my Lihrarj. He w;ji exceedingly
atiahle, with an intelligent tiiough not very intellectnal face, with hright,
penetrating eyc^s, and for one so well advanced in years, active on his feet and
well preserveil, thongli how mnch of him was pa<lding, anil what was tin;
true color of his well-dyed hair and wliiskers, I cannot say. Tliereafter u.til
his death he was a freijnent visitor at my Lil>rary, and there gave me an
exceedingly valuable dictation, which I called Kiiiiiinitinn to Oinjon, Klling
many gaps left open by the printed material especially conceriung the immi-
gration of 184*2. His 7V/I Yearn in (hrijoii, Ithaca, N. Y., 18i)<), contains the
incidents of his journey to and residence in Oregon, as physician to the Mis-
sion, his return to the States, snl)se(|nent emigration, his laliors lus Indian
agent, explorations, etc., with an account of the formation of the provisional
government, and some extracts from Kr»'mont"s journal of explorations in
Oregon. Previous to the publication of this book he issued a pamphlet in
Washington City, containing his correspondence with the Indian commis-
sioner and other documents, tlir obji. t of which was to assist the passage of
a bill reind)ursing him for expenses ii irred in the administration of authority
as Indian agent. This book is calleii a Coiirise View of Oreijon Tcrritorji, lU
Coloniixl (iml Indian Relalionit, etc., 72 pages. Another pamphlet called
While K TeMtimoiiKiln contains some of the same matter, with other letters,
ami was apparently intended to assist him in a reappointment to Oregon.
^>y
^hicli
fans-
CHAPTER Xll.
i: , n
OROANI/JATION OF THE PROVISION A I. (JOVKKXMKNT.
1843. J
MkIiIODIST GfKICIAI.S— a ProBAIK Coi'KT NkKDEI) — MKKTIN(i l)K TlIK SKT-
i:,Ki!s Okfk'ials (.'hoses- Witiidhawal ov tiik Iukmu Caihoi.ic
Klement- KriiTiiEii Political Elements — The Okeuon Lyceim •
THESH OVEKTIKES TO THE CaNAKIANS — ThE LaND LaW — AnOTHEK
Methodist Movement -The 'Wolk' ORdAxiZATioN-^TnE Canadians
BuorciHT in New Selection ok Okkicials — Rei-okt of the LEtasLA-
TIVE CoMMiriEE- ( ioVEH\:..'ENT Exi'EXSES - ThE FoVH (iREAT DiSTKICIS
— Measures aijainst McLol'vUilin — Inflience of Siiohtess on Polit-
ical Affairs.
I havk alreadv nioiitioiicd that as oarH' as 1H;^S
tlio Methodist Missions f'uiiiishod tlic colonists with
a magistrate and coiistaiilf, not so niueli hecause
the .services of those otticers wcic nee<le(l as because
tlie Anieiieans wen' detennini'<l not to he heliind tlie
British tur conipii'iy in tlie exercise of civil juris-
diction. The ar'rival of the great missionary rcen-
foi'cement of I S40, hv incr'easino- the colonv, made it
aj)})arent that some form of government would sooner
or later he necessary. Still such (juiet and good ordt'i'
had hitherto [irevailed/ that it is difficult to say how
long the attempt to institute even a |)rimiti\e form of
government would have heen post[»oned had not an
unexpected event fui'nished particular occasion for it.
This was the death of Ewing \'oung in the M'inter of
' Up to this time the only aenous tTimo tliat li;ul lieen comniittuil wii.s the
iiiurdi'T of McKay by some Iiiilimis at the HuiIhiiu'.s Hay Company's tislicry at
PilhiT Hock, on the h)WL'T Cohiniliia, Au^'. Hi, 1H4(). A paTty tToni FoTt Nis-
ipially .shot one of tlie inurdoTeTs anil eajitiiTeil another. The latter was trieil,
convicted, and hanj,'e<l at Astoria on the 2!tth, and in the presence and witli
the aid of a great nuniber of settlers. Aw aiiif Frnxl'ii Or., 2/4; Tolmte'-s Pinjrf
Sound, MS., 8, I); Fitzgerald's 11. B. Co. and Vane. Id., 174.
i:\vix<; vouNU's i'uoi'kkty
'Mi
IS40- 1. This audacious pioneer left a large property,
to which there were no lej^al claimants or known heirs ;
and as there was no prohate court, the administration
of his estate hecame a })er[)lexinu; (question. Murder,
theft, and wJiiskev-makiiij^ mi}>'ht he nuinnuiHl without
law, but property for which there was no owner- alas
for the luck of it! The thrifty settlers t-ould not see
it go to waste. And so the needed excuse to those
who were anxious for legislation was at liand, and
without delay a connnittee of arrangements called a
)iiass-meeting of the settlers to be held at the Metho-
dist Mission the 17th and 18th of February, 1841.-
The meetina' on the I7th was <'omiu)sed chiefly of
the members of the Mission, Jason Lee being chosen
t'hairman, and (lustavus Hines secretary. The only
business transacted was the passing of ri.solutions to
elect a connnittee of seven to draught a code of laws
f )r the ofovernment of the settlements south of the
(^)lumbia; to admit to the jtrotection of those laws
all settlers n(*rth of the Columbia not connected with
the fur comoany: and the nomination of candidates
for the several ofliices of governor, supreme judge
with probate j)owers, three justices of the peace, three
constables, l^hree roati cttnnnissioncrs, an attorney-
general, a (;]erk of the couits and [)ublic recorder, a
treasurer, and two o\erseers of tlu' ])oor. '
The second day's meeting being attendtid by the
French and Anierican settlers, the proceedings took
a less sectional tone. To propitiate and to securi'
the cooperation of the Canatlians were the aims of tlic
leading Americans; as without them, or o[)[)osed by
them, there would In; difliculty in organizing a gov-
ernment. David Leslie being in the chair, with Sid
nev Smith and Hines as secretaries, the minutes ot'
I 1' ii
■* ^ 5
, ' IS
)-
- Acoording to Hiiics, the comimttee o ' arriiiiginiu'iitH wan clioscu iit Young's
i'liiit'i-il. Ori'iioii //is/.. 4IH.
^Iii till! prooecdiiigs ot' tlie first ilay's meeting, t'ouixl in Orn/oit Archini'H,
Mil ineiitioii is iiiade ot tlic r.u'ii noiiiinateil; l)ut from tliuir 'iiimltcr, sevciitoen,
there must liave been an orticer to about every other Anieriean in tlie Mi.suion
colony. Two overseers o' tlie poor aonnds like irony.
w
I I'
•_'".t4
( URBANIZATION OF I'KOVI.SIOXAL (iOVKKX.MEXT.
'i 'i !
tlio previous mooting woro prosontod, aim acroptod so
far as ohoosiiii;' a coimnittoo to framo a constitution
and rode of laws was conoerned. Tlio conimittoe
named consisted of F. N. Blanch et, Jason Lee, David
Donpierre, Gustavus Hines, Charlovon, Robert Moore,
J. L. Parrisli, Etienne Lucior, and William Johnson.
The oidy one of the number who hnd any practical
knowledge of le<»;islation was Moore, 'ind most of the
others were probably iij^norant of even the theory of
law. By making' Blanchet chairman of the com-
mittee, tlie Mission party hoped to secure the French
( 'atholic influence, and harmonize sectarian rlifliculties,
wliile the settlers were to be cajoled by the liberal
bestowinent of small orti(vs.
It was found expedient to defer the election of a
governor to a more convenient season, owing to the
jealously of several missionary aspirants, and the
op[)osition of the settlers to a govemoi- from that
party. This matter being settled, I. L. Babcock was
chosen supreme Judge with j)robate powers, George
W. IjO Breton clerk of tli(^ courts and public recorder,
VV^illiam Johnson high sheriH", and Zavier Ladaroot,
Pierre Billicjue, and William ]\[eCarty constables. A
resolution was then j)asst'd that until the code of laws
should 1)0 dvanghted. Judge Babcock should be "in-
structed to act according to the laws «>f the state of
New York."' The conviMition then adjourned to
meet again on the 7th of Jnni' at St Pauls.
But when that day arrived, and the people were
gathered to hear the re|)ort of the coimnittoo on con-
stitution and laws, it was found that no rejiort had
boon pre[)ared, as Blanchet had not called that body
together, and that he now desired to be excused from
si'i'ving as chairman. This re([iiest being granted, W .
J, Bailey was chosen in his jdace, and the committee
were instructed to meet on tht> first Monday of Au-
gust for the transaction of business, and to re[)ort to
* Hini'H Ori'ijoii J/ixf., 41i(. At this tiiiio tlicio was lint one copy nf tlic
laws i)f tln! stati' iif Xi'V York in tlic I'oloiiy.
MULTIPLRATION OF FACTIONS.
•-"Jo
Jill adjourned session of the convention on the first
Thursday in October. In the mean time they were
advised to confer with the commander of the United
States exi)loring expedition, then in tlie Columbia
River, and with John McLout;hhn of Fort Vancouver.
Resolutions were then jmssed rescinding the nomina-
tions made at the [)revious meeting, and instructing
the committee on constitution and laws to "take into
consideration the number and kind of offices it will
be necessary to create in accordance with their con-
stitution and code." The report of the nominating
committee was to be referred to the ley;islative com-
mittee. An adjournment was then taken to the Octo-
ber meeting at the Methodist Mission.
The withdrawal of Blanchet from the chairman-
slii}) of the legislative committee was taken, as was
probably intended, to signify that the Canadians
would take no part in the organization of a govern-
ment; hence the rescinding of the nominations em-
1 tracing a number of their names T.is revived the
discussion as to the necessity of a governor, and in fact
threw many difficulties in the way of the scheme for
an organization. Moreover, some of the most influ-
ential persons in the country and some of the mem-
ber's of the legislative committee were o[>[>osed to th(^
idea of a government so long as peace and harmony
existed witliout it.''
Besides this formidable opposition, Wilkes, on being
consulted, condemned the sclieiiie, on tlie grounds that
only a small miiiorit}' of the iiihai)itants desired to
establish a government, that laws were not necessary,
that they would be a poor substitute for the nwn-al
code tliey all followed, that there would be great diffi-
culty in enforcing them within any definite limits,
''^Villialll ■liiliiiMon. who was tlu' oiily mi<^ of the m'ttU'r class not Freiicli
oil the I'omiiiittw, saiil tiiat thi'iv was as yi-t 'no nt'(M!ssity for laws, lawyers,
or iiia^'istratcs.' Hlaiicliet ' was of ojiiiiioii that tlif iimnlier of settlers in tli-
Willamette Valley would not warrant the estalilishineiit of a constitution,
and as far as his ])eo[)le were concerned, then; wa-i no netH'ssity for tnw, nor
had lie anv knowledge of crime Imving Ueen yet committed.' WiUci^ \<ii:,
iv. ;17» 4. '
i\
m
I III
to 1
21)1 ;
()U(;.\NlZATION OF I'KOVLSIONAL GOVKRN.MKNT.
tliat the majoiity ot" the population being Catliolics,
tliey would elect their ofHecTS, which would be dis-
pleasing to the Protestants, and that an unfavorable
impression would be produced in the United States
concerning the influence of missions which were
obliged to resort to a criminal code.
Finding themselves baffled at every turn, but eii-
('ouraged to believe that the United States govern-
ment would soon extend its jurisdiction over theni,
the missionary party now reluctantly consented to let
drop their political scheme for the present, and for a
year there was no more agitation of the subject of an
established form of «jovernment in Oreijon.
The arrival of White in 1842, with the commission
of sub-Indian agent and a provisional claim on the
governorsliip of the colony, stirred afresh the advo-
cates of legislation. The idea of White beconiinii'
the civil head of the connnunity was intolerable, but
on the other hand, the fact that he was indirectly
recommended for that position by the United States
government was a great point in his favor; so, with
characteristic discretion, the missionary party quietH
used their influence to snub his pretensions without
openly working against him, and by this course suc-
ceeded, as we have seen, in confining his authority to
the management of Indian affairs.
But though the mass of the colonists appeared to
be satisfied with the I'xisting state of things, tlie
advocates of a temporary government continued to
agitate the (piestion during the winter of 1842-;.{,
discussing it in a debating society said to have been
established in Oregon City for no other purpose.*
"(iray, /fi.if. Or., 2t)0, has confouniliMl thu ' Fall.s Association' with the
Oregon Lyceuiii, ami culls it the ' Multnonuih ("ir<"il;iliiig Library,' a name
not in use till long after. Tlie lihrary was not f(u-!'.e(l until .lau'uary 1844.
W. U. l-leus, an in migrant or that year, rolut. s that when the immigration
of 184H arrived, liniling the people ilepriveil ot reading matter, having no
ncw.si)apers ami few hooka, there was fornieil at Oregon t'ity the 'Tioneer
l.yeeum ami Literary Clult, ' wiiieh met 'to iliseuns tiie wliole' round of liter-
ary and seientilic pursuits,' The names on the roll of tliis cluh were .John
THE OUEUON LVC'KLM.
a>7
The question of e.stal)lishin_i>f an indepeiuleiit i^oveni-
nient for Oregon was also discussed by this body. Tlii^
selienie is said to have been favored by MeLoughhn,
and openly advocated by several intlaential Ajneriean
colonists. Hastings went so far as to ofler a resolu-
tion in favor of the plan, but (jreorge Abernethy, tlicn
residing in Oregon City, met this witli anotiier, to
the effect that: " If the United States t;xtends its
jurisdiction over this country, within four years it
will not be expedient to form an independent govern-
ment." This resolution was warmly discussed and
finally carried."
In tlie autumn of 1842 overtures were aj^ain made
to the Canadians to assist in forming a temporary gov-
erimient, and meetimjs to consider the matter were
held at French Prairie. But the Canadians declined,
])resumably by the advice of McLoughlin and their
s})iritual adviser, Blanchet. The position of the
former at this juncture was enil)arrassing. It was
evident that some form of political legislation nmst
before long grow out of the persistent consideration
of the subject. To aid or countenance the establisli-
ment of a government owing exclusive allegiance to
the United States would be di.sloyal to his country
and to the interests of the com{)any. An inde})endent
government would l)e preferable to this, though there
H. Couch, V. W. IV'ttygrove, J. ^^. Wair, A. L. Lovejov, Jesse Applegatc,
S. M . Moss, Kooert Newell, .1. W. Nesinitli, K<1. Otie, H. A. (t. Lee, Freil.
Pri^M. C. E. Pit'lvL'tt, Win V. Domeiit, .Moildniiii ( 'niwfonl, Hiram Straight,
I \\'.....i ^1. w.,. /'....I.;... ^- ••■ ■• ■ ■•• ' •■ '•••
was seorotary of the eliih. Aiiinial A<lili'f.ss lu'l'cire tiie Oregon Pioneer As.st
elation, in Or. /'ionccr As.inc., Tfoii^., IS7!I, ]). '27. See also S. W. Moss, in I'io-
iiiir 'iiini'.*, MS., 17, IN, where the 'Falls Deliating Soeiety ' is spoken ot.
Applegate says the lihrary was got togetlier in the winter of 184H 4, and that
he e(mtri!)ute(l The Ffilcrnlist, and several soientitie works. Marginal notes in
(t'rui/'n J/inf. Or., '2i>0. \o two authorities eall the institution hy tht^ same
name. The (hri/on S}nrf<i/or of .Vpril Hi, l.S4<), ealls it the Falls .\ssociation,
hut it was the fashion of the Methodists to speak of Oregon City as 'The
Falls,' merely to diseouutenance .MeLoughlin's right to name the place. Thu
proper name of the debating society of 1S4'J was th«^ Oregon Ijyccuin.
' Abeniethy's Letter, ill i,'rin/\ //!.■</. Or., '2C>\).
^
I!
'2W
OKCAMZATION OF PROVISIONAL (.0\ EKXMLNT.
llL"! 'Ill
was danger tliat sucli an organization, l)eing Ameri-
can, niiglvt enact laws depriving him of liis property
j'iglits south of the Columbia. Plaiidy tlie most pru-
dent course Jie could follow was to avoid the issue if
possible until the two governments claiming jurisdic-
tion had settled the matter. It was with this eml
in view that he, directly or indirectly, inHuenced the
C.^anadians to reject the overtures of the American
settlers. This tliey did in a formal reply, evidently
{treparcd by Blanchet, which though written in very
imperfect English, sufficiently explains the views of
the French settlers. They professed cordial senti-
ments toward the Americans and the gentlemen who
had invited them to particii)ate in forming a govern-
ment, and declared that they were in favor of certain
regulations for the protection of ptu'sons and property,
and were willino; to vield obedience to the officers
chosen at the meeting of February 18, 1841,'^ although
tliey did not approve of all their measures. They
declined to address a petition to the United States,
as solicited, until tlie boundary should be established.
They were opposed to the land law in contemplation
by the supporters of the government scheme, because
they had no guaranty that all would not be changed
by the succeeding government. They olyected to a
provisional form of government as being cumbersome
instead of heli)ful to the colony. Men of laws and
science, they said, were still few in the country, and
had enousxh to, do without ley-islatiny".
'*'riio aiiswor of tin; Canailians as it appears in the On : m Airhiven, MS., in
nut dated; Ijut it is addressed to 'Tlie meeting at Chaniiioeg, Mareh 4, 1843,'
wliieli shows tliat tliere was an appointment for that date, when their
answer was expecteil; and as, owing to the popnlation hc^nig seattered over a
lai'ge area, witli shiw and ditlicnlt modes of eoniinunication, it wiis the
custom to make appointments months in advance, to allow time for the
people to consider the matter proposed, and prepare their opinions, tlie
invitation w;is probably given late in the previous year. McLoughliu says,
in his I'rimiUi Papcru, iSlS., 2d ser. 7, that a formal proposition was niade to
the Canadian settlers in tJie spring of 1842, to nnite with the Americans;
lint on comparing this with other authorities, I am convinced it was in the
autumn of 1842. Another evidence is, tliat the address of the Canadians
refers to the ' measures taken liist year,' which could only mean the choosing
of a judge and other otiicers in 1841.
ATTITUDE OF THE FKENCH SETTLEKS.
'2\M
Tliey proposed, liowover, that a council or senate
l»e chosen for tlic judgment of ott'enses, except capital
ones, and to make suitahle leoulations for the [teople ;
that tlie council he elected and com[)osed of memhers
from all parts of the country to constitute a [)arlia-
ment, the presiilent of tlie council and anothe)- niem-
i)er heinj^ empowered to act as justices of the peace in
each county, with the j»rivilcge on the part of the
people to appeal causes to the whole council. The
members, they said, should be inHueticed bv a desire
for the public good, and not for their own gain. Tax-
ation they pronounced inexpedient, and espi-cially
onerous to new arri\als in the colony ; and they would
not consent to be taxed. As to militia, they declared
it needless, and the occasit)n of suspicion to tlu; natives,
as well as a hinderance to necessary labor and an ex-
pense to the people. The country, they contended,
was open to all nations, until its sovereignty sliould be
determini'd, and })eo[)le might settle in it witiiout
l)eing called uj>on to declare to what government they
would give allegiance in the future. Thev desired to
be in unison^ with all respectable citizens, or else to bo
left free to make such regulations as ajtpeared most
necessary to themselves, until the coming of some law-
ful authority, to which they would cheerfully submit.
While they did not forget that some laws might be
profitably ado[)ted vvvn then, they held that the more
laws there were the greater the oj)j)()rtunity for- roguery
and for sul)se(jU('nt changes which might not l)e profit-
able. Besides, in a new country the more men em-
ployed antl paid by the j)ublic the fewer remained for
industry. The address concluded with the assurance
tliat none could hi' more desirous of the peace, ])ros-
j)erity, and lilterties of the colony than themselves,
and with good wishes for "al! those who are or may
become our fellow-countrymen."''
^ Hmrir's Or. Arr/ihis, 14-1'). UnfnrtnuHtcly t"i>i- the iR'rfcct continuity
lit liintory, the Oriyon A rr/iirc.i do not coiitiiin either tin- invitation which ciilleil
out this imsw "•, Of tlu' ]iroceeiling» of the meeting at I'liunipoeg of tiie 4th
!. )
I
w
I 1
1
iV-
•Mi
OUCANIZATION OF I'UOVISlONAJ. (iOVKKNMKN T.
Altliough McJjoUij^liIii) had taken no ojkmi jmit in
tliose procoL'dings, he was naturally and ii»>htly suj)-
posed 1)V the rebuked and offended orit^inators of the
provisional government idea to be responsible for the
attitude taken by the French settlers, and a feeling of
hatred toward him had much to do with the drawing-
up of the ShortesH-Abernethy petition, the history
of which has already been given.
Meetings were likewise held in other parts of th((
colony; one at the Oregon Institute, where (iray
resided, being ostensibly called for the purpose of
devising means of protecting the herds of the country
from wild animals,'" but really as a device by which
the settlers, French and American, might be brought
together, and the plan of a provisional government
broached." The minutes of the meeting occupy less
than half a page, the only business accom[)lished being
the ap[)ointing by Babcock, the chairman, of a com-
mittee of six, to give notice of a general meeting to
be held at the house of Joseph Gervais on Monday
the 6th of March.
of March, to which it wiis addressed. <!ray, Jfitf. Or., 273, nays tliat lit- is
aure tlii.s address was not brought before any public meeting of tlie settlers.
This suggests an explanation of the absence of records touching this porticin
of the proceedings of the missionaries, namely, that when they found the.se
reasonal)le objections f)f the Canadians so well stated, they quietly suppressed
their reply so tliat it might not affect ti'; feeling of the Americui settlers, wlioni
they had more hope of bringing over. A compilation of the public documents
of the provisional government of Oregon was made in 1853 by Lafayette
( Jrover, by order of the legislative assembly. Here is wluat (trover says about
his work: In tlie 'preparation for publication of tlie Oiri/on Arr/iiiv.% the com-
missioner has met witli many obstacles to the perfect success ami early com-
jdetion of tlie important work assigned him. Within tlie proper depository
of the public papers lie had not been able to find entire and .satisfactory
records of all tliat, he is satisfied, has transpired in Oregon of a pnl)lic, gen-
eral nature, and which would be of emimait historic importance. In this
ciise, he has spared no pains to searcli out from other authentic and reliable
resources all sui^h information as would till existing blanks or furnish suffi-
cient explanaticn of seeming discrepancies and wants.' Preface to Grover't
Or. A rr/iivcH.
'" ' When we came here the wolves ate up many horses — fourteen for one
company. Cattle would tight them, but horses would run, and the wolves
vould run them down." \i'iihto's('ritiiiiiej<, MS., 11. I'arrisli also remarks upon
the loss of «tock of every kind l)y panthers, wolves, and cougars. Or. Aiiec-
ihlcs, M.S., 99. White speaks of Iteing driven into a tree by wolves, and of
being rescued by his wife and hired man. Ten Years in Or., 88-9.
" Applegate remarks: 'It is new to me that (Jray was a prime mover in
this matter.' Marginal notes in //i.st. Or., 2CA.
Till-; \V()I,K OlWiANlZATION.
.m
(itTvais liad always hcon tlie active liolpor and
tVit'iid of tlio Methodist Mission, of wliicli lie was a
sort of lay member; and it was custoinary to hold
meetings of a religious or secular iiature at his house,
which was a convenient centre of i)usiness for the
settlers, about half-way l)etween Salem and (Miam-
pocg. As almost every settler had sufi'eied fiom the
ravages of wild heasts, the meeting was fully attendt^l.
James O'Neil was chosen chairman, and (ieorge W.
Le Breton seerettiry. The business for which the
people had come together was conducted to a satis-
factory conclusion ; a bounty being fixed for every
species of animal killed. A committee was a})pointed
to receive the proofs, a treasurer chosen, and i-egula-
tions M'ere established. The association thus formed
was known as the ' Wolf Organization,' and was what
it ])urj)orted to be, a measure for tlu^ jfroteetion of
domestic animals.
At the close of the day's business a resolution was
offered and j)as8ed, "that a committee be appointed
to take into consideration the propriety of taking
measures for the civil and military ])rotection of this
colonv, " and another that it shouki consist of twelve
))er8ons, who were accordingly chosen. The ciioice of
the meeting fell on I. ]^. Babcock, El.jah White, .fames
O'Neil, Robert Shortess, Robert Newell, Etiemie
Lucier, Joseph Gervais, Thomas .). Hubliard,'" W, H.
(Tray, Sidney Smith, and (ireoige Gay. The pa.ssage
of this resolution was brought about by considerable
mana'uvring, Le Breton and Smith being })reviously
em})loyetl to ascer-tain who could be I'elied upon to sup-
])ort it. \roreover it is hinted that certain men, notably
the clergy, wen; absent through prearraugenii'nt, lest
their presence should alarm the settlei's. who were
not in favor of a irovermnent 1)V the missionaries.^"^
''^Some new names ajjpear on the journal, J. ('. bridges, McUoy Torn,
IWnalty, and Martin, though tlie latter i'lay have heen H. M.'iriiii who fame
to the country in 1840, and of «hoin not laiich is known, liridgi'.s went to
• 'aliforiiia witii tlie immigrants of 1842, a few weeks later.
''V. H. (iray is res)ionsilile for these statements. lu 1870 lie pnldi.slie<l a
]lii<toni oj Ort'ijon from 17!)- to KS4!t: a hook of &2i jiages; sohl hy Kidtserijition,
.' !|
I 1
I
I I
S0!2
OIKiANIZAlloN OF i'KOVlSIONAL (iOVKUN.SlKNT.
|i I
The caution used not to provoke t>))j)(isitioii .s aj)-
))arent iu the wording c)f' the resolution itself, which
only ]jroj)oses to consider the propriety of taking
measures. But the coniniittee, or those of them who
were mauaging the husiness under the direction of
the Mission, held stated meetings, at which they dis-
cussed more than anything else the question of liow
to make a governor, and whom to pla(;e in tliat posi-
tion. They also <lrew u\) a i-eport which was an
acceptance of a form of j)rovisional government, and
a list of the oftitrers they pi<)})osed to the peo})le to
elect. In the mean time the subject was skilfullv
agitated anu)ng the settlers, French and American,
who were convinced that an organization was inevi-
table, and taught to believe that unless they would
be ruled entirely by the missionary class, they must
take the matter of the proposed government into
their own hands. Amony other arii^uments urtjed was
the attitude of the natives in the interior, the need of
a military organization, and the benefit to be derived
from having a land law. These were the ruling mo-
tives with the American settlers; but that they did
not influence the Canadians to an}' great extent, their
in Portland, San Francisco, and New York. As a book of reference, when
compared with other authoriiies, the work is valuable, contiiining many facts
and important documents. It has, however, three faults — lack of arrangement,
acrimonious partisanship, and disregard of truth. A notable instance of its
mendacity is the dramatic account given of Whitman's visit to the United
States, its cause and purpose, an<l the alleged instrument."'.lity of Whitman iu
raising the emigration of 1843, almost tlie whole of which must be relegated
to the domain of fiction. Gray had a jmpular style of writing, however, as is
shown by the reluctance of the public to give him up as an authority even after
fair examination by critics had shown him to be unreliable. He is charged
by Robert Newell with resorting to liis imagination in giving the history of
the proceedings of the early provisional government. See Strirturen o)i Oray,
in Portland ])emocratic Jlcralil, Oct. 18G(), et seij., in which Newell repays with
interest some of (tray's rather broad caricatures of him. Criticisms of (Jray's
Ifistorji, on the ground of unfairness, may be found in the writings of several
of his contemporaries, viz.: Mohs' Pioneer Tiinex, MS., 1(5, 17; C'rtufjonl'n Mis-
MioiKiriex, MS., 8; Whites Early Government, iAi'i., 40; Waldo' m CritiijueH, MS.,
4; Rolterts' Recollections, MS., 17; Tolmie's Pvi/et Sound, MS., 24-5; and in the
writings of Evans, Victor, Strong, Blanchet, Burnett, and Applegate. As an
exhibition of the feeling entertained by certain persons in (Jregon 40 years
ago, toward the subjects of Great Britain, and professors of the Catholic faith,
it is striking, though perhaps somewhat overdrawn, and is all the more im-
pressive in that the writer speaks as if those past days were still present to
nim.
THE t'HAMPOEO t'ONVKNTION.
:<(K(
.'^
toruiul luldrt'ss is ovidenoe. However, if tliere was to
l)e a governnieiit, .the latter wisiied to sliare its heiu;-
tits, ami anxiously conferred on the subject anioiijjf
theniselvtfs. The time bein*^ now i-i|H! for action, tin-
committee called a mass-nieetin*^, to be held on the
•2d of May at ( 'hampoi^sr, to hear their report.
On the ap})ointed day, about an equal mnnl)er of
French and American settlers beinj^ assembled, the
nieetin<i^ was orjj^anized in the open air by the election
of Ira L. Bai)cock as ])residont, and Le Breton, (^ray,
and Willson as secretaries. The report of the com-
mittee was then read, and of course proved to be in
favor of a political orj:janization, to continue in force
until the United States should establish a teiritorial
fi^overnment. This, (mi a motion to accept, was thoui»lit
to be rejected on the first vote, wIk^ii considerable
confusion followed, occasioned by the sj)eaker beino-
unal)le to determine on which side was the majority.'^
The ayes and noes being called for, there was still a
doubt, when Le Breton nu)ved that the meeting
divide in order to be counted. Gray seconded tlu'
motion, and the order was given for those in favor of
organization tt) file to the right, while the opposite
party took the left.
The first to step to the right was Joseph L. Meek,
his splendid figure clad in the ragged habiliments
common to the improvident mountain men.*" With a
sparkling eye, a voice of command, and the air of a
major-general, the hero of many wild adventures in
the Kocky Mountains stepjied to a niche in history
as he strode to his ])osition, crying out, "Who's foi-
a divide I All in favor of tlie report and of an organ-
ization follow me I"
Meek could always influence his comrades, and
several took their places in his colunm, but half an
hour elapsed, with some sharp remarks on both sides,
^* Evans' XewelVx Stricturea on Gray, p. 4 — a compilation of Newell's
articles in the Portlnml Demorrafic Heralil, 1860.
'* Burnett says that Meek wore a rich vest of white silk, wliile the reniaiii-
tler of his clothing was exceedingly shabby, /'((■oll'-'clioiin of a I'micvr. IW).
1; V
m
W
:m\
(»m;AXlZATI()N OF I'lUJVlslOXAI. (.«>\ KKXMKNT.
Ix'fon! the count could lu- t^ikcii. Wlicii every man
Im<l at lcii»rtli (Icculcd, it was found that a wniall ma
jority wcrt! in favor of (>ii»'ani/in«i^ n temporary ji;()vcrn-
mont. Xot (juite lialf the Americans voted for the
organization, and hut for tlie aid of a few Canadians
wlio wi're fiiendly \o the missionai'ies, tlie victory
would have heen on tno otiier side."
The dissenters liavinj;' with<hawn, tlie report of the
committee was taken up ajid disposed of, ar-ticle by
article. The result of the |)rocoedin<ifs was the elec-
tion upon the spot of the followinij^ officers: \. E.
Wilson, supreme jud«;e with j)rol)ate powers; (Jr. W.
Le Breton, clerk of tlie court, or recorder ; J. L. Meek,
.sheriff; W. H. VV^illsoii, treasurer; Huj^h Burns, L.
H. Jud.son, Charles (^ampo, and A. T. Sinitli, inatjris-
trates; G. W. Ehherts, J^euheii Lewis, J. C ]^ridj/es,
and F. X, Matthieu, constables; John Howard, major;
Wm McCarty, C. McHoy, and Sidney S..iith, caj)tains ;
David Hill, Robert Shortess, Robert Newell, Alausc ii
Beers, Thomas J. Hubbard, W. H. (xray, James C?\il,
llobert Moore, and WmM. Doty, were chosen to con-
stitute a legislative committee, whose duty it was to
drautxht a code of laws for the tjovernnieiit of tfie
colony. The legislative comniittee were required to
complete their work in six days, and had their salaries
fixed at a dollar and a quarter a tlay, the money to
be raised by subscrij'tion. The 5th of July was
appointed for receiving the report of the committee.
The object for which so much striving and scliem-
ing had been carried on for two years was at la.st
accomplished. The i)eo})le had consented to a provi.s-
ioiiiil government. Ry judiciously kee])ing out of siglit
"'The journal in tlie aroliivfs.says that tlurc was a ' larjio majority. <!iay
says two; Xt'Wfll, tivf. (Irayalso says that lumi' of the (.'aiiadiaiis jiresciit
voted for the organization; but Xewell names ( Jervais, Lucier, Billiijue, Ber-
nior, Doniiierre, and Latourette, who did so, licsides sjtnie others, (tervais
!vnd Lueier were on the committee, and eould not have voted, otherwise. It
is jirohahle, therefore, that Xewell's account is oorreet. .1. L. Parrish, in his
(Jr. Amfilo/'M, MS. admits that I..atourette voted with those in favor of a
government.
I,i:( ilSI.A'I I VP: I'lK )( KKDIXl iS.
:«).->
■miiii
the cost of tln! t'Xpcriincnt, l»y VK'Miiii,^ tlic |toint of
taxes, and i)ioinisiii»jf to j^^'t aloii<;' without a o()vi'rn()r,
tlie missioiiaiy party liad won the day. It was only,
however, by enrourajjjino- tJie settlers to belii've that
it was their ( \ui tiovcriinu'nt that this success was
secured. J. S. (IritHu was su<;<ifestt'd as a iMeMd)er «»f
the lejj^islative conunittee, l)ut his noniiuation was
opposed on the j^round that clerjjcynien should liaxe
nothinjj^ to do with making secular- laws, as their call-
ing discjualified them from fully conij)rehending the
wants of tliJ comiuunity. They had been tried and
found wanting. They had thus far controlled the
affairs of the colony, but failed of the objects of gov-
ernment, which were the prot<;ction of the people.
The legislative conunittee held their sessions on the
IGth, 17th, iHth, and lUth of May, and the 27th and
28th of June, ^Eoore acting as chairman, and Le
Breton as clerk. Their deliberations were carried on
with open doors, in an unoccupied granary belonging
to the old Mission. Few of them had any experience!
in legislation, and few books on law existed in the
country/^ Moore, the chairman, and Shortess were
better informed than their colleagues, though Gray,
Newell, Hill, and O'Xeil were active in suggesting
wh.at ought to be done. Gray, Shortess, and Newell
})repared the rules for the business of the house, which
wore adopted. The following connnittees were then
appointed: judiciary. Beers, Hubbard, and Shortess;
ways and means, Shortess, O'Neil, and Doty; military
affairs, Hubbard, Newell, and Gray; land claims,
Shortess, Doty, and Hill. A conunittee on the
division of the country into districts, consisting of
Gray, Doty, and Beers, was also formed. This com-
pleted the labors of the first day. Of the deliberations
of the legislative body oidy the barest skeleton is in
existence. Newell relates that Gray wished the
s[)eeches taken down by the clerk, and advocated
-i,',i
^' Stromj-i Hixt. Or., MS., 61,
Hist. Ok., Vol. 1. 20
I ■ I ;
!' t
I
1.1?
I! 1i
I
806
OUCAXIZATIOX OF I'UOVISIOXAL (iOVKHNMKNT.
a nioveiiiuiit to declare Oregon independent of tlie
United States, a measure wliieli Newell opjxjsed in
another s})eech, and which was defeated hy one vote.'"*
( )n the other hand, Gray relates that Xewell offered
a resolution that a committee be a})pointed to })re-
})are a paper for the signatures of all persons wish-
ing an organization, as if he still doubted the will of
the people on the .subject. Perhaps this resolution
was intended to settle the question of an independent
government.
However these forensic contests may lave origi-
nated or been supported, the work ])rogressed well
and was c-ompleted in the ])rescribed time. The
judiciary committee, whicji was embodied in Shortess,
finished the organic laws; the other connnittees per-
formed their work, and the whole was submitted to
the people on the 5tli of July at Champoeg. Among
the usual exercises on the 4th was an oration delivered
by Hines, who, while dwelling on the glorious deeds
of the founders of the republic of the United States,
was careful, in view of the work to be done on the
morrow, to avoid offending the proper pride of the
other nationalities present.
At an early liour on the oth the meeting was
opened. In the absence of Babcock, chairman of the
meeting of May 2d, Hines was called to preside :
Robert Moore, chairman t)f the legislative committee,
then presented his report, which being read by the
clerk, Le Breton, was accepted, and the adopti<jn of
article after article begun. '^
'" AVvx-i' J\'iin'irM S/rlriiircs on (Ivoi/a IliM. Or., (i. If (Jray 'liil »>.ot a.avo-
cate ail iiulopendeut ^ovoriinoiit at thi.s tiiiio, it is certain tbut tlu;ru were
those who did, as well am )iig thu Aiiiuricans ai- tiio British sul)ji:uts. Sou
J/ini-i' Oni/oii Hist., 4'2'J.
'"Report of the iogisiative eiiminitti^c upon the jiidieiary The legislative
committee reeoiiuneiuled that tlic following laws u])on judiciary he accepted:
'Sec. I. We, the i)eople of Oregon Territory, 'or purposes of mutual pro-
tection, and to secure peace and i>rosperity among ourselves, agree to adopt
the following la\rs laud regulations, until such time as the United States of
Anieric.k extend their jarisiliction over Us. Be it therefore eiu'-teil, hy the
free citizens of Oregon l\'rritory, that the said territory, for purposes of
temjxirary government, he diviiled into not less than W, nor more than ">,
districta; subject to be extended to a greater number, when an increase
KNACTMKNT OF LAWS.
WT
The minutes of the meeting show tliat a son of
^ohn McLougliHn named Joseph McLoughhn, who
lived on a faiiii in the Wilhimette Valley, moved the
adoption of Article I., L. H, Judson, of Article II.,
of population shall riMjuire it. Vur the purpose of fixing the prineiplt-s m
civil and riligiou.s liberty, as the hasi.s of all laws and constitutions of gov
ernniunt that may luTeafter Ite adojited. Be it enacted, that the following
articles 'je considered as articles of compact, among the free citizens of this
territory
'Art. 1. No person, demeaning hiinsdf in a pcacealile and orderly maani^r,
shall ever l)e molested on account of his mode of worsliip or religious senti-
ments.
'Art. 2. The inhahitants of sari territory shall always be entitled to
tile benefits of tiie writ of habeas connis, and trial l)y jury; of a [)roportionate
representatl.i.i of the people in the '"gislature, and of judicial ]iroceedings,
according to the course of common 'aw. All persons shall be bailal)le, unless
for the capital offences, where the '/roof shall be evident, or tlie presumption
great. All tines shall be mode ite, and no cruel or unusual punishments
inflicted. No n)an shall be dej .ived of his liberty but by the judgment of
liis peers, or tlie law of the lanM; and should the pul)lic exigencies make it
neces.sary, for tlie comn;r>n vre ,ervation, to take any person's proi)erty, or to
demand his particular ser'"? js, full compensation shall \)v uuule for the same.
And in the just preservati<.n of the rigiits and property, it is understood and
iledared that no law ought ever to be made, or have force iu said territory,
that siiall in any manner interfere with or atl'ect private contracts, or engage-
ments, bona lide, witlumt fraud, i)rcviously formed.
'Art. 'A. Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good gov-
ernment ami the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education
shall be forever encouraged. The utmost good faitli shall always be observed
towards the Indians. Their lands and property shall lU'ver be taken from
tliem without their consent; and in their property, rigiita, and liberty, they
sliall nevf r be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawfid wars, author-
ized by the repi' sentatives of the people; but laws founde<l in justice and
hunumity shall from time to tinus be made for preventing injustice being
done to them, and for preserving peace aiul friendship with them.
'Art. 4. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said
territory, otherwise than for the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted.
'Sec. II., Art. I. Be it enacted by tlie authority aforesaid, that the officers
elected on the '2i\ of May, iiist., shall contiiiiie in otiice until tlie second Tues-
day in May 1844, and ur.til others are elec'.ed and (pialilied.
'Art. 2. Be it further enacteil, that an election of civil and military offi-
cers shall be held annually, on tlie seco.id Tuestlay in May, in the several
lUstricts of such places as shall lie designated by law.
'Art. 'A. Each officer heretofore elected, or hereafter to lie elected, shall,
before entering upon the duties of his otiice, take an oath or atlirmation, t"
support the laws of the territory, and faithfully discharge the duties of liis
office.
'Art. 4. Every free male descendant o' a while man of the age of 21 years
and upwards, who shall have been an int-.abitant of this territory at the tini''
of its organi/atioii, shall be entitled to vote at the election of ollicers, civil
and military, and be eligible to any office in the territory — provideil, that all
rsous of the description entitled to vote bv the provisions of this section,
1
who shall
iig
rated to this country after organization, shall bo entitled
to the rights of citizens after having residi'd ti nii/nths iu the territory.
'Art. 5. The executive [tower shall be vested in a committee of .'1 per-
sotis, elected by the (pialilied voters at the animal election, who shall have
r
! .
:ios
OIKIAXIZATIDN OK rUOVISloNAL ( iOV KliXM lAT.
^Ml
IS
I
i\ Mc'Roy, ()!' Article III., and Josepli Holiiiaii, of
Aitic-le IV., sliowino' tliat the adoption of a uvjvern-
niont did not depend entirely on the Americans.
The subject of an executive liad tr-ouhled the leo-is-
lativi' coinmitttH' not a little. It was necessary to
powt'r tfi grant jianloiis ami rejiriovos for otrciiri's against the laux of tlii' ti r-
ritory, to call "(it tlio military force of tlic tci'ritory to icpcl invasion, oi'
snpjtri'ss insurrection, to take care that the laws are faithfully executeil, and
to recomnuMid snch laws as they may consider necessary, to the representa-
tives of the jii'oj) »', for their action. Two inend)crs of tiu' connnittec shall
coustitue a ()ii(>ri'ni to transact 'm.sinoss.
'i.rt. '). The legislative jiowcr shall he vestt.'il in a committee of per-
sons, who shall lie elected hy the (|nalitied electors at tlie annual election,
giving to each district a representation in ratio of its population, excluding
Iniliaiis; ;>.nd the -aid meinliers of tlu; connnittec siiall reside ii' the district
for whi^ii they shall he chosen.
".Art. 7. 'i he judicial power shall I)e vested in a supreme court, consist-
ing of a suprenuy judge and '2 jiistices of the peace. The jurisdiction of the
supreme court shall l)e hoth appellat'' and original. That of the prohatt^
court and jnstices of the peace as limited hy law — provideil that individual
justices of the peace shall not have jurisdiction of any matter of controversy
when the title oi' lioundary of land may he in dispute, or where the sum
claimed exceeds fe-.')!).
'Art. S. There shall he a recorder elected liy the (|ualitied electors, at the
annual election, who shall keep a faithful record of the ]iioeeedings in the
legislative committee, suiu-emeand prohate courts; also, rcord all houndarief
of lands jiresented for that purpose; and all marks and h'- mds tised for mark-
ing live-stock; [irocnre and keep the standard weightr, and measures re(|uired
hy law; seal weights and measures, and keep .t record of the same; and also
lecord wills i'ud deeils, and other instruments of writing re(|uired liy law to
he recordeil. The rei'order sliall receive the follo\\ iiig fees, vi/. : for recording
wills, deeds, and other instruments of writing, ]'2 t'cnts for every KM) words,
and the same jn ice for copies of the same; for I'very weight or me;i.snre sealed,
■J.i cents; foi' granting other (iliicial jiapers and the seal, 'J.") cents; for serving
as clerk of the legislati\e committee, the same daily pay as the niemhers of
the legishiture; and for ;dl other services re(|uireil of him hy this act, the
same fees as allowed for similar services hy tlie laws of Iowa.
'Art. ;>. Tlu-re shall lie a treasurer elected liy tiie (jualitieil electors of the
territory, who shall, het'ore entering upon the dtities of his oliice, give hond
to the executive committee, in the sum of !*1,"><H), with '2 or more sutlicient
securities, to he approved by the executive committee, eomlitioned for the
faitllf' 1 discharge of the duties of his <i(ticc. The treasurer shall receive all
moneys helonging ^i the territory, that nuiy he raised hy contriluition or
otherwise, ami shall procure suitahle hooks in which he shall enter an ac-
count of his rcceipt.t and dishursenicnts.
'Art. 10. The treasurer shall in no casi' pay nuincy out of the treasury hut
acoortling to law. and shall annually report to the legislative committee a
true account <>*' his receipts and dishurseinents, w ith necessary voiichers for
the sanu', and shall deliver to Ids successor in otiice all hooks, money, ac-
counts, (jr other property hehuigi'ig to the territory, so soon as his successor
shall hiei-me inialilieil.
'Art. II. '1 he tre.'isurer shall recei\e for his serviees the sum of .") per
cent of all moneys received and paid out, according to law, and H per cent of
all nu)neys in the treasury w hen he goes out of oliice, anil '2 per cent i\pon
the ilisbursement of money in tin- treasury when he comes into otiice.
'Art. I'.V The laws of Iowa shall he the laws of this territory, ni civil,
nnlitary, and criiuiual oases, where not otherwise provided for, and wiiero no
l.
IOWA STATUTES THE MODEL.
:ny.i
f pcr-
plection.
have sucli a liead, yet tliey were instructed by the
people against it, and against taxation tor the support
of a government. T'l ^v liad evaded the issue bv
reconunending to the pubhc the appointment of an
executive committee of three, which phin was finally
adopted, but not without considerable discussion and
amendment.
statute of Iowa Territory applies, the principles of eoiiiiiuiii law and ecpiity
sliall gov M'U.
'Art. IS. That the law of Iowa Territory regiilatiug weiglits and niea.s-
ures siiall he tiie law of this territory — provided, that the supreme court shall
perform the duties of the county commissioners, and the recorder shall per-
form tlie duties of the clerk of the county coiiunissioners, as prescrihed in
said laws of Iowa — and provided, that tK) pounds avoirdupois weight shall he
tilt," standard weight of a hushel of wlieat, whether the same he more or less
than 2, l.")0 '2 o culiic inches.
'Art. 14. Tlie laws of Iowa Territory respecting wills and administrations
shall lie tile law of this territory, in all cases not otherwise provided for.
'Art. I."). The law of Iowa respecting vagrants is lierehy adopted, as far
as adapted to the circumstances of the citizens of Oregon.
'Art. Hi. The supreme court shall liold two sessions annually, upon tlie
tliird Tuesdays in April and Septendier; the first session to he held at Tliam-
jioeg, on the third Tuesday of Septendier 1841^, an<l the secoiul session at
Tualatin plains, on tlie tliinl Tuesday of .April IS44. At tint sessions of the
.supreme c<iurt, the supreme judge shall preside, assisted liy '2 justices
provideil, that no justice shall assist in trying any case tliat has lieen lirought
liefore tlie court liy appeal from his judgment. The supreme court shall have
original jurisdiction in cases of treason, felony, or breaches of the peace,
where the sum claimed exceeds .'*,")0.
' .Art. 17. All male persons, of the age of 1(5 years and upwards, and all
females of the age of 14 and upwanls, sliall have right in engaging in mar-
riage, provided that where either of the parties shall he u.ider the age of '21,
the consent of the parents or guardians of such minors .shall he necessary to
the valiility of such niiitiimonial engagement. Every ordaineil minister of the
gospel, of any religious denomination, the supreme juilge, an<l all justices of
the peace, are herehy authorized t<i solemnize marriages according to law, to
have the same recorded, and pay the recorder's fee. All marriages shall lie
ivcordecl liy the territorial recorder, within one month from the time oi such
marriage taking jilace and lieiiig made known to him otiicially. The legal
fee for marria^'i; shall lie ijl, and for rcconliiig the same oO cents.
'.Art. I!(. All otiices suhseciuently made shall he till"d hy election and
liallot in the several districts, in the most central and convenient place in
each district, upon the day appointed hy law, and under such regulations as
the laws of Iowa provide.
'Art. lit. Resolved, that a comnnttee of 3 he appointed to draw up a
digest of the doings of the people of this territory, witii reganl to an organiza-
tion, and transmit the ^ a- to the United States government, for their iufoi-
Illation. Resolved, that the following portions of the laws of Iowa, as laid
dow 11 in the statute laws of the territory yf Iowa, enacted at the tirst session
of the legislative assemlilv <if said territory, held at Burlington, A. I). l!S.'{.S-!»;
pulilished hy aci'.iority, Uu IJuiiue, Bussel, and Reeves, printers, IH'Mh, cer-
titieil to he a correct I'opy hy ^^'illlam li. ( 'oiiw;iy, secret^iry of Iowa 'I'erritory-
iio adopted iia the laws of this territory;' tlu'ii follow the titles of the laws
alpiialietically arranged, with the [i.iges where they are to he found in the
aliove-descrilieil iditioii of the Laws of Iowa. Wrnrir'xOri'tion Arr/iiitm. 28-3'2-
//'■//(>.■ ih-nimi Jiist. 4'_'t>-;ti; ^'lVF*/^ ///.«/. ",., ;ri,'t 7
l^:i
nn
Fii
■i
iimiii
u
:ui)
om.ASlZATlO'S OF rROVLSIOXAL (iOVKUNMKN T.
The question of government exi)enscs was met by
a subscription, pledging tlie signers to pay annually
certain sums affixed to their names, providt'd the sub-
scriber might withdraw his name on paying arrearages
and notifying the treasurer. The country was divided
into four districts, the first to be called Twality dis-
tiict, comprising all the country south of the northern
boundary line of the United States west of the
Willamette or Multnomah Kiver, north of the Yam-
hill Kiver, and east of the Pacific Ocean. The second
was Yamhill district, and embracetl all the country
west of the Willamette or ^Fultnomah Kiver, and a
line running north and south from said river south
of the Yamhill Hiver to 42° north latitude, or the
houndary line of the United Statt>s and California,
and east of the T^icific Ocean. The third, Clackamas
district, comprelu'iided all the territory not included
in the )ther three districts. The fourth, or Cham-
jiooick"" district, was bounded on tlu' north by a line
supj)osed to be drawn from the mouth of the Anchi-
yoke River running due east to the Kocky ^[ountains,
west by the Willamette oi' Alultnomah Kiver, and a
supposed line running due south from said river to
the 42d j)arallel, south l)y the northern boundary line
of California, and east bv the summit (»f the Kockv
Mountains. Collectively, these districts were to be
designated Oregon Territory.
The military law provided that there should be om-
i»attaJion of militia in the territory, divided into three
or more companies of mounted riflemen. This law
contained nothing deserving of comment, except in
its tenth and last article, which made the militia,
"with the advice and consent of the executive com-
mittee, subject to the call of the authorized agents of
the United States goveriiment, until troops should be
sent to support the same:" which meant that with the
cop.sent of the executive connnittee. White might
•"'riiis spcllinj; <>l < 'lianiiiopp waj* .mite c'lmniuii in tlii' early ueciipatidu of
the NN'illuiiiette VuUuy, a» Twulity was of Tualatin.
THE LAND LAW.
:iii
call oil the military companies to put down uprisings
among the natives. The ntanner in which White and
tlie soldiers used their authority has been giveri in a
previous chapter.
The law of land claims, the most important of all
to the original agitators of a provisional government,
required that the claimant should designate the
boundaries of his land, and have the same recorded in
the office of the territorial recorder, in a book kept
for that purpose, within twenty days from the time of
making his claim; unless he should be already in
possession of a claim, when he should be allowed a
year for recording a description of his land. It was
also required that improvements should be made, by
building or enclosing, within six months, and that the
claimant should reside on the land within a year after
lecording. Xo individual was allowed to hold a claim
of more than one square mile, or six hundred antl
forty acres in a square or oblong form, according to
natural surroundings, or to h<»ld more than one claim
at one time; but havmg conq)lied with these ordi-
nances, he was entitled to the same recourse against
trespass as in other cases }m>vided by law.
The fourth and last article of the land law forl)ade
all persons to hold claims upon city or town sites,
extensive water privileges, or other situations neces-
sary for the transaction of mercantile or manufactur-
ing operations. Like all the important acts of the
legislative committee, the land law was the work of
Shortess, who was, at this period of his history, in
close sympathy with the Methodist ^fission. The
fou?i:.h article was directly designed to take from John
Mcljoughlin his claim at Oregon City, but when the
luoticn was put to a(lo})t tlu; law as a whole, there
arose considerable argumei't, the 31ission having als(/
laid claim to a portion of the land at Oregon City,
and having erected mills on the island at the falls.
In order to quiet this discussion and satisfy the Mis-
sion, a proviso was proposed "that nothing in these
J I
I !
;{!•_'
011(1 AXIZATIOX OF PROVISIONAL GOVEKNMKXT.
:
h
i i
laws shall be no construed as t(j affect any claim of
any mission of a religious character, made })revious
to this time, of an extent not more than six miles
square.
The reports of the various connnittees having been
adopted, Jason Lee, Harvev Clark, and David Leslie
were chosen a committee to draught and administer an
oath of office to the ])ersons elected on the 2d of May,
and to the supreme judge, who should thereafter
([ualify all civil and military officers elected by the
})eople. Burns having resigned his office as justice
of the peace, Moore was chosen in his place. James
O'Neil was also chosen justice of the peace for Yam-
hill district, and Anu^s C(3ok constable. Joel Turn-
liam was elected constable for Champooick district,
in place of Bridges, who had gone to California.
The choice of an executive committee was a matter
of more moment, and the subject of active canvassing;
it finally fell on David Hill, Alanson Beers, and Joseph
(xale. None of these men had influence enough to
l)e dangerous to the peace of the coinnmnity; two be-
longed to the settler class, and the third was but a lay
member of the Missior. The oath of office was ad-
ministered the same day, by motion of the meeting,
and thus the whole business of starting the machinery
of the first u-overnment of Oretfon was concluded.
With reixard to the influence of the Methodist Mis-
'-'In a lotter to the Om/OH Speftdfor of Aug. 5, 1848, (iray affirms that
this ])roviso was suggested l)y Jason Lee li'mself, and offered by Le Breton,
and tliat none of tlie legislative eonnnittee were responsible for it; and to tliis
he says he has made oath. In liis IlUtnrii, 338, lie informs us tliat Le Breton
liad Ijeen ehoseu seeretly to the legislative eonii littee, the mend)ers agreeing
to pay his 2)er diem if necessary. Newell, in his Slrictun'H on Onii/, says that
the word ' Protestant' was inserted in tiie proviso l)efore 'missions,' hut that
lie argued for the American right to worshij) (tod according to his conscience,
and succeeded in having the obnoxious word sti'icken out. <iray adndts that
Newell was opposed to the fourth article of tlie land law, hut oidy because
he favored McLoughlin's claim, (irayalso afiirnis that the legislative eom-
'uittce were opposed to the large claims of the Mission, liut feared to oppo.se
tlieni lest they should combine against tiie organization. 'J'hey wei-e, besides,
.satisfied that the Protestant missions would finally give up a portion of their
claims in order to force the < 'atholics to do the same, and tliis, he says, is
what actually took place. J/inl. ' h-., 347. As if the United States had nothing
to do with tae matter
.SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MEA.SL'llE.S.
313
sioii on the oruaDizatioii of a temporary govermuent,
the student of history can arrive at but one conclusion.
The first object of the Missions was to secure large
tracts of land. Having made their- choice, finding the
United States government slow to act in the matter
of i)oundary and title, and fearing the encroachment of
immigrants who might dis})ute with them their right
to a land mono})oly in certain localities, it was their
only recourse to secure the establishment of a tempo-
rary government, or even an independent one, which
should confirm by law the claims already taken or
that might be taken under the law. It was not their
})olicy to seem to be more anxious than other men,
but rather to strive to make the settlers anxious about
their welfare, and to use them to promote their own
ends.
The scheme of government framed bv the lofifisla-
tive connnittee of 184:5 had a political significance
imparted to it by Robert Sliortess, which was not
comprehended by the majority of American settlers
Avho voted for it. By making its basis the ordinance
of 1787, passed by congress for the government of the
territories north of the Ohio River, besides its other
excellent provisions, it was intended to settle the ques-
tion of slavery west of the Rocky Mountains, as had
been done in the north-western states. Also by ex-
tending jurisdiction over the whole of (Oregon up to
the time the United States should take possession of
the countrv, the ri<;ht of (;ireat Britain to anv ])ait
of it was ignored — a stej) in advance of the position
}»ublicly taken at this time by the government itself.
It is doubtful if, when all was done, the British
residents of the territory, even IVtcLoughlin himself,
fully recognized the importance of wliat had taken
])lace."" This was the mistake wliich he often made
in regard to American enterprises. He was slow
In
i(.
^'^Says llolx'rts. 'T wiis present in tlio fall of 1842 at a jidlitical meeting at
< 'lianipoeg; l)Ut like Toots, I thought at thu time it was of no coiiseijiience
Jtecollcctlotix, MS., (it
!'""■'
1 : I
■ii i
:<I4
OlUiANlZATlON OF PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
to learn tlie difference between men trained to sub-
serviency, Jind the (juick reasoninjj^ and alert inde-
j)endence of the Americans, who though sometimes
dressed in skins possessed the faculty of making-
themselves masters of whatsoever destiny fortune
laid uiH)n them.**
-'The authorites from which tliis chapter has been drawn, besides those
already quote<l, are Or. Pioum'i- Akmoc, Tntii.i., 1875, (il; Evans' Address, in
Or. Pioneer A imoc.. Trans., 1877,32; lirownn WillaineUe Vallii/, MS., 31; Atkin-
.so»'« Or. Coloni.il,s, 3, 4; Or. Spectator, May 12, 1847; (iroirr'n Or. Archiven,
"•7; JJenfl!/'.s HiM. Or., MS., 14, 74; Thoriifon'.i Oreijon Hist., MS., 6; Emm'
Hint. Or., MS., 2()5 71; Mittthkii'n IhJ'iuiee, MS., 19;' Mari/muUe Appeal, Nov.
4, 1805; liurneit'.H Rtrol/ectioiiK, MS., i. 184; Stroii<ffi Hkt. Or., MS., 61;
(ifroi>er'n Pith. Life, MS., 23-5; J. Q. Thornton, in Or. Pioneer Ahuoc., Trans..
1874, 70; Burnett, in mies' J}e<jister, l.wiii. 393.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE CATHOLIC MISSIONS— .MORE OF THE PJIESBYTERIANS.
1838-1847.
(Ai.i, (iK TiiK Fhkn( H Canadians— CoMix«; of Blanchkt and Dk.mkks—
TlIK VlCAK-tiKNKKAI. AMONIi TIIK CaYVMRS — St FkANCIS XavIKU ON TIIK
Cowlitz- Pkoikstant AND Catholic Rivalky— Lanclois and Bol-
DIC — TlIK jKsrilS IN THE NORTll-WEST- LaBOKS OF FaTHKU ])E S.MKT—
Point and MAN(iAuiNi — St Maryh o:< thk BriTKit Root — Mission of
TIIK SaCHKD HeAKT — I)E VoS AND HoEKKN — JhsIIT' ReKNFOKCK-
MENTs — Blanchet Madk Archiushoi'- St rAiLS— Affairs at Waii-
I.ATI'U AND liAPWAl — JnsoLENI E OF TIIK SAVAliES — WhITMAN's WiNTEK
.ForuNEY TO THE East — His Treatment iiy ihe Board — Rktirn ash
DlSAITOINTMENT.
After the free French Canadians of tlie Valley
Willamette had become fairly settled in their new-
home, they found time to turn their attention to tlu;
moral and educational advancement of their little
community. Their first effoi-t in this direction was
made July '3, 1834, when they W'rote to J. N. Prov-
cncher, bishop of Juliopolis in the Red River settle-
ment, asking that religious teachers might be sent to
(Oregon. The arrival of the Methodist missionaries
earlv in 1835 made the Catholics more anxious than
ever to have among them instructors of their own faith,
and on the 23d of February they addressed a second
appeal to the bishop. To these ju'titions Proven-
cher replied by enclosing to McLoughlin a letter of
advice and consolation, in which he regretted that no
priests could be spared from the Red River setth;-
ment, but promised to obtain help from Europe or
Canada as soon as possible.
The following year the governor and a committee
I'f
-Tj
li'l
:!■«
YW¥
|M'
II
:iii>
THi: CATHOLIC MLSSIONS-THE rUKSBYTP:RIANS.
of tlie Hudson's Bay Company in London \v» ve askc<l
jtassaj^e for two priests to Oregon \>y the t t)nipuny's
annual express from jVIontreal, the object being to
estabhsli a Catholic mission in the Willumtate val-
ley. The comj)any would grunt the reipu^st on our
co!idition, namely, tliat the })ro[)oscd mission should
be established in the Cowlitz V'^allcy, the reason given
beinij that the sovercionty of the British north of tlu*
Columbia was uiujucstioned, while the right to tlie
country soutii of the C(jlund)ia was still undecided.'
No objection being made to this nMjuirement, tlu"
archbishop of Quebec appointed tlie Fiev, Francis
Xorbert Blanchet, then cure des Cedres, Montreal dis-
trict, to the charge of the Oregon Mission, with the
title oF vicar-general, antl for his assistant gave him
the Rev. Modeste Demers of the district of Juli()})olis.
They left Montreal in May 1838, with the company's
express, which also had a number of other travellers
under its protection. All went well till the Little
Dalles, on tho Columbia, was reached. While tlu'
j)arty were descending these dangerous i-apids one of
the boats was wrecked and nearly half the com})an}'
were drowned.^ i
At Fort Colville the priests were received with
the same demonstrations of pleasure that had given
encouragement to the Protestant missionaries in east-
ern Oregon on their first ap})earance. During a stay
of four days nineteen persons were bai)tized, mass was
said, and the natives a})i)earod to take great interest
in the sacred rites.^ At Fort Okanagan they met
^ Shiij>.wii'/< Letter, in Bltinrhet's Jfist. Culfi. C/i. in Or., 24-5. Siinp.soii ot
course know tliat tins country north of the Coluinhia wa.s still in dispute, hut
ho prohahly helieved that the British had a l)etter chaiu^e of eventually getting
it than the southern territory. Hence his desire to strengthen the claim by
inducing the Canadians to settle north of the river.
-Those drowned were: Wallace and wife, English tourists; Banks, a
botanist, an<l his wife, a daughter of Sir (Jeorge Sinipsoa; Mrs Williams; two
little girls named Trend)lay, and iive others. ToiVsNew CoUdnniii, MS., 45-1};
/.(■(' mill Froift'K Or., 215; Cnrilioo Smtind, ii. no. 12, 3; Portland Oregonian,
April 19, 1879; Blnnrhet'x Cttth. Vh. in Or., \Vl-,\.
■' Bldnc/ief'.i Cath. C/i. in Or., .'15. Afterwai'd Demers wrote: 'Experience
lia-s taught us not to rely too iiuich o!i the first tknnonstrations of the Indians,
and not tt> rely much on the first dispositions they manifest.' /(/., 102.
AKRIVAl. OK l'UIE!ST.S.
817
to
uitli similar success, and l)a]>t izcd a mmihor of jhtsohs.
At Fort Walla Walla .a few natives Mere baptized,
l>ut liaviui;" l>een recently taught hy Whitman, they
were less demonstrative, though, at the same time,
more observ'ant and critical. On witiu'ssinj^ mass,
with all those accessories which a|>j)eal most power-
fully to the ima<4ina,tion of the savaijfe, they were,
accordinjn' to the vicar-LCeni il, "struck with amaze-
ment." Had Hlanchet \)vv\\ more fully inlornied con-
ctTninsjf the relii^ious antecod(Mits of tlu^ (\ivuses, lie
would have heen al)lu to account for tlu; inti'rest
exhihited l»y them in this mysti'rious ceremony, wliich
hroui;ht to their recollection all they had ever heard
frttm their Ii'o(juois teachers, or learned from their
intercourse with the French trap])ei's and voyaij^eurs,
and which they were: now wonch'rin^ly contrastiniL*'
\\ itli the less (h'corative and moi'e coldly ideal worshij*
of tlu' Presbyterian missionaries.
The appearance of the ])rii sts in their dark lohes,
their frequent mystical siijns of I'everence, their
chastity, their ajtj)arent inditfert'nce to secular affairs,
all impressed the natives ^vith the su! limity and
gravity of tlie faith. The Umatilla hr.uich of the
Cayuses esj)ecially showed a stron;^ leanins^ toward
this religion, so that already the 'hlackgowns,' as the
])riests were called, he^j^an to divide the natives ar^ainsfc
themselves in thiui^s spiritual. On arrivinjj^ at Fort
\'ancouver the (^atholic missionriries wer'e Maited uj»on
I >y a delegation from tlu^ Canadian settlement, consist-
ing^ of Joseph Gervais, h'tieiuie Luciei', and Pierre
Belle(]U(^; hut no promise of an estalilishment on the
Willamette was _i>iven thiMn at this time. Mass was
first celebrated at the fort on tlu" •Jath of Xovember;
and it is related that many of the Canadians were
affected to tears, not havino- enjoyed this religious
]>rivilego for many years. After remaininj^ some time
at A^ancouver, Planchet visited the (\anadian settle-
ment on the Cowlitz. ( )n i eturning he spent a month
in the Willamette A'^alley.
' 1
t
318
THK CATHOLK MISSIONS THK I'HKSHYTKIUAXS.
One of till' first stt'])s takt'ii by tlu' Ciitholii' tiitlu'is
was to H».'|tai'atf lor a short tiiiR' tlu' ("aiiadiaiis tVoin
their IiMhan wives, after which tliey were nmri-ied
act'or(hii<i^ to tlie rites of the i-liurch. The vicar-jj^eii-
eral sums ii|> liis lahois for the winti'r imdt'i" the liead
of baptisms one hiiiuht'd and thirtv-four, st'|iulture>
nine, and marriay^es fortv-nine. Xot oidv (hd ht; mai'rv
the iinmari-ied, hut i-emarried those before united by
tlie Protestant ministers, to the unutteral)le (hsijfust
of tlu> latter. He also withdrt'W a nund)er of pei'siMis
from till' tem])eranee society fornieil by the Meth-
odists, and from their pi'ayer-meetin^s.
In the summer of 183D J)enieis paid a visit to the
interior. For thirty djiys he taujjflit the natives in
the vicinity of Fort C'olville, after which he spent
two weeks at Fort VN'alla AValla in the same manner,
III the mean time the vicar-^eneral had established
liimhcH" amon.t; the Cowlitz in a log house twenty by
thirty feet in size erected for his use, and had received
the lirst-frujts of the mission farm, which amounted
to si:v bushels of wheat and nine bushels of pease.
His farmer had fenced twenty-four acres, and plouinhed
fifteen besides for the autumn sowing. His house was
used both as a residence and a chapel, and the estab-
lishment received the name of 8t Francis Xavier.
A visit was made to the natives at Nisijually during
the summer, and in the autumn both Blaiichet and
JXnners re[)aired to Fort Vancouver, where they I'e-
ceived permission fioni Douglas, McLoughliii not yet
havinijf arrived from England, to form an establish-
nient in the Willamette Valley, the governor and
committee having withdrawn their objections. On
what grounils the prohibition was removed does not
ajipear; but it is probable tliat McLoughlin re})re-
sented to the directors in London that the Canadian
families in the Willamette were ])ermanently settled,
and being free, had a right l;) live where they liked,
and choose their own teachers.
The vicar-general re[)aired immediately to the
HLANfllET AND DKMKU.S.
31 'I
Caiuuluiii settleiiu'iit on tho Willaiiu'tto, wliore ji loi^
cliuivh was ahvadv awaitin<'- liiiii, tour iiiik's aUovi*
C'-ainpooi;', luivini;- Ihhjii built in 1H'A(\ wlu'ii tlu- Fii'iich
l)eii^aii to (.;ntortain tho liopr of having' priests anion*;"
tlieni.'' Hero Blancliot took up his rcsicU'ni-o Octohor
1 2th. On the 2:kl of Di'ci'inber lie blessed the bell
ho had brought with him, and on the Oth of January,
1840. the liuniblo editicr was foi-nially dedicated to St
I'aul, and mass was ccli'brated for tho tirst time in
the Willamette \'alley. The ni'xt three weeks were
chietly devoted to ii'li^ious exercises, the men lu'in*;
examined to ascertain if theii- jirayors were remem-
bered, the women and children instructed in tlu'ii-
duties, and all made to confess their sins. The fourth
week was occuj)ied in visitinj4" the settleis at their
homes, and in selecting a square mile of land for the
Catholic establishment.
In the mean time, Demcrs, havinij^ finished his visit
to Xis(jually, was assigned to the cliari;e of the Cow-
litz establishment, where he arrived the l;5th of Octo-
ber, 183!), Next day he hun«^ and rang out the first
church-bell ever heard in the terr-itory. There were
at this time but eight families on the Cowlitz, includ-
ing altogether forty-six peisons, which number was
oc-casionally augmented as more men were required by
the Puget Sound Agricultural (\)mpany. To these
]»ersons Demers gave religious instruction during the
early jiortion of the winter; and endeavored in the
spring to iin})art a limited knowledge of farming to
the natives within reach, in the hope of ameliorating
their condition.
During the earlier part of 1840 the jealous rivalry
between the Catholic and ^[ethodist missionaries was
shown with much bitterness on both sides. The
former regarded it as impudent intrusion that Prot-
estant ministers should preach their heretical creed to
* This, the first Imildint,' erected for j)ul>lie religious services in Oregon, was
70 hy .SO feet in size. I suppose it to he ideutieiil witli that iu which Jaaou
I.ee and his associates preached to the settlers.
^■i
m
r3
1' :i
JiiL
; IM; 1
4^-1
I
:wo
THE CATHOLIC MISSIONS— THE PRESBYTERIANS.
the Catholic Canadians, or even atteni[)t to convert
the natives; while the latter naturally took an exactly
opposite view of the matter. This feeling was fre-
quently the cause of mutual recriminations wliich
were generally without foundation in fact, while in
some cases the missionaries so far forgot the dig-
nity of their calling as to proceed to acts of mild
hostility against each other. Thus Blanchet relates
in his history" that Leslie, in revenge for his action
in remarrying those persons already united by the
Methodist ministers, instituted a revival, which was,
however, barren of fruits; that Daniel Lee endeav-
ored to make proselytes by praying in the houses of
the Canadians, and that the Methodists circulated
among the Catholics an obscene book," wliich pre-
tended to give awful Usclosures concerning convtuitual
life in Alontreal. Furthci-, that a complaint v/as made
to Douglas by the Metliodists, because the Catholic
missionaries were using their influence "to keep the
lambs of the flock out of tlie clutches of the Wes-
leyan wolves," and that tlie governor told his inform-
ant very curtly tliat "it was none o'' his busim^ss."
Blanchet then proceeds artlessly to laud his own
zeal by describing how he meddled with Waller's mis-
sionary work at the falls of the V\'illaniette in 1840,
on which v»ccasion lie claims to have christianizetl the
most degraded com[)any of sa\ ages in Oregon in seven
days, though he was obliged every day to run after
the lazy Indians to bring them to his tent. Finally
he baptized eleven children, and as the result of his
week's labors found that "nine families out often had
^llutorcial SL-ffr/ii'y of the Catholic Church in Omjon, rortlaiul, 1878. Tliis
work is not graccfuUv A-ritteu, owiii^' projaMy to tlu' antlior'H iiiipi-rfect
kiiowludgt; i>f the English language, Its ooiiteutti for tlu; most part appear
pncrilt! to the general reader, though ilie hlanie of tliis may he ehargoJl to
the nature of iia themes. Tlio liiatorical value of the work is great, thougli
impaired by the eoai-sely abusive tone adopted hy ^il.'Moliet when referring
to the Protestant missionaries, which only serves to tl i'' .v discredit ui)ou his
own statements. So far as the Methodists ha\e writ' I'W of the Catholio mis-
sions, they have shown more charity and moderation
" Moria Moid; a publication whioli at one time . -'^ated a great stir iu the
leligiuns world.
I
i
RELKJION AND POLITICS.
321
bev^n rescued from brother Waller." In return for
this interference with his mission, Waller pulled down
a Hag hoisted on Sunday by Blanchet's order. But
the latter declares that he was consoled for tliis insult
because son.e Clatsoj)S, seeing' the altar, ornaments,
and vestn>ents, spoke disparagingly of the IVotestant
missionaries, who had never shown them such pretty
things.^
The childish quarrels, )f which this is an example,
might well be overlooks !. were it not necessaiy to
refer to sectarian feuds hereafter to account for events
of greater importance.
Despite their troubles with the Methodists, Blan-
chet and De?ners labored industriously to disseminate
their religion. Tliey visited distant tribes and bap-
tized a vast number of infant savages, attended to
the spiritual wants of the fur company's servants,
most of whom were Catholics and taught diligently
at St Paul and St Xavier. Aside from their super-
abundant zeal, thev were excellent men and faitlifullv
discharged their duties as they understood them. If
thev drew awav from the Methodist snhool the chil-
dren of the French settlers, they did not neglect their
education afterward, but were as zealous to establish
institutions of learning as Jason Let; himself Nor
were tl>' . behind in erectiny: mills and making im-
provements which might give them a title to the lands
o( rupied by them when the United States shoild carry
out its promise of free farms to actual settlei •.
The innnediate eU'ect of the arrival of Blanc let and
Deniers was to unittj tht* Fi'ench settlers in a com-
nuinity by themselves, and thus weaken the pcAver *>f
the Methodist Mission as a political body. This is
shown by the fact that tlu' first two petitions of the
si'ttlers to the United States congress were signed
e(jually by French and Americans, but the subsequent
memorials by Americans oidy. It increased the lios-
' mnuryi'x Cuh. r/i. Ill Or., 120-2.
" Porri.t/,'.i Or. .1 mnhtv^, MS., 'M; ll'/nVc'^ Or. Ter., IG; Wilken' X'ir., iv. 374.
Hist. Or., Vm.. I. n
!
' 1
f
■I
322
THE CATHOLIC MISSIONS-THE PRESBYTERIANS.
■ ■IBM I
l:
tility of the latter toward the fur company, and es}3e-
cially toward McLoughHn, to whose jealousy of them
the Methodists attributed the action of the company
in allowing, or as they believed in inviting, the Cath-
olics to settle in the territory. This suspicion was
strengthened when McLoughlin joined the Catholic
church in 1842. It then began to be said of him that
he had always been a Catholic, and a very Jesuitical
one, and that he was plotting against Protestantism
and American progress in every form; and though
nothing could be further from the truth," these accu
sations had great weight with those opposed to him
from personal, sectarian, or political motives. That
neither McLoughlin nor the fur company had any
intention of covering the country with missions, as
the Americans had done, was evident from the refusal
of the committee to allow two other priests. Rev. A.
Langh)is and J. B. Z. Bolduc, to follow the first two
to Oregon, by denying them a passage in their express
in 1841, although this did not prevent their coming
the year following by sea.
The reader will remember that a petition of the
Flatheads for white teachers, sent to St Louis about
I
j
" Though McLougliliii's religion has been tlio subject of much rancorous
dispute, there is really no mystery about it. He was l)rought up in the
Anglican church; but his life in the wililorness had separated him so long from
religious observances that at the time the first missionaries appeared at Van-
couver he might be sai<l to have had no specific creed. Naturally conscien-
tious, he reproached himself that the free Canadians should have forestfilled
him in the dirt^ction of religious cultivation. Nevertheless ho encouraged
both them and the Methodists, and at the first opportunity suggested to the
governor and coniniittee in London the propriety of sending a chaplain to
Vancouver. As we have seen, they sent Mr Beaver, of the Anglican cliurcli,
who ])roved such a di.sagreeable and meddlesome member of the society, that
McLougidin was glad to be rid of him after a year and a half. This episode
was followed by the Methodist war upon him at Oregon City, in the midst of
which he chanced to read I'r Milners Em/ of Con/roirrxi/, which seemed to
him to establisli the claim of tlie Roman Catholic church to l)e considered the
true church, and he decided to unite with it at once. This he did November
KS, 1H42, to the end remaining a faithful Catholic, while never inter''ering
with the religious sentiments of others. Blanchet, who wiis proud of this
notable conversion, boasts on page !( of his Calli. Church in Or., of havnig
accomplished it in 1841; lint forgetting this statement, he gives the true date
on page 00 of the same work. See also address of V\'. H. Roes, iu Or. Fioiiter
Aksoc, Trans., 1879, 30: IliHt. XoiihwcHt CoaM, this series.
FATHER DE SMET.
323
1832, or perhaps even earlier/" was really the original
cause of the missionary movement into Oregon which
followed. The earlier parties, however, either did
not pass through, or did not remain in the region
about tlie head waters of the Columbia, and it was
not until 1840 that the Flatheads began to reap the
benefits of religion which the western tribes had been
enjoying for several years.^^ In the spring of 1840
Pierre J. De Smet, a Jesuit, left the Missouri at
Westport in company with the large party of fur-
traders, immigrants, and independent missionaries
who crossed the Rocl^y Mountains in that year.
At the rendezvous he Wi\s met by a party of Flat-
heads, who had heard of his arrival, and by them
escorted to their country. De Smet was a worthy
member of his order. Young, handsome, intellectual,
educated, and energetic, he was well fitted to make a
favorable impression upon tlie savages, and to succeed
in a field which others had either shunned or aban-
doned. On becoming acquainted with the Flatheads,
lie was surprised, as Bonneville, Townsend, and Parker
had been, at the similarity between their religious
[)ractices and those of his own creed, but this he
accepted as a proof of the special power of his religion
to impress itself at once upon the minds of the heathen.
The evening of his first day among them was closed
M'ith a prayer and solemn chant, and prayer* was again
<»ttered in the morning. On the second day he trans-
lated to them, with the aid of an interpreter, tlu;
Lord's Praver, the creed, and the commandments.
In a fortnight tw(t thousand Flatheads know the
prayers. In two months six hundred were admitted
to baptism.
This gratifying success led De Smet to tiiink of
procuring assistance and extending his labois among
the savage nations of Oregon. But to his suri)rist'
he now for the first time learned of the presence in
"See p. 54, this voluine. »
" See p. 0.5, tins volume, note 9.
If!
ill
•'. \ 11
F-ll'
324
THE CATHOLIC MISSIONS— THK PRESBYTERIANS.
the territory of Bianchet and Demers, and of their
missions to the tribes on the upper Columbia. Ho
fortliwith wrote to Demers, and comnmnicated Jiis
plans of bringing out more priests for the work of the
Rocky Mountains, and at once set about carrying
them forward by hastening to St Louis and returning
the following year with the Rev. Gregorio Mengarini
of Rome, Rev, Nicolas Point, a Vendean, and three
lay brothers, good mechanics, who wero needed to
erect the buildings requisite for two mission establish-
ments.
The site of the Flathead mission was selected on
the Bitter Root River, September 24, 1841, the cross
planted, and the mission of St Mary founded. ])e
Smet then proceeded to Fort Colville for supplies,
while the mechanics constructed a residence and
chapel, and the natives were instructed by Point and
Mengarini Failing to procure provisions for the
winter, the natives were dismissed after Christmas,
Point going with tlie hunters to the chase, and brav-
ing the danger of the Blackfoot, while De Smet and
Mengarini remained to teach the remaining meml)ers
of their charge. The lay brothers enij)loyed them-
selves in erecting a ])alisade about the mission build-
ings. They did not by any means pass a comfortable
winter, but thanketl (iod it was no worse. In the
spring De Smet visited Fort Vancouver in the hope
of procuring the requisite supplies to make the mis-
sion among the Flatheads a permanent one. On this
journey lie narrowly escaped death in the rapids at
the Dalles, for, while he made the poi-tage on foot,
the boat with five persons in it, and his baggage, was
swallowed by a whirlpool.'-
At Fort Vancouver De Smet again failed to secur(>
the required aid, and after conferring with Bianchet
and Demers, determined to make a further a[>peal to
St Louis for assistance. Returning to St Mary, he
'^ /)e Smet'a Or, MimioiiK, .S8; Shea-'* ll'mt. CiitJi. Mi>u<., 474; jVfc Jftircii,
CoHrkr and Jouritnl, •July 1871.
RETURN OF BLANCH ET.
directed Point to found a new mission, under t]ie name
of the Sacred Heart, among the Canirs d'Aiene, and
set out in August for the Missouri horder to lay the
wants of the savages before liis sui)eriors. The result
of his appeal was, that in the fv)llowing year, 184.'},
fathers Peter De Vos and Adrian Hoeken, with
three lay brothers, were ordered to the Rocky Moun-
tains, while De Sniet himself was despatched to
Europe to enlist other aid for the new field of Ore-
gon." In the same year seven lay brothers came
from Canada with the annual brigade, Blanchet hav-
ing made such rei)resentatiorjS to Simpson at Van-
couver as to overcome his objections.**
De Smet's jouriiey to Europe was eminently suc-
cessful. He returned to Oregon July 31, 1844, ac-
companied by fathers A.ntonio Ravalli, Giovanni
Nobili, Aloysius Vercrnysse, Michele Accolti, several
lay brothers, and six sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
They arrived, like the Methodist reenforcement of
1840, in a chartered vessel, the bark L' fnde f at i gable,
from Antwerp, bringing money and material for the
prosecution of their plans of esta])li.shiug Catholic
schools in the Willamette Valley, and Indian missions
in the more remote parts of the territory.'^ The sisters
tot)k possession of a convent erected i'or them on
French Prairie, called St Mary, on tl e IDth of Oc-
tober, and o])t'iied a school for girls soon after. A
boys' college, named St Joseph, was already in o|)era-
tion, under the charge of Rev, J. B. Bolduc, who
'^Burnett, in his /{ccollirtioti.-) of a Pioufcr, UfcJ, speaks of meeting De
Niiiet and Do N'cw at tlie erossing of tlic Kansas River, but this is an error.
IK' \'i)8 and Hoeken were meant. They travelled in advaiiee of the einigrunt.s
of 1843, a part of the time in eompany with a hunting jwirty from New Or-
leans, under Captain Stuart. See Nilc-'i' HvijhU-r, lx\ . 70.
^* Ilhmii't's Cnf/i. Ch. ill Or., VM, VA\>. The archhishop is at fault agaan
in his dates, writing 1H4'J for 1841. Sir (ieoige is also maile to keep 'his
promise of sending assi»tantH, ' as if he rt'cre part of the CathoUr Mission,
Mhieh lie was far from l>eing.
'"The /iiilejati,;i<ilili'i>iittiveil the south ehannel >.' tlie Columbia, an entrance
not attempted hefore. Her eommauder was witht ut any ktiowleilat? of tin;
river, liut hilving lain outside four ilays waiting for a pilot, deeided to try the
mtranee, and sailed straight in, being several times m peril from shallows,
hut arriving safe at Astoria. Suhsetjuently th- chanael deepened until it
eaue into eommon u>e.
ii.il
¥/
i I
1 1'"
:i26
THE CATHOLIC MLSSIONS-THE rRESBYTKKIAN.S.
came from Canada by sea, in 1842, as previously men-
tioned/^
During De Smet's visit to Europe, Oregon was
erected into an apostolic vicariate by Pope Gregory
XVI., who appointed Blanchet arclibisht)p of the ter-
ritory, Deniers succeeding him as vicar-general. The
briefs were made out December 1, 1843, and reached
Oregon November 4, 1844. Soon afterward Blanchet
proceeded by sea to Canada, to receive his consecra-
tion at tlie hands of the archbishoj) of Quebec. He
then made a voyage to Europe to devise means of in-
creasing tlie resources of the Oregon mission. He
met with great success in securing funds and voluji-
teers,^'' and returned to Oregon in August 1847, with
twenty-one recruits, among whom were seven sisters
of Notre Dame de Nanmr ; three Jesuit priests, Gaets,
Gazzoli, and Menestrey, with three lay brotliers ; five
secular priests, Le Bas, McCormick, Deleveau, Pretot,
and Veyi'et ; two deacons, B. Delorme and J. F. Jayol ;
and one cleric, T. Mesplie.^**
'* An ofi'er was made by the Catholics to pnrcha.so the huildmg and grounds
of the Oregon Institute tirst erected on WaUace Prairie, and offered for mdc
hy (Jary, who was tdosii.g u[i tlie Methodist Mi:<.sion; hut that gentleman
declined to sell to tiie suceessful rivals of Methodism, though the Methodist
Society would liave received double what it did receive Tor the property.
J fines' Or. uml Ins.. Kil
" Louis Pli'lipjie of France gave ;<,()00 francs, .uid ordered tne ministers
of the interior and 'uarine t<t pay eacli 7."2(K) franca. Tlie Leopoldine Society
of Vienna gave 4,«((K) tloritis, and other societies or corporations different
sums. Blanc/iit'x CiitJi. Ch. in Or. l."-8.
'*Tho vt-ssel which brought Blanchet's I'atholie colony was L'Etoilf da
Matin, Captain Menes, Iw^longing to V Marzion & ( o.. of Havre de (!race,
and was si 'it by them to < )regon, having; a half-cargo for Tahiti. vShe was not,
like the Iinlefittuialdc, obliged to erost; "iie bar without chart or pilot, but was
brought safely into the river by pihit iteeves, and aseendecl the Columbia to
the mouth of the Willamette, where lier cargo wjih unloaded. Proceeding
immediately she timshed iier voyage to Tahiti, an/t returned to France, whence
her owners once more des!»utclie<l her to Oregiwi. where they designed estab-
lishing a French colony. ' )n returning to tlie < oiuniliiaRiver in '4ilor '50, Cap-
tain Mene.M, after waiting outside lor a pilot r-trvenl days, undertook to cross
the bar without one, but his vessel struck on the saiKlx. where she pounde<l
for nine hours, and suffered seniMis damage. She wa* tinally brought into
Baker Bay by the attsistance of L^ttii, a ])ilot of the Hudson's Bay Company,
who with a numlier of natives w«iit to her atwi^tiUi ■.:, and i.t)nHtructing a box
rudder brniisabt her in. Slie wa« iSterw»rtii- t^ken t..-, Portland, where lier cargo
wa« iandei and the hull bam«ti for the iron and copper. « .iptain Menes
tipeiied a French store at Unpiu City lor her tiv.-ncris, Mai-zion & Co. In
THE THKEE «EE,S OF OREUON.
827
Witli the aid of his roeiiforcements Do Siiiet did
l)nive work, founding in rapid succession the mission
of St Ignatius, among the Fend d'Oreilles, and the
chapels of St Francis Borgia, among the Kahspehns,
St Francis Regis in Colville Valley, St Peters at the
(xreat Lakes of the Columhia, the Assumption on
Flatbow Lake, and the Holy Heart of Mary among
the Kootenais. De Vos and Accolti were i)laced in
charge of St Ignatius, where a mission farm was opened.
De Sniet employed nmcli of his time travelling among
the aborigines; and as there was nmcli despatch used
in making converts, it was claimed that between 1840
and 184(5 six thousand nativi.'S embraced the Catholic
faith."
During the absence of Archbishop Blanchet in
Europe his vicariate had been erected into an ecclesi-
astical province, containing the threi^ sees of Oregon
City, Walla Walla, and Vancouver Island; the first
liehig allotted to tla; archbishop, the second to his
brotiicv the Rev. A. M. A. Blanchet, canon of Mon-
treal, and the third to Vicar-general Demers, The
bishop of Walla Walla proceeded fi'om Montreal to
Oreoon by wav of St Louis, where he was joined bv
nine othei-s, among whom were the Oblate Fathers and
two lay !)rothers, two secular priests, namely, J. B. A.
Br«tuillet, appointed vicar-general of W^alla Walla,
and Father Rosseau; and a deacon, Ouillaume Le-
claire. Brouillet and Rosseau innnediately took up
\SoO MoLoughliii Kvame a partner in the firm, ainl so remr.ineil till 1S53,
when the Imsiness was closed. Captain Menes settleil on French I'rairie,
where he resided up to his death in I8t)7. Oreijoii CUij EiUvryrusf, March 21,
18tW.
'*The good missionary was fond of writing. His earliest jmhUshed work
sieenis to have been Lett*, > iiml Skrt^lici, written in 1841, after his first visit to
the Rocky Mountains, prii.ted in 1S4.H, and marked liy the novel impressions
•cceived from coni '.et witl'. suiva^e.s. Wis ' 'rn/oii MU-iiDiis, New York, liH47,
is u hook of over 4' «> pages, and contains, I)e8ides a narrative of the mission
Work in the Wiilumettt Valley and a brief sketch of the territory, a great
number of hitters tilled with descriptive, scientilic, unil reliynms matter. He
followed this with st-veral works, little more than reprnits, in P'rench and
Italian; ami published in lS(i.S his W'-steni .\fi.isioii'< "ih/ MisM/oniirits, a series
of letters addre88< I to the editor of Pnrin Histr>ri<iii's at Bru.ssels, containing
more niformatiiwi 'I a jjeuerul character couceruLUg the country than his
earlier m ortis.
i-.-
'-v.-
i 'I
\- h
328
THE CATHOLIC MIS8ION8-THE PRE.SBYTEKIANS.
t I'll
tlieir residence at the Cayuse camp on the Umatilla,
in a house provided by the chief Tauitau, while the
Oblate Fathers went to found a mission amo. "j the
Yakinias.*'
By tlie 1st of November, 1847, the Catholic mis-
sionary force in Oregon Territory consisted of three
bishops, fourteen Jesuit fathers, four Oblate Fathers,
thirteen secular priests, including a deacon and a
cleric, and thirteen sisters of Notre Dame de Nanmr,
besides the lay brethren. Yet there was not a priest
to spare to accompany Bishop Demers to Vancouver
Island, and he was forced to make a journey to
Europe in 1848, to raise funds, and enlist missionaries
for his diocese.
In 1 84."} title was secured to a site for a church in
Oregon City, which was completed and dedicated
Fel,>ruary 8, 1846. On the 24th of May the corner-
stone of a new brick church at St Pauls was laid,
which was opened for service on the 1st of Novem-
l)or."' This edifice was 100 feet in length, by 45 in
breadth, with wings 20 feet in length, used for chapels,
and a belfry tower 84 feet in height.
That the Protestants of the Willamette Valley
should be able to lo(»k upon the achievements of the
Catholics without jealousy was not to be expected.
Had they })ossessed the utmost liberality in religious
matters, there was still the fear of foreign influences,
and anti- American sentiments in their midst at a
critical period of the colon^-'s existence, which might
defeat tlie most impoi'tant ends at which they were
-"Blanchct, froiii whoso Cnth. C'l. in Or. I have taken the account of tlic
arrival of the Itishop of Walla Walla, does not name tlie Ohlate Fatliers except
KatiuT Kichanl, wiio he says was their superior. But I gather from various
authorities that two of the others were named I'auilc y ami C'herouse.
-'This was the lirst ehun^li huilt of hriek in Oregon, Imt not thetirst briek
Iiuililing erected, as Blancliet supi)ose.s. I'revioiis to this George (lay huilt a
small hriek house on his farm, tlie hri^iks being inaile at a place now called
Wlieatland, opposite the old Me.Miodi.^t Mission, by John McCaddon, who
also made tlie first bricks in Salem. AbeTiiethy built a brick house at Oregon
City in 1844, and oiiened a ston.- in it. The iiricks were made at Bull Creek
tu Oregon City. J/ox.i' Pioneer 7'two, MS., 33.
METHODLST AND TKESBYTEUIAN.
3-2*J
aiming. This feeling of appreliension served, on .^re-
(juent occasions, to liold the balance even or to prompt
certain conciliatory measures, when there was danger
of a conflict of opinion dividing the j)opulation on
colonial questions, as will be more clearly illustrated
in a future chapter on govern nient affairs. In the
matter of religious differences, when the Methodist
Mission was dissolved, the chief cause of irritation was
removed, and Protestant and Catholic labored side by
side with similar if not coincident aims, and without
seriou.sly interfering with one another. It was not,
therefore, in the Willamette Valley that the intrusion of
another form of religion was regarded with the greatest
uneasiness, but in the unsettled Indian country east
of the Cascade Mountains, where a few isolated fam-
ilies were endeavoring to teach the first principles of
progress to wilful and capricious savages, and where
any interference with tlieir labors was sure to create
a division among the natives, which might destroy the
effect of all their efforts.
The experience of the Presliyterian missionaries
was entirely different from tha;. of their Methodist
brethren. They had to deal with tribes yet in their
])rimitive strength of mind and body, having their
intelligence not yet weakened but .sharpened by con-
tact witli white men, lordly in their ideas of personal
dignity, but blind to the rights of others while in-
sisting with the utmost psrtinacity upon what they
esteemed their own. To teach such beings required
the exercise of extraordinary tact, firmness, and i)a-
tience, and would have been difficult had the savages
been constantly subject to the influence of precept
and example. But their roving habits took them
away from their teacliers during a considerable ])()r-
tion of the year, and although eager and quick to
If^arn, they gave little time to study.
To overcome these difficulties the missionaries
worked liard to put themselves in sympathy witli
their pupils, by mastering their dialects, and endeav-
I!
fi'f,
ii
m
880
THE CATHOI-IC MISSIONS—THE PRESBYTERIANS.
orerl to attach them to certani locahties by teacliing
them farming. The latter was a more difficult task
than the former, as the natives, particularly the Cay-
uses, afleeted to believe that they were doing a favor
to Dr Whitman" by receiving his instruction, and
frequently demanded pay for what they did f(^r them-
selves, as well as for the use of the ground which he
cultivated for the support of the Mission. Split-lip,
a chief of the Cayuses who lived near the Waiilatpu
Mission, was often most insulting in his demands,
occasioning difficulties which would never have been
settled but for the ijood offices of Pambruu of Fort
Walla Walla, who was usually able to manage the
natives through the influence of the Hudson's Bay
Company, and the fear they had that if they exhibited
hostility to white men who were friends of the com-
l)any the trading posts would be withdi'awu from
theii" country.
The same state of affairs existed at Lapwai, except
that Spalding exer-cised a more arbitary authority
over the Nez Perces than Whitman could exert over
the Cayuses, and established a system of laws, or
rules of conduct, which rendered the natives liable to
punishment for eert:;in ofl'ences.
Though these laws were not without their advan-
tages, yet, unless great discrimination was used in
applying them, they were likely to breed mischief, as
the following instance will show : A difficulty arose
from the death of The Hat, the young chief who,
while ac('()nn)anying Gray to the States in 1837, was
killed by the Sioux. The other two young chiefs,
Blue Cloak and Ellis, who agreed to go with Gray,
as I have before mentioned, turned back at the ren-
dezvous, giving as a reason that the feet of their
hoi'ses were sore, and that they would die up(jn the
road. When tliev i)resented themselves in the au-
tumn at Lapwai, Spalding, who had a quick temper,
fearing for Gray's safety, and vexed at the failure of
- "Whitman's letter, in Bo-ttoii M sn. Herald, November 1S40, 138.
KLLIS' KETOKT.
xn
I i^,-
lo-
a part of his j)luii, wliicli was to oxclian^o a herd of
Indian horses for oattU; on the frontier, severely
reproved them, and exactc^d a liorse from each for
hreach of contract. The youn*>' men not complying
with this demand, Spalding took occasion when the
Indians were assemhied for instruction to order some
of them to take Blue Cloak and whi[) liim. Ellis
was also })resent, but as he had a number of his hand
with him, he was not molested. For some time no
one oifered to execute the order, hut at length one of
the principal men arose, and having seized ami hound
Blue Cloak, turned to Spalding, saying, "Now you
whi[) him." To this Spalding objected on the plea
that he, like God, gave commands but did iu)t exe-
cute them. " You are a liar," retorted the chief; " look
at your picture" pointing to a rude })ainting sus-
pended against the wall — "there you liave represented
two men, with God behind them holding a bund'e
of rods with which to whi[) tliem. If you refuse to
})unish Blue Cloak, we will })ut you in his place aiid
whip you." Not relishing the alternative S[)akHng
laid on the lasli,"^ after which the horse re(|uired was
given him.
Had The Hat returned alive, this affair might have
been forgotten. But when Gray a})peared without
liim, Ellis accused him of having caused tlie chief's
death, and declared that S})alding's wrath against him
and Blue Cloak for turning back sliowed that it had
been intended that they also should be killed. Ellis
then assembled the Nez Perces, and kept Spalding
and all the white [)eople attached to the Mission
pi'isoners in their house for several weeks, and it was
not until Pambrun had several times sent messages
from Walla Walla assuring them that (xray was not
responsil)le for the deatli of The Hat, that they finally
consented to release their [)risoners.
The calm which followed was oidy the send)lance
of peace. In the following year, 1831), Smith, who
'■' /lroiiilkt.''i Aiifliniti- Afcointt, 1J5-1).
' ?i
r
'M
;|.
Ill'
i'
IS
m'4
i-i
-tr-
I
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Photographic
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23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, NY. 14580
(716) 872-4503
:«J THE CATHOUC MISSIONS-THK I'KKSBYTEUIANS.
establisliecl a mission at Kamiah, obtained the assent
of Ellis to build a house on his land, but was refused
permission to cultivate the ground, Ellis telling him
that if he dug a hole in the earth it should serve for
his grave. In the s])ring of 1840 Smitii made an
attempt to plough, but was interrupted by the sav-
ages with the same threat, when he desisted, and
soon after went to the Hawaiian Islands, the station
Kamiah being abandoned."*
This much is the account of the Catholic authorities,
and Gray does not deny it, although, having tlie means
of knowing, he should have done so, if not true. But
the Presbyterian missionaries were habitually reticent
concerning their troubles with the savages, probably
because tliey were reluctant to confess their failures
to the religious world."''
Yet in truth there was little to be ashamed of in
a lack of success in such a field of labor. For the
''* Wilkes mentions meeting A. B. Smitli and wife at Fort Vancouver in
1841, at which time it was saiil tliat they were leaving Oregon on account of
Mrs Smith's health. He also learned fT-om Smitli that there were no natives
in the neighborliood of Kamiiil' uand a station. A'lir., iv. 354. But
Smith, ia liis correspondence, dt Kamiah to be ' the most eligible spot
for a station in the whole count i'hree fourths of a year, autumn, win-
ter, and spring, the people remain Here permanently.' BohIou MisK. Herald,
Aug. 1840, .32G. (iray attempts to show that Smitii left tlie Nez Perce Mis-
sion because Spalding was 'andjitious and selfish,' and jealous of the superior
ability of his coa<ljutors. Hid. Or., 211. But again Smith writes in August
1839, in a tone to show that he is not a saguine missionary: 'No longer can
M'e be borne along by the current of popular favor among this people. The
novelty of having missionaries among them is now gone, and we must work
against the current as much as in any other heathen country. In future it
will be uphill work.' liosloii Mhx. Hi'niltl, 328
■■'■' In this the example was set by the mouth-piece of the American Board
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the lioxton Minxionor;/ HcntUI, a
monthly magazine, containii'g the proceedings of the missionary board and
its foreign correspondence. Its puLlication began in 1805. It was seldom
that a letter from its correspondents was published as written. The most
favorable sitle of the subject was presented in an abstract of tlie communica-
tion; and where no favorable side could be found, the correspondence was
practioiUy suppressed, I have carefujly searched the tiles which should con-
tiiiu tiie denial or continuation of certain incidents related by (.'atholic writers
as reHecting on the Protestants, witiiout finding the most distant allusion tti
tlio.se events; but do tind, nevertheless, sufficient ev'dence contirming the
troubles of the missionaries with the Imliatis to justify belief in the incidents
a» related liy writers who might otherwise be suspected of giving too partisan
a ton'.; to their statements. I say that it was the custom for eastern mis
sionary journals wilfully to misrepresent the facts in order that the income
from the supporters of missions might not be lessened.
DOCTOR WHITMAN.
%»
natives at their best, witli few exce])tioiis, iiiauifested
scarcely more gratitude for benefits l)estowe(l. than is
current in civilized circles. "I have no evidence to
suppose," says Spalding, speaking of the selfishness
and ingratitude of the natives, "but a vast nuijoritv
of tlieni would look on with indifference and see our
dwelling l)urned to the ground, and our heads severed
from oar bodies." "® This was said by the most success-
ful of the missionar}' teachers regarding the people
whom he taught. Walker and l](!lls, at the Chcma-
kane mission, while not having suffered the same
indignities as teachers at the other stations, com])lained
that the real object of thi; aborigines in professing
interest in religion and learning was to secure the
favor of their instructors and obtain presents, and
Smith at Kamiah gave tliem the same character,'''^
while all often referred to their untruthfulness.
Yet the missionaries ct)ntinued to hope against hope
that in time sonjo good might be efi'ected, and reported
as their circumstances chanced to ins[)ire them, some
times clieerfully but oftener despondingly. Whitman
wrote in March 1841, that the people were (juiet, and
appeared never to have been so well disj)()sed toward
him as at that time; assigning as a reason that the
troublesome chief, Split-lip, had been removed by
(ieath."'' But letters of the same date, from the other
stations, gave disheartening accounts of opposition
from savaijes.
In the previous year there had been a serious dis-
turbance at Waiilatpu, occasioned by the Cayuses
allowing their horses to damage the grain in the
mission field. VVlien rc>provcd by Whitman, they
covered him with mud, plucked his beard, ))ulled his
I'ars, sna})ped a gun at him, threatened to pull down
his house, and would have struck him with an axe had
^"Letter to l)r White, 184'-', in Oraii^ IILtt. Or., '2'^.
'''' Shii]>.io>i's Xui:, i. J 01; Wilh-s' Xnr., iv. 484; HokIoii MIm, Jfrnili/,
NovcihIkt 1840, 441.
"^Boston M!s.t. Jfriald, October IS41, 4:5(;; A/., Septoinlwr 1841, 405.
li !
334 THK CATHOLIC MISSION'S— THE PRKSBVTKRIANS.
he not evaded the blow.^ A report of tliis outrage
reached the Sandwicli Islands, and prevented J. D.
Paris and W. H. Rice from joining- the mission with
their wives. They were about to depart for Oregon,
but on liearing of the assault, determined to remain
at the Islands, believing that Waiilatpu would be
abandoned. Indeed, Whitman was strongly coun-
selled by McLoughlin to quit Waiilatpu; being assured
that should he do so temporarily, as if offended with
the natives, they would re])ent of their conduct and
ask him to return.'*" But the missionary was no ordi-
nary man. I do not know which to admire in him
most, his coolness or his courai>e. His nerves were
of steel; his patience was excelled only by his abso-
lute fearlessness; in the mighty calm (»f his nature he
was a Caisar for Christ. He would on no account
give the Cayuses occasion to think he had feared
them. So he resolved to stay. In 1841, while the
Red River immigrants were at Walla Walla awaiting
a change of horses, another assault was made on
Whitman in consequence of Gray striking an Indian
lad for some offence. The boy's uncle was the chief
Tiloukaikt, a haughty and irascible man, who to
avenge the insult to his nephew struck Whitman,
knocked his hat off, and pulled his nose, all of which
insults the doctor bore meekly, but without showing
fear.
In former attacks of a similar nature, Pambrun had
interfered to prevent further mischief; but the ruler
of Fort Walla Walla was now dead, and Archibald
]VIcKinlay reigned in his stead. The Cayuses had
agreed with McKinlay to furnish horses to take the
Red River immigrants to the ])alles; but when the
animals were brought, he refused them, saying he
would have nothinu' to do with Indians who treated a
white man, and his friend, as tlicy had treated Dr
Whitman. This was an argument they could under-
''^ Brouillet's Authentic Account, 25.
'^lidtertti Ki'collcctioiiH, MS., 4
A l'KINllN(irRESS.
3;»
stand. After making some delay and difficulty about
it, he a])peare(] to relent, and ])romised to aocej^t the
horses provided Tiloukaikt, and all concerned in the
assault, should go and beg pardon of the doctor, wliich
they consented to do.^^ So again the sky was clear
over Waiilatpu.
Meanwhile Spalding was having similar trouble at
Lapwai. The Nez Perces puDed down his mill, claim-
ing it to be their own, and assaulted him witii a gun,
Mrs Spalding herself not escaping insult. There hail
not been one year in the five from 1837 to 1842, in
which some of these occurrences had not taken place.
Surrounded by difficulties and dangers sucli as
these, it is no wonder that the Protestant missionaries
resented the advent of the Catholics. The natives
could not fail to see that there was trouble between
their teachers, and their mischievous nature made
them quick to take advantage of the situation. They
carried stories back and forth, taking a malicious de-
light in exaggerating such scra})s of scandal as were
blown about their ears upon the breezes of religious
rivalry.
While A. B. Smith was at the Kamiah mission he
reduced the Nez Perce dialect to grammatical rules.
In the summer of 1839 the Lapwai mission received
a visit from the printer of the Honolulu mission, E.
0. Hall, who brought as a present from the first
native church of Honolulu a small printing-press and
some type. He remained long enough to teach the
printer's art to Spalding and Rogers, and on this press
were printed primers in the native language for the
use of the pupils, a collection of hynms. and some
*^ Tolmie's Piitjct Sniiml, MS., 24-."). I luive Tolmie'.s authority al.so for
the story told Iiy several others, that < iray, to prevent tlie native chililreu from
taking melons out of tlie ganlon at Waiilatpu, inserted tartar cnietio into
several of the finest ones in order to make the thieves sick and destroy their
craving for melon. Its evil eflects were (juickly perceived, and tlie suspicion
naturally engendered that the missionaries were exerci.sing tdmaiioiran, or
evil-eye, upon them, which led to furtlier suspicions at a later date. See also
the testimony of Augustine Raymond and John Young, in Brouilkt'H Au-
thentic Account, 31.
'^ S
33()
THL CATHOLIC MISSIONS— THK 1'K1>BYTKK1ANS.
• •liaptt'is from St Matthew."''" By the aid of these
hooks ill tlieir own tonj^uc, a iminher of tlie Nez
Perees were tauglit to read, and also to reproduce
tlieir lessons, hy printing with the pen, for the benefit
of less advanced pupils. In the labor of translation,
Smith was assisted by Lawyer, whom I 1 ave before
mentioned as having obtained his sobriquet by his
shrewdness in dealing with white men, and who had
a sufficient knowledjje of the Enijlish lanjjfuaije to
enable him to assist in the earlier efforts of the mis-
sionaries. This astute savage soon })erceived that so
Iciug as the missionaries were in the field he could
})rofit by siding with them in all disputes. Besides
the books used, pictures drawn by Mrs Spalding, in
water-colors, to illustrate sermons and lessons, were
important aids. It was found that bible history was
interesting to the natives, but they were opposed to
the doctrine of orii-inal sin, and also to being made
responsible as sirmers. Yet they readily understood
the meaning and the natural justice of the command-
ments, and had a love for laws, though each one evi-
dently hoped to gain some advantage by them over liis
fellows. In addition to reading, writing, singing, and
religious instruction, the men were taught farming and
the women housekeeping, knitting, sewing, spinning,
and weaving. The chief difficulty in the way of
progress was the necessity of collecting food, the men
spending a great portion of the year in hunting, and
the women in digij^ing roots or tjatherini; berries.
Their absence, however, gave the missionaries oppor-
tunities to perform the labor required for their own
subsistence.
The mission at Lapwai after a few years consisted
of a larjje and connnodious dwellintj with eleven fire-
'■^Oii this press, the first north of California, ■was also printed in 1848 the
tirst periodical, not a newspaper, published in the Willamette Valley, the
Ompii Ameriruii and EvftmjfUcal Unionist, edited l>y J. S. OriHin. It was a
sectiirian and rabidly anti-Catholic journal. The press and type are preserved
in tlio state-houso at Salem. Thornton s Or. JfiKf., MS., 'Jo-6; S'nocomb's
('lldaimUa of Misx., 02.S. M. (J. Foisy was the tirst printer in Oregon after
the missionaries. Rorkij Moiintnin (•ir.rtir: T/wrnlou'n Or, Jiclicn, MS., 4,
WAIILATPU BUILDINCJS.
:W7
N(
fire-
jtlaces, and Indian ret'(!j)tion-rooni, weavins^ and spin-
ning room, eating and sleeping rooms for the children,
rooms for the family, and a school-liouse, all under
one roof. There were, besides, a church, saw-mill,
blacksmith-shop, granary, storehouse, and all necessary
farm buildings. The mission farm, besides simply
supporting the family, as was at tirst anticipated, be-
came a source of supply to travellers the natives, and
the other missions. ^^
The mission at Waiilatpu consisted of an adobe a
story and a half high, sixty feet in length by eighteen
in width, with library and bedroom at one end, din-
ing and sitting room in the centre, and Indian room
at the other end of the main building; the kitchen,
school-room, and bedrooms being in a wing at right
angles to it. A second house, called the mansion,
stood at a little distance from the first, and was forty
by thirty feet on the ground, and a story and a half
high. Near these was a blacksmith-shop, and within
four hundred feet of the dwelling was a small grist-mill.
On one side of this gnmp of buildings were the Walla
'^ Spaliliiig hail discovered as early as 1838 tlie fertility of the soil iu tlu-
country eiist of the Cascades, and as early as 1845 that the plaiim were even
more valuable for farnii'ig tiiaii the valleys. In a letter ^ repared by him in
184(5 for the use and by the request ot Joel Palmer, then on his way to the
States, after giving tlie above opinion, he gf)es on to say: ' My plaee is one of
the deepest valleys, and consequently tlie most exposed to relleetion from the
high bluffs around, wliich rise from 2,()()0 to ;{,(K)0 feet; but my farm, though
prepared for irrigation, haa remained without it for tlie last 4 years, I find
the ground becomes more moist by cuHivatiop. Three years ago I raised (KX)
liushels of shelled corn from G acres, and good crops of wheat on the same
piece the 2 following years, without irrigation. Eight years ago I raisisd
l,r)()0 bushels of potatoes from one acre and a half ; mea -uring some oj the
bags in which tliey were brought to the cellars, and so judging of the whole
amount. I gave every eleventh bag for digging ami fetching, and kept a
strict account of what every person brought, so that I was able to make a
pretty accurate estimate of the wliole amount. My pofcitoes and corn are
always planted in drills. Every kind of grain or vegetal>le which I have
tried in this upper country grows well. Wheat is sown in the fall, and
harvested in June at tliis place; at I>r Wliitman's in July, being in a more
open country. Corn is planleil in Aiiril and rii)ens in July; pe;iso the same.
/'iitiiicr'n JoitriKil, I()7. In 184'2, 140 Nez Perces cultivated tlie ground, in
quantities of from :{ of an acre to 5 acres each. One chief raised that year
l(K) bushels of corn, 17tJ bushels of peaae, and between 300 and 400 bushels
of potiitoes. Another chief raised about the same amount; and about 4U In-
dian farmers raised from '20 to 100 bushels of grain of different kimls, liesides
potatoes, vegetables, and mclouit in abundance. Bo-iloii Miss. JJenilU, Oct
1843, 383.
ll;sT. Oil., \'oi.. 1. 22
v.)
'A
-r-il
$38
THE CATHOLK: missions— the PKESBYTEItlANS.
Walla River and mill-pond; on t!ic opposite side
a ditch for discliarj^ing waste water from the mill,
and for irrigating purposes. Willow, birch, and alder
fringed the stream. A meadow lay in front stretch-
ing toward the west; apple-trees were growing in sight
of the house, and l^owers in the small enclosure in
front.^ A general air of thrift and comfort prevailed.''
In 1839 the stock at Waiilatpu consisted of a yoke of
oxen, two cows, an An)erican bull, and a few hogs.
In 1841, according to Wilkes, a considerable herd had
come by descent. Sheep had been obtained from the
Hawaiian Islands, and hogs had greatly nmltipliod.
There was a saw-mill belonging to the mission twenty
miles up Mill Creek, having a capacity of about three;
thousand feet a day, together with a house for the
mill men.
It was first thought that the soil of the Walla Walla
Valley was not fertile, but Wilkes found wheat stand-
ing seven, and corn nine, feet high in the mission fields
at Waiilatpu, while the garden was filled with fine
vegetables and melons. There was less cultivation by
the Cayuses than by the Nez Perces, j^^et they brought
into use many small ])atches of ground, some of them
at Waiilatpu, but more on the Umatilla River, where
at a distance of twenty to forty miles lived some of
the most influential chiefs. Less grain was raised at
Waiilatpu than at Lapwai, partly because of the man-
ifold cares of the superintendent, and partly because,
owing to the hauglity and intractable disposition oi
the Cayuses, fewer of them could be employed as farm
laborers.''"' Whitman's manner of teaching was similar
% 1
3* Victors All Over Or. and W<i.i/,., 109.
*' Whites Ten Yforn in Or., 100. Farnhram gives a lengthy accoi utof this
mission. Among other tilings he says: ' When the smoking vegetfc hies, thf
hissini; steak, bread as white as snow, and the newly churned golde i Inittei'
graced the breakfast-tahle, and the happy countenances of couutryuien and
countrywomen' shone around, I could with difficulty believe myst'f in a
country so far from and so unlike my native land in all its features. But
during breakfast the pleasant illusion was di8pello<l by one of the causes whicii
induced it. Our steak was horse-ffesh ! ' TrnrcU, 149.
"* Wilkea relates how the Cayuses, when AA^hitman refused to allow theiii
to US'; water from his irrigating <litches, stopped them up. This nearly oe-
CHEMAKANE MISSION'.
339
to tlio method einployod at Lupwai. On Saturday
evenings lie usually invited one of the most intelligent
natives to his study, and translated to him the text
to be used on the morrow, I'xplaining earefully its
meaning until the pupil could exjjlain it in his turn,
and assist in interpreting and teaching on Sunday.^'
Mrs Whitman taught reading and singing in the day
school through the week, and relieved her hushand of
the elementary part of the lahor.
At the Spokane mission of the Chemakane there was
not the same improvement nor the same trouble ex-
perienced as at Lapwai and Waiilatpu. The Spokanes
were said by Walker and Eells to be addicted to tlu'
usual India!i vices, and especially to lying, which they
seemed to enjoy as a means of creating excitement,
but were more ])eaceably disposed than the Xez Perces
or Cayuses. In the winter of 1839-40, when the
mission house was destroyed by fire, they rendered
willing service, and even refrained from taking the
goods of the missionaries. By their hel}), and that
of the inmates of Fort Colville, who came and en-
camped upon the ground in several inches of snow to
give their j>rotection and assistance in rebuilding, the
mission was soon restored, although many things of
value in this remote region were destroyed.
Agriculture at Chemakane did not succeed as at
Lapwai or Waiilatpu, on account of frosts, and it does
not appear to have been attempted to any great
extent. ''^^ Among the Spokanes was a chief named
(xarry, corresponding in character and mfiuence to •
Lawyer among the Nez Perces. He had been taki'ii
to the Red Kiver settlement, where he was taught
t ,
• ,1
ill
of this
les, the
Imtter
en anil
in ;i
But
whicli
;f
oasiouetl a serious difficulty, which was averted, however, when tliey
hecame couviiiced there was water enough for all if they would dig treiiehes
for themselves. A'fu-., iv. 423.
'^'' Ildstimjs Or. and Cal., 54; Jn/iiinoii'n <^iil. ami Or., -71.
^*De 8met says: 'It appears they are fearful that, sliould they cultivate
more, they might have too frequent visits from the savages. They even try
to prevent their encampment in their immediate neighborliood, and therefore
they see and converse but seldom with the heathen they liave come so far to
.seek.' Lctlcr-i and Skvtc/i(.'f, 212.
t- i
% :
:mu
THK ( ATIIOLU' MIS.SIOXS TIIK I'KK.SHV I'KlllANS.
reading and writin<j;, and obtained s()in(> l<iH)\vl(!dgo of
( liristi.anity. So far as (Jariy's iiiHuonr*' was felt anion^
this j)eo|)le, it wim on tlie sido of progress.
Sucli was tlie general condition of affairs at the
f*rc!Hhyterian missions in the autunni of 1 842. The
nneasiness wliieli M'as felt from the first a|tj)earan('e
(►f the (^itholies in their mughhorhood was intensified
l)y the estahlishment of ])e Smet's missions among the
Klatheads, and his visits to Colville and Vancouver,
followed 1)V the arrival of two secular priests in the
Willamette Valley, and the mission of De Smet to
Europe, with the avowed purpose of l)ringing men
and means to overthrow Protestantism among the
natives. While representing his situation frankly to
the board, Whitman had never asked to be released
from it, but on the contrary, to have his hands strength-
ened by a rcenforeement. He saw the great number
of missionaries which the Methodist church was able
to throw into the field in western Oregon, and the
readiness of the Catholics to furnish aid where it was
required, and was reluctant to yield. Of all the inde-
pendent missionaries who, it would seem, should have
been willing to aid him, none remained over a few
months at the station, being cither alarmed by the
attitude of the natives, or allured by flattering re-
ports of the Willamette Valley for settlement. Even
those who were desi<rned to assist him fled from the
post, Smith, Rogers, and (Iray having deserted m
1841 and 1842, and none having come to fill their
places.
To the doctor's appeals for helj) from the board no
encouraging response was given after I 840. It appears
that the board thouuht the mission should be self-
su])porting; but to this intimation W^hitnuui replied,
that it was visionary to expect a mission so isolated,
which could exchange no products to obtain foreign sup-
])lies, to support itself Besides, ho asked, who was to
jterform the labors of the missionaries if the latter wtrc
MIST \iK .SELr-SUSTAlNlNli.
341
iiflo-
lavc
f'oNV'
the
ro-
iVeti
thv
ill
:,lu'ir
t(» turn fanners and traders?"^'' In tliis respect tlie
Presbyterian niissionarieH differed from tlic Metho-
dists, and were not prepared to a('eei)t the views of
their own board of eonnnissioners.*"
[n the midst of these perplexities there came upon
them two unexpected events. In the first phiee, the
board ordered the discontinuance of Lapwai and
Waiilatpu stations, tlie missionary efforts to be con-
fined to tlie Chemakane mission, and Spalding to return
to the States.*^ The order was received iate in Sep-
tember 1842, and a meetinjL^ was immediately called
to consider it. Whitman and Spalding were much
opposed to abandoning their stations, while Walker
and Eelis were in favor of carrying out instructions.
Whitman urged the strong probability, that as soon
as Lapwai and Waiilatpu sliould be left, the Catholics
would come in and jiossess the fruits of their labors,
both tenn)oral and s])iritual.*" On the other hand,
there was the possibility that the C^atholic influence
might overcome them though they remained, and
drive them from the field nolens volens. Then there
was the objection of the board to sustaining two
stations which were never to become self-supporting.
How was it to be overcome ?
The scX-'ond event to which I alluded furnished Whit-
man \\ith a reply to the arguments of his brethren.
This was the arrival, overland, of an immigration of
over a hundred persons, men, women, and children,
invited to make homes in Oregon by the government
of the United States, and expecting to receive as a
reward for their patriotism a liberal grant of land in
the fertile Valley Willamette. "If these hundred
have come this year," said Whitman, "more will come
the next. These have left their wagons at Fort Hall,
but very soon others will discover that tliey can bring
■^^Bwtoii MiM. Herald, Aug. 1840, 329.
*" Applerfate'ti Vieir.so/ JJLitori/, MS., 32-4; White's Ten Ycargiii Or., 175-0;
i'almer'/i Journal, 57.
•' Boston MU^. Herald, Jan. 184.3, 14.
« Letter of l>r Whitman, in Boston M'ms. Herald, Dec. 18G6, 374
342
THK lArilOLK- MISSIONS IMi: I'llKSUVTKUIAXS.
tliciii tlirou^li to tin; Columbia. Tlic inonu'iit that is
acc<nii|)lislu'(l, then' will hr a liii'nc iiniiiii^n-atioii yearly ;
Lapwai and \\'aiil;it|>u will in'Cdiin' su|»i)ly stations to
thousands of travellers, and the objections of the
connnittee will be removed. Hel[) eau be obtained
from the inmiiu^rants; a settlement <'an Ikj formecl,
and a stronj^ Protestant influence brou^j^ht to counter-
act the efforts of the Catholics. Heri^ a^ain was
earthly empire risini^ up to overshadow the spiritual.
S(> sure did Whitman feel of the truth of his propliecy,
that he projjosed t(» start at once for Boston to pro-
cure a reversal of tlu* unwelconut ordt'r recallinj^
S})aldin(; and closinjr the two most inijiortiint stations,
and to })rocure further assistance for the missions.
In vain did his colleai^ues oppose the scheme. With
the determination characteristic of tlu> man, he set
about mMkiiiu' his arranLTcments for the iournev.
As in all cases of exiwncv, Wliitmau now souiifht
counsel of his friends of the fort.^'' McKinlay said
that although the proposed ex})edition in the winter
was likely to be attended with some hardships it was
not impossible, if the southern route by Santa Fe
were taken. Xothing nnained but to liastily conclude
arrangements foi- the care of the station durinjjf his
absence, which lie did by writing to Geigei' and Mr
and Mrs Littlejohn to spend the year of his absence
with Mrs Whitman,''^ and by charging McKinlay also
with her welfaiv.'*'
On the ;')d of October Wliitman left his home,
"6'. S. E,\, If. B. Co. Claims, 173-r>.
** Lre (till/. /•'/•(W'.i Or., 2I.% i.'.")?.
*^Tliurc was a warm frieinlaliip lietweeu Whitman and McKinlay. I have
also a letter written liy D. (Jrecne, secretary of the American Board of Com-
uuHsioners for Foreign Missions, acknowledging the receipt of a letter from
McKiiday, dated Deceml)er 27, 184'i, whicli seems to have been written witli
a view of furthering the object of Wliitman"s visit, as it was in praise of
Spalding's success as a missionary, and hoping lie would not he recalled.
The same refers to an onler of ^IcKinlay for hooks which Whitman left
with Oreeno to be filled; all showing tlieir kindly relations. See also noto
on page 2*21 of (tray's JfisL Or. But most of all I have seen the eyes of tho
old fur-trader fill with tears when speaking of the noble Presbyterian. In a
letter written recently l)y McKinlay, he expresses the highest regard for
Whitman, which opinion is also ei^ually emphasized in Tolmtc'a Ptujcl Sound,
MS., 24.
WHITMAN AT THE EAlST
848
accompanied only by a guido and A. L. Lovejo}' of
the recont innnij^ration, nvIk*, lK'in<if dotainod two »»r
tlirco wook.s bohind his coniiumy, was induced l)y tlic
doctor's specious arguments to return to the States/"
From Fort Hall tliey took tlie route by the way of
Uintah, Taos, and Sanfa Fe, changing guides at each
of these points, and ex[)eriencing sometimes i)itter
cold, and sometimes [)incirmg hunger. They arrivetl
at Bent Fort on the Arkansas in time to join a com-
[)any going from Santa Fe to the !>o»'ler, when J^ove-
joy determined to remain at the foi . ill spring, and
Whitman proceeded without him to his, destination,
whicli he reached in March 184;}
The reception given to th(> (lov.o«»r by the ^ ussionary
' ' ard was not cordial or e^■en kin(' . ic was fri>;id.
They disj^pproved of his leaving L;s station, of tin-
unnecessary expense of the journey, and of its object,
especially as it asked for more money anrl mission-
aries. Whitman repeated tli;; ar'^uuK^nts advanced t^'
his colleagues in the wilderness.^' Tiie l)oard was
• •old; the savages of the inhospitable north-west were
not just then in favor with the Sunday-schools. Nev-
ertheless, these wise men of the east did finally c(tu-
sent to permit the doctor to continue the mission
work there begun should he wish to do so without
further help from them.*^ Further than this, the
hoard refused to pay the expenses of his journey,*"
*'^ Lorrjoi/'n Portland, MS., 20.
*' This is the stiiteineut iikkIc of Whitman's object and arguments, by the
lirudeiitial coniniittee to whom they were a(hlresse<l. See lioston Mis-iionan/
llinibl, September 184.% 3o(). Daniel Lee also says: 'Whitman viaiteil tin-
I'liited States to ol)taiu further assistance, in order to strengtlien the efforts
that had already l)een made.' Zi'e itnd Frast's Or., 2K<. But (Jray wickedly
asserts that Whitman went to Wiushingtoa with a pulitical purpose, insteail
of going on the business of the mission.
^''The Mitminnari/ Jferald of Sept. 1843, after mentioning the iloctor's de-
sire to have ' C'iiristian families to emigrate and settle in tlie vicinity of the
(htfereut etations,' goes on to say: 'How far his wishes in these particulars
will ho responded to is at present onceibiin' — showing that tlie matter was
left to him to arrange. A man wlu..,.' ac(|uaiutancc he formed on the retu/n
journey says : ' He often talked witli nie about hia want of success with the
lioard, and expressed his fears of the consequeuc'S. " Atnjktjiite's V tews of 11 ml.,
MS., 35.
"I gather this from the statements of acme of the immigrants of 1843,
with whom he travelled. He certainly knew the requirements ot a journey
«
' ''^ nil
T
'Mi
T':E CATHOLIC MISSIONS— THE PRESBYTERIANS.
and he was left to get back to Oregon as best lie
could. First repairing to his former home iu central
New York, he settled up some private business affairs,
and taking with him a young nephew, hastened to
the frontier, where was being collected for a final
start the emigration of 1843, of which he probably
heard as he journeyed east two months before. He
arrived rt the rendezvous of the emigrants just as
they were about to organize on the 18th of May, and
was invited to attend their meeting and make sug-
gestions.^ After this he visited some relatives near
Westport, and the Shawnee mission, and overtook the
emigration on the Platte River, travelling with them
and rendering professional and other services, as re-
quired, on the way."'*
Whitman reached liorae after a vear of incessant
and arduous exertion, to find that his absence, and
the information the savages had of his intention to
bring other white men to settle among them,''" had
occasioned trouble at his station. Hardly had he
turned his back upon Waiilatpu before Mrs Whitman
across the plains; yet lie was not properly provisioned, and ceemed to have
undertaken to get along by shooting game, which proved to be scarce.
Daniel Waldo says that he had nothing but a boiled ham to start with, and
that he fed him while they were in Kansas, and after they crossed Snake
River. Gritiqtieii, MS., 17. .J. B. McClane refers to his want of supplies
after leaving Fort Hall, and his picking up a dropped calf, and putting in his
(McClane's) wagon with tlie intention of eating it. McClane, however,
threw it out, for which he was severely reproveil by the doctor. First Wwjon
Triiin, MS., 4, 5.
'* lh(i-iivH'.i Ifecollertioiix of <i Plotwer, 101. 'Ihe MMonnnj Herald, last
(juoted, says that Whitman set out on his return 'about the 1st of June ;' b'.it
a.s Burnett kept a journal, it is probable that he is correct as to date, 'ihe
Herald may have made its statement from reference to a letter received from
the doctor just before he quitted the Pawnee mission.
'''Marginal notes to (h-iiifn Hint. Or., ;J8'J-!K) ; Ford'n Rmid-maJcerx, MS.,
7; Waldos Crkit/iws, MS., ]'; Boston Miss. Herald, May 1844, 177; Nesmitii,
in Or. Pioncvr Assoc., Trans., 187."), 47.
''^VVlien excited liy the misconduct of the Cayuse chiefs, AVhitnian had so
far lost his self-centrol as to threaten them with white settlers. Toupin says
he told them ho would bring ' many jieoplo to cluistise them.' White says,
that, tliough a most estimable man, Wliitniai\ was 'the most unfit person in
the world to manage Indian affairs; ' l)ecause instead of treating them as chil-
dren, he would become heated in an argument with them, as with his equals.
Early (/oi<ernnient of Orci/on, MS., 1'2. This is confirmed by what is known
of Whitman's dealings with the Cayiises, both before and subsequent to his
visit to the States. Yet again he wa.s a miracle of coolness and patience,
which was his normal state, so contrndictorv is human nature.
THE CAYUSliS THKKATEN.
•,u:>
last
hut
'J he
I from
was grossly insulted, and compelled to take refuge for
the winter at the Dalles, A few days later the mis-
sion mill, with the grain stored in it, was destroyed,
and a general warlike attitude assumed by the Cay-
uses,'*^ which was only overcome by the united efforts
of an autliorized agent of the United States govern-
ment and the British fur company, as before narrated.
( )wing to this intervention, order had been restored,
and the savages were once more apparently friendly,
receiving him with demonstrations of pleasure.
Yet there were present many disappointments.
When he left the east, where, contrary to his expecta-
tions, not a single family had been oljtained for settle-
ment near tlie missions, he indulged the hope that
some of' the inuiiigrants might yet be induced to take
locations in his neighborhood ; but we find him writing,
shortly after his return, that all the help received by
the mission was one man, hired by Mr Spalding, a
Scotch school-teacher, and one family selected from
the emigrants, all of whom he had sent to Spalding's
assistance at Lapwai, none being found to go to the
lielj) of Walker and Eells. He also added a hope that
the board would send one minister, fitted to preach to
western men, to meet the Catliolics, and to instruct
the natives. "It 's asking but little," he wrote, "to
request two ministers for this [the Indian] language ;
as in tlie case of the death of Mr Spalding or myself,
the knowledge of the language would be limited to so
few that little could be done." He also referred to
his protect of encouraging teacliers to come out as
■"■'Itwas about this thne that McKiiihij' liail hi.s famous ailventure M'ith
I't'upeumoxniox of the WaUa Walla hraiich of tlie Cayuscs, whr), on account
of his sou being seized by a clerk at tiie foit for a slight theft, vas about to
ilo violeii ;o to the chief trader, wlien MeKinlay placed a keg of jiowdor in
the midst of the ajjartment, ami stooil over it ready to touch it off at the first
hostile movement. Not wishing to be blown uj>, l'caiiit'\inio\niox became
cooler, an I was induced to listen to reason. White says, in one of his re-
Jiorts, that the insolence of the Cayuses had been growing ever since tiie \ isit
of Bomievdle, wlm paid them more for furs tlian the Hudson's /Jay Comnany.
This caused them to make similar demands on I'ambruu, and tliese not being
complied with, they seized him, stamped violently on iiis breast, i)eat him,
and retained him prisoner, until they gained to some extent their ol)jeet. T)-ii
)'«)/-.s in Or., 175.
I 1-'
ll 1;
346
THE CATHOLIC MISSIONS— THE PRESBYTERIANS.
emigrants, and labor for a time at the mission, and
to the need of good men being settled, three or four
in r place, to form a nucleus for religious institutions,
and to hold Romanism in check/'* Tlie country must
be occupied, he said, by Americans or foreigners; and
if l)y the latter, they would be chiefly Catholics.
This alarm regarding the Catholics, who at the
period when these apprehensions were felt had no
station nearer than the Bitter Root and Willamette
valleys, would appear disproportioned to the occasion,
were it not that in a subsequent letter it is said there
was an evident desire on the part of the natives to make
use of the differences between the Protestants and
Catholics for their own purposes, a danger which only
those who understood Indian cliaracter could properly
estimate. From the time of Whitman's return to
Waiilatpu, it could not be said that there was any
ini})rovement in the moral cliaracter of the savages,
tliougli their temporal condition continued to men*!
cliiefly through tlie increase in the number of those
who cultivated the ground and raised cattle. As
early as 1842 the Xez Perces owned thirty-two h.ead
of neat cattle, ten sheep, and forty hogs. The Cay-
uses owned about seventy head, chiefly cows, which
they obtained from the Hudson's Bay Company, the
mission of the American board, tlie Methodist mis-
sion, or the W^illamette settlers, in exchange for horses.
They had also a few sheep, earned by herding the flock
belonging to the mission. The possession of cattle
by their teachers had been a constant occasion of
envy and of reproach by the natives, who demanded,
in effect, that the missionaries should share their herds
with them, instead of which they were shown how to
p"ocure them for themselves.
The advent of the immigriuits produced a change
for the Avorse in the savawsfor two reasons. It yave
them plausible ground for declaring that the mission-
aries were leagued with other Americans to tak(!
■>* Jloston Mis^f. ll,r<il,l, May 1844, 177,
WHITMANS DILEMMA.
.347
j)()ssossi()ii of tlie lauds which thoy claimed to l)o
theirs; and it made them independent of the mission-
aries by furnishing them a market for the vegetables
they raised, while it gave them an oppoi'tunitv to
obtain stock, which tliey were eager to do, cheerfully
iiivinji: a good horse for a iioor cow. Eacli vear there-
after their riches increased in the same manner, and
each year tlu^y grew more intractable, proud, and
insolent. They complained that Whitman occupied
lands belonging to them on which he raised whefit to
sell to the immigrants; that he had a mill on their
lands, yet charged them for griniling their grain ; and
often, when in bad humor, ordered him to leave the
country. That they a[)preciatcd the benefits received
through th(! missionaries seemed evident, but they
appeared inca])al)le of gi'atitude, and used the intelli-
gence with which they had been furnished to make
more conspicuous their inditi'erence or their liostility.
Thus matters went from bad to worse at the Pres-
byterian mission, until Dr Whitman himself became^
convinced that there was nothing to be i>ained bv
remainijig. Xo .settltMnents had been foi-nied in his
neighborhood, tlujugh many immigrants had passed.
[f he was able to induce a few persons to winter at
Ills station, they invariably left in the spring for the
\Villamette Valley. LittU; by little the savages de-
parted, and now tliat he was ivady to go, the ditiiculty
was for time to withdraw, the chiefs being divided,
and sonu! desiring him to i-emain on purely sectarian
grounds, that they might, as Pi-otestants, triumph
o\er the Catholics of the" tribe. As this was the very
ground on which he had proposed to the board to
remain, he had no valid reason to give for abandoning
the field. Had all the chiefs desired his departure,
his way would have been plait),"
Fn this '.lelay he was ])robably (Micouraged by the
temporizing policy of the lTnn.ed States ui the matter
of tlu^ boundary of Oregon, and afterward in the
■■'' Statc'iiK'nt "if 'I'lDiuas McKay, in /IroiiiUfl'n Authi'iilk Airoiint, '28,
I
348
THE CA'I'HOLIL' MlSSIONS-THE ritESBYTKUIANS
neglect to establish a territorial govern iiieiit, and to
extinguisli the Indian titles. At last, in the autumn
of 1 847, acting upon the conviction that the Waiilatpu
station would have to he abandoned, he purchased
the Methodist station at the Dalles, intending to
remove thence the following spring; and at the very
moment that he decided u})on this course, and
had already connnenced ])reparations by sending his
nephew to occupy the Dallas during the winter,
Archbishop Blanchet, the bishop of Walla Walla,
and associate clergy of the Catholic churcii, arrived
among the Cayuses, prejmred to take the Presby-
terians' ])lace.
li'I'i
CHAPTER XIX.
0EiE(iO\ BKFORE CON<i]<ESS.
KS'20-184«.
Oke<;on'h PL\kly Champiox — Ikkkvrkssihlk Destiny — Crude Idkas ok
THE Country— Expediency ok Oi<'ri'YiN<i the ('ommiua — Toktiois
CouKSE OK Floyd's Bill — The Hissian Ukase — Baylies, TrcKEn,
CoLDE.'s, Mallaky, Wood, AValker, Bkec'Kenkid<;e, Buchanan, Dk^k-
ERSON, Benton, and Others Express their Views— End ok the Firsi'
Epoch ok Leuislation- Ijnn, Clay, Calholn, Pierce, Cushinc, and
l'ENl>LETON, OK THE 8e<_oND PhWH — LiNn's BiLL — POPULAR FEEL-
ING — Petitions for the Occupation ok Oreoon — The Question ok
Slavery.
I HAVE shown how, step by stop, without tlio aid
of congress, a hundred Auicricans cstahhshed a gov-
ernment in Oregon, and wliile professing ahegianee to
the United States, were in fact iiidei)endeiit. But
eouoress was not indifferent to the movement; and
whatever opinion in their isolation the colonists may
have held, the archives of the national legislature
contain the proofs of a watchful care over the United
States claim to the (Oregon Territory, and a determi-
nation not to relin(piish it to any foreign power; the
oidy doubt being as to the exj)ediency of i)ressing
that claim while other matters of innnediate impoi-
ta)\ce to the government and the connnerce of the
country were pending. Before proceeding furthei'
with the histoi'v of the Oi'eijfon colonv, a brief review
of the action of congress will tend to make ck'ar the
mutual action of the national representatives and the
people in promoting the settlement of the disputed
territory on the Pacific coast. It is not to l)e sup
posed that at the period of the conviMition of IHIH, or
( :V1U ;
330
(lUKdON BKFOIIK CON(!KK.SS.
t!ie Louisiana j)urcliase of 1819, the jioople of tlu'
United States were much interested in or well in-
formed as to the t^eography or history of that region,
or that they understood the gounds of the contro-
versy with (ireat Britain ujjou the sovereignty of
the Columbia. But they were not long to remain in
Ignorance.
On the 19th of December, 1820, Floyd of Virginia,
a member of the house of representatives, a man of
ardent temperament, ability, courage, and })ersistent
purpose, took up the Oregon Question with the deter-
mination to champion it in congress against whatever
indifference, opposition, or ridicule it might meet.'
From many years' residence in Kentucky, he under-
stood the character of the men of the western states,
each a pioneer of the Alexandrian ty})e, sighing for
more worlds to conquer, more wilderness to redeem
to civilization by the sheer strength of brawny arm
and independent will. Of the support of this portion
of the people he was sure, as soon as they should be
informed of the value of the territory in dispute, and
the foundation of the American claim.
Encouraged by the well-understood sentiments of
President Monroe and certain younger men of the
JefFersonian school, Mr Floyd began the contest by a
motion in the house that a connnittee be appointed to
inquire into the situation of the settlements on the
Pacific, and the expediency of occupying the Kiver
Columbia, and procured the appointment of that com-
mittee with himself as chairman, the other members
being Metcalf of Kentuck}' and Swearingen of Vir-
ginia.
On the 25th of January, 1821, Floyd presented his
report, giving an abstract of the history of the United
States from the discoverv of the continent down
through the nmtations of more than two centuries,
embracing in his review an account of the several
^ Betiton'x Thirtu Year'), '.. \X See //M^ Xortlnrcf)/ Coant, this series.
FLOYD OF VIKiilMA.
351
treaties by which the United States had enlarged
their original boundaries since achieving independence.
Following this was an able and suggestive examina-
tion of the profits of the fur-trade in the west and
north-west over the territory acquired by discovery
and treaty, but which was still almost a terra incognita
to the citizens of the union.
As to the expediency of occupying the Columbia,
Floyd was sanguine, for the reasons contained in his
report on the fur-trade, the profits of that business,
and the opportunities for greatly enlarging the com-
merce of the United States by direct connnunication
with China by way of the Columbia and Missouri
rivers, that idea of which the eccentric John Ledyard
was author, President Jefferson, however, usually
receiving the credit of it, and in whose mind it was
confirmed by the expedition of Lewis and Clarke.
The route reconnnended by Floyd was the same,
namely, up the Missouri, across the mountains, and
down the Columl)ia.
Accompanying the report was a bill authorizing the
president to occupy the Oregon Territory, extinguisli
the Indian title, and provide a government."
The bill was twice read, and referred to a connnittee
of the whole for the following day, but was not taken
up, and nothing further appears to have been said
upon the subject till the lOtli of December, when
Floyd again made a motion for a committee to inquire
into the expediency of tlie measure, with leave to
report a bill. This was agreed to, and he was aj)-
pointed chairman of the connnittee, with Baylies of
Massachusetts and Scott of Missouri as associates.
The report of the committee, accompanied by a bill
authorizing the occupation of the Columbia, was pre-
sented to the house the 18th of January, 1822. This,
like the previous bill, was twice read, after which it
disappeared for the remainder of that session. Mean-
while Floyd had submitted a resolution requiring the
Kiininls of Cotif/reiiM, 1820-1. 940-59.
)''
■■■
':ib'2
<»RE<;ON BKFOKE tON(;RE>S.S.
;t
secretary of the navy to report on the expense of
examining the harbors on the Pacific, and .shipping
artillery to the mouth of the Columbia.
The secretary's estimate for the survey and trans-
portation was $25,000. In February, in consequence
of rumors that the emperor of Kussia had promulgated
a ukase in relation to the western limits of the United
States, Mr Floyd offered a resolution requesting the
president to conmmnicate to the house whether any
foreign government laid claim to any part of the ter-
ritory of the United States upon the coast of the
Pacific Ocean north of latitude 42°, and to what
extent; whether any regulations of a foreign power
existed, affecting the trade of the Pacific; how far
the trade of the public was affected by it; and
whether any foreign power had made any communi-
cation '"touching the contem})lated occupation of the
Columbia River."''
In reply to this resolution, the president submitted
a re})ort by the secretary of state containing the
correspondence with the ministers of Great Britain
and Russia relative to the respective claims of
those governments,^ which comnmnicaticm was re-
ferred to the select connnittee of which Floyd was
cliairman, on the expediency of the occupation of the
Columbia.
At the second session of congress for 1822, Floyd's
bill of January previous was discussed in connnittee of
the whole, and certain additions and amendments were
made. Floyd made the opening speech, which was
an exhaustive resume of the \'alues of certain articles
of commerce to the countries wliich were so fortunate
as to secure them, being the same which the settle-
n)ent of the Columbia would secure to the United
States; advocating its military possession, and the
steamboat route to it before mentioned. As the first
speech ever made in c(Higress on this subject, it is
» Amuil^ of Congrenx, 1821-2, 10.34.
* Sou Hist. Northwest Coast, a!i<l Hist. Alnshi, this series.
BAYLIES OF .MA.S.SA(HUSKTTS.
•M>;i
t'fspecially interesting.' But I'roni the remarks of
Wriglit of Maryland it evidently awakened no enthu-
siasm in the minds of Jiis listeners; and it is shown
hy Floyd's admissions that he had heen called fanci-
ful and a bold projector, that few [)ersons either in or
out of congress were as yet much agitated (ner the
United States claim to the Oregon Territory.
The second speech of importance was by Mr Baylies
of Massachusetts, who began by saying that all the
objections to the bill which he had heard had been
outside of the house; and of these he was willing to
admit that some were weighty, and all plausible.
The first, that of the expense (jf the territorial estab-
lishment with no immediate prospect of a revenue,
was, lie thought, not valid : to prove wliich position
he offered a correspondence with the collector of cus-
toms at New Bedford, showing the profits of the
whale-fishery, and estimating its annual value in the
Pacific, with the vessels already employed, at $500,000,
while the profits of the same business to Nantuckcit
were not short of i? 1,000,000 annually. "A settle-
ment on the Colundiia," said this correspondent, "if
properly conducted, would insure to our nation an
immense source of wealth," not only on account
of the whale-fisheries, but of the lumber trade, it
being known that a vessel loaded with spars from
the Columbia River had recently arrived at Val-
paraiso.''
The objections that by extending the territory of
the United States too far it would })e exposed to dis-
memberment, and that by occupying the (\)lunibia
the chances of war would be increased, were met by
Baylies with arguments not necessary to be repro-
duced here. He supported the position taken by
Floyd of the value of the fur trade (^n the North-
west Coast, and advanced many proofs of tin; advan-
tage of colonies to an empire; the argunients in favor
•' December 17, 182*2. See //(-s/. NorthweM Coa-tf, this series.
''AintnUo/Connri'ss, 1822-3, 41i5.
Hist. Oit., Vol,. I. T-\
);!■
3M
()HE«JON BKFOilK CDNiUlES.S.
u\
H
of a settlement on the Columbia being cliieHy of a
connnercial nature.
Tucker of Vir«;inia expressed surprise that "three
long and eloquent speeches" should have been made
in support of a measure to which he had intended to
give a silent negative. He did not object to tlie occu-
pation of the Columbia River because it was visionary,
but because he thought it too j)racticable, and likely
to draw off population and capital to a point where
they would be less useful than where they then were;
and because the ])e'»ple of the Pacific coast would, by
their local position, carry on their trade with China
and the Orient rather than with the Atlantic states.
He could not see what interest the Pacific and Atlan-
tic states would have in common, and mentioned the
appalling fact that the mouths of the Mis8issip])i and
the Columbia, by any route then know^n, were four
thousand miles asunder! Colonies he declared were
of no advantage to the parent country, unless that
country enjoyed a monopoly of the colonial trade,
which in this instance the United States could not
hope to do.
The 13th of January, 182.3, Colden of New York
spoke, giving facts concerning seal-fishing designed to
favor the bill ; and also an interesting history of the
trade with China, showing that although that country
was said to be the sink of coin, the cargoes brought
from there were sold in Europe at a profit of more
than twice the cost in China, and for coin. He cited
also the treasury report for 1821, which gave infor-
mation of seventeen vessels from the United States
sailing for the Northwest Coast, which he took to
mean the vicinity of the Columbia River, carrying
goods to the value of $400,000; and although he was
not informed .who were the purchasers, he thought
under such circumstances the mouth of the Columbia
must be a point of importance to commerce. Unlike
his predecessors in the debate, Colden referred to the
subject of title, and gave his view^s of the security of
MALI.AKY OF VKllMONT.
805
: to
'iiig
was
^•ht
l)ia
ike
tlR-
of
the United States claim, which were entirely favor
able to it.
Malla»y of Vermont did not wish for the establish
mcnt (tf a civil government on the Columbia, befort^
there were people in that territory over whom it might
he exercised ; but approved of occupation by a military
force only, with encouragement to settlers. As to the
rest, he was decidedly in favor of occu}n'ing the coun-
try, and entertained no fear of consequences. The
smallest nation of Europe would not hesitate to plant
lier colonies in ary l)art of the world; and yet Amer-
ican enterprise, so often vaunted, dared not venture
beyond the Rocky Mountains. The subject, he de-
clared, occupied a large share of the public attention,
and the action of congress was anxiously looked foi\
The only objection he found to the argument whicJi
liad preceded him was the advocacy of the colonial
system by Baylies, to which he could not agree, as
being foreign to the principles of the American re
public.
Then followed Tracy of New York, and overturned
all the si)ecious reasoning of his colleague, Mr Gol-
den, by giving information of the real nature of the
country which would be embraced in the thirty square
miles of territory over which the United States, it
was proposed, should extend its laws and protec-
tion. Tracy chanced to have made the acquaintance
of several gentlemen who had been at tlie mouth of
the Columbia, from whom he had learned that the
imaginary Eden of the gentleman who had spoken in
favor of the bill was an inhospitable wilderness, con-
fined within a rugged and iron-bound coast. The
entrance to the Columbia was dangerous, and only
with a fair and free wind could be undertaken; the
climate was bleak and inhospitable; so humid and
with so feeble a sun that the grains could liardly bi
raised, though the soil was deep and good. For u
long distance from the ocean tlio country was so
broken and rugged that no place could be found for a
I
I J
\l ^
'! 'If
:»u
OUWJON BKFOUl'; CONliHKSS.
scttloiiu'iit of luori' tliaii u few fiiniilioM. Only the
VVillfiincttc \'all('V afloidcd any |)»us)k;('(:s ot' an anii
«'ultural naturo, and tlu-sr wne not allurinin'. And as
for tlio country I'ast of tlio Cascade Mountains, it was
nothing l)ut a waste of sand an<l jj^ravol."
Mr Wood, anotlu'i- nuMnUer from Xe'.v\ork, ar^u»'(I
airainst the ])assa<'c of tlic bill, Itccausc, first of all,
there was no necessity for such a nieasuie. NO one
had denied the jurisdiction of the United States <jfov-
(jrnuient. Xone of the coinniercial ])ortion of the
public had petitioned for it: not a sin*ifle memorial
from any (piartt^r could he found upon the table. No
public interest demanded it; and it was not to the
l)enefit of the country at lar<;e to force the settlement
of the Columbia River. Such a settlement nuist
result either in a colony, wliich would be of no advan-
tai2;e to the government, oi' an independent state,
which would take to itself the conunei'ce of the J*aciH<',
to the permanent loss of the United States, both in
citizens and trade. To these considerations must l)e
added the expense attcndinjj; the establishing of so
remote a territory, and the danger of provoking
fndian wars, which would retard the growth of the
new states on the border. To eti'ect a settlement,
communication by land would be iiulispensable; and
a chain of military jiosts niust be extended from St
Louis to the Colund)ia, where a strong fortification
must be erected, and a cor. .iderable naval foire main-
tained 1 r its protection; all of which would moi'c
than e\] lUst the i)rofits of the trade in that quarter.
Wood's an was to pei-niit a conipany to occupy that
region, U 'Extinguish the Indian title, to form a settle-
ment, an» when they were able, to form an indepen-
dent gov< nment;** but in his opinion the longer this
was dela;, ed the better.
'' This acoount of the (. nhimbia was pi-obahly given l>y sonic of the memhcrs
of the Pacitic fur company. Franchere mentions that they couM raise
notliing but roots at Astoria. It is not surprising that as the fur companies
conrinetl their explorations to the rivers, whicli were bordered by heavy
forests, such opinions of the country prevailed.
''Precisely what happened, witii this difference: The company occupying
(iKNKltAI, DISCUSSION.
857
At tlio flose of this (lay's arjjfumcnts some amend-
iiieiits wen; ort'orcti to tlie bill, Mallary moving to
make the occupation merely inilltary, over the tor-
ritorv north of the 42(1 parallel, and west of tlu;
Kocky Mountains, which section should he known as
tiie Territory of Oregon; a fort was to l)e erected
at the mouth of the (N)lunil)ia Hiver; as soon as ex-
jiedient the Indian title to a tract of country not
exceeding thirty miles square, including the place
selected for the fort, should be extinguished. T(»
every head of a fc^.iiily settling in the territory should
he •'•ranted three hundred and twenty acres of land ;
to an unmarried settler, farmer, or mechanic, two
hundred acTes; this to apply <>'dy to citizens of the
United States, and for six years only after the extin
guishment of the Indian title. The president was
authorized to o]»en a jiort of entry for the territory,
and to appoint officers for the reveime service, the
rt'venue laws of tlu; ITnited States being extended to
the territory. An appro] )riation of .$00,000 was also
made by the amendments, to earry into effect the
]irovisions of the bill.
The consideration of Floyd's bill being resumed on
the 24th, Walker of North Carolina made a motion
to amend by inserting Columbia in place of Oregon as
the name of the territory to be erected, which did ncjt
})revail; and Floyd amended Mallary's amendment, so
us to call the tract of country over which the Indian
title should be extinguished, and where the fort should
he erected, the District of Astori i, the object of which
M"as to restore the original name of the establishment
at the m(>uth of the Columl)ia made mulcr the auspices
of Astor. This amendment was accepted. Smith of
A^irginia and others then s]X)l;e for and against the
hill. Baylies replied at some length to the objections
of the opponents of the bill that the Ro(tky Moun-
tains were the natural boundary of the United States.
Wiis British; the Indians, rather than their title, became extinguished; a'ld
tile settlers (American) came in, and formed an independent government.
X)S
ORE(;()N BEl-'OKE t'ONOKESS.
"As we reach the Rocky Mountains," said the advo-
cate of'tlie occupation of Oregoii, "we should l)e unwise
did we not pass that narrow space wliich separates tlu^
mountains from the ocean, to secure advantages far
greater than tlie existing advantage?' of all the country
between the Mississipj)i and the mountains. Gentle-
men are talking of natural boundaries. Sir, our natural
boundary is the Pacific Ocean, The swelling tide of
our population nmst and will roll on until that mighty
ocean interposes its waters, and limits our territorial
empire. Then, with two oceans washing our shores,
the commercial wealth of the world is ours, and imagi-
nation can hardly conceive the greatness, the grandeur,
a!>'' the power that await us."
liaylies then reviewed the statemiJiits of his oppo-
nents that the country was sterile and the climate
inhospitable; that the moutii of the Colunsbia was a
bad entrance and worse departure, and tlie liarbor
indifferent quoting from the official reports of Prevost,
Lewis and Clarke, Cook, and Vancouver. He again
[)resented the facts, as tliey a[)peared to him, con-
nected with the connnerce of the l^acific, present and
to come. He reverted to remarks made in debate
that there was nothing to fear from Russia, because
the autocrat of tliat country had himself fixed the
southern limit of his territory at 51°, and to other
remarks that if Russia chose to enforce the limits set
the United States could not successfully encounter
that power; to both of which conclusions lie took ex-
ceptions, and also to the })rediction that the ])roposed
settlement could not sustain itself against the savages,
instancing tlie early New England settlers, who foi-
fifty years maintained peace with the savages, and
when at last they wei'e comjjelled to fight, vanquished
them.
On the following day, being the last of the dis-
cussion, Brcckenridge of Kentucky made a speech in
which he o[)posed the bill, because as it now stood it
p^'ovided neither legislation nor courts; all the power
A NEW BILL.
359
and authority being confided to a military chieftain, in
whose hands were placed the legislative, judicial, and
executive functions of the country, subject only to the
control of the president; and this he denounced as
unconstitutional, also denying the right of congress to
colonize. Or if it was pretended that the step con-
templated was preparatory to admission into the union
within any short period, had the promoters of this
scheme thought of the probable consequences ? Were
they prepared to go to war to protect the territorial
or commercial rights of Oregon, and to extend to that
state equal laws, and afford it equal rights and privi-
leges, when there could not be any community of
interest with the rest of the confederacy ? He looked
upon the proposition as impolitic and dangerous; upon
the appropriation to carry it out as entirely inadequate ;
upon the troops who should be stationed on the Co-
lumbia as the prisoners in their own fort of the
beleaguering Indians, unless, indeed, a naval force
should be stationed there for their protection. He
doubted if the possession of the country would add
anything to the validity of tlie claim of the United
States; or that if it should fall into the hands of a
foreign power, that would weaken the title of the
United States, He was opposed to emigration while
the population of the states and territories was not
yet sufficient to occupy the public lands within theii-
l)ounuarios. Not until their posterity, he said, should
occupy the seats iu congress which the supporters of
the bill under discussion now filled would the measure
proposed be justifiable.
Oa the 27tii the yeas and nays were taken to decide
whether the house were really determined to act upon
the subject at that session, when it was found that the
vote stood sixty-one for, to one hundred against, taking
up the bill. The influence of the discussion was ob-
servable, however, when on the 22d of Fel)ruary Little
of Maryland presented a memorial from eiglity farm-
ers and mechanics within his district, praying congress
300
ORFXiON BEFOUK ('ON(iRESS.
to pass the bill, and intimating their desire to emigrate
to, and for the improvement of, that country.^
At the next session of congress, in December, on
motion of Mr Floyd, a committee on the expediency
of occupying the Columbia was again aj)pointed, con-
sisting of Floyd, Gurley of Louisiana, KScott of Mis-
souri, Haydcn of New York, Bassett of Virginia,
Frost of New York, and Baylies of the former com-
mittee, with leave to report a bill; and on the 19th of
January, 1824, Floyd presented a bill to authorize the
occupation of the Columbia or Oregon liiver, which
was twice read, and referred to a committee o^ +he
whole house on the state of the union. Th.'s bill,
unlike that immediately preceding it, authorized the
president not only to establish a military colony, but
to erect a territorial government whenever he miglit
deem it expedient to do so — Floyd's first proposition,
but one which was opposed by a majority of the friends
of military occupation. The bill also granted a section
of land to actual settlers, instead of the former amount.
On the 2Gth a resolution, of which Floyd was the
author, was agreed to by the house, v> questing the
president to cause to be laid before the house an esti-
mate of the expense which would be incurred by trans-
porting two hundred troops from Council Bluffs to
the mouth of the Columbia. The reply by the war
department was that the transportation of the troops
by the Missouri and Columbia rivers, with boats,
horses, and equipments, vould be $30,000 ; and the
trunsportatit)!! by sea of the lieavy baggage, ordnance,
and supplies would amount to not more than 1 1 4,000
more; the report being referred to the committee on
the occupation of the Columbia or Oregon River, and
by them laid before the house. The estimates con-
tained in this report were made by Thomas S. Jessup,
quarterinastei-general. He reconnnended a post to
be established at the Mandan villages, to control the
700.
*.iii)i<th of CoiKji-'s.^, IS-iiJ-a, :{.").'., :«t(i, 411, Mli, (K)!', 078, 01)1, ()!»(),
I
THK Pl{K.Sll>KNT\S MESSACiE.
3(;i
natives in that quarter, and liold in chock tlie Britisli
fur companies; another at the head of navigation on
the Missouri, to control the Blackfoot, and remove
the British companies from that part of the territory.
as well as to serve as an intermediate suddIv Dost. and
a depot of trade for the Indian department. To keej)
open communication through the mountains, he ad-
vised the establishment of a small post between the
Missouri and the Columbia; and on the Columbia
and its tributaries three other posts. These were
to give protection to American traders for the time
being, and when the convention with Great Britain
sliould have expired, to remove the traders of that
nation from the territory. As to the expense, it would
be trifling. Once established, in a few years the cost
would be greatly din\inished by farms, mills, and the
good grazing of the country in the interior; and the
posts on the Coknnbia could be cheaply supplied
witli beef and wlieat from California, and salt from an
island on the Lower California coast.
Floyd's bill did not come up for discussion till the
following December. In the mean time much infoi-
mation had been gained concerning new routes to the
Columbia by passes recently discovered by American
fur-traders, and other matters of interest in tlebate.
The speech with which Floyd opened the discussion
was not only in answer to former arguments, but was
loaded with accumulations of facts concerning the
geography and top()grai)hy of the country; but more
than anvthiniif else, concernin<jf the conunerce of tlie
United States between 1804 and IH'2'2, interesting
even at this day, and intended to exhibit the existing
necessity for a port upon tlie Pacific coast to serve as
the American mart for the precious goods of the Asi-
atic continent and islands of the oriental seas.
The message of President jVIonroe had contained a
rcconnnendation of the proj)riety of establishing a mil-
itary post at the mouth of the (\)luml)ia, or at some
other point within the acknowledged limits of the
fi.
Ji
'
r ,!'i
362
OKEUOX BEFORE CONGRESS.
United States territory,^" i'o^ tlie protecMon of the
increasing coninierce of the Pacific; and of making an
appropriation for employing a Irigate, with an officoi
of the corps of engineers, to explore the mouth of the
Columbia and the adjacent coasts, with a view to
selecting the site for such a military station But
Floyd contended that a territorial establishment was
quite as necessary as a military one, it being evidently
unjust to the settlers who should go there to place
them under military law, or subject them to the ca-
price of the connnander of a force of two hundred men,
which it was })roposed to station on the Columbia.
Considerable opposition was made by members to
the pro})osed land grants, and by others that clause
was defended half in derision. "'After all," said
Trimble of Kentucky, "what is the value of the land
proposed to be given as a bounty to the first settlers '.
In that remote region the land as yet is worth noth-
ing, it has no value. . .But, in the mean while, give
your people the bounty land and let them go and
make a settlement, and form a nucleus around which
other emigrants may collect, and time will gradually
consolidate them into a powerful connnunity, and
your treasury will be relieved from the annual expense
of maintaining the proposed military post." Smyth
of Virginia was ()])posed to the territorial establish-
ment and grants of land, on the ground tliat too ra[)id
an increase of the states, and bringing too nmch land
into market, was already severely felt by the older
fominunities, which were perpetually drained of the
flower of their poi)ulation — an evil which would in-
crease the further the limits of tiie United States
were extended. In his judgment, it would be well if
the ultimate limit were fixed by a line far enough west
of the Mississippi to include two tiers of states.
In reply to these and other objections, Floyd con-
tended that, admitting them, and that the future
st'ite of Oregon should separate fr-om the confederacy,
^^Coiiijri'moHdl JMiati's, 18l24-."i, i., ai)p. 7.
BKNTUX •« K KSOLUTION.
3(53
it would still be better that the region embraeecl by
it should be pet>pled from tlie United States than
from other nations, with whom we might— nay, must
— have to go to war; and peopled by other nations it
would be unless the American people took measures
to prevent it.
In none of the arguments was the question of title
touched upon, except to suggest caution in coming in
conflict with tlie terms of the existing treaty. No
doubt was ever expressed of the valitlity of tlie claim
of the United States. When Buchanan of Penn-
sylvania objected that the establishment of a port
of entry would interfere with the treaty, Floyd ex-
plained that the section objected to directed tlie
president to open a port of entry only whenever he
should "deem the public good may require it;" and
tliat it was intended to put the citizens of the United
States as early as possible on an advantageous footing
for j)rosecuting commercial enterprises. When it was
feared that Great Britain might look Ujion the found-
ing of a military establisliment as an act of bad faith,
Smyth replied that Great Britain at that moment
had a military post on the Columbia, ami that the
rights of the two governments under the treaty were
at least equal.
At length, after four years of constant efl'ort, on
the 23d of December, 1824, Mr Floyd iiad the satis-
faction of seeing his bill for the occupation of the
Columbia River and tlie establishment of the territory
of Oregon [)assed in tlie house by a vote of one
hundred and thirteen to fifty-seven, and sent to the
senate
u
So far discussion had been confined to the houSe,
<'\cej)t in February 1823, wJien Benton intrtuluced a
lesohition in the senate that tlie committee on military
iirt'airs be instructed to iiHpiire into the exi>ediency of
^^('oii'jrrss/nii'il n,hafr.-<, 1824. i, i. i:i-'.'t!, '28, 30, 38, 39 4-.', 44. .V.;.
■
:m4
OKE(;ON HKFOKK CONciRESS.
aj)propriating money ^o enable tlie president to takr
and retain jwssession of tlie territory of tlie United
States on the north-west coast of America. Benton
explained that his motive in offering the resolution
was to })revent the territory in (juestion from fallinj^'
into tlie hands of another power.
When Floyd's hill was brought up in the senate, in
February 1825, it found an advocate in Barbour of
Virginia, who believed both in tlie right and the policy
of the United States in forming an establishment on
the Oregon River,'- the arguments used being in
essence the same as presented by the friends* of the
bill in the house. Oickerson of New Jjrsey took
opposite grounds. He not only contended that the
military occupation of the Oregon would justly lead
to war with (xreat Britain, but that Jie territory
would never, in any event, become a state of the
federal union. He ridiculed the idea of a senator
from Oregon to Washington City going and coming
in less than a year, whether he travelled overland, oi'
by .sea around Cape Horn, or through Bering's Straits
round the north coast of the c<mtinent. "It is true,"
he said, "this passage is not yet discovered, except
upon our maps; but it will be as soon as Oregon shall
be a state." '■'^ When Dickerson came to talk of cost,
he had reason and connnon sense on his side. The
approi)riation of $50,000, he said, was a mere baga-
telle. A sum ten times larger would be required to
carry into effect the provisions of the bill; to prove ■
which he cited the expense of the Yellowstone ex[)e-
dition, $255,000, besides other ex])enses w'hich swelled
the amount to $300,000. At that rate it would require
a million of money to establish a post on the Oregon,
and other posts at projier intervals across the conti-
nent. Besides the wrong to tlie natives of despoiling
them of their territory, Orcijon could never be of any
ll%i'
'■•■Tho bill iia it passed the liouae was aineiuled so as to drop the words
' Cohiniliia or ' and to read ' tlie Oregon River.
^■'CoiiijirK-fioiiol Delmtc-'i, IS'24 "i. i. (i!*'2.
AN INTEKNAL.
atfs
advantage to the United States, and the best use that
coidd be n\ade of it was to leave it as a retreat for tlie
red men. From Couneil Bkifi's to tlie Rocky Moun-
tains the country was sterile, witliout wood or water,
and could never l)e cultivated.^* The mountains were
inhospitable, antl altogether the only purpose to which
this region could be devoted was a range for buffaloes,
and to serve as a frontier to jjrevent the too great
expansion of the settlements.
To this Benton replied by giving a resume of the
arguments for the United States title, with which
the reader of my Northwest Coast is familiar; and thus
closed the debates on the subject of the occui)ati()n of
the Oregon Territory for a term of years, the bill
i)eing laid on the table, from which it was never taken
to be voted upon iu the senate.
From and after tins session of congress, for a period
of more than three years, the subject of the occu[)a-
tion of the Columbia was suffered to lie perdu in tlie
minds of the people of the United States, except as
attention was called to it by the writings of Hall J.
Kclley, or by some more obscure person. For this
silence there is an explanation in the probable desire
of the president that the negotiations between (xreat
Britain and the United States should not become
more involved by any overt act. The negotiations
being finally terminated in 1827 by an indefinite rv-
newal of the convention of 1818, which could be ter-
minated by either party on a year's notice, left the
subject where it was before they were commenced.
In Decend)er 1828 Floyd returned to the contest,
being, as he said, more convinced than ever liefore of
the importance of the (piestion. In a s]>eech of sonu;
length he reverted t(j the movement of population
westward, and the means resorted to by govermnents
to prevent it urivate enterprise being always in the
1 1' 4
^* Loiii/'s AVji'v/., ii. 3.")() (il.
:m
OKEOON BEFOKK t'ONCiKESS.
I
advance. He referred as in former speeches to the
coiiiiiiercial advantages of tlie Columbia; and warned
congress of the loss with which the country was
threatened through the occupancy of Great Britain,
citing a fact, as he helieved, of much significance, that
an act of parliament of 1821 had extended the civil
jurisdiction of the courts of Upper Canada, " within
the Indian territories and other parts of America, not
within the liniits of Uj)per or Lower Canada, or of
any civil governments of the Uiwted States;" includ-
ing in this description not only the territory west of
Canada, and north of latitude 4!)^, hut all of the terri-
tory of the United States not yet erected into ter-
ritorial orii'anizations. " This insolent and outraij^eous
act," exclaimed Floyd, " we ought promptly and effi-
ciently to resist and re})el." ^'' A citizen of the United
States, west of Arkan.sas, he said, under this act might
he taken to Upper Canada, and tried for his life. The
country ought not for a moment to submit to it. " If
England has not yet learned to respect the sov-
ereignty and rights of the confederacy, she nmst be
taught that lesson ; and, sir, it nmst and shall be taught
her ; and that, too, at no distant day, in a way which
she will not easily forget." The remainder of Floyd's
speech was devoted to an exposition of the profits of
the fur trade, and to strictures on the tarifl' regula-
tions, which prevented the American from realizing
the same benefits enjoyed by the British trader, who
introduced his goods free of duty, and sold them at
an advance of more than a hundred per cent, while
tlic American trader, selling at the same price, made
no profit at all;^® and to the importance of the mouth
of the Columbia as a naval station, either for the pro-
tection of commerce, or in case of war as a port from
^^ComjreKtmint Dclxtkx, 18'28-9, v. 19.1.
"This diflference operated in two ways against the American traders, as
they found to their cost. Either they must sell inferior goods at the price
asked by tl»e English traders, or they must consent to sell without jjrotit.
either course being ruinous to their business, as the natives soon learned to
know good articles, and to carry their furs where they brought the most.
FRESH I'ROi'OSALS.
mi
which tlie vessels of the United States could annoy
the East India trade of Great Britain.
In the course of the debate which followed, the
result of the former agitation was strongly brought
out in the fact that three several coni})anies of enii
grants were petitioning congress for land grants in
Oregon, one of which in Massachusetts numbered
three thousand persons,*'' farmers, artisans, and others.
Neither of the three obtained a grant, because it was
objected that two schemes of settlement, one by the
government and another by private individuals, were
incompatible ; and because the plan of granting exclu-
sive privileges to one class of citizens was not repub-
lican in spirit.*^
The question was again discussed at length, occupy-
ing the greater portion of the time of the house for more
than two weeks, from December 23d to January 9th.
New men took up the discussion ;*^ but new arguments
were difficult to find. The expediency, and not the right
of making settlements, was the subject of doubt, as it
liad been in 1821 and 1825. Yet it was acknowledged
that delay, by strengthening the number of British
})osts, increased the difficulty. The question of the con-
flicting sovereignty claims was referred to oftener than
in former debates; but only added to the more easily
understood obstacles of expense, and the objections to
making land grants before the boundary should be
settled. At length, after amending the bill several
times, it stood as follows, in four sections: First, au-
thorizing the president to erect a fort or forts west
of the Rockv Mountains, between latitudes 42° and
54° 40', and to garrison them; second, authorizing
''This was the association formed hy Hall J. Kelley. The others were a
Louisiana cnnipaiiy lieailetl hy Joliu M. Bradford, and au Ohio company
liuaded by Albert Town.
"^The Louisiana company petitioned for a tract of 40 miles square, whicli
<!urleyT)f Louisiana insisted upon their right to have granted to them; and
suggested that the Massachusetts company be granted permission to erect .»
fort Oil certain conditions.
"Everett of Massachusetts, Polk of Tennessee, Bates of Missouri, and
other able men.
'* 1,1
I 'f
SiM
OKKiiON BKl'UKE CON(;KE.SS.
ip^f imi^iqti
tlio president to eause the territory to l>e ex[)lore(l
l)V engineers, selected by liiniself, accompanied l>y a
military escort; and also authorizing the delay of
the troops mentioned in the first article until the
exploration should have been completed; third, en-
acting that any citizen of the United States who
should commit any crime or misdemeanor in the
territory should, on conviction, sutier the i)enalty at-
tached to the same ofi'enco in any district of country
under the sole jurisdiction of the United States; the
trial to take ])lace in the first district where he might
be apprehendi'd (n* brought, that was under the laws
of the United States; the courts being by this act in-
vested with the power to try such ofl'enders in the same
manner as if the crimes had been connnitted in the
district; fourth, the sum of $25,000 was appropri-
ated to carry into efi'ect the provisions of the act.
But although this bill seemed free from the objec-
tionable features of the previous ones, it was rejected
when it came to a third reading, by a vote of ninety-
nine to seventy-five.''^"
When Floyd's congressional term ended, no suc-
cessor was found to take up the subject where he had
left it. But he had succeeded in infusing into the
minds of the American ])eople a romantic interest in
the Oregon Territory, and above all a patriotic feeling
of resistance to the re})uted aggressions of the British
in that quarter, which eventually served the purpose
for which he labored, the settlement of the country by
citizens of the United States. American traders
pushed their enterprises beyond the Rocky Moun-
tains, and to the Columbia River, attempting to com-
pete with the English company, but failing for the
reasons he had pointed out. Through these traders
the missionary societies heard of the superior tribes
of red men in the Oregon Territory who sought
a knowledge of the white man's God, and prepared
to respond to the call, with the results which have
'"Coiiijirmional JMni/rs, IS'J.S it, V. li>r)-.");<, ]()8-7r>, 1S7-W.
VALUK OF THE COUNTllY.
:»(i'J
lie
in
l>eeu refolded in ])reviouH chapters of this liistory.
The enthu.siast Kelley, luivini^ failed in securin^j;' a
j^rant of land, finally reached Ore^^on, sick, and in
poverty and unmerited disjjfrace, to be rescued fntin
])erishin*^ l)y the foreign company he had beforehand
determined to regard with sus})icion and hatred. But
the Httle company he persuaded to accompany him
from California as colonists really hecame such, and
touether with the missionaries, formed the luicleus
round which grew a population which soon rivalled
the fur com})any. I have shown how this little colony
was encouraged and fostered by the heads of the gov-
ernment; how IVesident Jackson sent Slacum to
inquire into their condition; how the Mission colony
was assisteil; the commander of the Pacific exploring
s({uadron ordered to examine into their causes of coni-
})laiut; and how Elijah White was commissioned sub-
agent of Indian affairs to keej) up their courage anil
loyalty.
Between 1829 and 1837 the people as well as con-
gress had become com}>aratively well informed as to the
value of the Oregon Territory, its natural resources,
independeiit of the fur trade, and its commercial posi-
tion with regard to the coast of Asia; nearly every
person known to have returned from that quarter
having been put upon the witness-stand. On the
IGth of October of the latter year, a resolution was
passed in the senate, requesting the president to
inform that body at its next session of any corre-
spondence between the United States government
and any foreign power relative to the occupation of
the territorv of the United States west of the Rocky
AEountains. The president's reply, made in Decembei-,
was, tliat since the convention of 1827 no such cor-
respondence had taken place; those negotiations being
connnunicated in confidence to the senate in the early
part of the 20th session of congress.'^
■^^:?.->fh Coii!/., 2d Sexs., Sen. Doc, i. .39.
lIiKT. Oil., Vol.. I. 24
■1 l> nffi
1
' r •(
<l i 1 1
' ^ ,il
. ' 1'
u
:j7o
()UE(i()N UKFOUE fON(JUK.S«.
The 7tli of February, 1 838, Lewis F. Linn, senator
from Missouri, introduced u l)ill for tlie occupation of
the Columbia River, the establishment of a territory
north of latitude 42° and west of the Ko(!ky Moun-
tains, to be called the Orej^on Territory; the erection
of a fort on the Cohunbia, and occupation of the coun
try by a military force; the establishment of a port
of entry', and requirint( the country to be held sub-
ject to the revenue laws of the United States, with
an ajipropriation of .$50,000 for the j)urposes men-
tioned in the bill. This was referred to the c(mmiittee
<.)n military affairs. After some discussion of the ques-
tion of title, Benton procured the reference of the
bill to a select committee of wliich Linn was chair-
man.
This led to a resolution that the secretary of war
be requested to furnish the senate with all the infor-
mation in his department relating to the Oregon Ter-
I'itory, and with a map embracing recent discoveries
of all the country claimed by the United States in
the region between the liocky Mountains and tlu;
Pacific Ocean. Out of a mass of material obtained
from this and every other available source, Linn pre-
pared his report, which was presented to the senate
on the Gth of June. After referring to the message
of President Monroe recommending that a militar}
post should be established at the mouth of the Colum-
bia, or at some other point within the acknowledged
limits of the United Stales, which should afford pro-
tection to American coinmerce on the Pacific Ocean,
and his suggestion v/it'.i regard to an armed frigate to
explore the mouth of the Columbia and the coast
contiguous thereto, for which he advised an appropi'i-
ation by congress sufficient for the purpose ; and after
alluding to the subsequent negotiations with Great
Britain which ended in nothing definite concerning
title; and after referring to the mission of Slacum —
he entered on a history of the several treaties with
Great Britain affecting the title, and the correspond-
KKI'HATKl) FAILUHKS.
871
•1-
Mg-
ouco on th(^ snl)j('('t lu'twi't'ii tlu' two y,()veniiiH'nts
liaving tulvorst' claiins, takiiij^ tlic YVincricaji viow of
the <juc'stioii that the liiu' between tlieni could not
fall below the 4!)th parallel.
He pointed out that the oeeupation by tlio United
States of the Columbia Hivei- would seeure tlu'
sourees of vast wealth in the fur tradi>, the fislu'ries,
the tradi! with China, Ja[>an, and the Orient jLj^enerally,
and with the Hawaiian Islands and Calif<»rnia. Hi;
dwelt on the importance of a harbor on the iKtith-
wi>st coast <»f America, where tliu whalin^- Heet of
tlu^ J^iciHc miu^ht ri'fit, and proplnssied that direct
conimunication between the Atlantic and J'acific
would soon be oj)ened by a canal across the isthmus
of Darieii, by which the whole trade of the eastern
hemisphere would be changed in its course, which
would then be toward the shores of Xortli America.
He spoke of the ease with which the Rocky Moun-
tains could be crossed by the passes discovered by the
fur-hunters, of the majjfniticent scenerv described by
trayellers, of the fertility of the soil, and the mildness
of the climate, testified to by various authorities. To
conclude, the title of the United States was asserted
by the committee to be beyond doubt, the possession
of the country imjioi-tant, and delay in occupying
it dangerous. The committee therefore reported a
hill authorizing the president to employ in that quar-
ter such portions of the army and navy of the United
States as he miglit deem necessary to the protection
of the American residents in that Ci)untry.
Althouuh ardiMitlv labored foi- the bill for the oc-
cupation of Oregon failed of its passage in tlie senate.
Hut Linn's report furnished that kind of information
to the American people in which they were deeply
Hitorested. Pioneer sons of pioneer ancestors, they
delighted in the thought of founding another empire
on the Pacific Ocean as their sires had done on tlie
Atlantic seaboard. Resolutions began to be adopted
by the legislative assemblies of different states favor-
<!' '
$
372
OREGON BEFORE eONCJRK.s.s.
!"i
,1 ,:'|ia
ing the speedy settlement of the Orcg-on houiKlary,
and its oecupution by tlie government.""
On the nth of Deeemher, 18:58, Linn introduced a
second bill for the occupation of the Oregon Territory,
and the protection of citizens of the United States
residing tliere, whicli Avafi referred, as before, to a
special committee of which he was chairman, his
fellow-connnitteemen being Clay, Calhoun, Walker,
and Pierce. -In January 1831) the petition of which
Jason Lee was bearer was presented, and ordered
printed; and the correspondence between Cushing
and Lee, given in a former chapter, took ])lacc; all of
whicli went to strengthen Linn's position and inform
the ])ul)lic. On the 22d of February Linn spoke on
liis bill, against the advice of other senators, who
feared the ett'ect of the agitation of such a measure on
the attitude of Great Britain in disputes of anothrr
nature involving the Maine l)oundary and some im-
portant commercial interests; but in deference to tliis
feeling, refrained from asking that it might be put to
vote. It was referred to the committee on foreign
relations, and five thousand extra copies ordered
printed, the circulation of which aided in forming
public sentiment.
About the same time Cushing, chairman of the
house committee on foreign atfaii's, to whom was
submitted a resoluticni "to inquire into the expedi-
ency of establishing a post on the River Columbia,
for the defence and occupation of the territory of
the United States watered by said river, the extent
of the country claimed by the United States west of
the Rocky Mountains, the title under which it is
claimed, with its correctness, tlie extent of sea-coast
and numbi'r of harbors, the nature of the soil, climate,
and productions, the expense of establishing one or
more forts, what ships and what .soldiers and sailors
would be required," and all questions concerning occu-
''I believe tlio first resolution ot this kind oflfercci was by the legislature
of Illinois, in 1838-9. See JGth Cong., 1st Sens., Sen. Doc., iii. 93.
LEWIS F. LINN.
373
patioii, presented a report adverse to the expedieiicv
of ostablisliiiii;' a territorial Q:overiimeiit. The "
rea-
son tifiveii by tlie committee for makino; an adverse
report was that tiiey were "anxious to observe the
letter and spirit of the treaties between the United
States and (Jreat Britain." Yet they accompanied
their report by a communication from the secretary of
war, and another from the secretary of the navy, con-
tainini^ estimates of the exjiense which would probably
be incurred in " certain assumed contingencies contem-
plate<l by the order of the house;" by the letter and
])etition of Jason Lee before adverted to; by a memoir
from Wyeth on the soil, climate, and resources of the
country, and the business of the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, representing the value of the fur trade; by a
letter fro)n the secretary of the Oregon Provisional
Emlijfration Societv, to which reference has been made
ill one of the early chapters of this volunme, with a
copy of the constitution of the society; and by Sla-
cuiii's report, and a memoir by Kelley. Of this volu-
minous tlocument, tue whole of which took, from having
so much in it that was furnislied })y persons interested
ill the occupation of Oregon, a tone of accusation and
enmity towai'd the British fur company, ten thousand
extra copies were ordered printed, whicii were scattered
broa(k'yfct over the land, educating the people to an
exalted idea of the worth of the Oregon country, and
at the sank! time to a jmtred of the British traders
who had so ihv succeeded in di'iving out of it Amer-
ican com] leti tors, ■'
On the 18th of Decombi'r Linn again called the
attention of the senate to a series of resolutions on
the subject of Oregon, which were referred as usual
to a select committee, who reported, on the 31st of
March, 1840, a substitute, asserting the title of the
I lilted States to Oregon, Jiuthori/ing tlic jtresident
to take such measures as might b(> d"maiMled for thi?
protection of the persons and property '»f citizens of
wrm
i
- i
rp
374
OREGON BEFORE tONCJRESS.
tlie United States residino' in that territory, to erect
a line of military posts fi m Fort Leavenworth to
the Rocky Mountains, for the protection of the Indian
trade, and provided also for the appointment of an
Indian agent for Oregon Territory. The chief feature
in these resolutions was a provision for granting to
each white male inhabitant over eighteen years of age
one thousand acres of land.
This was the measure of the ' liberal grant ' to set-
tlers, which was, on the suggestion of Jason Lee, to
reward the pioneers of Oregon, a suggestion wliich was
eagerly caught at by the western people. A })etition
was presented to congress at this session from twent' •
seven citizens of Elizabeth town, Kentucky, settuu;
forth that in their opinion the United States goveiii-
nient should plant a colony in the Oregon Territory,
giving it such nuiture in its infancy as to enable it
to establish itself peniianently, and to develop the
natural resources of the ct)untry, making it contribute
to the national wealth. They believed it necessary
to the success of the enterprise that a road should
be cut"* from some ])()int on the Missouri liiver to
Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia. "As soon
as this passage can be opened," said the petitioners,
" a colony of farmers and mechanics should be con-
ducted across the mountains anil settled, with a mili-
tary power stati )ned, strong enough to [)rotect the
colony. Donations of land should be made to those
who would become actual settlor's, sutticiently largo
to induce emigration. At convenient distances across
the mountains, small garrisons, should be ])laced to
protect travellers from the hostilities of the Indians."
These measures it was thougvht would secure a more
inn)ortant conmiereial position than any yet enjoyed
by the United States.""'
Forty-four citizens of Indiana i.l^o petitioned con>
■^'The wortl 'cut' coiiiea well fnini ir.lia1)itantA of a timbercil country like
Kentucky, hut scarcely a])i>li('s to tlic western prairies,
'-' .'(itli Voiiij., lit ,S<'.i.s., Sill. Doc, 17J.
PFTITIONS AND MEMORIALS.
376
gress for the "occupation aixl settlement of Oregon
Territory, and the construction of a road thereto ;" and
remonstrating against the jiroposed ship canal across
the isthmus of Darien; urging as a reason for the
construction of a national load to the Pacific, that the
connnerce of the United States was then, and had
always been, exposed to the dangers of the stormy
seas of the high southern latitudes, with long v<jyages
at great expense and toil; whereas these dangers
might be avoided, or greatly lessened, hy an inland
and coast trade, and a route across the continent to a
point on the Columbia which could be reached by
sea-ofoing vessels from the Pacific side. These memo-
rialists were, like those of Kentucky, of opinion that
the United States ought to induce emigration by
liberal grants of land to persons removing with their
families to Oregon ; and suggested that alternate sec-
tions might be reserved, as tlieir value would be greatly
enhanced by the settled portions; and also that grants
sliould be confined to a limit within ten miles of the
Willamette River,"" in order to secure the early sup-
port of steaml)oat navigation.^'^
A similar memorial was presented by the legisla-
tive assembly (<f Missouri, asking for grants of land to
s(;ttlers.~'^ On the 2Gth of February a rc'})ort was
made to the senate by the secretary of war, in reply
to a resolution asking his opinion of the expediency
of establishing a line of military posts from the Mis-
.^ '-nri P'ver, near the mouth of the Platte, to the
jtass or passes of the Kocky ^Fountains, with the
object to [)rotect the .American fur trade, to facihtate
intercourse between tlie valley of the Mississipjii and
the Pacific Ocean, and to hold in check the native
tribes; also the number and kind of troo])s which
would be required for such s(^rvice, the ja'obable cost
of keeping up the posts, and whether it would be
""'Tlio inomdriiil rcails, ' tlie iiavigaUle branch of the Oregon River.'
■'' Mth t'omj., iKt. Si'MM., Si'H. Doc. J^i-
■*'JV>th CoH'j., 1st S<:%'*., .bV/j. Doc. 41.1.
!. 'a
i <
370
OREGON BEFORE CO./GRESS.
necessay to increase the military force of the United
States in order to garrison such estabhshments
Poinsett's report set forth that the question as to
expenditures and troops could not be satisfactorily
answered before the completion of certain explorations
undertaken by liis direction, and which were expected
to be extended to the passes of the Rocky Mountains
during the summer. He however believed that a
line of posts such as proposed would be of great bene-
fit to t^ie whole stretch of country to be traversed;
and '..!*' ^'le route ordinarily pursued by the fur
traders I be the most practicable line, for various
reasons, ii. ading its directions, and its being per-
j)endicular to a line of defences or the frontiers of
Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa. Three posts were con-
sidered to be sufficient to "prepare the way for the
peaceable settlement of the fertile valleys w^est of the
Rocky Mountains;" one at the junction of the north
and south forks of the Platte, and another at the con-
fluence of tlie Laramie branch of that river. The
third might be either at the junction of Wind River
and Popoagie, the principal sources of the Big Horn,
or at the confluence of Horse Creek, called by travel-
lers the Seedskeeder, with the Colorado. And to
these, the secreL.'.>ry thought, the stations for the
})resent might be limited. "Under their shelter the
rich and fertile valleys west of the mountains may be
settled and cultivated by a population which would
pour forth its numbers to the shores of the Pacific as
soon as the question of boundary shall be definitivelv
settled."-'^
Such was the not very intelligent report of the
secretary of war in 1840. It is doubtful if he, or any
of those persons, citizens or others, who talked of a
road or a line of forts to the Pacific, rt all compre-
hended the fact that wlien the Rocky Mountains
were reached there remained the hardest, if not the
most dangerous, j)art of the route, or that a colony
'*?Gth Com,/., Jxt Seax., Sen. Dor. 2-U.
REPORTS RECEIVED.
87:
transported to the western base of the Rocky Moun-
tains would be hopelessly removed from a source of
supplies on either side of the continent for at least
half the year.
Soon after the resolution above referred to had
been reported to the senate, Linn was placed in
possession of Farnham's letter to the secretary of war,
with the petition which accompanied it, and which
was drawn up during his visit to the Willamette
Valley, complaining of the introduction of English
emigrants by the Hudson's Bay Company, the pre-
tended r;v nt extension of the laws of Canada over
the inhabitants of Oregon, and exhibiting alarm lest
the company entertained hostile intentions toward
Amorican settlers. Acting upon this information,
Linn introduced, on the 28th of April, a bill to extend
a portion of the laws of the United States over the
territory of Oregon. On the 24th of May, en his
motion, the Oregon resolutions were made the special
order of the day for a fortnight thence ; but by the
advice of other senators, were posponed for the time,
lest their consideration by the senate at this juncture
should prejudice the adjustment of important ques-
tions then pending between the United States and
Great Britain.*' In the mean time, Captain Spauld-
ing's report had reached Washington, and although
the same cause for silence existed, on the 8th of Jan-
uary, 1841, Linn brought the topic, of wliich ho was
now the acknowledged apostle in the senate, to the
attention of that body, by moving a joint resolution
to authorize the adoption of measures for the occupa-
tion and settlement of the Oregon Territory, and for
extending certain portions of the laws of the United
States over it. The resolution was referred, as before,
to a select conmiittee of whicli Linn was chairman,
who reported it to the senate, witliout amendment,
"•Tlie settlement of the Maine boundary, so long deferred, the right of
search, the lilieration of slaves, and the burning of the Caroliiii', besides
others. Only a few cf the affairs were settled by the treaty of 1842, known
as the Ashburtou treaty.
37b
OREGON BEFORE CONORESS.
on the 14th of January, nothing further being done
at this session.
But at the extra session in August, Linn submitted
another resolution, that the president be requested to
give to the British government the twelve months'
notice required by the convention of 1827, of a desire
to put an end to the treaty of joint occupation of the
territory west of the Rocky Mountains. This resolu
tion was subsequently amended so as to direct the
committee on foreign relations "to inquire into the
expediency of requesting the president" to give the
notice. As the subject was permitted to drop there,
it is presumable that it was pronounced inexpedient
by tltat committee.
The president, however, in his essage to congress
December 7, 1841, recommended to its consideration
the rcporr. of the secretary of war, John C. Spencer,
a strong advocate of the occupation of Oregon,^^ who
favored extending military posts as far as the Rocky
Mountains; and who believed with John C. Calhoun
that silent emigration would do the rest, and settle all
disputes about that region.''"' On the IGth of Decem-
ber Linn P^^ain introduced a bill in the senate, the pre-
amble to which declared that the title of the United
States to the territory of Oregon was certain, and
would not be abandoned,^'' authorizing the adoption
of measures for the occupation and settlement of Ore-
"^ That part of the president's iriessage relating to the establisliinent of a
clialn of posts from the Missouri to the I'ucitic was referred to tlie committee
on military affairs, of which Pendleton of Ohio was chairman. His report,
i.'7th C'oiKj., ,.'(l Smx., Jlouxe Doc. SM), contains a review of the Oregon question
of title, an estimate of the expense of erecting forts, a description of tlie
country, a letter with information about tlie Metliodist Mission, tlie Hudson's
Bay Company, and other matters.
^'^ Xili'Ji'h'ci/., Ixviii. 102. Xikn WeeUi/ Kegisier was started in Septem-
ber 1811, at liiiltimore, Maryland, by H. Niles. It was a journal of sixteen
pages octavo, devoted to the jjublication of 'political, historical, geographical,
scientific, ;ustroiiomical, statistical, and biographical documents, essays, ami
facts, together witli notices of the arts aiul manufactures, anil a record of tlie
events of the times.' It was subsequently enliu-ged and was removed to Phil-
adelphia, where it was edited by (Jcorge Beatty. As a record of current
fVents, it sustains its character well, an<l was among the most zealous advo-
i.-ates of the United States interest in Oregon. Almost a complete history of
tlie Oregon emigrations could lie drawn froiii its pages.
•'•' Linn uud SanjeiU's IJj'c (\f Linn, 232.
FAILURE OF LINN'S BILL.
879
oon, for extending certain portions of the laws of the
United States over that territory, and for other pur-
poses, following it on the 4th of January, 1842, by a
resolution similar to that of the preceding August,
requesting the president to give notice to Great
Britain of an intention to terminate the treaty of
1 827. It was about this date that Elijah White was
urged to return to Oregon witJi all the powers the
government could at that time confer, and with assur-
jviices to the settlers on the Willamette that con-
L,^ress would remember them, and the hope expressed
tliat in the pending negotiations the Oregon boundary
might be determined, and that at all events it would
l)c determined at an early day. About this time,
iilso. Lieutenant Fremont was despatched upon an
expedition for the purpose of ascertaining the best
location for a line of military posts from tlie Missouri
River to the Rocky Mountains, and to collect infor-
mation concernhig the country on his route.
Linn's bill contained a section authorizing a line of
forts from the Missouri into "the best pass for enter-
ing the valley of the Oregon," and also a post at or
near the mouth of the Columbia River, besides one
i;ranting six hundred and forty acres of land to every
white male inhabitant of eighteen years of age or over
who should cultivate the same for five years. These
were its popular features. It also authorized and
required the president to appoint two additional In
(liau agents, with a salary of .$1,500 each, to superin
tend the interests of the United States with all the
tribes west of any agency then existing. This was
the promise of promotion held out to the Oregon sub-
JiiL^ent already appointed.^*
The bill extended the civil and crimmal jurisdiction
of the supreme and district courts of the territory of
Iowa over all the territory west of the Missouri River,
south of latitude 49°, north of the boundary of Texas,
and i^ast of the Rocky Mountains ; and also over all the
•'♦ H7(rtr'.s T<n Yiorx hi Or., 324
380
OREGON PEFOKK ^JONGRESS.
Ill
country ^roui the iiiouiitains to the ocean, between
latitudes 42" and 54°, but provided for the delivery oi'
such criminal subjects of Great Britain as niiglit be
arrested under the act, to the most convenient au-
thorities having cognizance of the offence by the laws
of that nation. Two associate justices of the su-
preme court of Iowa, in addition to those already
authorized by law, were hy the terms of the bill to be
appointed for the duties of the two judicial districts
to be organized out of the territory described, these
district courts to possess all the [)owers and authority
invested in the other district courts of Iowa, and in
like manner to appoint their clerks. The bill also
provided for justices of the peace and constables, with
power to arrest offenders. By these means it was
intended to furnish that protection which had so often
been demanded by the Oregon colonists.
The bill was referred to a select committee, who
instructed the chairman to report it back to the senate
with a reconnnendation that it pass, and it was placed
in its order on the calendar; but before it came u]>
for consideration. Lord Ashburton, the British pleni-
potentiary, arrived in Washington, and out of delicacy
as well as diplomacy, the senate refrained from any
further discussion on the subject for the time. On
the 9tli of August, 1842, the treaty framed by Lord
Ashburton and Mr Webster was concluded, and early
in the following session Linn brought up his bill,
pressing it with great ardor, and enlisting the best
talent of the senate in the debate.^'' After a heated
discussio)!, it passed the senate by a vote of twenty-
four to twenty-two, February 3, 1843, but failed in
the liouse.^^ Thus, like Fk)yd, after a struggle of
'* Calhoun, Archer, McDuffie, Crittenden, Conrad, Clioate, and BeiTieii
were ndverse to the passage of tlie bill. Benton, Young, Sevier, Buchanan,
Walker, Phelps, and Linn were its advocates. Benton said: 'I now go for
vindicating our rights on the ColuiTibia, and as the first step toward it.
passing this bill, and making these grants of land, which will soon place thirty
or forty thousand rifles beyond the Rocky Mouutoius. ' Thirty Ymm' Vieiv,ii.
470 82; Oroivr's Piildir L[ti' in Or., MS., 99.
■"^roii;/. Glolx; 1842-3, 297.
DlSArPOINTMEXI OF THE I'EOi'LE.
3t)I
years, he had the satistactioii of j^ettinijf liis measure
through tliat branch of the national lej^islature of
whicli lie was a member, thoujj^h it did not become
a law. It was Floyd's last eflbrt in congress; it was
Lum's last eliort in the senate, for he died October
3d ot that year, and before the reassembling of con-
gress.
The disappointment of the people of the western
states was great when the results of the Ash burton -
Webster treaty were made known, and it became cer-
tain that the Oregon boundary had not been touched
upon, the interest in the title increasing rather than
diminishing. President Tyler, in his message t<j con-
gress December 1842, felt called upon to apologize
for the failure. " It became manifest," he said, " at an
early hour of the late negotiations, that any attempt
for the time being satisfactorily to determine those
rights would lead to a j)i'otracted discussion which
might embrace in its failure other more pressing mat-
ters." He promised, however, not to delay urging a
settlement.
The secretary of war in his annual report expressed
himself favorable to a line of military posts, with the
avowed object of making an exhibition of strength
to influence the iiativ s, and to show an intention
to maintain the rights of the United States on the
Pacific coast; and advised the extension of their juris-
diction over the Oregon Territory; and also giving
armed protection to the citizens of the United States
already there, as well as making an appropriation to
send out a colony who were anxious tc undertake the
enterprise.'"* Resolutions of the general assemblies
^' Lewis F. Linn was born near the site of the city of Louisville, Ken-
tucky, Nov. 5, 17i)5, being a grandson of William Fiinn of the revolutionary
war, a son of wliom emigrated from Penusylvauia to 'where wild Ohio's
mighty flood rolled through Kentucky's twilight wood,' at a day when
few white people lived on the l)anks of the Belle Riviere. Linn seems to have
engaged the affections of those with whom he was associated, to a remarkable
degiee, and the eulogies pronounced at his death were uunieroue. See Liint
and Sarqent'x Life oj Liniu !W1-441.
^i^rih Comj., Sd Sem., H. Ex. Doc. 2.
382
OUEUON BEb\)UL' CONdUESS.
of Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri were forwarded to
congress, expressing tlieir faith in the validity of the
United States title to the right of domain and exclu-
sive jurisdiction between latitude 42° and 49°, urging
the immediate occu[)ation of the territory;^" ajul
instructing senators and representatives to vote for
the measure. These resolutions were read in the
senate August 31, 1843. Nine memorials were pre-
sented in December, from different parts of the
western states, asking that steps be taken for tlie
immediate occupation of Oregon. One memorial from
Ohio, presented to the house, asked permission t<>
occupy and settle " not over twenty thousand squari'
miles of land in Oregon in one body;" the settlers
not to number less than fifty men, one half of whom
nmst have families.*" The request was referred to a
special committee, who already had in hand a petition
from Illinois asking: that a section of land be granted
to every man over twenty-one years of age who should
settle in Oregon.
Petitions were received from Alabama, Iowa, Ken-
tucky, Missouri, and Indiana, of a similar nature.
Public meetings were held at Alton, Illinois, Cincin-
nati, Ohio, and at Washington City, demanding the
occupation of Oregon.*^ Hundreds of letters pouretl
in on Senator Linn, and continued up to the time of
his death to make large demands u])on his time.
Nor did these petitions and memorials cease with the
loss of Oregon's able champion. In the first session
of 1843-4 petitions of the same nature were sent in
from Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio.*" The citi-
zens of Missouri desired that an appropriation be
made for the survey and establishment of the boun-
dary of Oregon Territory, and that the jurisdictioi»
^^27th Cong., 3d Seas., Sen. Doc., iii. 158; 27f/i Cong., 3d Sens., Sen. Doc,
iv. 217; 27fJi Comj., 3d Sena., Sen. Doc., iii. 159; 27th Cong., 3d Seas., Sen.
J)oc., iii. 180.
**27lh Conij., 3d Seas., If. Jour., 260.
*^ 27lh Cong., 3d Sesa., Sen. Doc., 84; Semple's Oc<'upiUion of Oregon, 8, 9,
IS; Com/. Gld>e, 1842-3, 84, 88, 220, 2C7, 287, 340.
^^2Slh Cong., lal Sess., li. Jour., 80, 107, 270.
THE QUESTION OF TITLE.
c»f tlie United States should \)e extended over it as
soon as possible. Moore of Ohio presented in the
lower house a declaration of the citizens of the Mis-
sissippi Valley in convention assembled at Cincinnati,
on the 5th of July previous, and indeed, from this
time forward till the final settlement of the Oregon
boundary in 1 840 the agitation increased, as I have
already shown in the chapters on the Oregon title in
the second volume on the Northwest CoasfJ^
The president in his annual message to congress,
December 5, 1843, in remarking on the subject of the
Oregon boundary, announced the ultimate claim of
the United States to be to all the territory north
of 42° and south of 54^ 40' on the Northwest Coast.
Great Britain, he said, controverted this claim, and
the American minister at London, under instructions,
had again brought the subject to the consideration of
the British government. A happy termination of the
negotiations was expected; but in the mean time
many citizens of the United States were on their way
to Oregon, many were there, and others were prepar-
ing to emigrate, and he recommended the establishing
of military posts along the line of travel.
This was the first formal announcement of the in-
tention of the United States to ignore any claim of
Great Britain to territory on the Pacific; but it
quickly became the watchword of a majority of the
*' Petition of the citizens of Licking t'ounty, Ohio, urging the government
to take innnediate possession of Oregon. Com/. OUAe, 184;V-4, 82. Resolu-
tion of the legislative assembly of Ohio, to terminate the convention witli
Great Britain. JSth Comj., 2(1 tienn.. Sen. Ex. Dock., ii. 5C; with similar reso-
lutions from New Hampshire, Missouri, Illinois, anil Alabama. Resolution
of the general a.>jsembly of Indiana to the same efi'eut; 'poaceaW .1 ve can;
forcibly if we must.' 28thCoiuj., LstSm.^., H. Jour., 42.3-4; Comj. : ■ ■ lS43-4,
22G. Petition of David Newkirk and 55 others of Seneca County, Oliio, asking
ci-ngress to take measures to aid settlers in Oregon. Petiti^m of citizens of
Wayne County, Ohio, for the immediate occupation of Oregon Territory.
Tlie same from Carroll County and Medina County, that the ordinance of
1787 be extended over Oregon. Petition of the people of the state of Ohio,
that the Oregon Territory be immediately occupied. Petition of the citizens
of Ross and Pickaway counties, Oliio, praying lor a territoriiii government in
Oregon. Petition of the citizens of Oswego Cduuty, New York, for the set-
tlement of the boundary and for the protection of emigrants to Oregon.
Cong. Globe, 1843-4, 030; Id., 1844-5. 155; and probably others that have
escaped my observation.
884
OllKdON BKFOUE tON(iUEss.
i.
American pooplc, and on this issue Polk was elected
to the presidency the f'ollowinj^ year. Meanwhile con-
gress was more than cvi'r en«if}i>jfed in the discussion
of the Oregon Question and Oregon measures, a bill
for occupation hcing before both houses.
Early in the first session of the "iHth congress,
Atchison of Missouri introduced in the senate a bill
" to facilitate and encourage the settlement of the terri-
tory of Oregon," by a line of stockade or block-house
forts, n<rt over five in number, extending to the Rocky
Mountains; the erection of fortifications at the moutli
of the Columbia; a grant of six hundred and forty
acres of land to every white male inhabitant ot
eighteen years of age or upwards who should culti-
vate the same for five years; to every such cultivator
who should be married, one hundred and sixty acres
additional for having a wife; besides an equal amount
for every child he might have under the ag' •)f
eighteen years, or who might be born to him d if
the five years of occupancy and use of the land, vvi..cii
gave him title. The land should revert to heirs at
law, though nt) sale of it would be valid before the
patent issued. The territory of Oregon was declared
to comprise ail the country lying west of the Rocky
Mountains, and within the parallels of 42° and 54'
40', and the sum of $100,000 was by the bill appro-
priated t(j carry these measures into effect. After a
long discussion, during which all the old arguments,
with sundry new ones arising out of the altered con-
dition of the Oi'egon Territory through colonization,
and the alleged oppressions of the Hudson's Bay
Company, together with the attitude of England
occasioned by the proceedings of the previous con-
gress, were fully entered into, the final consideration
of the bill was postponed on account of the arrival
of a British minister to carry on negotiations on the
Oregon Question, and in the hope that the settlement
of the controversy would remove all obstacles to the
extension of jurisdiction and protection.
PROLONliEU DISCUSSION.
386
AiiotluT Will \v;is iiiin»<lu('e(l by Atchison, for
"c8tjil)lisliin<r a govermiu'iit" in tlio torritoiy of Oro-
vrou, wliicli was not })ross(.Ml to a third rcaTlinj^. A.
resolution of Allen of Ohio, requesthjg the president
to lay before the senate a copy of his instructions to
the American ininist(;r in England on the sul)ject ^f
the Oregon title, since the 4th of March, IH41, with
a copy of the cori-es[)ondenee wliicli ha<l passcul, elicit-
I'd extended debate on the- i)owers of the executive
and the senate, and was rejected by a vote of thirty-
one to fourteen. The president liad already declined
a similar request of the lower liouse as inexpedient,
owing to the pros})ect of negotiation; but the senate,
it was contendi'd by some members, had certain rights
in the matter, not to be set aside by the executive.
Another resolution by Semple "f Ilhnois, requesting
the president to give to Greni J^ritain the twelve
months' notice required, of a desire to animl the con-
vention of 1818, caused yet more discussion, ])resaging
war as it ditl, and the ri'solution was negatived by a
vote of twenty-eight to eighteen.
In the house of rei>resentatives the same topics
were prominent throughout the session. Hughes of
Missouri introduced a bill for the organization of a
territorial government,'** which being refei-red to the
committee on territories, Brown of Tennessee chair-
man, reported a bill extending the civil and criminal
jurisdiction of Iowa Territory over Oregon, as far
north as 54° 40', giving land as in the senate bill;
jiroviding for the appointment of a judge and justice
of the peace; and appropriathig $100,000 to build
forts on the road to Oregon, and within it.*^ Ten
thousand copies of the bill and report wore ordered
printed, and tliat was the end of it.
Semple of Illinois offered a resoluti(»n requesting
the president to give notice to (^reat Britain of the
intended abrogation of the treaty of 1818, at the end
**28th Com/., IM Sem., H. Jour., 1844, l()8-9.
*''<:'om/. <Hol,(\ 1848-4, .366: :iSth ('oiii/., Jxt .S'm., //. Join:, (VM).
IIisT. Or., Vol. L 2.")
336
0UP:CK)N BKFOKK (.ONGKli«.S.
i|
I
! m
of twelve months, which was referred to the commit-
tee on foreign affairs, who reported adversely, not wisli-
ing to disturb the course of international discussions by
such a step. This did not prevtsnt members from ex-
pressing their views with freedom, offering resolutions
laying claim to the whole of Oiegon, and declining to
adjourn till a territory v/as organized in that region.
The second ression of the 28th congress, 1844-5.
opened with the Oregon Question, in the form of a
resolution by Allen of Ohio, requesting the ])resideiit
to lay before the senate any instructions wliich had
been given the American minister ui England on tlic
subject, since a former correspondence, which resolu-
tion was passed by a vote of twenty-four to sixteen,
showing the progress of public sentiment among the
most conservative class. The president, however,
tliought fit to make no resiJonse; and the senate
endeavored to act witli circumspection ; wlien a bill
for establishing a government was presented by Mr
Atchison of Missouri, and referred to a select com-
mittee, who made a feint of opposing the measure by
proposing to refer to the connnittee on foreign affairs,
the attempt being defeated by a vote of twenty-four
to twenty. The president himself, in his annual mes-
sage, after informing congress that a negotiation had
been formally entered u})on between the secretary of
sta*^e, Mr Calhoun, and the nunister of (h-eat Britain
residing at Wasliingtoi», renewed tlie recommendations
in his })revious messages that congress should take!
measures to facilitate innnigration, by establishing
niihtary posts, "and make the provision of the exist-
in<^!f convention for joint ()ccui)ancv of the territory bv
sulgects of Great Britain and citizens of the United
States more available than lieretofore to the latter."
As at the former session, there were a number of
petitions to congress from the citizens antl legislatures
of several of the states, asking''** a territoi'ial govern •
*^Co>iij. GMh; ISU-Ty, 17, 155, 237, 277.
TEKKITOKIAL GOVERNMENT.
:«:
inent for Oregon, and urging the government to give
notice to Great Britain.*^
In the lower house the sentiment in favor of organ-
izing a territorial government had also much increased
during the sunnner vacation ; and when Duncan of
Ohio asked to introduce a bill for that purpose, tiic
objections were overruled by a vote of one hundred
and twenty-five to fifty three. When the bill was
reported back from its connnittee, it met little opposi-
tion, and was finally passed February 3, 1845, by a
vote of one hundred and forty to fifty-nine. Then
it was sent to the senate, and adopted by the select
committee in place of the Atchison bill, but being
])()stponed when on the point of a vote, failed for want
of time.
The efiect of the objections to the Oregon bills
defeated at the previous session was apparent in tlu'
bills offered at this, Atchison's bills enacted that a
tein))()rary government,**^ with a governoV to remain
in office five ye;\rs, and other officers necessary to a
])roper administration of law should be provided for ;
with a legislative boJy consisting of the governor and
judges, ail of whose acts should be transmitted to the
secretary of state of the United States by the secre-
tary of Oregon every six months, to be annually laid
before congress. The governor was made connnander-
in-cliief of the militia, with ])o\ver to a])])oint both
niilitary and civil officers, and lay off districts for civil
and military ])in'poses. As socui as there should be
*' The legislature of Maine claimed the whole Oregon Territory up to CA^
40', and closed a lonj^ series of resolutions with this f)ne: 'That our senators
in congress he instructed, and our reinvsenlutives he re(iuested, to use tlieir
l)est exertions tosecu.e the annexation of Texas to tlie United Stales, and tlie
occupation of Orego'i, in co.ii<.rnuty with the foregoing rcsolutious.' Texas
was at tliis juncture fre(jueiitly in the 'resolutions' hotli in a.>d out of con-
gre:is, and was really one olistac e to the suciess of the Oregon nie'isures; as
the southern states cared more for its annexation than for the occupation of
Oregon. As tliu annexation of Tex.;s seemed more prohaMo, it was endeavored
hy coupling to carry the Oregon measuii;. See resolution of the legislature of
New Hampsliiro, Coikj. (llnhf, 1S44-'), p. !()<»; of Ohio, p. M^s.
**\i is rernarkahle that no allusion is made in the dehates to a temporary
government already existing in Oregon, of whicli information nmst have l)ecn
ohtained, otiicially or othurwi'io. Elijah \\lute certainly reported on tlie
suhject.
fl fl
388
OREGON liKFORE CONGRESS.
five tliousaiid free white male inhabitants over twenty
one years of age citizens of the United States, they
might elect a legislature, one representative for every
five hundred voters, to serve for two years ; the legis-
lature to consist of a council and house of representii-
tives, the council to consist of five members, electefl
by the whole legislative body, to serve five years ; the
president of the United States to have power to re-
move any member; the assembly to have power to
make laws for the territory, not conflicting with the
laws of the United States, the veto power being abso-
lute in the governor. A delegate to congress, witii
the right of debate only, should b(i elected immediately
upon the aj)pointment of a governor, the latter being
also superintendent of Indian affairs. Tlie bill provided
also for a line of stockade forts and block- houses to the
South Pass, and a fort at the mouth of the Columbia.
The grant of land to settlers was promised ' hereafter ;'
six hundred and forty acres to every white male in-
habitant over eighteen, one hundred and sixty acres
to the wife of every married man, and the same
quantity to the father for each child under eighteen
already in existence, or who should be born within
five years after his settlement on a land claim. The
president was authorized and recpiii-ed to appoint two
additional Indian agents besides the governor. The
territory over which this form of governnunt was to
be extended was confined to tlu' limit of 41)^. I have;
given this abstract of Atchison's bill to show tJie
gradual i)rogress toward the idi'a of a government for
Oregon, in spite of the international question in the
40
way
The bill which passed in the house, while claiming
the Oregon Territory to 54" 40', contained several
clauses intended to guard it against the charge of
ignoring the treaty obligations of the United States,
li ij
*^ I liavt' another ohject— to give tho gradual growtli of the ilonatioii land
law, tlie chief new feature in this bill being that ItK) acres were given to the
wife, instead of to the liusbaiid.
NO SLAVERY.
389
British subjects arrested within the territory were to
be delivered to the nearest British tribunal, up to a
period twelve months after the United States should
have served a notice on Great Britain of abrogation
of the treaty. It was provided that the future grants
of land contempiated by the act should be subject to
the settlement of the title with Great Britain, and
the extinguishment of tlie Indian title; also, that
nothing in the act should be ccmstrued as closing or
obstructing any of the navigable waters within the
limits of the t(irritory organized by the bill, or any
part of the country claimed by either g(>vernment on
the Northwest Coast, against the vessels, citizens, or
subjects of (;rreat Britain.''" As an indication of the
growing im])ortance of another question which was to
enter as a factor into the destiny of Oregon, Win-
throp of Massachusetts proposed as an amendment a
jjroviso "that there shall be neither slavery nor invol-
untary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than
in the punishment of crimes, whereof ^ e party shall
have been duly convictijd." But already the provis-
ional government of the Oregon colony entertained
the principle of a free state. And the p(M)ple of
Oregon were, for obvious reasons, l^ettor off' with
their simple organization than they would have been
had either of these acts passed.
It is not necessary to the pnrj^oses of this history
to pursue the action of congress through the 2i)th
session. It was a [)eriod of great excitement and in-
creased freedom of ex})ressioii. President Polk in his
message declared that "beyond all (|uestion, the pro-
tection of our laws, and our jurisdiction, civil and
criminal, ought to be innnediately extended over our
citizens in Oregon." The legislative committee of Ore-
gon for 1845 memorialized congress upon the subject
of their temporary organization, reciting the griev-
^ Under this law MuLouglilin's claim at Oregon City would have been
ivspected
3>f
I [t<i
r
I b
u
300
OREGON BEFORE CONGRI'.SS.
ances under which they labored, in terms very differ-
ent from those heretofore employed in the memorials
from Oregon.
A bill from the house committee on territories, of
which Douglas of Illinois was chairman, " to protect
the rights of American settlers in the territory of
Oregon," was passed on the 18th of April, 1846, but
after frequent postponements failed in the senate.
At length, on the Gth of August, congress received
official notification of the settlement of the Oregon
boundary at the 49th parallel, together with a strong
recommendation by the president that lil)eral land
ffrants should be made to the Orejjon settlers without
delay. It might have been believed that the defining
of a boundary was the oidy tiling lacking to forwartl
the establishment of a territory on the Columbia
River, instead of whicli, however, it was made the
excuse to avoid it by those senators who were dis-
satisfied with the relinquishment of the territory
between latitudes 49° and 54° 40'."^ Hence little that
should have been done for Oregon at tliis session was
done; and liere I leave congress, and return to the
afl[airs of the countrv.
*'Hannigaii of ludicana said: 'If moiisiires were to 1)e passed relating to
Oregon, as a matter of course they n»uat expect a debate upon t'.iat conven-
tion [treaty of 184()J, wliieh he wouhl take tliis occasion to say was neither
more nor less tlum a convention for the joint occupation of Ovegou south >)f
the 40th degree of latitude — a convention which had ceded to tlu; HudsonV
Bay Company in perpetuity the navigation of the (."olundjia River. It was a
convention for tlie joint occupation of Oregon soutii of 4'.*', while l)efore we
held as far north as 54' 40'. He repeated tiiat tiiose who were opposed to
the convention desired to be lieard in reference to it, in an ai)peal to their
constituents and to the country.' Alh'n of Ohio trust(^<l the law of Oregon
Territory would be ' so framed as to prevent any man who held allegiance to
the British crown from holding an acre of lan<l in fee-simple in tliat territory.
He wanted uo British sul)ject to possess any rights within our territory there.
He wanted to legislate the Hudson's Bay Company out of the territory, and
that im speedily as possible.' Coinj. Ololit, 1S45-0, IIDS-'J.
CHAPTER XV.
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1843.
KFFKCr OF C'ONORESSIONAL DlSCtrssroN AND MiSSIONAKY AoiTATION — FlOTK-
ISO TO THE KkNDKZVOUS — ORGANIZATION — DISAFFECTION AND DIVIS-
ION — Names of the Emigrants — The Lioht Column and the Cow
Column — Along the Plaite — At Fort Hall — Whitman's Doings —
On to the COLIMHIA AND DOWN THE KlVER — PoLU'Y OF THE HuDSON's
Bay Company — It is Better to Sell oh Oive than Temfi' the New-
comers TO Take by Force — The Ai'I'legates — Other Bioorafhrai,
Notices.
The discussions in congress, and the popularity of
Linn's bill with the niissionary eftbrts lierein narrated,
resulted in a })r()nounced emigration movement. It
l)egan in 1842, when a hundred persons followed
Elijah White westward. Tlie conclusion of the Asli-
burton tn^aty in August, althougli it disappointed the
people by not settling the Oregon boundary, was an
indication that further amicable arrangements might'
be made in tlie near future, besides removing the
obstruction in congress to the passage of Linn's bill.
Tliere was at tliis time a large body of men in the
western l)order states wlio were dissatisfied witli their
condition as a })i'oducing community without a market.
Tlie era of raih'oads liad not yet dawned. New
Orleans was the only outlet f<tr the country border-
ing on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and this
market was glutted.' The United States had no
'WaUlo says that .Fesac Applogatc, his ni'ighhor in St Chiir County,
Missouri, soM a stuanihoat loact ol "hauou and hinl tor SHH1; tliat hacon WfW
iisdd for fuel on the MissiHsipjii boats, and that wliin lie came to Oregoa he
did not tattenipt to sell Ids land, hut simply abandoned it. (Jriliiiins, MS.. 9-
10. Burnett's account of why he left Missouri eonfinua this statvnieiit.
watf hopelessly in debt. Ilccolkctioiii of a I'ioittcr, Uti,
He
I
I' ('
1 ;■
39*2
THE I.MMKHIATION OF 1843.
commerce which could reheve this plethora of pro-
ilucttioii ; and to make matters worse, these laiidsnvcre
about to come into market, and their occupants could
not })ay for them. Tiiis state of affairs among a bod}'
of men whose fathers had emigrated step by step from
the Atlantic seaboard to the Missouri frontier; wlio
Jiad fouglit the savages and the British, and feared
iieither man nor devil; who were democrats or whigs
upon principle, loved politics, and were intensely patri-
otic; who would march across a continent to assert
American rights, and rather sought than avoided a
contest — to men so strong, restless, aggresive, the
<'ondition of affairs on the Mississippi and Missouri
borders from 1841 to 1845 was intolerable. And to
these, statesmen addressed themselves through Linn's
bill, by talking of lands which should be ample and
free in Oregon.
The land in itself might be little temptation after
their ex})erience in mid-continent, but the idea of sea-
board was attractive, includmg as it did the dream
of conmiercial relations with the islands of the Pacific
and with China, To found a new state on these
shores, in direct comnmnication with the most popu-
lous nations of the globe, was the ambition .awakened
in them by the frequent reports received from travel-
lers and missionaries of the natural resources and
favorable situation of the Oreijfon Territory. "'
It- ^1
'^ In evidence of this is a letter from P. L. Edwards at Richmond, Mis-
souri, to .T. M. IJacou of Liberty, (Uited Septuuilier 184'2. Edwards begins
by apoloyiziiiy; for not having sooner rejilied to Bacon's inquiries concerning
Oregon, and (leprecates taking upon himself the responsibility of giving ad-
vice in a matter of so nuicli importance as that of the emigratio" of a coh>ny
across the jdains to the sliore of tlie Pacitic, Ho then proceeds: 'You asii
for information in regard to tlie route and outlit of emigrants. In reply, I
can nicommeml no other than that usually taken by traders anil trappers,
with occasional deviations which it would be useless to endeavf.i to point out
on paper. I mean the route up the south Platte, a short distance above the
junction of the north and south forks; thence up the north fork until you
have travelled soine li or 8 days within the first range of mountains,
called the Black Hills; thence to the Colorado cif the \\' est; and thence to
Fort Hall on Lewis River by the way of Bear River.' In answer to the cpies-
tion if the journey could be made in wagons, he sai<l that wagons could be
taken two thirds of the way, but not farther; and that lie should always
prefer horse.?; and gave some ailvice about provisions, and the size of tho
tiATHElilNO" OF THE COMPANIES.
303
Early in the spring of 1843, or as soon as tlie grass
began to grow, ])roniptly, without preconcert, but as
if by appointment, emigrants from every part of Mis-
souri and the neighboring states were on the roads
to the usual rendezvous in the vicinity of Indepen-
dence. Their wagons were drawn by two or three or
live yokes of oxen; on the covers were the words
"For Oregon," and their innnense herds of cattle
filled the highways. Many of them had been neigh-
bors at home, and often families of brothers, with
their wives and little ones, constituted a colony. At
all events they had now one common interest in the
necessity for mutual aid and protection in the long
journey before them. By the middle of May it was
thought time to take action as a body, and on the 20th
a meeting was held at Fitzhugh's mill, twelve miles
west of Independence, to complete an organization.
Here met for the first time men from Arkansas, Ken-
tucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. There
was a large company from what was known as the
Platte Purchase in the latter state, under the leader-
ship of Peter H. Burnett of Weston. Another
com|)any was fr-om St Clair County, and was led by
Jesse Ap})legate, his brothers Lindsey and Charles,
and Daniel AWddo. A California party, under Joseph
B. Chiles, was from the south-east portion of the
state. Other parties,^ under T. D. Kaiser, Jesse
vessel, as tlie ship would be of use after arrival, eiiahliiig tlieiii to open com-
iiieroe at ouce with the Islamls. Ho gave a lengthy and particular descrip-
tii)U of the country, and expressed the opinion that it was not a better one
than Missouri, hut was more thought of hy eastern tlian hy western men.
F.ilicnrilx' Skclrli of Qn<ioii, MS. As tlie nai.io of l)r liacon does not mcur
anmng tlie emigrants to Oregon of 18-13, it would .seem that the encourage-
ment given hy Mr Edwanls was not considered sullicient.
^No complete record of those who composed the iiuniigratiou of 1843 is in
existence. .1. W. Nesmith, a young man from .Maine, mIio was elected
orderly sergeant, with the duties of adjutant, made a roll of the male nieni-
hers of tlie company capable of bearing arms, including all almvo ](> years
of age. This roll, after 32 years hail elapsed, was lead before the Ore-
gon Pioneer Association at its third annual reunion in I ST"), by its author,
t ff
^U
rf:t
i^ 'II
V:
1 'I
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1843.
Looriey, and Daniel Matheney, swelled the army to
nearly a thousand persons, although the 'fighting
who requested the sun'ivors present to answer to the'r names 'as present for
duty,' when 13 t)uly responded.
The Oregon Pioneer Association has been of much benefit to the author of
this liistory. P'or a nuniliur of years a desire had existed for such an associa-
tion in the Willanictte Valley, and some preliminary movement lia<l been
made toward collecting reminiscences of the early history of the country.
The first meeting was hehl on the call of a few persons, at Butteville in
Marion County, on the ISthoi October, 1873, when a constitution was adopted,
and the following board of executive officers elected; F. X. Matthieu, jiresi-
«lent; J. W. Grim, vice-president; W. H. Rees, secretary; and Eli C. Cooley,
treasurer. The seconil meeting was lield at Aurora, not far from Butteville —
botli towns being on the old Frencli Prairie, where the events recorded in
tlie previous cliapter liad taken place — on the 10th of June, 1874, when 45
names were enrolled. The Jissociation lias now upon its roll hundreds of
names, and its T mimaction-t, published annually, fxiruish nuich interesting
matter. In using these pioneer reminiscences, however, it is necessary, where
tlie matter is of any historic importance, to verify it by collateral evidence of
an earlier date, for experience proves that no memory is infallible, and that
most incidents intrusted to memory, of which no record has been preserve<l by
the inilividual, are unreliable in detail, even when the general facts are correct.
The names on the sergeant's roll constituting the imnugration of 1843 we: :
Jesse Applegate, Charles Applegate, Lindsey Applegate, James Athey, Wu-
liam Athey, John Atkinson, AVilliam Arthur, Robert Arthur, David Arthur,
Amon Butler, George Brooke, Peter II. Burnett, David Byrd, Thomas A.
Brown, Alexander Blevins, John P. Brooks, Martin Brown, Orris Brown,
George Black, J. P. Black, Samuel Black, Layton Bane, Andrew J. Baker,
John G. Baker, William Beagle, Levi F. Boyd, William Baker, Nicholas
Biddle, (Jeorge P. Beale, James Braidy, fieorge Beadle, Thomas Boyer, Board-
man, Louis Bargcriu, William Baldridge, Feudal C. Cason, James Cason,
AVilliam Chapnuin, John Cox, Jacob Champ, L. C. Cooper, James Cone,
Moses Childers, jNIiles Carey, Thomas Cochran, L. Clymour, John Copen-
havcr, J. H. (Jaton, Alfred Cliappel, Daniel Cronin, Samuel Cozine, Bene-
dict Costable, .Joseph B. Chiles, Ransom Clark, Jolni G. Campbell, Chap-
nuin, Jauies Chase, Solomon l)od<l, William C. Dement, W. P. Dough-
erty, William Day, James Duueaii, Jacob Dorin, Thomas Davis, Daniel
Delaiiey, Daniel Delauey, Jr, William Dclaney, William Doke, J. H. Davis,
Burrell Davis, (}eorge Dailey, John Doherty, V. W. Dawson, Charles H.
Eaton, Nathan Eaton, James Etehell, Sol';iiion Emerick, John W. Eaker,
E. G. Eilson, Miles Eyres, Jolm W. East, Nii< .won Evermau, Nineveh Ford,
Ephraim Ford, Nimrod Ford, .lohn Ford, Alexander Francis, Abner Frazier,
AN'illiam Frazier, William Fowler, Wm J. Fowler, Henry Fowler, Stephen
Fairly, Charles E. Fendall, John Gantt, Chiley B. Gray, Enoch Garrison,
J. M. Garrison, W J. Garrison, William (ianlner, Goodell, Samuel CJard-
ner, S. M. Gilmore, Richard Goodman, Major William (Jilpin, Gray, B.
Haggard, II. H. Hide, William Holmes, Riley A. Holmes, Richard Hobson,
.Fohn Hobson, William Hobson, J. J. Hembre, James Heinbre, W. C. Hem-
1)ie, Andrew Hembre, A. J. Hembre, Samuel B. Hall, James Houck, W. P.
Hughes, Abijah Heiulnck, James Hays, Thomas J. Hensley, B. Holley,
Henry H. Hunt, S. ^l. Holdcrness, I. C. Hutchins, A. Husted, Joseijli Hess,
Jaco!) Haun, Jacob Hovfell, William Howell, Wesley Howell, G. W. Howell,
Thomas E. Howell, Henry Hill, William Hill, Almoran Hill, Absalom V.
Hedges, Henry Hewett, William Hargrave, A. Hoyt, John Holnuin, Daniel
S. Holu an, B. Harrigaa, Calvin James, John B. Jackson, John Jones, Over-
ton Johnson, Thomas Kaiser, J. B. Kaiser, Pleasant Kaiser, Kelley, Kelsey,
Solomon King, W. H. King, A. L. Lovejoy, Edward Lennox, E. Lennox,
Aaron Liiyson, Jesse Looney, John E. Lf)ng, H. A. (J. Leo, F. Lugur, Lewis
Linenbarger, John Liuenbargur, Isa;ic Liiswell, J. Loughborough, Miiton
THE LEADERSHIP.
395
men' over sixteen years of age were less than three
hundred.''
The reader is hy this time famihar with the cross-
ing of the plains. This body adoj)ted the usual rules,
May 20th, and on reaching the Kansas Kiver organ-
ized by electing Peter H. Burnett captain, and J. W.
Nesniith orderly sergeant. Nine councilnien were
chosen to assist in settling questions, and Captain
John Gantt, a former army officer, now a 'mountain
man,' engaged to conduct the company to Fort Hall.
The 1st of June was at hand, and late for a start
Little, Luther, Jolm T«iU(ler(l;ili', Mc(!ei.', Win .L Martin, James Martin,
.lulius Martin, Mu('lellaii(L F. Mct'lellaiid, John B. Mills, Isaac Mills,
William A. Mills, Owen -Nlills, O. W. McOarey, (Gilbert Mondon, Daniel
Matlieney, Adam Matlieiiey, J. N. Matheney, Josiah Matheney, Henry
Matheiiey, A. J. Mastire, .Fohn McHaley, Jacob Myres, John Manning,
James Alanning, M. M. McCarver, (k'orge McC'orcle, William Mays, Elijah
Millieaii, William MuDaniel, D. ^IcKissic, Madison Malone, John B. Me-
Claiie, William Manzee, Jolm McLitiro, Jackson Moore, W. J. Matney,
.r. W. Nesmitli, W. T. Newby, Noah Newman, Thomas (i. Xaylor, Neil
".^V^.O, .". ... *vw..^.^*«, ..(........ .*..^.o.,*», .-.^V.l.^.J
llol)erts, (i. W. Rice, John Richardson, Daniel Ricl'.anlson, I'iiilip Rnbj',
.Folin Hicord, .laeol) lleid, .John Roe, Solomon Roberts, Kmseley Roberts,
• losepli Rossin, Thomas Rives, Tliomas H. Sinitli, Thoiiuis Siiiitli, Ls.uic
W, Smith, Anderson Smith, Ahi Smith, Robert Smitli, Kh Smith, Samuel
Smallman, William Siieldon, V. (1. Stewart, Nathaniel K. ("itton, C Stini-
morman, C. Sharp, W. V. Summers, Henry Sewell, Henry Stout, (leorge
Sterling, Stout, Stevenson, James Storey, Swil't, .loiiii M. .'•^hively. Saniuel
Sliirley, Alexander Stouglitoii, t'liauncey Spenser, Hiram Siraii'ht, D. Sum-
mers, (leorge Summers, Cornelius Stringei', ('. W. Strimjor, Lindsey Tharii.
Jolm Thompson, I). Traiufir, Jeniiiiiah Teller, Stt'|)lien Tarl/ox, John Uni-
iiicker, Samuel Vance, William Vaughn, (ieorge Vernon, .Fames Wilmont,
William H. Wilson, J. W. Wair, Archibahl Winkle, Edward Williams, H.
Wheeler, John Wagoner, Benjamin Williams, David Williii.ins, William
Wilson, Joini Williams, .lames William.s, S(]uire AV'illianis, Isaac Williams,
l. B. Waril, .htmes White, .John Watson, .lames Waters, William Winter,
Daniel Waldo, David Waldo, William Waldo, Alexati(ler Zachery, .loiin
Zaeliery.
* ' Between oOO and 700 souls in all, and 1 l.S wagons." Ford'.-i RomI-)ii ih'i:^,
MS., 3. 'One thousaiul persons, with \'20 wagons, ami .jjOOO cattle.' .l2»j'/('-
Hiiten Vifirs, MS., 4. 'Al)out 800,' Burnett thought; (ireenhow places the
number at 1,0(M). J/inL Or. and (Jul., 'Ml. M. C. ¥., in Xilis If,;/., l.xv. 70,
says there were iM)0. McLcmghlin, wlio was very accurate in all matters which
lie was obliged to report, put the immigration of IS4.'< at ^I't men, women, and
children.' I'dvalc Pajx')", MS., '2d ser. 51. MeC'lane, however, says there
were !)9l) of whom he once had a list: so that there is a discrepancy, even after
ileducting the Caliornia company which turneil ofl" at Fort Hall and the otlier
losses. .\lc('l(Vics FirM WdijoH Tniiii, MS,, II.
in
30(i
THE IMMKiUATlOX OK l-H4;t.
i
for Ore«(oii with ox-wajjfons, but the spring' liaci Ik'oii
baekwuril. Now, liowovor tlio woatlior was fine, and
tlio road good. All went wi.'ll cxcoj)t regulation affairs,
wjiicli became so complicated and trying that Burnett
resigned the command after eiglit days of service,
William Martin being elected in ids place. The resig-
nation of a captain on account of insubordination or
inattention to rules probably effected a ])aitial reform,
for Martin seems to have remained in ofiice. It was,
however, found so difficult to direct or control so large
a body of })et)ple united by no further interest than a
common destination, that a division into two columns
was effected, on the Big Blue River; one wing con-
sisting of that division which was unencumbered with
herds, being called the 'light colunm,' and the <jther,
of wliich Jesse Applegate took command, being de-
nominated the 'cow colunm.'' These two divisions
travelled within supporting distance only, in order not
to interfere with each other's comfort or convenience,
as far as Independence Rock.
Dragging themselves along in the hot summer sun-
shine, few incidents enlivened the way, until towanl
the last of June the buffalo country was reached, where;
it was expected to obtain abundance of game; but a
hunting expedition from New^ Orleans having preceded
them, tlie buffaloes wvre driven from the line of travel."
]3uring the first five days of July the south branch
of the Platte was crossed, in ferry-boats 'nade of
wagon-boxes over which the green hides of bufi'aloes
had been sti'etched and dried. At Fort Laramie, where
the light column arrived on the 14tli, a few days were
taken to repair wagons, and purchase, at extortionate
prices, some additional su])plies. Ten days later the
*8ee ' A "Day vitli the Cow Column,' in Omrland Montlili/, i. 127.
* WidiloK<riH'iiii.<, MS., 18; Kaixer'.i Niir., MS., 3. Tlio hunting party was
lioaded hy Captain Stuart, often mentioned. He was accompanied hy the
editor of the X. <>. Phuiitm, M. (,'. Field. Tlie Jesuits, Do Vos and Hoecken,
(111 tlieir way to tlie Flathead country, were also with tlie liunters as, far as tlie
Rocky Mountains. Nitcx' Jfei/., Ixv. 71, 214. Burnett erroneously states that
one of these priests was Do Sniet; but De Smet was then on his way to
Europe. A'ecolli'C/ion.s, 10*2.
NOTABLE MEN.
307
north branoli was? t'onk-d. Four days more of travel
brouglit them to the Sweetwater, and on the 3d of
August tlie snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains
came in sight.
Up to tliis time everything had gone well; the
company retaining its original immher, save five,
who turned back at the first crossinu' of the Platte.'
But on the 4th of August, Clayborne Payne died of
fever, and was buried besidi; the road, the funeral
services being conducted by a Methodist preacher
named Garrison. At the Big Sandy, a tributary of
Green River, died Mr Stevenson, August 9th. Con-
sidering the number of persons on the march, and the
privations incident to camp life, the health of the
emigrants was lemarkably good, sickness and the disath
i-ate being scarcely greater than in a conununity of the
same size in towns. There were births as well as
deaths. Many an emigrant to Oregon first saw the
Hght beneath a canvas tent on the roadside.^
No difficulty occurred with the natives; the num-
bers present, and recollections of chastisement a few
years previous, by Captain Bennett Riley, with his
artillery, deterring them from predatory or hostile
acts." After passing Independence Rock caution was
considered necessary, and the two principal divisions
were broken into smaller companies for greater con-
venience.^'^ Likewise this was a pleasant arrangement,
as leading raen now found themselves at the head of
tlie smaller divisions, and associated with those of con-
genial habits. Friendships were formed and cemented
which lasted through life, surviving all the struggles
and changes of the founding of a new empire."
1.,".;
i.iif ■'
V.lf
' Nicholas Biddle, Alexander J-'rancis, F. Lwgiir, John Loughborough, and
.Tackson Moore. Or. Pioneer .'l*soc., Traii.t., 1875, 53.
^ Applegnie, in Orerland Mont/il;/, i. 131.
" /iurneU\i liecolkeUoiut, 114. This was the first instance of their iising
cannon against the Indians.
^"Mien' lieij., Ixv. 168.
"Burnett, who left Oregon in 1848, has told me of the meeting between
himself and Jesse Applegate, in San Francisco, after more than 20 years of
separation, wlieu they 'embraced each other with tears.'
T}IM IMMir.RATION OF 1843.
Aiiioni^ those wlio kept tlie load was Thomas J J.
Kaiser, wlio'" was amoii«if tlie first to arrive at (ireen
Riv'er, and the Hrst also to leave it for Fort Hall.
Another impatient to reat;h his destination was J. B.
McClane.'^'
A l)arty was formed of these and others, with JJr-
WhitDian, who had joined the emigration on the
Platte River, also anxious to reach his home, and to
gi't news of his family and affairs at the fort, where
he was likely to meet Cayuses and Nez l^erees. At
Green Kiver they leanu'd that the Jesuits, De Vos
and Hoecken, had, by mi'ans of their Flathead pilot,
discovered a pass throui^h the mountains to Soda
Si)riniii8, hy way of Fort j^ridn'cr, on tln^ Black branch
of (Ireen Kiver, a cut-ofi* which saved considerable
distance, information of which Whitman communi-
cated to the companies by a hitter left at Green River.
That the road in tlu; lear was, for a natural one, ex-
cellent, is evidenced by the fact that the ox-tcanis
made an average of thirteen i.iiles a day for the whole
distance fron) the Sweetwater to Fort Hall, wheic
the rear arrived the last of August, the advance hav-
ing waited for them to come up. At this jdace died
Daniel Richardson; and here also was found Lovejoy,
who had come across from Bent Fort during the sum-
'Trom Kaiser's Xarnttive, ■x valual)le manuscript, penned by himself, 1
obtain the main biographical facts of liims(ilf and his family, with their
immigration to Oregon. Mr Kai.ser .seems to !iave been a representative
wt'stern man; vigorous, courageous, frank, ai.d indepeiulent. He was born
in Huidier County, Nortli Carolina, where he married Miss Mary (iirley, hy
wliom lie had 10 chihU-en, 3 sons and 5 daughters. In 1828 he removed
to (Hies County, Tennessee, and in 18.'W to Van Buren County, Arkan.sas,
where he remained until 1842, wlien lie started witli liis family for Oregon;
but arriving too late to join Wldte's emigration, he renewed the attempt
with success the following year. He died in .lune 1871, aged 78 years. Tlie
narrative contains also some account of the Oregon rangers and otlier colonial
matters. Anotlier manuscript, by liis son, ]'. C. Kaiser, entitled T/ic Eniij/nnil
/'(Ml)/, deals more witli recollections of tlie journey to Oregon, and supplies
several facts omitted liy the fatlier.
"John Burch Mc(iaue left I'liiladelphia in 1842, and 'went west' In
the following spring lie determiiud to go to the limit of western territory.
Like Kaiser, he Wivs ambitious to hv in tlie lead, and disputes M'ith liim the
honor of ' breaking the first sagedirush west of Fort Mall. His manuscriiit,
called Firs/ U'oi/on Train, deals chiefly with the immigration, and adventures
in California, after the gold discovery, with some remarks upon missionary
monopoly.
ON THK WKSIKHN SI.Ol'K.
:{!•".•
inor to be ready to join Whitman on his return t*)
Oregon.
At Fort Hall tliti\' was the usual discussion upon
(•lifi!!;:^ing from waj^ons to jtack-animals, it lK>in<^ finally
decided to retain the wagons, as there were men
enough to make a n»a«l when.' none (existed. The
chief ohjection was the latcMiess of the season. In
their councils, both (inint of Fort Hall and Whitman
were consulted. Whih^ admitting that tlu; wagons
might he taken to the Columhia Jliver, (irant ac-
knowledged that ho did not know how it c(»uld ])e
done, as he had tra\'c;lled onlv hv the ])ack-tniil ; hut
Whitman, from Newell's experience, believed that a
wation road was feasibk', and encoura<;cd the cmiij^rants
to decide in favor of the undi'rtaking.
It had been the intcnition of the cnnigrants to take
their wagons to the Columbia. They would open the
way, and show congress that the enterprise which the
ii'overnment was so slow to undertake was not bcv()n<l
the ability of private individuals. But they miscal-
culated distance and obstacles, and found, when the
Rocky Mountains Avere passed, that with foot-sore
cattle and worn-out horses, they had still the most
trying part of the journey before them; and there-
upon doubts began to assail them of the wisdom of
attempting to carry out their original i)lan of making
a road to the Pacific, with the I'isk of being caught in
the storms of autumn amon*'- the mountains, and hav-
ing to abandon their property there.
Yet upon mature deliberation, with the spirit that
impelled them to set out as founders of empire, they
persevered in their determination to reach the Colum-
l)ia Kiver with all their wagons and herds. In coming
to this conclusion thev wen- influenced l)y the advice
of Whitman, and the encouragement of William Fow-
ler, one of the emigrants who had been in Oregon
before. Fowler was a wi'stern man, and understood
nmch better than Whitman what ox-teams could do.^^
^* Apple<iate'i< Marginal Note«, MS., 289-90.
II
400
THE IMMIURATION OF 1843.
A pilot was nocessaiy, and Remoau, a guide of the
Hudson's Bay Company, ottered liis services, whicli
were however declined in favor of Wliitnian, who
deemed himself competent, with the help of his
Cayuses,'"' to act as guide. A route was marked out
with the assistance of Remeau, on which distances,
camping-places, and other useful information were
earefully noted; and having repairt'd their wagons,
and purchased sucli supplies as were necessary, after a
week or ten days of rest they resumed their march.
There was no regular organization after leaving Fort
Hall. A few of the least encmnhered took the lead,
on horseback. The California company, liaving aban-
doned their wagons, were now mounted, with a train
i)f pack-animals, and were among the foreuKJst, their
pilot, William J. Martin, conductuig the Oregon enii-
grati')n also, as far as the turn of the road toward
California, in the vicinity of the American Falls of
Snake River. ^^ From this point Whitman assumed
tlie duties of guide, conducting the immigrants down
Siiakc River to the Salmon Falls, where the river was
crossed in safety by all except Miles Eyres, a Seotci'.-
man who was riding a mule, and who missed the
shallow water of the ford and v-as drowned, M. M.
McCarver who was in the lead with a small company,
lis they approaclied the falls was staitled by what he
mistook for a red llai>'. Thinkhijx there miijfht be
liostile Indians in the vicinity, ho fornx^d his men for
batth', and marching up to the red signal, discovered
it to be a large salmon split open and lioisted on a
pole to notify travellers that there were fish for sale.
Thus the danger and difficulties of this portion of tiie
journey disappeared on approach.
'* McClaue says the Indians met 1 >r Whitman at Fort Hall, ' with supplies,
prol.ably sent by liis associates. FirM Woium Tniin, MS., 3.
'"The names of tlio.se wlio went to California were T. B. Chiles, W. J.
Martin, .hilius .Martin, John (lantt, Milton Little, J. Atkinson, V. W. Daw-
son, V. McC'lelhuul, .lohn Mclntire, .John Williams, Scjuire Williams, Isaac
Williams, 1'. B. Reading, Samut^l J. Hensley, Mc(tee, and Boardman. Or.
I'ioiwer AfiMf., Tnnm., 1875, 53; FonVs liowl-ruakcr-i, MS., 5; Frimont's E.r-
ylor. Ex., 10(i.
AT GRAND ROND VALLEY.
401
From Salmon Falls the route lay across an expanse
of sage plains to Fort Boise. A pa.rty, consisting of
Whitman and his nephew, Lovejoy, Ricord, and Nini-
rod Ford, pn.shed forward, leaving written notices by
the way of the course to be taken by the wagons,
which canio after at a rate of thirteen miles a day^
notwithstanding the toughness of the artemisia and
the depth )f the sand. At Fort Boise they were
ki idly received by Payette, but could not tarry, aa
it was already the 20tli of Se^)tember. Fording the
Snake River, where it has sincv^ been found necessary
to have a ferry, by raising the wagon-beds a few inches
on blocks, they reached the wrst side in safety. Fol-
lowing down the river, encoup ocring no serious obstruc-
tions for three days, they re iched on the 24th Burnt
River Canon, twenty-tiv miles in length, through
which ran a small stream whose bed was used for a
road for the greater pari of the way, there being no
time to clear away from the banks the masses of fallen
and 1)urnt trees from which the river was named. ^'
Tlie first grading re(juired on any part of the route
from the main Platte to tlie Columbia was at the
crossing of tlie ridge at the head of Burnt River; and
this, too, was the first occasion on which it had been
necessary to double teams.^** From this point the
toils of travel increased, the country being rough and
hilly. Nevertheless by the 1st of October the main
body of the immigration had arrived at Grand Rond
Valley, which appeared so l)eautifui, set in its envi-
roning pine-clad hills, with its rich pasturage and
abundajit watercourses, that a })ortion of the immi-
grants were deterred from settling there only by the
impossibility of obtaining supplies for the colony dur-
iiiij: the coming winter. On the Viiorning of the 2d
two inches of snow whitened the mountain sides, and
warned the travellers not to waste piecious time. On
IZ]
^' Mrnnu'x Fh-Mf ]V<t,jon Trai,,, MS., 4; Kaker's Nar., MS., 4, 5; Bur-
iwH\ llv.colkctionx, VIA.
'Tonl'x h'oml-vKfkerM, MS., 10.
Ili>-T. On., Viii,. I. ■>(<
402
THE IMAUGRATION OF 1843.
the evening of the 3d the first ridge had been crossed;
and beyond tliis was still the main cliahi of the Blue
Mountains covered with heavy timber which it viaa
imperative to remove. As the sappers and miners of
a military legion precede the army, a force of the
most active and enertjetic of the emifjrant legion fell
upon these barriers to progress, and although their
axes were dulled by a sunmier's use, and their hands
were sadly blistered, forty men in five days cleared a
wagon-road over the dreaded Blue Mountains,^" the
wagons and herds following as the road was opened,
boys and v;omen driving the teams whose owners
were clearing the way.^" On the 5th, and while the
innnigration was in the mountains, a severe snow-storm
was experienced, which made the beautiful valley
of the Umatilla River thrice beautiful bv contrast,
when the travellers arrived on the evening of the Gtli
at the western base. Here they found a Cayuse
village, and ol)tained fresh vegetables. On the 10th
the innnigration was encamped within thrf^e miles of
Whitman's station.
At Grand Bond, Whitman was met by a courier
from Lapwai with intelligence of tlie alarming illness
of Mr and Mrs S])alding,'"^ and relinquishing his office
of guide to Sticcas a Cayuse chief in whom he re-
posed confidence, left the party and struck across the
ci>untry to the sta,tion. Sticcas faithfully performed
his duty, bringing the white men, to whom, as we
"Among tho8(i vere the Fori'ls, the Kaisers, Lennox, Zachory, Matheney,
the ApplegatcH, Hurnett, and J. W. Nosinith. Kaiser, in his Eiiil(ir(uii Rmul,
MS., says that Ni-sniith carried an axe on his slioulders all tlio way throu^ii
the Blue Mountains, and WiU distinguished hy a quiet reserve, for whieh in
later years he has ht^en less Conspicuous, though the friends ho made in his
youthful days (ho was then but 22) still cherish for him the most loyal regard.
'The wanio tiualitics which led him to usefulness theu have never deserted
hiin.
'-" An emigrant of 184(5 refers to the fact that writers on Oregon have
overlooked the w("nen. 'They seem to have heeii ignored; yet they per-
formed their toils with as much fidelity a« the men, and have l)een as useful
in their way. I coulil never have gotten through to tliis country without my
wife.' r/wrtiton's Or. Hlxt., MS., 33.
^' lioston Jlina. Herald, May 1844.
ABORKHNAL THIEVERY.
403
know, his people were unythiiig but friendly, safely to
the vicinity of the mission."- For this service many
were unj^rateful, for two rer ns: it took them forty-
five miles out t)f their course ; and exposed them to
the annoying peculations of the natives, who not only
intruded into their camps by day, but stole their
horses at night in order to obtain a reward for re-
turning them — a j^ractice which was repeated every
twenty-four liours.
The great ambition of the natives along the Co-
lund)ia, as elsewhere, was to secure the clothing worn
by white men. Lewis and Clarke mention seeing odd
garments, evidently obtained from trading-vessels on
the coast, in the possession of these natives as early
as in 1805, and which must have been purchased
from the Indians t)f the Lower Columbia. After the
( )regon immigration began they were to be seen ar-
layed in cast-ofi' wearing apparel of every description,
])i-esenting a motley and fantastic appearance. They
gladly sold whatever they had for shirts, dresses, or
hats; but as stealing and selling back a horse to its
owner was a more productive plan, it was greatly
affected by the Cayuscs.
Kaiser in his nari'ative t!omplains of these practices,
and says that at the missit^n he called a council of
c'iiiefs, and told them that he had paid his last shirt
for having his horses returned by the thieves, and that
hereafter when ho found one of them about his camp
after dark he should shoot him. This warning was
not witliout its effect. Burnett also speaks of })aying
a shirt for several successive mornings to get back
the same animal; and Waldo, in his cynical style,
lemarks that the iumiigrjuits had no trouble with the
natives until they encou: tered the mission Indians."*
^''Noamith says Sticcap wis tlio only Indian he ^'^•^^r kiiuw who had any
conception of or who uractised Christianity. Or. /'ioiurr Axuoc., Tratut.,
1875, 48.
'^■^i'rititiue)*, MS., 2. Daiiit'l Waldo was Ixiru in Vimnia in 1800. At tlie
auo of 19 he einigrattid to Missouri, where he resided in St Clair County
till 1843, and was a neighbor of the .-Vpplegates, and of Joseph B. Chiles. His
4()-t
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1843.
Wlieii Whitman arrived at Lapwai lie found Mr
and Mrs Spalding convalescing, and liastoncd to his
own station to meet the imniijLcrants and furnish them
with supplies, which had to he brought from Ijapwai
and Colville, his grain and mill having \)con destroyed
the previous winter. For this service he was cen-
sured by some and applauded by others."* That it
was a wise and philanthropic action to give the Innni-
grants an opportunity to jmrchase fresli provisions,
the sequel proved; besides, it was personally known to
Whitman that some of tlieni had exhausted their sup-
j)lies before reaching the Cohunbia.
But whether thev were or were not in need, thev
found the prices at Waiilatpu exorbitant w lien com-
pared with tliose of Missouri, and accused Wliitman ol
selfish motives in conducting the immigration past his
station, making them ninety additional miles of travel,
which, with tlieir worn-out teams and the lateness of
the season, became a matter of serious importance."'^
lifiilth boiiig poor, liaviiig heard of Uio salubrity of tlie Orogoii climate, he
ilutcriniiied to join the emigration, starting with Chiles for the i'endezv()iis a
little behind Applegatu. He recovered healtli d\iring tin; journey, which
was made in an easy carriage. He was a man of j)ec\diai' ami jirououuced
cliaracter, and a strong frame; for 20 years he suffered wi^l) ctincer on the
elieek, and was soniewliat irritahh;, as well as naturally critical in his remarks,
which abound in sensible and pertinent suggestions. This characteristic
oanse<l the stem)grapher who took his dictation to name the manuscript as
ahove. It deals with a variety of sui)jects relating to the early history ot
the countrv. Mr Wahlo died at Salem, Septend)er 10, 1880. His sons lUf
William and J. B. Wahlo.
■^* Whe.-ever VN'iiitman's acts are discussed the wiiter is confronted with
the account of his character and services given l>y Spalding and '>ray, his
associates. Tluu'e is no question of his merits ius a mm, or that he was of
much service to immigrants. But I am warned from accepting as fact all
tiiat these men have recorded of his disinterested generossity, by tiie remarks
of those wlio are said to have prolited by it. Not to appear partisan, I shall
ijuoto freely from both critics and admirers, wliero such qiiotiitious are perti
nent.
'■'■'Burnett, in speaking of thest^ accus:itious, hays: 'Tliis foolisli, false, and
ungrateful charge wns ha,sed upon the fact thai: Ik; asked ^1 a bushel for
wheat and 40 .;eut.s for poUitoes. As our people hail been accustomed to sell
tlicir wheau at from oO to M cents a hushel, and their ))otatoes at from '20 to
-5 cents, in tin; Westeiii States, they thoiighf, tlie [)i'ic(.'s demanded by tlie doctor
amountoil to something liki; extortion, i.ot ictltcting that he had to pay at least
twice as much for his si.iip'ies of mcrdiandise, and could not afford to sell his
[iro'.iuce as lowas they did theirs at hoiU''.' Rirolli'cfioii-i, 127. This is a gener-
'•us view of tlie cast', characteristic of tlie author; but it is not altogetlier l)orni'
out 1)3' the facts, Wliitman receiving his supplies from the board. The mission
MISSJOXAKY MISKKPRESKXTATION.
405
Kaiser was ani()ii*r those wlio felt tliemsclvcs injurfd
by being piloted out of" their yvay, and by having to
pay a dollar a bushel for wheat. So obstinate were
some, says Burnett, that they refused to purchase
until the wheat was all gone, in consequence of which
he had to divide; his supj)ly with them before the end
of the journey."'"
Thert; wx're other causes of dissatisfaction, and sub-
sequent reproach. Neither Whitman, nor MeKinlay
at Fort Walla Walla, knew anvthinu,' of the countrv
back from the Columbia River,"' or whether there
could be found crossinus for the wagons at the .Fohn
Day and Des Chutes rivers; and both advised the
innuigrants to leave their wagons and cattle in the
Walla Walla Valley to be brought down in the sj)ring,
and to make themselves boats in whicli to descend
the Columbia, One of the arguments used in favor
of this plan was that no grass would he likely to be
found on the route, as the natives were accustomed
at this season of the year to burn it ofl* — a statement
which sufficiently proved the doctor's ignorance of the
country, and which was construed to his disadvantage
l)y those who travelled through it.
2S
l[,i(l sustained losses iluriug, and possibly tlirough, his ahseiioe, of several thou-
>i;iiul dollars. 'J'lie hoard had not approved of his leaving iiis station, and had
M'ut him liack etnpty-lianded — how eniptydiauded is more than ouee hinted
at hy the emigrants. Waldo hluntly says: 'He had notliing to start with
hut a hoiled lianv. .. .After wo erossod the Snake River 1 had to feed him
again. 1 ilid not like it nuich; hut he was a very energetie man, and 1 liked
lum for his perseverance; he iiad not niueli judgment, hut a great ileal of per-
si'veranee. He expected tlie emigrants to feed him, and tliey liiil. He was
hound to go, and took the chaiici's. ' <'ri/ii/in:t, MS., 17. Perhaps Whitman
tliought to reimliur-ic tlie mission for its losses. Tliere w<us no injustice in his
iiaving pay for ids jfrovisions; hut it is clear he knew liow to demand a full
price. Me w^'s, according to Applegatc, who admits his usefulness, paid
pilotage also; hit Applegate, whose share of tliis expense was S-to, says that
\Valkeraiid Kell,- oliliged liim to demand it: which, considering the fact tliat
lie had, with his i ephew, lived on the immigrants, detracts somewhat from
that ideal charaetci- for lil)erality which has heeu imputed to liim.
^^ l{,',nWr/iou.<, MS.. 127.
'■"Tiiis is MeKinlay "s own statement, given in a letter to Klwood Evans,
which Evans has kindly se!it me.
-■"Says Waldo, who did not tiin.e the advice oB'ered: ' Whitman lied like
hell. He wanted my cattle, and told me the grass was hurnt off hetweeii his
place and the I>alles, The tirst night out I found the tiuest grass I ever saw,
■und it was good every night.' Vriliipn'-i, MS., IG.
1 &,. 'n,:
406
THE IxMMKillATION OF 184:1.
t!l
From a journal of Burnett's, published in a Mis-
souri paper a year or two after the emigration, there
seems to have been some ground for suspicions of in-
terested motives in advising the immigrants to leave
their cattle. " The residents of the mission agreed,"
says the journal, "in advising us to leave our cattle
and wagons at the station. McKinlay of Walla
Walla also advised us to leave the animals, either to
exchange for California cattle, or to pay one dollar
per head for their keeping. . .What surprised us most,
after the representations that had been made, was the
fine pasturage we met all along the way, and espe-
cially at the Dalles, where wo had been led to believe
the cattle could not subsist at all during the winter,"
Applegate gives some further information,^ where
he tells us that at the mission they received one fat
bullock of Spanish stock for two poor emigrant oxen.
Those who did not distinguish the difference between
Spanish and American cattle consented willingly to
pay this price for fat beef Without any expense to the
missionaries they had in the s[)ring two fat American
work-oxen for their one bullock. The natives did
better, who gave a fat bullock for a lean heifer, for
breeding purposes.
After a few days' rest at the mission, the emigra-
tion moved toward the Columbia River with their
wagons and stock. Propositions were made to some
members of the company to remain at Waiilatpu,
which were rejected on account of the thieving habits
of tJie natives, and the difficulty of taking care of their
cattle on st) wide a range as the Walla Walla Valley,
besides the general desire to reach their destination
that year. But at Fort Walla Walla, a portion t)f
'^This manuscript of Mr Applegate's is a running commentary on Mrs Vic-
tor's JUivr of the, IIVw., filling out some chapters wliere delicient in historic
fact and correcting others, while in the main it assents to the record there
given of Oregon's early history. l\\ a similar manner he has commented on
(rray's //wtor*/ o/"Om/oH, hy marginal notes. A third source of information
furnished l)y this moat classical writer of Oregon's pioneers is .a collection of
letters on historical subjects. The elegance of diction and accuracy of state-
ment render these contributions of che highest value.
SAD ACCIDENT TO THE APPLEGATES.
407
them being still in doubt from the representations
made to them of the difficulties in the way, finally
agreed with McKinlay to leave their cattle with him
and take orders on the Hudson's Bay Company foi'
the same number and description of California cattle
in the Willamette Valley. Among those making this
arrangement was Jesse Applegate,^** who with Waldo
owned more stock than any other two men in the
emigration.^^ Waldo proceeded with the main body
to the Dalles by land, while Burnett, Beagle, McClane,
the Applegates, and others, seventy-one in all, decided
to take the advice of Whitman and descend the Colum-
bia in boats. Whitman accompanied them to bring
home his wife, who was still at the Dalles, where she
had taken refuge from the violence of the Cayuses.
Burnett had a Hudson's Bay boat and an Indian
pilot. Beagle, who was with him, was steersman.
He was a good boatman, and familiar with the lapids
of the Ohio at Louisville; but those compared to the
rapids of the Columbia were insignificant, and Burnett
relates that Beagle's cheeks often paled, though he
obeyed the intrepid Indian pilot implicitly.^^ This
party arrived in safety at the Dalles.
^ Fremont's Ejplor. Ex., 184. Gray saya Applegato sold or mortgaged
his cattle to get supplies at Walla Walla. Ili«t. Or., 422. But Burnett denies
this, and says it was an exchange, or one dollar a head for herding them; and
that when Applegate arrived at Vancouver, McLoughlin protested against
Applegate making such a bargain to his injury, and not only gave him his
American cattle back but refused compensation for the care they received
during the winter.
^^ Burnett's Jfccollectwn.-^, MS., i. ?74-5. Concerning tliis matter, Waldo
liimself says: 'I started from Missouri with 108 head, and got here with 08.
They were worth in Missouri $48 a head. ' Here, horses were wortli from $7
to $10, while American cattle were worth $100, Spanish, §9. Critiques, MS.,
10.
^' ' On one occasion, I remember, we were passing down a terrible rapid
with a speed almost like a race-horse, when a huge rock arose above the water
before us, against whicli the swift and miglity volumne of the river furiously
flashed in vain, and then suddenly turned to the right, almost at right angles.
The Indian told Beaglo to hold the bow of the bout directly towards the rock
as if inteniUng to run plumb upon it, while the rest of us pulled upon our oars
with all our might, so as to give her such a vehicity as not to be nmch afJ'uctud
l)y the surging waves. The Indian stood cool and motioidess in the bow, pad-
illo in hand, with features set as if to meet immediate death, and when we
were within from 20 to 30 feet of that terrible rock, as quick almost as
thought he plunged his long patldle-blade into the water on the left side of
408
Tm: IMMIGRATION OF 1843.
a
III
The Applegate company being in less nianageablc
canoes constructed by themselves, and less skilfull\-
handled, were not so fortunate, one of their boats
ovei"turning in the rapids, by which accident a son
of Jesse Applegate was drowned, a son of Charles
Applegate crippled for life, while Elisha, a son of Lind-
sey A[)plegate, and William Doke narrowly escaped.
C. M. Stringer and McClelland were also drowned.'^''
The main part of the innnigration, which t(H)k the
land route to the Dalles, met with no other obstacles
than some difficulty in crossing the two principal riv-
ers in their course, the John Day and Des Chutes,
and had no accidents. To be the first to reach the
Dalles, the terminus of the emigrant road to Oregon
for 1843, was an honor that was contended for by the
foremost drivers, and I find is claimed by both Nine-
veh Ford and Kaiser.^*
At the Dal! ; the immigrants had still the most
difficult and dangerous portion of their journey before
them, there being neither a road over the rugged
mt)untains that separated them from the Willamette
Valley, nor boats in which to embark on the river.
It was too late to attempt opening a wagon-road intf)
the Willamette Valley, a distance of sixty miles of
extremely rough country, and there were few facilities
for constructing a sufKcient number of boats to con-
vey the families and goods to their destination.
The innnigration of 1843 was differently situated
from any company that had preceded, or any that fol-
tlio bow, and with it gave a sudden \vTench, and tlic boat instantly turned
upon its centre to the right, and we passed the rock in safety.' Burnett'a
L'ecollcctimis of II /'ioiiecr, 129.
^^ A member of Fremont's expedition, which was in the rear of the immi-
gration all the way to the Dalles, returning to St Louis the same season, car-
ried a very unfavorable report of the condition of the immigrants, 8 of
whom he said had perished of hardship. A'iles Jli'ij., Ixv. '243. The trutli
was, that 9 deaths occurred on the road, if we count that of William Day.
who died at Vancouver; 4 from sickness, and 4 by drowning, one out of every
100 — and none of these of what might properly be called hardships.
'■'* Ford says, ' My wagon was in front of the caravan when it got to the
l)alles.' Kaiser says, 'My father's teams broke tlie sage-brush from Green
River to the Dalles.' James Athey is content to claim the second or thinl
place in the van, and says, ' Mine was the second or third team to drive up
to the Dalles.' Workshop.^, MS., 1.
ARRIVAL IN OREGON,
409
■d
lowed it into Oregon. When a company came by sea
to Fort Vancouver, or a small i)arty overland to Walla
Walla, every facility for continuing their journey or
prosecuting their designs was tendered to tJiem by the
Hudson's Bay Company. White's party, which was
(jnly a pack-train, arrived early, and j^roceeded direct
to the settlements without any serious hinderance.
But here were nearly nine hundred people wit4i their
household goods and a largo number of cattle and
horses. It was impossible to meet this whole colony
as guests, and help them to their destinations with
all manner of courtesies as had so often been done in
regard to smaller parties. They must help themselves,
and help themselves they did.
Going inU) the ])ine forest which beautifies the foot-
hills near the Dalles, they felled trees and made rafts
of logs from a foot to eighteen inches in diameter
and twenty feet long, which being securely lashed to-
gether, the wagons were taken apart and with their
loads placed upon them. Sometimes one covered
wagon-bed was reserved as a cabin for the use of
women and children. A child was born in one of tliese
cabins on a raft,^"" between the Dalles and the Cas-
cades. Others who had come from Walla Walla by
boats kept ori to the Cascades in the same manner.
Some left their wagons and stock at the Dalles, while
the greater number drove their cattle down the river,
swimming them to the north side, and ferrying them
back again to the south side o})posite A^ancouver.
On arriving at the Cascades a formidable bar to
further progress was discovered. The rafts and boats
couM not be taken over the rapids. Two weeks were
occupied in cutting a wagon-road round the Cascades
by which the wagons brought down on rafts could
reach the lower end of the portage. In the mean
time the autumn rains had set in, and the weather in
the heart of the great range was cold and wintry.
The few immigrants who had friends or relatives in
^^ Foi-d's Road-mtden, MS., 15.
4IU
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1843.
Oregon had received sono assistance at the Dalles.
Robert Shortess met the Applegates at that plac;«
with a canoe-load of provisions; but before passing-
the Cascades portage these were consumed by the
party of seventy who had made the voyage from
Walla Walla in boats, and they were in danger of
starvation. There were no means of transportation at
the Cascades, and starving or not, many women and
children were compelled to wait for a passage in some
boat from below.'"
James Waters, who had been among the earlier
arrivals at the settlements, became alarmed at the
failure '^f the rear to come up, and feeling sure that
they were suffering from want of food, went to Mc-
Loughlin, to whom he represeated the situation of
those still at the Cascades, and asked for credit to
obtain provisions for their relief Though contrary
to rule, this favor was accorded, the only condition
required being that the provisions shoukl be sold to
the immigrants at Fort Vancouver prices, and that
Waters should navigate the bateau carrying the sup-
plies."''" This timely relief rescued many people from
perishing of want and cold.
''Ford says: 'I had a cousin that brought the long-hoat of the Peacock
to take us down the river. He had packed across the plains in 1842, and
heard that we were coming. There were women and chihlren that had no
mode of conveyance, ami were waiting for some means of getting away, and I
prevailed on my cousin to take them. They were strangers to me, hut in
distress, and I could stand it better than they coidd. ' Ford fortunately pro-
cured four Indian canoes, which he lashed side by side, and taking the boards
of five wagon-beds, made a platform over them, loading on it the running-gear
and other goods, and lashing all down. Then setting up a mast in the centre,
with a wagon-sheet for a sail, and with two natives and two white men to
assist in managing the craft, not only sailed down to Vancouver, but up to
Oregon City, where he arrived on the 10th of Novendjer. McLoughlin met
Ford as he stepped ashore at the former place with many kindly compliments
upon hia enterprise. Eoad-mnkers, MS., 1(>-19.
^' Says Appiegate, in Vietcs of Orerjon HMory, MS. : ' The first full meal
my party of 70 had for three weeks was out of the bounty of Dr McLoughlin,
dispensed by Captain Waters. ' Concerning the conditions put upon Waters,
Burnett remarks: ' Many of the purchasers never paid, but contenteil them-
selves with almsing the doctor and the captain, accusing them of wishing to
speculate upon the necessities of poor emigrants. The final result was a con-
siderable loss, which Dr McLoughlin and Captain Waters divided ecpially
l>etween them. ' Of Waters, whose title of captain came from his having been
at the head of one of the emigrant companies, Burnett says; ' He was a most
excellent man, possessed of a kind heart, truthfid tongue, anil patient dispo-
yoi)]) AND CLOTHING.
411
A small party of tlio belated immigrants beinj]f
wind-bound behind Caju; Horn for a number of days
— a circumstance that frequently ha}H)ened at this
part of the i iver— were in dani^er of death by starva-
tion, being reduced to eating })oiled rawhide, whicli they
had upon their boat. Ford relates that a Mr Delaney
had a box of hemp-seed which he consumed. Among
them was an immigrant who had been d Vancouver
and returned to the Cascades to the assistance of his
friends. Remembering that he had breakfasted at a
certain spot on his way up the river, he searched upon
his knees, in the snow, for crumbs that might have
fallen, weeping bitterly, and expecting to perish. But
McLoughlin, with his wonderful care and watchful-
ness over everybody, being satisfied, from the length
of time the ])arty had been out, that they were in
(Hstr^^s, sent another boat with provisions to look for
and relieve them, which arrived in time to prevent a
tragic termination to their six months' journey.*^ A
letter in the Oregon Hjiectator of Januai y 21, 1847,
written by one of the immigrants of 1843, declares that
they experienced more hardships and sufferings in
descending from the Dalles to the Willamette than
in all the former portion of their journey, and that
almost in sight of the promised land many were saved
from perishing by the benevolence of the Hudson's
Bay Company and the timely assistance of a fellow-
iinmigrant — presumably Captain Waters.
It might be asked why help was not rendered by
the American settlers in the Willamette Valley, and
tlie Methodist Mission. In justice to the missionaries,
I nmst say that some help was rendered, but it appears
sition;' and of McLoughlin, that 'he Wiis one of the greatest and most nolilc
[ihilanthropists I ever saw; a man of superior ahility, just in liis dealings, and
a faithful Christian.' Yet tliese were the men wliom a certain portion of tlie
immigrants of 1843 maligned and hated, although they were indebted to thorn
tor saving their lives.
^* Ford's Jioad-mak'ern, MS., 24-5; Letter of Lieut llowisou, in Emm'
ll'mt. Or., MS., 348. The only death that happeneil at tlie Cascades, and the
ninth on the road, was of a negro woman, a servant of Mrs Burnett, who
was drowned ))y stepping on the edge of a canoe which sheered from under
her, when she fell into the river and disappeared. Ford, MS., 21.
ii«ii
41:
THE I.MMKiKATlON OF 1W3.
to have been uuirely the scndincf of some provisiiiiis
to peiHoiuil friends and aoquaintanoe.s, and wa.s enthely
inadequate to the needs of the new-comers. As far as
the settlers were concerntxl, tliey were too scattered,
and liad not the nusans to render niucli assistance, wliicli
required boats as well as provisions in larjj^c quantities.
Tt is i)lain that the greatest surferers were those who
were prevailed upon by Whitman and McKinlay t(»
leave cattle and wagons at Walla Walla. No lives
were lost anioiig those who took the; land route,^ and
those wlio had cattle had always something to cat.
Though the main innnigration came down from tlu-
Dalles in boats, parties of horsemen accompanied the
cattle-drivers on shore. One party, consisting of M. M.
McCarver, James Chase, the two Doughertys, and a
dozen others, took Daniel ]^ee's cattle trail over the
Cascade Mouiitains into the Willamette A^alley. The
immigrants all along this portion of the route, whether
in boats or ashore, were nmch annoyed by the natives,
who stole the cittle, or who came in large numbers,
and when the assistance of one or two was required,
would i-efuse to give it unless all were employed and
l)aid, which was only another form of robbery. Bur-
nett mentions one chief who spoke English very well,
and was dressed in a suit of broadcloth, witli a paii'
of fine shoes. With absolute authority he counnanded
his thirty-five subordinates to do no work unless all
were engaged. This was the practical working of the
head-chief system of Elijah White turned against the
Americans.
The lateness of the season v/lien the travellers ar-
I'ived, the last of November, with the difficulty of
sheltering so many in a new country, rendered it im-
practicable for the majority to select land for a set-
tlement before spring. Those who had means bought
the necessaries of life of the Hudson's Bay Company ;
'"Dr Ttilirtie usetl to say tliat we could go anywhere with a wagon tliat
th(\v eoulil witli a pack-hor.se.' .S'////v.'</r)-'.x Oti/nijwt, MS., ];j
SKLECTION OK HOMK SITES.
413
thosi' wlio had iiotliiiij^ K-ft, and who could HirI ciii-
|)loyiii«.'nt, went to work. Many rnnaiiuMl at Oregon
('ity, whiro a proof of tlicir uncoiKiucrahlo vijjjor of
hraiii as wdl as muscle was afforded hv tin; fouii(lin<i-
of a circulatiniij lihrary from the l)ook.s wiiich had been
brought across the plains, an account of which has been
given in a previous chapter.
Waldo drove his cattle up into the liills south-east
of Salem which bear his nanie, and made a settlement
without delay. Kaiser wintered on the west bank of
the Willamette opposite the old mission; but in the
snrinjTf selected a claim a mile and a half below Salem.
The Fords euul Xesmith, after r(Mnainin<if a short tinu;
at Oregon City, settled at that jortion of tlu; Yamhill
district which constitutes the ))resent county at l*olk.*"
McClane settled in Salem and bought the uiission mills
at that place; Howell on a plain near Salem, whicli
is now known as Howell's Prairie. The Applegates
wintered at the (>ld mission, Jesse Ain)legiite being
employed in surveying both at Salem and ( )regon City.
In the spring the three brothers opened farms in Yaui-
hill district, near the present site of Dallas." Atlu'y
'" The Fords were originally from North Carolina, where Nineveh Fonl,
autlior of the lioml-inakcrs, MS., was horn July lo, KSl."). They emigrated to
Missouri in 1840, but taking the prevalent Oregon fever, joined Burnett's eoni-
liany. •
" Some of the younger members of the Applegiito family long resided in the
Willamette V^alley; but the three elder ones made their homes in soutliern
Oregon; Jesse and Charles in tlie Uniixjua Valley, where they settled in
18411, and Lindsey in the Kogue Kiver Valley, to which he removed in 185!(,
and several of their children in the Klamath Valley. The Applegates wen;
from Kentucky, where Jesse was born in 181 1 . Tlie family removed to Missotiri
in 182'2, where Jesse was a jiroUije and pupil of Edmund Biites, whose voice
m congress was ever against the project of settling Oregon from tlie western
stfvtes. There is a flattering ami kindly tribute to Jesse Api)legato in the
Or. Pioneer Anxoc, Tnnin., 187"), 01, by .1. \\. Nesmith, in which he says:
' No man did more upon the route to aid the destitute auil encouragi^ the weak. '
'As a frontiersman, in courage, sagacity, an<l natural intelligence he is the
eipial of Daniel Boone. In culture aiul experii^nce, he is the superior of half
tlie living statesmen of our land.' A/., S5-(i;,V. /'. Pnxf, Sept. l.'i, 1877; Ashlntiil
'/'ii/im/s, June 27, 1879. Mrs .lesse A[)plegate"s maiden name was Cynthia
I'arkcr, her father being at the time of her marriage a Mississippi liatboatman.
He was four times married, and Cyntiiia was tlie daughter of his second wife,
liy whom he had eight children, all boys but this one. Mrs Parker's maiden
name was Yoiint, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and Mrs Applegate was
l>rought up by the Younts. One of this family came to California at a period
earlier than the advent of Captain Sutter, and settled at Napa, where he had
r::-|
414
THE IMMKiRATION OF 1843.
was employed on the flouring; mill of the luilling com-
pany at Oregon City, and finally built a house and
engaged in the manufacture of furniture, being by
trade a cabinet-maker/"
Like Hastings of the year before, Ricord wa^
offered employment by McLoughlin as his legal ad-
viser; but he held to the missionaries, as I have else-
where related, and in the spring went to the Hawaiian
Islands, where he became chancellor to the king,
whom he left for tlie gold-fields of Califc rnia in 1849.'''^
a large establishment and mill, with huuilrctla of Indian servants. Anotluii-
wa.s a wealtliy farmer iu Missouri at the time of Mrs Applegate's marriage.
After a long and usefnl life, she died at her residenee in Umpqua Valley, in
the spring of 1881. Applryat!''/ Cnrre.-<j)Oiidi:iire, M.S., 30. Lindsey Applogate
was horn in Henry (.'onnty, Kentucky, in 1808. Afterward his father, David
Applegate, a soldier of the revolution, emigrated to Missouri, where he settled
near 8t Louis, tlien a small Freneh to'^i, and where Lindsjy had few e^ iuca-
tional advantages. In his fifteenth > ear he left home to join Ashley i.i his
expedition to the Rocky Mountains. One part of Ashley's company ascedded
tlie Missouri in boats; the rest proceeded overland. Young Applegate btloi.ged
to the river detachment, which was attiicked by the Ari'^karees, defeated, and
driven back to t'ouncil Bluffs. Falling ill at this place, he was sent back witi\
the wouniled to St Louis. He afterward worked in the lead-mines of Illinois,
and served in the Black Hawk war. He was married in 18H1 to Miss Eliza-
beth Miller of Cole ("ouuty, Missouri, and removed soon after to the south-
western part of the state, where he built the first grist-mill erected in that
portion of Missouri, and where he resided till 1843. Mrs Applegate was a
woman of superior character and abilities; she died at he» home in Ashland
in the spring of 1882. J (tcknonvHle Sentinel, July 30, I879', AMand, Or., Tidiwjx,
Aug. 8, 187S). Charles Applegate was two years the senior of Lindsey. la
IS'JO he married Miss Melinda Miller, antl witli her and several children
emigrated to Oregon. He is described as a man of iroi. constitution, deter-
mined will, and chpntable dispt, ncion. He also possessed considerable
natural ability as a writer, having published several tales of frontier life. He
iliedat his lionie in Douglas County, in August 1870; respected by all who
knew him. 6(dvnhStatet,nieti, Aug. 15, 1879; Ro.ichur<j Wctif Star, Aug. 15, 1879.
*^Athey gives an interesting account in a brief dictation in a manu-
script called l\'orkj</io}»<, of the introduction of furniture in Oregon, and other
matter,!. He says: ' At first I m.i'1'3 l)reakrast-t;ibles, bedstea<ls, chau's, and
fill artu les of common furnitur* . I had a turniug-latlie wiiich I made myself,
jjrobab'iy the first one on the '.^acific coast. But I could not get enougii to
do to pay me. They went to shi;)j)ing old iurnitur! in here from the Ciist.
Captain Wm K. Kilborn of the brig Ihnrii broutjlit a cargo of it so nearly
in pieces that I charged him more for mending it i.p than it cost. It was
second-liand furniture, stoves, and everything. It w is just like coining money
to sell that off. L^t'-ves sold for $45 and $(50. It was a venture from New-
buryport. I afterwa/d did some turning in iron. I Imuglit a wheel from a
scliool-teacher at Vaiic>iuver, made a lathe, and used it for turning iron. That
was not till 1817, and was notliing more than tinkering and making such
things as I wanted for my own use.' Athey was born in V'i , inia in 181t).
He took up a claim on the Tualatin River in 1851, ami clearei .i, but did not
succeed at farming, and sold it after a few years for ^1,800 He afterward
engaged in building a small steamer.
*'^ Jloiiolidn I'olyiieaiaii, Dec. '11, 1845; Cunip-Jire O /•.«'. "jh.h, ^'S., 13.
THE TOWN OF JJNNTON.
415
The Garrisons found farms in the Tualatin plains, now
Washinoton County/* Burnett and McCarver toolt
a piece of land on the west bank of the Willamette
River, not far above the head of Sauvd Island, and
laid out a town which they named Linnton, after
Senator Linn; "' but as no one came to purchase lots,
after having cat out a road from the river to the
Tualatin plains, iliey removed in the spring to the
vicinity of the present town of llillsboro, and o})ened
farms near the Garrisons.** ^hively settled on a
claim above the old fort of Astoria, which together
with the clahn of Colonel John McClure, before men-
tioned, became afterward the site of the present town
of Astoria. Lovejoy remained at Oregon City, em-
ploye:! by McLoughlin as an agent to do business
between the Americans and himself, until he became
a part owner in the land where Portland now stands,
and where he with F. W. Pettygrove laid off tliat
towii.*^
With regard to the general condition of the new
colonists, it was one of destitution. In subduinjj; a
wilderness without reseived supplies tliere is often a
** Joseph (iarrison died at the Dalles Jan. 17, 1884, aged 71 years. S. F.
Aha, Jail. 18, 1884. See also Portland Par. ChriMitn AilrofaU', April It,
1874.
*^ Buchan! u iiL a >eech remarked that the oitiz«ns of Oregon would deservi'
the brand of inj^ratitude if they ilid not name tlieir first city the City of Ijinn.
Comj. Glr;'i3, »843-4, 370. Tliere were two attempts to sh<»w gratitude in
this way .vhich faile<l; but the county of I.iun, one of the fiiie.st in tho ttate,
perpetuates his name. Dciul/i'x Hist. Or., MS., 77.
*" McCarver was horn in Kentucky, hut removed to Iowa, where 1. ! laiil
off the town of Burlington, from wliich he emigrated. Burlington i.-i now a
city v/hile Liuuton is unknown Long afterward lie iaiil out the town of
Tafonia, in W'ashington. Burnett w;us horn in Tennessee in 1807, removing
to Mi.^souri when ten years of age. His wife was Miss ilarriet Rog_'rs.
horn in Wilson, ?.nd married in Hardeman Co., Tenn. For biographies of the
Burnett family, see Hecolkrtioiif of ii I'icnecr, l-3().
*' Lovejoy was born in Boston i". 1811. He went to Missouri in 1840, and
re8ide<l at vSparta, Buchanan County; but losing his health l)y tlie malaria ot
the Missouri bottom-lands, resolved to join White's emigration in 1842, as
we know. In the winter of 1848 he acce])tiil from a man named Overton a
half-interest in the present site of Portland, Pettygi-ove buying t!ii' other
half. The town was laid otF, and a road optiied to Taalatin plains in 1845.
Lovejoy- was prominent in the early atl'airs of the country, out became of
feeble intellect before hii death, which occurred in tlie autumn of 188'J.
■'■if
-ViS
i '
416
THE IMMKiRATION OF 1843.
near approach to starvation for a year or two. Here
were many persons expecting to live by agriculture
who had neither seed nor fanning iinplenieiits with
which to begin. Many had large families, and how to
feed them was a question which interested not only
the immigrants hut the Hudson's Bay Company.
McLouglilin was not slow to comprehend the situa-
tion. With feelings inimical to the great corporation,
tliese men would never see their children starve while
tliere was plenty within the walls of the company's
storehouses. Both his heart and his reason pointed
the course to be pursued. Immediate necessities
must be relieved, and they must be encouraged to
begin at once their only road to self-support, the
opening of farms. Accordingly, witliout waiting to
be asked, he pro))osed both these remedies for the
threatening disaster. He offered credit to the desti-
tute, furnislung them what was absolutely required
for the jnvsent, and seed and farm-tools with which
to begin their plantations. Thus he not only dis-
armed, to a great extent, the antagonism of the west-
ern men, but made himself defenders against the
arrogance of the missionaries by excelling them in
kindness toward their own countrymen,*** establish-
ing at the same time a balance of power between
British and American, and between old and new
«•()
lonisti-
4;)
'h
Notwithstanding this timely help the privations of
the immigrants were great. Burnett had stated that
tluring the first two years his family were often with-
out meat for weeks at a tim(\ and sometimes without
bread, while occasionallv both were wantiiii>' at the
same time. !Milk and potatoes, with butter, made a
^'' 8aya Waldo, in \\\s Cnt!<iii<», MS., 1.'), Ki: 'Jiimoii Loo played the devil
\\\) at the Dallea. He said tlie MLs»iaii hail always ruled the cmiitry, and it
there wore any persons iu tlie innnigration wlioilid not like to ho ruled liy tiie
Mission, they niigiit tind a eountry idsewliere to go to. It got all over tlie
country, of cour.se, very quiekly. That nuide war with tlic? missionaries at
onee. We c;wno here pretty nidcpendent fellow.s, and did not ask many
favors.' See also Whlle.-< Ten Ymrn in Or., 2').3.
*'■' MrLmiijhlins I'riaifr. j"-f;*r/w, MS., ;id sen, 10-12
t
9'^
P
SUPPLIES AND PRICES.
417
.satisfying diet, though it liappcned more than once
tliat even these were ab.sent.
Game was scarce and poor. In the winter wild
fowl were numerous, but the lakes and bayous to
which they resorted were distant and difficult of ap-
proach, and the settlers soon learned not to de[)end
on either wild game or wild fruit. Had they given
their time to })r(K'uring tlie.se su[)plies, they could have
done nothing else. The sudden accession of popula-
tion had raised the price of tlour to four cents a
pound, })ork to ten cents, and other articles in ])ro-
[)()rtion."" Indeed, so hard was it to get enough to
rut, without going hopelessly into debt, that an In-
dian who had come to Apph;^^ate's house to beg was
moved with pity to divide his own slender store of
dried venison with the hungry children.
In the matter of clothiny,- there was the same desti-
tution. Fortunate was the man who possessed a suit
of dressed buckskin, for when the homespun suits which
left Missouri were worn out, there were no others
to take their place. The women made dresses out of
waijfon-covers, and some wore skin clothin<jf like the
men. Moccasons tcK)k the [)lace of boots and shoes.
Hai)py was he who had an order on either of the
three merchants at Oregon City, Ermatinger, Aber-
nethy, or Pettygrove, although when it was presented
the dearth of goods at the American .stores often
obliged him to take something he did not want for
the thing that he needed,'^ the usual demand having
exhau.sted the stock in these ])laces.
The circulating medium of the country as estab-
lished by the fur company, being either furs or wheat,
was a serious inconvenience.""' The custom of the set-
tlers was to deposit with the merchants a quantity
of wheat, which represented so many dollars to their
credit. Orders on the merchants then became the
^Xilen' Rt'ii., Ix
;>i -- - '•
1.S7, 2 Hi.
yetiiii/Ji, m ('iimp-fhr < h-ntionii, MS., Vl\ McClniiv's Fimt Wn<pn Troiii,
MS., 7; }V<il//n'x ('rifiiiiif.", MS,, jiuHHiiii.
•'•^ 'J\)linie'.i PiiijH Sound, MS., 14.
Hist, on., Vol. I. 27
13
418
THE IMMKJKA'IION OF 184:5.
m
mediuiu of payment for labor or property. Should
the merchant's stock be low, the holder of the order
either took what he could get, or else waited. None
but the Hudson's Bay Company kept an assortment
of general riierchandise. The vessels from Boston
and New York were freijjhted with goods of one or
two classes, while from the Islands only a few articles
could be obtained. There were silly fanatics-;— self-
sacrificing patriots, . they imagined themselves — who,
to encourage American and discourage British trade,
would have nothing to do with the company, and
these were put to severe tests. Sometimes it was
sugar, tea, cofiee, or salt they had to do without ; and
again not a yard of cotton goods or a half-dozen
cups and saucers could be obtained. This being the
condition of the market in Oregon Citv, if a man
required a certain article he nmst take furs or wheat
to Vancouver, or he must ask credit at that place till
a crop could be raised. But if a stock of the current
year was already exhausted, the rules of the company
did not allow of opening the next year's stock before
the arrival of the annual supplies, lest by tlie loss of
a vessel there should be a dearth in the country for a
long period. The wants of tlie immigration of 184;3
produced the effect of a vessel's loss on the company's
stores, by exhausting the goods on hand.^'*
Why it was that none of the innnigrants foresaw
the circumstances in which tliey were to be placed,
is a question that has never been answered. I think,
however, tliat it is possible to solve it. None of
them realized the distance of the Willaniette Valley
beyond the liocky Mountains. As Edwards wrote
to Bacon, many imagined that all they had to do after
reacjiing Snake liiver was to embark upon its waters
and Hoat down to the moutli of the Co uml)ia.'''^ In-
■'' ^^oLouglllill liiid it in his power to tk'i)iii-t from tlio oompaiiv'n rule, iunl
really did so. Khlu'rts, in his TriippirM lAj'c, MS., ;{;{(>, givu.-s a hroail Hketcii
of the iloctor H luamicr of dealing witli and yieliling to tin; American .settler.s.
for which I have not room here. He was more ol'teu overruled than otherwise.
^* Sketch of Orojoii, MS., 3.
I'HK IMMORTAL I'ATHFIXDKU.
410
d,
ik,
(.f
vy
U'
tor
ers
.11-
and
L'tcll
Icrs.
stoail of this, tluy i'ouud a stream iiiipracticiihlc tor
navigation, and borderod with sand, rocks, an<l artc-
niisia for liundrcds of iuili;s. It was owinj.^ to tlie
oxcellunce and abundance of their appointments tJuit
they accomplished tlie journey to tlio Coiuuibia in
sucii good time and with so little loss.'"'^
From the repeated statements made in congn.ss
of the facilities for commerce of the mouth of the
Columbia, and of the actual trade carried on by the
Hudson's Bay Company, they had formed exaggerated
id(;as of the amount of pro(Uictiv)ns, and the general
capacity t)f the country. For the rest, tliey were
idealists, 'men of destiny' they had bet!i called, who
had the same faith that all would be j'ight with
them in Ori'o-on which the religionist feels that he
will wake in lu>avi>n when lie slee|)s in death'. Or, if
all was not riglit, it would be the fault of the British
fur company; in which case they would pull down
Vancouver about the ears of its venerable factor and
help themselves.
The state of disappointment and discontent v/hich
followed the first introductioii to the mw life was
after all not long. When spring came with sunny
skies and balmy air, they forgot the sorrows of the
winter, and yielded conteiidedly U) the witchery of
fresh sceiu'S and the pleasure of new l)(\giimn;gs. By
autumn they wer-e settled, and had already becouie
well incorporated with the old colony/"
Some mention should bu made in this place of the
second expedition i4' Fremont, wliich though it had
*■' It is without doubt just to T)r Wlutiii.iu to say that iu the matter of
insisting upon their keeping in motion and aeeomplishing some ilistariee each
day, tiiey were indelittu tor tiuir success. He kmw the weary nides before
them, and warned them eoimtuntly to travel. Ayjilci/'i/i, in ih-irlnml Mnuthln.
i. 1'27.
* In writing this eliapter, I iiave been often guidiJ by lUirm'U'i Ilcfiril''-
liou-1 nf II Pioiiicr, New >drk, l.ScS(t, chirlly beeause he ke^-t a journal ot his
traxfls and his early life in Oregon. Tiie i)()ok abounds iii rieidents told m i
natural uuiniier. It contain:., besides, numerous pen-pictures of other puHieers.
with whieli these pages will lie from tiuio to time illustrated, aud valuable
remarks on eaily goveruuient ati'airs
'I i
i-M
Tiij; i.mmi(;kation uf i84:{.
nothing to do witli tlio ciuijj^i'iition inovi'iiiciit of I H4:i,
was ail incident ot" it. Tliu expedition left tlie Mis-
souri River, near tlie junction of tiic Kansas, on the
•JDtli of May, travellinj^ just beliind the eniii^rants as
far as Soda Sprinjj^s at the (ireat Bend of Bear Kiver,
wliere tliey turned off to Salt Lake. Havinjj^ made a
hasty visit to that inland sea,''" they returned to tlu'
emigrant roa<], which they followed to the Dalles,''**
arriving there on the 4th of Novend)er. Tlu-re Fre-
mont left his men and animals, and took a canoe tn
Fort Vancouver to purchase sup[)lies for his expedi-
tion to California, which were furnished him on the
credit of the United States, the company sending the
goods to the Dalles in their own boats. The emi-
grants ridicule Fremont's sobri(piet of 'l^ithfinder.''''*
The naturalist Audubon was skirting the eastern
base of the Rocky Mountains in the summer of 184o,
in pursuit of his favorite study of ornithology; and
mentioii is made of airerman botanist named Luders,
wiiom Fremont met on the Cohunbia, at a little bay
ludow the Cascades, which was called afti'r him Lu-
ders' Bay. The toils and dangers of this class of men
occupy but little space in history, yet ai'e iione the less
wortiiy of mention that they are not ])erformed for gain
or political prefernu'nt. If it is a brave dt;ed to dai-e
■'•'The follow iiijj; alwnnl report ipjuuncl in t\w St l.'nm Gazette; 'On tln'
Kith of St'[iti:iiil)Lr thfV -urvoycil tlio(Jreat Salt Lake, .sujiposed to empty into
tile I'acitie, aiiil computed its length to ikj 2S0 mileB, ami its breadth 1(K). '
X:(,^ J{,y., Ixv. iJ43.
^^'Waltlo'.i Critj<iiie/i, MS., 17: Er^nm'' Hiit.. <h., MS., 'Jlli. According to
Nesmitli, .r. (J. Camphell, Kaiisom t'lark, ( 'hapiiiaii, and Major William (ill-
pill travelled a ith Frrmont s company, "h: Pioneer .-l.wof., Trann., 1S7.">,
jKVti; Frriiioiif'n Rejil. E'l'loi. E.r., 107.
•'"This feelinj^is illiiMtrated liy tlie foUowiag extract from Neaniith's Address
in (h: I'iomcr Ak-soi'., Tnin-t., 1S7.">, (iO: " la the eastern .states I have often been
asked liow long it \v;is aftiT Fntnont discovered Orvjjon tliat 1 emigrated there.
^ , is true that in the year IMii Fremont, then a tk'uteiiant ii\ the engineer
corps, ilid (Tiiss the plains, anci l)rouiriit liis party to thi^ Dalles in the rear ol
our emigivition. His outtit coiitaincil all tlie conveiueiices and luxuries that
;>. governimiit appropriation could procure, wiiile he " I'oughed it. " in a covered
I'arriage, surrounded by servants paid trom the public purse. He returned to
the States, ami Avas rewariled with a ;iresidential nomination as the " J'atli-
liiider. " The t«th he found wiis thaB made by the liardy frontiersmen wlio
preceded him t- ;iie I'acilic, and whostiHid bytkicir ritltsi and held the country
against hostile Indians and British tin'cats. without uovemmeiit aiil or reuog-
nitioii untU l>mw, wJicn tUuiirst gi>«^ laamuait troops ciuau; to our rebel.'
-.! f
BIOORAPHICAL.
421
tlio perils of the wildcrne.ss fur these, in companies
of hundreds^ liow much nobler is it for the solitary
student of science to risk life for the benefit of man-
kind!'^
•'^Of tlio immifrration of 1843 :nany have passed away. John Ford died in
Salem Oct. 10, 187."), ageil .")(). .John (Jill Caiiipholl died at Oregon City Nov.
'_'l, 1S7-, aged ."),"). III! vas a I'liiladelpliian hy hirth, and married, in 1840,
Miss Kdthilda K. Huek of Oregon t'ity. Jolni Howell, born in Tennessee
lU'c. (i, 1787, died Oct. 4, 18(it), aged 82. A. Olingor, a native of Ohio, died
mar .Sahnn .Jan. 'A, 1874, aged &2. Thomas Owens dii;d .Jan. '2'i, 187S, at
i'iety Hill in California. He was l)orn in TazeMX'U (.'onnty, Virginia, Jan. 12,
1808. He settli'd hrst in Oregon near Astoria, where he remained 10 years,
wiicn he renioveil to Kosehnrg. His age was G"). Steplien Tarhox was horn
ill Maine in 1812, of Irish parentage. He never married. Before emigrating
to Oregon he had hcen a soldier in the U. 8. army under Kearny eommand-
iiig the 1st regt of dragoons stationed at Leavonworth. He died Nov. G,
1878, in Benton County, Oregon, aged 0(i. ^Villian^ Holmes died Sept. 18,
187!', at Ills home in Oregon City, at tile age of 7.">. .Tesse Looney died Miireli
2"), 1809, aged 88. His iiome was in Marion i'ounty, where his ehildren still
reside, Daniel Matiieney died near Wheatland, Yamlidl County, J''el). 1, 1872,
ageil 7!). He was horn in N'irgiiua Dec. 11, 17'.i:{, and removed successively
to Kentucky, Ir.diana, and Hlinois. He was married Dee. 1!), 181',). He served
in tlie war of 1812, receiving his tiiseliarge at the victory of New Orleans.
He fought again in the Black Hawk war under (General Atkinson, and was
elected 1st lieutenant of a company, and in 18.'{i) again enlisted and was
elected captain in the Mormon war. In tlie inimigrotion of 1843 he was one of
tiie most active, cxjiloring and opening the road from Fort Hall to the Dalles.
Henry Matiieney w..< married in Indiana in 1828; his wife died in .June 1877,
tlie Imshand preceding her. David T. Lennox Wiis horn in New York in
1S02, removi'd to Kentucky in 1810, to Illinois in 1828, to Mis.souri in 18.37.
He was among the foremost men of this migration. He settled on the Tualatin
plains, when' he lived many years, tilling several places of piddic trust. He
liied at tlie home of Ins son-udaw, .John S. White, in Umatilla County, Oct.
10. 1874, aged nearly 7.3.
Kieliard Holison M'as born in Kngland in Oct. 1829, and was theref,)re
under the age of U), which entitled 'iim to be enrolled as ablediodied m 1843.
He emigrated tnim Liverpool witi ids fatlier s family ia .January 1 '>4.3, with
the design of going to Oregoii. and arrived at Vancouver Nov. 17t'i of tliat
year. His fatlier, .John Hohson, located on Clatsop plains in.Janu.ry 1844,
vlur^- tlie family still reside. Kiehaid visited Australia, ami returned to
Oregon in 18.")0. He then became a pilot on the Columbia River, in which
iaisiness he remained until his death in 1878, it the age of 49.
.John Holiiiaii » as a nativo nf Woodford County, Kentucky, where he was
horn Sej t. 1 1, 17'*7. In Oct. 18l(> he married a daughter of Tlioniius Duvall.
About the same time lie jmnoH the Baptist ehureh at Hillsboro. In 1817 hi'
emiiirated t«> M ii Idle Ten nesst'e, iind resiiled in the county of Lincoln until
I82»>, when lie removed to ('Jay County, Missouri. In this insalubrious
climate lie lost his wife and three eh ihlreii, and in 1843 detiiniined to join
the emigration to Oregon, wlu'ie he spent tlie decline of his life in traiKjiiil
haiipiness. He died .May ];"• 18(14, at the resilience of his son, Daniel Hol-
maii of Me.'-' :!iiiville. His a^e was 77 years>
Charlei) H. Katon, horn in Oswego County, N. Y., l>ee. 22, 1818, removed
with his parents t(> I'aulding County, Ohi(^ when a buy, whiMiee he emi-
grated to ()regou in l.v4.3. In 184G he settled in the I'liget Sound region,
with whose liistory hi^ own is idtjutilied. He died Dee, 1(), 1870, at ^'akiiiia
I'ity, aged M
William Fowler, \v itji thv other two of that name, went to California in
\ ^ h
4lIiJ
THE IMMKaiATJON OF IM.}.
The innuigration by stui for tlic year 1843 amounted
to fourteen persons. The bark Fama, (^a])tain Nye,
from the Hawaiian Islands, brouj^ht Francis W. Pet-
tyii^rove, wife and chikl, Phihp Foster, wife and four
cliildren, Peter H. Hatch, wife and child, and Nathan
P. Mack. These all settled at or near Oregon City.
F. W. Pettygrovc was a native of Calais, Maine.
He came to ()regon as agent for A. G. and A. W.
Benson, with about $15,000 worth of merchandise,
supposed to be suited to the trade of the country, and
established himself first in competition with the Cush-
irigs, and the Methodist Mission which ()[)ened a store
at Oregon City this year, and later competed with the
traders of the Hudson's liay Company very success-
fully,"^ buying beaver-skins, and erecting a wheat
1S44, and settled in tlie Napa V^alley. Ho ■was born in Albany, N. Y., ami
ilii'd cat tlie residence of his son, Henry, at C'ali.stoga, Calfornia, Feb, 3, bSO"),
aged 80.
T. (t. Naylor, a native of Albemarle County, Virginia, and later a resi-
dent of Missouri, from wbicli state be eiiii<,'rated, was l)orn Oct. 12, 1S14.
On eoining to Oregon lie settled on Tualatin plains, a<ljoining tbe land eliiiin
on whiob Forest (!rove is situated, wlui'e be li\i'd until Ids deatli, Dee. .">,
1872, at tlie age of iVJ. He was twice muiried, ami tbe fatber of 18 cbildreii,
\'> of wbom survive. His ebarueter as a true man gave lum intbience in tbe
Congregational cluireb, of wbicb be was a deacon, and nuiib! bini a trustee of
tbe raeitio University, and director in tlie state agricultural society. He was
a generous sujiporter of all wortliy jmblie institutions.
Orris Brown w:is liorri in Massaciiusetts, Sept. 4, IS(H), bis fatber ])eing
tlie Rev. (birk Ibdwii, and bis motber, Taliitlia Urown„famous in tbe bistory
of tbe I'aoilic University of Oregon. His parents removed to Maryland,
wliere bis fatber di(;d, and bis motber emigrated to Missouri witb ber ebildren
in 1821. In 1843, being tben marrieil, lie came to Oregon, leaving bis family,
but returned in 184.") witb a small Jiarty under Wliite, wbicb was roblieil on
tlie road by tlie Pawnees. He lirougbt back to Oregon in 1840 bis own
family and bis motiier's, most of wbom settled at Forest drove. Mr Jirown
bad 12 ebildrei;. He died May 5, 1874, aged 74.
Daniel Delaney was murdered at tbe age of more tban 70, Jan. !), 1805,
upon bis own premises, 18 miles from Salem. One of tlie men convicted of
sliooting bim to obtain bis money was (Jeorge 1'. Beale, also an immigrant of
1843, and at tbat time only a lad. Beale was executed, witb bis confederate,
May 17, ISO,").
Margaret (larrison, wife of Itev. Enoch (iarrisou, was born in Kentucky
January 24, 1814. Her maiden name was Herren. At tbe age of 18 yeans
she removed to Indiana, where in 1830 slie was married to Mr (iarrisou, and
'■•ith bim went to Oregon in 1843. She was the motber . f 8 children, only
A )f wlioin outlived lier. She died in Yamhill County, ]\Iaicli 20, 1874.
"'In a manuscript called Onujon in iS.}J, Imt giving an intelligent view of
tbo business of tbe country down to 1850, and the gold excitement; with a
history of the founding of I'orthwid, of v.liicli be was one of tlie first owners;
and of the opening of American commerce on I'uget Sound, IVttygrove re-
lates his introduction to MeLouglilin. He came to the Islands in the ship
L
I
INCOMERS BY SEA,
423
warehouse at ( hampoeji^, to purdiase tlie crops of the
French Canadians. This course led to tlie estabhsli-
iiient of a store at Orejjjon City by the Hudson's Bay
Company, which was placed in charjjce of Frank Ernia-
tiiioer; so it niay be said that Pettygrove added two
stores to that infant metropolis.
Mr Foster, from Maine, who also came from New
York by the same ship which brou<,dit Pettygrove
to the Islands, remained for a year or two at Oregon
City, but finally settled sixteen miles u[) the Clack-
amas River, on the trail leading to the Dalles, his
farm becoming a halting-place for the innnigrants
who took the Mount Hood road into the Willamette
N'^alley.^" Mack, who was a ^lassachusetts man, had
been in Pacific waters f(»r several years, trading and
whaling. Being by vocation a carpenter, he found
ample employment at Oregon City for three or four
years, after which he settled on a farm ten miles east
(^f that place, but finally removed to Salem."'*
About tlie first of September there arrived in the
Victoria, from New York, Captain Jolin H. Spring, and from the Islands tfi
the Colinnbia in the Fmnii, as above stated, tlie Iiark lying in the river oppo-
site Vancouver for two weeks, and I'ettygrove, who liad come to Oregon
prepared to lind only oppression and hostility in all tiie acts of tlie fur com-
pany's oHicers, was compelled to remain a guest of McLouglilin and Douglas
until some means offered of getting his goods conveyed to Oregon CHy. Hav-
ing at length secured the service of the company's little schooner used for
navigating the Willamette, he emliarked cargo and family, and repaired to
McLoughlin's otHee to in(|uire to what extent he was indehtud for the favors
extended to him. 'Show me your invoice,' said the doctor. I offered him a
memorandum-hook containing the nnmher of packages shipped in the Fdiuii
from Honolulu. He looked it over, and remarked he could ' learn nothing
from that.' I did not intend he should; and again asked for my hill cf
expenses. He made me a very low how, and said: ' We are happy to receive
such men as yoxi in our mi<lst; we charge you nothing.' 1 felt so humiliated
by my unjust .suspicions and his generous conduct, that I wouM gladly have
drojiped into the ground out of sight.' When the doctor found I'ettygrove
bought beaver-skins to ship to New York, he oifered him all they were
worth in that market, giving him a draft on Canada at 'J."» per cent discount,
which offer was accepted. In l>S4(i McLoughlin ask(;d I'ettygrove to take liis
son Uavid into partnership with him, to learn the American mode of business
transactions, offering to furnish !<'J(),(KM) capital as his portion of the partner-
ship. This arrangement was finally m.ide and continued for '2 years, when
the firm was dissolved.
"■■'Jlonoliilii, S. /., Friend, Oct. ITi, 1849.
'^'■' Mxrk-'s Ori'i/oii, MS., ]-',i. This manuscript deal.'* only with the author's
private affairs, the substance of which here appertaining is given in the above
paragraph, it coutirms in some particulars I'ettygrove s Or<(jon in 16'4'J, M8.
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424
THE IMMIGRATION OF l*i3.
niC
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Columbia tlio brij^ Pallas, Captain Sylvester, from
Ncwl)uryport, with a carjj^o of Indian goods consigned
to Cusliing and Company. In the brig came Edmund
Sylvester, also of Maine, brother of the captain, who
reniahied in Oregon, and assisted in buildhig the first
two houses in Portland. In 184G he removed to
I*uget Sound,"^ and siittled at Olynipia, of which
town he was one of the founders.
It will be observed that those who came by sea
were New Englanders. As the missionaries were all
from N(nv England and New York, they received these
traders and sea-going pt^ople with a welcome warmer
than that they extended to the western settleiu
Their impression on the country was distinct. One
class bought and sold, built mills, and speculated in
any kind of property. The other, and now tlie larger
class, cultivated the ground, opened roads, exercised
an unbounded hospitality, and carried the world of
politics on their shoulders.
'"These items are found in Si/lrcitcrK Oti/mpia, MS., 1-4, which treats
liriiicipally of the early settlement and business of Puget Sound in a clear
;;iid comprehensive manner. This manuscript is one of the most valuahlo
authorities on Washington Territory. Sylvester says that tlie brig took away
:{(HI or 400 barrels of salmon; also that his brother sold the Pallux at the
.Sandwich Islands to a purchaser from Mazatlan, to carry the United States
mail between that port and the Islands. He does not say what became of
the cargo, or whether it was on the route to Xewburyport that she was sold,
or on the return to the Columbia River with anotiier cargo. All that is
known is that the brig was lost, and that in 1845 Captain Sylvester was in
connnand of the ('/icnaiiiii/i, which sailed from the Columbia River for New-
buryport. The C/iciKiiiiK.'t never returned to Oregon after her voyage of 1S45-G,
of wliich I shall speak hereafter.
\:S T
CHAPTER XA^I.
LEOISLATI \' K 1'K(1C v:p:I)IN< JS.
1844.
I'UARACTER OF THE ImMIORATIOX OF 1843 — TlCK LaND LaW — OlD AM>
New SEriLEus — OufiANic Laws — rKKsoNNEi. of tiik Commiitees —
Message of the Execctive CoMMriTEE- Revision anh Cokkection
OF Leoislative Errors — Judicial Affairs — The Blessi.nos of Lam>
Asv THE Ballot — Willameite Falls the Seat of (Ioverx.mest—
The QiEsTioN of Boundary — Law Relatisc! to Marriaue — LiyioR
Law — Slavery — Neoroes and Mulatfoes— Atiitude towari> the
British Fur Company- — Independence of Oregon.
t '■ i :\i
The imniigTatioii of 1843 was coin[)Osed of people
of pronounced character, rudely arrogant and aggress-
ive rather than tame and submissive. The poorest
might claim the liberal uraiit of land offered by con-
gress to actual settlers, while the leaders aspired to
achievements no less than founding a state, and framing
laws to govern it. If what liad been already done
suited them, well; if not, they would undo, if strong
I'liough. Hence immediately on arrival they were
deeply interested in what had been done by tiic pro-
visional government. They then discussed the laws
passed by the legislative committee, the most hnpor-
tant of wliich was the land law, whose objectionable
])arts were the proviso allowing the missions six miles
s([uare of land, and granting but twent}' days to new
settlers in which to record their claims, the old set-
tlers havino- a year.^
This injurious discrimination against new-comers,
joined to the greed of the missionaries, and the inti-
^ Graver's Or, Arcfihv-i, 3o.
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423
LE(JISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
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Illation given by Jason Leo, who met the iniiuigration
at the Dalles, that the Methodist Mission intended t
make the laws for the colonists, was sufficient to arouse
the independent spirit of the western men, who had
l)csidesa liberal contempt for the close-tisted Yankee
class to which most of tlie missionaries belonged,"
But the Methodist was of all the Protestant denomi-
nations most poi)ular on the western frontier, where
zeal rather than intelligence contributed to the quali-
fications of members; and among the immigration
were many zealous Methodists. Obviously these were
likely to indorse, or at least excuse and condone, any
acts of the missionaries.
But of the leading men few were hampered by this
religious allegiance. Men of note amongst western
communities, they ])ossessed not only greater freedom
from conventionalities than the ordinary New Eng-
lauder, but greater mental culture. By reason of
their struggles with the har'dshi})s of pioneer life, not
to mention that of their ancestors, they were often
lacking in J'efinement of manner, and always in the
})olish which inherited ease imparf ^t their ideas
were bold, strong, and speculative, ^ their conver-
.-ation, tliough sometimes bookish, was seldom pedantic,
wJiile their adventurous past furnished them with
original matter of interest far beyond the ordinary
topics of salovs. That this was so, and that they
won the friendship and respect of the more regularly
educated and trained uentleinen of the aristocratic
Hudson's Bay Com})any by their true manliness and
evident talents, is a matter of liiiitory.'^
If, then, some of the immigiants of 18415 affiliated
at once with the Mission, others openly exhibited a
I'egard and deference for the officers of the fur com-
pany, which was in missionary eyes heretical and dan-
gerous. There was still anotiier class composed of
those who had conscientiously opposed the formation
'•Si/tri',ttir'>i Oli/tiijiiii, MS., H.
■' f '/•((Hy'o/v/'v .)//.s.>i/(i;)((/vV.v, MS., 17.
(lOVKKNMENT.
4t.'7
of a government in tlie doubtful eondition of national
affairs, who comprised nearly half of the former set-
tlers, leaving out the Canadian j)opulation. These;
were glad to consult with the new-comers as to the
right of the colonists to take such a step, and having
some grievances of their own, were not averse to
drawing party lines.
That some form of government was made necessary
l)y the present addition, and by the probability that
with every year it would be increased, was clear, even
to the Hudson's Bay Company, who, however, could
not bring themselves to give allegiance to the United
States, but favored a temporary government which
should l)e independent of any sovereignty.* And see-
ing the embarrassment under which the fur magnates
labored between their allegiance and the pressure
brought to bear by the colonists, there were found some
Americans {)repared to give their consent to such a
compromise, But the majority were opposed to the
scheme: the Mission, because in the event of a union
hetween the two nationalities it could not hope to
preserve a leading position in colonial affairs; and
others, because it was not patriotic to act inde])en-
(leiitly of the United States government. Of this
way of thinking were most of the immigrants of 184;],
who were prompt to take part in the politics of the
colon v.
According to Article I., Section 2, of the organic
laws adopted the [)revious year, the election of an
executive and legislative conunittee, and other officers
of the provisional government, was lield on the second
Tuesday of May 1844, and resulted in the choice of
W. J. Baihy, Osborne liussell, and ]*. (I. Stewart, to
constitute tlie executive arm of the government; and
for the legislative branch, P. H. Burnett, M. M. Mc-
Carver, David Hill, and Matthew Gilmore, from the
* Af^phjnte's r'/r/ri, MS., 41; Or<ii/'s Tlkt. Or., 261.
Hi
I
iliii
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428
LE( as LATI V E PROCEEDINGS.
Tualatin district; A. L. Lovejoy, from the Clackamas
district; and Daniel Waldo, T. D. Kaiser, and Hubert
Newell, from the Cliampoeg district. Yamhill dis-
trict was not represented. The reader is already
acquainted with most of these men. Bailey had been
in Oregon since 1835. He was of English birth and
liberal education, though of rude ex})erience, and was
well adapted to the position. ' Osborne llussell was a
native of Maine, had been several years in the moun-
tains with the fur companies, and was of known
integrity," and was well fitted to repn^sent the con-
servative and moral element of colonial society. P. G.
Stewart was one of the immigration of 1843, a jeweller,
of fair education, a calm, disjmssionate, and thoughtful
man, deliberate, and careful of the interests of the
independent and energetic pioneers who made broad
the road to Oregon with laden wagons and lowing
herds.
The imperfect laws of Oregon made no provision
for the mode of conducting elections, except by adopt-
ing the laws of Iowa, with which the })eople were not
familiar. Two thirds of the voters were of the late
innnigration, and liad liad neither time nor o])portu-
nity to become inft)rmed regarding the requirements
of their duties as officers of the election. Hence those
first regularly elected to tlie legisiatui'e of Oregon
received no credentials as members of that body.
But theie was no disposition on the ]iart of any to
dis[)ute their election ; and they met on the 18th of
June, at Oregon City, in the residence of Felix Hath-
away, where they immediately organized for work by
taking an oath to support the laws of Oregon, and
fiithfully to discharge their duties. !^^cCarver was
chosen speaker of the house, and Burnett acted as
■'Xii<:-<' ihij., ixvii. :m.
"Says liiirnctt: 'AH his comrades agreed tliat he never lost liis virtuous
habits, but always reiiiaineil true to )iis iirinciples. He was never marrii'd.
He is a iiuin of education and refined feelings. After the diseovery of gold lie
eanie to the mines, and lias been engaged in mining in Kl Dorado County ever
«inue. ' Jiiirinft'.f /'cc, l(Jl-'_'.
EX K( L ri \' K -M KSS A( ;K.
42!t
secretary in the absence of J. E. Lony;/ The nies-
sa<^e of the executive committee was then read.^
' l>r Joliu K. Long was born in Engliuul ami l)re(l to the iirofession of
medicine. He immigrated to the United Ntiites in ISIW, and to Oregon in 1843.
Ilewiia a niemlKr of tlie Catholic churci; of Oregon City, but at the same
time was a firm supporter of the provisional govei'nmt nt. Me Wiu? drowned or
killed Jnne '21, 184(5, by a fall from his horse, which became uinnanagcablc
■it a ford of the Clackamas River, throwing liini into the stream. Or. !<vccliitor,
July 9, 184().
•^ To the Honorable the Legislative Assend)ly ot Oregon Territory — f len-
tlenien: As a rising colony, under no immediate external control or civil
protection, we have abundant reiison for rendcrin,{ up our thanks to the
(Jreat Kuler of the Universe for his parental care ii,!i(l protection over us,
from the iirst entrance into this country unto the present day. And it be-
conies us hund)ly to acknowl(;dge our dependence on him as our protector
and preserver, and implore a continuance of his care and watciifuluess over
us, and wisdom to direct us in the discharge of tlie duties devolving upon us.
This country has been po[iulated by powerful Indian tribes, but it has jjleased
tiie great di.spo.ser of human events to reduce tliem to a mere shadow of their
former greatness, thus removing tiit cliief ol)structu)n to the entrance of civili-
zation, ;in<l opening a way for the introduction of Christianity wliere igno-
rance ami idolatry have reigned uncontrolled for many ages. Tliere liave
p'Thajis been few colonies planted in North America under tlie same circum-
slances in wiiicli tiu; present settlers of this territory are placed. We arc
situated in a portion of country remote from civilized nations, amt/iig the few
renuiining savages who are the original proprietors of the soil. Tlie country
is claimed by two powerful, civilizeil, and enlightened nations, proud of their
national liberties, and jealous of their respective rights and privileges. It
is obvious that these claims must be adjusted, and the soil purchased from
tlie original proprietors, previous to any right being conferred upon the
citizens of those governments, relative to the cultivation of lamls in this Ter-
ritory. The government of (ireat Britain has never publiely extended her
claim so far south as to include the lands now under cultivation in tlii"- colony.
But a treaty now exists between that government and tlie United States,
giving to either party the right of mutual occupancy of this Territory in
relation to the Indian trade. The United States have held out inducements
to their citizens, and indirectly encouraged the settlement of this country by
them. Conseipieiitly we are now improving the country by their consent,
but without th.eir protection; and it is self-evident that every conimunity
have a right to make laws for their mutual benelit and protection, where no
law exists. It was under these impressions that the settlers in this Territory
establ'slied a form of government last year, and adopted such rules and
I'egulations ;is were at that time deemeil necessary for tlie protection and
prosperity of the colony. These regulations were so constructed as to be
altered or amended by a legislative assembly, whose members were to be
chosen by the people, annually, until such time as the governinent of the
United States shall exteml tluir jurisdiction over the Territory. At the time
of our organization it was expected that the United States would have
taken possession of the country before this time, but a year has rolled
around, and there aiipears little or no prospect of aiil from that ipiarter, con-
se(piently we are yet left on our own resources for protection. In view of
the lu'e.ient state of aflairs, geiitlemi'ii of the assembly, we would recommend
to your consideration the ailoption of some iiK'asures for a more thorough
organization. Also to take into consideration the pr 'iriety of laying a light
tax for the support of government. We woulil also it jomniend to your con-
sideration the propriety of vi'sting the executive power in one person; and the
imiiropriety <if vesting the power of supreme, probate, anil district judges in
one person; and the necessity of having an individual jud;ie for each court.
We wouhl rccomniend that such of the laws of Iowa as lia\c been or may be
lyilgnyilllll^^
4:u)
LKOISLATI VE PROCKKWX< IS.
It is not .surprising that there should bo those who
reiifarded tlie existinyf or<»"anization as iu»])erfec't. The
organic laws, however ably drawn, had elearly been
framed by one not versed in law; and while the com-
pact, notwithstanding the looseness of its provisions,
might be ke[)t by the lew who were in the country
at the time of its adoption, and who were acc(mipanied
to govern themselves without law, it was likely to fail
of its object with the addition of several hundred
persons annually from all parts of the United States
and the world. So, at least, the executive committee
had decided, and they tlirew upon the legislative com-
mittee the ungrateful task of casting a doubt on what
the friends of the or-iginal organization thought good
and suffici(Mit, by askiiig them to remodel the most
important portions of that work.
rji^^^ " Til
adopted, he so amended as to auit the circumstances of the country. That
the militia law l)e so amended that military othcers hold their commission
during gooil hchavior, ami that eadi company sliall have the privilege of
electing tlieir own oHicers, at such time and place as they shall think fit, ex-
cepting the days of annual review; and tluit such portions of tiie militia law
of Iowa he adopted as will suit all the circumstiinces of our military organiza-
tion. \\'e would recommend that the first article of the land law be so
amended as to require that some permanent imnrovement be niailc on a claim
before recording, and that siieh improvement be designated on record, with
such otlier regulations relative to land claims, as, in tlie opinion of tills
a,ssend)ly, will be most beneficial to the inti^rests of tiie public. We would
recommend that the fourtli article of tlie land law be repealed, as it is con-
sidered detriiiiental to the interests of tlie community. We would recoiu-
nieiid tliat commissionars be appointed to locate rondn, in such places as tiiis
.assembly shall deem necessary for the interests of the public, and that a law
be enacted for the puniose of establishing ferries at dilt'erent tl'oroughlare.s
crossing the Willamette Kiver. We recommend the encouragement of tlu^
means of education, as far as our limited circumstances will allow. We
would also recommend that tiie laws of Iowa be taken into consideration,
coneerniug bhicks and mulattoes, and that a law be enacted for the punish-
ment of offenders iucitiiig the Indians against the whites, and regulating tiie
intercourse of the whites among the Indians of tills colony. And in con-
clusion, we .lc:iire to impress upon your minds, tliat altliough the colony is
small, and its resources feebl', yet tlio Life, riglits. and lilierties of an indi-
vidual here are of ecjual value to him as to one m tiie city of Washington
or liondon. And it is a duty whieli devolves on you, and on us, to use as
mucli discretion, vigilance, and caution in maturing and adopting me;usiires
for promoting the interests of tiiis little colony, as if we expected our names
and acts \Nduld be enrolled in the pagi^s of history, or inscribed on pillars of
stone, when our day ami generation shall have passed away.
r. (!. .SrKWART,
Willamette Falls, June 18, 1S44.
O. RrssKi.i.,
W. ,T. Baii.kv,
Kxecutive Committee.
STANDING C'O.MMirrEl':s.
4.U
The legislature of 1844 has been censured by some
for undoing" so much of the work of the prtjvious year.'
But in their opinion as well as in the judgment of the
executive committee, it nmst l)e done ; the code of the
older colonists must be changed, but it was an un-
grateful task. Tlie new-comers composed three fourths
of the legislative committee of eight, the ninth mem-
ber not being elected. But two thirds of the executive
connnittee who recommended the changes were old
colonists.'" Burnett before going to take his seat in
the committee had never been at Oregon City, n(»r
examined the laws of I84."l" Therefore to charge
upon him as has been done a premeditated inttnition
of subverting them is n.'anifestly unjust.
Having his attention drawn to the peculiarities of
the orjfanic law by the executive committee before
making an examination of it, Burnett, who had been
district attorney in Missouri, and was an able jurist,
declares that on attempting to se})arate the funda-
mental from the statutory part of the code, or to
understand where the constitution ended and the
statutes began, he found himself unable to do so, and
that it became necessary to make some distinction
'The standing committees were as follows: Ways and means, Newell,
Hill, and (iilmore; niilitiiry afi'airs. Hill, Kaise.', and Oilinore; land claini><,
Walilo, Lovejoy, and Newell; roads, Bii>uutt, Waldo, an<l Kaiser; judiciary,
IJuruett, Lovejoy, an<l (Hlinore. (Jilmore was a plain fanner, and carrie<l no
great weight on the judiciary eonimittee. IJuriutt, it is nnderstood, did tlie
responsible work. The connnittee to draught rules for the government of the
house consisted of Lovejoy, Burnett, and AValdo. Tiie diti'erent parts of the
executive message were then referred to the committees cliosen to consider
tlieui; and on iriotif)n of Burnett, so mi'.ch of the executive committee's mes-
.sage ius relates to a more tiioroujih orifanization, to vesting tlie executive
jiower in a single iiulividual, and to tlie aiipointmeiit of several judges, and
also tiiose parts of sai<l message that lelate to tlie amendment of the laws of
chancery, wore referred to the jmliciai'y committee, (rrorrr'n Or. Arr/iircs, 'M.
'"Oray, who was on the lirst lef;islative connnittee, i.s very hitter toward
the eouimittees of l(S4l. I/iit. Or., 'M'). And even the more just Ajiplegate.
offended heeause his friend Shorte.ss was not found to he a faultless legislator,
says: ' The few and simple duties prt'scril>e(l to these committees liy tlie organic
law were far too iimiteii for tiie display of aiiluue.-i and suit,esmanslii[) wliich
they hoped to ohtiin the credit of possessing; and not understanding that tiit
ajiparent defects of the organic law were its wisest provisions, witliout war-
rant first obtained from the people to do, and witliout submitting their work.
;ing tiieir work,
idel the orifaiiic
when done, to their sanction or rejection, jn'oeeeded to remodel tlie orga
law itself to an extent amounting to its subversion.' Vkw-iof Hislorj, MS., 41.
m
mmm
432
LK( USLATI V K PIKM EKDIN* IS.
Itffore furtlu'i" loi^islation could take j)laco. As the
organic law then stood, it was either all constitution
or all stututo. No mode of amendment havinii" been
provided, if the orf^anic law was in fact the constitu-
tion of Oregon, to amend it would be revolutionary;
and unless it could be considered as statutory, and
amended or appealed, there was nothing for a legisla-
tive connnittee to do. Under these circumstances it
was decided to consider the laws in the light of stat-
utes, and witliout altering the s})irit or intent of that
portion which might be understood to be fundamental,
to remodel the remainder where they could be hn-
])roved.
Accordingly on the 27tli of June an act was passed
"regulating the executive power, the judiciary, and
for otluT purposes." The reader already knows that
the exjx.'dient of a triumvirate liad been adt)pted, not
because it was considered a form of executive power
most efficient l)y the first connnittee, but to avoid a
division l)y rival candidates which would have defeated
the organization. No such necessity now existed ;
therefore the judiciary act just mentioned vested the
gubernatorial power in a single person to be elected at
the next ammal election, and to hold his office for a
term of two yeai's, with a salary of !?:]00 per annum.
The legislative })()wer was vested in a house of repre-
sentatives consistinij of thirteen members; nine beiui^
thought too few in proportion to the increased popu-
lation.
J^y the organic law the judicial power was vested
in a supreme court, consisting of a judge and two jus-
tices of the peace; and in a probate and justice court.
By this peculiar combination of jurisdictions, should
a decision be made by a majority, the two justices
could overrule the supreme judge, or if a unanimous
verdict should be recjuired, a disagreement would de-
feat any decision. The judiciary act of 1844 vested
the judicial power in circuit courts and justices of the
peace, and provided for the election (»f one judge,
II
HMM
THE LAND LAW.
433
]US-
DUrt.
loukl
itices
I nous
II de-
with probate powers, whose duty it should be to hold
two terms of court, annually, in each county, at such
times and places as the law should direct. It like-
wise established the duties of clerk, recorder, sheriff',
and justices of the peace.
One of the conditions insisted on by the old colo-
nists in consenting to a government organization was
that they should not be taxed. But the committee
of 1844 believed that no efficient and regular govern-
ment could be sustained without a revenue ; that no
revenue could l)e had without taxation ; and no taxa-
tion could be enforced unless the majority were satis-
fied with the government. The great majority would
not support the organization unless convinced that
they were receiving an equivalent in the form of pro-
tection, and it was a perplexing question how to secure
the support of law-abiding men.^^ The legislative com-
mittee remembered, however, that Americans prize
above all things the possession of land, and the priv-
ilege of the ballot, and shaped their course accord-
ingly. The ways and means act in its fourth section
provided that any person refusing to pay taxes should
have no benefit from the laws of Oregon, and should
be disqualified from voting. Thus by outlawing those
who refused to support the government, the people
began to consider its value to them, and few were
willing to forego its assistance in preventing trespass
or collecting debts. Nor did many desire to be de-
prived of the ballot. ^^ •
The land law of 1843 was repealed and another
passed in its place. By the first, any person of any
age, sex, or race could hold a land claim, while by the
'^Thia refers aa much to the Canadians, who were law-al)i<ling, aa to the
American colonists. Says Brown, WiWimette I'alli'y, MS., 31-2, the 'Amer-
icans played a pretty sharp game on tlie British subjects to bring them into
tlie organization of this government. '
'^ The ways and means act called for a tax of one eighth of one per cent
upon the fair valuation of all merchamlise brought into the country for sale;
(in all improvements in town lots; on mills, pleasure-carriages, clocks, watches,
horses, mules, cattle, and hogs; and every white voter must pay a poll tax
of .")() cents. The sheriff was made collector of the revenue, for wliich he re-
ceived 10 per cent for all moneys received. Burnett's liecolkction-s, 205.
Hist. Or., Vol. I. 28
i
434
LE( ilSLATl VE PROCEEDINGS.
law of 1844 the conditions were narrowed. Only free
men over eighteen years of age, who would be entitled
to vote if of lawful age, and widows, could legally claim
six huiidied and forty acres. The claimant nmst take
his land in a square or oblong form, and nmst begin
improvements within two months from the time of
location with the intention of occupying. Yet a boy
under eighteen, if married, might hold land ; and all
claimants might own town lots in addition to their
acres. The custom of recording claims was dispensoil
with as being of doubtful privilege, the country l)eing
unsurveyed, and involving as it would oftentimes a
long journey. By an act passed at the second session
of the committee in December, the word ' occupancy '
was made to mean actual residence by the owner or
his ayjent. The second act also authorized taking six
hundred acres of prairie and forty acres of timl)ered
land, not contiguous. Partnership claims were also
allowed of double the usual amount, to be held for one
year by improvements upon either half; or longer, if
both halves were improved within the year. All per-
sons complying with tlic law were deemed in actual
possession, and if supporting the government, had
the remedy of forcible entry and detainer, and action
against trespass.^*
These were certainly improvements in the land law.
But the great change aimed at by the legislative com-
mittee, and desired by the peo])le, was to forbid the
right of missions to hold thirty-six sections of land,
thus repeating the practice of land monopoly by the
Catholic missionaries in California. As a whole, we
may be very sure that the repeal of the law of 1843
met with general approval from both the old and new
colonists, the missionary element only excepted. ^'^ The
"Or. Laws, 1845-^, 72, 77-8; liines' Or. Hist., 433; Oreetihow's Hist.
Or., 387.
'* Charles E. Pickett, an emigrant of 1843 to Oregon, but for many years
subsequently a resident of California, published in 1877 a pampliiet entitled
The Paris Nxposition ami Other Exjioidtioiut, in which he asserts his claim to
the distinction of having been one of the tirst to denounce the mission monop-
BOUNDS AND DIMTRlOrS.
430
law of 1844 placed the missions on the same footinj^
with other claimants. It also ignored the issues be-
tween McLoui^hlin, and Lee and Waller, with regard
to the proprietorship of Oregon City.
The seat of government was established by law at
Oregon City, called in the act Willamette Falls, after
the custom of the early American settlers. The an-
nual meeting of the legislature was fixed for the fourth
Tuesday in June. An act was passed fixing the time
of holding courts in the several districts, and another
regulating the salaries of the ofliicers. On j)etition of
J. L. I'arrish, a new district called Clatsop was estab-
lished, of the extent of which there is no information."'
It will be remembered that the whole territory of
Oregon was divided into five districts by the com-
mittee of 1843, but in language so vague that a
strict ct)iistructionist would be in doubt as to whether
the country north of the Columbia was included,
The committee of 1844 confined the jurisdiction ot
the provisional government to the south side of the
Columbia, by an act making that stream the northern
line of the several counties.''^
This action was susceptible of two interpretations.
It might mean that they abandoned the country north
of the Columbia to the British government, or it
might indicate to the Hudson's Bay Company that
its servants were excluded from participation in the
benefits of the organization. If the latter, it was
more powerful to influence the company than the law
oly, and to enforce his views Ijy taking a claim on the tract reserved by the
Methodists. These articles were first published in the S. F. L'xaniimr, Nov.
1877.
'* A compilation was made in 1 853 of The Laws qf Oregon from 1843 to
IS40, incomplete and carelessly done. It is, however, with thanks that the
historian accepts so nnich of a guide to the acts of the temporary government
of Oregon. Previously the only printed code was a volume of Iowa laws of
1838. It was l)rought to Or. in 1843, and furnished tlie laws adopted in 1844.
It was called the 'blue book,' and was bound in blue Ijoards. In 1845 the
larger revised statutes of Iowa, of 1843, founil their way to Dr., also in Idue cov-
ers, and were partially adopted in 1849. Tliis volume became the ' blue book,'
and the first the ' little blue book,' of Or. legislators. Letters qf M. P. Deady,
"Or. Lam, 1843-9, 74.
its
436
LEfllSLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
of 1843, wliich extended jurisdiction over the whole
Oregon Territory, and held out no threat of outlawry
to a portion of its inhabitants. It was one of those
fine points which in the existing political conditions
of the colony could not be rashly approached. The
friends of the original organic laws, who resented the
legislation of 1844 as an affront to the wisdom of the
first legislature, saw fit to construe the act to mean
that protection was withheld from such Americana as
might settle north of the Columbia, and accused the
legislatures of acquiescing in the claim of the British
government, which sought to make that river the
northern boundary of the United States. ^^
So positive and determined was the opposition to
any such admission, even by implication, ihat at the
second session of the committee, in December, an ex-
planatory act was passed defining the boundaries of
Oregon as lying between latitudes 42° and 54° 40', and
extending from the Rocky Mountains to the sea.'"
This made plain the position of the British residents
in Oregon ; they were without a foothold in it.
The prying eyes of the legislati\ committee of
1844 discovered that the marriage law of Oregon was
open to objection upon the ground that it rendered in-
valid marriages contracted without the consent of the
parents where either of the contracting parties were
under the age of twenty-one, and exposed the couple to
the charge of living in adultery as well as their chil-
dren to the taint of bastardy. The judiciary com-
mittee therefore amended the 17th article of the
^» Applegate\i Views, MS., 41; Emm' I fist. Or., MS., 207"
" ' Commenciug at that point on the Pacilic Ocean where the parallel of
42° of north latituile strikes the same, as agreed upon by the Unitetl States
and New Mexico; thence along the coast of said ocean, so as to include all the
islands, bays, and harbors contiguous thereto, to a point on said ocean where
the parallel of 54° and 40' of north latitude strikes the same; thence east
along the last parallel, as agreed between the United States and Russia, to
the summit of the main dividing ridge of the Rocky Mountains, dividing the
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans; thence southerly, following said
main dividing ridge to the said parjillel of 42° of north latitude; and tlience
weat to the place of begiuning. ' Or. Lawn, 1343-9, 72-3; dayman's Note Book, 6.
MARUIA(JK, LIQUORS, SLAVEIiY
437
organic laws by an act of three sections making males
of sixteen and females of twelve years of age eompe.
tent to enter into the marriage relation , but re-
quiring the consent of the parents, till the man was
twenty-one and the woman eighteen. The person
marrying minors without the sanction of parents or
guardians was made liable to a fine of one hundred
dollars, to be paid to the parents or guardians; but
the marriage was not invalidated for want of their
consent. Burnett says the law was enacted oidy to
obviate the evils sure to grow out of the former one.
Early marriages are the rule of all new comn)unities
for obvious reasons. In Oregon, especially, wh^re
women were few, a girl was sure to have suitor, be-
fore she had ffirl . reached maturity. But making
(children of sixteen and twelve years of age competenl
to marry d to abuses in colonial and territorial times
resulting too often in divorce, and sometimes in death.
One of the acts passed intended to have a whole-
some effect u})on the colony, and which met the aj)-
proval of the majority, was a prohibitory liquor law.
The penalties were fifty dollars for importing, twenty
dollars for each sale, and one hundred dollars i\ )r man-
ufacturing, together witli the destruction of the distil
lery. White, as Indian agent, was permitted to make
some remarks before the committee in favor of its
passage. The administering of the law by Vv hite has
already been alluded to in a previous chapter.
An act touching the subject of slavery, free negroes,
and muluttoes is worthy of notice. The adoption of
the ordinance of 1787 as the basis of the organic law
of Oregon had already made this free territory, and
every article of the laws of 1843 was in consonance
with free principles. Some occasion, however, was
given for special legislation by an atiray at Oregon
City in the month of March })revious, ii which two
white men and an Indian had been killed, and the
public mind much excited, for all of which it was
proven that a free negro was to blame. White had
m
4
mm
l<!
ii
438
LEGir NATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
asked the secretary of war if the immigration of
negroes could not be prevented, and the executive
committee had thought the subject of sufficient im-
portance to recommend the passage of a law on the
subject of such offences as the negro had been guilty
of The opportunity offered for riddmg the infant
empire of Oregon of the negro, and all the questions
dependent upon his presence in the community, was
too good to be neglected. There was a deep-seated
hatred of slavery by leading men of the western immi-
^ration. Most of them were natives of slave states,
who, not having been of the privileged class of wealthy
planters, well understood the evils of poverty and
slavery together. They knew that education, honors,
and all desirable attain.nents and dignities were denied
to the poor white class of the slave states ; and when
they emigrated from them they determined to leave
behind the clinging curse of caste, and to have for
their own a free country, and free institutions to leave
to their children. By a curious and contradictory im-
pulse of the mind, no southern man, desiring freedom
for himself from the evils of slavery, ever could be
brought to look with complacency upon a free negro.
The black man, though not to blame for the condition
of society his presence entailed, was never forgiven for
it, nor admitted to be a suflcrer by it.
Undoubtedly something of this feeling of caste,
where no caste was to be tolerated, influenced the
founders of the provisional government of Oregon.
Article 4 of the organic laws prohibited slavery or
involuntary servitude except for the punishment of
crimes whereof the party should have been duly con-
victed. The new legislation was intended, besides
settling the matter of slavery in Oregon, to rid the
country, in time, of every free negro or mulatto in it,
and to prevent the coming of others,^" by inflicting
'■* ' Be it enacted by the legislative committee of Oregon as follows: Sec. J .
That slavery and involuntary servitude be forever prohibited in Oregon. Si'U.
2. That in all cases where slaves shall liave been, or shall hereafter be, brought
PUNISHMENT OF CRIMINALS.
corporal punishment on all of eighteen years of age,
or more, who had not left the territory within two
years after the passage of the act. But finding this
law to conflict with the spirit of free institutions in
too great a degree, it was amended at the December
session by repealing the sections making whipping tlie
])unishment for remaining in the country, and susbti-
tuting one requiring the arrest of such contumacious
negroes, their trial before a justice of the peaci;, and
if convicted, the hiring of the offenders to the person
who should give bond to remove them out of the ter-
ritory within the shortest space of time, paying himself
out of their services. The law was in any case inop-
erative for two years, during which time sucli changes
liad occurred in the territory as to do away with the
motive for enforcing it.
At the December sess'on an act was passed for
erecting a jail at Oregon City with money from the
estate of Ewing Young; the executive committee
being required to appoint an administrator to close uj)
the business of the estate, and collect debts due to it ;
and tlie government being pledged to pay all money
so received to the lawful heirs of Young whenever
into Oregon, the owners of such slaves respectively shall have the term of .'$
years from the introduction of sucli slaves to remove tlieui out of the country.
Sec. .3. That if such owners of slaves sliall necluct or refuse to remove such
slaves from the country within the time spucihed in ilie preceding section,
sufh slaves shall be free. Sec. 4. Tluit when any free negro or mulatto shall
have come to Oregon, he or she, as the case may be, if of the age of 18 or
upwards, shall remove from the country within the term of 2 years for
males, and 3 for females, from the piissjige of this act; and tliat if any free
negro or nuilatto shall hereafter come to Oregon, if of the age aforesaid, he or
she shall quit and leave the country within the term of 2 years for males,
and .'{ years for females, from his or lier arrival in the country. vSec. 5.
That if such free negro or mulatto he under the cage aforesaid, the terms of
time specified in the preceding section sliall begin to run wlien he or she sliall
arrive at such age. Sec. 6. '.hat if any such free negro or nudatto shall fail
to quit the country, as requi/eil by this act, he or she may be arresteil upon a
warrant issued by some jastice of the peace, and if giiilty on trial before such
justice, shall receive upon Isis or lier bare back Ufit les.s than 20 nor more
than ;<9 stripes, to be iuHictei'. by the con.st;ible cf the iiro])er county. Sec. 7.
That if any free negro or nuilutto shall fail to quit the country within tlie term
of (} months after receiving such stripes, he or she shall again receive the
same punishment once in every G months, until he or she shall quit the
country. Sec. 8. Thfit when any slave shall obtain his or her freeifom, the
terms specified in the 4th section shall begin to run from the time when such
freedom shall be obtained.'
N
440
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
they should appear to claim it. A lot for the erec-
tion of the jail was offered by McLoughlin, and ac-
cepted by the committee.^^ An act was also passed
for the protec^'on of Indians in the free use of such
pieces of vacant land as they then occupied with their
villages or fisheries; and the executive was empow-
ered to bring suit in the name of Oregon against
persons infringing the rights of the natives to the
peaceable possession of such lands.
The two sessions of the committee of 1844 occu-
pied less than three weeks, in which time forty-three
bills were passed, many of them of general impor-
tance. Some of the shorter ones showed the improve-
ments to wliich the accession of population was giving
rise. Hugh Burns and Robert Moore were granted
rights to keep public ferries on the Willamette ; John
McLoughlin to construct a canal round the falls ; W. H.
Wilson and L. H. Judson to construct a mill-race in
Champoeg County. Jesse Applegate was appointed
engineer to survey for a canal from the crossing of the
Tualatin River, down Sucker Creek, to the Willamette
River, in order to determine the cost of making this a
mode of transportation from the Tualatin plains to the
Willanuitte. Several road acts were also passed.
The legislative conunittee fixed the pay of the ex-
ecutive conmiittee at one hundred doliars each, per
annum, for their services, the three receiving nothing
above the amount fixed as the salary of the gov-
ernor provided for by an act passed the following tlay.
But as the organic law did not contemplate j)aying
the executive committee in anything but honors, one
hundred dollars to each might be considered as a gift.
The legislative committee voted themselves two dol-
lars a day, and the assessor of the revenue the same."'^
"The founders ui a new colony, whatever Utopia of human virtue nud
nappineas they nii^ht originally project, have invariably recognizeil it among
tlieir earliest practical necessities to allot a portion of the virgin soil as a
cemetery, and anotlier as a site of a prison.' Hmrthomc^s Scarlet Letter, 3.^.
' Wo are getting along finely, ' writes a settler; 'and have already laid tlie
foundation of a jail.' Niles' Rfij., Ixx. 214,
■' Oreijou Lawn, 184J-9, 76.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
441
The judiciary report of 1843, in defining the pow-
ers of the executive committee, gave them authority
to "recommend such laws as they might consider
necessary, to the representatives of the people, for their
action;" and they had, at the opening of the second
session, recommended to the representatives to make
provision for framing and adopting a constitution for
Oregon previous to the next annual election on the
first Tuesday in June. Accordingly an act was passed
to provide for holding a constitutional convention,
requiring the executive committee to notify the in-
habitants of all the counties that they should at the
next annual election give their votes for or against
the call for a convention to frame a constitution, and
notify the legislative committee elected of the result.
This act, in which both committees elected by the
people were agreed, was unfavorably commented upon
by certain friends of the original organic law, as a
movement toward an independent government. Ap-
plegate expressed the opinion that the changes made
in the mode of administration were unnecessary for the
short time the provisional government was expected
to last.^
Two of the executive committee, I think, leaned
toward independent government, and they were
among those who hud been longest in the country.
This was hinted in the message of June signed by
the whole committee,'"* though bearing the impress
of but one author.^" The second message explains
that adjourmnent to December was made in the ex-
pectation of receiving some information from the
United States relative to tlie adjustment of claims
with Great Britain. When tliis fact is taken into
consideration, and that no satisfactory intelligence liad
been obtained of such settlement, the coloring given
to the acts passed in December is such as to justify
'■*•' Vieim nf Jfintori/, MS., 41.
"^Thu message of l)eccinl)er was signed only by Russell anil Stewart.
^'' Burnett says, ' I think Russell wrote the message, ' but thia is simply an
opinion.
^,
442
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
\r ^
an opinion that there was a determination to perfect
as rapidly as possible a government which would be
able to cope with the exigencies to which it was liable
to be subjected.^® In advising the adoption of a con-
stitution, the writer of the message used this lan-
guage: "It should be constructed in such a manner
as would best suit the local situation of the country,
and promote the general interests of the citizens,
without interfering with the real or pretended rights
of the United States or Great Britain, except when
the protection of life and property actually require it."
The legislative committee, by calling for the votes of
the people upon a constitutional convention, may have
been feeling their way toward what the future had in
store for them, without meriting much opprobrium.
It is noteworthy, however, that at the first session
Lovejoy moved to strike the word 'territory' out of
the journal of legislative proceedings. This might
mean that the legislative committee did not wish the
country to b considered a territory of the United
States, or that in their estimation it was not such at
present. An attempt was made in the legislature of
1845 to establish the name Oregon Territory, but it
was never adopted until the boundary was determined
and the question of sovereignty set at rest. Again,
in the judiciary act, the nineteenth article of the
organic law is repealed, the same being a resolution
that a connnittce should be appointed to "draw up a
digest of the doings of the people of this territory,
with regard to an organization, and transmit the same
to the United States government for their informa-
tion." That committee, consisting of Lee, Hines,
and Walker, never informed the government of the
organization, nor did the legislative committee of 1844.
It was not until 1845 that congress was notified that
Oregon enjoyed a govermnent in which the United
**McLoughliu wrote to Alexander Siiiipsou under date of Nov. 1844:
'Theydeelare that, if in ten years the boundary is not settled, they will
erect themselves into an independent state. ' This refers to the colonists at
large, tiou l^iniysoii's Or. Tcr, Ctainin, 41.
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES.
448
States had as yet no part. The repeal of the resolu-
tion may have signified that the committee did not
desire to have its doings reported to congress, or it
might have been done, because such a resolution was
out of place in tlie organic law.
But however the legislative committee may have
favored the ind-jpendence of Oregon, there is no
reason to suppose they intended to yield aught to the
British government or Hudson's Bay Company,"" but
on the contrary, there appeared a disposition to vote
down the bills and petitions presented in the interest
of John McLoughlin.^^ In many small ways they
unintentionally left proof that, if they aimed at
independence for Oregon, it was as a government
free from all influences foreign to their republican
principles. ^^
The economy of the government is shown in the
appropriations, which for its whole expenses for the
first year amounted to $917.96, to meet which there
were $358.31 in the treasury, the tax collector not yet
1 laving completed his labors. This was less than
fifty cents for each individual in the country, accord-
ing to the census of 1844, the correctness of which I
doubt, givhig as it does a total of 2,109,*' including
the immigration of that year, which was also taxed.
"Gray accuses Burnett 'and a few other Ainericans ' of truckling to tlio
fur comiiany. HM. Or., .384; Kiles' lieij., Ixix. 224; J/owLionn t'ou-nt <tiitl
Country, 17.
'■'* One of tlie tirst petitions presented was from McLoughlin for permission
to establish a fiirry across the Willamette Biver, wliicli was refiisetl. Mc-
Loughlin alsi • ■■'oustrated against leav>. being granted certain Ainericans to
construct a • ., :o the island mills, but the leave w:is granted. But the
petition for Icavo to construct a canal around the falls was allowed, because
that was a work re(|uiriug a large outlay, and one which would be of great
benefit to the colony. jJcLoughlin's name of ' Oregon City ' for his town was
steadily rejected by the legislative committee, who wrote 'Willamette Falls '
at the neail of their proceedings, till at the December session it was formally
incorporated iis Oregon City.
^ Waldo's Cntiquee, MS., 8.
* Males over 18 years, 72o; under 18 years, 530; females over 18 years,
303; under 18 years, 485. Champoeg County liail tlie largest population;
Tua'atin next; then YandiLll, Clackanuis, and Clatsop, in a descending scale.
White in his report gave the population at 4,000. Ten Ycnri in Or., 225; Co/i-
c'me View, MS., 54. The census of 1844 wiis taken by Thomas H. Smith, later
a resilient of Los Angeles Coimty, Cal., according to an act of the legislature.
It would h» been impossible to obtain a perfect count at the time.
Li
444
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
No census was taken of the amount of property in
the country.
Applegate calls the acts of the legislative commit-
tee of 1844 "impolitic and unpatriotic;" and asserts
further that the conservative class, which greatly out-
numbered the mere demagogues and their followers,
determined these wrongs should be righted at any
cost.^^ Had Mr Applegate ever done anything to
deserve the name of demagogue, here would be the
time to accuse him of wishing in his turn to subvert
a good government, because it was proposed to place
it on a firm basis. He was perhaps unconscious of
the influence at work to create public sentiment
against the acts of the legislative committee, or the
jealousies v/hich struggled to prevent either of two
of the members of the executive committee from being
governor of the colony. How the people finally
decided I shall relate in a future chapter concerning
the legislature of 1845, of which Applegate was a
member.
After all there appeared to be no great need of law
in Oregon. The only occasion on which Judge Bab-
cock, elected at the primary meeting of 1841, exercised
his probate powers, Avas at the death of Cornelius
Rogers in the spring of 1843.^^ All the disturbances
occurring in the colony had been of a nature to bring
them under the jurisdiction of White. There is but
a single mention of an assault previous to the estab-
lishment of circuit courts, and that one was accom-
panied by extenuating circumstances, the oflender
escaping with a fine. But in the spring of 1845 Joel
Turnham assaulted Webley Hauxhurst with sucli
violence that a complaint was entered against him.
Turnliam, being a constable, could not take himself
into custody, and John Edmonds was deputed to make
the arrest. Turnham resisted and attacked Edmonds,
" Vierm of Huttory, MS., 41-2.
reaic
''•^ HiucH and Gray appraised tli^ estate at $1,500, debts $700. Rogers' heirs
idedjiii Utica, N. "i. Hiiiea' Or. Hist., 14>,.
SHERLFJ' MEEK.
446
who was compelled to fire on him, the shots result-
ing fatally. The grand jury found no bill against
Edmonds.^* Not long after this, Sheriff Meek had a
warrant to arrest V. W. Dawson, an enemy of the
government, who openly defied the organization, and
would have resisted the officer had not Meek been as
kind and cool as he was courageous. Dawson, finding
he must submit, thereafter was a firm friend of law,
and insisted that as he obeyed, everj other must.
" White'n Concise View, MS., 40; Nilea' Jieij., Ixviii. 393; Kaiser's Nar.,
MS., 10, 11: Salem Dircct<ynj, 1871.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1844.
Bbllioerent Attitude of the British and Americans — Vancouver Fok-
TtFiED — Gathering of the Emigrants — The Sevkkal Divisions
AND Companies — The InuF'-endent Colony — Cornelius Gilliam —
Nathaniel P'ord- -The Journey — Sufferings on the Journey —
Their DESTrrt-TE Condition — Reception by Missionaries and Fuu-
traders — Names of the Immigrants — Biographical Notices.
11.:
I HAVE said that there were two sessions of the
legislative cominittee of 1844, which adjourned from
June 27th 'o December 16th, in order to have an
opportunity of learning from the immigrants who
were expected in the autumn the attitude of affairs
between the rival claimants of the Oregon Territory.
No less anxious than the Americans were the Britisli
subjects, who, being well informed by the belligerent
speeches in congress, and the temper of the western
people, began to look on their position in Oregon as
insecure.
Nor was McLoughlin ignorant that the pilgrims
of 1843 were prevented by circumstances rather than
by will from hostile acts ; and notwithstanding that
the danger was averted for the time, he did n(jt
regret having written to England for protection.^
In the summer of 1844 he had added a bastion to
Fort Vancouver, and otherwise increased the defences
of the place, which before was hardly in a condition
to resist attack. Tlie reason given for these prepara-
tions was the threatening demeanor of the natives of
the interior, and the necessity of doing something to
^ McLoughlin' a Private Papers, MS., 3(1 ser., 12.
(446)
WAR CLOUDS.
447
secure the company's property in case of an outbreak.
But these explanations did not deceive the more in-
telhgent of the Americans, and while some smiled at
the admission that the Americans were feared,^ others
chose to take alarm, and to accuse the company of
intending to make war on them.
Early in July 1844 a British sloop of war, the
Modeste, Captain Thomas Baillic, carrying twenty
guns, entered the Columbia, and anchored opposite
Vancouver ; but it does not appear from McLoughlin's
papers that any proffer of protection was made, or
that the sloop remained long. It is certain, however,
that the board of management had been otticially
notified that England would not yield any of Oregon
north of the Columbia, and that they were to govern
themselves accordingly.
The position which the officers of the Hudson's
Bay Company filled at this time was one of great
delicacy and not a little dn^ad, which every fresh
intelligence from the United States or England in-
creased. On the 24th of January Wentworth of
Illinois had said in congress : '* I think it our duty to
speak freely and candidly, and let England know that
she never can have an inch of Oregon, nor another
inch of what is now claimed as the United States
territory." A determination to maintain this position
was the issue upon which a president of the United
States was to be elected."^ On the other hand, it had
been said in the English parliament, by Sir Robert
Peel, " England knows her rights and dares maintain
them ; " * and by Lord Palmerston, that if Linn's bill
' Gray, who seems not to iinderstaiid the influence of congress on these acts
of the company, attributes its deft-nsive attitude at this time to the forma-
tion of the military force called the Oregon Rangers; anil says sneeringly:
' The company had found that since the Americans began to settle in the
country these Indians had become more dangerous. IJi.ft. Or., .3745.
Blanchet takes Gray up sharply on this statement, wliich he seems to think
is seriously meant. He says: 'It is false that the company had anything to
fear from the Indians. If the fort ■was repaired, bastions built, and all other
protective and defensive measures were completed, it was to defend itself
against another kind of sivageness.' Ilwt. CcUli. Church in Or., 145.
'^(ireenJmng Or. and Cal, .394.
* Roberts' Recolkctionti, MS., 0.
ii(
V»i
S4-
i.
11
148
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1844.
had passed both houses of congress ifc would have
been a declaration of war.^ This belligerent attitude
on both sides was also as well known to uneducated
western men, who were capital Indian-fighters, and
who had served under Jackson and Taylor, as it was
to the Ischolarly oflicers of the British fur comyany."
The inducement to go to Oregon was not lessened by
the prospect of having to drive out the nation which
had been fought at New Orleans and along the bor-
der, and a large number of people' collected at differ-
ent points on the Missouri River, amounting in all to
fourteen hundred persons. The company which ren-
dezvoused near Weston, at a place called Capler's land-
ing, was led by Cornelius Gilliam, who had conceived
the idea of an independent colony, as best suited to
his fancy and the temper of the men. The leaders
of 1844 were hardly equal to those of the previous
* Cong. OM)e, 1843-4, app. 98.
^Minto's Early Days, MS., 20.
' McLoughliu places the number of immigrants of 1844 at 1,475. Private
Papers, MS., 2(1 ser., 9. A letter in the WeMern, Mo., Expositor of May 18,
1844, and dated at 'Oregon Camps' May ^1 5th, saya: 'Our company when
joined with yours will bo very large — much the largest that has ever crossed
the Rocky Mountains. There are in the Independent Oregon Colony, at this
date, 1 minister, 1 lawyer, 1 millwright, 3 millers, 1 tailor, 1 ship-carpenter,
2 blacksmiths, 1 cooper, 1 tailoress, 2 cabinet-makers, 5 carpenturs, 4 wheel-
wrights, 2 shoemakers, 1 weaver, 1 gunsmith, 1 wagon-maker, 1 merchant,
and the rest farmers. There are 48 families, 108 men (of whom 60 are young
men), 323 persons; 410 oxen, IGO cows (16 of which are team cows), 143 young
cattle, 54 liorses, 41 mules, and 72 wagons. Many men from the adjoining
counties arc on their way to join us. ' This letter was written by Civptain
Cornelius Gilliam, who was encamped with his company nine miles below St
Joseph, Mo., to Captain Nathaniel Ford, who was at Independence with
another company. S. I. Friend, Nov. 1, 1844; N. Y. Express, June 7, 1844;
Nilcs' Ifetj., l.\v. 100. John Minto, who joined Gilliam's company, thinks tho
immigration of 1844 numbered about 800. Or. Pioneer Assoc, Trans., 1876, 42.
A correspondent of the S. I. Friend, of Jimc 2, 1845, says there were over 600.
In tho message of the executive committee of December 1844 the number is
estimated at upwards of 750 persons, dray's Hist. Or., 382. Elwood Evans,
in Or. Pioneer A.isoc. , Tram. , 1877, 26, places the number at 475. We can count
300 of (Jilliam's company, before tlie accession of all tlie 87 wagons comprising
it. Ford's company swelled the host to about 8(X), and tliere was still another
company iinder John Thorp, which started from near the mouth of the Platte
River, and travelled on tho north side of that stream. As tliey would not
come together until tho different organizations had been mucli broken up, it
would l)e dillicult to judge of each other's original numbers. No count would
again be made until they reached tlie Dalles, from which point the agents of
tlie Hudson's Bay Company would bo on tho alert to ascertain their strength,
for obvious reasons.
CUUXKLIUS (ilLLlAM.
440
vcar. Xor l)y sayint;' this do I mean any cUsrcHpoct.
They were l)r'avc, loyal, oarucst, hut hcttiT fitted to
execute than to conunauvl; to l)e loyal to a ^vjveni-
luent than to construct one. Thoir tendencies were
more toward military glory than j)ride of statesinan-
ship. This spirit 1(k1 them to or<j;ani/e under military
rules for their journey to the Columhia, and to elect
a set of officers sufficient for an army, with Gilliam
as general.
Nothing is known of Gilliam's antecedents. He
was brave, obstinate, im[)etuous, and generous, with
good natural abilities, and but little education. His
accomplishments were varied; he had servetl in the
J^lack Hawk war, and also in the Seminole war in
Florida, as captain; he had preached the gospel of
Christ; he had been sheritt' of a county, and had
served in the ^Missouri legislature. He was, indeed,
just the robust, impulsive, sympathetic, wilful, and
courageous leader the men o+' the border would choose.
His aid was John Inyard.^
The colonel of the organization was Michael T.
Simmons, uneducated, but brave and independent,
who sought in emigration to Oregon recovery of for-
tune and health. Four captains were elected under
(lilliam: R. W. Morrison, William Shaw, Richard
Woodcock, and Elijah Hunton." Instead of a judge
advocate, w'itli that instinct toward civil liberties
which characterized the frontiersman, a court of
"Minto, ill Or. Pioneer Assoc., Trnnx., 1876, 30; Letter of W. H. Roes to
John Miuto. Inyanl had served, in a subonliiiato capacity, witli ( iilliain in the
SL-miiiole war, taking part in the battle of Okechobee. In (ieiioral Taylor's
report o. the battle, some disobedience of Captain (Jilliani, which entailed a
loss of life, was mentioned, for which nnfavorable report both (Hlliam and
Inyard bore over after an inveterate enmity toward the future hero of the
Mexican war. Inyard, according to Kecs, was 'an average man of the class
reared in the south-west amid the ruinous institutions of human slavery.' /(/.
'I'his name, I find, is sometimes spelled Engart.
^Morrison was a thrifty farmer fr'vn the neighborhood of Weston. Minfo'n
Enrlij I>(i!/x, MS., 18. Shaw was ijorn in North Carolina, near Raleigh, in
1795; but emigrated with his father to Tennessee when a chiM; and again to
Missouri in 1819, when the inhabitants were living in forts to protect them-
selves against the natives. He liad fought under Oeneral Jackson in '&I4:-
13, in the wax against the Creeks and the British. Sfiaio's Pioneer Life, MS.,
1,2.
nisT. Or., Vol. L 29
450
THE IMMIGRATION OF li^.
i
I i
II f
oquity was estahlislied by tlio election of a judn'c,
with two UHHociate justices.'" But the court was in-
operative, martial law ])rovailiug during the mainte-
nance oi' military discipline.'^
When the independent colony reached the hutlalo
grounds, (iilliani used to dash oft* after tiie game, to
the disappointment of those left in charge of the
train.'" Sjuieches were made in camp on this .suhject,
and some legulations were laid down for hunting, hut
they were not regaixled ; and as liapj)ened in 184:5,
when the Kocky Mountains had been passed, there
was no longer any attempt to keep together in large
companies.
Th<! other divisions, led by Nathaniel Ford, a man
of character and influence, and John Thorp, appmir
not to have found it necessary to burden themselves
with too many regulations, and progressed well with-
out tliem. Moses Harris, well known in the moun-
tains among the fur-traders and tra})pers as Black
Harris, acted as guide. A com})any under Subletti;
also travelled with them from the Platte to Green
River. The spring was unusually rainy. By the over-
flowing of streams, as well as the softening of the
earth, so much time was lost that by the 1st of Jul}''
not more than one hundred miles in a straight course
had been travelled. Yet they did not sutt'er them-
selves to be discouraged, only one man out of Gil-
liam's connnand turning back.'^ Two mo; ths of wet
weather produced dysei *:ery and rheumatism." The
delay occasioned by sto 'ns was so much additional
time in which provisions 'ere being consumed; hence
"•Benjamin Niuhols, judge; Jose (tagc and Theopliilus Magnider, asso-
ciato justices. Charles Saxtoii was : retary of tlie independent company.
" Clark Eades, for violating a g eral order, was tried before (General
Gilliam, and sentenced to be ' tied, a' ( staked out in the hot sun from eleven
o'clock A. M. until tlie going down of aesame.' Letter of W. H. Rees.
'■' Fremont's Rept. for 184;}-4, in L'. S. t'nth. Mmj., iv. L>()5.
'* ' An Oregonian,' in .SVi/t';/( 1)7//. Fnriiifi; Dee. 17, 187;).
'* Sublette 8 company consisted of '2'2 men, 11 of wliom were travelling for
their health. Tliree of these died within a few days of each other: Marshall,
June 27th, Kotchum, July .3d, Browning, July 7th. Clyimiiin Xote Book, MS.,
22, 25, 2G. A Mr Baruutt of the emigration died at Green River, of tj-phoid
fover. Id.
fLYM.VN. MINTO, AND WATT.
451
at Fort T^arnmio many families wore already witliout
lldUi'^ iiiitl cominllcd to jturcliasc it at thirty and f'oity
dollars a harri'l. Suj^ar could l)o procured only at a
dollar and a half a pint.
The route from (jrreon River to Fort TT;dl was tlie
same o[H'ne<l the year hefon^ hy way of Fort J^ridy'er.
Many were; hitteily disapj)ointed on reachini^ this
point to be told that tluy were then oidy half-way to
their destination ; and a nmall conqjany of men without
families abandoned their wa<^ons two days west of this
|M)st, and prepared to ti'avel with hoi'ses only.''' They
I'cached Fort Jlall op the lOth of Septend)er, findin«if
tliiur at this place too high for their niean.s. Gilliam's
wagons arrived here the Kith, where a letter awaited
them from Burnett, advising them, if tlu'V were likely
to need assistance before reaching the Colund)ia, to
send word to tlu; settlers. As it was manifest that
assistance would be needed, a l>arty of young men were
sent forward on horses, who reached Oi'egon City on
the I8th of October, These wen; John Alinto,^^
Ml''.
i
'* Of this company was James Clyman, who kept a ihiily journal or iioto-
lidok, wliich lia.s fortunately \>ecn prcsurvod through iriaiiy vicisnitudus, and
■whiuli I have found very useful. ]Jeside.s tlie incidents of the journey, it eon-
tains many instructive remarks on the country traversed; and an account of
affairs in the Oregon colony during tliu winter of ltS44- "). Clynian was a Vir-
ginian hy liirth, Imt emigrated from Stiirk County, Oliio.
"'.lohii Minto became well known and highly esteemed in Oregon. J^ie
T\as of English l)irth and education, a native of Wylam on the Tyne, in Nor-
thuinlierland, born Oct. 10, 1822. He came to the United States in 1S40, and
settled at Pittsburgh, I'a., as a coal-miner. From Pennsylvania he v.ent to St
Louis in tho spring of 1)S44, on his way to the frontier of Iowa, and learned at
tills place of the emigration to Oregon, which he determined to join. Having
no means to procure an outfit, he engaged with 11. W. Morrison to drive team
and make himself u.seful, for his passage and board. It is to Mintox i'Jurlij
piiyt, a manuscript by his own hand, that 1 am chiefly indebted for the
account of (Hlliam's company. I* cor :ains, besides, valuable. riMuarks on tiie
political situation of lS44-(), on tiie industrie;! of the country and stock-
raising, and on the social condition of tlie colonists, with other miscellaneous
matter. Minto married Miss Martha A. Morri^oii when they ha'l Iteeu about
three years in Oregon, and they went to reside near Salem. Minto h;is lieen
a useful, intelligent, and every way an exemplary builder on the edifice of u
new state; a farmer, stock-raiser, and editor; public-.spirited in every positio»i
lie lias been called upon to till. Mrs Minto is known throughout tlie state for
lier fearless vindication of what she esteems the right; and has been called tlie
' musket-member ' of the Woman's Sutlrage Association of Oregon. According
to Minto, her mother uarried, or at least w;i8 furnished with, a rifle, on lier
journey to Oregon, which she was competent to use had it been necessary.
Mrs Miiitu has, as well as her hubband, furnished a manuscript to my coUec-
Ii 11 1
462
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1844.
Samuel B. Crockett, and Daniel Clark. Accordino-
to Clyman, they encountered at the Grand Hoik I
James Waters of the previous emigration, who was
t^oinff to meet his family, and who supplied them with
j)rovisions for the remainder of tlieir journey.^"
Ford's company, being in advance of Gilliam's,
also sent three young men to the Willamette Valley
with Minto's party. Snow had now begun to fall in
the mountains while a large part of tlie emigration
was between Fort Boise and the Dalles. Tlie misery
entailed upon the belated travellers by the change to
winter weather was indescribable.^^ The road from
tion. It was tak from her lips by a stenographer at a incotiiig of the Pion(>or
ANsociatioii in 1878, and is called Femitk Pionceriii;/. As it gives the woman's
view of frontier life, it is especially valnalile — few reeords having been m;ulc
of the trials which women were called upon to endure in tlu; settlement of the
Pacific Stiites.
" Minto compares the warm interest and sympathy exhibited by Waters
with the chilling indifference and absolute ignoring of tneir presence or tlieir
wantd by the niiasiouaries Waller and Brewer at tlie Dalles. Clyman, wlio
brought letters to the missionaries, find who Wiis a few ilays ahead of Minto's
party, remarks that he was not tliankod for the trouble of carrying them from
the Stati!S, which he attributes to his travel-worn and iinshaven appearance.
Note Hook; MS., (58.
'* Joseph Watt, born in Ohio, author of a manuscript called Firnt Thiii'js^
gives an acecmnt of the incoming of 1844, and of the importation of slu'cp
from the States by himself in 1847, the erection of the first wooUen-niilLs in
Oregon, and other first things, and tlescribes his passage from Burnt Kiver
to tlie Willamette. Watt was tlien a young man and poorly ecjuippeil for
such a journey, but drove can ox-team as far as Burnt River. Hen;, probal)ly
because he thought there were too many mouths for the jirovisions, he wi i.L
forward, afoot and alone. At tlio end of the first ilay he found a cabin,
occupied by Blakeley, an emigrant who gave him a few crusts. Bowman,
a destitute traveller, joined Watt, and they walked on together until they
overtook Ford's company, from whom they obtained one meal. In the (Jraiul
Rond they lost tiieir way, but regaining the road, met a family nanied
Walker, who had nothing to eat, and thought of killing their oxen. Being
overtiikcn by others who still had a little food, they liegged them to divide;
but want an<l fear had hardened their hearts, and they refused. The pedes-
trians made a lire of green wood, before which they sat througliout the night
drying their wet clothing; and in tlie morning found it snowing. Tht'n,
with soleless shoes and ])antaloons half gone, they renewed tiieir journey.
Bowman had a family wiiom he left witii tlie wagons while he liiisteiicil
on to procure ivssistance. Says Watt: 'I think tiiere were snow-flakes
as large aa my hat, and it was damp snow. Bowman w;us speculatinjj
what ho and his son " Billy " could do when they got down to the valley.
Waters, whom we had met on I'owder River, had told him it was worth
so much a hundred to make rails; and, says he, "Billy and I can make
lots of money at tliat. Whiskey-barrels are worth so much; whiskey is
worth something. I can make whiskey." Says I, "You obi fool, you will
never get out of these mountains ! " ' Proceeding, sometimes be-vUdered on
account of the crail being hidden by snow, they came to the camp of some
y, ¥i i'
ON THE COLUMBIA.
453
Burnt River to the Dalles was a panorama of suffer-
ing and destitution, and the rear of the caravan
remained at Whitman's over winter/" Shaw, who
turned aside to Whitman's station to lay in provisions,
left tlierc a family of seven chilch-en named Sager,
wliose parents had died on the road, the father while
the company was at Green River, and the mother
two weeks later. These children were adopted hy ]3i-
Whitman."" Shaw failed to reacli tlie Willamette
tliat season, as some of his family were prostrated by
sickness, and he remained until March 1845 at the
])alles, with several other families. ^^
Two or more small mounted parties, the first to
reacli the Dalles, took the cattle trail round the base
of Mount Hood, and arrived safely in the valley.
But the later comers feared this route on account of
the advanced sea.son. The families were assisted in
<lescending the Columbia by the loan of boats belong-
ing to the Hudson's Bay Company ; " and the cattle
were crossed by swinnning to the north side of the
river, driven down to Vancouver, and recrossed in
immigrants who gave them supper and brcivkfast. On reaching UmatiUa
tiiey were joiiietl by a man named Xash. They had also tiiu good fortune
to kill a dozen sageheus. At a Ciyu.se camp they borrowed a large kettle
and made a stew of chicken and ]iotatoes, purchiused of tlie natives with an
extra shirt. At Waiilatp.i Whitman gave tiiem some corn meal. A cow
w liicii belonged to Watt was sold to tiio doctor for provisions to take tlicm to
the J>allcs. An immigrant, Barton Lei,', \va< engaged to transport tlicm, i»iiii
a horse was hired of Adams. At the DaiUs they found the fur eoip'Kiny's
bateaux, which had been phiccd at tlic service of certain ])ersons to bring
down the immigr.ttion with a i(!W to ast-ist them; but for a passage on which
they were charged six dollars each hy those having them ir charge. 'I had
no money,' says Watt, 'and they toM me if the other passengers would board
me tiiey woidd take me down, but I iUUm. sing wlienc^ver I w;us ordered.
They called me the " tigure-head." (hi the IGth of Novendier I arrived at
Oregon City.' Firs/. T/iliiii», MS., 1-7.
''••O/'. ,Sv('C/ntoi; Jan. i'l, 1.S49.
■"',S7(((«'j« I'iomir L[l'i; M>i., 1?.
'■"Shaw says in his Pioneer Life, MS., l-t-18, which is a comparison of
pioneiT life in the western states and Oregxm, with a narrative of the in-
eiilents of the emigration, that in March ho went down the Colnndiia to a
place seventeen miles above Vancouver, wliere he made shingles for the
Hud.son's Hay Company, to pay what he owi'd them for p"ovisions ancl cloth-
ing furnished liiin while at the Dalles. In S('pteml)er he remove<l to the Wil-
lamette Valley, where he rented the farm of Beers for one year. The next
year he bought a farm of a French (Vi ulian, ten luilea uurth oi Salem, where
ho made his permanent resilience.
'"McLou(i/ilinf Private Papers, MS., 'Jdser., 9.
pr.i
454
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1844,
"l! .
If
boats, as they had been the previous year. The
scenes of suffering at the Cascades in 1843 were re-
peated in 1844. Minto, who it will be remembered
hastened to the Willamette for help for his employer
and friends, tells us that on returning with a boat-
load of provisions to the Cascades he found "men in
the prime of life lying among the rocks seeming ready
to die. I found there mothers with their families,
whose husbands were snow-bound in the Cascade
Mountains, without provisions, and obliged to kill and
eat their game dogs. Mrs Morrison had traded her
(mly dress except the one she wore for a bag of pota-
toes. There was scarcely a dry day, and the snow-
line was nearly down to- the river." ^
In such a plight did the immigration of 1844, whicli
set out with high hopes to plant an independent colony
in Oregon, find itself on reaching the promised land.
The loss of life had been light notwithstanding the
hardships of the journey;'* but the loss of prop-
erty in cattle, clothing, and household and other goods
had been great, to the ruin of many. The cattle had
become fat during the weeks of detention on the
grassy plains, and were unfit for the hard work of haul-
ing loaded wagons for the remainder of the summer.
Many died of exhaustion, some were taken by the
natives, who, although not in open hostility, were
troublesome at several places on the route, at the
Kansas agency, at Laramie, in the Cayuse country,
and on the Columbia;^' although White had deputized
''^ Camp-Jire Orations, MS., 15.
■•"^ Besides Bjiriiette, Thomas Vance, Mr and Mrs Sager, and a young girl
mentioned in ^Irs Minto's Female Pioiiceriii;/, MS., I hud no other deaths
noted in the several maimscripts and books referring to this immigration.
All the otliers came through to Oregon, except a party of eighteen who turne<l
tiff on tlie California road after passing Fort Hall. This party had thirteen
wagons, the lirst to enter California from the United States. The names of
the party wore Townsend, James Montgomery, .John Oreonwood, Britian
Greenwood, and another (Jreenwood, John Sullivan and brother, Dennis
Martin, John Martin, MurT)hy and four sons, Jackson, tftgvciis, and Hitch-
cock. Or. Pioneer Asmc, Tnivi., 187(5, 42.
'''' Clyman relates that the Cayuses were very anxious to know of liim when
the wagons and stock miglit l)e expected, as tiiey wished to exchange horses
for cattle; but that although they had horses to sell, they did not refrain from
CONDITION OF THE NEW-COMERS.
456
28
H. A. G. Lee to be among the Cayuses during the
passage of the immigration, and to assi.^t in the pur-
chase of cattle witli the ten-dollar drafts mentioned
in a previous chapter — a device which proved unsuc-
cessful, as the immigrants preferred their cattle to the
drafts. Tho natives were able, however, to sell their
crops to the immigrants for good prices, by exchanging
wheat, corn, and potatoes for clothing and other arti
cles. Not being able to buy cattle, they stole them ;
and unable to purchase American horses with their
less valuable ponies, they stole those also, until the
immigrants, losing patience, retaliated, and took In-
dian horses regardless of individual ownership; and
became robbers in their turn, without reflecting upon
the evil consequences which were likely to fall upon
the next immigration; savages being like civilized
men in this respect, that they are ready to punish
misconduct in others for which in themselves they
find ample excuse.
The condition of the Immigrants of 1844, after they
had passed all the perils of the journey to Oregon,
stealing his fine but hall-starved mare — they having burned off the grass to
annoy the immigrants. Note Book, MS., 65.
^"H. A. G. Lee, an immigrant of 1S43, was much esteemed for his probity
and intelligence in the management of public aflfairs. His name appears fre-
quently in the public i)rints. Burnett remark? on the justness of his views of
the Indian character, and the impending Indian troubles. Lee says in his
report on the afifairs of 1844: 'The immigrants are still very imprudent in
breaking off into small parties, just when tliey should remain united. . .These
robbers furnish us a true miniature likeness of the whole Indian population
whenever they fad to obtain such things as they wish in exchange U.t such
as they have to give. These are robbers now liecauso they liave notliing to
give; all others will be robbers when, with M-hat they liave to give, they can
not procure what they wish. . . The next immigration will, in all probability,
call forth developments of Indian cliaracter which liavc been almost denied
en existence among these people. Indeed, sir, had you not taken the pre-
caution to conciliate their gooti feelings and friendship toward the whites ju.st
at the time they were meeting eacli otlier, it is to be doul)ted whetlier there
had not been some serious ditliculty. Individuals on both sides have been
mutually provoked and exasperated during the passage of each innriigration,
and these cases are constantly multiplying. Much prudence is rcijuircd on
the part of the whites, and unfortunately they have very little by tlio time
they reach the Columbia Valley. Some of the late iminigrantH, lo.sing tlieir
horses, and naturally supposing them stolen by tlie Indians, went to the bands
of horses owned by the Indians and took as many as they wislied. You are
too well acquainted with Indians to suppose that such a course can be per-
sisted in without jirodu ing serious results.' Whites Concine View, 61; Bur-
nett'a Rec qfa Pioneer, 245^.
45G
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1844.
was worse than that of 1843, for the reason that there
had not been time for the country to recover from the
draft upon its resources made the year previous.
Thanks to the fertiUty of the soil, and to the good
judgment of McLoughhn in encouraging farming,
there was food enough for all, though man^'^ lived on
short rations rather than to incur debt. But the great
want of the new-comers was clothing. All the goods
in the several stores had long been exhausted; even
at Vancouver there was no stock on hand except the
reserved cargo, which was not opened when the im-
migration arrived."^ Clothing was made by putting
piece to piece without regard to color or texture ; and
moccasons, which took the place of boots and shoes,
were the almost universal foot-covering. A taimery
had been begun in the summer, in the neighborhood
of Burnett's farm, but the autumn supply of leather,
besides being inadequate, was only half tanned, and
had a raw streak in the centre.
This destitution, while there was a year's supply in
the warehouses at Vancouver, occasioned complaints
on the part of the less reasonable of the immigrants,
who were unable to see Avhy they should not receive
as many favors from the Hudson's Bay Company as
those of the previous year had had, under the same
circumstances. Mcljoughlin had, with his usual
sasracitv, foreseen that there would be this feclinii',
and while prepared to defend the company's property
from pillage in case of a collision with the innnigrants,
sought by every means to cultivate a friendly feeling.
-" Minto describes his costume when he went t« Vancouver to receive tlic
boat and cargo which he took up the Cohunbia. His pantaloons were ripped
up to the knees; he had no coat, having worn out the one he started with; a
blanket obtained at Vancouver was doubled across liis shoulders over a string.
His feet were nearly bare, and became quite so before he retumeil from hia
expedition. Minto'n Female Pioiieeriwj, Mi^., 1^,19. Mrs Minto siiys: 'There
waa but one bolt of calico in the whole of Oregon that we could hear of, and
that was at Astoria. . . The next summer my sifter and I uatliered a barrel of
cranberries and sent them to Oregon City, and got a little lilue drilling which
made us a covering.' Id., 10. Tlie dearth of goods affected all classes. Parrish
says that in 1844 he wore an old coat which he brought from New York in
1839, and jjantaloons :^iade of English duffle, ' a kind of coarse cloth similar to
our horso-blankets, ' with a buckskin vest and moccasons. /(/., 20.
HOMES FOR THE SETTLERS.
467
ty
lie
1<1
re
d
Minto relates that when Gilliam was at the Dalles
he received a present of food and clothing from the
gentlemen at Vancouver ; and remarks that although
kindly meant, it was a mistake on the part of the
company, as it led to the discussion of subjects con-
nected with the politics of the country, which were
lieing forgotten in their more present anxieties, and
to a great deal of gossip concerning the meaning of
the recent action of the company in strengthening
tlieir defences, of which they had been informed^ and
also of the visit of the Modeste. These conversations
were so frequent that the naturally generous Gilliam,
whose prejudices were becoming softened, was led to
declare at the Cascades that although willing to live
in peace with the Hudson's Bay Company so long as
they kept within their treaty rights, he would have
no hesitation in knocking their stockade about their
oars if they did not carry themselves properly.^
But it would have been strange if the generous
assistance which extended to everything except open-
ing their storehouse against rules and without pay,
and the untiring courtesy of McLoughlin and his
associate, Douglas, could not have removed many of
the preconceived and ill-founded notions of these
western Americans.^ But the conflict which im-
])endcd it was impossible to avoid by anything less
than an admission that to the United States belonged
the whole of Oregon, and that the company occupied
the country temporarily under a convention which
could be annulled at any time — an admission they
•>» Early Days, MS., 27.
-" Minto iiieutions this case: 'The doctor was standing on the porch of the
main house, ainl motioned us to come to him. He asked us if we were the
young men from Liunton who liad come up with their boat. We said we were.
He told us to go to that house, pointing to the door of bacliolor's hall, wlien
the dinner-bell rung. We thanked him, and as we were leaving he called to
us and sjiid: " Maybe you would like to write to your friends in the east. Wo
are going to send an express down to the n\outh of the river, and there will be
no other opportunity for sending letters for six months." I replied that as 1
had no writmg materials I couhlnot accept the favor offered; lie immediately
sent a servant to bring us paper, pens, and ink; and I wrote to my father the
first letter since leaving home. ' t emale Pioneerimj, MS., 17, 18.
458
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1844.
U
i
Vi-A'
were not prepared to make until instructed by the
British government to do so.
McLoughhn was very desirous that the immigra-
tion should find homes south of the Columbia River;
first, because he believed that was their proper place
of settlement, under an American form of govern-
ment; but principally, as he alleged, because contact
with the free and independent frontier men would
destroy the spirit of obedience for which the com-
pany's servants were remarkable, and on which the
success and prosperity of the company depended.
To his great dissatisfaction, a considerable number
encamped for the winter at W ..:;!-.ougal, about seven-
teen miles above Vancouver, on the north bank of
the river. They were some of those most thoroughly
imbued with the Bentonian idea of American pr^
prietorship, and soon found means of expressing that
idea acco'-ding to their several natures.
Elwood Evans states that Michael T. Simmons
and his company, who were among those at Washou-
gal, had first designed to settle in the Rogue River
Valley ; but that finding McLoughlin anxious to have
the Americans settle on the south side of the Columbia,
determined to locate himself and company on the north
side of the river. According to Evans, who had
means of obtaining his information from Simmons
himself, the latter, after deciding to take a look at the
Puget Sound region, applied to McLoughlin to furnish
his family winter quarters in the fort; the request
was refused unless he would agree to live on the
south side of the river— a promise which Simmons
would not give. A cabin outside the fc^rt was finally
obtained, and his family established in its shelter, when
Simmons set out for Puget Sound, accompanied by
Henry Williamson, Henry, James, and John Owens,
and James Lewis. They proceeded no farther tiian
the forks of the Cowlitz River, sixteen miles north of
tJK^ Columbia, when finding their provisions becoming
exliausted, and the journey excessively difficult, owing
LAND CLAIMS.
459
both to the nature of the country and the severe
weather, they returned to Washougal, where they
passed the remainder of the winter and the first part
of summer in making shingles, which they sold to the
fur company, or in any employment they could find
to pay expenses.
In February, Henry Williamson, wlio was from La
Porte County, Indiana, and Isaac W. Alderman,
erected a hut with a few logs, half a mile from Van-
couver, on land occupied by the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, and posted a notice on a tree that they intended
to claim the land. This being reported to McLoughlin,
he sent men to remove the logs and take down the
notice ; which removal was hardly completed when
the intruders returned with a surveyor, and began
running off a section of land. Being remonstrated
with, Williamson and Alderman repaired to the fort
to argue their case with the doctor. According to
White, Williamson, '* a modest and respectable young
man, demeaned himself with propriety;" but Alder-
man, " a boisterious, hare-brained young fellow, caused
him to blush for American honor."*'
There were present at this interview, besides White,
a number of Americans, and several officers of tlie
fur company. Williamson asked McLoughlin why
his hut had been pulled down. McLoughlin replied
that it was because it was on land occupied by the
Hudson's Bay Company, who were conducting busi-
ness under a license from the British government,
according to a treaty which implied a right to occupy
as much ground as they required. This Williamson
disputed,^^ and the argument lasted two hours, Mc-
Loughlin and Douglas keeping their temper very
well, but Alderman declaring that if he were dis-
" Ten Years in Or., 251. According to Burnett, Alderniau was a violent
and unprincipled character, who soon made himself notorious. He went to
(-'alifornia in 1848, and was killed in December of that year by Charles E.
I'ickett at Sutter Fort, under circumstances that justified the homicide. Kecol-
lectioiw o/ n Pioneer, 242-4; Crowforil'K Nnr., MS., 144.
^^ McLoiKjhlins Private Papem, MS., 2d ser., 10.
460
THK IMMIGRATION OF 1844.
I, -5 I (
h
f '
ii!
turbed in the possession of the land he would " burn
tlie finest building in Oregon," which was thought to
mean that he would set fire to the fort. Finding that
the young men would not yield, and irritated beyond
measure, McLoughlin then declared if Williamson,
who seems to have been regarded as the principal in
the case, persisted in building there, he should be
obliged to use force in preventing him; but offered, if
he would choose a location somewhere else, away from
any of the company's posts, to assist him in establish-
ing himself; saying, as a reason for desiring his re-
moval, that it was necessary to good order and
discipline that their servants should be isolated from
the settlements. Williamson, however, disclaimed
any responsibility for the conduct of the company's
servants, or any desire to influence them ; and asserted
his ability to get on without the assistance offered
him, as well as his right, as an American citizen, to
settle upon any unoccupied land in Oregon. Upon
this. Chief Factor Douglas, justice of the peace
under the Canadian laws, threatened to place him in
irons and send him to York factory for trial ; where-
upon Williamson retorted, " You will have to send me
farther north than Hudson Bay to place me beyond
the reach of the United States government "^^ — with
which challenge the interview terminated.^
Immediately after, McLoughlin and Douglas ad-
dressed a circular to the citizens of Oregon, in which
they recited the case of Williamson, and stated their
position. The settlement was made at Vancouver
under a license and a treaty which gave them the
right to occupy as much land as they required for the
operation of their business. They had opened roads,
and made other impiavements at great expense; no
^^Minto'a Early Days, MS., 28-9,
.13 White says he had a private interview with Williamson and Alderman,
' which resulteil in a susjiension of hostilities for the present. ' Official re-
port, in Ten Yvnrs in Or., "52. I think he did all he could to preserve the
peace in these threatening times. In his anxiety lie wrote to the secretary of
war that too great a portion of the population came from the western states
' for one niouieut's safety in our present condition.' Concise View, MS., 53.
TRESPASSERS.
461
officers of either government had questioned their
right; tlieir presence and business in the country
were a manifest advantage to it, and a protection to
the American as well as to the British settler. They
had given assistance to both, and had done all they
could do to develop the resources of the country. The
land they occupied on the north bank of the river was
indispensable to them as a range for their flocks and
herds, and of little value for agricultural purposes,
being in part inundated every summer, and in part
forest land. They could not submit to the infringe-
ment of their right to occupy this land, and, as repre-
sentatives of the Hudson's Bay Company, were bound
to use every means sanctioned by the law against
trespassers on their premises, until otherwise directed
by the company. Yet it was their earnest wish to be
at peace with all. They entertained the highest re-
spect for the temporary government established by the
American citizens.** The advantages of peace and
harmony were evident, as were the dangers of law-
lessness and misrule ; and thev felt confident that all
persons desiring the well-being of the country would
determine to unite in putting down every course tend-
ing to disturb the public peace, and in the support of
justice, obedience to law, and mutual good- will. The
circular closed with a fervent prayer to the divine
bestower of all good, for the happiness and prosperity
of the whole community. A letter was at the same
time addressed to the executive committee, informing
them of the intrusion of Williamson on their premises,
and enclosing a copy of the circular, which explained
the course they were bound to pursue in the event of
the provisional government declining to interfere.
The reply of the executive committee was couched
in terms altogether conciliatory. They regretted that
'unwarranted liberties" had been taken by an Amer-
'* JThia allusion was introduced because the supporters of the organization
were making eflforts to induce the British subjects to unite witii them, which
they still declined doing, through fear of being considered disloyal.
I>
it
4xa
THE IxMMIORATION OF 1844.
lean citizen upon the premises of the British company ;
expressed pleasure at learning that Williamson had
finally desisted;'''^ and thanked McLoughlin for his
"kind and candid maimer" of treating a "breach ot
the laws of the United States, by setting at naught
her most solemn treaties with Great Britiiin." They
promised to use every exertion to put down causes of
disturbance, and reciprocated the desire for a contin-
uance of ohe amicable intercourse which had hereto-
fore existed, which they would endeavor to promote
"until the United States shall extend its jurisdiction
over us, and our authority ceases to exist."
The admissions made in the answer of the execu-
tive committee were not pleasing to the majority of
the Americans in the country, who contended, as did
Williamson, that the treaty gave no vested rights, as
neither the sovereignty of the soil nor the boundary
line was determined, and joint occupancy left all free
to go wherever they desired. Some of the more care-
ful and conservative argued that joint occupancy did
not mean the occupancy of the same place by both
nations, but only the equal privilege of settling where
they would not interfere with each other, the first
party in possession being entitled to hold until the
question of sovereignty was settled. The affaii- gave
rise to much discussion, not only among Americans
themselves, but between Americans and the gentle-
men of the British company; and while the argu-
ments were conducted with courtesy, and each side
was able to learn something from the other, which
softened the arrogance of national pride and preten-
sions, the main question of difference — the propriety
of making the Columbia River practically a boundary
so long as the sovereignty of the country remained
undecided — continued to agitate the new-comers, and
to interest every inhabitant of Oregon.
Mr Applegate, commenting on the relative posi-
tions of the American and British debaters, has said
'* A second letter iuformed them that Williamson had withdraNvn.
NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA,
46:}
that gentlemen of the Hudson's Bay Company who
took part in these discussions were more scholarly and
accomplished than their antagonists, but the Ameri-
cans were better informed on the technicalities of tlie
points in dispute. ^The British hi Oregon had also a
local weak point to defend. They had been ordered
by the board of management to remove their estab-
lishments on the south side of the Columbia to the
north side, but had not done so, and were occupying
territory supposed to belong to the United States,
when they forcibly ejected an American citizen from
the territory they claimed for Great Britain.^ This
gave color to the opinion of some that England in-
tended, or the Hudson's Bay Company for her, to
attempt holding the whole of Oregon in case of a
war, which really seemed impending at this time, and
it gave occasion to men like Williamson and Simmons
to assert a right to settle wherever they might chose,
if their reason for choosing was only to defy the power
of England.
In July Colonel Simmons renewed his endeavor to
explore the country toward or about Puget Sound,
and started with a company consisting of William
Shaw, George Waunch, David Crawford, Niniwon
Everman, Seyburn Thornton, and David Par-ker.
They found at a small prairie five miles north of the
plain on which the Cowlitz farm of the Puget Sound
Association was situated, and ten miles from Cowlitz
landing, that John H. Jackson of their immigration had
been before them, made a location at this place,^^ and
had returned to bring his family. Jackson made his
settlement in the autumn, which he called Highlands
Continuing to the sound, the party took canoes
and made a voyage down to and around the head of
3« Views of HUtory, MS., 43.
^' Olympia Columbian, in A Ha California, Nov. 2, 1852. Jackson was born
in Yorkshire, England, where he was a butcher's apprentice. He kept a
way -side inu on the road from Cowlitz landing to Olympia, and was a popular
man with the settlers, though too much given to his potations. Roberta Bee-
cUectiom, MS., 74.
4IM
THK IMMKJRATION OF 1844.
Wliidljoy Island, returning through Deception Pu.ss
to the east cliannel, and whence back the way they
came to tlie (Njhu'.ihia River. In this expedition
Sinnnons ascertained the advantages of tlu; sound for
connnerce, and deterniin(Hl to settle there. In Octo-
ber ho removed his family''"' to the head of Budd Inlet,
where he took a claim which he called Newmarket,
at the falls of Des Chutes River, where there was a
fine water power. He was ace ipanied by James
McAllister and family, David Kindred and family,
(labriel Jones and family, (jreorge W. Bush and family,''''
Jesse Furguson, and Samuel B. Crockett. This small
company cut a road for their wagons through the
dense forests between the Cowlitz landiiiij find the
])lains at the head of the sound, a distance of sixty
miles, in the short space of fifteen days. All settled
within a circuit of six mih^s; and the first house erected
was upon the claim of David Kindred, about two
miles south of the present town of Tumwater,*" the
Newmarkcit of Sinnnons. Besides the half-dozen
families above mentioned, and the two men without
families who settled about the head of the sound in
1845, a few others were looking for locations in that
country, three of whom were Wood, Kimball,^' and
Gordon.
Thus, by an effort to avoid the censure of the
directors of the Hudson's Bay Company in London,
some of whom had influence with members of the
British cabinet,*'^ by keeping American b'ttlers south
of the Columbia River, McLoughliu provoked their
''While at W.ashougal, in April, Mrs Siiinuon.-i ua\ j birth to a sou, who
was named Christopher, the first cliild of American parents bom in that
part of Oregon north of the Columbia River.
■'•Bush was a mulatto, owning considerable property; a good man and
kiutl ueighl)or. It is said ho settled north of the Columbia beciiuse of the law
against the immigration of negroes passed by tlio legislative committee of
1844. He took a claim near Olympia which bears his name, and where his
family long resi<led.
*'* Evaim' J/iM. Or., MS., 281-2 Tumwater in the Chinook dialect means
ra^rids; literally ' falling water. '
^' Cli/nian's Note Book, MS., 100; Tolmia'a Hkt. Puyet Smind, MS., 21,
Tolmie is one year too early in his dates.
*' AppUgate'a Vicwti qf Iluitori/, MS., 43.
oji
1»'|
W|
no
th
NAMKS Ol' Till-: NKW CO.MKKS.
405
(»|i|)().siti<)ii and Imstoiieil tlie iH'^iniiiii;^ of their (ktu-
|»iuicy in the region about tluit hcuutil'ul inland sea,
^vi^ich the (■oinj)any luul no tlouht at tliat time would
conie into tlu^ iiossession of (ireat l^ritain.'*'
With the exe((j)tionH mentioned, the immijjfrant.s of
1844 settU'd in the Willamette Valley tin; same
autumn. The followini^; summer a mimlx-r went to
California, the l>arty h((in<j^ headed hy James ('lyman.
Tiiey rendezvoused at La Creole Kiver,^^ in what is
now Polk (N)unty, startiujLjf thence the Hth of June,
the company consisting of thirty-nine men, one woman,
and three ehildren.*' Besides the o\erland immigi-a-
tion,''" hut few persons arrived this year hy sea ; and
" liohi-rU HicoUcctioux, MS,, GO.
•'Incorrectly called Rickruall by inuiiy, and ho printed on the maps.
*'^The naiiicH of the party are not given in < 'li/iii<ni's A'o/c /!<x)l:, MS., except
incidentally. He there mentions MeMahan, Krazier, Sears, ()\ven.s, and Sum-
ner. See also McKai/'n Iticolkftiou-i, MS., W. 'I'lie party arrived witiiout
accident at Sutter Fort July I'Jtli. ''lyman returned to the United States in
184(5, in company witli .1. M. Hudspeth, Owen Sunnier and family, \,. W.
lliistings, an(l JaiMes W. Marshall, (lyman afterward enugrated to (.'alif*i--
nia, and sotthtd in Najia Valley.
'"The following incomplete list contains besides those who went to Oregon
many who turned ot}' for ('aliforni:i: T. M. Adams, Isaac W . Alderman,
Ashill, Franklin Ashill, Pierce As))ill, Blakely, J. L. Barlow, William ]iow-
man, sen., William Bowman, jun., Ira Bowman, Barnette, Francis Bonlran,
James Burton, Jo.'seph Bartrough, William liurris, William Bray, E<1. Bei-
trand, Klijali Bunton, Josepii Bunton, William Buntoii, Henry Bogus, Peter
Bonnin, diaries Buich, Nathan Bayaril, A. II. Beers, Adam Bro«n, 'riionuw
Urown, (reorge W. Bush, Solomon Boiuers, (.'harles U. Burch, William R.
Barshain, Charles B(Minett, J. M. Bennet, Thomas Boggs, Lewis Crawford,
Dennis Clark, Joseph Caplcs, Charles Caplis, Hezekiah Caples, David Craw-
ford, Danii'l Clark, Joel Crisman, (Jabriel Crisinan, A 'illiam Crisman,
Aaroi. Chand)erlain, William Clemens, James Clyman, Patrick Conner,
Samuel jj. Cioekett, Clemens, James Cave, William M. Case, N. R. Dough-
erty, Daniel Durbin, V. W. Dawson, Edward Dupuis, Jan^es I)av(!nport,
L. Kverhart, Moses Fades, E. Emery, J. Emery, C. Emery, Niniwou
Kvcrman, (,'. Everman, John Eailes, Ai)raham Eailes, Henry Fades, Clark
Kades, Solomon Fades, Richard Eough, Robert F<ldy, Hiram English, .lolm
EUiek, .John Fleming, Charles Forrest, Jesse Ferguson, J. Fuller, B. Frost,
.folin Fielden, M. C. Fielden, M. (r. ^^1isy, James Fruit, 'Doe' Fruit, Na-
thaniel Fonl, Mark Ford, I. N. (Jilbert, David (Irant, .Mitchell (iil'iam,
Cornelius (Silliam, Smith (lilliam, William (iilliam, I'orter (iilliam, .lo.jeph
(iagc, William (lage, Jes.so tiagu, David (lofl', W. H. (roodwin, (Jille.spie,
James Oavisli, John (Javish, N. (Jilnmre, Charles (lilmore, (Jibbon, .Samuel
(loodhue, J. (rraves, S. C. Graves, Samuel Goff, Marion GoC, Martin Oilla-
han, William Gillihan, .loh.i Greenwood, Britain Gr'jenMood, (Jreenwood,
(lolding, J. Hillhouse, Alanson Hinman, M. M. Harris, John Harris, Adam
Howett, Hutchison, Hamilton, Hitchock, George Hanna, D. B. Hainia, T. S.
Hedges, Jacob Hntton, T. Holt, James Harper, Herman Higgins, William
Higgins, Fleming R. Hill, J. (". Hawley, ,1. H. Hawly, George Hibler, Jacob
Hampton, William Herring, Hamilton, Joseph Hulmaji, Jacol) Hoover, James
Hist. Ou., Vol. I. 30
^'""■"■■— "
166
THE IMMI(;RATI0N of 1844.
if : i
ti
Vaoso came hi tlie brig Chevamus, Captain Couch, from
Newburyport, to the Hawaiian Islands, and thence to
Hunt, Norris Humphrey, Jacob Hammer, John Inyard, Abraham Inyanl,
Peter Inyard, William R. .lolinson, Jame» Jolnison, Thomas Jeffries, Daniel
Johnson, James Jolnison, David Johnson, John K. Jackson, (Jabriel J(mt;.s,
John H. V. Jackson, David Jenkins, Willis Jenkins, Henry C. Jenkins, William
Jenkins, David Kindred, Charles Kerbs, Bartholomew Kindred, John Kiii-
dre<l, Alexander Kirk, Daniel D. Kinsey, Barton B. Lee, James Loomis, John
Lousenaute, Charles Lewis, Wdliam Morgan, Tlieopliilus Magruder, Ed. B.
Magruder, John Minto, Robert Miller, Wisha McDaniel, Joshua McDaniel,
Jamt's W. Marshall, Lafayette Morelan<l, Elisha McDaniel, Neliemiah Martin,
Samuel McSwain, Westly Mulkey, J. Mulkey, Luke Mulkey, P. P. Mulkey,
Murray, Mudgett, Murphy (father and four sons), John Martin, Dennis
Martin, J. McKiuley, McMahan, James McAllister, R. W. Morrison, Micluul
iloor, James Montgomery, John Nichols, Frank Nichols, Benjamin Nichols,
(leorge Neal, Attey Neal, Calvin Neal, Robert Neal, Alexander Neal, Peter
Neal, (George Nelson, Cyrus S. Nelson, Richard Owe, Ruel Owlcss, John
Owens, Henry Owens, James Owens, R. Olds, John Owens, Patrick O'Coii-
ner, I'riest, Joseph Parrott, William Prater, Theodore Prater, Joel Perkins,
sen., Joel Perkins, jun., John Perkins, E. E. Parrish, (Jabriel Parrish, Sannul
Packwood, William Packwood, R. K. Payne, Eben Pettie, Amab Pettie,
David Parker, Jeremiah Rowlainl, Levi L. Rowland, Benj. M. Robinson,
'Mountain' Robinson, Roberts, Mac Rice, Parton Rice, 'Fatty' Robinson,
Ramsey, Willard H. Rees, Rice, Robbin (col<ired),Ram8dell, Jackson Nhelton,
William Sebring, Sj)ringer, Henry Sail'ron, William 8mith, Vincent .Snelling,
Benjamin Snelling, James Stewart, Williana Saunders, James B. Stephens, J.
S. Smith, (.'harles Snnth, P<'ter Smith, William Shaw, Joshua Shaw, A. R. C,
Shaw, Washington Shaw, Thomas C. Shaw, B. F. Sluiw, Texas Smith, Sager,
Charles Saxton, Scott (colored), Snooks, Noyes Smith, Levi Scott, Joiin Scott,
Joseph W. Scott, William Scott, John A. Stonghton, Franklin Sears, Stephens,
.lolin Sullivan, Sullivan, Micluu'l T. Simmons, Scyburii P. Thornton, John
Travers, John Tliorp, Alviu E. Tliorp, Theodore Tliorp, Long Tucker, Cooper
Y. Trues, 0. S. Thomas, Mortimer Thorj), Milton Thorp, Benjamin Tucker, Dr
Tovvnsend, Thom:is M. Vance, (teorge \Vaunch, Williams, Harrison Wright,
Richard Woodcock, James Walker, sen., James Walker, jun., Robert Walker,
Poe Williams, Tliomas Werner, James \\ elch, Henry Williamson, Joseph
Watt, M. iL Warnsbough, Sanniel Walker, William Wilson,
Samuel Packwood and William Packwood, brothers, emigrated frtfi
!Miss(mri in 1844. They were two of a family of fifteen children, eight of
whom were sons of Elisha Packwood of J'atrick County, Virginia. In ISI'.t
the father removed to Indiana, and in \yM to Missouri. Seven of the eiglit.
sons and two of their seven sisters emigrated to the Pacific coast, but not all
in the same year. Of Sanniel I know nothing except that he came to Ore-
gon. William was born in Patrick County, Virginia, in 1813, and removed
with the family to Missouri. After reaching Oregon he remained in the
Willamette Valley until 1847, when he removed to Puget Sound, and settled
on the Niscpially River, being the first botin jhli' American settler north of
Olympia. Others of the Packwood fanniy emigrated to Oregon in 1845, and
will be noticed hereafter. A few names of women have been added to the
roll: Mrs W. M. Case, Miss Aman<la Thorp, Mrs Benj. Tucker, Miss P^liza
Snelling, Miss Henrietta (Jilliam, Mrs Vincent Snelling, Mrs Herman Hig-
gin.s, Mrs Jacob Hannner, Mrs Joshua Shaw, Mrs D. Johnson, all of ■whom
were in Major Thorp's company. Mrs McDaniel, Jenny Fuller, and the
fa.nilies before referred to, namely, Morrison, Jackson, Simmons, McAllister,
Kindred, Jones, Shaw, are all who have been mentioned. There are the
names of two negro women, Eliza aiul Hannah, put down on the roll, in
Or. Pioiu;er AuMoc, Tnnm., 187fi, 40-2.
!!(
i5|
ARRIVALS BY 8EA.
467
the Columbia River.*' They were Wilhani Cushin*!;,
son of Caleb Gushing, and Henry Johnson, clerk in
the establishment of Gushing and Company at Ore-
gon City. .\. small fishery was established by this
firm, between Astoria and Tongue Point, on the lower
Columbia, from which the Chcvamiis took a cargo the
followhig year, having ujade one or more voyages to
the Islands in the mean time. The CJievanius was
the only American vessel bringing a cargo to Oregon
in 1844. On her return to Newburyport she took
Gushing and Johnson home, and was commanded by
Captain Sylvester, formerly of the PaJla>i, Captain
Couch remaining in Oregon in chary;e of tlie com-
pany's business. Neither tlie vessel, Iier ca})tain, nor
Johnson was ever again on th<i Pacific coast. *^
i
*' Horace llolilen and May Holdcn, his wife, came from the Hawaiian
Inlands ill tlie Clicmiinv-i, Captain Coiiuh, with hal)cock and HineH, wliun tliey
roturncd to Oregon after hearing of the appointment of a new superintend-
ent of the Mission. Holden was a native of Hillshorougli, New Jlanipshire,
liorn in ISIO. He took to seafaring, and while roaming ahoiit the ocean was
east away on one of the I'elew Islands, ami enslaved hy the natives for three
years. On being rescued and ret\iniing to Ni'w England, he published an
account of his adventures, called y/o/(/r//'.i Xinrtitire oj" S/iljiirifh anil Ca-p-
firifi/ iiiiionij t/ic Siiroj/f.-i. In ISIiT he went to the Islands with the design of
introducing silk culture and manufacture, hut the scheme failed. He then
engaged in sugar-planting o»< the island of Kauai, the plantation of KaUoa,
in wiiich ho wis niterested, being the first sugar-making plantation on the
Islands. By the representations of I)r Babcock ho was induced to remove to
Oregon, which he professes never to liave liked on account of the rainy
winters. Holden settled near Salem on a farm, and engageil in cattle-raising
and grain and fruitgrowing. Jfoldcii'n Ornjoii Pkiiiccriiiii, MS., from which
llio aW)ve is taken, contains little mere i\ lu his personal experience, and
while it affords a plan on which a bo'^k miglio be writi' i eipial to many of the
most interesting narrations of adveiiLarc, c icfibutes little that is of valui; to
this history. See ///hcv' Or. Ilh.t., VX<.
■"•It is said that Sylvester and John on nailed for the Columbia River ' in
a small vessel, deeply laden, which was never heard from;' but whether the
< ','ii'wniiii.i was the vessel I have no iiiforma*ion. Her name appears no more
0:1 the shipping-list; but in lier place next I'iiinc tlu,' brig /Iciiri/. Aglimp.se
here and there of the after lives of the iiionecrs of 1844 — for all were pioneirs
before ISoO — will give us a necessary clew 1.0 tlie manner of life of those who
go f<irth to clear tlie way for their more favored brethren to follow, as well as
the time and manner of their <lcath.
M. (r. Foisy ' •> came to Oregon in 1844, was the first printer in the terri-
tory after llai , .1 visited Lapwai from tlio Islands in KS4I. Mr Foisy set
up the bof)k of Matthew as translated into tlie Nez Terci'' language by the
Presbyterian missionaries, and printed on the little press presented to this
mi.ssiou by the native church of Honolulu, wlii„'li press is now pre .fiveiL in
the state archives at Salem, He afterwanl went to California, wtieiv lie
worked at Monterey in the <ifiice of T/ie Calif oniian in the Eiigltth aud Span-
ish languages, mcrge<l later into the Alta VaVforuia.
»«';?
f,>
SiilUli
4G8
THE IMMKiRATION OF 1844.
A
Pierce Asliill Wiis bom in Howard County, Missouri, in October 1835,
whence he emigrated, with his parents, in 1844. In 184" *;he family removt;il
to California, finally settling in Sonoma County, since wiiich time they havo
been engaged in various vocations, but principally in stock-raising. In tlu^ir
expeditions through the country Frank M. Asbill, in 18r)4, discovered Round
Valley in California.
Daniel Clark, a native of King Ccmnty, Ireland, was born Feb. 14, 18'24.
His father emigrated to Quebec in 1828, and went from Canada to Missouri
in 188(5. At 13 Daniel was impelled to begin life for himself, and engaged
with a neighI)or for 8 dollars a montli to c\>t cord-wood. At 18 he was em-
ployed as overseer on a plantation; but hearing of the prfispective <lonation of
land in Oregon to actual settlers, determined to go to tlie new country, ami
try his fortunes there. He joined the independent colony under (iilliam, and
arriving late and destitute, went to making rai's. Two years afterward he
married Miss Bertha B. Herren. In 1848 he went to tlie California mines,
returning to Oregon for his wife and infant child the same winter. In IS.'iO
lie left the mines and returned to his home 5 miles south of Salem. His
wife flying in 18G1, he married again in 18()5 Miss Harri't Scheoffer. Wlien
tlie Oregon state grange Wius organized in 1873 he wa.s elected ma-fter for his
services in the movement, in which he has ever been heartily interested. Mr
Clark lived long in firm health and vigor, enjoying the reward of a temperate
and jiLst life. S. F. Pnr'jir, liuriil Press, in. Or. Cidtifulor, June 1"), 1870.
Willis Jenkins of the immigration of 1844 settled on the Luckiamute in
I'olk County, then Yamhill district. When the town of Dalla-s was laid off
in ISrri he built the iirst dwelling, first store, aii<l *irst hotel, and remained
in business there for some time; but when eastern Oregon was opened np by
the gold discoveries, he removed to that section and aided in its development.
His wife, who came with him to Oregon, died in 1872. His son, Henry
.Icnkins, became a Methodist preaclier, and his other children were scattereil
over Oregon. Dalian Re'puhlirdn, in Por/laiiil (hr(/oiiiiin, <hdn. 17, 1874.
Dr J. L. Biirlow, 'an hoiioraide gentleman and ex'cellcnt citizen,' died
at his home in Oregon City, March 7, 1879, where he had lived since 1844.
Salem S'afrsiiniii, Alarch 14, 1879.
James Welch, who arrived in Oregon in November 1844, removed from
the Willamette Valley in 184(5 to Astoria, and took the land claim adjoining'
.Fohn McClure's, on the east, wliich became a part of the town of Astoria.
Welch continued to reside at A.storia, where he held several ofliccs of trust,
and engaged actively in the business of milling, salmon fishing iind canninji,
and town improvements. In 187(5, wliile on a visit to his son, .lames W.
Welch, internal revenue collector at \\'alla Walla, he ptiascd suddenly away
while asleep, on the night of the 2'.)tli of Septcml)er, at the a^e of (iU years.
His family ecmtinued to reside at Astoria. Walla Walla i'liion, in ''Salem
Statesman, Oct. 12, 1870.
Bartholomew White wius a cripple who came to Oregon and took a claim
in 1844 on the south bank of the Columbia, where St Helen now stands, and
which he afterward sold or abandoni'd to Knighton in 1847.
Joseph Watt was born in Oliio, but (anigrated from M issouri. He remained
at Oregon City over t«(i years, when he returned to the States to bring out
sheep and a carding-maehine. Tlii.s attempt to drive sheep overland from
the east was suggested by the fact that one of tlie Shaws in 1844 drove 10
shec'p to Oregon, which he intended to kill for mutton by the way; tinding
that they travelled as well as the otlier .stock, and butlalo being plenty, he
spared them. This Sliaw removed to Benicia, California. Watt had no
sooner returned to Oregon with his cardiMg-mai'liine and sheep than the g<dil
discovery in California drew everybody who could go to the mincf', and he
realized nothing from his scheme of introducing a usciful manufacture. But
his shoep increased, and money came into the country, until finally he '.'on-
eeived the idea of a woollen factory, which was lliially eutablisbed at Salem
in 18r)7, this being the pioneer woollen-mill on the Pacific coast of the United
States. Mr Watt still resides at Salem.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Natiianiel Ford, of wliose settlement in Polk Connty I have spoken, after
a useful and honorable life, died at Dixie, in that county, January 9, 1870, at
the age of 75 years. liUcinda Ford, his wife, died January 4, 1874, aged 74
years. Dallnn TimeH, Jan. 15, 1870; Sitlon Stnteninnn, Jan. Hi, 1874. Samuel
Walker, who had served 2.'i years in t'le army of the United .Stiites, and emi-
^'rated in 1844, settled near Salem, where Ik lived '26 years, and accunndated
a comfortable property. Ho died July 20, 1870, at St Joseph's hospital, Van-
couver. I'liiiroitier J{('i/ister, Jnly '23, 1870. Joel t'risman, anative of Virginia,
died in Vandiill County, Aug. lO, 1875, aged 80 years. E. E. Parrish, born
in West Virginia, Nov. 20, died in T^inn County, Oct. 24, 1874.
E. B. Magruder, a native of Maryland, for a long time a resident ot
Jackson County, died July 1875, at Jacksonville, aged 74 years. He wa.s
identified with early enterprises ia southern Oregon. \Vith him emigrated to
Oregon Theopliilus R. Magnuler, also a resident of southern Oregon, au<l a
merchant. He died Oct. 5, 1871, aged 39 years. Theopliilus Magnider re-
sided for several years at Cresent City, California.
Jas B. Stephens was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 180G.
At the age of 8 years he removed with his father to Indiana, where he
i< , lained until he was 20, when he made another westward movement, and
' >i -ted on thi, Mississipjn River, opposite Fort Madison, where he supplied
(■amboats with wood and continued to reside for 1 1 'years. Emigrating
■^4 to Oregon with his family, in the autumn of 1845 he bought a
J'lnr. claim on the east bank of the Willa.nette, opposite Portland, which in
now the site of East Portland, and where he still resides. Overton, who had
claimed ou the other siilc, but wished to leave the country, offered Stephens
his laihl for .^200, but the latter having no money, and nothing to depend on
except his trade, which was coopering, declined. It -.vas after this offer that
he purchased East Portland at an administrator's sale, Lovejoy being the
seller. Nesi.iith was present for the purpose of bidding, but learning that
Stephens desired the place for his business, an<l to make a home, the former
gave way. This was during his term as judge of probate, the sale being
under his order. The incident illustrates the generous spirit of the men of
1843. Mhifoxhu-h/Dn;/", MS., 32.
Franklin Scars was born in Orange County, New Jersey, June 23, 1817.
At the age of 10 years he removed with his ])arents to Saline County, where
he left tlicm to join the emigration to Oregon in 1844. Tlie following year
lie went to California, and settled in Sonoma County, where he held a large
farm.
Isaac N.
1818. He
•'migrated t
tool- a i-.ii I
Man-^tt. bi
uert A -a;, tii
Gill'iert, a native of New York, was born at Ru.shville, June 27,
• iiM 'o Illinois when still a very young man, and from then?
I Or" ton tit the ago of 27, in company with 3 others. Ho
il;ii . 2 miles north-east of Salem, and in 1850 married Miss
i('oi~ il lughtcr of Alfred Stanton, an immigrant of 1847. Oil-
1 I'v-. coviu'y clerk of Marion county, holdnig the office for 3
years, a». ' wa. or li ri;»ui survc ')r of the county. He made tlie first plat of
the town ot !^''' n. ; U> laiil out the road from Salem to Philip Foster's, at
the foot of the vVa,<( ide Mountains, iii 184(i. He was one of the four original
founders of the Congregational ehiirch in S.ilem in 1852; and during his life
one of its principal supporters. He died March 20, 1879, at his homo in
Salem. Or. I'iniurr Assor., Trans., 1878, 82 3.
Mrs Henrietta (iilliam Coad, daughter of Cornelius (rilliam, and wife of
Samuel Coad, died at Salem, .March 30, 1873, ag('d about 32 years. Mrs
Pauline Ford Boyle, third (laughter of Nathaniel Ford, die<l in November
1874 of consumption. H. C. Jenkins, in alluding to her death, renuirked
that of "le Fi ril family of 13 who cro.ssed the plains in 1844 with him, cmly
dur' ' ' ' ■■
Wat-oi >r.
Jane Ri;' •
years, /'o/'
len left. Elijah Bunton died in 18(11, on tlie Walla Walla River,
■ ■ fold excitement. His widow married a Mr Watson. Mrs Ki'ziah
■d Ma-ch 19, 1874, at Weston, in Umatilla County. Mrs Mary
Ajj HoiL't's, wife of Clark Rogers, died March 4, 1875, aged 43
i:n
MS
'.'ii!
i>!ii( i'. (.'. Ai/ro'v/f, March 25, 1875.
CHAPTER XVIII.
AMENDMENT OP THE ORGANIC LAWS.
1845.
The FresT Three Leoisi •\ e Bopies — Opposino Parties — The Several
LEOISLATlJKES-MEMOh . ONORESS — WhAT BeNTON ThOUCHT OP
It — Elijah White's Exv -Proceedincjs of the Legislature-
Fusion OE THE Americans, a., .j British— English Spies in Oregon —
British Vessels — Conduct of McLoughlin Discussed — Unjust Cen-
sure — Consequence to McLoughlin.
From the adjourn lueiit of the legislative committee
December 24th to the election of 1845, the political
situation of the country in reference to boundary was
earnestly discussed by the leading men t)f both na-
tionalities in Oregon, with a candor, courtesy, and
tlignity born of the greatness of the question, and with
the desire to avoid the collisions threatened by the
turbulent few. This mutual endeavor to understand
each other could not but tend to produce salutary
results, removing prejudices due to birth and educa-
tion, and replacing them by personal esteem and pri-
vate friendships,^
Among themselves, the Americans had other issues
to consider. It is worthy of remark that the first
three legislative bodies of Oregon made and adopted
three different forms of rtjpublican government, with-
out any disturbances that affected the public peace.
The first framed a set of organic laws, intended to
bind the ])eo[)le together, and to secure benefits to
themselves by giving them a quasi title to selected
tracts of land. This organization may be styled the
' Appkijdti-'K Vicwn, MS., 42.
(■«70>
ii
THE MISSIONARY REPUBLIC.
471
missionary republ'c. Before its laws, which were
voted upon by the organizers, who called themselves
the people, although they represented no more than a
majority of two over those who did not desire a code,
could have a trial, there appeared in the country an
overwhelming number of bold, free, independent men,
who acknowledged no authority, either commercial or
religious, who found the missionary republic too con-
tracted to suit their views, and who proposed, if they
were to live under its laws, to modify them according
to their requirements. Hence a legislative connnittee
without a missionary 'n it, and only two of the old
colonists. I have she v.-v how they, while greatly
improving upon the legislation of their predecessors,
leaned toward an 'ndependent republic, by neglecting
to submit their code to the vote of the people, and by
attempting to secure a call for a constitutional conven-
tion. Against such a tendency the patriotism of the
western men rebelled.
Meietings were held in the most populous districts,
from which delegates were chosen to a convention
appointed to meet at Champoeg April 8, 1845, for the
choice of candidates for governor, supreme judge, and
other officers. One good effect of the code of 1844
was, that it had driven the Canadians to unite with
the Americans ir the government organization, as
unless they did so their lands could not be protected.
It was therefore at the house of a French settler that
the convention of delegates met.'^
Although there were but two prominent parties,
the American and the independent, the latter includ-
ing the Canadians and those who desired a constitu-
tion,^ there were four candidates, A. L. Loveyoy,
George Abernethy, Osborne Russell, and W. J.
Bailey. Lovejoy and Russell represented the two
parties before mentioned, and Abernethy the Mission.
''Cli/man'fi Diarij, MS., 98; McLoioj/iUnn /'rirdlc /'uperx, MS., 2<l ser., 14.
"White says: 'Many are favorable to the adoption of a constitution .. .
This being the most enlightene<l view, an<l meeting with little oppusitioii, I
am of oiiinioii it will prevail. ' Concise Vktc, 55
v^.
472
amendmi:nt of the organic laws.
li i 1:
Bailey, who was known to lean toward independence,
yet was also of the old missionary fraternity, belonged
to no particular i)arty. In convention Lovcjoy re-
ceived the greater number of votes, the Americans
being in the majority. But before the election, the
independents, having no liope of securing their choice,
and not liking to see Lovejoy elected, went over to
Abernethy,* who thus became governor, although at
the time he was on a visit to the Sandwich Islands.''
One of the principles of the American party was
that the organic law of 1843 was the law of the coun-
try until the people had voted UDon the amendments
of 1844; because, as they contended, the people had
not yet resigned the law-making power. This oppo-
siticm strengthenc'J the independents somewhat, who
could And many wIkj favored the new code. But
when it came to the election of the legislature, it
was found that no kno\\n independents were invested
with legislative power. That there were many who
favored the call for a convention was proven by the
fact that the majority against it was only ninety-three,
or about two to one, according to the voting census
of 1844."
The legistators elect fr'Mu Champoeg County" were
Robert Newell, J. M. Garrison, M. (x. Foisy, Barton
Lee ; from Clackamas County, H. A. G. Lee, William
H. Gray, Hiram Straight; from Tualatin County, M.
IFW^
* From the fact that tlierc were no newspapers in Oregon at this time, it i.s
flithi'ult to get a clear return of the election, but I learn from other sources
that .1. W. Nesniitli was elected judge, and Frank Krniatiuger treasurer.
Krniatinger'.s election was the welcoming hand to the Hudson's B;iy Company.
•' Mr Applegate says tliat Alhernethy headed the American ticket called l>y
its adversaries 'missionary.' I'icirx of llkt., MS., 44. But I have followed
(!ray, who, in tliis instance, clearly shows the cause which defeated the can-
didate of the convention. IJoth Russell and Bailey would prefer Abernethy
to one of the new and aggressive men of the immigrations, and their inllu-
ence, combined with that of the Mission which also announced its candidates
as American, elected him.
«0c. Archire>^, MS., .'Jl.
" It will ])e observed that the word ' county ' had been substituted for dis-
trict. This usage was introduced by the committee of 1844; but the legis-
lature of 184.") passed an act authorizing the change. Or. Lnwx, lS4'^-0, 3.'),
In thorfsamo nrinner the phrase ' legislative committee was altered to ' legis-
lature,' thougli there were those who objected to both changes.
THE LEiJISLATURE.
473
McCarver, Isaac W. Smitl], David Hill; from Yam-
hill County, Jesse Applegate, Abijah Hendricks; from
Clatsop County, John McClure. They met at Oregon
City June 24th, and organized at the house of John
E. Long; but were offered the use of the room of
the Multnomah circulating library for the session,
which they accepted. The oath which was adminis-
tered to the members was framed by Jesse Applegate
as follows : " I do solenndy swear that I will support
the organic laws of the provisional government (jf
Oregon, so far as they are consistent with my duties
as a citizen of the United States or a subject of Great
Britain, and faithfully demean myself in office ; so help
me God;" the clause "or a subject of Great Britain"
being introduced to enable the Canadians and others
to join in sujjporting the laws.^ This clause gave
offence to some Americans, who, now that their coun-
trymen outnumbered the British so greatly in Oregon,
would have preferred excluding the latter ; but there
were wiser heads thai\ theirs among the more recent
colonists.''
McCarver being elected speaker, the message of
P. G. Stewart of the executive connnittee was read,
Abernethy being still absent. It contained little
besides assui-ances of the favorable condition of agri-
cidture, the peaceful condition of the country, the
inadequacy of the revemie, the need of a i-evision of
the organic and land law in favor of mechanics, and
an expression of "regret that sectional and national
prejudices should exist to such an extent as to en-
<langer our unanimity;" with the hope that there was
sufficient virtue and intiHligence in the colony to secure
"This form of oatli, (iray says, shows tliat Newell, Foisy, McCarver, Gar-
rison, Smith, and Hendricks, who supported it, were ' favorahle to a union
witli tl;e company, or the English party in the country; ' though he must have
known i*; was intended to :)pen the door to the fusion of tlie Britisli subjects
with the Ameil"!>iis, and to avert the troubles that throateneil. See Grai/'a
NiHt. Or., 422.
*McLot.'ghliu remarks: ' The originator of the clause is the very man who,
as I am infr.Tmed, proposed to the immigrants, on their way liere in 184.% to
take Vancouver; which is a proof how much his prejudices had died away.'
PniKiie I'lijieri;, MS., 3:1 ser.
_J
474
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGA.NIC LAWS.
the administration of the laws of the provisional gov-
ernment,'"
The legislature of 1845 held that they were not a
constitutional body, because the law under which they
were elected lacked the expressed approbation of the
people, and that their first duty was to appeal to the
people as to the only power with authority to change
the fundamental law. That part of the executive
message relating to a revision of the organic and
other Taws, having been referred to a committee com-
posed of H. A. G. Lee, Newell, Applegate, Smith,
and McClure, their revision was immediately begun.
On the 5th of July the committee made their final
report. The leading spirit in the legislature of 1845
was undoubtedly Mr Applegate. The Spartan sim-
plicity and fidelity to trust which distinguished him
among his fellow-colonists is stamped upon their pro-
ceedings. His literary style, unequalled by that of
any of his contemporaries, is easily recognized in the
revised code. Concerning the work of the committee,
he says that it was their object to introduce as few
changes as possible in the original organic laws, except
the oath of office, and an amendment to the land law
allowing two or more otherwise legal claimants to
hold a section each without making improvements
upon each claim."
While it is evident that Applegate endeavored to
leave untouched the work of his friend Shortess as
far as was consistent with expediency and propriety,
and while avoiding any perversion of the intention
of the organic laws, the amendments made to that
instrument fulfilled practically all the purposes of
the more elaborate legislation of 1844. Nor could
this be accomplished without excluding from them
'"Or. Airhiren, MS., 51. Wliile at Salem in 1878 I fouad in the state-
house a mass of loose unprinted dociuueiits, many of them of great value to
history. I engaged Mr J. Henry Brown to make a thorough examination of
them, comparing them with the printed archives, and to copy at his discre-
tion. Tliis he did with a faithfulness and discrimination worthy of the
highest praise. The volume is quoted as above,
" ViewH of History, MS., 45.
THE SEVERAL ARTICXES.
476
those mere statutory sections which had given the
instrument so heterogeneous an appearance to the
critical eyes of Burnett and Lovejoy. To the first
article of the original organic laws was added a section
concerning rights/^ and another section concerning
the powers of three distinct branches of the govern-
ment."
The second article defined, in eleven sections, the
powers and duties of the ><eparate branches of govern-
ment. The legislative power was to be vested m a
house of representatives, which should consist of not
less than thirteen nor more than sixty-one members,
whose numbers should not be increased more than five
at any one session, to be elected at the annual election,
giving to each district a representation in the ratio of
its population, excluding natives. The members should
reside in their district, and in case of vacancy the ex-
ecutive should cause a new election to be held, giving
at least ten days' notice. The house of representatives
should have power to fix the salaries of the different
officers elected under the organization, or, as it is styled
in these articles, "this compact" provided that no
change was made in salaries during the term of service.
The house of representatives should have the sole
power of impeaching, three fourths of the members
concurring ; and the governor and all the civil officers
should be liable to impeachment for treason, bribing, or
any high crime or misdemeanor in office; judgment in
such cases extendintj no further than removal from
office, and disqualification to hold any office of honor,
trust, or j)rofit under the compact, but the offender
miijht be dealt with according' to law. The house of
'■^ ' fir, person shall be deprived of the right of hearing iirins in his^wn
defence; no unreasonable searches or seizures shall be granted; the ireedoni
of the press shall not be restrained; no person shall be tried twice for the
same offence; nor the people be deprived of the right of peaceably assendding
and discussing any matter they may think proper, nor shall the right of
petition ever be denied.' Or. Spectator, Feb. 5, 184(i.
" ' Tlie powers ot the government shall be divided into three distinct
departments, the legislative, executive, and judicial; and no person or persona
iHjlonging to one of these <lepartment8 shall exercise any of the powers Iwlong-
ing to either of the others, except in cases herein directed or permitted.' Jfl,
476
AxMKNDMENT OF THE ORGANIU LAW«.
representatives should have power to divide the ter-
ritory into suitaVjle districts, and ajjportion the rep-
resentation in their ownhody; to pass laws for raising-
a revenue by levying and collecting taxes, or imposing
license on merchandise, ferries, or other objects; to
open roads or canals, either by imposing a tax or grant-
ing charters; to regulate the intercourse of the people
with the natives; to establish post-offices and post-
roads; to declare war or repel invasion; to ])rovide
for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia
and calling it forth ; to pass laws to regulate the in-
troduction, manufacture, and sale of ardent sj)ii'its; to
regulate the currency and internal police; to create
inferior tribunals and inferior offices nt)t provided for
by tlie articles of compact ; and to pass such laws to
promote the general welfare of the people of Oregon
as were not contrary to the spirit of this instrument;
all powers not expressly delegated to remain with the
people.'*
The executive power was vested in one person elected
by the qualified voters; tlie qualifications being the
same as in the original organic laws; every white man
over twenty-one year's of age who had been in the
territory at its organization, or every immigrant after*
that time who had been in it six months, being privi-
leged to vote at the election of officers, civil or military.
Time was thus allowed for tlie immigration of one
year, arriving in the autumr>, to become informed on
tlie questions at issue and to vote at the election in
June of the following year.
The powers of tlie executive were to fill vacancies,
remit finos> and forfeitures, grant pardons and reprieves,
call out the military to repel invasion or suppress in-
'* It was Applogate's idea that no power to make laws existed, only as tlie
people delegated it; and that by the articles of conipaet which were agreed to
by the people, only so much power as was descrilied in the compact could he
exercised. Tliis was intended as a check on the missionary as well as the
Hudson's Bay influence. No sb<;tional ambition could l)e gratified so long
as no authority for it was contained in the organic laws, which defined the
extent of the legislative power. For this reason the laud law was made or-
ganic, as well as the oath of office.
TrIK LAND LAW.
477
mrrection, to look to the execution of the lavs, and
reconnnend others which he might deem essential, and
to si(>n or veto the hills passed by the legislature; the
house having the power by a two-thirds vote to pass
a vetoed bill, the governor's ol)jeotions to which were
to be entered on its journal. The goveri or might
(•(mvene the legislature on extraordinary occasions.
His term of oftice should be for two years, or until
the election and qualification of his successor; and in
case of death or resignation, the secretary should fill
his place. His salary was left for the legislature to
fix.^'' The article on the judiciary difi'ered from the
' original, and also from the laws of 1844. Like the
first, it vested the judicial })ower in the supreme court,
and such inferior courts of law, equity, and arbitration
as might from time to time be established. Unlike
the second, the supreme judge was to be elected by
the house of representatives for a term of four years,
or until his successor was elected and qualified. Un-
like the first, he should have appellate jurisdiction
only ; but should have a general su})erintending control
over all inferior courts of law, with power to issue writs
of habeas corpus and other original or remedial writs,
and hear and determine the same. The supreme court
was to have power to decide upon and annul any laws
contrary to the provisions of the articles of compact,
and should give an opinion when called upon by the
house of representatives, concerning tlie validity of
any pending measure. Also, the house might ])rovide
by law for the supreme court having original juris-
diction in criminal cases.
The land law, the chief object of solicitude to all,
was incorporated in the organic laws, and was changed
from the original in letter, if not in spirit. No dis-
tinction of color, nationality, age, or sex was made;
but every person was allowed to hold six hundred and
forty acres upon complying with certain conditions.
The claim must be designated by natural boundaries
** Governor Abernethy drew no salary under the provisional government.
slit'
478
AMKND.MKNT OF THE ()U(;ANIC LAWS.
or by marks at the cornerH and upon tliu linos, and bo
recordod within twolvo niontlis in tlio offioo of the
territorial rocordor, with the nanios of adjoiniiiL^ claim-
ants in tho cases of those already in ])oss(!ssi()n, and
within twenty days in the cases o\' new-comeis. l\'r-
manent improvements were rocjuired to be made within
six months by building or enclosing, and residence
begun within a year; or in cases where not occupied,
the claimant might hold by paying into the treasury
fiv) dollars annually. Xon-rt^sidents should not have
the benefit of the law, nor men who were obliged to
absent themselves from tlu territory on private busi-
ness beyond the period of two years.
No individual was allowed to hold more than one
square mile, in a s(juare or oblong form, nor to hold
more than one claim at the same time ; but partner-
ships not exceeding the amount of one claim to each
partiuir might be formed by improvements made
upon one, jmivided none of the partners held se})arate
claims.'" Any person compl3nng with the provisions
of these ordinances became entitled to the same re-
course against trespassers as in other cases provided
by law. By the amended oruanic laws, the officers
chosen at Vne general election on the first Tuesday in
June l84o were declared entitled to act under these
laws, and their oflScial acts, in accordance with them,
were valid and legal. The house of representatives
could, by a two-thirds vote, amend the organic laws,
l)ut the amendments must be made public by being
read at the polls at the next general election, and two
thirds of the members elected at that time must ap-
prove of them."
All the merely statutory laws were expunged froni
the instrument called by the connnittee of revision a
compact instead of a constitution, a distinction with-
'* After this law waa approved by the people, it was anientled so aa to
' permit claiiuauts to hold GOO acres in tlie prairie, and 40 acres in the timber,
though said tracts do not join,' in an act similar to the amendatory act of
1844.
"Or. Sitectalor, Feb. 5, 1846; Gen. Lam Or., 58-65.
APPRO VKI> BY THE TKOPLK.
47!>
out a (liffcrciK'o. Yrt it was a wisi^ doterencc to the
original ioimders ot" thu govt'nmu'iit. The j)eo[)le
were encouraged in thi; maintenaneo of re[)uhrK'an
])rinciple8, and hrihid t(» remain firm in tlieir alle-
giance to the United States, which alone of all great
governments allowed such entire freedom of political
sentiments.'"*
As the Ic'tjislature had decided that tlu^v W(a'o
without authority to act until the people had apj)roved
of their })roceedings in am(;nding the organic laws,
they prepared to adjourn until an election could he
held, at which the people were to be made acijuainted
with, 1st, the orighial laws as enacted July 5, 184:1;
2d, the amended laws; and 3d, a schedule declaring
the ijovernor and legislature elected in June the ofh-
cers to carry the amended or<jfanic laws into it feet.
If the })eople sliould adopt the last two in plact .,[' the
first, the legislature could then proceed to the forma-
tion of a code of statutory laws suited to tlie wants
of the colony. As there was no printing-press in
Oregon, manuscript copies of each were made for
every precinct or polling-place, to be read three times
to the voters.
The legislature adjourned July 5th to meet again
on the 5th of August. According to Gray, many
voted against the compact because it allowed the legis-
lature to regulate the introduction, manufacture, and
sale of intoxicating drink; and many because the
English and French servants of the fur company were
admitted to equal privileges with themselves. Not-
withstanding these objections, at the special election
held on the 2Gtli of July the majority in favor of
adopting the organic laws as amended, and the sched-
ule of oiHcers as elected the previous June, amounted
to over two hundred.'" By this decisive act, says Mr
Applegate, "both the Methodist Mission and the
'"Says Applegate: 'I was a citizen of the United States, and I intended
to remain one. '
^"Gravers Or. Archives, 90; //««»' Or. ^w/., 432-4.
480
AMENDiMENT 'JK THE ORGANIC LAWS.
^^- -4^i|i
|ij-^lii|
Hudson's Bay Company ceased to be political powers
either to be courted or feared in the color. v, and to
the close of its existence the provisional government
of Oregon attained all the ends of ^'•ood government.""'*
Before following the legislative body of Oregon
through its law-making achievements, let us return
to its first session long enough to observe the straws
indicative of the political current. Harvey Clark had
been chosen chaplain, but on motion of Gray the vote
was reconsid(;red, and Father Demers and jVIr Hill
were chosen to offi'^iate alternately. The action of
Gray sisems to have been an ill-judged attempt to con-
ciliate the Catholics, for Demers declined, and Clark
resi*inetl after officiating f<»r a short time.
Then came a petition from Philip Foster, who had
been treasurer, reciting his grievances at being sup-
planted by Ermatinger, a British subject; but tlie
legislature sustained Ermatinger.^' Two days before
adjournmeiit (4ray ottered a resolution that a cor.i-
niittee of one from each county be appointed to report
a bill for the protection of the colony, the erection of
block-houses and iUagazines, the revision of the mili-
tary law, and to riiake such suggestions to the house
as they might deem necessary for the peace and safety
of the colony. The committee was appointed, but tlie
proceeding fell to the ground, there being no necessity
for such a measure.
A resolution of Applegate's seems to be aimed at
the disposition exhibited by some j)ers(ms to consider
the affairs of the Hudson's I3ay Company as without
the pale of law and justice,"- and to prevent abuses
of the legislative power generally.
» Vkimi o/Jfrntori/, MS., 4G.
^^Orotrr'< Or. Archives, T^-1.
•' ' /fcxolivil, thtat the iroveriinunt h<'w no power to annul a contract entered
into either in the United States or (Jreat Britain.' (rrnirr'n Or. Arr/iiivs, 7S.
That tlie legislature did not act up to the Hpirit of this resolution is shown hy
the fact that notwithstandinc they disclaimed any authority to legislate
before the people had givvn tneni the power by voting on tlie laws, three
divorces were granted; two of the applieauta having been married in the
StJ
hoi
'til
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS.
481
Early in the session Gray made a motion that a
connuittee he a|)pointed to drauglit a memorial and peti-
tion to congress, setting forth the condition and wants
of the c<.)untry; and accordingly Gray, Applegate,
H. A. G. Lee, McClure, and Hill were appointed,
and a memorial prepared and adopted.'^ There was
States. A third iipplicant who gave as a reason for desiring a divorce that
he was not ahlo to retnrn to tlie States for his wife, was de.iied; it being hehl
'that a good wife would pay for a long journey.'
''■^'To the lio„orilili'. the Scitate <ihil J/oiixc of Rcpreseutalinfs of the United
St.atct of Amerka in Coiu/rexn a-snenilikd: Your memorialists and petitioners,
the representatives of the ])eople of Oregon, for themselves, and in behalf of
the citizens of tlie United States residing in tliis territory, would respectfully
submit for the considerrition of your honoral)le body some of the grievances
under which wo ialior, and pray your favorable consideration of our petition
for their roniedies. Without dilating upon the great importance of this
territory as an ajipcndage to the federal union, or consuming your valuable
ti!!ie in lepeating to you the oft-repeated account of our agricultural and coni-
inercia! advantages, we would, witli <lue deference, submit to your serious
consideration our peculiar difficulties as occupants of this territory. A» by
treaty stipulations between the governments of the United States ami (ireat
Britain this territory has become a kind of neutral grouml, in tlie occui)ancy
of which the citizens of the United States and tiie subjects of (ireat Britain
have equal rights, and, as your memorialists humbly conceive, ought to have
e(jual protection: such being the facts, the popiilatinn of the territory, though
promiscuously interspersed, is composed of tl'd subjects of a crown and the
citizens of a repulilic, between whom no co'union bonil of union e.xists. It
may naturally l)e supposed that in the absence of any provision having been
made by the two governments, to prevent or settle any such occurrence, that
conflictmg interests, aided by ancient preju<lices, would speedily lead to
results the most disastrous; particularly wh"'.! it is considered that this mixeil
jiopulation exists in the midst of numerous and warlike tribes of Indians, to
wliom the smallest dissensions among the white iidiabitants would be the
signal to let loose upon their defenceless nunilies all tlie horrors of savage
warfare. To prevent a calamity so niucV. to be dreaded, the well-disposed
iiiliabitants of tiiis territory have found it absolutely necessary to estalilish a
provisional and temporary government, embracing ;ill free male citizens, ami
wiioso executive, legislative, and judicial powers should bo equal to all the
exigencies that may arise among themselves, not provided for by the govern-
ments to wiiich they owe allegiance; and we are most happy to inform your
honorable body, that with liut few individual exceptions, the utmost harmony
and good-will has been tlie result of this, as we conceive, wise and judicious
mea.siire; and the British subjects anil An erican citizens vie witii each other
in tlieir obedience and respect to the laws, and in promoting tlie common
good ami general welfare of Oregon.
'Although such has been the result, thus far, of our temporary union of
interests, though we, the citizens of the United Statiis, have nad no cause to
complain eithtir of exaction or oppression at tlie hands of the subjects of lireat
Britain, but on tiie contrary it is but just to say that their conduct t'jward us
luis been most friendly, liberal, and piiilantiiropic, yet wo fear a longer con-
tinuance of tiie present state of things is not to bo cxpeiac") — our temiiorary
government being limited iu its eliiciency, and crippled ir. its p-iwcrs by tlio
paramount duty we owe to our respective governments — our revenue being
inade(iuate to its support— and tlie almost total absence, apart from the Hud-
son's liay Company, of the means of defence against the Indians, which recent
occurrences led us to fear outertaiu hostile focliugs towards the citizens of the
Hist. Ob., Vol. I. 31
^\
^
«.[-
i
482
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIC LAWS.
considerable talent in this committee, and it was to
be expected that this paper would be better in many
respects than those usually issuing from backwoods
legislation. And such was the case. The docu-
ment, so different in matter, tone, and expression
even from those which had preceded it during the
reign of missionary influence, though crude, was the
I
I I
iM.il
United States. Your memorialists would further inform your houoi ible hody
that while the subjects of Great Britain, through the agency of the Hudson s
Bay Company, are amply provided with all the munitions of war, and can
afiford by means of their numerous fortifications ample protection for tliem-
selves and tlieir property, the citizens of the United States are scattered over
a wide extent of territory, without a single place of refuge, and within theni-
Bclves almost entirely destitute of every means of defence. Your memorialists
would further crave your indulgence to remark that Great Britain has, by ex-
tending her criminal code to this country, guaranteed every British subject,
claiming his birthright, a legitimate trial by the laws of his country. We, as
citizens of the United States, having neither the military protection of our
government, nor the extension to us of the civil laws of our country, are forced
to the enactment and execution of laws not authorized, and, for what we
know, never will be sanctioned, by our government. Your memorialists would
further call the attention of your honorable body to the fact that, as citizens
of the United States, we labor under the greatest commercial disadvantages.
We have neither ships of vcar nor of commerce, nor any navigation of the
rivers of the interior, and for want of adequate protection, no private cap-
italist among us can establish a successful competition with a wealthy and
powerful monopoly, jiossessing jiU the appliances of commerce, and all the
inHueiice over the natives by an early establishment among them. We are,
therefore, dependent for a market for a large and increasing surplus, and for
nearly all our supplies, upon a single con.pany, which holds the market under
its control.
' Your memorialists, with a view to remedy the grievances under wliich
they labor, pray the national congress to establish a distinct territorial govern-
ment, to embrace Oregon and its adjacent sea-coasts. W'e pray for a(lequati>
means of protection from the numerous Iii.lian tribes whicli surround us; for
the purcliase of territories which they are willing to sell; and for agents with
autliority to regulate intercourse between wiiitcs and Indians, and between
Indian tribes. That donations of lands may be made according to the in-
ducements held out to u.a by the passage of a bill through the United States
senate, at the second session of the 27th congress, entitled "A bill to autiiorize
tl\e adoption of measures for the occupation and scctlement of the territory
of Oregon, for extending certain portions of the laws of the Unitetl States
over the sami:, and for other purposes." Tiiat navy-yards .ind marine depots
may be establiMhod on the Iliver Columbia and upon Puget's Sound, and a
naval force adeipiate to our protection be kept periiianently in the adjacent
seas. We ^ray for the estiibli.slimeiit of such conimerci.d regulation.s as may
enable us to trade in our own territory, at least on an e(juality with non-
resiilent foreigners. We ]iray that adeqiuite nnlitary protection l)e j^iven to
emigrants coming to ua, eithiT by the establishniint of jio-its upon tlio route
or liy udlitai'y escort. Aiul wo pray tiiat in the event you deem it inexpedient
as a mcasiTO, or contrary to the spirit of existing treaties, to establisli a ter-
ritorial government in Oregon, that you extend to us adequate military and
naval protection, so a.«i to place us at least upon a par with other occupants
of the country. That a public mail be established to arrive aiiil depart
monthly from Oregon City and Independence (Mo.), aiul such other local
THE MESSENGER.
488
most dignified communication yet emanating from
any Oregon public body.^* The memorial to congress
was given to White to be carried to Washington,
immediately upon its being signed by all the officials
in the colony, together with a copy of the amended
organic law. The turn which affairs had taken in
Oregon, as well as in Washington where there was
a new administration, had seriously damaged White's
hopes of office ; and no funds had been placed at his
disposal with which to reimburse himself, or his cred-
itors at Vancouver, for expenditures in the Indian
service ; and he determined to proceed to the national
capital for an adjustment of his accounts, if not to ask
to be returned to Oregon as governor when congress
should be ready to erect a territory in that ({uarter.^^
White's path was by no means smooth. "Influence
here is most important," he sighed. And in order to
routeb be established as are essential to the Willamette country and other
settlements.
' For the granting of which your memorialists will ever pray,
'OSliOii.M'. ivUSMKLL,
' Pkter G. Stewakt,
' Executive Committee.
' J. W. NESMiTir, Judge of Circuit Court.
'M. M.^IoCarvkr, Speaker.
'Jess?; Ai'I-lehate, H. A. G. Lee,
'Mei)Ard(!. Fowy, Barton Lee,
'W. H. (iRAv, John McCi.ure,
'J. M. Garrison, Robert Newell,
'AiujAH Hendricks, Hikam Strakjht,
'UavidHill, 'Members of Legislative Conuiiittoe.
'Done at Oregon City, 28th June, 1845.
fh: Arc/lives, Ua., lass. 'Attest: J. E. LoNU, Clerk.'
Tliis memorial, rui '.i njwears on page *i4 of the Coiigirnxional (ilohr, 184.^-6,
dilTors from the .mxjvc in liaving tlie paragraph concerning mails inserted
between those on the navy and cominerce; and in having the name of .1. W.
Smith, which is lacking in the above copy, inserted between those of Newell
and Straiglit; and also in tlie spelling of the speaker's name, which is incor-
rect in the (llohc.
'•''Tliomas H. Benton remarked upon it that it was drawn up in a manner
creditable to tlie body by vtiiicli it was j)resentcd, to tlie talents by wliieh it
vus dictated, and the patriotic sentiments which pervailed it; and the appli-
cation wtis worthy of a favor.ible consideratiim for its moilcration, reasonable-
ness, and justice. As the best moans of spreailing the contents of this ixitition
before the country, and doing honor to the ability and enterprise of those who
presented it, he moved that it be read at tlu^ bar of the senate. Cimj. (llohc,
184.J-(), 24. It was read, and ordered i)rinted. Entnn' J/iit. Or., MS.', '2.S;<-4.
'•'Clyman says in hia D'nunj, ^bS., 101: 'Spent tlie day in writing an
answer to some (pKTies jiroiiounded by I>r White, who leaves for the States in
the liope of obtiining i\w gubernatorial chair.'
J
484
amendjVient of the organic laws.
%: ■ ';
secure that useful commodity, as well as the more
tangible one of ^2,000 subscribed by citizens on con-
dition of finding a good pass for the coming immigra-
tion, he formed the })lan of exploring for a road leading
from the Willamette Valley through the Cascade
Mountains to the plains of eastern Oregon, wliich
should avoid the hardships of the trail round Mount
Hood and the passage down the Columl)ia River. On
the 12th of July, accompanied by Joseph Gale, Bap-
tiste Du Guerre, John Edmonds, Orris Brown, Moses
Harris, Joseph Charles Saxton of the last immigra-
tion, and two others, he set out on an expedition along
the foothills of the Cascade Range to the southern
end of the Willamette Valley, finding no pass through
the mountains to the east. While at the head of the
valley he ascended, with Du Guerre, a prominent
peak or butte in the foothills, which he nunKid after
the secretary of war. Mount Spencer.
Returning to the north along the west side of tlie
valley, he sought to comjiensate himself for the dis-
appointment by discovering a path througl the Coast
Range to the sea, at Yaquina Bay, after which he
hastened back to Oregon City, and reported truthfully
enough to tlie legislature, then hi session, his failure
and his partial success in " bringing ship navigation with
all the products of the ocean within two days' drive
with ox-teams of the centre of the valle}'," "•* for which
he received the thanks of that body,"' together with a
resolution reconuuending to the favorable considera-
tion of congress his just clahns for a remuneration f^r
the expense incurred in the expedition. The Oregon
Spectator, the first newspaper published in Oregon,
and owned and controlled principally by the former
members of the Methodist Mission, mentions White's
exploit with much favor,^'^ and says he meant to find a
road into the Willamette by a route foimerly travelled
«« White's Report, in Or. Archuwx, MS., 87-94.
^OrofverH Or. Archivex, 103.
»Soe Spectator, J;m. '21, 1847.
j *'
i I
RECONSIDERATION.
485
by the fur company's trappers, leading from the Mal-
heur or Powder River across the mountains, by Mount
Jefferson. Had no revelations been made subsequent
to the legislative indorsement of what was supposed to
be a sincere endeavor to benefit the colony, the cham-
pionship of the Spectator would not be out of pla(;e.
But among the letters White carried was one by
Lovejoy to the secretary of war anticipating White's
success, and speaking of the discovery of a pass which
was to save two or three hundred miles in distance of
the worst portion of the emigrant road, besides avoid-
ing the dangers of the Snake and Columbia rivers, as
a fact already accomplished, though the letter was
written four days before the expedition started, and
probably in the expectation that White would avail
himself of the pass he meant to discover to shorten
his own road to Washington. Instead of this, how-
ever, h« was obliged to return and take the Columl)ia
River route ; but lie did not feel himself bound to sur-
render the recommendations to the United States
government founded on his anticipated services to
the coming innnigration, and all subsequent ones. It
began to be whispered that the expedition hud been
a fraudulent pretence, intended only to create a claim
on the government,'^ and the report was rife that all
the testimonials secured, either from the legislature or
other persons in high positions, would be used to for-
ward his designs upon the first office hi the colony.
During the month occupied in the tour of the
Willamette V^alley, the memorial and organic law, as
first prepared and signed, had been in the possession
of White, the name of Speaker McCarver not having
yet been attached to the latter, because he was
opposed to the adoption of the amended organic
law, which supplanted the laws of the legislature of
1844, of which he was a prominent member as well
as speaker. On White's return, Applegate, wishing
••* White riiceivt'd from congress ^80.52i for his expenses on this explor-
ing tour. Concue Vinv, Go.
r'
in
1
•^^
i
ii
486
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIC LAWS.
.J i ' Ff
l*i! il
to have some resolutions attached, reclaimed the
documents from hini,^" during which time McCarver
clandestinely added his name as speaker of the house
to the objectionable organic law.
White had no sooner started on his long-deferred
journey than Barton Lee offered a resolution expos-
ing the secret acti(jn of McCarver, disapproving it,
and declaring that the house were under the humili-
ating necessity of signifying their displeasure to the
United States government by causing the resolution
to accompany the other documents. The discussion
occasioned by this discovery and the explanation of
McCarver ended in the house passing another resolu-
tion to despatch a messenger to Vancouver to bring
back the documents in order to have McCarver's siy-
nature properly attested, and a second one that the
speaker, having signed certain documents from a mis-
taken sense of duty, and not from contumacy or con-
tempt, should be required to follow White to Van-
couver and erase his name from the organic lav/ and
from two resolutions in favor of White. From this
requirement he was, however, excused. While reso-
lutions were in order, Applegate offered one declaring
that it was not the intention of the house, in passing
the above-named resolves, to recommend White to
the United States government as a suitable person to
fill any office in Oregon ; with another that an attested
copy should be forwarded to Washington. Mean-
while, the messenger who had been despatched to
bring back the memorial and organic law had over-
taken White's party and presented the order of the
house. But unwilling to risk any changes being
^ The resolutions wore to the effect that tlie adoption of the organic law
by tlie people of Oregon was an act of necessity ratlier than choice, intended
to give them the protection which their eovernnient should have extended
to them, and not an act of doliance or disregard of the laws of the United
States; and that in establishing a territorial government, congrc.<s shonld
legalize their acts so far as they were in accordance with the constitution of
the United States. Also that White be recjuested to furnish a copy of the
organic law to congress, said copy being indorsed witli the above resolutions.
dh-over's Or. Arc/iiiw, IOC.
litl
EXIT WHITE.
487
made in the resolutions, White dechned to relinquish
them, returning instead the following epistle :
"To the HoTiorable, etc. — Gentlemen: Being on
my way, and having but a moment to reflect, I have
been at much of a loss which of your two resolutions
most to respect, or which to obey ; but at length have
become satisfied that the first was taken most soberly,
and, as it answers my purpose best, I pledge myself to
adhere strictly to that. Sincerely wishing you good
luck in legislating, I am, dear sirs, very respectfully
yours, E. White."
This saucy defiance of the legislative body of Ore-
gon marked the disappearance of White from colonial
politics. The resolutions last passed, declaring him
not a proper person to fill any office in the country,
together with the changes which had occurred in
Washington, utterly defeated all aspirations in- that
direction,^^ altliough he had the temporary distinc-
tion of being treated like a delegate from the provis-
ional government, while the duplicate copies of the
legislative documents, with their appended injurious
'' White's adventures in crossing the plains with his small party consisting
of Harris, Edmonds, Brown, Saxton, l)u Guerre, Chapman, and another un-
known man, are brieHy given in his Ten Yearn in Orei/on. See also Niks' Re;/.,
Ixix. 224. Slight as is the narrative, I think it may safely be inferred that
the unfortunate attempt of a portion of the immigration of this year to make
a road up the Malheur River, and into the upper part of the Willamette Val-
ley, was the result of his advice. Certain it is that he met all the different
companies, and talked with them, and had he advised them not to attempt a
new route, they would have obeyed him. Had they succeeded in finding one,
he would have taken to himself the credit of giving the information.
White returned to the Pacafic coast in 18(51, as aspecial Indian agent under
Lincoln's administration, a position obtained by representing himself as better
acquainted with Indian affairs than any man in the department of the west.
He did not long hold the unnecessary office, and failing at Baker Bay,
where he endeavored to build a town called Pacific City, finally settled
in San Francisco, where he <licd in March 1879, as before stated. He was
thoroughly disliked by the western men who assumed tlie direction of Oregon
affairs, for what they termed his smooth-tongued duplicity. That ho was a
sycopliant to a certain extent is true. His character is revealed ui a single
sentence of his own concerning his reception in Washingvon by the Missouri
delegation, to whom ho was instructed to report. ' He retiirne<l to his lodg-
ings, scarcely repressing a smile at tlie seeming importance a four years'
residence in the Oregon woods had given him.' Ten Years in Or., 310. Not-
withstanding his lanlts, it cannot be said that he was ever an enemy to good
order or good government. See p. 291, note 34, this volume.
488
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIC LAWS.
resolutions, were taken the longer passage by sea to
Washington.
Upon the reassembling of the legislative body,
Governor Abernethy, who had but recently returned
from the Hawaiian Islands, sent in his first message.
It referred to the adoption of the amended organic
law, and the duty of the members to make their legis-
lation conform to it; adverted to the insufficiency of
the revenue, recommended taxing farms as well as
cattle and merchandise, and made some suggestions
with regard to regulating the time of holding courts.''^
Owing to the refusal of McCarver to sign the docu-
ment to be sent to Washington, there was a disposi-
tion to ignore his rights as speaker, and a ballot was
taken, which resulted in eight votes for Gray and
only one for McCarver. The protest of the speaker
was met by a resolution by Applegate asking him to
resign. Both proceedings were reconsidered the same
day, and on the third McCarver, by a motion of Gar-
rison, was restored to his office,''^ but tendered his res-
ignation. Gray, wlio desired the speakership, voted
that he be allowed to resign, but the motion being
'-The most peculiar suggestion containetl in the executive message was
one concerning indebtedness. 'I'o prevent litigation arising from the facility
of obtaining credit in the colony, he reeomniemled the piissage of a law
which would prevent the collection of all debts or notes taken f(,T debts con-
tracted after its passage, ))y judicial jirocess. This, he argiiod, would save
the time and labor of the courts, and make all persons more carefui as to the
disposal of tlioir property, and more punctual in the payment of debts, since
if they failed once, they could expect no further favors. Allowances woidd
be made for a, man who was in misfortune, but the debtor who could pay and
would not would soon find liiinsclf shunned. Some further recommenda-
tions concerning the best means of securing an efifective militia, and the
mec.ns of establishing common schools and building school-houses, concluded
the message. Or. Arr/iiiK'x, MS., 31-6.
^•"Applegate remarks that McCarver was found of talking, and to prevent
liim from taking up too much time, they mfide him speaker. (Jray says lie
obtained the sobriquet of 'Old Brass (iun.' Jflil. Or., 370. Roberts men-
tions the same thing. There are several anecdotes of McCarver. One is that
when the first California con. conv., of which he was member, was in session,
iv proposition was made to establish the northern boundary ho as to take in
the Rogue River Valley; whrn McCarver sprang to his feet, and exclaimed,
* Mr President, as a citizen of Oregon, I protest against the segregation of
that territory; ' whereupon the Californiaus named him ' the member from
Oregon. '
THE 'PEACOCK'S' LAUNCH
489
withdrawn, at the request of Applegate, McCarver
withdrew his resignation, and matters went on more
smootlily.
A resolution of Applegate's, that the people of
Oregon were not, in the opinion of tlie house, morally
or legally bound by any acts of their officers or agents
not expressly sanctioned by the instrument by virtue
of which they had their official existence ; and fur-
ther, that the house could not assume in behalf of
the people the payment of any debt, or the refunding
of any funds borrowed, or otherwise unlawfully con-
tracted or obtained, without first obtaining the con-
sent of the people^* — was adopted in a committee of
the whole, three members, Gray, Foisy, and Straight,
protesting formally on the ground that such expres-
sions by the legislature tended to destroy the confi-
dence of the people in their agents.^* Applegate,
who was determined that the temporary government
should not be made a burden, but a blessing to the
colonists, cared little for so flimsy a protest, well
knowiiig that the people could discern who were
guarding their interests.
Ever since the departure of the United States ex-
ploring expedition, there had been a feeling of dissatis-
faction in the minds of the American colonists on ac-
count of the disposition made of the Peacock's launch
by Wilkes, which became stronger as the i)olitical hori-
zon grew darker, and as the needs of the colonists
for all the means of the transportation were more
pressing.
McClure of Astoria ofi'ered a resolution that a com-
mittee of three should be appointed to wait on Mc-
^* (rvoiKr's Oi: Arclihvs, !)3. This resolution appears to have been aimed
at tlie disposition made of tlie estate of Ewiiig Young by the legislature of
1844. It wtuj, liowever, in consonance with the spirit of a resolution by (Jar-
rison at the previous session, tiiat the legislature had no riglit to tax the peo-
ple without previously having obtained their consent, an<l which was adopted.
Perhaps the suggestion of the governor that farms should I)e taxed .is well as
merchandise and live-stock was also r3ferre<l to, the opposition to taxing !and
being very strong among the settlers.
*■> O rover's Or. Archivcx, 98-0 Grwi'a Hist. Or., 429,
II
490
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIC LAWS.
Longhlin, to ascertain whether the launch could be
given up to the provisional governmernt, provided said
government became responsible for its safe keeping
and delivery to the United States authorities when
demanded ; to which inquiry McLoughlin returned a
refusal to deliver the boat without an order from Wilkes
or from the government of the United States. Gray
pretends that the effect of Applegate's resolution was
such as to produce this refusal, by destroying the credit
of the provisional government with the Hudson's
Bay Company ; as if the company were retaining the
launch for security ! Gray was not unaware when he
penned this absurd statement that McLoughlin pub-
lished in the fourth number of the Oregon Spectator
the letter of Lieutenant Wilkes to him, enjoining
upon him to have the launch kept at Fort George,
under the special care of the company, to be used for
the sole purpose of affording relief or aid to all ves-
sels requiring assistance of any kind or pilots for
bringing in vessels, until called for by some person
authorized by him or by the government of the United
States to receive it.
As a member of the body carrying on the corre-
spondence, Gray nmst have known that the answer
actually returned was, that it would afford him, Mc-
Loughlin, great pleasure to meet the wishes of the
Oregon government, and to give up the boat on the
conditions proposed, provided the government would
take the necessary measures to cause the launch to be
employed only for the purpose for which it was left
with him, namely, to visit vessels and afford them as-
sistance when in distress ; that he could not, consist-
ently with his respect for the flag that covered her,
consent to her being employed in any other service.^
But it appeal's from the correspondence that no such
pledge as the doctor required was given, and he de-
clined to relinquish his trust.^'
^Or. ArchiiK'x, MS., 68-9.
^'From a mutilated letter in the Or. Arcldirs, MS., the foUowing is
taken: ' I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the resolution left at
IOWA CODE.
491
At the third session of the legislature, in Decem-
ber, an act was passed authorizing the governor "to
take charge of, refit, and employ the launch in ac-
cordance with the conditions of Lieutenant Wilkes."
In compliance with these legislative proceedings, Gov-
ernor Abernethy addressed a letter to McLoughlin,
enclosing a copy of the act which authorized him to
take possession of the launch, and to request Mc-
Loughlin to deliver to him the anchor, cables, oars, sails,
and all other parts of her rigging left with him. In
case of refusal to deliver up these articles, the governor
was to proceed to purchase materials, and have the
boat immediately put in repair "for any service the
territory may require."^
McLoughlin 's answer to the governor was still the
same, that he "could only deliver the articles belong-
ing to the Peacock's launch on receipt of an order
from the government of the United States, or from
Captain Wilkes."^" The subject of the possession of
the PeacocFs boat threatened to become a serious
one.*" The Oregon legislature acted upon the prin-
ciple that they, for the people of the colony, had a
right to any United States property, on the ground
of their citizenship, and jealously demanded that such
property should be wrested from the hands in which
it had been placed ; though by doing so, not having
the means to put it in repair, and employ a proper
officer and seamen, it would be rendered useless in the
capacity for which it was intended. The matter was
finally settled by McLoughlin placing the boat in the
hands of Lieutenant Howison of the United States
i ill
my office with Mr Campbell. . . . liut after again giving tlic subject my fullest
conaitleratiou, I am sorry it is not i:? my power, consistent with my trust, to
give any other answer tlian that in mine of the I'Jth inst. I have, etc.
'Oregon City, Aug. 20, 1845. John AIcLouohlin.'
'« Or. Lawn, 1S43-9. 32.
89 0)-. Archives, MS., 69-70.
** Applegate had resigneil before the legislature passed this unjustifiable
act. In his marginal notes to Graij'a Jlistory, 430, he says: ' Dr McLoughlin
was bound to the government of the United States for the safe-keeping and
(lelivery of the launcli of the Peacock, and not to any of its dependencies. '
See If ties' Jiey., Ixx. 340.
492
amp:ni)Mp:nt of thk okciank" laws.
M
■I]
\- ;;i-H'l
navy, a f«-'W months after the passaf^e of tho act, who
Bold it to a Mr Shelly, for the avowed purpose of
using it as a pilot-boat.'**
The first bill })a8i;:ed by the duly authorized lej^isla-
ture was to j)revent duiilling; the iinniediute cause for
it being a (juarrcl ')etwcen S. M. Holderness and J.
(t. Campbell, botli estimable citizens, who could think
of no other honorabk; way out of their difficulties than
mortal combat. On hearing of this, Applegate at
once introduced a bill on the subject, asked for a suspen-
sion of the rules, secured its passage, and sent it to tlu^
governor to be signed, when it becauie a law within
thirty minutes of its inception. Under its provisions
the would-be duellists were arrested and i)laced under
l)onds to kee}) tlie peace. Early in the session a bill
was })assed adopting the statutes of Iowa, so far as
they were applicable to the (;ircumstaiu'es of the coun-
try. This tendency in each legislative body t( have its
enactments based upon the code of Iowa was greatly
a matter of necessity, owing t«> a scarcity of law-books
in the territory, as I have explained; but with the
legislature of 1 845 it was someti\iiig more. Iowa was
a new state and nearest to Oregon. It was a free
state, which the leading men in the colony had deter-
mined Oregon should be, and had passed its minority
as Oregon was doing, under the ordinance of 1787,
under conditions also similar to those of Oregon : and
its laws moreover were less conservative and more
progressive than those of the older states.
Having adopted a code and set the committees at
work adapting it to the country's needs, which they
did in a measure by adopting the laws of 1844, the
next movement was to restore the jurisdiction of
the provisional government to the countrj' north
of the Columbia River. This was done by setting oft*
*^ Ifowinonx CooKt and Country, 4; Or. SyecUUor, Sept. .% 184(5. <iray say.s
because the doctor refused to deliver the boat to the Oregon legislature, it
was 'allowed to rot on the beach at Astoria. ' Hint. Or., 430. If it did so
rot, it was as the private property of a citizen of Oregon.
NOUTH OF THK COLUMBIA.
4u:<
the district itt' Vancouver/'^ wliich (Miibract'd all that
part of Oregon north and wt;st y>i tho Cohunhia
Kivcr/'* But now an^aio the <jut'stion of apportion-
ineiit and other matters connected there^^•ith ; a |)oint
in lejjfislation U|)on which A])[)legate and u few others
regarded as most important, to wit: Would the offi-
cers of the Hudson's Bay Company hecome parties
to the articles of com})act hy the payment of taxes,
and com[)lying with the laws of the ])r()visional gov-
cnnnent, which only [jromised protection to its adhe-
re *;-J V^ Should they refuse their support, they would
hecome outlawed, and the ohjective })oint if not the prey
of any turhulent spirits of the next immigration, who
like Alderman might choose to settle on their lands,
or like Chapman, threaten to burn Fort Vancouver/'
The conunittce on apportionment was composed of
I. W. Smith, H. A. (x. Lee, B. Lee, Applegate, and
McClure. Applegate j)roposed in a private session
of tiic oonimittee to get the sentiments of the Hud-
soiiV, I«ay Company on the (piestion of the compact,
and was deputized by them to hold a private inter-
h
)fi'
*- It seema from the archives that McClure from the committee on distrieta
rcjKirteil a hill in n^lation to two counties north of the Colnnihia; Imt tliat
AiiplcL'ate, who had a prejudice in favor of the word ' district,' was alloweil to
control tlie choice. It was his wish, a.h<>, to name the two counties Ijowis
and Clarke; hut upon reconsidering the matter, gave up ( "larke for Vancouver.
Only one district waa defined at tins time; and at the next session Lewis
(\imity was created, an<l the word ' county ' was suhstituted for district in all
tlie laws where it occurred.
"Or. Lnii's, IH4,}-'.).
■** Applegate says: 'To organize a civil or military power that did not in-
clude all parties was simply organizing internecine war. To prevent such a
Btate of things, I took a seat in the legislature.' Marginal notes oi\.Orai/'n
JfiM. (jr., 42'2.
*'This man is several times referred to in McLoughlin's Private PnpevH,
where lie says Chapman hoasted that he came all tl>e way from the Statics for
the purpose of hurning Fort Vancouver. Wldte relieved tlie country of tliis
dread hy inducing Chapman to return with him to the United States. IJut
there were several dangerous men who came with the immigrations in tho
territory, of whom McLoughlin stood in fear, one of whom confessed in a
Methodist camp-meeting that he hail hclonged to the fanu)ua Murrill I)and
of rohhcrs which gave the authorities trouhlo for a numl)er of years in tho
Mississippi Valley. Burnett speaks of several ' idle, wortldess young men,
too lazy to work at home, and too genteel to steal; while some others were
gamhlers, and others reputed thieves; ' hut says that in Oregon they were com-
pelli.'d to work or starve, and that this necessity made them good citizans.
Itecolkcliom of a Pioneer, 180-1.
fl
' ,i
494
AMENDMEN'I OF THE ORGANIC LAWS.
lii.:. |.;.tfr::i!
V'-'-l
view with McLoughlin before making a formal propo-
sition. To most of the people of Oregon the bring-
ing the officers of the British fur company into the
organization was a surprise, and tlie maimer of it a
secret. Gray, who as a member of the legislature
must have known nmch of the inside history, dis-
misses the subject by attrilmting the concession to
what he calls McLoughlin's ampliibiousness/" But
this curt ignoring of a matter of the highest inipor
tance to the colony does not answer the purpose of
liistory. McLoughlin has himself left on record u
narrative of the circumstances, in wliich he savs tlmt
Applegate approached him, privately, with the propo-
sition to unite with the Americans in the oovm'iimciit
compact, and that at first lie objected ; but tliat A})plo-
gato pointed out to liini the security it would ofl'er
tlie property of the company, and how nmch it would
conduce to the maintenance of peace and order to
have it known to the American people that the two
nationalities were united in Oregon. "There will be
a large immigrntion tliis year," said A]»])legate; "you
may depend there will be many who will follow Wil-
liamson's example." *'
Remembering the feelings which tlie person urging
him to the measure had once entertain<H.l, iuid reflect-
ing that he had a thorough knowledge of the sen-
timents of his countrymen, McTjoughlin deemed it
prudent to yi(dd ; especially as in June he had received
in answer to his call on the directors of the company
in London a connnunication informing him that in
the pnisent state of affairs the conipan} could not
obtain protection from the gov<'rmnent, but it nmst
protect itself the best way it could.''^ In the judgment
of jVlcLougldin, the best way to protect the cempany s
})r<)perty was to accept the invitation ti^ndered l)y the
Americans to join in their government organization,?"*
♦•rvm/A JIM- Or., 422.
" I'riiiite Ptiper.'i, MS., 3(1 ser., 1 3.
*<* Priiyife P<i}Hi:% MS., '2il ner., 13. 14.
''Toliuie, in liia JJLit. i'lujd Hu'iikI, MS., 22, says mi1>8f«ntially that Mc"
Tl*lll41;
THE FUR-TRADIiRS BROU(iHT IN,
495
and he, with Douglas, signified his consent to receive
a formal proposition. A letter- was then addressed to
McLoughlin, and conveyed to liini by Applegate.'^
In the consideration of the proposition made to
them, there were other subjects besides that of alle-
giance to be duly weiglied. an important one of which
was the matter of taxes, the company's }>r()perty being
all taxable according to the laws of the organ izati<^n,
and being groav^r in value than that of all the colonists
together. To avoid beiig made to support the Oregon
govermnent in. foto, an agreement was ei tered into
tliat the company should p'ly taxes only on the goods
sold to the white inhabitants of the count y; and on
this understanding a letter of acceptance a' their invi-
tation was returned to the committee,''' arid the officers
of tlie Hudson's Bay Company became, with all the
Jiritish i-es* dents, parties to the por.jical compact of
Oregon.'- In the election of officers, James Douglas
Lnu^hlin anil Applegate arranged l)etwgea thcni the method 1)y which the
Tiriti.sh and Americans coull unite witho\it prejudice to tlieir duties as Inyal
citizens and subjects oi Iheir respective countries.
■'"' ' Oregon City, Aug. 14, 1845. To I)r John McLoughlin, Chief Factor of
H. B. Co. Sir: As a question hii.t arisen in the house of representatives on
tlie sul)ject of apportionment upon which we feci peculiarly situated, we heg
leave to ask of you a (picstion, the answer in which will enahlc us to come to
a dclinito conclusion upon tliat subject. Tlie question to which wc woidd he
happy to receive an an.iwer i i thi.;: Do you tliink the gentlemen belonging to
tlie coiiip:uiy over which you preside will become parties to the articles of
compact, by the payment of taxe.i and in other respects complying with the
laws of the provi.donal government'/ Your answer to this query is most
rsspectfuUy solicited. Yours, with the liighcst respect. I. W. Smith, II. A.
(}. Lee, J. ISl. (iarrison. Barton Lee.' Or. Airliiri'.t, M8., 71.
"''Oregon City, Aug. IT), 184,"). L W. Smith and others. (Jer.tlemcn:
Wo have the honor to acknowledge your favor of the 14th inst., an I beg in
reply to i.;ay, that, viewing the organization as a coiiqiact of certain parties,
Ihiti ill and American subject* residing in Oregon, to afford c^ach other protec-
tion in person and property, to maintain the peace of the community, and
prevent the commission of crinn' — ;i protection whidi all parties in this (coun-
try foci they particularly stand in need of, as neither the British nor .American
government appear at liberty to c^'tend tlie jurisdictimi of their lav. s to this
p;irt of America; and moreover i;eeing that thii compact docs not intcr/cre with
our duties and allegiance to our rcipective govt^rnmeiits, nor with r.ny rights
<pf traile now enjoyed by the llitdoon's Bay Company we, the otHcers of the
Hiid.Kin's Bay Company, consent to become parties to tiie articles of compact,
provided wo are called upon to pay taxes only on our sales to settlers, Wo
have the honor to be, etc. John McLoughlin, James Douglas.' Or. Arc'ihv.^
Ms., 72.
•'^ At the very time these negotiation'^ were going on, a resolution wiis
offered in the house by David Hill, ' that no person belonging to the Hudson's
496
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIC LAWS.
!. ir
i!i!
was chosen district judge for three years, and Charles
Forrest, superintendent of the Cowlitz farm for one
year; while M. T. Simmons of Newmarket on the
Sound was elected to the two years' term; and John
R. Jackson was made slieriff of Vancouver district.
So soon after war had seemed imminent on Oregon
soil were the extremes of both parties united in a
connnon service by the sagacity of a few men ot good
judgment on both sides.
Having acccmiplished so much, the house proceeded
to elect officers for tiie several districts south of the
Colund)ia. The first choico for supreme judge was Na-
thaniel Ford, who declined, and Peter H. Burnett was
elected. For Chain])oeg County, E. E. Parrish, F. X.
Mattl lieu, and Daniel Waldo were chosen in the order
named to fill the three, two, and one year terms of
distric;t judges ; William Morrison, sheriff. For Tua-
latin County, B. Q. Tuckei-, H. Higgins, and Willianx
Purris were choscMi judges; T. Smith, sheiift'. For
Yandiill County, James O'Neil, J, Hend)re, and Joel
P. Walker,'"' judges; and A. Henibre, slierifF. For
(vlackamas County, P. G. Stewart, E'rederick Prigg,
and F. W. Pettygrove, judges; William Holmes,
sherifi: For Clats()p Coui'ity,' W, T. Perry, Ilobert
Shortess, and Calvin Tibbits, judges; Thomas Owens,
sherifi". Some changes were made at the T)ecend>er
session, Prigg Ix-ing chosen in place of Stewart, re-
signed; C. E. Pickett in place of Prigg, and S. Whites
in [)l:ice of Pettygrove. For Champoeg County, W.
IL. Willson was chose) president of the bench; and a
Mr (lolding was elected a judg(^ for Clatsop County.
The governor was elected superintendent of Indian
afi'airs; John E. Long, secrtitary of th.e territory; F.
Er-matinger, treasurer: W. G. T' Vault, postmaster-
Bay Company, or in their service, shall ever he considered as citizens of tlio
govtrument <if Or<)gi)ii, nor havr Iho right of suli'rage ot cleotivf franchise;'
Imt wan rojected hy the lu.ijority.
'■•' Joi^l i\ WiilkiM- liiul returned from Califoniia, whitlior ho wont in 1S41,
au<' lirouKht with liini a large licrd of cattle fcr saW. Hi! remained aeveral
yoara in Oregon, but finally settled iiermanoiitly in California.
fills
VESSELS OF WAR.
497
ij^eneral; and Joseph L, Meek, marshal. Thus was
the machinery of a popular and efficient form of gov-
ernment set in motion, which joined th ^'on and the
eagle not one moment too soon. For a icvv days after
McLoughlin and Douglas had given their consent to
the union, there arrived from Puget Sound, in com-
pany with Chief Factor Ogden, Lieutenant William
Peel, tun'd son of Sir Robert Peel, and Captain
Park, of the royal marines, with a letter from Cap-
tain John Gordon, brother of the earl of Aberdeen,
and comraander of the British fifty-gun ship of war
America, of the British squadron in the Pacific, at
tliat time amounting to fifteen vessels, carrying over
four hundred guns.^*
Captain Park brought also a letter from Admiral
Seymour, mforming McLoughlin that firm protection
would be given British subjects in Oregon, and not
long after, another letter from Captain Baillie of the
Modeste, which had been in tlie Columbia tlie previous
sunnner, informing him that he was sent by the
admiral to afford protection to her Majesty's subjects
in Oregon, if they required it.
Had these proffers of protection, which really meant
war, come in the month of June instead of August,
the Oregon Question would have taken a dift'crent
SMi
I 1 1; i
•''* Tlu! Engli^li fleet of war in the Pacific, besides the A merien, consisted of
the following vessels:
Colliiiijsirooi/, ship of tlio line, 80 guns. Sir (I. F. Seynionr, eoinniandur.
Krigatos: (Iratiipm, 50 guns, L". B. Jrl::i'tin, counuiinder; FUi/unl, 4'2 guns,
•I. A. Duntz, couniiandcr; Juno, '2G gins, i\ J. Blake, coniuianilur; TiiUmt,
26 guns, Sir T. Tlioinp.soii, oouunandcr; Curi/n/orf, '_'() guns, Soyinour, coni-
uiandor: Ilcrnlil, '20 guns, Henry KcUct, coniniander. Sloops: Mmlixte, 18
guns, Thomas Baillio, coinniandet-; Dap/iiic, 18 guns, Onslow, eouiuiamU'r.
Steamers: Sdiiiutoii, guns, Heuilorson, commander; (^onnornnf, guns,
(reorgu T. (Jorilon, connnandor; Saliinniniler, (> guns, A. S. Hammond, com-
mauiler. Brigs: Frolir, 6 guns, ('. B. Hamilton, inmander; Paw/nni,
gnus, S. Wood, commander. S}"/. Krigantiiie, 'A gni.3, O. Woodbridge, eom-
uiander. Total niunber of guns, 'Xm.
United States \esse)s of war in the Pacific: Columhim, ship of tiie line,
8() guns, Biddlu, commander. Frigates: (.')iijrefin, 00 guns, Stockton, com-
mander; Smynuiii/i, 00 giins, J. 1>. Sloat, conimantler. Sloops: I'nrtKuioiithy
*24 guns, Moutgoniery, commander; Lirnnt, '24 guns, Page, commander; W'nr-
ri'ii, '24 guns. Hall, commander; t'l/niic, '24 guns, Mervine, commander. S/iark,
schooner, 1'2 guns, Howison, commander. Kric, store-ship, 8 guns. Turner,
commander. Total number of guns, 'S'22. Oreijou SiKcUUor. Dec. 10, 1840.
Hist. Or., Vol. I. 32
I
i f
498
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIC LAWS.
turn. McLoughlin could not then have refused to
have the company's property protected, especially
afte.>' having expressed his fears, as he did in 1843.
Nor did he refuse it now; althougli, as he says, he
was at first inclined to do so, thinking himself safe
through the organization; but Douglas suggested
that it would be well to have the Modeste in the river,
in view t)f the threatening aspect of the political
horizon, and the large immigration expected in the
autunm,''''
The discussions at Vancouver during the visit of
the British naval officers were often warm, Captain
Park anxiously inquiring into the practicability of
bringing troops overland from Canada, and saying
that if it came to blows, "we will hit them a good
deal harder tlian we would other people," to the dis-
tress of McLoughlin, who could onl}'^ answer in aston-
ishment and disapproval, "O Captain Park! Captain
ParkI"-'«
Before returning to the sound, where the America
was lying, near the lower end of Whidbey Island,
Park and Peel made a brief tour of the Willamette
Valle}', visiting some of the principal men among the
settlers, perliaps at the suggestion of the wise Mc-
Loughlin, who could foresee the c^ffect of such con-
tact. A_t the house of Applogate, who gave him an
account of the en^.igration of 1843, Peel declared that
sucJi men as composed ic n\ust make "the best soldiers
in the w«)rld," witli a new comprehension of what it
would be to fight them. ''1 told him," says Apple-
gate, "that they were probably brave enough, but
would never submit to discipline as soldiers. If the
president himself had started across the plains to
conunand a compaiiy, tlie first time he should ciioose
a bad camp, or in any other way oflcnd them, they
would turn him out, and elect some one among them-
selves who should suit tliem better.""
''^Primtr Papers, MS., 2(1 scr , 1().
^* lioherf^' liecollertmiK, MS., fi.
" VicwHo/ U'utM-ij, M>j., 14, 15.
TWO I'AIRS OF SPIES.
499
I have no doubt, from the evidence, that the visit
of Park and Peel, together with the act of McLoughlin
in joining the compact of the provisional government,
saved the country a war, and influenced the final set-
tlement of the boundary question. When they came
to Vancouver they expected to maintain England's
hold of the north side of the Columbia River; but
they found the Hudson's Bay Company bound in an
agreement of nmtual protection with the Americans ;
they learned the fearless and resolute character of the
colonists, and their rapidly increasing numbers, and
were constantly checked in their expressions of hos-
tility by McLoughlin, who assured them, and even
wrote to England, that the country "was not worth
a war
" M
After a few weeks Park and Peel returned to join
the America, which sailed for Honolulu and Valpa-
raiso in September; the Fisfjard, Captain Duntz,
taking her place on the sound, and remaining some
months at Nisqually; and the Modeste anchoring in
front of Vancouver, about the 1st of October. Caj)-
tain Gordon, after arriving on the South American
coast, received such advices from England as to cause
i,un to gather up in haste the money of the British
residents, and sail away to England without waiting
foi- orders from the admiral.''" In the mean time.
Lieutenant Peel was beforehand with him, taking the
shorter route by Vera Cruz and Habana *" ' to London,
where he arrived in January 1846, as bearer of de-
1 !-
. m
'*.'iays Roburts: 'The doctor cou.isoUod those jibout him to peace, Haying
that ail that could be done in Oregon in the event of a war between the United
States and (ireat Britain could "ot affect the final issue, and it was better to
reni.iin friends.' licrollfrtjomy M>i , (il.
■''■'It is said tliiit (lonhin, when (luestioned, agreed with McLoughlin, tliat
' the country was not worth a wai ' l)ut on entirely different grounds. He
was speaking literally, Ixicause he fo nul tlie Nisqually plains a l>ud of gravel;
and because, being fond of angling, tin.' salmon would not rise to t'.ie fly. A
country whore the iisli were not lively enougli for his sport wiis in his esti-
mation worthless. But the salnion ■were not the ily tish in Oregon that
refu.sed to rise to the fly of the Briti.sh angler.
'"'This inf.')rniation was couinninicjated by letter to the N. Y. Journal of
Comiiiircc, and copied in the .S'. /. Pubimtinn of April 25th, whence it found
its way into tlie Or. Sixrlntor, .July 4, 1S4G.
mm
600
AMENDMENT OF THE OIUJANIC LAWS.
\'.hi\
J
if
spatcliea from Admiral Seymour. It was rumored in
Habana that the whole English squadron was makirifr
sail for the Columbia River; but the rumor did not,
ap})arently, originato with Lieutenant Peel."'
Before one pair of spies quitted Vancouver another
arrived. On the 28th of August appeared, unan-
nounced, at the headquarters of the fur company,
Lieutenant'Henry Warre of the 54th, and Lieutenant
Vavasour of the royal engineers, who had left Eng-
land April 5th, and crossed the continent by way of
Red River, Fort Pitt, and Fort Colville. They spent
their time in ai)parent half idleness at Vancouver,
surveying a little about the mouth of the Columbia,
but in reality gathering information relative to the
position of affairs between the British subjects and
American citizens in Oregon. That which they
learned was not at all satisfactory, as it afterward
appeared ; and their report, though doubtless tending,
like that of Peel, to influence the English government
in resigning its pretensions to the territory south of
the 49th parallel, was damaging in its accusations
against McLoughlin, as a British subject, if not as tlie
head of the corporation he represented in Oregon.
It was charged, mainly, that the policy pursued by
the Hudson's Bay Comi)any at the different posts in
the Oregon Territory had tended to the introduction
of American settlers into the country until they out-
numbered the British."' And to prove this position,
they instanced the assistance rendered the difl'crent
immigfrations, one of which was arriving while they
were at Vancouver. They had, it was said, sold
** Roberta describes Peel as a ' tine young fellow, well bronzed, rather
taller, but reminding nie of young Dana, geologist of the U. S. exploring
expedition. Peel died in India, in command of tbe S/inntioit.' Park, he says,
was a ' well-knit man, capable of unlimited service, who probably had charge
of Peel.' Neither was an officer of the Atiierht. Jfcrollcrtions, MS., 5.
*^ McLoughlin, in answer to this particular charge, says that ever since
1826, vhen Smith, Sublette, and Jackson led their trapping parties west of
the Rocky Mountains, tlie Americans had outnundiered the British in Oregon.
This would have been a point on the side of the American plenipotentiary
had he known it.
McLOUGHLINS ANsJVVEIl8 TO CHARCJES.
501
goods to the American settlers at cheaper rates tlian
lo Britisli subjects. They had suffered tlieniselves to
johi the provisional organization, " without any reserve
except the mere form of the oath." Their lands had
been invaded, and themselves insulted, until they re-
quired the protectiori of government "against the
very peo})le to the introduction of whom they have
been more than accessory," and more of a like import.
The answer made by McLoughlin, while it was
intended only for the eyes of the London directors,
or the ministry, contams matter of much interest to
the student of Oregon history. Concerning the friend-
ship shown the missionaries, he said: "What would
you have ? Would you have me turn the cold shoulder
to the man (A God who came to do that for the Indians
which the company had neglected to do?" As to the
first settlers, n)en from the mountains and the sea, he
had tried to ])revent their remaining idle and becoming
destitute, and therefoi-e dangerous to the good order
and safety of the company's servants. Drive them
away he could not, having neither the right nor the
power. To the allegation that the trading posts of
the company had been used to save American im-
migrants from starvation and the Indians,^^ he replied
that it had long been safe for two men to travel from
Fort Hall to Vancouver, or twenty men from Fort
Hall eastward, and therefore that the immigrants owed
it not to tlu! trading posts that they wt;re spared by
the savages, and as to other assistance rendered in
furnishing boats, and in some instances goods, tlic im-
migrants liud not come to Oregon expecting a cordial
reception from him, but quite the contniry; and tliut
while he had done some tilings for humanity's .sake,"'
''^ By the wording of the report f>t' Warro and Vavasnnr, it might ho inferred
that tliey preferred the iiiiinigraiitd to be cut off, and lilaiiied the doctor that
they were not.
"* I have before me a letter written by Courtney M. Walker, who was for
some time a clerk of the company at Fort llall, i:i which he rays: ' ^^'elI imleed
was it tliat this noble man was at the head of alfairs of the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany when the American pioneers came to tlieso shores seeking homos; for
without tlie aid they met at the huud^ of the doctor, they could not have
5(W
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIC LAWS.
^f
ilb
he had intended to and had averted evil from the
company by using courtesy and kindness toward the
American immigrants.
As to joining the organization, he showed that in
1843 lie hud written to England of the threats against
Vancouver, and asked for protection, but had not
received it, while the dogs of war were snarling and
threatening, and the Americans outnumbered the
British subjects ten to one in the settled portions of
Oregon ; and failing in this, had done the best thing
he knew how to do for the company and humanity.
He admitted that the lands of British subjects had
been invaded, but proportionally in a less degree than
those of the colonists by each other. ^^ " And, after
all," he says, '* I have found British subjects just as
keen at catching at an opportunity to benefit them-
selves, and that in instances to my cost, as these
American backwoodsmen.""^
To the accusation that the company had submitted
to insult from the Americans, he replied : " They were
not to consider themselves insulted because an igno-
rant man thought he had a better right to a piece of
land than they had, and attempted to establish his
right in the only way the law admitted." And to the
taunt that having brought this state of aifairs on him-
self, he then wanted protection, he answered that
protection had been asked for British property, but
more particularly for British rights, from the aggres-
sions of a people who had been publicly encouraged
by the promises of congress of donations of land — a
circumstance which the British government had taken
remained or lived. When it was known at Vancouver that immigrants were
fomiiig across tlie plains, orders were sent along the line, to Walla Walla,
Boist5, and Fort Hall, not to let the poor people suflfer, but to help them along,
and teach the Indiana to do so also.
"^ Four cases are mentioned; tlie claim of McTaviah, the intruder, being put
oflF by the organization; tlie claim of his son, his own, and the company's
lands at Vancouver.
** Reference is hero made to the fact that some of the company's servants
■were allowed to made claims on the land about Vancouver, under the land
law, to keep off Americans, with the understanding that they held for the
company, but who refused afterwariF to relinquish their possession. Robert>C
Recollections, MS,, CI.
CHRIST-UKE DEEDS.
SOS
no notice of, further than it had of the apphcation of
the company for protection of its property. As for
the officers of the company, they required no protec-
tion, being personally as much esteemed and respected
as any individuals in the country.
Having answered these several charges specifically,
he summed up on the main one of being "more than
accessory" to the introduction of American settlers,
by saying that the company had defeated every
American trader in fair opposition, while so conduct-
ing themselves that neither they nor their friends had
any occasion to be ashamed of their conduct. The
great influx of missionaries, whom they had no right
or power to prevent coming, and the statements they
circulated through the public prints, was, he said, the
remote cause of Linn's bill oflering donations of land,
concerning which the British government had seen
fit to be silent, thereby itself becoming "more than
accessory" to the American settlement of Oregon.
He repelled the assumption that it was the duty of
the company to defend England's right to territory.
The obligation of the company's officers, he asserted,
was to do their duty to the company, whatever their
feelings might be, and, minding their proper business,
let the government take care of its own affairs.
He admitted helping the immigrants of 1843, 1844,
and 1845, with boats to transport their families and
property to the Willamette before the Columbia
should be closed with ice, in which case those left
behind nmst 2)erish of starvuliun ; taking the sick into
the hospital at Vancouver for treatment, thereby sav-
ing several lives,, And he also admitted assisting the
immigrants of 1843 to put a crop in the ground, both
as a means for providing for their support and of sav-
ing the company from the necessity of feeding the
next immigration. "If we had not done this," he
declaretl, "Vancouver would have been destroyed,
and the world would have judged us treated as our
inhuman conduct deserved; every officer of the com-
504
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIC LAWS.
II
pany, from the governor down, would have been cov-
ered with obloquy, the company's business in this
department would have been ruined, and the trouble
which would have arisen in consequence would have
probably involved the British and American nations
in war. If I have been the means," he added, "by
my measures, of arresting any of these evils, I shall
be amply repaid by the approbation of my conscience,
and of all good men. It is true," he said, in conclu-
sion, "that I have heard some say they would have
done differently ; and if my memory does not deceive
me, I think I have heard Mr Vavasour say this; but
as explanation might give publicity to my apprehen-
sions and object, and lestroy my measures, I was
silent, in the full reliance that some day justice would
be done me ; and as these gentlemen were not respon-
sible, and I was, I took the liberty of judging for
myself, communicating them only to Mr Douglas
under the injunction of secrecy.""'
The conduct of McLoughlin was discussed in the
house of commons, where it was said that by some
people he was called the ' father of the country,' and
said to have settled it greatly at his own expense,
while by others it was declared that he had discour-
aged settlement.** In his own statement of his acts
and motives the remarkable passages are those in
which he confesses himself guilty of the main charge,
that of sympathizing with the Americans, or with
equal rights, which is the same thing. Aristocrat as
he was considered by the colonists,''^ and autocrat as
he really was, for twenty years througliout the coun-
try west of the Rocky Mountains, lie still bravely
returned the assaults of his enemies in tlie language
of a republican. He defended the American charac-
*' I have taken this abstract of McLonghlin's defence from liis remarks on
the report of Warro and Vavasour, wliicli was sent by Sir George Simpson to
Mr Douglas, and by him lianded to McLouglilin after lie had resigned and
settled at Oregon City in 1 84(). It constitutes series 3, Private Papern.
'"'^ Jfoii/ic of t'wnmons /iV;i/., 294.
^Onui't flint. Or., 153; Parriah's Or. Anecdotes, MS., 98; Simpson's Or.
Ter. Vlaiiius, 32-5.
WRONU AND INJUSTICE
605
ter from the slurs of government spies, saying "they
have the same right to come that I liave to be here,"
touching Hghtly upon the ingratitude of those who
forgot to pay liim tlieir just del)ts, and the rudeness
of those whom White mentions as making him blush
for American honor.
But whether he favored the company's interests
against the Britisli, or Britisli interests against the
company's, or maintained both against the American
interest, or favored the American interest against
either, or labored to preserve harmony between all,
the suspicions of both conflicting ])arties fell upon
him, and being forced to maintain silence, he had the
bad fortune to be pulled to pieces between them.
Foreseeing something of this, feeling himself spied
upon by the British government, as well as by Sir
George Simpson, having a large property interest
south of the Columbia, and being perhaps weary of a
responsibility that with increasing years became in-
creasingly burdensome, he tendered his resignation as
head of the company in Oregon, in the autunm of
1845, and took up his residence at Oregon City in the
following spring,'*^ with the intention of becoming au
American citizen when the boundary question was
settled, or his resignation was accepted. With the
next spring came the news of the election of Presi-
dent Polk and the threat of war with England, caus-
ing him the greatest perplexity. Change his allegiance
in time t)f war he could not, without forfeiting his
estates in Canada, and perhaps his life as a traitor.
Neither could he, in the event of war, retain his
dearly held claim at Oregon City. Then came Warre
and Vavasour, as he well knew witli no good intent
toward him, while the political horizon grew no
brighter. In his perplexity he took advice of Bur-
nett, then chief justice of Oregon, and Applegate,
the man through whom the recent fusion of British
'" Tolmifi'x Piiget Sound, MS., 47; Holdens Pioneering, MS., 2, 3; Mo8s'
Pioneer Times, MS., 30.
1 ^,1
J:
AMENDMENT OF THE OKOANIC LAWS.
1,' ■'
and Aiiierican interests in Oregon had been consum-
mated. Ajjplegate urged him to take the oath of
allegiance to the United States/' his resignation hav-
ing been accepted; but Burnett objected that he had
no authority from tiie government to administer the
oath; "and to Mr Burnett's timidity," says Appk;-
gate, " was owing the doctor's subsecjuent troubles with
individuals and the United States government." This
opinion is not mine, however. The missionary party
would have found that the oath was without author
ity, and the result would have been tlie same. They
made war on him after he came to Oregon City In
addition, he lost heavily through the debts of the set-
tlers, which the comj)any put upon him, if not wholly,
at least to a great amount,' ' and was severely attacked
by English writers, notably in Fitzgerald^ s Hiulm7is
Bay Company.
It was fortunate that neither the dissatisfaction of
the English ministry, the Hudson's Bay Company,
nor the defiant tone of the American press and con-
*!
" ' Every British subject soutli of the Columbia wouhl have followed liis
example, ' says Applegatu; 'tlieu in case of war we would have had friends
instead of enemies in our miilst; and it would not have left tlie shadow of
truth to the falsehood used by his enemies that he was a British propagan-
dist, and had ref'used to become an American citizen. '
''■• Tliese debts aggregated a sum variously stated by diflferent authorities,
but usually at about $(30,000. Applegate says this charge was revoked on
tho motion of his associates in office, who protested in a bo<ly against the
injustice to a man who liad been of such service to the company; but that
notwithstanding tliis lie preferred to be responsible for a large amount. The
personal pride and dignified reticence of McLoughlin prevented a Icnowlodge
of his private affairs becoming public; and even his family and heir^ were in
ignorance concerning his losses. Sir James Douglas teatiticd bcfo-c tho joint
commission wliich settled tlie affairs of the Hudson's Bay and I'liget Soiinil
companies, that the doctor was not lield responsible for the debts of the
American settlers. 1[. B. Co. Ev., If. B. Co. Clnini.t, (51. J. Q. Thornton,
who at one time was his attorney, stated before the same comiiii...::inn, and
has frequently asserted in pulilic, that the company lield McLoughlin respon-
sible. Tlie same statement is made in Thonitonx Hiit. Or., MS., 7-lH; Orai/'n
lliHt. Or., .321 2; Blioicliet's Cath. Ch. in Or., 71; Waldo's CrUii/ite.^, M.S.,
14, anil in many authorities not here quoteil, because most of them are
simply copyists of the otliers. And while I think it quite probable tliat his
fellow-otlicers ma<le an offer to bear their portion of the loss, from the best
infi»rin(itioii I can gather, I am persuaded that the principal burden came
upon him liy his own choice, and through liis Scotch jiride. His daughter
states that slie overhearil. after his removal to Oregon City, some gentlemen
conversing about his affairs, who said that he ' Iiad trusted the immigrants
more than he could himself paj'.' Harwys Li/c of McLoidj/ilhi, MS., 33.
PERSONNEL OF THE (lOVKIlNMENT.
807
grcHis, could aftbcf the status of tlie Oregon govern-
ment, coinposcd of individuals of both nationalities
outside <)f the jurisdiction of either; to which fact
was due the continued jieace and prosperity of tlie
colony in 1845.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1843.
■' J '-iM
A Notable Migration — Various .Startini! -points — Divisions and Com-
panies — Joel Palmer — Samuel K. Barlow — Presley Welch— Samuel
Hancock — Bacon and Buck — W. (1. T'Vault— .Iohn Waymire — Solo-
mon Tetherow — California Extolled at Fort Hall — Meetino with
WiinE — His Fatal Fkiendshiv — A Long Cut-okk -Hardships on the
Malheuh — Disease and Death at the Dalles — Heartlessne.ss ok
Waller and Brewer — Emmkt's Wanderings — Tiii: Incomino by Sea —
Names oi the Immigrants — Third Session of the Legislature —
^.xPLOKvrioNs for Immkjrant Pass — Wagon-road — l^uBLic Building."?,
Capital, and Liquou Questions — New Counties — Revenue.
Thk immigration of 1845 was larger than any that
liad preceded it, three thousand persons arriving be-
fore the end of the year, and doubhng the wliite pop-
ulation of Oregon.^ There were present at the east
the same underlying motives in this exodus which
drove west the bajids of former years — restlessness of
spirit, dissatisfaction with home, want of a market,
and distance from tlie sea."
■ Hines' Or. mitl /«.<., 200; Martihnll'i Statement, MS., 1; McLoughUns
Private Papvrx, MS., 2il sir., '2:i; Siuctoii.'.'i Or. Ter., 20; Grays Ninf'. Or.,
45,3.
^Then were some origiuul vii'wa advaiioed by Caarles Saxton, wlio, while
returning to tiie United .States with White, met t'lia army of adventure -s in
tlie .Snake River eountry; as tlie.su views are nou '.vithont interest, I will
quote them hrietly. 'Causes have heen operating for the hist twenty- ive
years in the north Atlantic states tf ])roduee this unparalleled nughty in )V('-
ment across the .\meriean eontinont. A .system of aristoeraey has oppressed
the laboring chusses, and roused the peitde to lly to the western states to
avoid tiie soup and parish relief societies, <'s witnessed in Europe; and in the
west the pioneers were compelled to seek n ^w homes for their large fainilicH,
and to find, if possible, a suitalde market ft>r their produce, and a range for
their herds. Congress, by an unwise act of logislation, not regarding the iu-
(h)niitable spirit of enterprise in the deseendaiits oi the Jamestown colony
by land, and tlie Plymouth colony by sea, nearly blockaded tlie great thor-
oi'ghfare of western emigration on land by congregating the various tribes of
( -m )
tiATHElllNG OF THE COMPANIES.
600
Th'jro- were two or more points of departure from the
Missouri frontier tliis year; and there were many
eompanies. Two divisions rendezvoused at Iude})en-
dence; one with twenty-five wagons, under Presley
Welch, with Joel Palmer nvd Sanmel K. Barlow as
aids, and one eommandec hy Samuel Hancock, con-
sisting of forty wagons. liancock, with Bacon and
others of tliis innnigrati«)n, have contributed liberally
to my historical archives.^
A third company, with fifty-two wai.r.is, left St
Joseph under the command of Hackleman, to which
belonged W. W. Buck of Oregon City,* well knf)wn in
his adopted country. A fourth comi)any of sixty-
one wagons and three hundred ]>ersons, starting from
St Joseph also, was commanded b}' W. G. T'^'^ault,
v/ith John Waymire as lieutenaiit, and James Allc;n as
sergeant. There was another company of sixty-six
wagons, and about the same numbei" of persons, under
Solomon Tetlierow. Here, as elsewhere in human
Indians on the western slit in; of tlie Missouri Kiver. ami inappropriately call-
iug it our western frontier. But the pioneer.-i of 184.'! and 1S44 hroke over the
barrier, pii8.sed the red men of the forest, ainl estahlished themselves in
their new lionies in Oregon ami California. In this iniglity movement we seo
human nature waking in her might from the .sluniher of centuries, girding
herself for the conflict, and overcoming every ohstacle, going forth to assert
her inalienable rights, and the ecjuality of men throughout the Ainerieau
continent.' Or. Tir , 'I'A-A. Nikx' h't;/., Ixviii. !?;{!) 40, has some remarks on
the thoughtless and aimless rush of well-conditioned people to seek poverty
and hardships. Pobiuexinny .Tan. '(■, 1X40; MeKinlay, in //. It. Co. L'r.,
H. R. Co. Cl'tli'in, 100. Saxton'.s j niphlet on Omfon Trrrifon/ appi'ars
to liave been first publislied "n V'ashington, and afterward reproduced in
Oregon City by fJeorge A'"Tnethy. It contains the laws of Oregon, witii an
account of the political coiditton of the country, its resources, soil, climate,
productions, and progress in education, with facts and figures concerning poji-
dation, and other matters, enlivened liy some elocpient p;utsages, original and
q'loted, of a patriotic nature.
•* Haneoc!. settled on Whidbey Inland in Puget Sound. He luis written a
larg^ inanusc. ipt vo'.ume, eniitled 'JliirUfii Yvnrs' /{csidiiirr on the i^'ort/iircsf.
Con.''', narrating the incidents of the immigration and many of his adventiire.s
on t "J Pacific eoa.st. J. M. lliicon, of Barlow's division, has also written on
the .ubject. Bacon was a native of Bufl'alo. Love of adventure induced iiini
to 'o lo Oregon. Engaging in various mercantile pursuits, he eventually
se' led [.ermanently in Oregon City. His Mrmnitili' IJ/f <il Oiri/oii Ci///, MS.,
is i running commentary on tlie business and business men of the country.
*W. \Y. Buck Wiw born in New York in 1804, Imt emigrated from Oliio.
Ho was a saddle and harness n;aker, a man of intelligence and enterprise,
and his manuscript gives the history of several of the tirst manufactories of
the country, in which lie was interested, under the name of Eidtriir'tenat Oregon
Cili/, MS.
510
THP: immigration of 1846.
t!i.
If ^'"
i
1^*
i'
gatherings, the men of might came naturally tu the
fW)nt. In every migration the men selected as caj)-
tains at the start continued to maintain, either hy
talent or habit, the leadership of their fellows after
reaching their destination.
Nothing unusual befell the travellers betwetiii the
Missouri and Snake rivers. At Fort Hall, according
to the t(!stimony of several, an effort was made to turn
the immigration toward California; and whatever iin-
fiivorable information they received concerning the
<listance, the road, or the natives, was imputed to the
desire of the British fur comjmny to prevent tliis
great influx of Americans into Oregon." There were,
however, other influences used at Fort Hall to turn
American emigration to California, and from Ameri-
cans themselves. The presence of the British and
French scjuadrons in the Pacific, with the condition
of Mexico, made it evident that California would soon
fall into the hands of one of these two nations unless
tlie United States sustained the popular Monroe doc-
trine, which was to leave no room for monarchies on
North American soil. The cabinet at Washini>ton
^11 understood that should Great Britain seize Cali-
W(
fornia slie would be in a position to hold Oregon." To
prevent such a eonsununation without hostility was
the secret care of a few statesmen, of whom Benton
was one of the movst adroit as well as enthusiastic.^
'' Palmer n Jmir mil, 4:{; /hwonK Mcrr. Li/nOr., MS., 3.
'' Itoliertu' /{erollfc/ioiix, MS., (i.
"In October 1844, iii a speech at St Jjiiiiis, iieiittui uttered this prophecy,
already fiiltilUHl;
' I say tlu! man in alive, full grown, and is listening to what 1 say (without
helieving it perhaps), wiio will yet see the Asiatic connnerco traversing the
North I'acitic Oeiian -(^itia-ing the Oregon River- cli;ul)ing the western slope
of the Rocky Mountains — issuuig from its gorges and spreading its fertiliz-
ing streams over our M'ide-extended Union! The steaml)oat antl the steam-
car have not exhausted all their wonders. They have not yet even found
their amplest and most appropriate theatres- -the traiupiil surface of tlie
North IWitic Ocean, and the vast inclined plains which spread east and west
from the hase of the Rocky Mountains. Ihe magic hoat and the flying car
are not yet seen u[)on this ocean and this ])lain, hut they will he seen tliere;
ami St Louis is yet to find herself as near to Canton as she now is to London,
w'th a better and safer route, by land and sea, to ('hina iind .Japan, than she
new has to France and Great Britain.' Orripn Spectdtoi; Sept. 17, 1S415.
MEETING WITH WHITE.
511
No significance was attaclied to the fact that one of
the Greenwoods of the previous year's pilgrimage to
California was at Fort Hall with a young man named
McDougal, from Indiana, who had been despatched
from California to jji'uide the travellers tlirouijh, and
who were, as Palmer says, well stocked with false-
liuods to induce them to take the California road.
According to Palmer, fifteen wagons had been fitted
out for California at the outset, and the owners of
thirty-five more were persuaded by these men to join
them.** He was probably speaking of his wing of the
immiyfration ; for Saxton informs us that there were
forty-six wagons destined for Californi;\ on leaving
Iiidepe:idence." Gray admits that L. W. Hastings, of
White's innnigration, did all he could to turn the peo-
[)le to California. The anxiety to })opuiate that ter-
^•itory became intelligible when in the following spring,
F.'-; lont, acting on secret despatches, retraced his
sieps to California, in order tliat by land as well as
by sea English occu[)ancy should be anticipated by
Americans.'"
^r ri
The immigration progressed well after leaving Fort
Hall, with tlie exception of the loss of two men sup-
posed to have been killed by the natives, while hunt-
iiiii at the crossinjif of Snake River;" and from there
to the Malheur River all went well. But at the Hot
Springs near Fort Boise a portion of the endless car-
avan, one of the Independence companies, was met
by White, of whose unsuccessful explorations of a few
weeks previous I liave already given an account.'"
■■ Hu also Kays in a note to his Jonrmil, p. 44, that the iiiiiiiigrant.s allutlcil
to, not flailing California to ho a.s reiiresonteil, runioved from there to Oregon;
hnt iio (Iocs not give their names.
° Forty -hIx wagonH, 320 o.xen, '.)3 men, 40 women, and 57 children. (Iniy'n
Jfisl. Or., 453.
'"Tlie CoUi Ill/wood, says Ko))ert.s, was on her way to seize California, when
tlioy fonml they were too late. Several nations had an eye, ahout tliat time,
to tins coast. The Irish were temporarily (pueted hy the passage of the May
nootli hill. Rr.collect.innH, MS., (iO.
^^ Ilinicork'x T/iirfi'i'ii Yfdrx, MS., 70.
'■'The first companies Whitt? nu't were Barlow's, Knighton's, ;unl McOon-
ald's, numbering 800, near (irand Rond. The sceoml was Palmer's neai-
I il
51:
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
From the fact that this company was the one to try
liis projected route to the heart of the Willamette
Valley, it appears that White was responsible for the
disasters that followed, though the guide, Stephen H.
L. Meek, who probably followed White's advice, and
was ambitious to distinguish himself also, incurred all
the blame. However that maybe, about two hundred
families were persuaded to try a cut-off, with the assur-
ance that they would save two hundred miles of travel
by following the Malheur River and traversing the
country to a pass in the mountains at the head of the
Willamette Valley.
The route undertaken was an abandoned trail of
tlie fur-tra])pers, which for several days they followed
w ithout experiencing unusual trouble. But in cross-
ing the Malheur Mountains the country became so
stony that wagons-tracks could scarcely be discerned
on the disintegrated rock.^^ The feet of the oxen
became so sore that the ])oor creatures would lie down
and could with great difficulty be forced to move for-
waid. Not finding grass, tlie loose cattle constantly
turned back, and thus gave unceasing trouble. Forced
by the nature of the country out of his proper course,
the pilot bore for to the south, where was found good
grass, but only nauseous alkaline water. By day the
temperature was high, and at night ice formed in the
Boisi?; anil the third thu St Joseph's company, near tlio Salmon Falls of Snake
Kivor. W/itlf'n Ten Y earn in Or., '282; Buck's Entei-pinnis, MS., 1, 2; Palmer's
J oil rue I, 50.
'^Tlio tirst golil discovery in Oregon made by any American, if not by any
jierson, was near the liead of tlie Malheur lliver, on a small creek divided from
the .Malliciir l)y a riilge. Tiiis stream ran soutli-west, and was supposed to be
a branch of the Malheur, an error that caused much trouble an(l disappoint-
ment to prospectors eight or ten years later. Daniel Herron, a cousin of W.
J. Herron of Salem, was looking for lo.st cattle while the company were in
camp here, and picked up a piece of shining metal on the rocky bed of the
creek, and carrie<l it to camp as a curiosity. No one could tell what the metal
was, an<l no one thought of its being gold. Another migget was found and
brought to Mr Martin's wagon, who tested it by hammering it out on his
wagon-tire; l)ut not being able to tell its nature, it was thrown into the tool-
chest and forgotten, and ultimately lost. After the gold discovery in Califor-
nia these incidents were remembered, and many parties went in search of the
.'^pot where the emigrant.s said this gold was found, bnt were misled by being
told it was on a tributary of t!ie Malheur. S. A. Clarke, in Portland J)aily
lice, Feb. li, 181)9; Overland Monthly, iv. L'Ol-'i.
LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS.
613
water-buckets. Neither savages nor game were found
in this desolate region. There was no indication tliat
it had ever been traversed by civiUzed man, and it
slowly dawned upon the comprehension of the wan-
derers that their pilot knew nothing of the country
to which he had brought them, and from which it was
doubtful if he would be able to extricate them. In
the mean time, extremes of temperature, improper and
insufficient nourishment, with mental agitation, brought
t)n a sickness known as mountain fever, while the
children were attacked with dysentery from drinking
the alkaline waters, resulting in several deaths.
Refusing to go farther in this direction and turning
north from here, they were led over a drj^ ridge between
the John Day and Dbs Chutes rivers, where again
the supply of water was insufficient, and a hundred
men rode all day looking in every direction for springs
or streams, while a hundred others pursued the fam-
ishing stock which ran wildly in search of water. A
c(mipany which had gone in advance of the main body
here returned and reported no better prospects so far
as they had travelled. Des})air settled upon the
people ; old men and children we|)t together, and the
strongest could not speak ho})efull3^ C)rdy the women
('cmtinued to show firmness and couraiie
some
The murmurs which had for some time been
breathed against their guide now became angiy
threatenings ; the people refused to listen to his coun-
sel when the trail became lost, and he was Wi^rned that
his life was in danger. Meek realized what it was
to be at the mercy of a frenziinl mob in the wilder-
ness, but was unwilling to desert them, because he
knew from the general contour of the country and the
advice of natives that tliey would reach the C(>Iumbva
River in a few days by continuing a certain course;.'*
T
'*S. A. Clarke, in Portland Daily Bee, Feb. C>, 1809. See Staat's Address,
in Or. Pioneer A sxoc. Tram., 1877, 50-1.
'^Tetherow, writing in the Or. Sjuctatnr, March 18, 1847, says that Meek
procured an Indian giiide to conduct him to tlif Dalles,; and another writer in
the same paper of Fehniary 18, 1847, says that the ■wanderers went a^i far
Hist. Ok., Vol. I. Si
^» >tv»^
514
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
A hurried consultation took place, and by the advice of
Sauiuc'l Hancock, Meek, who was supposed to have
fled, was to secrete himself, while some of his friends
would, prepare to start with him the following morn-
ing for the Dalles/^ This plan was carried out, and
oil the afternoon of the second day they reached a
tributary of Dos Chutes Kiver; the joy of the suffer-
ing men, women, and children, expressing itself in
silent tears or loud cries, according to age and tem-
perament.
Continuing down the stream and coming to the main
river, they found it to flow through a deep canon with
walls so precipitous that the only way in which water
could be procured was by lowering a vessel at the end
of two hundred feeL of rope in the hands of a man,
himself held by a stroiig rope in the grasp of his fel-
lows. Following the river, they came at last to a place
where the cattle could be driven down and crossed by
swinnning; but wliicli was not considered « safe ford-
ing-place for the wagons. To overcome thih difficulty,
a wagon-bed suspended from a cable stretched be-
tween the banks was drawn back and forth by means
of rollers and ropes; and in this vehicle families and
goods were transported to the other side.
While tliis aerial ferry was in ])rocess of construc-
tion the n)ain body began to ovortaki' tlu ni, and
Meek was informed that the father of two young
men who had diod that day, in consequence, as lie
believed, of the hardships of this route, had sworn
to take Meek's life before the sun should set. Not
doubting that the vow would be kept, if the incensed
father met him while his wrath was hot, the unfortu-
nate guide fled with his wife to the camp of some
soutii-west as Silver Lake, or Klamath Marsh, wliich wniild have brought
them opiKJsite DiamoiKi Peak puss. It is douhtful if they went so fai-, aa
there were other iiiarslies more central.
^'^ JJnurork'n I'hiHirn Yearn, MS., 75. Elisha Packwooa also says thftt
M(!ck was not no had a man as he was iMstored by the imnugnuits; and tbwt at
till', very time tiiey were so anxious x. nang him, if they h«d suliinitted he
would have brought them tc the Mittlemeuts. Morne't) Vaaii. Ter., MS..
i. 59.
f?UriERiNC;S AND DEATH.
51S
18
natives, and was sent across the river in a manner
similar to tliat described, except that not oven a
basket was used to support himself and wife in mid-
air, l)eing uphekl merely by a slip-noose.
Procuring horses from the natives, Meek hastened
to reach the Dalles, where he made known to ^'V^aller
and Brewer the condition of the lost companies,*' and
l^esought their aid ; but they rendered no assistance
He succeeded, however, in finding a guide in the
person of Moses Harris, who had deserted White's
])arty the first day out from the Dalles, and hajipened
to be at this place. Harris gathered a few horse-
loads of food and hurried to the relief of the immi-
grants, whom he found at the crossing of Des Cliutes,
and which was not more than thirty-five miles from
the Dalles, near where Tyghe Creek comes into this
river
19
The passage of the river detained them for two
weeks,^" and they arrived at the Dalles about the
middle of October, having lost about twenty of their
company from sickness. As many more died soon
after reaching the settlements, eithec from disease
ot
ed
;u-
an
IS..
I
^' Uanrod's ThirU-cn Years, MS., 78-81
'* Elisha Packwood, wlio was also among the lost iaimijjrants, iis they have
always been called to di.stinguisli them from those ■<» ho kept to the beaten
path, relates that Meek made givat exertions to get a guiile and .some persona
to go to tlieir assistance from the mission, but wahimt success; and •■says, in
ilain terms, that it wiis throngh sheer heartlessness that he was refused.
Morse, who took down I'ackwood's statement, says it is tiie testimony of all
the olil pioneers 'that for rank selfishness, heartlessness, avarice, and a desire
to take advantage of the necessities of the emigrants to the utmost, the mis-
sion at the Dalles exceedeii any ottxr institution on the K'orthwest Coast.
This is a terrible charge, ln>t a con\ • rsatiou with Hfty diftcrent pioneers who
crossed the plains in an early day will sati,-*!^ any ouo ol the fact.' Morse's
WiLsh. Tn:, MS., i. GO-l.
"* Moses Harris, commonly known as Black Harris, or the Black Snuire,
among mountain men, like others; of his cbtss, li.id the gift of .story -telling,
and was noted for a famous fiction about a potrilie' forest which lie had seen, on
which the leaves and birds were preserved in all le beauty of life, the moutiis
of tne birds still open in theacti>t singing ; Biirin'tfs fiecoUfCtioHK of a Pioneer,
1.").'). Harris is described as Ko. '2,, on page l:2t5 of (iray's Hist. Or., and he
was, I believe, made a charact. ■ in Moss' novel of the 'Prairie Flower,'
l)cfore mentior.cd. Ona of Stenhen Meck's faniou.s stories w;i.s of a Rocky
Mountain bt'.in with hair eighteen feet long, which was folded up every
moriiiug in the i.>riii of a pack, and carried on : j shoulders of au attendant.
!<nn Jose Arqiis, Nov. 1(5, 1867.
'^Palmer'd Jour., 64; Bacon's Merc. l'/< Or., MS , 6.
516
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1846.
already contracted, or from overeating at the Dalles
food which in their starving condition they would
not wait to have properly prepared.
Notwithstanding their long detour and two weeks'
delay, it does not appear that the lost companies were
longer travelling than the main caravan. Palmer
arrived at the Dalles with his company on the 2yth
of September, or about the time they came to the cross-
ing of Des Chutes River. Here awaited them the
trials wliich had beset previous caravans. I find the
condition of tlie whole body spoken of in the Oregon
Spectator of January 21, 1847, as wretched in the
extreme. This paper says that the supply of boats
being wholly inadequate to their speedy conveyance
down the Columbia, and their stock of provisions
failing at the Dalles, famine and a malignant disease
raging among them, a misery ensued which is scarcely
paralleled in history. The loss of life and property
was enormous. The people of Oregon City despatched
necessaries to their relief, and Cook, owner of the only
sail-boat in the country, gave them the use of his
vessel.'"' The Hudson's Bay Company, as usual, lent
their bateaux.^"
In a country like western Oregon, where the princi-
pal travel was by river navigation, it seems strange
that there should have been no more boat-building.
The explanation lies probably in the fact that most of
the population were landsmen, who knew nothing of
ship-carpentry. Besides this insufficient reason, for
there were some seafaring men in the country, there
was so nmch to do on their farms to make sure of
food and shelter for themselves and the expected
incoming of each year, that they had given too little
thought to providing transportation; and unforeseen
circumstances attended every arrival for a number of
years.
■'• Tlie sloop Calapooya, 25 tons, built at Oregon City by Capvain Cook, an
Kngli»htnan, in 1845. Bacon's Meir. LiJ'cOr., MS., 12.
'" For assisting these sufifering people, MoLoughlin says Lieutonaufc Vava-
Honr charged hinj with disloyalty.
PALMER'S WAGON-ROAD.
617
)f
e
11
When Palmer's compaiiy reached the Dalles they
found sixty families awaiting transportation by two
sn)all boats, which would require at least ten days.
The season was so far advanced that Palmer feared
detention for the winter; and impatient of the weari-
ness and expense of such delay, tliey determined to
attempt the crossing of the Cascade Mountains with
their wagons. This plan was strongly opposed by
Waller and Brewer. Knighton had returned discour-
aged, for he, in company with Barlow and seven others,
had penetrated twenty-five miles into the mountains
without finding a pass, although Barlow was still
seeking one.
On the 1st of October, Palmer, with fifteen families
and twenty-three wagons, left the Dalles to join Bar-
low and his company, which was reduced to seven
wagons. On arriving at Tyghe Creek, at the mouth
of which, S(Mne five miles below, the lost immigrants
were then crossing, Palmer turned up the stream, and
overtook Barlow's company on the 3d. Here leaving
the train. Palmer with one man began exploring for
a wagon-road. At first the undertaking seemed likely
to succeed. By travelling up one of tlie long, scan-
tily timbered ridges that characterize the eastern
slope of the Cascade Range, ten miles were made
with ease; after which came a bushy level, followed
by a shorter ridge running in a general direction
westward, but covered with heavy forest. From this
apparent gain in height and distance they were then
obliged to descend to a densely wooded bench, from
which, still descending, they reached a stream which
they called Rock Creek, beyond which began again
the ascent over a hill long and steep, covered thickly
Avitli a fine growth of spr-uce timber, and on the other
side of the hill was a cedar swamp, which, however,
they found passable where the dammed-uj) stream
which formed it was confined within banks. Con-
tinuing westward a few miles, tlieir course was sud-
denly interrupted by a deep and wide canon, compelling
518
TUE IMMIGRATION OF l*i5.
them to travel northward toward Mount Hood ; dark-
ness overtaking them thirty-six miles from camp.
On the following morning a descent to the bottom
of the canon was effected, and a stream was discov-
ered which evidently came down from Mount Hood,
the waters overflowing the banks during the night,
and subsiding during the day. It had a sandy bottom,
and was very irregular in width, varying from two
rods to half a mile. On this low ground there were
scrubby pines, alder thickets, rushes, and a little grass.
Returning to the higher ground, and exploring back
beyond the point where they first came to the bluff,
a descent was discovered, gradual enough to admit
the passage of wagons. Unacquainted with the ex-
tent and roughness of the Cascade Mountains, Palmer
believed that by travelling up this gulf he would
arrive at the sunmiit, imagining that Mount Ht)od
rose from or upon the axis of the range, whereas it is
far to the east of it. In this belief he returned to
camp for provisions to prosecute his explorations in
that direction, being soon followed by Barlow, who
had taken the same general route with no definite
success.
Observing that in the mountains, owing to the
density of the forest, tJie grass was insufficient for
their cattle, the leaders thought proper to send the
greater part of the herds back toward the Dalles to
be driven over the trail north of Mount Hood, send-
ing at the same time a horse-train to that place for a
further supply of food, it being evident that some time
would be consumed in getting through to the Willa-
mette.
Work was then commenced upon the road, which
was opened in three days as far as Rock Creek, chiefly
by means of fire, which consumed the thickets of
arbutus, alder, hazel, and other growths very difiicult
to penetrate and laborious to cut away.
On the morning of the 11th Palmer, Barlow, and
OVKK THE CASCA1>E MOUNTAINS.
619
a Mr Lock set out again in advance to anticipate
the roacl-iuakorH by marking out their route. Their
course was up Rock (^reek to a branch coming in from
the left, following which for a short distance and find-
ing it im})racticable, they turned north, and came
unexpectedly into the cattle trail where it crossed a
barren sandy plain stretcliing away seven or eight
miles west to the foot of Mount Hood. Followinij
this trail six miles to the sunnnit of the ridge leading
to the snow-peak, they explored unsuccessfully for the
expected route down this side. Ridges and canons
thousands of feet high and deep environed the has. ^
this majestic mountain. Icy precipices opposed their
passage; and in the lower ground there were marsluis
filled with snow-water. After two days' severe labor
they returned once more to camp, to find the wagons
advanced as far as the small branch of the creek be-
fore mentioned; but the company was nmch discour-
aged with the slow progress, and annoyed with the
constant straying of their cattle and the thieving of
the savages. Upon consultation it was determined to
make one more essay at exploration, while the road
was being opened to the sandy plain near the base of
Blount Hood, the wagons remaining at the small
stream called Camp Creek.
The tliird attempt revealed equal difficulties, a,nd
although by no means convinced that a wagon-road
through the Cascade Mountains was impracticable,
the explorers were aware that the rainy season was at
hand, and that rain in the valleys meant snow at this
elevation. They therefore hastened to camp, where
provisions were already nearly exhausted, and made
arranefcments for leavinjj the wayfons and bai'i)fai»'e in
charge of a guard, while the women and children
were carried through to the Willamette without fur-
ther delay, on horses, by the cattle trail, which plan
was immediately executed. Hardly had they started
when the rain began to descend. The trail led over
open and elevated ground; the cold was benumbing,
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WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(716) 872-4S03
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520
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845
and a thick fog, of the temperature of melted snow,
settled over the heights. On the third day so com-
plete was the obscuration that the trail was lost, and
Palmer's advance party of four, which included two
women, became bewildered, and the women were left
alone on their horses in the rain, while the men ram-
bled about for two hours in search of the path, which
Palmer fortunately discovered. Soon after this peril
was over a breeze sprang up which cleared away the
fog ; and in the evening, to their great joy, they were
met by a party from Oregon City,^'^ who, upon hear-
ing of the attempt to cross the Cascade Range with
wagons, and of the scarcity of food among the com-
panies, had loaded a train of eleven horses with flour,
coffee, sugar, and tea for their relief. Not finding
them as soon as expected, and not knowing where to
look for them, the rescuers turned back, but prompted
by some secret impulse, when six miles on the home-
ward course, returned and soon encountered Palmer's
party, and thus undoubtedly saved many lives. The
provisions were taken in clnarge by Palmer and one of
the relief party, whili others returned to Oregon
City with the two a\ a and one man of Palmer's
company.-* It was found on reascending the Mount
Hood ridge that the weather was even worse than
before, tlie same icy fog being encountered, while the
trail was now covered with snow, and to get the
heavily loaded horses over the slippery ascents and
descents was a severe and dangerous toil for man and
beast. On arriving at the camp, October 20th, a mis-
erable spectacle was presented. Several families were
entirelv without food, and all nearly so. The work-
oxen, and most of the cattle, were being driven by the
able-bodied men to the Willamette, while the women,
'' N. and C. Gilmore and Stewart are the names of this party given in
Palmc/x Joitninl.
^* These were Mr and Mrs BufFum and a Mrs Thompson. Tlie only names
mentioned iri the narratives are: Keetor, Bacon, Barlow, Lock, Palmer, Tay-
lor, Caplinger, Creighton, Farwell, Buckley, Powell, Senters, Smith, and
Hood.
SUFFERINGS IN THE MOUNTAINS.
521
children, and enough men to care for their safety were
here awaiting the arrival of horses which Barlow and
Rector, who had started on the IGth, intending to
explore for a road as they passed, were to send back
from Oregon City. A few half-starved cattle yet
remained, the only resource of the destitute people.
After being furnished with food, a few families
immediately set out for Oregon City on the pack-
horses. Others followed on foot through the snow,
having loaded their weak oxen witli some necessary
articles. By the 25th all the families had departed
except those of Barlow, Rector, and Caplinger, who
were still awaiting the arrival of the horses. Palmer
remained until this date assisting to build a storehouse
for the baggage left, which was named Fort Deposit
and placed in charge of a small guard. As Palmer
and three others were leaving the camp they met
Barlow and Rector coming in.
They had reached Oregon City after undergoing
much suffering from being lost in the mountains for
several days. Barlow, being older tliaii liis companion,
and much exhausted, frequently fell in walking, and
became alarmed lest he should break a leg, and be
compelled to die alone in the wilderness ; and piteously
inquired of Rector what he would do in sucli an event.
" Eat you ! " growled Rector, and stalked on. Look-
ing back he beheld his friend's face bathed in tears,
which smote his heart, and he returned to comfort
him. Not long after this incident they came to a
small stream flowing westward, which was regarded
as a happy omen, and soon they heard the tinkling of
cow-bells on the cattle trail. So great was their
joy that for some minutes they could not command
their voices to call for help.^'" Palmer's party passed
many families on the way. Two of them had lost
all their provisions in the night through the greed
of their hungry horses, the snow having entirely cov-
ered tlie grass, and these nine persons scantily clad,
** Victor's River qf the West, 375-6.
622
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
the children with feet almost bare, with nothing to
eat, were still eighty miles from the settlements.
Their wants were partially relieved by others in a not
much better condition. Three of those who had first
reached Oregon City were met returning with horses ;
and a company was found at the crossing of the Sandy
cutting out a road toward the settlements from this
point; the low land along the stream being covered
with a heavy growth of fir and cedar.
Two of the horses in Palmer's party became too
weak to proceed and were left. Of the eleven sent with
provisions, not one survived. On the 30th Palmer
arrived at the house of Sanmel McSwain of the pre-
vious year's pilgrimage, who subsequently sold his claim
to Philip Foster, and it became tlie recruiting station
in crossing the mountains. The next night was spent
at the house of Pet(!r H. Hatch, in the Clackamas
Valley. On the 1st day of November he arrived at
Oregon City, having passed a month in the Cascade
Mountains; but it was not until December that the
last of the belated people arrived in the Willamette
Valley .^^ Nor did those who last reached the Co-
lumbia River arrive in the valley any earlier. The
same detentions and misfortunes whicli awaited every
company here were meted out to these. A raft of logs
becoming water-soaked, four women, mother and three
'^^ Bacons Mercantile L{f'e Or. City, MS., 7. Joel Palmer was born near the
foot of Lake Ontario, Canaila, 1810, of Quaker parentage. When a boy he
went to Pennsylvania, and married in Buck County; removing afterward to
Indiana, where he was a large canal contractor and tlien a farmer; being also
a member of tlio legislature in tlie winter of 1844-5. The excitement on tiio
boundary question was then .it its height, and iiiHuenced him to go to
Oregon. Palmer returned to the States in 184G to bring cmt his family. He
ke])t a journal of liis travels, which he ijublished. In a manuscript called
Palmer I* Witijoti 7'rti!ii, he givcJ an account of the publication of l:is Journal,
and of the main incidents of the return to Oregon. He says that he contracted
in Cincinnati for the printing of tlie narrative of his journey to and from
Oregon, with his observations on tlie country, the condition of the people,
the government, and other matter.^, the whole constituting a fund of informa-
tion of value to persons intending to emigrate. He expected to have his book
ready to sell to the immigration, and to realize from it enough to pay most, if
not all, the expense of his second journey; but although ho waited almost two
months, he never received more than a <lozeu or two copies, and was compelled
to leave it behind for the pnblisher to <lisp(ise of as he pleased. This is to bo
regretted, as it is one of the best of its kind.
INCOMERS BY SEA.
023
daughters, were put on shore between the Dalles and
Cascades, the son and father remaining with the raft.
When darkness came the raft ct)uld not be found, and
the desolate women, after building a fire, sat down by
it to spend the night in the wet forest. But the fire
attracted others in similar trouble, and they were
rescued from impending dangers.'' The incidents,
pathetic and humorous whicli attended the journey-
ings of three thousand persons would fill a volume.
I only attempt to point out such as led to certain
results in the history of the colony, and gave rise to
certain legislation.'"^^
"W. p. Herron, in Camp-fire Orations, MS., 17; James Morris, in Id., 18.
"*One of the most curious chapters in the history of overland travel is
that which relates to a party who probably never reaches I tlieir destination.
It appears that a man named James Emmet, a Tennessean, in the winter of
1844-5 gathered from Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee principally, a com-
pany of men, women, and cliildren, amounting in all to over one hundred
])ersons, about forty -five of wliom were able to Dear arms. In the month of
January they left Iowa City for Oregon witli twenty-one wagons, a nund)er
of horses, cattle, and farming utensils — Emmet being chosen guide of the
expedition. Instead of rendezvousing at any of the points from which com-
panies usually started, or waiting for the grass to come up in the spring,
tliey proceeded at once, under Emmet's direction, to take a nortli-west course,
which soon carried tliem beyond the settled pot 'i on of the territory. After
travelling north-west for a couple of weeks they turned a little more north Ut
the Iowa River, wliicli they ascended for a considerable distance, and then
turned due west, plunging into an ocean of wilderness and prairie, without
compass or anything to guiile them except the rising and setting sun. After
pursuing this course for forty days, and not reaching the Missouri River,
some of the men became alarmed, and only the most strenuous exertions of
Emmet and his adherents prevented their turning back in a body. The per-
suasions and tlireats of these men, together with the consciousness of being
already so far into the wilderness that to return was about as dangerous a.s
to go forwaril, kept tliem from abandonding the effort to reach the Missouri,
In the mean time their provisions were becoming exhausted, game on the
prairie was scarce, bridges hail to be built, and numerous difficulties beset
them that had not been expected, sucli as being obliged to keep along the
bottoms of streams in order to fin<l feed for their cattle, whether those
streams flowed from or toward the west, the direction they wialied to jiursue,
and to keep near the timber for game to eke out their own rapidly dwindling
stock of fooil. After three months of aimless wandering over a trackless
desert, they readied the Vermilion River, which empties into tlie Missouri
about one hundred and fifty miles north of the I'latte, where the Missouri
makes a great bend to the south; but they were still several days from the
main stream, and following down the Vermilion, they reached the fort at the
junction, with eighteen men, and about half the number of women and chil-
dren that had started from Iowa City. Some had turned back, in spite of
persuasion, and some had camped higher on the Vermilion to rest and hunt
tiuffalo. While they were encamped at Vermilion, the steamer Oewral Brmka
came down from the mouth of the Yellowstone River with a cargo of furs.
When this company reached the post at the mouth of the Vermilion Rivei
«»
!
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
There is a marked difference between the people
who came to the Pacific coast by sea and those who
crossed tlie continent, that is not accounted for by the
fact that one class came from the Atlantic seaboard,
and the other from the western frojitier; because the
origin of both classes was the same. These western
men came in larger numbers, an<l Americanized Ore-
gon, stamping upon its institutions, social and political,
their virtues and their failings. There was an almost
pathetic patience and unlimited hospitality, born of
their peculiar experiences rather than of any greater
largeness of heart or breadth of views.
The immigration of 1845 did not differ essentially
from the previous ones, except that it was drawn
more from the middle states, or rather less from the
Missouri border. Like their predecessors, they unex-
pectedly became indebted to the charitable offices of
the British fur company, whom they had intended at
the outset to drive from the country, and had their
views much modified; though as events afterward
proved, they accepted the modification witli reluctance
and even opposition.
Most of these adventurers had left comfortable
homes, and the position they occupied on first reach-
ing Oregon was humiliating and discouraging. The
shelter afforded in tlie rude dwellings of the colonists,
although bestowed with true hospitality, involved
heavy cost and nmch discomfort on both sides. The
community was suddeidy divided again into old and
new settlers, and the new were often peevish and un-
reasonable.'^ They had recently endured so much
that they could not realize that the settlers of a year
they were reduced to an allowance of half a pint of corn a day, and had
just three bushels left in the general store. Emmet kept a jealous watch
over the remainder of his company to prevent tliem from taking passage on
the Generol Brooks for tlie settlements uelow. One young man and his wife
contrived to eluge liis vigilence and were taken to St Louis by the steamer.
What became of tliose M'lio remained with Emmet is not known, but they
were intending to hunt butfalo, and with tliis food supply to prosecute their
journey to Oregon. Nilfn' Re;/., Ixviii. 33i)-40.
■" liiinieU's liccolkctiom of n Pioneer, 175.
NAMES OF THE NEW-COMERS.
S26
or two had undergone similar experiences. To them
it seemed as if the first comers were repn^hensible for
taking u}) the most convenient land, compelling others
to travel farther and find claims, when they had come
CO Ore<»;on to be near the sea and a market. With
the better class this feeling passed away after a few
weeks, and they became cheerful again. But there
were some who never ceased complaints, and who
only excited themselves when forced to do so by
necessity.
Undoubtedly the journey of two thousand miles
with ox-teams, and the peculiar misfortunes incident
to each migration, often exhausted vitality and changed
the character of individuals, so that many never recov-
ered their lost ambition and energy; and that the
children weakened by unfavorable circumstances lacked
the temper of body and mind which crowns effort
with success. The few who rose superior to these
trying influences, had they remained in their own
country, would probably have risen to eminence.*^
'*Tlie following lire some of the men of the immigration of 1845: .S. Arm-
strong, N. H. .Armstrong, J. M. Ai-mstrong, Joseph C. Avery, James Allen,
William Allen, M. B. Alderman, Henry Alman, Ariin, J. 0. Avery, J. J.
Burton, John D. Boon, H. D. Boon, Joel Barlow, Saniuc' K. Barlow, William
Barlow, James Barlow, B. Berry, F. Baker, John Wesley Baker, Owen W.
Bozarth, Arthur Burrow, liailey, J. J. Burston, F. Budroe, C. A. Bradbury,
William Bufi'um, Babor, H. M. Bryan, Lorenzo 1). Brooks, Mahlon Brook,
Lyman E. Byard, John Brown, F. Biibel, J. M. Bfieon, W. W. Buck, Buck-
ley, Edwin Bryant, Benj. F. Burch, F. Berry, William Berry, Bean, J. R.
Bean, Joseph Cumungham, Creighton, Jacob C. Capliuger, Benjamin Corne-
lius, sen., Thomas R. Cornelius, Benjamin Cornelius, jun., Samuel Cornelius,
David Carson, Joseph Champion, Tliomas W. Cliambers, Rowland Cliambers,
Nathaniel W. Colwcll, John M. Courtney, Joseph I'larlton, Charles Craft,
Patrick Conner, E. W. Conner, J. Casaada, L. W. Coon, Jesse Cayton, W. 1).
Cole, Samuel Y. Cook, Samuel Clark, John R. Coatney, John M. Cantrel,
Ari t'antrel, Samuel Chase, Reuben Crowder, John V>'. Crowcll, N. H. Cotlin,
(i. W. Cotfinbury, Jesse Cadwallader, Klias Cox, Daviil Colver, James Camp-
bell, Eli C. Cooley, F. C. Cason, Couzine, Jackson Cooley, John Conner,
Andrew Cluimbers, Thomas W. Cliand)ers, David J. Chambers, Albert T.
Davidson, James Daviilson, F. U. Dewitt, I)avi<l R. S. Daley, David Delauey,
Reuben Davis, Jelui Davis, Felix Ci. Dorri.s, Dodson, Franklin Duval, Solomon
Durbin, John Durbin, Leven N. English, William Englisli, Napoleon H.
Evans, Harvey Evans, William Engle, J. Eagle, lAither Elkiiis, .lolin Ed-
monds, Josepli Earl, S. D. Earl, Jolin Foster, Rev. E. l>'isher, William Flett,
A. H. Frair, Levi Fanning, William Finley, Farwell, Field, Sidney S. Ford,
Joseph H. Foss, Dr Foley, B^Iisha CrifHth, William Claser, Gerrish, William
(iale, Basil Ground, R. A. Gesner, J. Grazer, Thomas Hart, Silas Height,
Andrew Hood, Hipes, Jacob Hampton, Isaac Hutchins, N. Huber, B. F.
<1H
026
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
Oil the 20th of August, 1845, the house of repre
sentatives adjourned until the first Tuesday in De
Halu, David Hill, Henry Hawkins, Francis S. Holland, kSamuel Hancock,
I'tiincaM Hunt, H. (i. Hadloy, W. J. Herron, Daniel Herron, N. Herron,
(Jeorge Hannon, Isaac Hinuhaw, John Hammer, Hough, Lawrence Hall,
William Hake, H. H. Hide, Amos Harvey, Uackleman, D. C. Ingalls,
li. H. .lackson, Ulysses Jackson, Rev. Johnson, (leorge W. Johnson, \V.
Carey Johnson, John T. Jeffries, Joselyn, H. M. Knighton, Morgan Keyes,
John Killin, IJeorge Knox, Knox, Kennedy, Kirhy, Orrin Kellogg, Joscpli
Kellogg, Rev. Thomas Simpson Kendall, John E. Lyle, Jesse Lovela(ly,
D. R. Lewis, .lohi'. Lemon, John Lloyd, Jonathan I^aggett, Joseph Linn,
Lampson, Lock, Jeremiah Lawson, John W. Meldrum, Job Mc(,'lane, Zehe-
diah Martin, W. B. Maley, James Maley, Job McNamee, Alexander W.
McNary, James Morris, McDonald, Sylvaniis Moon, Josiah Morris, Alfred
Markham, (Jeorge Moore, .J. H. McMillan, Henry Noble, (Hdeon R. Night-
ingale, A. Nigiitingale, Nathan Olney, Owenby, John M. Pugh, William
Porter Pugh, Dr Samuel Parker, Joel Palmer, W. Peers, Francis Perry,
Patterson, Elisha Pack wood, John Packwood, Robert Packwood, Tait Pack-
wood, Jjarkin Packwood, Cliarlcs Packwood, James M. Pyle, Powell, John
Phillips, Robert Pentland, William H. Rector, Clark Rogers, Thomas Ruge,
Thomas M. Reed, Orville Risley, Joieph B. Rogers, John P. Rogers, John
Rounds, William Ryan, R. A. Riggs, James B. Riggs, Sherry Ross, Thomas
(}. Robinson, J. S. Rinearson, Peter M. Riuearson, Raines, Roumia, John.
Howe, Ridgeway, William Savage, Alonzo A. Skinner, Eugene F. Skinner,
Sharp C. Senters, Sanmel Sinnnons, Simeon Smith, Harna Sijeel, Samuel
Smith, (>. D. Sniitii, Hiram Smitli, Shelly, William Sportsman, J. Sanders,
Startuff, Stephen Staats, Henry ScwcU, Green B. Smith, Davis Shannon, S.
Scroggins, Isaac Staats, Spence, Stansbury, Switzler, Tabritas R. Smith,
Ross Sherry, Price Scott, Solomon Tetherow, James Taylor, Phdip Thomp-
son, Rev. Lewij Thompson, William Taylor, W. G. T'Vault, John Travers,
William Levi Todd, Staidey Umphlet, George Urben, J. H. Voss, C. Wheeler,
William Wheeler, James White. John White, Benjamin Wood, Ellis Walker,
Frederick Wayir<ire, John Waymire, Richard E. Wylie, Ralph Wilcox, Leo
Weston, H. Wright, Cl'arles Austin Williams, J. L. Williams, John J. Wil-
liams, A. W. Walle}-, Henry Clay Welch, Presley Welch, Joel Welch,
Amariali Wilson, Mitchel Whitlock, P. Wilkes, Anthony Wliitaker, Asa
Williams, James L. Williams, Henry Williamson, E. L. W^alter, Helm
Walter, Waldrom, Claiburne C. Walker.
Leven N. English, born near Baltimore, Maryland, March 25, 1792, re-
moved while in his childhood to Kentucky, where he afterward married. On
the breaking-out of the war of 1812 he voluiiteeretl, and fought in several
battles on the frontier of Canada. After the settlement of the difficulty with
England he removed with his family to Illinois, where the attempt at creating
a home in the wilderness was interrupted by the Black Hawk war, in which
he was commissioned captain of a company raised by himself. In 183<i he
ma<le another move westward as far as Iowa, where he settled and erected a
mill. But not being yet satisfied with emigration, he sold out his Io\ .: prop-
erty and came out to Oregon, losing one of his sons on the journey. In 1S4(5
he built ' Phiglish's Mills ' at Salem, which aided greatly to build u"p tha', town.
He served in the Cayuse war of 1847-8. In 18G9 he removed to Cali.'ornia,
but returned to Salem in 1871. He was twice married, living 39 yearn with
his first wife, by whom he had 12 children; and [by his second mai-riage
7 more, making, even in prolific Oregon, a family of unusual size. Eng-
lish died March 5, 1875, being nearly 85 years old. Or. Pioneer Assoc, Triiis.,
1875-6.
William P. Pugh, born in Sullivan County, Ind., March 9, 1818, settled
in Marion County, Oregon, in 1845; died Feb. 21, 1877, at his home, leaving a
bi(k;rai'Hk;al.
627
elm
ceniV)cr, which, aect)rdinj^ to organic huv, was tho
appointed time for tlie asseiiil)hiifi^ of the lej^islature.
largo family of children, and iniineroua friendu by whom he was respected and
lionorcd. liL, 1877, 73.
Simeon Smith, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Feb. Hi, 182S, was a
Hon of James Smith, who also emigrated to Oreg<m. The family removed from
Ohio to Missouri in 1838, from which state they started for the coast of the
Pacific. Simeon Smith settled in Marion Count; , but left his farm near Tur-
ner's station for Salem after 10 years of country life. He died May 1871),
leaving 4 children. His wife was a Miss Barger. l<l., 1878, !)'2.
Joseph Cunningham was born about 17!'l), and was the son of Nathaniel
Cunningham, one of the foremost men of the town of Spencer, .\la.s.sachusetts,
who helped to capture Fort Ticonderoga under Ethan Allen, and wlu) fought
tiirough the revolution. Joseph, when not quite 17 years old, was a volun-
teer in tho war of 1812-13, and served under (Jeneral Crawford. In 1818 he
went west, .and joined Ashley's company for the Rocky Mountains. AfttT
'2 years spent with Ashley he returned to Boonville, Missouri, wlience he
went to Oregon. He settled on the lower end of Sauv6 Island; and in 1847,
in partnership with the Canadian Pluniondon, built a saw and grist mill at
the falls of Ces Chutes River, at the head of I'uget Sound. He afterward
resided on Suavti Island and at McMinnville, where he died March 14, 1878.
Salem Mereutij, March 2'], 1878.
Henry Hawkins was 70 years of age when he came to Oregon. His wife
was the first white woman at Louisville, Kentucky. He followed Hat-
boating on the Mississippi River before the days of steamboats. He lived
for 33 years in Marion County, dying at Silverton, at the age of 103, in July
1878. Porlldiid Stiimlnnl, July 13, 1878.
Sidney S. Ford was born in the state of New York in 1801. In 184(5 he
settled north of the Columbia in the region of Puget Sound. He belongs,
therefore, to the history of Washington, where he took an active part in pub-
lic affairs. Mr Ford died October 22, 18(50.
Owen W. Bozarth was a native of Marion County, Missouri, born in 1820.
He settled on Lewis or Cathlapoot'e River, a short distance north of the
Columbia, where he died Feb. 15, 1875.
Henry Clay Welch Avas a i.ative of Randolph County, Virginia, born Sep-
tember 2, 1839. He died in Oregon April 11, 18C3.
Thomas U. Robinson resided for many years at Portland, where he tljed
July 27, 18(57.
James Barlow, who came hither at tho age of 10, and resided in Clackaniiva
County, died at his home July 20, lS(t(), aged 40 years.
J. J. Burton settled on a farm i]i Marion County; died September 8, 1878.
Hiram Smith came to Oregon from Danville, Ohio, in 1845, but returned
to the States tlie following year, an<l came out again in 1851. He brought
with liim several huiulred head of choice cattle, and ItK) horses, for improving
the stock of the country. He afterward made a similar expedition for this
])ur2)ose. Mr Smith was a charitable, intelligent, and successful business
man. He died in San Fran'jisco January 17, 1870. Portland Oregonian, April
2, 1879.
James B. Riggs settled in Polk County, where he resided till his death,
which occurred at his homo in Dallas August 15, 1870, at tlie age of (59 years.
Salem Statexmnii, Aug. 20, 1S70.
(loorge Moore, who was about twenty years of age when he arrive<l in
company with John D. Boon, died at Salem in April 1871. Salem Stale.vman,
April 5, 1871.
John Lemon was born in 1800, in Kentucky. He died at French Prairie,
September 13, 1869.
Charles Craft settled at Salem, where he assisted in erecting some of the
first residences. He died July 23, 1809. Salem Unionist, Jidy 31, 18(59.
J. R. Bean, with his father and family, settled in Yandiill County, where
m
Ill"
0S8
THE IMMIGKAIION OF 1845.
The recent large ininil<:^ration could not but affect
legislature to some extent, (jrovernor Abernethy, in
they ruaitlud many years. Boaii reinovcil with his fiimily fnim McMiiiiivillu,
in th'it county, to Soiittle, VVa.shington, in 1874. He was Imrn in 1824.
Mr.s Mary A. Nohle who witli lier hu8!)an<l crossed tlie phiins in 1845, and
Hcttled in \Vashington County, died Feljruary '20, 1870. I'orthind Aduocute,
March 12, 1870.
Ijiiwrencu Hall was one of the lost iinniigrauta. Ho settled In 'I'ufilatin
County— now Wasliington — and was elected to tlie legislature ii' IS-Ki, and
served with a strong American bias. After the territorial government wiw
organized, ho was elected a menilier of tlie council. He died in Portland,
l'Y'l)niary 11, 1807. J'or/lniid Oreijoiiian, Feb. 1(5, .'807.
William Englo was born in Montgomery County, Maryland, reniove<l with
his parents to Jefferson County, Virginia, and in 1820 to St Clair County,
Illinois, and thence removed to Oregon. He settled in Marion County, where
lie died May 18, 1808, aged 70 years. Porllnnd (Ji-fj/oiiiaii, May HO, 1808.
Francis (r. Dewitt engaged in mercantile pursuits in Portland, where he
resideil for a number of years. He removed to California, and wa.s acciilent-
ully killed at Point Arenas in the spring of 1872. A/., April 20, 1872.
Benjamin Cornelius was a native of Kentucky, born February 9, 1802.
He went to Missouri, and thence to Oregon, settling with his family in the
Tualatin plains, Wasliington County, where ho lived in the midst of his sons
until his death, December l.'l, 1804. lit., Dec. 24, 1804.
Job McNamoe settled on tlie town site of Portland, and at one time claimed
tliu land but failed to secure it through the decision of tlie United States
land-ollice. In 1808 he removed with his family to Pacilic County, V\'ashing-
ton. He died at Portland, October 1, 1872, aged 5'.) years. Mrs Hannah
McNamec, his wife, born in 1815, in Ross County, Indiana, died in Pacific
County, Washington, one month before her husband. Portland Herald, Sept.
10 an.lOct. 2, 1872.
Orrin Kellogg was one of the fathers of masonry on the Pacific Coast. He
brought the charter from Missouri in 1C45 for tlie organiziition of Multnomah
Lodge No. 1, at Oregon City. By tlie miisous maile at that time, the first
lodge in California was instituted about 1848. He was esteemed a useful and
public-spirited citizen. His deatii occurred at Portland in February 1873
Portland BnlHin, Feb. 17, 1873.
Gideon R. Nightingale was a printer, who came to Oregon in the same
year witli Fleming. It is stated, although the Ori'ijon Spectator does not
show it, that he set the typo for the first number of that paper, issued four
months after his arrival. Ho removed to Marysville, California. Id., Aug.
12, 1871.
Rowland Chambers settled in King's Valley, Benton County, where he
resided continuously until IStiO, when ho made a visit to the scenes of his
<!arly life. A few days after returning to Oregon, in January 1870, he sud-
denly died. Portland Adrocati; Jan. 29, 1870.
Jonathan Laggett was born in W'ythe County, Va., March 7, 1790. In
1814 he was married to Elizabeth Fanning of Tenn., and the following year
removed to Mi-ssouri, whence he came to Oregon in 1845, settling in Polk Co.,
where he resided until his death, November 20, 1808. Id., F^b. 20, 1809.
K. li. Walter w;is born in Oliio in 1813. After coming to Oregon in 1846
he married Naomi Williams, and settled in Linn County, where the town of
Brownsville now stands. Ho was for several years justice of the peace, and
for one term a member of tho legislature, and afterward trefisurer of the
county; a man esteenie<l for his intellectual and moral traits. He died April
11, 1807. /(/., April 27, 1807.
Ross Sherry was bora in Indiana, February 11, 1824. He married Rebecca
Deardorfl" in November 1851, and resided in Portland until his death in Jan-
uary 1807. /(/., Jan. 19, 1807.
Morgan Keyes was born Miiy 14, 1814, in Washington County, Penn.,
KFFKCT ON LE(JISLATI(/N.
.V2S>
He
liih
first
nd
;he
ril
:ca
.11-
his incasaixc! to tlic housi' of rcprest^ntativos in Do-
ct'inber, recujiiiint'iidetl tliu consideration of military
lieiiiK till! Becoiid hoii of a family of 1^ cliililrcii. In 1S3'2 Ik; romov.Ml to Illi-
uois. and thoiico to Iowa in IH'M, wliero in March 1841 ho niarritMl Mary Han-
ninj;, and fonr years later reached Oregon. He settled in the spring of liS4(»
tin the Santiani River, in Liini County, whore ho continued to reside for the
'JOyiNirs precodini} his demise on the 7th of March, 18(30. /<l., March 'M, 18G(i.
Kllslia (iriHith, the son of Williani N. and Sahra C mhut OritKth, was
born in Fayette Co., I'enn., March l.'i, 180H. He married Kliz-ilieth Findley,
in Clark Co., Indiana, in 1824. Tiiey lived some years in Indianaand Illinois
licfore removinj,' to Oregon; and after arriving in the Willamette Valley, lived
in Linn Co. Mr (Iritlith died at Brownsville, October 12, 1871. /(/., Nov. 10,
1871, and Aug. 13, 1874. Mrs Eliziiboth (Jrillith, his wife, born in Westmore-
land Co., I'onn., March II, 1805, died at her home, Juno 0, 1874.
Isaac Hinshaw was born in Highland Co., Ohio, December 15, 1813. He,
like others, moved from Ohio to Indiana, and from Indiana to Mo., ever
drifting westward until he arrived on the shores of the Pacific. His first
wife was Mary Cox, whom he married in 1838, and who died in 1843. He
married Miss Melissa Buell, Jan. 1, 1851. Becoming insane from con-
tinued ill health, he committed suicide by drowning, June 27, 1873. Id.,
July 17, 1873.
.lolin Lloyd came from Clay County, Missouri, and settled in Benton
County, near the present town of Monroe. His son W. W. Lloyd, who was
but four years old when he starteil for Oregon, and who grow up to i)e an es-
teemed citizen, died at the age of 3.3, in Benton County. /'/., March li), 1872.
John Wesley Baker was bom in F lirlield Couii y, Ohio, November 12,
1831. He came with his father's fa lily to Orego..; and in 1848 settled
on French Prairie, where ho married Mary Jane Brown in March 1800. He
removed to Pacific County, Washington, in 1872, and died on the 20th of
March 1874. A/., April 10, 1874.
Harris Speel, a native of Philadeli)hia, went from Oregon to California
in 1840, and served in Fremont's battalion. He was killed Tiy a fall at Santa
Cruz in June I8r)8, aged 52 years. S. F. liuUctin, June 10, 1858.
Mrs Tabitha Ridgeway, a native of Kentucky, accompanied her husband
to Oregon in 1845. She died at iSheridau, in Yamliill County, Nov. 4, 1877 — 6
years after the death of Mr Ridgeway — aged 55 years. Fortlaml Advocate,
Dec. 13, 1877. •
(ieorge Hannon was boni in Cork, Ireland, in 1820. At the ago of 23 he
removed to New York, and thence to Missouri, in which state he marr?ed
Liza Jane Eavens, Feb. 2, 1844, and the following year joined the caravan
to Oregon. He went first to Oregon City, where he remained some years,
finally settling in the Umpiiua Valley, where he died Feb. 23, 1877, leaving
his wife and 7 children at Garden Bottom in Douglas County. liosehuiy Plain-
dcakr, March 17, 1877.
David C. Ingalls, a native of Maine, was boni Oct. 31, 1808. In 1830 ho
removed to Columbus, Ohio, in which state he was married in 183'.(, moving
to Iowa in 1840, and to Oregon live years later. In the spring of 184!) ho
settled at Astoria. His daughter, Mary Columbia, was the first child of
white parentage born at that place. IngiJls was much esteemed and beloved
by the people of A.storia, among wliom ho lived until the 3lHt of Aug., 1880,
when he quietly passed away, according to an imi)res3ion entertained by him
for five years that he should die at that time. l>a'ili Attftrian, Sept. 12, 1880.
John T. Jeffries, born in Missouri, in 183i), emigiMtod to Oregon in 1845,
and settled in Yamhill County. When eastern ».)regon b"!gan to attract
attention he removed to the Dalles, where he practised Taw, but finding cattle
buying and selling more profitable, he engaged successfully in that business.
He died Feb. 24, 1807, at the Dalles, leaving two children, a son and a
daughter. Dalles Mountaineer, March 2, 1867.
Hist. Ob., Vol. L 84
1 ,|
VI
1
' '..1
rr
d3U
TUE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
atfairn, ourn^ncv, the sale of spirituous liquors, woi^lits
and nioasun^H, tho suat of <;;()Vornniont, and a now road
li M
ThonioH •Simpson Kcndnll, burn in Oliin, wtui uilucatol at JutferHon College
iin<l Cannontiburg Thuological Suniinivry, IVnuaylvania. His tirst congrega-
tion was in TennuHstio, from which Htato ho was tlriven on a<tcount oi' Lis
<lenunciatioii of Hlavery. Ho was an intluoiitial ininistor of tho ProHhytoriaii
ilonorninatiou in Oregon from 1K45 to the time of liis death, which oecurreil
l>uc. T), 1871, at the age of 02. His wife was the daughter of James VVilliaiiis
of Linn (Jouuty. Allmnij Jtei/iMrr, Doc. 10, 1870.
Francis 8. Holland was born in Liberty, Lidianii, Dec. '2\, bS'J.'J. He sot-
tied in Clac^kanias County in 1845, of which lie wa.s elork for ni:iny years.
In 1S()2 he removed to the H.illcH, where ho held tho otKco of recorder for tlio
rcncainder of his life, his deatli occurring in JSan Francisco, Feb. 10, 18()7-
He loft two children. IMIU-h Moitntnincer, March 2, 18t)7.
William Berry emigrated from Farmington, Illinois, Ho was one of the
men Icfi at Fort Dejjosit in the Cascade Mountains in tho winter of 1845, He
went to the Willamette Va.lcy in the spring of 184(5, but eveiitiudly settled
on tho Lewis and Clarke liivcr of Clatsop plains. In March 1875 he died alone
in his boat, in which bo was returning from Astoria, nX the age of 55 years,
h'aving a family. AxtorUin, March 27, 1875.
Mis Roiiocca Fanning, motlier of IjCS'y Fannini;, die<l at her residence near
Albany, in Feb. 1881. .She was believed to have been 100 years of age on the
1st of January previous. She was tho mother of 18 children, 15 of whom
lived to be men and women, and 13 of whom were living at the time of her
death. I'lirtUmd SUwIard, Feb. 18, 1881.
Samuel Simmons settled on Howell Prairie. His wife died November (>,
1879, aged 70 years. Their children were 5 sons, and one daughter who is
the wife of Wesley Shannon of Salem. Salem SUitvimian, Nov. 14, 1879.
Tiiomaa Hart settled in Polk County soon after arriving in Oregon. For
80 year.s ho resideil on his farm, amassing a considerable fortune. He was 1)5
years old at tho time of his death, in February 1874, and until 5 years before
had continued to labor upon Ir ; farm, doing tiio work of a man in his prime.
He served in the war of 1812, \ 'ng then 33 years of ago. Portland Urojoniaii,
Feb. 14, 1874.
Elisha Packwood, brother of William ami Samuel who arrived the pre-
vious year, was born in Patrick County, Virginia, in July 1810, and removed
with his father's family to Indiana anil Mi.ssouri, whence he migrated to Ore-
gon. He remained two years in the Willamette Valley, after wliich he went
to Puget Sound with his brother William, wlio determined to settle there, but
not liking the country, returned to the Willamette, and in March 1848, went
to California by sea with his family, arriving just before the gold discovery.
His first expedition from Yerba Bucna was to the Santa Clara Valley, where
a cousin, Parringtou Packwood, was living. He then went to the New Alma-
den quicksilver mine, but soon hearing of the gold found above Sutter's Fort,
Ktteil up a wagon, and with it moved his family to the gold-field. Ho spent
the summer of 1848 working with his Ui-year-old son Samuel Tait, at Mormon
Island, after which he went to Coloma and established a trading post, where
he remained until November 1849, when he returned to the States by way of
tlie Isthmus of Panama, by tho steamer Unicorn, Captain Pastor — a British
vessel with an American crew — arriving by way of New Orleans and the
Mississippi River at their former home. In the spring of 1850 Mr Packwood
returueii across the plains to California, with a large train, arriving in the
San Jos6 Valley in October. He brought out several hundred cattle, chietlj
cows, and went into the business of supplying fresh milch cows to milkmen,
feiking from them their old stock. In 1852 he brought out, by an agent,
another herd of cattle, and continued in this business of dealing in neat
stock until the great Hood of 1861-2, having acquireil property to the amount
of about 140,000; but the disasters of that memorable year deprived him of
ROAI>-MAKIN(i.
5:n
into till' Willamette Hettleiiients."" With regard to
the latter, no less than three ptititions were presented
to the legislature for authority to construct roads
across the Cascade Mountains, and a committee was
appointed to take' testimony in relation to the prac-
ticability otthe routes suggested; and also to ])reparc
a memorial to congress j)rayiiig tor an approi>riation
to construct a road over the Blue and (^ascade moun-
tains. The memorial when reiul in committet^ of
tht! whole was rejected. Among '■ applicants for
road chai"ters was Thomas McKay, .vho rtM-eived
authority to open and construct ? voll-road from
the Hottlement on Santiam Iiiv< r nou the f avii (»f
Albany, across the Cascade and Blue m -untains to
''• rt Boise,^" to be completed before 1.;.' 1st of Au-
gust, 184r, or in time for tiie nev! innnigration.
The road was not built, nor the pass discovered,'"
.ill hia profits. His laml was ruined by lunng covered with sand, ami l)i
Ktock was drowned, wliilc he narrowly escaped with his life. After this lie
returned to t)regon, and went to the mines tiien recently discovered in IJiiker
('(lunty. After several efl'orts to repair his fortunes, ho finally settled, with
his son, S. Tait I'aekwood, on the Snohomish flats, in the year 1808, at a
place now known as I'aekwood Landing. Elisha I'aekwood died May 27,
]87t), aged 0(5 years, having furnished a striking example of Ihc industrj',
courage, and patience of tlio early pioneers of the Nortliwest Coast, as well
as of their small rewards. Jlis son while living in California, married Matilda
Wardle. !iis eldest daughter, Chilitha, married Beii'iett, living at EUens-
Imrg, in tiie Kittetas Valley, Wasiiington. He had also a sou Joseph. His
hrotliers who camo to Oregon in 1845 were Larkin, John, Charles, and Rol)ert
Tait. A cousin, James I'aekwood, also belonged to this immigration. Mornei
Xoti'M on Hint. IKfw/j. Ter., i. fw-So.
Mrs Florentine Wilkes Cornelius, who accompanied her father, P. Wilke.s,
was horn in Indiana, and married Benjamin Cornelius. .Slio die<l June 20,
1S()4, aged 34 years. Salnn Stutcsfiiini, July 11, 1804. Benjamin Cornelius,
who settled near Hillshoro, on the Tualatin I'lains, was a successful farmer
a:id trader. He lost his life in the spring of 1882 in a quarrel with his son-
iudaw, who, he believed, had ill treated his daughter.
Mrs Laodicea McNary, of the Alexander McNary Company, who dis-
covered gold on the head waters of John Day River, in 1845, died near Kola,
ill Polk County, Feb. 26, 1875, aged 77 years. Salem Ileconl, Feb. 27,
1875.
ilohn Killin, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Clackamas Co., and died
October 23, 1807, aged 70 years. Portland A< I v., Nov. 2, 1807.
^yiMfkin's Off. Corr., MS., ii. OO-N.
•"This application does not confinn the supposition that British subjects
in Oregon desired to prevent immigration.
"'A writer in the Orfrpn Spectator alleges thai, Ai -Kay gave up his charter
without attempting anything; but that this was not so I can show by the
testimony of one of the exploring party, which left Salem July 3, rj40, and
consisted of Cornelius Gilliam, James Waters, Seyburu P. Thornton, and T.
rf ;.
532
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
although it is now known tliat such a pass exists.
The great breadth and confused upheaval of the
Cascade Range, together with the dense covering of
forest and tangled undergrowth on the western decliv-
ities, opposed almost insurmountable obstacles to
exploration. Even the Indian trails that once existed
when the natives were numerous had fallen into dis-
use, and were completely overgrown and lost. It is
therefore not surprising that McKay, famous for
wood-craft, met with failure on his first expedition in
search of a wagon route.
Stephen H. L. Meek also, still of the opinion that
a pass would be found at the sources of the Willamette
by which a road could bo opened direct from the head
of the valley to Fort Boise, petitioned for a charter;
but the prejudice created by his leadership a few weeks
previous defeated his endeavor to set himself right in
the estimation of the public.^*
A third applicant for a road charter was S. K. Bar-
low, who was personally interested in the completiou
of the road to Fort Deposit, where his wagons and
baggage still remained with those of his company.
He was permitted to address the house in behalf of
the Mount Hood route, and received authority to con-
struct a toll-road, which was so far completed in July
that the wagons were brought through, and a few
weeks afterward large numbers passed over it.^^
After further improvement the road was still so
steep that in descending some of the hills on the
western declivities the oxen could only be prevented
from dashing themselves against some way-side tree
C. Shaw, Americans; and Thonic-is McKay, Joseph Gervaia, J. B. Oardipie,
Georgo Montoure, Zavier Gcrvais, Antonio Delorc, and McDonald, British
subjects. They explored up to tlio Sautiam, but failed to find where a road
could be made. T. C. Shaw, in Sakm Alercury, June 4, 187a.
'*An attempt was made in the spring (f 1S46 to lind thij pass, whicli
failed. The company consisted of J. M. Garrison, J. B. McClaiio, limnias
Holt, James P. Martin, J. W. Boylo, A. R. C. Shaw, and Mosuj Harris. Or.
Spcctatw, March 19, 184G.
"■' Samuel K. Barlow continued to be an active and public-spirited citi^'Mi
of Oregon up to the time of his death, in July 18G7. He residt-a at Cauemali,
above tho falls o£ the Willamette. Portland Oregonian, July 20, 18G7.
THE Making of laws.
ess
till so
a the
nted
tree
by chaining to the rear of the wagon a heavy tree-top
to hold back its weight.^
The memorial to congress concerning the important
matter of a good and safe road into Oregon was not
the only one rejected by the legislature in December,
(jrray made a motion to appoint a connnittee to draft
a memorial to the people of the United States, giving
a brief account of its soil, climate, productions, and
social condition, with the difficulties and facilities of
travel and settlement, and was made chairman of that
committee, and in due time presented his letter to
the people of the United States. It contained sonie
unfortunate passages, and was condemned by the
house to the seclusion of the archives.^' Mr Apple-
gate resigned after having accomplished his purpose
in the legislature.**
Gray mentions that at the August session Apple-
gate adopted the suggestion of Governor Abernethy,
that an act should be passed to prevent litigation on
account of debt, but that the bill failed, and apologizes
for the iijnorance of the lefjislature and uovernor in
the business of law-making; but Ap})lcgate writes
that he still believes laws for the collection of debts,
where no fraud is alleged, are injurious, and at a
future day will be jbolished in all civilized conmmni-
ties; but that there were special reasons why they
should not be enforced by provisional government,
which might never l)e acknowledged — a side of the
subject which had escaped recognition.
At the December session Gray introduced a bill on
currency, which after several amendments was passed.
It was suitable to the time and country, he alleges,
and was made necessary by the disposition of the
citiz'^u
uetuah,
■■"■' Victor, in Oivrlaiid Monthbi, W. 202.
■" In this memorial it is saitl that wliile in certain parts of Oregon the soil
■wouM pri (luce 54 bushels of wiieat to th(! acre, other parts iu the interior
Wf.uld 'pnduce scarcely anything of the vegetable kind. <h\ Arr/ihyx, MS.,
44. Spalding, on tlie contrary, in lii.s report to White, had given a very favor-
iil>le, and as it ia now known to be an intelligent, account of iho prouuctive-
jiess of the soil in the interior.
"^ Applegato's marginal notes on Oray's Hint. Or., 438.
'"■"^""■"-"
r)34
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
Hudson's Bay Company to force payment in an op-
pressive manner. But as this was the first law passed
for the collection of debts, and the company were
neretofore wholly without the power to enforce pay-
ment, being entirely outside tlie pale of colonial war,
Gray's explanation of his motives in presenting such
a bill lacks consistency.^'' The law on currency, after
declaring that in addition to gold and silver treasury
drafts, approved orders on solvent merchants, and
good merchantable wheat at the market price, deliv-
ered at some customary depot for wheat, should be
lawful tender for the payment of taxes, judgments
rendered in the courts, and for all debts contracted in
the territory, where no special contract had been
made to the contrary — provided that no property
should be sold on execution for less than two thirds of
its value after deducting all encumbrances ; and that
the value of the property should be fixed by two dis-
creet householders, who should be sworn by the officer
making the levy, and they should make a written
statement of the value, which the officer should ap-
pend to his return. Should the property remain
unsold on the return day of the writ, the officer hav-
ing so indorsed it, the writ and indorsement should
constitute a lien on the property ; the defendant hav-
ing the right to remain in possession of the unsold
property by executing a bond with sureties, in double
its value, to deliver the property at the time and
place appointed by said officer.*"
An act supplementarj^ to the currency law was
passed, requiring all those who paid taxes in wheat to
deliver it at stated places in their districts ; at Fort
(jleorge in Clatsop County; at Cowlitz Farm or Fort
Vancouver in Vancouver County ; at the company's
'•The act provides: 'The personal estate of every individual, company,
body pcditic or corporate, including his, her, or their goods or chattels, also
town lots, city property, or improvements claimed and owned in virtue of
occupancy secured and allowed by the treaty between (Jreat Britain and the
United States, shall be subject to execution, to be taken and sold according
to the provisions of this act.' Or. Spectator, Feb. 5, 1846.
**>Or. Lawn, IHp-'J.
THE PRINTING ASSOCIATION.
535
warehouse at Linntoii ; at the store of F. W. Petty-
grove in Portland, Tualatin County ; at the mills
'either of McLoughlin or the Island Milling Company
hi Clackamas County ; at the warehouses of the Mill-
ing Coni[)any or the Hudson's Bay Company in Cham-
poeg County; and at some place to be designated by
the collector in Yamhill County. These places were
to be considered depots for receiving the public rev-
enue, and the persons in charge should give a receipt
stating the amount which should be placed to the
credit of the treasurer of the county or territory."
Soon after the organization of the house, on Gray's
motion it was resolved that the supreme judge be
called upon to inform them whether he had examined
the laws, which he, Burnett, had helped to make, and
how many of them were incompatible with the organic
articles of compact adopted by the people in July pre-
vious—a piece of irony which might well have been
•spared the chief justice, whose reply was referred to
the judiciary committee.*'^ For the first time there
was a pros]>ect of having the laws printed when re-
vised, a company having been formed which owned a
printing-press and material at Oregon City, to which
a])plication was made for proposals to print the laws.
This company was known as the Oregon Printing
Association, one of the articles of whose constitution
declared that the press owned by the association
should never be used by any party for the purpose of
propagating sectarian principles or doctrines, nor for
the discussion of exclusive party politics.
If it is proper to judge by appearances, the reason
of the introduction of this article was th.it there were
men in the associatitdi who wished to curtail the
Methodist influence, the Mission being largely repre-
"Or. Lawn, lS4,S-!>, 27. These (luaint laws concerning curroncy and
revenue are still the prido of the pionu' -a of Oregon, who coi'teml that gold
was of no advantage to the country when <U8Covered, but that they progressed
more safely with wheat a-s a legal tender.
" Orowr'n Or. Arclnwn, 140^1.
ilHiH
f
536
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
sented in the company.*^ How tney succeeded will
appear hereafter.
The recommendation of Governor Abernethy, that
proposals should be received for locating the seat of
government, created little interest and small competi-
tion. The only propositions received were from Robert
Moore, whose claim of Robin's Nest, opposite Oregon
City, was by legislative enactment named Linn City ;
and Hugh Burns, who occupied an adjoining claim.
Neither of these proposals meeting with entire appro-
bation, and a petition, signed by sixty persons of
Cliampoeg County, being received, praying that action
on the seat of government question might be deferred,"
it was practically postponed by the passage of an act
ordering that the future sessions of tlie house of rep-
resentatives be held at Oregon City until otherwise
directed by law. By the same act the governor was
authorized to give notice by publication in the news-
papers t)r otherwise, that he would receive sealed pro-
posals from all who desired to make donations to the
government for the purpose of aiding in the erection
of public buildings and locating the capital ; which
proposals should be submitted to the next legislature.
Two other topics of general interest to the people
which received attention were tlie liquor law and the
districting of tlve territory. Burnett's liquor law of
1844 was found to be insufficient to prevent the use
of intoxicating drinks since the advent of the British
sloop of war Modeste, whose officers ami crew, being
independent of colonial laws, not only did not see lit
*' Gray aaya the originators of the printing association were the same that
started the Multnomali circulating library, the Wolf association, and provis-
ional government. Tlie pioneers of 1843 founded the library, and (rray claims
to have originated the Wolf association, while Jason Lee was tlie first projector
of the provisional government. The truth is, that Abernethy was largely
interested in tlio printing aysociation, and that in spite of tlie protest con-
tained in the 8th article, the press was controlled by missionary influence.
The first olTieers of the company were W. G. T'Vault, president; J. W.
Neamitli, vice-president; Joliii P. Brooks, secretary; George Abernethy,
treasurer; John H. Couch, John E. Long, and Robert Newell, directors.
** This was the licgiiining of the long tight made by the people of Salem t«
secure the capital.
liilFi
SPIRITUOUS UQUORS.
537
to forego this indulgence, but in their efforts at social
intercourse among the colonists, introduced it with
a freedom offensive to tlie temperance sentiment so
sedulously cultivated in Oregon, thereby bringing
reproach upon the officers of the fur company who
supplied them with liquors, and furnishing their
adversaries a justifiable cause of complaint, where they
were already oidy too eager to discover evidences of
moral turpitude/^
The alterations in the liquor law in December made
it an offence to give away ardent spirits, as well as to
sell or barter; the fine being fifty dollars for each
violation of the law. It made it the duty of every
person, officer or private citizen, who knew of the
distillation of any kind of spirituous liquors, to seize
the distilling apparatus and deliver to the nearest
county judge or justice of the peace, who should
issue a warrant causing the premises of the distiller
to be searched, and all liquors, or implements for
manufacturing them, discovered should be seized and
delivered to that officer, who should arrest the offender
and proceed against him according to law; tlie punish-
ment being forfeiture of the property, and a fine of
one hundred dollars, one half of which was to go to
the informant and witnesses, and the other half to
the officers engaged in arresting and trying the crim-
inal. No more than half a pint of liquor was per-
mitted to be sold by jtractising physicians for medical
'•'With regard to tliis matter Miiito says: The ofHcera of the Modexte.
made frequent excursions into the WiUamette Valley, and did not always
choose the most discreet means of cultivating feelings in favor of Britisii sub-
jects. The scenes enacted at the residences they visited indicated that they
'lid not regard the laws of tlie colony: and even their temporary association
with an American was a cause of suspicion. Earhi /><n/x, MS., .SO. Roherts
admits that the company furnished rum for the Mot/r.-itc'n crew, and that
hranily was placed upon the talile while her officers were at Vancouver, in
addition to the iisual wine; not liecauste temperance was not the rule at Van-
couver, but heciiusc Douglas could not refuse to furnish to tlie oliieers and
men sent there to protect the company any supplies they might require.
lirrollectionif, MS., 53. But the colonists were not disposed to make allowances
for the position in which the company was placed. As an evidence of the
eftorts made hy the Hudson's Bay Company to do away with the use of
spirituous liquors, not only in Oregon hut east of the Rocky ^louutaina, see
fitz'/i'ntld'/i l''nir. /.y/., '211 1.3.
S88
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
purposes. Such was the rigor resorted to in the
effort to promote temperance, and prevent British
subjects from defying colonial law.
But at the following session there was a reaction,
the legislature taking advantage of its power under
the organic law to regulate the manufacture and sale
of wine and distilled spirituous liquors, tv) pass an
act which allowed the manufacture and sale of them
under certain restrictions. This act, like the previous
one, was chiefly inspired by opposition to the fur
company ; it being held by the majority that so long
as the company kept liquors in store at Vancouver to
sell or to give away, Americans should not be de-
prived of tlie profits of the traffic.*'' Every British
subject in the house voted against the new law, and
Governor Abernethy vetoed it in an admirable mes-
sage, recommending the repeal of the clauses making
it an offence to give away a glass of liquor, and of
that also which allowed the fines to be divided be-
tween the informant and the officers of the law, by
which they became interested in the conviction of the
person charged; and advising only the alteration of
Burnett's law of 1844, to make it agree with the
organic law, if it was in any way adverse to it. But
the legislature passed their act over the governor's
veto, and prohibition, "which up to 184G was the law
and the rule in colonial Oregon, has never been re-
stored.
Two new counties were created and organized: one
called Lewis county on the north side of the Colum-
bia, comprising all of Oregon Teritory nor-th of that
river, and west of tlie Cowlitz River, up to the
latitude of 54° 40'; another called Polk County,
south of Yamhill, comprising all the territory between
the Willamette River and the Pacific Ocean, and
extending from the southern boundary of Yamhill
County, which line extended due west of George
Gay's house, to the northern boundary of California.
*• Tolnue'^ Piujet So-nd, MS., 22-3.
COUNTY BOUNDARIES.
539
Neither of these new counties was allowed a sherift'
of its own; but the sheriff of Vancouver was com-
pelled to do duty for Lewis, and the sheriff' of Yam-
hill to serve Polk, Judges were not appointed, but it
was left for the people to choose them at the annual
election of 1846.*^ The boundaries of the five counties
previously created were definitely fixed as follows:
Clatsop embraced the territory bounded by a line
drawn from the middle of the main channel of the
Columbia River at Oak Point Mountain, thence south
to the line dividing Tualatin from Yamhill, thence
west tt) the Pacific Ocean, thence north to the mouth
of the Columbia, and east along the middle of the
main channel, to the place of beginning.
The soutliern line of Tualatin and northern line of
Yamhill commenced one mile north of Butteville,
the Butte, as it was then called, and extended due
west to the Pacific Ocean.*^ Tualatin County em-
braced all the territory lying north of this line, south
of the Columbia, east of Clatsop, and west of the
Willamette River ; and Yamhill all that bounded by
Tualatin on the north, the Willamette River on the
east, Polk County on the south, and the ocean on
the west. Clackamas County was divided from
Champoeg by a line running due east from a point in
the Willamette River one mile below Butteville, being
an extension of the north line of Yamhill. Both of
these counties stretched east to the Rocky Mountains,
and Cl:ampoeg covered all the territory south to the
California boundary, in order that everywhere in ( )re-
gon the benefits of the provisional government might
be enjoyed.
One other matter connected with the welfare of
society was settled by authorizing every ordained
*' Orover's Or. Arcliive.% 152.
♦^This line was detinitely fixed by the legislature of 1846, beginning oppo-
site the mouth of Pudding River, running north-west to the summit of the
dividing ritlges, between the Chehalim and Tualatin ami the Yamhill and
Tualatin. The county seat was also fixed at or near the falls of Yamliill River
where the town of Lafayette was laid off in that year.
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
minister of good standing, of any denomination, the
supreme and district judges, and justices of the peace,
to solemnize marriages.
As to the means of carrying on the government, a
revenue was to be raised by levying an ad valoreno
tax of one fourth of one per cent for territorial pur-
poses ; the county taxes to be regulated by the county
courts, not to exceed the territorial tax ; the levy to
be made upon town lots and improvements, mills, car-
riages, clocks and watches, horses and nmles, cattle,
sheep, and hogs ; upon every qualified voter under the
age of 60 years, a poll-tax of 50 cents; upon every
merchant's license where the capital employed was
under $10,000, $20; over $10,000, $30; over $15,000,
$45 ; over $20,000, $60 ; upon each auctioneer's license,
$10; upon each pedler's license, $10; upon each ferry
license, not less than $5 nor more than $25.
There should be paid into the county treasuries, as
the costs of the courts, a tax of one dollar upon each
petition of a public nature to be paid by the peti-
tioners; for hearing and determining each motion of
counsel, one dollar; for each final judgment, three
dollars ; for allowing an appeal, one dollar ; and the fee
allowed masters in chancery, where like services were
performed by the court.
Thus, while farming lands and farm products were
not taxed, the people were, notwithstanding their
former })rotests, assessed on every other species of
property and on their business capital, which taxes
the farmers paid principally in wheat. The legisla-
ture of 1845, in framing laws, had not, after all,
greatly improved upon the conmiittee of 1844, being
compelled to conform to the usages of other govern-
ments in even a greater degree, as the wants of the
community increased.
Although the laws were still imperfect even for
present uses, they covered, by enactment and adop-
d embraced by tl
grc
legis-
PEACEABLE INTENTIONS.
541
lation "of the territories established by the authority
of the United States.
On the 19th of December the house adjourned. Its
last act was to pass a resolution, '* that one of the })rinci-
pal objects contemplated in tlie formation of the govern-
ment was tlie promotion of peace and happiness among
ourselves, and the friendly relations which have, and
ever ought to exist between the people of the United
States and Great Britain ; and any measure of this
house calculated to defeat tJie same is in direct viola-
tion of the true intention for which it was formed."
II
CHAPTER XX.
OPENING OP THE SOUTHERN OREGON ROUTE— IMMIGRATION
OF 1846.
RoAD-MAKINn AS A WaR MEASURE — A PasS REQUIRED — A COMPANY Or-
OANIZED— They Proceed to RociUE River — Whence They Continue
Eastward and Cros- iHE Cascade Ranoe into the Humkoldt V'al-
i-KY— They Proceed to Port Hall— Hastings and his Cut-ofi- — Immi-
gration of 184C— Aitleoate's Cut-off— J. Q. Thornton, his Book
AND HIS V'iNDICTIVENESS — SuFFERINfiS OF THE EMKiRANTS IIY THE NeW
Route — Comments of the Settlers on the Southern Route — Bio-
ORAPUICAL Notices.
The disasters attending the immigrations of 1843,
1844, and 1845 stimulated exploration, as we have
seen. The United States government was not indif-
ferent to the need of a better route to Oregon, as
the attempts for the third time of one of its offi(;ers
attest, even if he was always floating away toward
California. There were other reasons, besides the
sufferings of the immigrants, whicli influenced both
the government and the colonists to desire a route
into the Willamette Valley which led away from the
chain of the fur company's posts. As the British
officers Park and Peel had been anxious to know
whether troops could be brought from Canada over-
land to Fort Vancouver, so thoughtful men among
the colonists were desirous to make sure, in tlie event
of their being needed, that troops from the United
States could be brought without interruption into
(Jregon,^ knowing that in case of war nothing would
be easier than for a small force of the enemy to pre-
' ' One of the road-hunters,' in Or. Spectator, April 15, 1847; Lindsey Ap-
plegate, ia Portland West S/iore, June 1817; TuthilVs Hkt. Cat., 162.
'542^
THE BARLOW ROAD.
rxi:s
voiit the passage of the Columbia from the Dalles to
and beyond the Cascades.
It was still doubtful whether the road that Harlow
had undertaken to open would prove practicable; in
any case it must be ditticult, from the nature of the
mountains near the Columbia. The passes looked for
at the head waters of the Santiam and VV^illamette
rivers had not yet been found, and there was the
prospect that if war should be declared neitlier inuiii-
grants nor troops could force their way to the settle-
ments.
Routes and '_'ut-okks.
In order to settle the question of a pass to the
south through the Cascade Mountains, the colonists
oft'ered to raise money for the purpose of paying the
expense of an expedition, and the cost of opening a
road in that direction, and early in May 184() a
company was formed in Polk County to undertake
this enterprise; but being insufficient in numb' •«^,
after travelling seventy miles south of the Calapooya
■ \-
A44
THE IMMIUUATION OF 1840.
KMn<:fo, whicli foriiiH the southern boundary of the
Williiin('tt(! Vallev, and hciii}^ deserted hy four of
tlieh" iiuiul)er on thi^ hordei* of the hostile Indian
country, wliicli h^ft them not nun enougli to stand
t^uurd, tliey returiieil for reunforcenients.
The lieadof tlu! first fonipany had l)een Levi Scott,
a native of lUinois, vvh<» came to Oregon in IS 44 from
lUiar Burhn;jfton, Iowa, a man of character and deter-
mination. Ife appealed to the patriotism of the
Polk County settlers, and secured the cooperation of
Jesse and Lindsiiy A})ple<^ate, who had privat(>ly pro-
moted the exi)edition from tiie first, hut who now left
their homes and families with the fixed resolve never
to retrace their stei)8, never to abandon the enterprise,
until a good wagon-road should be found, if such
existed, as they did not doubt, from what they knew
of Fremont's expeditions, and tiie accounts given by
the lost emigrants of 1845, of the level appearance of
the country to the south of their route in the lake-
basin." The company as finally organized consisted
of fifteen men, well supplied for a protracted expedi-
tion, who set out from La Creole settlement June
22d.'
» Nathaniel Ford, in Or. Spectator, July 9, 1846.
*They were Levi Scott, Jesse Applegate, Lindsey Applegatc, John Scott,
Moses Harris, Henry Bogus, John Owens, John Jones, Robert Smith,
Samuel Goodhue, Bennett Osborne, William Sportsman, William Parker,
Benjamin Burch, and David (!oflF, From notes and reminiscences by Lindsey
Applegatc, in Portland Went Shore from June to September 1877, the follow-
ing biographical facts are taken:
John Scott accompanied his father, Capt. Scott, to Oregon in 184.3. He
resided at Dal s in Polk County.
Benjamin j Burch emigrated from Missouri, his native state, in 1845.
He has long o 'pied positions of trust in Oregon, and resides at Salem.
David Gofl is an immigrant of 1844. He settled in tlie neidiborhood of
the Fords, and le of his daughters was tiie wife of J. W. Nesmith. Ho
belonged to th class of pioneers whose patriotism extended beyond a
desire to secure grant of land. He died in Polk County in 1875, aged 80
years.
William G. P; ker was a native of Missouri, and an immigrant of 1843.
Ho left Oregon r California, where he resided many years; but returned
Onally to Lake County, Oregon, and long resided in the country he assisted
to explore in 184C. He wiis a brother of Mrs Jesse Applegatc.
Robert Smith was born in Virginia, and came to Oregon in 1843. He
married a daughter of Charles Applegatc, and was brother-in-law of S. F.
Chadwick.
Samuel Goodhue waa a native of New York, and an immigrant of 1844. Ho
THE Al'rLE(;ATE EAI'EWTION.
545
The explorinf^ coiupanv proceeded south by the
California trail. On arriviii<': at tlic canon of tlic
a,
80
tcil
Ho
F.
canon
Unipqua Kiver, wliere trappers and travellers had
formerly taken to those high, wooded ridges, where
drought, chaparral, and savages had so vexed the soul
of 1*. L. Edwards, and tried the finnness of Ewing
Young in 1837, finding that no wagon-road could be
made over them, they returned to explore the canon,
which they found to be a practicable pass, though
rocky and filled with a thick growth of scrul)by trees
and undi'rbrush requiring nmch labor to cut awoy.
The greatest vigilance being used in guarding against
natives in the Rogue River Valley, the company en-
countered no hostilities, although they discovered the
evidences of trouble to a California party of about
eighty persons who had left the rendezvous on Ija
Creole two weeks before. This party had been detained
in camp in the Rogue River Valley by the loss of
some of their horses, which they had endeavored in
vain to recover.* Signal-fires were seen burniny; on
the mountains nightly, but finding the road-hunters
watchful, the natives finally left the explorers, and
followed the California company to ambush them in
the Siskiyou Mountains.
On arriving in the Rogue River Valley the course
followed was along the river to a l)ranch coming from
the south-east, which led them to the foot of the
Siskiyou Range, where the California trail crossed it,
from which they turned eastward toward the Cascade
married a daughter of Albert T. iJavidson of the immigration of 1845, aud
reside*! for s'^veral years at Salem, hut tiually removed to Oliio.
William Sportsman came from Missouri in 1845, and left Oregon in 1847.
John Owens was a native of Missouri, and an immigrant of 1843.
Moses Harris, the ' Black Sr[uire,' a famous scout and trapper, came to the
Willamette Valley in 1844. He Wiis well versed in the Slioshonu dialect, and
was in this and other ways of nmch service to tlio expedition. Harris returned
to the States in 1847, and died at Independence, Mo.
*Applegato says the party con3i8te(l of Canadians, halfdireeds, and Colum-
bia River natives, with a few Americans. These natives were probably some
of the Walla Wallas, who were going down to claim the inclemnity which
White had promised them for the losses sustained in their cattle expedition of
1844, and who arrived just in time to Join Fremont's battalion against the
Califomians.
Hist. Or., Vol. I. 85
1 j
I
M6
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1846.
Mountains through a region hitherto unexplored, and
from a point now ascertained to be only six miles
north of the 42d parallel, or southern boundary of
Oregon. A few miles brought them to slopes of grad-
ual ascent, where wagons could pass without great
difficulty, to a fine stream of water, Keene Creek,
which they followed to a small valley, later known
as Round Prairie. On the following day, however,
they found themselves confronted by a rooky ridge,
which it was impossible for wagons to pass, and
three days were consumed in searching for a route
over or through it. On the third day, Long Prairie
was discovered, and near it the desired pass, from
which they followed a ridge trending northward to
the summit of the Cascade Range, which they reached
on the 4th of July ; coming soon after to the Klamath
River, and travelling through a magnificent forest of
3^ellow pine for six miles farther, where they had a
first view of the Klamath Valley.
" It was an exciting moment," says Lindsey Apple-
gate, "after the many days spent in dense forests and
among the mountains, and the whole party broke forth
in cheer after cheer. An Indian, who had not been
observed until the shouting began, started away from
the river-bank near us, and ran to the hills, a quarter
of a mile distant. An antelope could scarcely have
outstripped him, for we continued shouting as he ran,
and his speed seemed to increase until he was lost
from our view, moving among the pines."
Following up the river about six miles to where it
leaves the lower Klamatli Lake, a ford was discovered,
which, though the water was deep, was passed in
safety, and the west shore of the lake followed down
for two miles. By this time columns of smoke were
seen rising in all directions, the natives who had dis-
covered the party telegraphing to others the presence
of strangers. Keeping down the shore of the lake,
they encamped on Hot Creek, at the identical spot
where Frt^mont's party had been a couple of months
THROUGH THE MODOC COUNIKY.
047
were
dis-
iBsence
lake,
I spot
onths
previous, and where the Hot Creek Modocs murdered
his three faithful Delawares.
The explorers were made aware of the fact that
white men had been there, by fragments of news-
l)apers lying about; doubtless tliose that Gillespie
brought from the States with him, on his mission to
Fremont, who turned back just before the real path-
finders struck his trail. Observing that the turf had
been removed as well as the willows, and the ground
trampled on the bank of the crock, and remarking
also that there were many places where horses could
get to the water without this trouble, the company
were convinced that some persons liad been buried
there, and this method adopted of 'Concealing their
bodies from the savages, the marks of digging being
obliterated by driving the animals of the party many
times over the spot. This opinion was confirmed by
the excitement evident among the Modocs, who nat-
urally judged that thesstj white men had come to
avenge the murder of the three members of Frd-
monts party whom they were conscious of having
killed,^ and which were the first of a long list of
murders committed by this tribe, extending from 1846
tn 1873.
With ev^ery precaution not to expose themselves to
attack, they pursued their way along the shore, and
l)assing around the southern end of the lower Kla-
malii Lake, arrived on the evening of the 5th op[)o-
aiie the camp on Hot Creek, with the lake to tiie
west, and a high rocky ridge to the east of them.
Tliis ridge they ascended next morning, and discov-
ered mt its eastern base the since famous Tule or
Modoc Lake, and apparently about thirty miles to the
east of that a. timbered butte, near which appeared to
be a pass through the rocky range encircling the basin
of the lakes. The route seemed to lie around the
north enc' of Tule Lake. In attempting to descend
the ridge, however, they found themselves entangled
"Martinn Nour., MS., 19-21; Shasta Courier, July 7, 1876.
648
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1846.
among short lava ridges, and yawning crevices and
caves in the rocks, which compelled a retreat to
smoother ground. Some difficulty was experienced
in conducting a retreat, .is the party had become sep-
arated and hidden from each other by the numerous
jutting rocks.
When all, with the exception of Scott, were reas-
sembled, a northern course was taken toward the
meadow country which was oljserved from the bluff,
surrounding Modoc Lake on that side. The lake
being in fuU view, great numbers of canoes were seen
puttmg off from the shelter of the blrfT ij^d tules,
and making for what seemed to be an islari several
miles distant; this was in reality a rocky promontory,
now known as Scorpion Point, projecting into the
lake from the south-east side. The wild men were
apparently alarmed at seeing Scott riding along the
margin of the lake, and believing that the whole com-
pany that they had seen in the lava-beds were close
at hand, were fleeing from a single horseman. Still
under the impression that the explorers were vengeful
foeman, they remained out of thoir reach, and gave
them no trouble.
On coming to Lost River where it enters Modoc
Lake, and where the water is deep, a native was dis-
covered crouching under the shelter of the bank, who
on being made to understand by signs that the party
wished to cross, was induced to point out an excellent
fording-place, where a ledge of stone runs quite across
the stream." He was compensated by some trifling
presents ; his new friends shook hands with him at
parting, and he returned, apparently pleased, to join
his tribe, while they kept on eastward, finding a good
spring of water at ihe foot of a ridge to the north,
where they encamped.
Still making for their former landmrrk, they passed
* A ffrodual rise in the waters of Modoc Lake haa overflowed the moadowa
whore the exploring j/arty grazed their horses, and backed up the water in
Lost River, so named from sinking in the ground in places, until the ford, or
Stone Bridge aa it waa called by the early iuimigrouts, has become impassable.
GRANITE MOUNTAINS.
649
eastward over the rocky juniper ridge, between Lan-
gell Valley and Clear Lake, then to Goose Lake, round
the southern end of which they continued, encamping
the 8th on a small stream coming in from the south-
east, and where game was found in abundance.
Ascending a spur of the mountains bordering Goose
Lake Valley, a view was obtained of another beautiful
valley, with trees and streams, beyond which was a
mountain ridge supposed to be a part of the California
•sierras. This was Surprise Valley, into which a good
pass was found, with grass and water plenty, 'n the
gap.
The party had now come to the dividing ridge
lietween the waters of the lake-basin of the Pacific
coast and that other great basin which contains the
Humboldt River and the great inland sea of Salt
Lake. Their horses had worn out their shoes oh the
rocks of Klamath land; the sandy desert that lay
before them beyond the bc^rders of Surprise Valley
seemed to stretch interminably, with no indication of
water or grass as far as the eye could see, and unbroken
except by rocky ridges; and the prospect for the
future looked gloomy. But pressing on to the close
of the day over sand, gravel, and rock, at evening a
little spring was most unexpectedly found. Proceed-
ing in an eastward course over a sage plain, by the
middle of the afternoon of the 10th the weary trav-
ellers found themselves confronted by a sheer wall of
solid granite, varying in height from twenty or thirty
to several hundred feet, and entirely impassable. Sep-
arating into two divisions, the country was explored
to the north and south, whore was found a gap vary-
ing from two hundred feet to the width of little moi,'e
than a single wagon. It was about twenty miles in
length. A stream ran tli rough it in places under
overhanging cliifs. After examining this strange
' Tho Binall stream spoken of as coining into f rooae Lake, aiul the pass into
Su ^irise Valley, have taken the uanie of Lassen, from I'etur Liissen, who two
years after the discovery by the Oregon company, led a party of California
uiunigrauta through it ou to tho waters of the Fit and Sacrauieuto rivont.
nso
THE IMMIGRATION OF ;846.
defile for some distance, it was determined to follow it
on tlie 1 Itli ; and on arriving at the eastern end, it was
found to terminate in a lake-basin containing little
water but much mud, to which the name of Mud
"Springs was given. On the farther side of the basin
was another ridge extending parallel to the Granite
Mountains, which appeared to terminate about fifteen
miles to the south of the gorge. Travelling toward
the end of this ridge along its base, grass and water
were found, but not in abundance ; and at the extrem-
ity, hot springs, with immense piles of volcanic rock
and scoriae of a daik color, from which the place re-
ceived the name of Black Rock. At this point the
company divided, half going east and the rest south.
Finding nothing encouraging in the outlook east-
ward from the Rabbit-hole Mountains, this party also
turned southward along their base, and at the termi-
nation found a large spring, but too strongly alkaline
to be used except in making coffee. From this spring
looking east, nothing could be seen but a vast plain
glittering with an alkaline efflorescence, which greatly
aggravated the heat of a July sun. In travelling over
it the party suffered not only from heat and thirst,
but from those atmospheric illusions so tormenting to
those who traverse deserts. All that day and night,
and until four o'clock in the afternoon of the following
day, they were without water, and one of tlie men had
succumbed, and was left lying in the shadow of some
rocks, while his companions in suffering directed their
course toward a small green spot several miles distant.
While on this errand they fell in with the southern
division, which had also been without water about as
long, and was travelling toward the bit of green in
tlie distance. That night all encamped togethe ^ again,
tlie sick man having been brouglit to camp. But so
warm, alkaline, and disagreeable was the little water
found, that few of the company could retain it. The
horses drank it eagerly, and this small relief, with a
night of rest, sufficed to raise the sinking courage of
HUMBOLDT RIVER.
Sfil
these determined men. On the morning of the 18th
they proceeded southward over a level plain, passing
burning peat-beds, and coming at noon to the Hum-
boldt Kiver, near the present site of Humboldt City.
Although rejoiced to reach this river, which had
been from the first an objective point, the explorers
found the route from here too southerly for their pur-
pose, and began a course up the valley in a north-
easterly direction, looking for a pass more directly
westward from a point east of Black Rock. The
march continued for two and a half days, until they
came to a dry branch of the Humboldt coming in fi'om
the north, where there was an extensive meadow,
and where they encamped with the Intention of ex-
ploring back toward what seemed to be a gap through
the ridge round which they had travelled to the
south.
At a distance of fifteen miles up the dry creek they
came to a fine spring; and fifteen miles west, up a
gradual rise, to a table-land covered with good grass,
from which Black Rock was plainly visible. Satis-
fied that they had now discovered a direct route from
the Humboldt westward to Black Point, with grass
and water, and making assurance doubly sure by re-
discovering Rabbit-hole Springs, after remaining in the
Humboldt Meadow to recruit their horses three days,
they turned their faces once more toward the east,
knowing that the source of the Humboldt was in
the vicinity of their destined point, and that tliere
could be no lack of water or grass for the remainder
of the way.
On the 25th of July the march was resumed. The
intention of the explorers was to locate their rt)ad
directly to Bear River, fifty or sixty miles south of
Fort Hall, where, in case of hostilities with England,
the American traveller would not wish to go. But
provisions running short, only two thirds of the com-
pany proceeded to Bear River, while Jesse Apple-
gate, Harris, GofF. Owens, and Bogus turned oif from
552
THE IMmGRATION OF 1846.
Thousand Springs Valley to Fort Hall for supplies,'
and, if possible, to induce a portion of the immigra-
tion, which would probably be in that vicinity, to travel
the new route and open the road. Before arriving
at Fort Hall, Henry Bogus, learning that a son of
Mr Grant of the fort had started for St Louis, and
wishing to return there, left the party, and took a
cut-off, in the hope of overtaking the St Louis Com-
pany, but was never again heard from.^
The immigration of 1846 was not so large as that
of the previous year, and many were destined to Cali-
fornia, whither efforts were made to direct the waver-
ing/" From th Lest evidence I can gather, about
twenty-five hundred persons left the Missouri frontier
this year for the Pacific coast. Of these, from fifteen
* Bryant'a What I who in California, 196-7.
• Liiiilsey Applegate of the Bear River party, who kept a journal, relates
that in travelling slowly up the inonotonons Humlwldt Valley, where game
was scarce, and the natives seemed to live on crickets and grasshoppers, Scott
and he turned asiile one day to pursue a band of antelope, and came to wagon-
tracks leading away from the river toward a rocky gulch two or three miles
distant. There seemed to have been several wagons, and the i)rints of bare
feet were numerous beside the track. In the gulch were found the ashes
and '.rons of tlie wagons which liad been burned. No human remains were
seen. The emigrants had probably been murdered. Thoy were one of the
small parties which from 1S43 to 1846 sought +■■ enter California by the Hum-
boldt route.
'• I find that this efibrt was understood and resisted by the people of Oregon.
The 15th of Juno a public meeting was held at Oregon City, to provide for
sending an express to Soda Springs to meet the emigration, ' to prevent their
being deceived and led astray by the luisrepresentations of L. W. Hastings,
Avho IS now on his way from California for that object. ' The committee selected
to composp the express was W. Finley, J. S. Rmearson, and W. (r. T'Vault.
The committee took the depositions of Truman Bouncy, Jarius Bonney, Abiier
Frazer, John Chamberlain, Robert C. Koyes, aiitl Allen Sanders, recently
from CaUfornia, concerning the intention of Hastings, and the general condi-
tion of affairs in California. The first three afliants deposed that by the rep-
resentations of Mr (irant at Fort Hall the year previous, tliey were induced
to go to California, but on arriving in the Sacramento Valley found the whole
country burned by the sun, an<l no food either for man or beast. Flour was
$10 or .§12 per cwt., and vegetables there were none. Five to eight bushels of
wheat was an average crop. No rain fell from March to January; there was
no timber except on the mountains. Society did not exist, and it was difficult
for a man to keep his own. The Catholic missions were destroyed; no land
could be obtained without purchase, and titles were not good; duties were so
high that no shipping came in, and clothing was almost impossible to obtain.
And above all, Mr Hastings an<l Captain Sutter were intending to revolution-
ize the country as soon as people enough had come to fight the Spaniards.
Similar (lepositions were made by the other three, to be used in undeceiving
tlie immigrants whom Hastings would endeavor to mislead! Or. iSpectator,
June 25, 1846.
INDEPENDENT COMPANIESw
r53
to seventeen hundred went to Oregon ; the remainder
to California."
As usual with the migrations, there was a lack of
adhesiveness, and large companies split into half a
dozen smaller ones, and there were many quarrels
arising from trifling causes. In 1846 those feuds were
intensified by a scarcity of grass, the season being
dry.^^
''The authorities dififer. The Spectator of Deo. 10, 1846, gives the number
of immigrants for the year at 1,000. (Message of Governor Abemethy.) But
at that time several hundred had not yet arrived. In Hyde's Statement, (i,
the Oregon immi( ration is spoken of as 'large.' Saxton, in his Or. Ter., says
tliat at St Joseph, Elizal>ethtown, Iowa Point, and Council Bluffs were col-
lected 271 wagons, and at Independence 174 wagons; and estimates the emi-
grants at 1,841. The best authority is probably Joel Palmer, who says that
his party of 16 continued to meet for 200 miles companies of from 6 to 40
wagons, and that in all he passed 541 wagons, averaging 5 persons to each;
and that 212 wagons were oound for California. Journal, 137; McQbwhanx
Hist. Donner Party, 17. Ifind corroborative evidence in Nilen Jieg., Ixx. 211,
272, 281, 341, 343, 416. An extract from the St Louis Republican, in the Jieij-
Mvr, says: ' The Oregon emigrants have gone on in advance of the Calif omians,
to their great encampment on tlje Kansiis River, about 100 miles west of this.
We have not yet received a census of their company, but will in a few days. '
A letter to the Iie<jinter, from some one in Weston, AIo., says the emigration
must be strung along the road for 300 miles; 40 wagons were yet to start, on
the .18th of May; 216 wagons exclusive of these had left the Iowa agency;
each of these 356 wagons had 4 yokes of oxen, which added to tlie loose
stock would make 2,000 head of cattle on the road. The number of persons
he estimated at 2,000, 800 of them being ' able-bodied men of resolute spirit. '
This same writer says: ' On yesterday, I for the first time heanl the news
from Mexico. It ilid not surjjrise me in the least, but I wi.di an express could
be sent to overtake the emijirants, after congress has acted, and authorize
them to make the coucj^uest of California. They could and would do it, and 1
take it for granted our government will declare war; all tliey want is a chance. '
A correspondent of the St Louis Ileptddicnn, quoted in the Rvijixlcr, says the
Oregon emigration was a fine-looking body of people, and well fitted out for
their expedition. Some wagons were carpeted, and had chairs i^nd other con-
veniences for families. One old man of more tlian 70 years was going to accom-
pany his children and grandchildren; and this family all together had 10
wagons. Some of the wagon-covers bore 'Oreijon, 54° 40'; all or none!'
Josiah Gregg, writmg to the Ri-ijister, thinks the emigration numbers 2,000,
but that the larger part of it is for California. I learn also that the Pawnees
fired upon 2 emigrants, killing one, named E<lward Trimble, from Iowa. See
also Home Missionary, xviii. 89; and Rahhisons Growth of Towns, MS., 1-5.
''■'In volume Ixxi. 146, of Niles' Rty., is an extract from a letter written by
one of the California emigrants, dated July 23d at Fort Bridger, near Black
Fork of Green River, not far from Bear River Mountains, which was ' brought
by Capt. Walker, who was returning from California \» ith Lieut. Fr^nmnt. '
The letter runs as follows: ' At Fort Laramie Colonel Russel, and many other
of the emigrants, sold off their wagons, and with a pack containing a few
articles, pursued their journey on horseback. Tlie grass on the route from
Fort Laranue was <leficieut, and the animals fared badly. . . .The parties were
in the South pass of the Rocky Mountains on the 13tli of July, and had then
seen no Indians after leaving Fort Laramie, and considered themselves lieyond
their dangerous vicinity, and only a few of the emigrants kept a night guard,
i'rom Fort Laramie they had pleasant weather, with cool nights and warm
554
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1840.
The character of these pilgrims was in general
good; they were intelligent, and in comfortable cir-
cumstances. That this was true, many well-written
letters that appeared in the public prints give evi-
dence, both as regards their authors and their travel-
ling companions. I find in a book by a writer always
successful in making a readable narrative, as well as in
lecording useful information, but who occasionally
gives proof of powers of observation put to good use,
that there was the usual substratum of the hardy
pioneer element; and also, that though the companies
scattered along the road for two hundred miles were
all well fitted out at the start, some of them, through
carelessness, or strife amongst themselves, became
much distressed before the conclusion of even the
first half of their journey. ^^
ill
days, thoiigh very dusty roads until they reached Fort Bridger, and during the
whole route they had not seen more than a dozen buffalo. Col, Russel and
his party, by hard travelling, reached Fort Bridger 2 or 3 days before
the others; but his horses had their backs badly worn, and he remained .S
or 4 days to recruit. At that place they were met by Mr Hastings, from
California, wlio cime out to conduct them in by the new route, by the foot of
Salt Liike, discovered by Captain Fr<5mont, which is said to be 200 miles
nearer than tlie old one, by Fort Hall. The distance to California was said
to be 650 miles, through a tine farming country, with plenty of grass for the
Ciittle. Companies of from one to a dozen wagons are continually arriving,
and several have already started on, with Hastings at their heatl, who would
conduct them to near where the new road joins the old route, and there leave
them, and push on with Jiis party. Russel had also started, guided by a man
who came through with Hastings. He is said to be very sick of the journey,
and anxious to complete it. Instead of entering California as the commander
of a half -military caravan, he had been forsaken by his most cherislied com-
panions, and even his undcratrappers had treated Inmwith indignity. Gray-
son had quarrelled with all his companions, and every one who could rai&e a
horse had left him. Boggs and many otliers liad determined to go to Oregon,
and were expected to arrive at Fort Bridger in a day or two. Curry had al;io
been persuaded to go to Oregon, and from thence he would go to California
and the Sandwich Islands. . . The Oregon route may be considerably shortened
by avoiding Fort Bridger antl passing a stretch of 45 miles without water,
but most of the companies go that way. The emigrants wore heartily tireil
of their journey, and nine tenths of them wished themselves back in the States.
The wliole company has been broken up into squads by dissatisfaction and
bickerings, and it is pretty much every man for himself. Tlie accounts they
had received of Oregon and California, by the parties they met returning to
the States, had greatly disheartened them, and they had horrible anticipa-
tions of the future, in the country which tliey believed to be, when they set
out, as beautiful as the Elysian fields.'
" ' Far off on tlie other side of the Platte was a green meadow, where we
could see the wliite tents and wagons of an emigrant camp; and just opposite
to us we could discern a group of men and animals at the water's edge. Four
THORNTON AND HIS ^VRITINf;S.
J. Quinn Thornton " dealt with the opening of the
southern route to the Willamette Valley in a partie-
or 5 horsemen soon entered the river, and in 10 ininiitea had waded across
and clambered up the loose sunil-buiik. They were ill-looking fellows, thiu
and swarthy, with care-worn, anxious faces, and lips rigidly compressed.
They hail goml cause for anxiety; it waa 3 days since they tirst encamped
here, and on the night of tlieir arrival they had lost l'J3 of their best cattk,
•Iriven ofiF hy the wolves, through the neglect of the man on guard. Thi'i
discouraging and alarming calamity was not the iiri^t that had overtaken
them. Since leaving the settlements they had met M-ith nothing but mis-
fortune. Some of tneir party had died; one man had been killed by tlie
Pawnees; and alwut a week before, they hatl been plundered by the Dakotiihs
of all tlieir best horses. . .The emigrants recrossed the river, and we prepared
to follow. First the heavy ox -wagons plunged down the bank, and dragged
slowly over tlie sand-beds; sometimes the hoofs of the oxen were scarcely
wetted by the thin sheet of water; and the next moment tlic river would bo
boiling against their sides, and eddying fiercely around the wheels. Inch l)y
inch they receded from the shore, dwindling every moment until at length they
seemed to bo floating far out in the very middle of the river. . .As we gained
the other bank, a rough group of men surrounded us. They were not robust
nor large of frame, yet tliey had an aspect of hardy endurance. Finding at
home no scope for their fiery energies, they had betaken themselves to the
prairie; and m them seemed to be revived, with redoubled force, tliat tierce
spirit which impelled their ancestors, scarce more lawless than tliemselves,
from the (lerman forests, to inundate Europe, and break to pieces the Roman
empire. A fortnight afterwards tliis unfortunate party passed Fort Laramie
while we were there. Not one of their missing oxen had been recovered,
though they had encamjjed a week in search of them; and they hfid been
compelled to abandon a great part of their baggage and provisions, and yoke
cows and heifers to their wagons to carry them forward upon their journey,
tlie most toilsome and hazardous part of which lay still before them.'
It is worth noticing, that on the Platte one may sometimes see the
shattered wrecks of ancient claw-footed tables, well waxed and rubbed, or
massive bureaus of carved oak. These, many of them no doubt the relies of
ancestral prosperity in the coloni.al time, must have encountered strange
vicissitudes. Imported, perhaps, originally from England; then, with the
declining fortunes of their owners, borne across the Alleghanies to the remote
wilderness of Ohio or Kentucky; then to Illinois or Missouri; and now at hist
fondly stowed away in the family wagon for the interminable journey to
Oregon. But the stern privations of tlie way are little anticipated. Tlie
cherished relic is soon flung to scorch and crack upon the hot prairie. Park-
mnns C'<tl. and Or. Trail, 10.")-8.
'* On'non ami Cal{/'ornia in I84S, by J. Quinn Thornton, etc., in two vol-
umes, with illustrations and a map. New York, 1849. Mr Thornton's book
was written after one year's residence in Oregon, his account of its political
hiotory and the description of California being drawn from the writings of
Hall J. Kelley, whose acquaintance he formed in 1848. To tiiis is adelcd a
sketcli of the early settlement of the country by iiiiosionaries and others; a
sketch of the establishment of the provisional government, with an account
of his late participation in its affairs; an account of the general features, geol-
ogy, mineralogy, forests, rivers, farming huids, and institutions of Oregon; all
of which, considering the date of publication, is useful and interesting and in
the main correctly given, establishing the author's ability to produce literary-
matter of rather unu^iual merit. But these two volumes could well have been
contained in one by the omission of the author's narrative of the incidents of
the immigration, which reveal a narrowness of judgment and bitterness of
."pirit seldom associated with those mental endowments of which Mr Thorn-
ton gives evidence in his writings.
bM
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1840.
- I I
ular and detailed manner, which makes him the prin-
cipal authority upon the incidents attcindirii^ it. It
is there stated that Thornton and his wife loft Quincy,
Illinois, on the 18th of April, and went to Indepen-
dence to join the Oregon and California emigrants.
He left that place May 1 2th, and soon overtook the
California Company under W. H. Russell. The train
witii which Thornton travelled together with Rus-
sell's made a caravan of 72 wagons, 130 men, G5
women, and 125 children. The ill-fated Donner party
Hubsequently joined them, and all travelled together,
or not far apart, to Fort Bridger, where about 80
persons were persuaded to tok.? the newly discovered
route to the Humboldt Valley by the way of Weber
Canon and Salt Lake, which Hastings, who had come
to Fort Bridger to meet the immigrants, recommended
J. (^uinn Thornton was born August 24, 1810, near Point Pleasant, Mason
County, West Virginia. From Iiis inann8crij)t A iitobim/ntph;/, it appears his
ancestors arrived in eastern Virginia in 16.'J3 from England, and that the
Thornton family are now widely scattered over the southern and western
states. In his infancy Thornton removed with his parents to t'liampaign
County, Ohio, and grew up a studious hoy, reading all the books that came
in his way, among others Sully's Memoirs, from wliich he drew his favorite
voiii ill' plitine of 'Achilles De Harley,' used in later years as a signature to
certain political articles in the A'cw York Tribune. His mother desired liiiu
to study for tlio ministry; but he chose law as a profession, and went to
England to study, remaining nearly tliree years in London, living in retirement
an< I luavuing little of the great world about him. At the end of that time he
returned to Virginia, and studied law under John Howe Peyton, of Staunton
in that state, being admitted to the bar in May 1833. Tliornton says that
during tlie period of liis studies he became interested in trying to discover the
nature of gravitation; being of the belief thiit the word ' attraction, ' as applied
to gravitfition, is a mi.snoiner, and that the force is external to rather than
inherent in nuitter; and claims that the identity of that force was discovered
by him in August 1832. The residts of his investigations on this subject,
being committed to manuscript, were twice destroyed by tire, since which
no further effort has been made to place liis discovery before the world. After
being admitted to the bar, Thornton attended law lectures at the University
of Virginia under Prof. Joliii A. G. Davis. Having had all this preparation,
he opened a law office in Palmyra, Missouri, in 1835, and in 183() e;lited a
political paper in that place, in the interest of Martin Van Burcn during the
presidential campaign. On the 8th of Feb., 1838, he married Mrs Nancy M.
Logne of Hannibal in that state; and in 1841 renioved to Quincy, Illinois.
The Oregon Question being popularly discussed by all ranks of society about
this time, led him, as it did thousands of others, to tlii:ik of adding his indi-
vidual weight to the American claim, and in 184(5 he resolved to emigrate. I
am indebted to Mr Thornton for many favors. When in Salem, in 1878, he
not only gave me a valuable dictation, but placed me in poasessiou of many
important documents collected by him during .vn eventful life.
THE APPLEGATE ROUTE.
n,u
to them" with so much urgency. The remainder of
the Caliiornia company kept to the old route turning
ofl west of Fort Hall.
When Applegate's party were at that post, they
met and conversed with many persons on the subject
of routes, among whom was a company led by William
Kirquendall, to which belonged Thornton and Boggs,
and which determined to take the southern route,
piloted by the explorers. Without cjuestion Apple-
gate represented, as he believed, that the southern
route was superior in many respects to that along
the Snake and Columbia rivers. The grass, except on
the alkali desert, which he expected in returning to
avoid for the most part, was better than in the Snake
country; there were no mountains to cross before
coming to the Cascade Range, and the pass through
it was greatly superior to the Mount Hood pass;
while in tlie Klamath, Rogue River, and Umpqua
valleys grass and water were of the greatest excellence
and abundance. The distance he judged to be shorter
than by the old route, though in this he was mis-
taken. Influenced by the misrepresentation of Has-
** The narration of the misfortunes which attended the emigrants on Has-
tings' cut-off docs not belong to this division of this history, but will be found
in If Ml. Cat., tliis series; also ui MrGltin/tan 8 If Lit. of the Dniirwr Purti/, and in
Tliorutons (Jr. and t'al., ii. 115-240. Thornton became well acquainted M'ith
Boggs of Missouri, and several of the most prominent persons in the Cali-
fornia emigration, including the Donner party, ancl has rueonled many facta
concerning them. Hnstiugs undoubtedly exaggerated in persuading the Don-
ner company to take his route, and in trying to influence the Oregon immi-
grants to go to California, thereby producing the effect spoken of in the letter
already quoted from jV/7m' livijktcr. On the otlier hand, the Ort:gon com-
mittee sent out to counteract his influence, by showing tiie depositions of the
last year's emigrants to California, added to the feeling of uncertiiinty. Tiio
travellers knew not which statement to believe, and elioso at random which
route to take. According to Hastings, the 8()0 miles between Fort Hall and
tlie Pacific w;is a ' succession of higli mounfciins, elifl's, deep cafions, and small
valleys,' with a scarcity of fuel along the Snake and Columbia rivers. Mc-
(ilaahan in the Hint. Donner P<irt>j, 2*2, says that Bridger and Vazquez, who
liad charge of Fort Bridger, earnestly advised the California emigration to
take Hastings' cut-off, because they wanted to sell supples to tlio trains
which would otherwise refit at Fort Hall. He also says that Hastings wiis a
famous hunter and trapper, and employed to pilot the emigration: which
departure from facts clouds the credibility of the previous assertion. Time
confirmed the merits of the Hastings cut-off as a road to California; and it
is certain that to dissensions among themselves, and unwise delays, was to bo
attributed the tragedy of Donner Lake.
6ft8
THE IMMIUUATION OP 1846.
tings as to the northern route, and l)oping to escap*'
its oight hundred miles of mountains, ravines, an<l
jirecipices by taking tlio southern one, a caravan of
ninety or a hundred wa«;ons, including Kirquendall's
ov)mpany, left Fort Hall on the Dth of August, ar-
riving at the rendezvous of tlie exploring party at
Thousand Springs on the 12th, where David Goif
and Levi Scott assumed the duty of guiding them
to the Willamet*^'>, while the Applegates and the re-
mainder of the company pushed forward to mark out
or cut out the road, as the case might demand, accom-
panied by a volunteer party of young men from the
immigration/^
On arrivhig at the tributary of the Humboldt, they
proceeded up the stream to the spring before discov-
ered, which they called Diamond, but which is now
known as Antelope spring, and which they enlarged
by digging. Thence they took a north-west course
to Rabbit-hole Mountains, where they enlarged the
Rabbit-hole spring. They found no way of avoiding
the Black Rock desert of alkali and nmd lakes be-
tween there and the Granite Mountains, the sanui
course being followed in locating the road west of
Black canon that was pursued on the first explora-
tion. The real labor of road-making began when the
company reached the Cascade Mountains, and was
repeated in the chain tt) the north of the Rogue
River Valley, and in the Umpqua canon. On ar-
riving in the Umpq'.ia YaWey, at the north end of the
canon, feeling that, they had removed the greatest
obstacles to travel \. V.h wagons, and being reduced to
the necessity of imnting to supply themselves with
provisions, the passage through the Calapooya Moun-
tains was left to be opened by the immigrants them-
selves, and the company hastened to their homes,
from which they had been absent fifteen weeks.
'*Theac were Thomcos Powers, Alfred Stewart, Charles Putnam, who
married a <laHghter of Jesse Applegate. ]>argefis, Shaw, Carnahan, and otiiers.
William Kirqueiidall and J. M. \\'air also joined the road company.
I H!
iif
SCAlU;liY OF GRASS AND WATER,
550
Before tlie Applej^ates left the caravan at Thousaiul
Springs to smooth as far as possihle the road which
the wagons wore to foUow, they instructed tlie innni-
grants to hi; careful in passing through the country
occu|)ied by savages, no companies of less than twenty
wagons being considered safe; that diligence should
be used in travelling, and that in making the U)ng
drives over the desei-t portions of the road certain
precautions should be observed. With these explicit
directions, and two reliable men as guides, they appre-
hended no difficulty for those who were to follow.'^
The first companies to take the road after the ex-
])lorer8 were those led by Harrison Linville, and a
Mr Vanderpool; and although ui)on them fell the
sever •> toil of breaking the track, and reopening the
'road over the Cascade Mountains made by Apple-
gate's company, which a fire had filled in places with
fallen timber, they arrived in the Rogue River Valley
on the 9th of October ;^^ while the rear companies,
disregarding the instructions of the guides, loitered
by the way, some, indeed, from circumstances over
which they had no control but many from dilatori-
ness and a desire to evade sharing in the labor of road-
making. These detained the main companies, some
of whom were compelled to wait for them at the
parting of the California and Oregon roads on the
Humboldt, because Goff, their guide, was compelled
to do so, lest they should mistake the turning-ofl
point.'"
"Or. Spertnlor, April 15, 1847; L. Applegate'e Klamath Lake Road, in
Ashland Tidim/s, Oct. 1877 to July 1878; ZabrisV.e, in U. S. Snrveyor-geiieraCs
Ji'eport, 18(}8, i042; BunieWn Kerollfctiom, 229-30.
•"D. (ioff, in Or. Spectator, April 29, 1847.
"On the 13th of August a young man named Roby who had long lingered
in a consumption died. On the 21st a Mr Burns died, leaving a wife and
tliree chililren; a few others were ill.
"•Thornton says that Applegate affirmed that the distance from Fort Hall
to the Willamette Valley hy way of tlie Dalles was from 800 to 850 miles;
that the distance by the southern route was 200 miles less; that the whole dis-
tance was lietter supplied with grass and water than the old ro'id; and that the
road was generally smooth, and the dry drive only 30 miles long. ' If the total
absence ol all truth in each of these affirmations aflForda any nteans by which
to judge of the principles of the man making them, he may unhesitatingly
I
660
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1846.
According to Thornton'K journal, the scarcity of
grass, water, and fuel was no greater than it had been
from the South Pass to Fort Hall, nor indeed so great ;
and the travellers by this route were relieved of the
clouds of dust which accompanied the caravans on the
Snake River route. But of the sufferings of those
who travelled that route he could not then be aware,
and was intent only on his own supreme wretchedness.
Every ox that died upon ihe way was spoken of as a
sacrifice to the misrepresentations of the explorers of
the road, though oxen had died before reaching Fort
Bridger; and every caravan that crossed the plains
had its course marked out by the whitening bones of
cattle that liad fallen exhausted by the way."^
be said to l)c jmHhin mendacior.' He also says that he all the time held the
opinion that Applegate was attempting to iluceive him from motives purely
sulKsh, and that he intended to profit by the misfortunes of the emigrants.
He excuses himself for following such a man by saying that he was influenced
by ( rov. Boggs, who confided in the statements of Applegate. In considering
Thornton's statements, F have taken into account, first, the unpractical mind
of the man as set forth in his autobiography, where we discover that with
oppi>i tnnities seldom enjoyed by American young men for acipiiring a profes-
sion, and with admitted Udents of a certain kintl, he achieved less than thou-
sands who stuilied the law in the office of a country attorney; secondly, that ho
was at tlie time in question in bad liealtli; ami tliirdly, that he was unused
to physical labor. Add to those that he possessed ivn irritable temper and
suspicious disposition, and we have the man who could pen such a record as
that contiiined in the first volume of his Or. mid Cal. Rabbison, in his
(h-owth of Tovm, MS., 3, mentions that Thornton had a quarrel with a nuin
named Ciood, who furnished liim a part of his outfit, and tliat on the Platte
(iood iiudertook to reclaim his property, but the Oregon emigrants dec'ded
fia Tliornton had a family be was not to be entirely dispossess-ed, but took the
wagon out of the California train and cut it in two to make carts, also
dividing the oxen — in whicli manner they proceeded; but Thornton gives a
different version, and says tliat he conquered in the quarrel by an exhibition
of si)irit and fire-arms. Or. tmd C-d., i. 12;^"). I do not know which account
is correct, nor is it of any cousei|iience. At Green River, Thornton began to
take care of his own ten,m for the first time, and experiencing much difficulty
from not knowing how to yoke or lirive oxen, only succeeded by the assistiinco
of the charital)le Mr Kirquendall and others, who pitied his inKrmities.
From information olitained from his own journal, it is evident that he loitered
by the way; and f''om comparing his estimates of distances with others, that
he lias nearly doubled tlie length of tlia worst portions of the roml. See R. R.
Marcy's Jlitwl-hook of Orerlnin/ /irjicdUhii-i, published iu 1859, in which tliis
route is described; or any railroad guide of the piesent day giving distances
in the Humboldt Valley. Tlie whole distance to Oregon City wa» really J'oO
miles from Fort Hall, whereas Tliornton makes it 1,280. Or. ami Vnl, i. 175;
Freiiiotit'.i Cid. (lutdc Book, 124; Baiicrq/Vx Guide, 87-8; Hmtiwjn' Or. and
(ML, 187.
'■"An emigrant who travelled the Dalles route in i848, anil who wields a
pen not less ti'enchant than Thornton's, treats these incidents of early einigra-
ANNOYANCES FROM THE NATIVES.
661
There is no question as to the hardship endured
both by explorers and emigrants. The natives along
the Humboldt annoyed the small straggling companies,
of which Thronton's was one. They concealed them-
selves behind rocks and shot their poisoned arrows at
men arid animals, and often stole cattle from the herds
while grazing. In return for these depredations, a
Humboldt Indian was shot in the camp of the emi-
grants.^" One of the foremost companies had a skir-
mish with a band of Indians who were lying in ambush
among some willows, in which two white men were
wounded, one of whom died,^ and a number of the
attacking party were killed. A greater degree of
caution might have avoided these encounters ; but it
was not possible for the guides to be with every train,
or to compel the wagons to keep together In numbers
sufficient to intimidate the savages.
Notwithstanding the length of the road, which
should have warned the tiavellcis not to lose time, a
week was wasted in unnecessary delay before com-
mencing the cr )ssing of tlie Cascade Mountains. Tlie
sour of this chain up which the road was first located
tiou ill a (liflerent cpirit. ' Our cattle stampeded whoa they were yokcil x,]y,
and were being watched by herdsmen. Many ran off in the yoke that we
never saw again. They often stampeiled in the night, and once over 400 head
were overtaken the next day nearly 40 miles from camp, having travelled tliia
whole distance through an alkali plain, without grass or water. We lost so
many cattle this -ij , that many wagons were loft in the wilderness. W^e cut
otiier wagcn-boxitb down to '-' feet in length, ai:d threw away such arfides as
we could 8j)are in idcr to ligliten our loads, now too heavy "for the weak and
jaded cattle wis h.'nl lift. rSome men's hearts died within them, and some of
our women an. doini by the roadside, a thousan<l miles from settlements, and
crietl, saying tlioy had abandoned all hopes of ever reaching the promised land.
I saw women witl. babej I)ut a week old, toiling up mountains in the Imrning
sun, on foot, because our jaded teams were not able to haul tliem. We wont
down mountains so steep that we had to let our wagons down witli ropes.
My wife and I cairicd our cliildren up muddy mountains in tlie ( 'ascados, half
a mile high, and tlien carried the loading of our wagons u|) on our backs ]>y
piecemeal, as our cattle were so rcibiced that they were hardly able to haul
up tlie empty v.-agon.' Atlamx' Or. and I'm;. Con.'<t, ;W 4.
^^The Indian was killed by Jesse Boone, a great-grandson of Daniel Boone
of Kentucky, and a Mr Loveliu, both of whom shot at him. Tlun-iUoii'x Or.
ami Cut., i. 171.
'^^ Whatoly and SaJlee were shot with ;i. .-ov**, and
Tanner of Iowa also died from wound-', received in >!..
Lippincott of New York City waa seriouslv "-ouut'ed,
2G, 1840.
Hist. Or., Vol. I. 36
Sallee died. Daniel
skirmish, and a Mr
Or, Spectator, Nov.
r..-.ia^^a»..tt,J!iHmin.,^^„
562
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1846.
is steep," and teams haH to be doubled until eighteen
or twenty yokes ^"^ were put to a wagon to drag it up
the sharp «*cclivity. But even this was better than
having to carry the loads up steep hills while the oxen
drew the empty wagons, as sometimes occurred on the
north road.
Two months from the time the southern immigra-
tio» left Thousand Springs, the last companies entered
the Rogue Rivor Valley, where according to Thorn-
ton they were met by Jones of the exploring party
with some fat cattle for the relief of those whose pro-
visions were consumed.^* Being extremely weary, 'j ik'
their teams wellnigh exhausted, the last of t'u far
ilies unfortunately lingered too long in this be; ali
ful country, at a season of the year when one da} oi
rain might be productive of disaster by raising the
streams, and chilling fatally the thin blood of the worn-
out oxen.^^ And alas ! they tarried in the valley until
^* The road was subsequently changed so as to avoid going round the bouth
end of Lower Klamath Lake, and proceeded by the eastern shore of the lake
to Link River a little below the present town of Liukville, from which point
the ascent of the mountains is gradual.
*•' Such is Thornton's statement.
''^ The Spectator of the 2'.)th of October speaks of relief parties already sent
out to assist tlie southern immigration; but they were behind that sent by
the ex (iloring party.
^' '. 'here is a great eflfort apparent in this portion of Thornton's narrative
to ma';e it appear that his misfortunes, and the sufferings of other belated
travellers, were owing to the misrepresentations of the explorers, wliom ho
classes with the ' outlaws and banditti who during many years infested the
Florida reefs, where they often contri^'ed so to mislead vessels as to wreck
them, when without scruple or ceremony, they, under various pretences,
would commence their work ttf pillage.' As this was written after he hud
been a year in Oregon, and learned the high character of tlie men who com-
poseil the expedition, besides seeing a considerable immigration arrive in the
Willamette Valley by the southern route tlio year following his passage over
it, in the month of September, in gootl healtli and condition, the vituperative
censure indulged in by Mr Throntou is, to say the least, in bad taste. Certain
inaccuracies also in his statement, into which ho is led by his desire to cast
opprobrium upon the men wlio o[)oned the road, are calculated to bring him
into discredit. For instance, he professes to account for not giving the itiner-
ary of the journey after leaving the California road, by saying that the thml
volume of his jo'irnal was stolon by a person who took charge of some of his
property left ui tlie Umpmia Mountains, to j -jvent tlie true character of the
road being made known. Fage 170, vol. i. (Jn page 100 he says: ' A very bad
Ump(£ua Indian having, upon a subsequent part of the road, relieved mo of
my third volume of journal notes of this part of the road, I write from mem-
ory only.' It may bo asked, what interest had the Umpqua Indian in sup-
pressing the journal? an<l why was one of this untamed tril)e sent to take
charge of his property?
^ft^'
THE SUFFERINGS ENDURED.
563
&
take
the rains began,^^ and were subjected to a thousand
discomforts before they came to the pass through the
Canon Mountains, which in its best condition would
have been bad, the road party not having a force suffi-
cient to make a smooth road, but which was now, in
its narrowest part, filled with water for a distance of
three miles, the stream being cold and swift, and from
cne to four feet in depth.^"
While the miserable men, women, and children were
making their way through tliis defile, their condition
was pitiable in the extreme, a immber having aban-
doned their wagons, and some, like Thornton and his
wife, being compelled to wade the stream, not only
through the three-mile gorge, but over and over again
at its numerous crossings. A great loss of cattle and
destruction of property followed, unattended, however,
by any loss of life which could be traced directly to
these causes.^" The famine which so far had attacked
the rear of every immigration since the wagon-roads
were opened assailed these unfortunate travellers in
the Umpqua Valley, and although everything possible
was done for their relief by the men who explored the
new route,^^ and other citizens, who on learning of
their situation hastened to send them horses, cattle,
and flour, nothing availed to supply the utter destitu-
tion of some families who had thrown away or aban-
doned their property in the Umpqua canon and
'■'■' x'hey were on the western fJank of the mountains, a day's drive from the
open country, on the Ilth of October, the distance thence to the south end of
tlie Unip.jua canon lieing about CO miles, yet they did not arrive at this pass
until the 4th of November, the rains having begun on tlie '.list, when they
should have been in the Ump(jua Valley.
''* Thoniton's Or. and Col., i. '2-2'2.
'" Thornton mentions a man sudilonly falling dead near tlie entrance to
tlie caflon; also that a Mr Brisbane and a child had died at this place; but
does not attribute their deaths to their Jiardships, though he miglit have said
something of the kind without being doubted. A Miss f^dand Croley, who
had long been ill, also died, an<l was buried on (J rave Creek — whence the
name. Jdcknoiirille Sentiinl, May 23, 18G7; Domll'it Nnr., MS., {).
"' Oa page 235, vol. i., Or. end Vnl., Thornton admits that Applegato Bent
out horses, one of wliich ho had to use, but assorts that the agent who brought
thorn demanded a fine suit of clothes in payment. He admits, too, that the f list
flour and beef which reached him in the Umjjqua Valley, on Nov. 14th, were
sent by Applcgate; but that he was puritosely starved by him, in order that a
mm
uu
■ I
1 1
i
i I p
,..,i.
5G4
THE IMMIGRAT. )N OF 1846.
T fi
Calapooya Mountains, or to avert their sufferings
from the cold rains and colder snows of November
and December.
market might be found for such articles. From the journal of Thomas Holt,
who with a French Canadian and five half -breeds went to the assistance of
the belated immigrants, it appears that on learning from Thornton and
others who arrived in the settlements the condition of those still in the
Umpqua Valley, he left the French settlement on the 3d of December with
a band of horses and all the provfsions he could gather, Father Bolduc of the
mission of St Paul freely contributing a portion to be given to the needy.
On the 5th he met Mr Gofif coming m with a company who had brought
thej.." wagons through, and particularly in charge of a Airs Newton, whose
hu:. '1 l had been murdered by the Ump(iua Indians wliile slce^.-'ng at the
doc. J ent. Minto's Early Days, MS., 39. On the 8th he ov i-took.
Moseti and tliree others with horses and provisions, going to the relief
of the ik ants. On this day they met three families on horseback and
one wagon, -oming in, whom they supplied with flour. On the 9th they met
eight wagons and families, and supplied them with provisions. On the 10th
they came to a camp of several families whose teams were exhausted, and on
the same day another relief party came up with horses. Next day the French-
men and three half-breeds turned back, being afraid if they crossed the
Calapooya Mountains tliey would not be able to return that winter, while
Holt and the other two continued. Near the head of the Willamette Valley
they found five families unable to go farther, who were assisted to resume
tlieir journey by three men from the other relief parties. At tlie foot of the
mountains were three families without food, whose oxen could travel no
farther. ' It is hard for me to pass them, ' says the Jon null, ' but when I know
there are helpless families among hostile Indians, I am bound to go and assist
them.' Tliey received some flour and were left to the mercy of others who
might follow with horses. On the summit of the Calapooyas a single family
was met on horses, and many dead cattle by the way. At the foot of the
mountains on the south side were two families with their wagons, but doubt-
ing if their oxen would be able to cross. They were furnished with flour.
On the 14th, having come to the north folk of Elk River, five families were
found who had neither flour, meat, nor salt, and who were depending upon
game, which was scarce. One of the half-breeds killed a deer for them, and
they received some flour. [These .families were those of Ezekial Kemiedy,
Croizen, R. B. Hall, Lovelin, and another.] On the loth, crossing the forks
of Elk River by swimming their horses, and ferrying the packs on rafts of
logs, they came to the camp of the families of James Camjjbell, R'oe Dunbar,
and Rev. J. A. Cornwall. Mr Campbell, having been to the settlements and
returned in company with Harris and his party, brought horses to carry his
family and some of his goods back with him. Harris and a Mr Jenkins
remamed with these persons to as.sist them; but there were not enough hoi'ses
to take Cornwall's ffimily out, and ho was left in charge of a considerable prop-
erty belonging to Canmbell. On the 17th Holt met the last company of five
families on the south folk of the Umpcjua. 'They rejoiced very much when
they saw us,' says the Jourtinl. There had been no flour among them for eight
weeks. While busy making paek-sadiUes, four of the precious horses were
stolci: by Indians. The families relieved at this last point were those of
Crump, Butterfield, James Townsend, David Townt ;u<l, J. Baker, and Mra
Butterfield, widow. Those who rescued them were Holt, Owens, Duskins,
aiid Fatten — the last three being a part of the company which overtook
Holt on the 10th — and the two half-breeds, Baptiste Gardapio and Q. Delore.
The 20th all started once more for the Willamette, the natives refusing to
grant the use of a canoe to cross the families over the north fork of the Ump-
qua which was too high to be forded, except they were paid with a guu be-
THORNTON VERSUS APPLEGATE.
66S
About a dozen families were detained until Janu-
ary in the Umpqua Valley, a part of whom were
unable to get out before February, when their cattle
having recruited on the excellent grass of that region,
they were able to resume travel with their wagons
and stock. These last found refuge at Fort Umpqua
on Elk River through the few cold weeks of mid-
winter, e'xcept three or four men who guarded the
property left in camp on that stream by those who
escaped to the settlements.
The 'li:L?ussion of the events connected with the open-
ing of the northern and southern roads into the Wil-
latnette Valley bade fair to overshadow the political
questions which had led, among other causes, to the
establishment of the southern route. Two parties
were formed over the discussions of the latter: one
which favored the Barlow road, because it brought
travellers directly to Oregon City, and pronioted the
longing to Delore. The 22d it snowed all day; the 24th the empty wagons
•which were brought to the soutli branch of Elk River were there left, the
watf" being above the banks. Two oxen were drowned in swimming across.
Christmas day the snow was a foot deep, and no progress was made. Next
day they travellc<l one and a half miles to the north fork of Elk River, where
the families of Kennedy, Hall, and others were encamped. These two fam-
ilies had been without food for four days, excejit a little tallow boiled iu
wuter, and Holt proposed to Baker, who had purchased some oxen driven from
the settlements, to let the starving people have these, telling him the people
of the Willamette would make good his loss. They were accordingly slaugh-
tered and divided between Kennedy, Hall, Croizen, and Cornwall, who had
joined this camp; Lovelin having 'jeen taken to the Willamette by Barrows
of Owens' party. This, the 2Gth of l)ecend)er, was the first clear day since
the 3d of the month. So many horses having died or been stolen, the lean
oxen in Holt's company had to be packed. The first of January the snow was
three feet deep in places on the Calapooya Mountains and the weather very
cold. The 5th, Holt arrived at the house of Eugene Skinner, the most south-
ern settlement in the Willamette V'alley, presumably where the town of
Eugene now stanils. So frosty was it on the 8tli, that the women and cliildren
who l)ecame wet in crossing streams were almost frozen. The streams, being
high from the recent rains, were too deep to ford, and were crossed by swim-
ming the horses and oxen. On the 12th the house of Williams on the Lucki-
amute River in Polk County was readied, where the company was compelled
to remain four days on account of cold and storms. Not until the 21st of Jan-
uary, 1847, did these storm-beaten pilgrims reach the friendly shelter of the
settlers' homes in the central portion of the Willamette Valley. Holt and
the others who went to their rescue were absent fifty days, and endured great
hardships in their service, besides expending some ^00 at their own risk,
over and above the assistance rendered by other companies. HoWh Journal in
Or. Spectator, March 4, 1847.
r
JgH
um
ll !
] uL
5C6
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1846.
improvement of the lands in the lower end of the
valley. To this party belonged the Methodist in-
terests; and Thornton, who was a Methodist, and
who soon made the acquaintance of Abernethy and
other leading persons among the missionaries, gained
the friendship of that society greatly by his abuse of
the explorers of the southern road, who, besides hav-
ing been guilty of this crime, were also of that domi-
nating western element that opposed itself to the
Methodist influence in colonial affairs.
Thornton was also a lawyer, and a Methodist law-
yer was an acceptable addition to the Methodist influ-
ence, supposing that he should be controlled by it;
and to gain him over to that position, on the resigna-
tion of the office of supreme judge by Mr Burnett,
iVbernethy appointed Thornton in his place, February
9th, or a little more than six weeks after his arrival
in the territory.^'
Article after article on the merits and demerits of
the southern route, as contrasted with the Barlow
road,'^ came to the Spectator from various sources, the
true effect of which was to call attention to the Rogue
River pnd Umpqua valleys, their desirability for set-
tlement, and the need of a road to them leading
directly from forts Hall and Bridger ; and also to the
fact that a road now really existed by which wagons
could go all the way to California, by passing through
the Umpqua canon, and over the Applegate pass of
the Cascade Range to the California road in the
Humboldt Valley, this happy discovery following im-
mediately upon the news of the conquest and Ameri-
canization of that country.
In May 1847 Levi Scott led a company of twenty
men destined ft)r the States over the southern route,
" If this collusion were not sufficiently obvious, we have Thornton's own
word for it, who says, in his Hkt. Or., MS., 11: 'When I came to the cou!'-
try one of the early missionaries said to me, "You must under no circum-
stances become counsel for l)r McLoughliu. Give him no professional advice
or aasistance; it you do you will be denounced as a Hudson's Bay man, and
you will lose caste among our citizens. " '
**0r. Spectator, Oct. 29, 1840.
LATER EXPEDITIONS.
867
tl
le
and also guided a portion of the immigration of the
following autumn into the Willamette V alley by this
road, arriving in good season and in good condition,
while the main inunigration, by the Dalles route,
partly on account of its number, suffered severely.
This established the reputation of the Klamath Lake
road ; and the legislature of this year passed an act
for its improvement, making Levi Scott commissioner,
and allowing him to collect a small toll as compensa-
tion for his services. The troubles with the Cayuses,
which broke out hi the winter of 1847, and which
but for the Oregon volunteers would have dosed the
Snake route, demonstrated the wisdom of its explorers
in providing the mountain-walled valleys of western
Oregon with another means of ingress or egress than
the Columbia River ;^* their road to-day being incor-
porated for nearly its whole length with some of the
most important highways of the country.
In June 1847 a company headed by Cornelius
Gilliam set out with the intention of exploring the
Rogue River and Klamath valleys, which from this
time forward continued to be mentioned favorably on
account of their climate, soil, and other advantages. ^'^
'* Applegate says: 'It ia a well-known fact that when it was necessary to
meet the Oregon rifle regiment in 1849, then on its march to Oregon, beef -cat-
tle could not be driven to Fort Hall by the Snake River route with any beef
on their bones; yet the regiment slaughtered at Fort Hall fat bullocks from
the Willamette, kept fat by the abundant pasturage of the southern route.'
Views of Histortj, MS., 49. See Ross' Rept., in Or. Jour. Council, 1857-S,
App. 19; Owrland Monthly, v. 581.
^^I find in McKay's Recollections, MS., 2, a reference to the xibiquity of the
Americans. He says: ' Shortly after my arrival (1844) I was ordered into
Oregon to join Mr Paul Frazer, who had estal)lished a station for tlie Hudson's
Bay Company near the mouth of the Umpqua River. Mr Frazer was alarmed
at the influx of Americcan immigrants into his immediate neighborhood from
different parts of the United States. Several trains arrived overland during
the autumn. On account of this many of the Indians had shifted their loca-
tion, hunting was neglected, and our business very poor. ' Herewith 1 give
the names of those belonging to the immigration of 1840, so far as I have been
able to gather them:
Levi Anderson, J. C. Allen, .John B. Albright, Elijali Bristow, Elijali
Bunton, David Butterfield, John Baker, Hugh L. Brown, .lesse Boone, W. P.
Breeding, George William Burnett, J. H. Bosworth, Alvin V. Brown, Orus
Brown, D. D. Bailey, G. W. Bell, M. Brock, Sutton Burns, William Burns,
Elisha Byrd, William Byrd, sen., William Byrd, jun., L. A. Byrd, Brisbane,
Rev. J, B. Baldrauch, Jairus Bonney, Truman Bouney, A. Boon, William P.
Bryant, J. H. Bridges, Heman C. Buckingham, Alphonao Boone, Tolbert
Urn
■il lil>iBl
III i|
\i.
068
THE IMMIGRATION OF 1846.
In 1849 Jesse Applegate removed to the Umpqua
Valley, at the foot of a grassy butte called by the
natives Yonc-calla, or 'eagle-bird,' which use has
Carter, George H. Carter, J. S. Church, Jones Cutting, Charles Cutting,
Thomas M. Chambers, John W. Chambers, J. L. Collins, John Chamberlain,
Samuel Y. Coop, M. Chambers, B. F. Cooper, A. S. Cone, J. M. Currier,
l)r W. M. Carpenter, Stephen C. Cummings, C. W. Cooke, George Law
Curry, Henry Croiyers, Croley, Crabtrec, Ricnaril S. Caldwell, Smith Collins,
Henry Cooper, William Connel, James Campbell, E. B. Comfort, John W.
('harnp, Rev. J. A. Cornwall, Crump, Croizen, Conduit, W. Champ, Clopzore,
•Fames Cluse, T. Canlo, G. 8. Cox, John Coats, Davidson, Doild, Samuel Davis,
William Dodson, Rice W. Dunbar, John N. Durham, Dickinson, Duskins,
John Edgar, William Elliott, N. A. Eberman, Milton Elliott, J. Elliott,
Gardiner Elliott, Espy, Eastburn, Everest, Abner Frazer, Isaac A. Flint,
Jesse Fleming, Nathan Fry, E. C. Fitzhugh, Frederick W. Gier, Rev. A. E.
(Jarrison, Waterman Gale, Laurence Gale, David M. (iuthrie, (ieiUles, Reason
B. Hall, John B. Hall, Washington Hall, Rev. Helm, Robert Henderson,
Capt. Richard Hoyt, William Hibbert, John Hammond, J. D. S. Hardi-
son, H. H. Hunt, James Howard, J. J. Heath, Mark Hattan, Thomas F.
Howard, Joseph L. Hunsaker, Andrus Harper, Calvin W. Ish, William
Kirkquendall, Ezekiel Kennedy, Thomas Knight, Henry Knowland, F.
Ketchum, Andrew Layson, Harrison Linville, Vanderpool Linville, Wilson
Lee, Thomas Linklatcr, Robert Logan, Geo. C. Lawton, Thomas Leggett,
Lovelin, J. W. Ladd, D. H. liownsdale, A. R. T. Loeey, Lord, Long, Luce,
A. R. Lancetield, F. Martin, W. Mulkey, S. C. Morris, Joel McKee, Josiah
Milorn, H. McDonald, G. V. Motley, Henry Marliu, Richard Miller, W. R.
Munkers, McKissick, J. McCormick, Josiah Morin, La'jan Morin, John
McCord, McGunigale, William C. McClay, T. G. Naylor, Chauncy Nye,
Newton, Nealy, Franklin Niuoll, John M. Pugh, William Priugle, Virgil K.
I'ringle, Truman P. Powers, George C. Preston, William Porter, James
Parkinson, James Porter, Piper, Eli Perkins, Charles Putnam, James Nathan
Putnam, Thomas Powell, A. Phillips, H. B. Policy, Tlioiuiis Purvis, J. W.
Pugh, A. Pugh, William Parker, L. C. Rainey, A. B. Rabbison, Thomas
M. Read, JoYin Robinson, William Riley, Robey, J. T. Rainey, Walter
Ross, Lewis Rogers, F. R. Smitli, Henry M. Smith, Towner Savage, .Tames
Savage, Cliarles Stewart, Sallee, William Stokes, Allen Sanders, Levi L.
Smith, Thomas Stevens, Felix Scott, Morgan R. Savage, D. E. Savage,
William Sheldon, D. C Smith, H. N. Stephens, G. W. Smith, James Smith,
J. S. Scoggin, D. Shumake, A. Stewart, Daniel Stewart, William M. Smith,
John Striethoff, Reuben StriethoflF, .John W. Shrum, N. Shrum, Asa Stone,
William Sherley, Carlos W. Shane, R. Sloeum, St Clair, Rev. Wm Simpson,
Benjamin Simpson, Sappington, Sturgiss, Joseph S. Smith, John Savage,
Heni'y Smith, James Stanley, Sheltou, R. R. Thompson, J. Quinu Thornton,
A. 11. Thompson, David To.vnsend, W. P. Tyrrell, Towler, Thomas Towns-
end, Janes Towusend, Lazarus Van Bibber, Martin Vaughn, Vanderpool,
William Webb, William Wlieeler, C. Wheeler, J. T. WingKeld, R. Wliite,
Whately, Joseph Waldo, Cliarles Wren, A. E. Wait, J. M. Wair, John
Williamson, J. B. Walling, Henry Worden, E. Wask, A. C. West, Watkias,
Rev. Andrew Zumwalt.
Robert Henderson was born in Green County, Tennessee, on February 14,
180'J, and at the age of 8 years moved with his father to Fleming Co., Ky.
In 18.30 he immigrated to Mo., where in 18.34 he married Rhoda C. Holmau,
the daughter of John Holman of the immigration of 1843. Here he lived
until 184(), engaged in farming and trading in stock, when, in consequence
of losses sustained by going tecurity for friends, he determined to remove to
Oregon. Well provided with teams and supplies of food and clothing, the
first part f'f Ihe journey was comparatively a pleasant one. But later in the
season, in the journey over what is known as tne southern or Applegate route,
the family suffered great hardship. Mr Henderson gave away his flour and
THE AFPLE(}ATE8.
shortened to Yoncalla, on the head waters of Elk
Creek, near wliich a railroad now passes. His brother
Charles settled near him; and Lindsey Applegate
Ijacon to those in the train who were in want, until, when lie entered tho
Umpqua caflon, on Oct. 28th, he was reduced to two pieces of tho latter ami
ten pounds of the former. They were five days struggling through tliis then
almost impassable gorge. Much of the way they toiled over and along the
bed of tlie cold, rocky stream with tho rain pouring down on them steadily.
The two eldest children were lying sick and helpless in the jolting wagon,
■with a babe that came on the journey only a few weeks before. Soon after
they got through the canon they met some of tho Applegate party, with
supplies, from whom Mr Henderson and Mr Collins bought a beef weighing
about 700 poun<ls for $60 in c;ish. This left Mr Henderson with ^2 and ono
ox -team and wagon to begin life with anew. He settled on tho South Yam-
hill, wliere in due time lie obtained a grant of a section of land under the
donation act, which he still owns, and where he and his three sotis have
made the handsomest farm in Oregon. Mr and Mrs Henderson are still living,
surrouiuled by their descendants to tlie third generation, and honored and
beloved by aU who know them. They have eight surviving children, who
are all married, and among the most respectable people of the country. Their
oldest child, Lucy Henderson, was married to Matthew P. Deady, since
United States district judge, on June 24, 1852.
Elijah Bristow migrated from Ky. to 111. after the war of 181i-12, in
which ho was a soldier, fighting unilcr Johnson at Talladega, and afterward
in Tenn. He came to Cal. in 1845, wintering at Sutter's Fort. In 184G ho
removed to Oregon, and took a land claim at Pleasant Hill, in liane Co., being
the first settler in that co. He was a lii)eral and just man, respected by all.
He died Sept. 1872, aged 73. P. C. Adwcute, Oct. 3, 1872.
Reason B. Hall, born in Cla. 1794, removed to Ky 1802, to Ind. 1811, and
to Oregon in 1840, settling where Buena Vista now stands, of which town ho
■was i>roprietor. He died Dec. 13, ISO'J, Salem SUilesimin, Jan. 29, 1870.
John Williamson settled in West Chelialem, Yamhill County. Mrs Wil-
liamson was a daughter of Nathaniel M. and Mary Martin, and was born in
the Slienandoah Valley, Virginia, Aug. 29, 1825. She removed with her
parents to Indiana, and from there to Missouri, ■while still a child. She was
married April 30, 184(), and starte<l soon after for Oregon. She died May
18, 1872. A/., May 30, 1872.
F. R. Smitli, born in liochester, New York, in lSi9, went to Oregon in
1840, and settled near Salem. He was a virxorous man pliysically anil mcn-
■tally; and was a mendjer of tlie state legislature in lS7o. Salem Statesman,
Oct. 14, 187G.
Smith Collins settled near the Luckiamuto River, in Polk County, and
died in 1870. Mrs Collins, who was a d; ughter of Douglas Wyatt, an early
settler in Missouri, was born near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, January 12,
1812, and removed to Missouri at tho ago of 12. She married Dec. 24, 1830,
and with her husband went to Oregon in 1846. Excessive grief over his loss
hastened her death, which occurred April 29, 1872. She ■was tlio mother of
12 children, 10 surviving her, 8 of whom, were sons. It is mentioned as an
instance of filial afiFection that all tl'.i;se children cagreed in not opuiiing their
father's will during the life-time of their mother, lest they fhould deprive her
of the use of a part of the estate. The eldest son was J. L. Collins of Polk
County. Portland Advocate, May 16, 1372; Dalles Jlepuhlicaii, May 11, 1872.
Smith Collins was born in Virginia in December 1804, emigrated to Missouri
in 1828, and to Oregon in 1846. Dalles Republican, March 20, 1870. J, L.
Collins, eldest son of Smith Collins, was 15 years of age when he came to
Oregon. In 1855 ho was employed as repo'-ter in tho legi:daturo of the state.
He belonged to the regiment of Colonel Cornelius in the Yakima war of 1856.
In 1859 ho Wfis admitted to the practice of law at tho Dalles. He was chiei
clerk of the house of representatives in 18(51. Stlem Statesman, May 7, 1866.
m
fi70
THE IMMIGRATION OF 184G.
somewhat later made himself a iiomo on Ashland
Creek, where the town of Ashland now stands, and
directly on the line of the road he assisted iu open-
John Coats, one of tlio earliest settlers of Dotiglas fminty, an<l wlioso
home was about 10 miles from Rf>8el)urg, died suddenly wliilo walking, iu tho
summer of 1876. S. F. Call, Juno IS), 187G,
Sanuiel Davis died at his homo in Yamhill County, Feb. 28, 1875. Mon-
moxtlh Chrlxtian Mememjer, March G, 1875.
D. H. Good was born in Pennsylvania, June 19, 1818. On arriving in
Oregon in 184G, ho settled near Oregon City, where ho resided till his deatli,
September 18, 1871. Oreuon t'ity h'ntci-pfise, Sept. 22, 1871.
John Robinson settled in Benton County in 184G. Mrs Robinson was born
in South Carolina, Feb. 14, 1792, married in 1815, and died Aug. 27, 1878.
Corvnllis Gitzette, Sept. 6, 1878.
John Baker settled in Benton County. Mrs Baker was born in East Ten-
nessee, in 1801; married in 1821, and removed to Missouri iu 1843, whence
she emigrated with her husband in 1846. Mrs Baker died Nov. 27, 1877, at
Corvallis, where her son William R. Baker resided. Id., Dec. 7, 1877.
Rev. J. A. Cornwall was born in Georgia in 1798. He lived in the south-
ern and western states till 184G, when ho joined the Oregon emigration, taking
tho southern route, and ■wintering in the Unipqua Valley. In 181)5 he removed
to Ventura County, California. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian, and a
minister for 53 years. He died January 2, 1879. His son, Rev. J. H. Corn-
wall, is a resident of Eugene City, Oregon. Eugene State Journal, Saxi. 18, 1879.
J. T. Rainey, in 1851, with his brother, L. C. Rainey, purchased of Wm
Mosgrove, for a horse, a squatter's right to the laud on which the town of
Roscburg was afterward laid out. The only improvement on the land was a
pile of newly cut logs ior a cabin. The brothers erected a frame house, and
sold the land to Aaron Rose, who laid it ofiT in lots and blocks, long residing
there. J. T. Rainey removed to the Rogue River country, where he settled
on a farm in Sam Valley, lloselmrg Western Star, Nov. 14, 1879.
James Campbell was born in Greenville, Kentucky, April 6, 1807. He
emigrated with his parents to Missouri at an early age, and to Oregon in 1846,
spending the early part of the winter of 184G-7 iu the Umpqua Valley with
the belated immigrants of that season. He settled near Salem, but in 1859
removed to Puget Sound, where he resided 7 years, when he returned to
Salem. Ho died on the 31st of July, 1873, leaving the memory of a good
man. Salem Statesman, Aug. 5, 1873.
Virgil K. Pringle and Pherne T. Pringlc emigrated from Warren County,
Missouri, to Oregon in 1846, and settled in Marion County. A son, Albra
Mofiett Pringle, Dom in Missouri in 18;?4, died at Seattle, Washington, June
21, 187C. Virgiiia E. Pringle Smith, born in Missouri, June 7, 1828, married
Fabritus R. Smith of Salem, September 1, 1847, and died December 3, 1875.
Portland Advocate, Dec. 23, 1875; Id., Sept. 21, 1876; Salem Farmer, Dec.
IG, 1875.
Andrew Zuniwalt and Elizabeth Zumwalt, his wife, settled in Polk County
in 1846, where their son Isaiic contiimed to reside. Andrew Zumwalt was a
tleacon in the Methodist church. Mrs Zumwalt's maiden name was Fraser.
She was bom July 17, 1792, in Kentucky, and died September 10, 1878, at
her sou's home, near Lewisvillc, Polk County; her husband preceded her.
Porllmd P. a Advocate, Sept. 26, 1878.
Hugh L. Brown emigrated from Tennessee, and settled in Linn County.
Tlio to<vn of Brownsville on Calapooya Creek ia named after him, and owes
much ot its prosperity as an agricultural and manufacturing place to Mr
Brown's ability and example. Portland Weekl;/ Standard, Feb. 20, 1880.
Alphouso Boone, a great-grandson of Daniel Boone of Kentucky, with his
family, wiis a member of aiis emigration. His daughter, Chloe Donnely
BIOORAPHICAL.
071
ing.
the
Their children are many of them living in
grass valleys of the Klamath basin which
they were the first of the Anterioan frontiersmen to
Booue, married (leorgo L. Curry, afterward governor of Oregoa Territory.
Curri/'s BUxjraphy, M.S., 4.
W. P. Breeding settled at Salem, and put xip the first Macksmith's forgo
there. He served iii the Cayuso war under Colonel Waters. In 1850 ho re-
turned to Missouri, to bring to Oregon his father and mother, and in the fol-
lowing year was married, and removed to a farm in Lane County, near the
present town of Junction City. In 1875 he removed to Whitman t'ounty in
vVashington, where he erected a flouring mill an<l made other improvements,
at the same time laying off the town of Falouso City on his land, at the falltt
of Palouso River. Mr Breeding was a genial man, hia head as white as snow,
with ' keen, kindly blue eyes anil rugge<l features on whijh the glow of health '
was stamped. Nifkots Indian A ffcum, MS., 17, 18.
George William Burnett was bom in Nashville, Tennessee, October 18,
1811. At G years of ago he removed with his parents to Missouri, and was mar-
ried in that stjite to Miss Sidney A. Younger in 1831. Ho settled in the
autumn of 1847 on a land claim in Yamhill County, where ho resided till hia
death in December 1877. He waa a brother of Peter H. Burnett, a religious-
minded, exemplary man, and useful citizen. In 18G8 he was elected to the
state legislature. Or. Pioneer Assoc, Tram., 1877, p. 74; Burnett' a Rec, 182.
Ezekiel Kennedy waa born in Kentucky in December 1789, but removed
to Frankfort at an early age. He built the state-house in that city in 1817.
His wife waa I'anny Thurston of Shelby ville, Ky., whom he married about
this time. In 18.34 he removed to Missouri, and in 1846 to Orecon in the
southern branch of the immigration, being one of those who were detained in
the Umpqua Valley. In the spring of 1847 he settled in Yamhill County,
where for a number of years ho remained and occupied offices of public tnist
and honor. He finally settled at Dallaa, where he died June 11, 18G9, leaving
a widow and 4 children. Dallas Times, June 26, 1869.
Frederick W. Cieer, with his wife Mary Ann, and 2 children, settled
on the west bank of the Willamette, opposite the present town of Butteville.
The family was increased after arriving in Oregon to 10 children. Like
others of this name in Oregon, Mr Geer achieved success in his undertakings.
Portland Orei/onian, May 20, 1876.
Towner Savage was born in the state of New York in 1801. He removed
to Kalamazoo Co. , Mich., and thence to Oregon, and settled iu Marion County.
He died at Salem, March 3, 1871. Salem Stutesmnn, March 4, 1871.
David Colver settled 14 miles east of Salem, where he continued to reside
until his death, December 31, 1874, at the age of 80 years. Salem Sfatejtmnn,
Jan. 9, 1875.
James Smith, bom in Virginia in 1802, settled in Polk County, Oregon,
in 1846, where he died March 25, 1872. Dalles Pepiiblican, March 30, 1872.
James D. Fay came to Oregon, an orphan, in 1846. Hp i-."sessed good
talents, and stuilied law under A. A. Skinner ami Judge T! • ■/ if Corvallis.
He married a daughter of Jesse Applegate; but his politics ii. i iiduct being
obnoxious to her family, there was unhappiness. Slie dieil, and ho married
Miss Rosa Young of Jacksonville. He had a son l)y his first and a daughter
by his second wife. Ho committed suicide at Empire City in Coos County,
June 4, 1879. Portland Oreijonian, Juno 7, 1879.
James T. Crump, whoso father opened the first store in Salem, an*' died
about 1864, waa born in Missouri, and emigrated with hia parents in 1846.
He was a young man of promise, but committed suicide in February 1 870, a
few months after his marriage, on account of disappointment in not securing
a business situation. He had two brothers, one of whom is William R. Crump,
and two sisters, living in Salem. Or. State.'nnan, Feb. 25, 1870.
Wilson Lee settled on the Little Luckiamute in Polk County. "Mrs Lta
UM
IE
572
THE IMMKJUATION OF 184«.
explore. Levi Scott was the founder of Scottsburg,
on the Umpqua River, He died in 1878, in Lane
County, at the age of eighty, respected for his many
virtues and his generous character.
was marrioil while en route to Oregon in June 184C. She died July 14, 1872,
at Dallas, aged 47 years. Dnlk» JiepuiiUani, July 20, 1872.
Rev. A. E. Garrison settled in Yamhill County. His wife, Margaret
Oarrison, died at Salem, Auj^st 29, 1870. 8ho was bom in Pennsvlvania,
March 26, 1813, emigrated with her parents to Indiana, was married at the
age of 17 to Mr Garrison, and in 184(3 accompanied him to Oregon. She was
the motlier of 14 children, only 9 of whom outlived her. Portland Advocate,
Oct. 1, 1870.
Rice Dunl>ar was born in Ohio, February G, 1802. While a young man ho
removed to Illinois, where he married Jane Miller Bisbiu, January 22, 18.30.
Together they emigrated, and settled in the Waldo hills. His wife died in
1808. He died in September 1870. Id.
Martin Vaughn emigrated from Indiana. He lived on the Nachess River,
Washington; one of his daughters married a Gibbs. Id., March 27, 1873.
Andrus Harper and his wife, Eliza, settled in the Tualatin plains. A
daughter married L. P. Pratt in 1854, removed to Wasco County in 1871,
where she di<3d April 17, 1873. Id., May 1, 1873.
Mrs Cynthia Howard was born in Kentucky, October 19, 1810j removed
early in life to Illinois, was married in 1828 to R. R. Howard, an<l with him
crossed the plains and settled in Oregon C'ity, where she resided tb ■^main-
<ler of her lite. She was the mother of 10 children, two of whom ■ *leth-
odist ministers. She died August" 20, 1877. Id., Aug. 30, 1877.
Rev. John Howard, son of R. R. and Cynthia Howard, niv... . Miss
Jane E. Wingfield, daughter of J. T. Wingfield, in November 1854. She
was bom in Missouri, July 19, 1840, and died January 1, 1876, leaving 4
children. Id., Jan. 13, 1876.
J. W. ami A. Pugh lived for several years in Yamhill County, but after-
ward settled in Linn, where they married. Mrs John Pugh, their mother,
was bom in Virginia, October 1, 1791; removed with her parents to Ken-
tucky, and wa,« there married to John Pugh, about 1818 who was killed hy
lightning 2 or 3 years afterward, leaving her with 2 boys. After the death of
her husband Mrs Pugh removed with her children first to Illinois and then to
Towa, and finally they brought her with them to Oregon. She died January
23, 1872. Id., March 21, 1872.
Joseph Waldo was born March 19, 1805, in Harrison County, West Vir-
ginia. Thence he first emigrated to St Clair County, Missouri, and Ito\:\ tne
latter place to Oregon in 1846. He was a brother of Daniel Waldo, but un-
like him he was of a religious turn of mind, and a generous supporter of the
Willamette university, of which he was a trustee, and other M!ethodist insti-
tutions. He died whUe on a visit to Clarksburg, West Va., Nov. 24, 1871.
Id., Feb. 8, 1872.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE WAR FEEUNO IN OREGON.
1846.
Social Efforts of the Crew of the 'Modeste' — Fir.st Theatrical
Entertainmenth — First American Newspaper on the Pacific
Coast — A Military Company — Arrival in the Sound of H. B. M.
.Ship 'Fisuard' — President Polk's Messaoe — Arrival or the U. S.
Schooner ' >Shark ' — Horse-racinu — Howison on the Situation —
Wreck of the ' Shark '—A Flau ani' :uns for Oregon — Passaoe of
THE Notice Bill — Overland Railwa ^ The Boundary Determined —
How Tidings of the Treaty were Received.
While the events just narrated were taking place
the political condition of the colony remained un-
changed. From the newspapers brought by the im-
migrants, and occasional news received by way of the
Hawaiian Islands, the Oregon question still threat-
ened war. Amonsr other rumors was one that the
British plenipotentiary had proposed as a dernier res-
sort to leave the question open for twenty years, to
be settled finally by the choice of the people. But
this was believed by Americans to be improbable,
because it was shown by Gallatin in 1827 that the
country must be settled by Americans, and the late
immigrations had demonstrated it.^ British subjects
received the rumor with equal incredulity, believing
that England would not consent to any compromise
by which the country north of the Columbia would
be endangered.^ So uncertain and critical seemed the
' Honolulu Polyneman, Jan. 10 and March 14, 1846.
^Roberta' Recollections, MS., 6; Niles' Reg., Ixix. 242; Dunavan's Great
Divide, 330; Yreka UnUm, June 28, 1871; San Bernardino Guardian, July
29, 1871; Aniioch Ledger, Aug. 5, 1871; McKay, in his Recollections, MS., 3,
'573)
Ill
574
THE WAR FEELING IN OREGON.
iOint to ail
position of affairs, that an agent was sent in March,
by the fur company, to San Francisco and the Sand-
wich Islands, to make arrangements for obtaining sup-
plies for the Hadson's Bay Company's posts, in case
their farmhig lands should be seized.^ The Kussians
also, who depended on Oregon for the larger part of
tlieir supplies, anticipating trouble, forestalled the
action of the British company, and purchased, early
in the spring, the whole tara crop of the Islands, and
large quantities of sugar and rum, for Sitka,
Evervthinjj in the Pacific seemed to p<
early collision. The Modeste, as a British man-of war
stationed in the Columbia, was regarded ominously,
ai)d to soften the resentment thus created, the officers
and men, following the advice of the fur company,
gave a series of entertainments, to which all were in-
vited, which served the purpose of diverting the minds
of many from that strained feeling which McKay
says obtained between the rival nations, perceptible
even in the Sandwich Islands. A better acquaint-
ance enabled men of either nation to express political
bias freely, and wordy encounters were harmless, as
there were no offensive exhibitions of patriotism.*
says the officers of tlie British war sliip America expressed to him the opinion
that the country between the Columbia River ami Puget Sound must be held
at all hazards — ' an opinion which apparently carried no weight with tlio home
government. '
^ This was J. W. McKay, who says that he found the whole population
much excited over the prospect of annexation to the United States; and vari-
ous rumors were afloat concerning Fremont's intentions. ' Such of my cimn-
trymen,' he says, 'as I had a:i opportunity to converse with during my stay
in San Francisco seemed to take sides with the Americans; though they
blamed the English government for not taking prompt action with a view of
securing to the British crown a colony which vould certainly prove valuable
in the future.' Jii'colkrtion«, MS., 4, f); Marnh'x Letter, MS., 14, 15.
* As the first theatrical representations ever produced on the Pacific coasi,
the performances on the MwkMe are worthy of mention. I find by the
li'ptrtiitor of Feb. 19, 184ii, that on the 3d of tin month, under the patronage
of Captain Bail'ie and the officers of the Mmlente, and before a full and
respectable audience, was performed the comedy of T/irce Weeks after Mar-
riatje, followed by The. Deuce is in Him, and The Mayor vf Garratt. The
scenery was painted by the crow. The prologue was composed and spoken
by Pettman, and e'ldcd with the mot referred to in the note, ' Modei^te is our
ship,' etc. The young ladies who took part in the play were the daughters
of Oregon settlers: Miss Allen, Miss lledjjecock. Miss Lloyd, and Miss Rossi.
These were the earliest pupils of the mimic art on the Northwest Coast. At
THE 'OREGON SPECTATOR.
576
Little of all this would have heen preserved had not
the printing association, just previous to this happy
tliought of the crew, commenced the publication of
the Oregon Spectator, the first American newspaper on
the Pacific coast.^ This publication wtvs begun just
in time to record the occurrences of the eventful year
of 1846.
a second performance in May, Low, in a ViUa<jt, The Mvrk Doctor, and Mayor
of Garratt were played. Or. Spectator, May 12, 184(>; Taylor n Spec. Prexs,
247.
* There had been a small press in California since 18.34, but no newspaper
was published until a-'ter the American conciuest, 6 mouths later than the
publication of the Oregon newspaper. 'Ihe Spectator was a semi-monthly
journal of 4 pages, 15 by 11 inches in size, contauiing 4 columns each, printed
in clear type and a tasteful style, by Jolin Fleming, a practical printer, and
an immigrant of 1844. The paj^cr was first edited by the president of the
Oregon printing association, W. G. T'Vault, after whom several other editors
were employeil and removed in quick succession for holding opinions atlverse
to the controlling power in the association. The general aim of the Spectator
waa, wliile advocating good morals, temperance, and education, to pursue the
Hudson's Bay Company with unremitting, if often covt.-t, hostility; and in
this respect it might be considered the organ of the American merchant class
against the British merchants. T'V.ault was dismissed at the end of 10 weeks
fur being' Loo lenient. H. A. G. Lee then issued 9 numbers, and was dis-
missed for publishing sonie articles reflecting with good reason on the course
of the "American ^uerchants toward the colonists; and several numbers ap-
peared without r.ny ostensible editor, wiien in Octolier 184(3, George L. ('uny,
an immigrant oi that year, took the chair. Ho pursued the plan of allowing
both sides a fair hearin,'^, and aft(;r successfully conducting the paper a longer
' time than any of his predecessors, was dismissed for publisliing some n solu-
tions of the house of representatives of 1849, reHectiug on the Methodist
candidate for the important office of Oregon delegate to congress. He
waa succeeded by A. E. Wait, and subsequently by Wil.'fon Blain. In
18.50 the paper and press were sold to Robert Moore, who employed Blain
for a time to <Mlit it, but displaced him by D. .T. Schneliley, who soon be-
came proprietor, and associated with himself C. V. Culver as editor. In
March 1854 the paper was again sold to (.'. L. Goodrich, and by him <liscon-
tinued in March 18r)5. It waa published semi-montldy until September 18fi0,
when it changed to a weekly; and was printed on one of Hoe h Washington
presses. Its first printer, .John Fleming, went from Ohio to Oregon in 184.5,
and continued to reside in Oregon City till the time of his deatli, Dec. 2,
1872, at the age of 78 years. Me left a family in Ohio, to whom he never
returned. He was esteeme<l in his adopted homo as an honorable and exem-
plary man. He was appointed po.stmastor in 185G. Associatcil witli Fiona. ig
tor a time was T. F. McElroy, wlio after Fleming's retirement from bu.siness
formed with C W. Smith a partner.sliip as printers and publishers. These
were succeeded in th^ puLlisliiiig department by T. D. "iV-csou and G. 1). II.
Boyd, and they by Boyd alone, llaving outlived colonial times and s :en
Oregon City dwindle from 'lie first town in Oregon to the rank of second or
third, the press and material nf the Spectator were sold in 1855 to publish a
paper ander another name, and for political purjtoses. That i)aper became
finally merged in another at Salem, and the old Spectator jircss was takiai
to Roseburg to start a paper at tliat place, and finally to Eugene City,
where it remains. The typo and material were carried to Portland to be used
in the publication of the Daili/ Union, for a short time, after which it waa
taken to Astoria, where was printed on it-tho Marine Gazette, in which Gray'a
B76
THE WAR FEELING IN OREGON.
With the exception of drinking, no objection seems
to have been made to the Modeste's officers or men.*
Captain BaiUie rarely left his ship ; but the younger
officers, besides giving theatrical entertainments, horse-
races, balls, and curling matches, visited among the
settlers wherever invited, and attended a ball given
at Oregon City, in honor of Washington's birthday,
by H. M. Knighton, an immigrant of 1845, who was
the second marshal of Oregon under Ihe provisional
government, and sergeant-at-arms of the house of
representatives in the winter of 1846, The editorial
notices received of these amusements were studiedly
History of Oregon first appearerl. On the termination of that journal, what
was left of the material of the Speclnlor was taken back to Oregon City. The
authorities through which I have f .Ilowed the course of Oregon's first press
are Portlmd Oreyonian, March 25, 1854; OlympUi Columbian, Sept. 10, 1853;
Olympia Pioneer and Democrat, March 18, 1854; Parrish'n Or. Anecdotes, MP.,
5, G; Lanes Nar., MS., 5, G; Or. Pioneer Assoc., Trans., 1875, p. 72; Portland
Weekly Oreqonian, Dec. 26, 18G8; Olympia Transcript, Dec. 2G, 1868; Evans'
J/itt. Or., M.S., 333; Apple</ate's Views of Hist., MS., 50; Broum's Willamette
Vallei), MS., 34; Pickett's Paris Exposition, 10; Or. City Weekly Enterprise,
Dec. 19, 1868; Sol'iiio (Col.) Herald, Jan. 9, 1869; Ob/mpia Wash. Standard,
Jan. 2, 1869; Nikff' Reij., Ixx. 340-1; S. F.Alta, March 15, 1855; Sac. Union,
April io, 1855; Portland West Shore, Nov. 1878. The general news chronicle
in the Spectator was usually at least G months old, and was obtained from
papers brought out by the annual immigrations, from the Sandwich Island
papers brought over in chance sailing vessels, or through the correspondence
and mail of the fur company, winch arriveil once or twice a year overland
from Canada, or by the annual vessel from England. But the intelligence
conveyed was read as eagerly as if the events had but just transpired, and by
the extracts published, it is easy to gather what kind of news was considered
most important.
"The oHicers of the Modeste were Thomas BaiUie, captain; T. M. Rodney,
T. G. Drake, and T. P. Coode, lieutenants; Ci. J. (Jibbou, master; John (Tib-
son, surgeon; J. M. Hobbs, purser; A. A. D. Dundas, mate; A. Gordon,
a.sst. surgeon; A. T. Do Horsey, J. Montgomerie, Charles Gi-aiit, and K. T.
Loggo, miilshipincn; Thomas James Clarke, G. Pearc , miistur's assistants;
J. White, clerk "s assistant; J. Hickman, guuner; J. Stevens, boatswain; Vim.
EUieott, carpenter. Or. Sy.:ctator, Feb. 5, 184G. Roberts says these officers
wore fine fellows, and that the men could not be induced to desert by the
temptation of 640 acres of laud, the ship losing but one seaman during a
stay in the river of more than a year. McLoughlin also says: 'I am con-
vinced that it was owing to the Modeste being at Vancouver, and the gcntle-
maidike coniluct of Capt/aiu BaiUie and his officers, and tlie good discipline
and good l)ehavior of the crow, tliat the officers of the Hudson's Bay Conniany
have had less trouble (though thi;y have had a great deal more than I sns-
pectiwl) tli.in they would have liad, and which certainlj'' they have done
nothing to incur, but everything they could to avoid.' Prirate Paper.% MS.,
2d scr., 16, 17. One of the midshipmen of the Modcttc was afterward Admiral
Do Horsey. Rodney, 1st lieutenant, was grandson of Ailmiral C. R. Rodney.
I>rake, 2<l lie\itonant, was the author of Lines to Mary and other similar
effusions published in the Spectator. Roberts' Recollections, MS., 38-9.
OFFICERS OF THE 'MODESTE.'
577
inoffensive, but never cordial. The ultra-American
and missionary portion of the inhabitants regarded
them with disfavor, and beneath guarded phrases a
covert sneer could be detected/
There was another object in the gayeties of the
Modeste, which was to avert the temptation on the part
of the inferior officers and seamen to desert and take
up a section of land, without price, under the Oregon
land law. Though the legislature of 1844 had passed
an act in relation to deserting seamen, that they should
be returned to their vessels, there to be dealt with by
their officers, the practice of abandoning their ships
in the Columbia River was one that gave sea-captains
much trouble. In a country so wild and free, it was
useless to employ severe measures, even if a captain
might venture it, and kindness and tact were judged
by the officers of the Modeste and the Hudson's Bay
Company as more effectual. Roberts remarks that
sufficient importance has never been attached to the
influence of the good order Jiiaintainc at Fort Van-
couver in preserving the peace of the country; and
also that the naval service gav< them more trouble
than the landsmen, the captains of vess<>ls often having
to appeal to the authority of McLoughliii or Douglas
to keep their men under control. Palmei', who visited
Vancouver during the Christmas holidays, one of
'' Rcrollectionn, MS., 5. At a ball held in McLoughlin's mill, one of the
Mo<tto^K,'o cfHcers wagered a bottle of wine that the niajiirity of the men jires-
eiit would tight on the Biitish side in the event of having to choose; but a
count being made ho lo>t hia bet. "He then singled out one man who he
offered to bet would figlit on England's hide, W. H. Rees. On the ijuestion
being put, 'Sir, which Hag would you support in the event of warV' Rees
replied, ' I fight under the stars and stripes, sir ! ' to the no small chagrin
of the challenger. Miiito'x Eorlij Dmjs, MS., 10; 'h\ Pioniir Asunc, Tnuig.,
1874, 2(5-7. 'At one of the plays,' says Roberts, 'I heard, "Atodcxte is our
ship, and modest men are we — c»ne Wfird more, and up shall rise the scene;
Ladies and gentlemen all — ( rod save the Queen ! " One shnu;hed hat was uu-
removed amongst the uncovered crowd, and I heanl a,tar say, 'TleaHO, sir,
tnay I pitch that chap overboard?"' IMwrUi life, MS., 38. On the other
side: d'eorge W. Jackson, an immigrant of 1845, being at an entertainment
m\ board the Mwle«te, where there was singing, treated the aiulience first to
the 'Star-spangled Rinner,' to which they did not object, and afterward to
' Vo Parliaments of England ' of 1812 memory, which displeased bis ente ■
tainers. Qtinp-Jirc Oriifiou.i, MS., 8, 9; Palmer a Journal, 111.
Hist. Ob., Vol. I. 37
.4
Si
^i
•uaj^,l^4j.,
678
THE WAR FEELING IN OREGON.
those rare occasions, as aleady mentioned, on which
the company's servants received their small allowance
of spirits, describes a grand carouse, ending on ship-
board.^
The subject of military organization had been
neglected in the amended organic law, through a wise
forbearance, as its existence was calculated to create
suspicion and prevent the perfect fusion of rival ele-
ments. The apparently critical aspect of affairs in
the spring of 1846, however, induced some public-
spirited citizens to call a meeting at the house of
.David Waldo, in Champoeg County, and organize a
company of mounted riflemen.^ Charles Bennett was
made captain. It appears to have been a revival of
* ' This was holiday with the servanta of the Hudson's Bay Company, and
such ranting and frolicking has perhaps seldom been seen among the sons of
men. Some were engaged in gambling, some singing, some running horses,
many promenading on the river-shore, and others on the large green prairie
above the fort. H. B. M. 's ship of war Modexte was lying at anchor about
fifty yards from the shore. The sailors also seemed to be enjoying the holi-
days—many of them were on sho"e promenading and casting sheep's-eyes at
the fair native damsels as they strnlled from wigwam to liut, and from hut to
wigwam, intent upon seeking for themselves the greatest amount of enjoy-
ment. At night a party w;is given on board the snip, and judging from the
noise kept up until ten at night, they were a jolly set of fellows. About t'.is
time a boat came ashore from the ship with a few landlubbers most gloriously
drunk. One of them fell out of the boat and his comrades were barely able
to pull him ashore.' Joiinuil, 111.
•The preamble to this organization reads: ' Wliereas, the people of Oregon
Territory are situated remote from, and without the protection of, any gov-
ernment, we therefore, as members of a free find enlightened comnmnity,
wishing to preserve the principles of a free and repuolican form of gov-
ernment, and being well aware that the body of the people is the only power
capable of sustaining such institutions, therefore, wo deem it advisable to
form ourselves into military bodies, for the purpose of preserving peace and
order at home, and preventing aggressions from abroad. Or. Spectator, Juno
]1, 1846. The oflicers of the company were: captain, Charlies Bennett; 1st
lieut., A. A. Robinson; 'Jd lieut., Isaac llutchins; 3d lieufc., Hiram English;
ord. sergeant, Thomas Holt; 2d sergeant, Thomas Howell; 3d sergeant, S.
C. Morris; 4th sergeant, William Herring; 1st corporal, P. C. Kaisor; 2d
corporal, Robert Walker; 3d corporal, B. Frost; 4tn corporal, John Rowe.
The privates were 33 in nundjer. This 2ompany, when called upon to pursue
some supposed horse-thieves, charged upon a peaceal)le native village, and
shot an Indian who was innocent ot any offence. It soev^s an anomaly that
men who were able to pen sentiments as lofty as those contained in their pre-
amble were so little to be trusted in the exooution of their duty. It is due,
however, to Captain Bennett to state tliat h; was not in command; and to
the company, to say that all regretted tlie occurrence which happened rather
through a mistake than by design. Kaiser's Emiurant Road, MS., 0, 7; Kaiser's
iVor., 12-14.
THE 'FISGARD.'
679
Captain Kaiser's company of Oregon Rangers, as they
took that name, some of the same members being
again enrolled, and the former captain acting as presi-
dent of the meeting.
On the very day that Kaiser sent his report of these
proceedings to Oregon's journal, Ogden, writing from
Fort Vancouver to the same, announced the arrival
at Nisqually of H. M. frigate Fisgard, forty -two guns,
and a crew of three hundred and fifty men, which had
come to remain for the summer, or as long as the war-
cloud threatened.^" The news brought by the Fisgard^
as late as December from England and January from
New York, was rather quieting than otherwise. It
was thought that the corn laws would be repealed and
free-trade instituted, which would open British ports
to American bread-stuffs, and it was believed greatly
lessen the war feeling in the western states, where
President Polk's supporters were strongest." The
president had also made proposals for altering the
tariff, favorable to Great Britain; all of which was
reassuring. At the same time it was evident that
the French government, whose officers in the Hawai-
ian Islands courted the favor <»f the officers of the
English fleet in the Pacific, would support the claims
of Great Britain ; and the pretensions of the French
in the Pacific were tolerated by England in order to
obtain this support.'
12
'"The Fiwjnrd was officered as follows: captain, J. A. Duntz; lieutenants,
.Tohii Rodd, Charles Dyke, (ieorge Y. Patterson, Edward W. Lang, Edward
J). Ashe; marines, Lieutenant Hoary H. M'Cartliy, and Fleetwood J. Rich-
ards; master, Edmund P. Colo; cliaplain, Robert Thompson; surgeon, Tlioinas
R. Durm; purser, Thomas Rowe; second ?naster, James Crosby; iustructor,
Robert AI. Joship; 14 midshipmen. Roberts says: ' A small building erected
for a miilshipmen'a school at Nisqually was standing only a ftiw year.s ago.
It was known to us as the "castle of indolence." ' Rcrollertions, M.S., 78.
" Had the corn laws of England been abolished a few years earlier, so that
a market could have been found for tlie grain raised in the Mississippi Valley,
the history of Oregon might now be read difl'erently, since the farmers who
emigrated to the Pacific coast would have remained at home to raise com
and wheat for (Jreat Britain.
'^Tho N. Y. llvmld of Nov. .30, 1845, remarks: 'Tlie accounts from Tahiti
state that H. B. M. shin Volliiujwooii, Admiral Kir George Seymour, had arrived
there and saluted the'French Protectorate flag. This is rather singular, and
seems to indicate that the English, in order to carry some point in the Pacific,
680
THE WAR FEELING IN OREGON.
The newspaper mail of tlie Fisgard, however,
revealed the fact that there was a majority of the
democratic party in the United States house of repre-
sentatives of nearly two to one, and in the senate a
majority of six. This latter circumstance was re-
garded as indicating that the president's policy would
be carried out as defined in his message.
On the 23d of August, 1844, said President Polk,
the negotiations on the subject of the Oregon boun-
dary, which had been pending in London since October
1843, were transferred to Washington. The proposi-
tion of the British plenipotentiary was to divide the
Oregon Territory by the 49th parallel, from the Rocky
Mountains to the point of its intersection with the
northernmost branch of the Columbia River, and
thence down that river to the sea, leaving the free
navigation of the river to be enjoyed by both parties;
the country south of this line to belong to the United
States, and that north to Great Britain. In addition
to this, it was proposed to yield a strip of coast north
of the Columbia extending from Bullfinch Harbor to
the Strait of Fuca, and from the Pacific to Hood
Canal; and to make free to the United States any
ports they might desire, either on the Mainland or on
Vancouver Island — a proposition identical with one
offered in 1826, Vv^ith the exception of the free ports,
and which was promptly rejected by the United States
plenipotentiary. A request was then made that the
United States should frame a proposal. Nothing,
however, had been done when the administration
changed, and Polk came into office.
The president .said that though he held the opinion
that Great Britain had no title to the Oregon Terri-
tory that could be maintained upon any principle of
public law recognized by nations, he had felt it
his duty to defer to the opinions and acts of his prede-
have concluded to recognize and tolerate the French aggressions in that sea.
See also Mo/ras, Explor., torn. i. 294; Id., torn. ii. 254; Orcenhoiv's Hist. Or.,
159, 341-3.
OREGON BEFORE CONGRESS.
681
cessors, who had oft'ered to adjust the boundary on
the 49th parallel, two of them also offering the free
navigation of the Columbia; and a proposition had
accordingly been made, repeating the offer of the 4*Jth
parallel, but withdrawing the free navigation of the
Columbia ; and which in its turn had been indignantly
rejected by the British plenipotentiary. He was now
of opinion that the year's notice required by the con-
vention of 1827 should be given, and the treaty of
joint occupancy terminated, before which neither gov-
ernment could rightfully assert or exercise exclusive
jurisdiction over any portion of the territory."
In the mean time he recommended such legislation
by congress as would be proper under the existing
treaty, and considered it beyond question that the pro-
tection of the United States laws and jurisdiction ought
immediately to be extended over Americans in Ore-
gon, who had just cause to complain of long neglect,
and who had been driven to organize a government
for themselves. The extent to which jurisdiction
might be extended over the territory should be in full
as far as the British government had gone in the
act of parliament of July 2, 1821, by which the
courts of Upper Canada were empowered to take cog-
nizance of civil and criminal cases," and to appoint
justices of the peace and other political officers in Ore-
gon. He also recommended that the laws of the
United States regulating trade and intercourse with
the natives east of the Rocky Mountains should be
extended over the tribes west of the mountains ; that
a suitable number of military posts should be estab-
lished on the route to Oregon, to give protection to
emigrants ; that an overland mail, as often as once a
month, should also be established ; and in addition to
these proposed measures, congress should be prepared.
•I* I-
f-v^~
^^20t.h Cont/., Ut Sess., Sen. Doc. Xo. 1, 11-14; London Chronicle, Dec. 24,
1845; Or. Spectntor, June 11, 184().
'* Civil cases, not exceeding in the cause of action the sum of £200, and
criiuiual cases, where the punishment was not capital. Wt/se's America, ii. 304.
682
THE WAR FEELING IN OREGON.
as soon as the year's notice had expired, to make lib-
eral grants of land to the settlers in Oregon,
The president closed that portion of his message
which related to Oregon with the avowal of his
belief in the Monroe doctrine of non-interference of
foreign powers with North American territories, and
the assurance that should any such interference be
attempted it would be resisted at all hazards. ^'^
Notwithstanding this decided policy of the new
administration, it was generally thought by the lead-
ing men in congress that tliere would be no war. The
senate was entirely against it, and it was ridiculed
even in the house, though the propriety of increasing
the navy was considered, as a peace measure. The
house would probably be in favor of giving notice;
but in the senate the measure was opposed, particu-
larly by southern members.'*
Such was the intelligence that reached Oregon in
May, and was published in the Spectator in June.
News of a few weeks' later date, received from the
Islands, informed the colonists that a resolution had
passed the house to give the notice, by a vote of one
hundred and sixty-three to fifty-four ; but that in the
senate, the vote, if taken, it was believed would stand
twenty-two for and thirty-four against it. Bv the
**The president's message changei! the tone of the French press. In the
Spectator of August 20th was a quotation from the Washington Union, taken
from the Courrier des Etats Unis, cont^'-ining these comments on President
Polk's message: 'Not that the message does not bear t!ie impress, in all the
questions to which it refers, of a frankness and vigor which invest it with a
powerful interest or thrilling importance, but Mr Polk has displayed an ad-
mirable skill in disguising' the energy of thoughts and the boldness of inten-
tions under forms full of moderation, address, and courtesy. It has been
many years since the people of the United States held toward foreign nations
a language so proud and so calm. Upon the Oregon Question the Courrier
remarked that ' there had been little suspicion of the extent of the concessions
which had, up to the last hour, been offered to Great Britain, and which are
now for the first time revealed. Public opinion is scandalized, and with
great reason, at the blundering obstinacy which England has shown in refusing
these concessions; and those even who were least disposed to insist on the
rights of the United States are of opinion that concessions were carried suf-
fic'ently far; and if they have any regrets, they are not dispose<l to blame the
rebolution taken by Mr Polk to yield nothing more to John Bull, whose avid-
ity is insatiate.'
"iV^. Y. Jour. (/Commerce, Jan. 21, 1846.
THE FOURTH OP JUL\.
S88
same paper they learned that the frigate Cmigress,
Commander Dupont, with Commodore Stockton on
board, had sailed for the Pacific coast, hci craiRing
ground supposed to be the Oregon coast; and also
that it was rumored that the whole British force in
the Pacific was making sail for the Columbia River. ^'
There was always something to protract anxiety ;
yet the colonists continued the cultivation of their
fields, building, and road-making, with unceasing faith
that their claims to land and improvements would be
protected. In this spirit preparations were made for
a Fourth-of-July celebration in Salem, recently so
named, and in Oregon City. At the latter i)lace was
erected a liberty-pole presented to the committee of
arrangements by William Holmes ; a round of thirty-
one guns was fired, and an oration delivered by Peter
H. Burnett,^^ which was followed by a dinner and
toasts, with cheering and firing of guns, the festivities
being concluded by a ball in the evening.
At Salem the management of the celebration was
placed in the hands of the newly organized military
company, the Oregon flangers. It was on this occa-
sion that the company was presented with a flag made
by Mrs Horace Holden and Miss Locmey. The
^'' Honolulu Frieml, May 1, 1846; PolyneMan, April 25, 1846.
'* As this was the first public celebration by the coloiusts of the Fourth of
July, the following facts concerning its observance inay iiot be without
interest. The procession was formed under the mana^e.neat of Wm Finley,
marshal of the day, at the City Hotel, kept by H. M. Knl^;hton, and marched
to the Methodist church, the flag of the Uniteil States being borne at the
head. The ceremonies opened with prayer by J. L. Parrish; the declaration
of independence was read by A. L. Lovejoy, after which followed the oration
of Judge Burnett. The assembly then marched back to the hotel, where a
public dinner was served, after which the usual toasts were road, with cheer-
nig and firing of guns, but without the use of wmes or liquors. There were
13 regular toasts, full of the spirit of 1776, and a number of others, all
more or less colored by the peculiar situation of the country. The toast,
'Oregon belonging to the United States and rightfully claiming 1 cr protec-
tion, and ever ready to repel any insult offered in seducing her from that
path by hired emissaries, come from what source they may,' was received
with 10 cheers and 3 guns. 'The United States of America, an example
for the world, a bone of jealousy to tyrants, the home of the free, the land of
the brave, and an asylum of the oppressed,' ^eceiv^.d 13 cheers and 5 guns.
Among the volunteer toasts was one by A. L. Lovejoy, ' May the time soon
come when ;he lion and unicorn may cease to ^o about the North American
continent seeking whom they may bite ! ' Oreyo/i Spectator, July 9, 1846.
584
THE WAR FEELING IN OREGON.
oration was delivered by W. G. T'Vault, after which a
barbecue and pubHc dinner was served, followed, not
by a ball, but by a sermon, as was considered prf)per
in a missionary town,^" delivered by Harvey Clark.
It had been a subject of annoyance to the colonists
that two well-equipped British men-of-war should bu
stationed in Oregon waters, and that while a fleet of
American vessels sported in the Pacific, not one was in
the Columbia. But this grievance was removed when
there entered on the 1 8th of July the schooner Shark,
twelve guns, Neil M. Howison, commander,^" which
had been repairing at the Islands since the month of
April, and left Honolulu on the 23d of June. Reach-
ing the mouth of the Columbia, she anchored, and fired
guns signalling for a pilot, but no pilot appearing,
Lieutenant Howison, with the master, pulled in be-
tween the breakers and sounded the channel, after
which he brought the vessel in. On rounding Cape
Disappointment he was hailed by a boat which con-
tained A. L. Lovejoy, H. H. , Spalding, and W. H.
Gray. The negro pilot, already mentioned, was recom-
mended, but in twenty minutes he ran the schooner
hard aground on Chinook shoal. Lovejoy and Gray
immediately put vjiT to Astoria for assistance, and in
the morning Mr Latta, the pilot of the Hudson's
Bay Company, wap brought on board, who took the
Shark to her anchorage off Astoria, the vessel having
worked off the sands during the night. Howison
then proceeded with his ship to Vancouver, where he
was received July 24th with the utmost cordiality by
the ofl^icers of the Modeste and the fort. On the
2Gth he made an attempt to cross the bar at the
mouth of the Willamette, with the intention of as-
" The ceremonies took place where the house of Asahel Bush now stands.
K(iMer-i Nnr., MS., 11-12.
''''The Sliark'n officers were Neil M. Howison, lieut. commanding; W. S.
Scheuck, acting fmaster; James D. Bullock, lieut. ; Wni S. HoUis, purser;
Edward Hudson, assist, surgeon; T. McLanahan, T. J. Simes, an I H. David-
son, midshipmen; J. M. Maury, passed midshipman, captaiu's clerk. Oreijon
Spectator, Aug. G, 1840.
OTHER VESSELS OF WAR.
585
cending that river as far as possible ; but not being
able to get the schooner over, was forced to return to
Vancouver, while a party of the ^Shark^s officers pro-
ceeded in a boat to Oregon City.'*
Howison arrived at Vancouver in time to ])artici-
pate in the first formal horse-races on record,"' which
occurred on the 25th of July, and which, together
with the advent of a United States war vessel, drew
together an unusual number of people, and furnished
the American officers an opportunity to become
acquainted with the prevailing state of feeling. Every
courtesy was extended to the commander of the Shark,
which attentions were received as courteously as ren-
dered ; but, as in the case of Wilkes, the independent
American settler would have preferred that the U nited
States officers should not have been thus placed under
obligations.
Howison's report is probably the best authority
extant upon the condition of affairs in Oregon at this
time. He came as an observer, had good opportunities
of hearing both sides of the question, and appears to
have written fairly, and without prejudice. There
was no motive for him to conceal anything from the
eyes of government. He affirms that he found pre-
vailing an intense excitement on the boundary question
among all classes ; and that he enjoined his officers in
writing to refrain from arguments touching the owner-
ship of the soil, but to allay instead of increase the
excitement, while at the same time they were to seek
all the information they could gather respecting the
country. ^-^
But it would have been impossible, under the cir-
cumstances, to prevent the marines and sailois from
mixing with the people, and becoming inspired with
^' Ifowlmn's Coast and Coiintn/, 1-.3.
^Oi-eijon Spectator, Aug. 20, Oct. 1, 29, 1846.
^' Coiuit and Country, .3. The excitement was kept up by the surmiaee of
the Sandwich Islands papers concerning the destination of the English fltet,
the Poli/nenian of the 6tn of June reporting that the Collimjirood was goil^g
to Puget Sound, to deposit uaval stores and to fortify. Or. Spectator, Aug. 20,
1846.
it.j.i\t;ij.j,
888
THE WAR FEELING IN OREGON.
much of their intolorancu of foreign intrusion ; for in
that spirit, notwithstanding the facts in the case, they
insisted on viewing the presence of the British nien-
cf-war, the Modente, hmjurd, and Cormorant, which
Litter strongly armed vessel was stationed at the
entrance to Puget Sonnd.^^
The presence of the British flag, which had been a
source of ill-suppressed ire, was rendered more openly
obnoxious by the appearance of the United States
colors," and the intelligence brought by the Shark
that the United States squadron, ct>nsiHting of the
frigates Congress and Savarinah, and the sloops of war
Cyane, Portsmouth, lA'vaid, and Warren, were on tlie
coast of Mexico and California, while the store-ship
Erie was at the Islands [irovisioning for the fleet.
Thus sustained, the belligerent feelings of the ultra-
patriotic were privileged to exhibit themselves. Nor
was the feeling of hostility with which many of the
colonists regarded the officers of the British vessels
entirely of a national chaiacter. In the eyes of the
free and independent emigrants from the border of the
United States, anything so cultivated, disciplined, and
formal as a British military officer was an offence.
They were not inspired with awe, like an Englishman,
but with dislike and envious contempt. '^^
After ascertaining that the Shark could not be
taken into the Willamette, Howison visited Oregon
City, where the people received him with a salute
fired from a hole drilled in an anvil, probably the same
which had done service on the 4th of July, and where
'■'■• ' The Shark people had said they would take the Mwleste out of the
river any time they were ordc-ed. ' Jackson, in Cainp-Jire Omtiom, MS., 9.
'■'•'' ' Any future Martin who may write from the British side will say we got
on smoothly, even lovingly, with the early immigrants, until after the advent
of the U. S. 8chr. Shark, Capt. Howison. She came to show tlie flag. There
was, we found, a noticeable change after that.' Roberts' Rec, MS., 49.
"^ ' The English officers used every gentlemanly caution to reconcile our
countrymen to their presence, but no really good feeling existed. Indeed,
there could never be congeniality between porsons so entirely dissimilar as an
American frontier man and a British naval officer. But the officers never, to
my knowledge, had to complain of rude treatment.' Howinonia Coant and
Country, 4; Gibbs, in Pacific R. Rept., i. 421.
SHIPWRECK OF THE 'SHAIIK.'
087
he became the guest of Abeniethy. Accompanied
by the governor, he made a tour of tlie Willamette
Valley, after which Abernethy returned with him to
Vancouver, where foi* tw<j duvs he was enterttiined on
board the Shark. A v arm intimacy sprung up be-
tween the commander and the governor, and every
opportunity was aff'onhxl the former for becoming
acquainted with the social interests of the country.
While the commander was thus engaged, tlie other
officers were visiting j)oints on the Columbia with the
same object, Howisoa being under orders to leave the
river by the 1st of September. Meanwhile ten of
his m/n deserted, tempted by the high price of labor
and the prospect of owning land," always a great allure-
ment to sailors. Two of the deserters were returned
to the vessel, but the others succeeded in escaping
arrest. Howison perceived that to retain his crew he
must shorten his stay, and on the 23d of August took
his departure from Vancouver. Passing slowly down
the river, in going out on the 1 0th of October the
Shark was carried on the south spit, and became a
total wreck.
This disaster, the second to a United States vessel at
the mouth of the Columbia, was most complete. Offi-
cers and men were cast ashore without food or cloth-
ing, helpless and miserable. Leaving his crew poorly
sheltered at Astoria, Howison returned to Vancouver,
meeting by the way the cutter of the Modesfe loaded
with provisions, clothing, and such articles as were
likely to be needed, which had been sent from the
fort where the news of the wreck was received on the
1 4th. Purchasing the necessary supplies on the most
favorable terms at Vancouver,^ Howison returned to
'•" ' The few American merchant vessela whicli had visited the Columbia,
suffered the greatest inconvenience from the loss of their men in this way, and
it ia now customary for them to procure a reenforcument of kanakas, in
passing the Sandwich Islands, to meet this exigency.' J/owi>ion'8 Count and
Oonntry, 4.
'■•^Cash, at Oregon City, and with the American merchants, was worth 12
per cent more than bills; yet the company furnished all Howison 's requisi-
tions, whether for cash or clothing, taking bills on Baring Brothers at par.
Coast and Country, 5.
'•-.JlUJi,
688
THE WAR FEELING IN OREGON.
Astoria, where three houses were erected for the
winter quarters of the crow, there being then no ex-
pectation of leaving the country for some time.-^ The
United States flag was planted on shore, the place
taking on quite an air of military life.^" Alwut the
end of October the fur company's vessel Cadhoro
was chartered for the removal of tlie SharFs crew to
San Francisco,''^ and the 16th of November they went
on board, but the winter storms prevented the vessel
from crossing the bar before the 18th of January.
On the breaking-up of the 8harFs quarters at
Astoria, Howison presented to the government of
Oregon the colors of the wrecked schooner, and also
as many of the vessel's guns as could be recovered.
This was the first flag owned by the territory ; "' and
the only gun they had hitherto was a twelve-pounder
which had been presented to the corporation of Ore-
gon City by Benjamin Stai'k, Jr., who arrived in
Oregon as supercargo of the American b^rk Toulon
in June previous.'^*
The loss of the Hharh was especially regretted by the
^'The houses were two log structures, 30 hy 24 feet, IJ stories, well floored
and boarded, with kitchen and hake-ovon, and a large, square, 2-stoiy frame
building, intended for otiicers' quartern, but wliich was never finislied. Tlie
latter, long known as tlie Shark House, was left in charge of Colonel John
McClure. It was afterward put to a variety of uwes, and served at one time
as a eustom-liouse; but was finally taken as a residence l)y W. II. Gray; and
later turned to account as a cheap tenement-house. Scannnon, in Ovi'rliiid
Motithlji, Dee. 18(51), 4%; Crairfonrn Xai:, MS., 130.
•'"Howison says the flag was hoisted on the "very spot which was first
settled by tlio white men on the banks of the Columbia; ' seeming unaware of
the settlement made by the ^Vinsllip 1)rothers at Oak Point.
^' Tlie price asked for tlie vessel's charter was f.'iOO, which Howi.son says
in his opinion was an extravagant one. Corixt «ml Count nj, i\. Tlie compi'.iy
in this way, perhaps, reimbursed themselves for a jiart of their adv^m-.s to
American citizens; or considering the risk of crossing the bar .".t that season,
the amount charged may not have lieen exorbitant.
•';^0r. Sjxrfafor, Dec. 24, I84t).
•''^ Three of t\ie S/iin;':'ti earronades t'lme ashore iit Tillamook with apart
of the hull, but only one of them could be dragged above hiuh-water mark
))y the party sent by Howison to recover tliem He notified Abernethy of
tlie position, hoping tliat during the smooth seas lif summer they might be
taken on board a lioat But there is no account of their recover}'. Howison
remarks the singular fact that all tlie articles recovered were c'.' metal, and
heavy; and was evidenti} ignoriint of the current setting into tliis Strait of
Fuel, which would have carried northward all the ligliter portions of the
wreck.
THE NOTICE BILL.
689
colonists, as damaging to the character of the Colum-
bia's en*"i'ance. They chafed under the fact that the
United States had lost two men-of-war on the sands
at the mouth of the river, and that the I'eports of
government officers were of a nature to alarm ship-
masters and keep commerce away.^^ The occasion
was seized upon to discuss this subject in all its bear-
ings in the colunms of the Spectator, and, what was
of mort importance, the legislature of 1840 was im-
])elled ,o pass a pilotage liiw, authorizing the governor
to appoint co..imissioners t ) examine and license pilots
for the bur and river, wh ; should give bonds, keep
suitable boats, and collect fees, according to law.
Under this act, in Apri' 1847, S. C. Ileeves was ap-
pointed the first pilot 'or the Colutnbia River bar,
wliicli oftice he retained until the gold discovery in
California.^'' Thus .ittle by little, as necessity de-
manded, were added those menus of safe passage to
and from the colony, by land ana sea, which the means
at hand afforded.
While Lieutenant Howison was yet at Vancouver,
intellicjence arrived that conuress had at length ])assed
tlie notice bill — that is to say, the year's notice which
should lawfully terminate the treaty— recommended
by the ])resident, and whicli the colonists had so long
desired."'" This aijfreeabl'j news was brouuht bv Selim
}tj. Wood worth,"*' bearer of the despatches to the
^* HowisoK in liis report saiil that tlio d mgors of the har wi-ri' not only
really groat, hut wcro nkagnitioil for politiui'l jmrjiosi's liy the Hudson's IJiiy
t'onipany, it not heing to tluir interest to remove tlie faneieil ditlieulties of
tile entrance. If Howison hail said for eoiimiereial puriiosi^s, lie woidd iiavo
heen riglit; lie was right in saying tln^y hail no ehai'ts, and wanted none.
■'•''>/'. S}iirfii/nr, April l.">, 1847. H( eves was a good pihit ami daring
sailor. He went to California m the autuinii of 1848 in a ship's long-hoa^
carrying two sjtars to he thrown over in a tri, ingle a.s outriggers in ea.se of a,
storm. Two men from Astoria aeeoii)]ianiei' him. He retunii>d ;i.s ])ilot f)f a
ship in the winter of 1848 it, and again sailed for California, where he sailed
a small .sloop, the Flnrc, m the hay, whicli was capsized in a .sfpiall in tlio
mouth of Nl.ay, drowning lieeves and a son of .lame!) LonmiB of Oregon.
Cnnr/onrn yor., MS., 1!»1.
2" Or. .Syfrtntnr, Sept. 'A, 184(); A/., Oct. 1, 184G.
^' Son of the author of ''1 he Old Oaken Hueket.' While in California, in
Felirnary 1847, he went to the assistance of the California immigrants who
took the Hastings cut-ofl', and were snow-bound in the Sierra.
'«j-uaa*,^
690
THE WAR FEELING IN ORECiON.
t-^ i
^!!-ImS-
11
li
' iii'''
i|||
United States squadron in the Pacific, including the
commander of the Shark. No special communication
was made to the government of Oregon, bat a bundle
of newspapers contained sufficient good tidings in the
notice bill, and a bill requiring the president to estab-
lish military posts between the Missouri and the
Columbia, at suitable distances, and autliorizing the
raising of a regiment of mounted riflemen for service
along the line of travel and in Oregon ; with the
promise also of a mall route to the Pacific, and talk
of a railroad to the Columbia River. A pamphlet by
George Wilkes was received, containing a memorial
to congress, praying for the construction of such a
road, appended to which was a memorial to the
speaker and representatives of tlie legislature of Ore-
gon, asking for an expression from them to the con-
gress of the United States on the subject of a
national railroad to the Pacific Ocean, in the hope
that their prayer, joined to his own, might procure
the passage of a bill then before congress for this
purpose.^
These subjects, so full, of interest to the colonists,
promising the fulfilment of their loftiest dreams, dulled
their appreciation of the acct)mpanying intelligenct;
that the United States was actually at war with
Mexico, and that, therefore, since England still main-
tained a belligerent tone, there was prospect of serious
work for the government. Nor did the fact create
any obvious dissatisfaction that Benton, Oregon's
ch .mpion for more tlian two decades, as well as Web-
ster, Calhoun, and other distinguished statesmen, now
advocated the firial settlement of the question on the
49th parallel instead of the popular 'fifty-four forty'
boundary. A. salute was fired, and the American flag
hoisted, while a general (.xpression of cheerfulness and
*■ This BchoiTie was for a free natiniial road to be supported hy tolls suffi-
cient to i)ay its expenses, and not a corporate monopoly. Wilkes was in
advance of his tunes; hut the principle Im advocated is undoubtedly the cor-
rect one for developing the great interior of the continent. See Cong. Oiobe,
J845~G, 414, 445, 1171, 1206; Or. Spectator, Sept. 17, 184G.
THE BOUNDARY ESTABLISHED.
591
animation prevaded the entire community,*' inspired by
the thought of a glorious future as a part of a federal
union extending from ""'e Atlantic to the Pacific. In
this hopeful humor, .wid occupied by the changes
occurring on the influx of a large immigration, two
montlis passed rapidly by, and then came the grand
announcement of the settlement of the Oregon boun-
dary. The gratifying intelligence was found in Hono-
lulu papers brought from the Islands by the bark
Toulon.'^ The British consul at the Islands sent
other papers to McLoughlin, in one of which, contain-
ing the announcement that the Oregon Question was
settled, was an extract from a letter by A. Forbes,
consul at Tepic, to Sir George Seymour, connnanding
the English squadron in the Pacific.
The Oregon government received no official notifi-
cation ; this chance information was all ; but eroded
with care which threatened to wear away its fecunda-
tion, the colony now threw off anxiety, assured that
congress would establish the Territory of Oregon with
a proper government at once ; that without war and
with no further trouble, this great boon was theirs;
and such a country, broad, beautiful, majestic ! Again
the clifls round Oregon City fling back the jubilant
boom of cannon, and from a tall flag-staff on the banks
of the Willamette, over the newly captured wilderness,
proudly wave the stars and stripes, promise of happy
homes and lofty endeavor. Men grasp each other
by the hand, and the organ of a free people spreads in
broad capitals across its front the stirring words ' Hail
Columbia, ha})py land!'*'
Sucli was the statii of feeling when it was only
known in general terms that the l)oundary was fixed
at the 49th para.iel, that Vancouver Island was ex-
cluded from the possession of the United States, and
»<);•. Spectator, Sept. 3, 17, 1846.
*« Poli/nenian, Aug. 29, 1846; New York Giiectt.e and Times, June 19, 1846;
S. /. NficH, AugMst 1846.
*^ ()re<fonian S\H'etator; Victor n River of the WeM, .T80-1; Evans, in CV.
Pioneer Ah»oc., Tram,, 1877, ti7; Emnn Hist. Or., MS., 288-1)3.
I ^
it.uai|'i4t,;
592
TH3 WAE FEELING IN OREGON.
that the navigation of the Strait of Fuca and neigh-
boring waters was left open, while the Columbia
remained free to the Hudson's Bay Company till the
exi)irati()n of its charter. But when the treaty itself
reached Oregon the disapproval of the Americans was
general ; not because of failure to secure tlie whole of
Oregon, but because in the territory claimed by and
relinquished to the United States, the Hudson's Bay
Company were confirmed in the })ossession of land or
other property occupied by them in the territory,*'"
and promised payment for the same in case they re-
linquished it to the United States.
Man is a preposterous pig ; probably the greediest
animal that crawls upon this planet. Here were
fertile lands and temperate airs; meadows, forests,
and mountains ; bright rivers and a broad ocea,n sea-
board, enough of earth for half a dozen empires ; and
all for nothing — all stolen from the savages, and never
yet a struggle, never yet a dollar in r-^turn, only
fevers, syphilis, and the like by way of compensa-
tion; and yet these colonial representatives of the
great American nation grudge their brethren, but
little later than themselves from Great Britain, a few
squares of land round the posts which they had buih
and occupied so long, and that when they could not
positively say with truth that these same British
brethren had not as good a right as they to the whole
of it, And they fell to cursing; they cursed the
British, and particularly Presideiit Polk for failing to
cai-ry out his policy avowed before election. Believing
" Articles III. and IV. of the treaty ran as follows: ' In the future appro-
priation of the territory ;\outh of the 49tli parallel of north latitude, as pro-
vided in the first artiele oj' this treaty, the possessory rights of the Hudson's
Bay Company and all British suhjeets who may ho already in the oecupatioii
iif land or tither property lawfully ae(juired within said territory, shall be
respected. The farm, lands, and other property of every descriptiou, belong-
ing to I'uget's Sound Agrieulturai ("onipaiiy, on the north side of the (.'olum-
liia River, shall l)e cnfirnied to the t^aid coM\pany. In case, however, the
hituation of those farms and lands should be considered l)y the United Sfcvtes
to I'd of public and political importance, and the United States government
ii);ou]'l signify a desire t.) (d)tain possession of the whole or any part thereof,
the property so required shall be transferred to the said government at a
proper valuation, to be agreed upon between the parties. '
DISSATISFACTION. 598
in that promise, they had inscribed on their wagon-
covers "54° 40', all or none," and poverty-stricken
and piggish, had wended their way to the Pacific in
the faith that they were helping to accomplish this
high destiny for the United States, this broad des-
tiny for themselves; when lo ! here was a treaty which
not only gave up nearly five degrees of latitude, but
actually granted to the British company in possession
south of the boundary all the lands occupied by
them, the same being several of the choicest portions
of the now undisputed American territory. "Eng-
land," said the {Spectator, "could have expected noth-
ing more. We can say nothing for and mucli against
the document. It can never be popular with the
great body of Americans in Oregon. We shall wait
anxiously to see how this singular circumstance can
be accounted for at home, and how this surprising and
unconditional surrender of right will be justified."*'
The people of Oregon were unable to do justice to
Mr Polk on the Oregon Question, though the bril-
liancy of his administration could not be denied. Nor
can we fail now to see that he displayed great tact in
the management and final settlem^^nt of the long-dis-
puted Oregon affairs. He began Jiis administration
by informing the world in his message of the long
controversy as to title, the concessions oft'ered and
rejected by Great Britain, his determination to insist
at last upon the United States claim to the whole of
Oregon, and with advice to congress to give the twelve
months' notice required of the termination of the con-
vention of 1818.
Tlius (Ireat Britain was made to understand that
instead of gaining greater concessions by delay she waa
in danger of losing all. Her rtetjt repaired to the Pa-
cific, buu so did Mr Polk's, and there was no material
difference in number of tiie guns that were carried on
either side; while >n the soil of Oregon itself the citi-
zens of the republic greatly outnumbered those of
"Or Spivtator, April 1, 15, 1847.
IiiHT. Ok., Vol. 1. S8
694
THE WAR FEELING IN OREGON.
Great Britain. England sent her spies to report
upon these facts, and they found nothing to encourage
them to expect a victory. The United States a[)i)eared
quite as wilhng to maintain their rights as Sir Robert
Peel. So far Polk had redeemed his pledge to the
people. But in May 184G Buchanan, secretary of
state, aften' the passage of tlie notice bill, received a
proposition from the British plenipotentiary embody-
ing the main points of a treaty which would be agree-
able to the English government; namely, the 40th
l^arallel and the Strait of Fuca for the northern boun-
dary of the United States; security to British sub-
jects north of the Columbia River and south of the
41)tli parallel, of a perpetual title to their lands and
stations oi which they were in actual occupation, in
all respects the same as to citizens of the United
States; arid lastly, the present free navigation of the
Columbia River, on the same footing as United States
citizens.
But in reference to the lands occupied by the sub-
jects of Great Britain, it was represented that their
settlements north of the Columbia were not numerous ;
but consisted of "a few private farms, and two or three
forts and stations;" and Buchanan was reminded that
by their charter the Hudson's Bay Company were
prohibited from acquiring title to lands, and that
only the lands of these few private settlers, or the
Puget Sound Company, would be required to be se-
cured to them. As to the actual extent of the Puget
Sound Company's lands the negotiators on both sides
seemed equally ignorant, as well as the senate, when
called upon for advice. It was also suggested to
Buchanan that as there was impending a change in
the British ministry, which was likely to take place
before the end of June, it might be well for the presi-
dent to make such modifications of the proposition
offered as might be deemed necessary in case of its
acceptance, in the hope that the whig minister, when
he came into power, would not meddle with that which
AS TO THE TREATY.
S96
*uget
if left entirely to them might be more objectionable
than the present offer.
These considerations were certainly not without
weight, and President Polk hastened to lay the mat-
ter before the senate, and to seek its advice. In his
message on this occasion he declared: "My opinions
and my action on the Oregon Question were fully
made known to congress in my annual message of the
2d of December last, and the ophiions therein ex-
pressed remain unchanged. Should the senate, by
the constitutional majority required for the ratifica-
tion of treaties, advise the acceptance of this proposi-
tion, or advise it with such modifications as they may,
upon full deliberation, deem proper, I shall conform
my action to their advice. Should the senate, how-
ever, decline by such constitutional majority to give
such advice, or to express an opinion on tlie subject,
I shall consider it my duty to reject the offer."**
In asking the advice of the senate on a matter of
so nmch importance as a war with Great Britain, the
president only discharged his duty; in taking its ad-
vice he was relieved, not only from the responsibility
of war, hut also from the tei'ms of the treaty to which
no important alterations were proposed by the presi-
dent's advisers.
There were many, indeed, outside of Oregon, who
shared the somewhat unintelligent and extremely
partisan feelings of the late immigrants, who thought
the president had l)etra3'ed the pai'ty which elected
him. It was, besides, the general impression that
the Hudson's Bay Compan}'^ arranged the terms of
the treaty, which was another affront to those who
had ever regarded that company with hatred and dis-
trust. There was at once trutli and error in the sur-
mise. The governor *^ of the Hudson's Bay Company,
ill
**Cong. Globe, 1845-6, Apt). 1168.
*^ Roherls Kecollectionii, MS., 80; Nikx' Pfg., Ixx. ."Ml; Ajrplegate's Vii-ws
of Hint., MS., 43. No member of the company Wiia ever in tlie British cabinet.
Sir Henry Felly, governor in 1846, waa an iutiuential man. He afterward
1
warn
IJ
696 THE WAR FEELING IN OIIEGON.
while not a member of the government council of
England, was consulted as to the third and fourth
articles of the treaty, which were for a long time in
contemplation by the company in Oregon, and in an-
ticipation of which the posts south of the Columbia
were not withdrawn, as the directors at one time
ordered, to the north side of the river. From the
Oregon- American standpoint, the United States had
been overreached in the matter of these two articles;
and instead of the treaty making an end of the fur
company's monopoly, it seemed to fix it upon the ter-
ritory more firmly than ever.
There was, however, a weak spot in the treaty
which was overlooked by the British plenipotentiary,
and by the company itself; and that was in the
second article, wliich left the Columbia River free to
British traders, but placed them " on the same footing
as citizens 'f the United States." Citizens of the
United States paid duties on imported goods ; and so
hereafter must the fur company on the Columbia and
on the Sound. This point, on the other hand, was
not overlooked by Benton while the treaty was under
discussion in the senate, but was pointed out to the
objecting members by that avaricious but astute states-
man.*^ In Oregon this point was not at first perceived
by either side, and it was only when a United States
collector of customs appeared at the mouth of the
Columbia that the company itself awoke to its true
position.
As to the boundary, the company in Oregon held
that England had made a concession, but that it had
been wise to do so; and that in the settlement the
United States had been treated by England, whose
people could afford it, nmch as a kind parent treats a
waa a director of the Bank of England, and also a director of the East India
Company, and had the ear of government'.
*^Con(j. Ololie, 1845-6, App., 8()8. Roberts says: 'Most certainly, in my
opinion, the having to pay duties on importations did not occur to them; and
no provision for supplying the interior posts (in advance) was made on that
account. The company's own stores at Vancouver were, for a time, con-
structive bonded warehouses.' Jiecolkctions, MS., 80.
THE UNIIED STATES RAMPANT.
597
1 my
and
that
con-
wayward child. And in this they were right ; for had
England been as unreasonable, overbearing, and insult-
ing as the people of the United States, there assuredl}'
would have been war. Yet, after all, in regard to the
opposing views of the British and American inhab-
itants of Oregon, I would not say that either was
wrong. Bt)th were educated to a belief in the views
they professed, and to see in every circumstance con-
firmation of their belief That which in the eyes of
a disinterested spectator might appear as an exhibition
of the crudest selfishness was in their estimation only
insisting in a manly spirit on their rights. That the
Americans were most demonstrative in this display
of feeling was natural. England in her dealings with
the American colonies, and her behavior toward the
young United States, had been far from reputable.
The greed and selfishness of that nation has ever
grown with its increasing strength. This the people
of Oregon knew; and they would gladly have pre-
vented Great Britain from occupying a rood of terri-
tory on the American continent, and esteemed it a
privilege as well as a duty to defend from her grasp
any portion of it that by the most liberal construction
might be claimed as territory of the United States.
Maintaining this position, they felt that they were
not only doing their duty to themselves, but serving
posterity and enlarging free institutions.*^
But while, as I have elsewhere shown, many
statesman were as opposed as ever to the division of
the Northwest Coast with Great Britain, the time
had come when a settlement nmst be made. It had
< >me, too, at a juncture when the hands of the govern-
ment were filled by the acquisition of new territory
south of the southern limits of Oregon, extending to
" Even tlie most temperate Amerieaus in Oregon felt sore over the relin-
quishment of so much territory. Mr Apple^ate, who labored so wisely and
well to keep the peace, remarked later: 'If we had then as now a railroad
across the continent, and had taken possession with an army of 100,000 .nen
months before a British fleet could reach the coast, British arrogance would
have taken a much lower key, and Mr Polk's administration would not
have dared to yield an inch of Oregon,' Views q/' Jlintori/, MS., 48.
iii.-wai^i„,
698
THE WAR FKELINt} IN ORECION.
K
the gulf of Mexico ; and whon Great Britain, pe*'ceiv-
ing the rapidly growing strength of the republir , was
betfinnintf to consider whether it was not bf.-st to
defer somewhat to its demands for more favorable
commercial treaties. To involve the nation in a war
at a moment so favorable to its })rosperity would have
been poor statesmanship. The treaty secured the
better portion of the disputed territory to the United
States, and made their northern boundary one con-
tinuous line westward from the Lake of the Woods
to the gulf of Georgia, where alone it deflected south
and continued throuijh the Strait of Fvca to the ocean.
As to Oregon itself, the boundary left it in the best
possible shape, with the Columbia River, Puget Sound,
and all the harbors of the mainland belonging to it.
But notwithstanding its apparent merits, the treaty
was not a popular one in Oregon. Instead of healing
all wounds, and establishing peace by removing causes
of contention, it confirmed the hostility of the anti-
British monopoly and missionary party, and set them
to devisinyf methods of doini; for themselves what the
treaty had not done for them— that is, to providing
for the ejectment from the lands occupied by them
of the members of the Hudson's Bay Company,''^
The year of 184G, the most exciting and eventful
of any since the settlement of the country, witnessed
a great change at Fort Vancouver. John McLough-
lin was no longer at the head of affairs, having retired
to private life in Oregon City. James Douglas had
removed to Vancouver Island, where a post had been
established at Victoria, which became the company's
headquarters, and Peter Skeen Ogden *^ was in con-
mand on the Columbia. Mr Roberts, a clerk in the
company's service, who had been fifteen years at Van-
** I have before quoted a remark by Roberts, that it was the appearance
(if the American flag in the C'ohimbia which first occasioned the colonists to
show openly their dislike of the compary. It was not, however, the flag, it
was the treaty which immediately followed it, which brought out the apparent
change.
*• The factors at Vancouver after Ogden were Balleudeu and McTavish.
EXIT FORT VANCOUVER.
sn
couver, and was factotum of the establishment, had
been sent to the Cowlitz farm to superintend the
affairs of the Pu^et Sound Comjiany.
The an. lent glory was de[)arting from Vancouver.
The Modeste remained through the winter, her offi-
cers amusing themselves as best they could. To add
to their entertainment, they had the society of Paul
Kane, a painter whom Sir (ieorgc ^-^impson patron-
ized ; who studied Indian character, i ustoms, and cos-
tumes, and wrote a book entitled Wandcririr/s of an
Artist, which contains nmch diversion and some in-
struction, though for the most part superficial. His
visit was preceded by that of the Prussian naturalist,
Teck, who sailed from Oregon to the Hawaiian Isl-
ands,'"" in the autunm of 1845. In the latter part of
April 1847 the Modeste took her departure, and the
company she came to protect were left, at a time
when they were most assailed, to care for themselves,
their rights under the former convention being at an
end. ,
How the adventurers of England trading into Hud-
son's Bay succeeded in defending themselves from +he
disasters consequent on the inexorable outsproa( nig
of the great republic, the pages which follow uill
reveal.
^Hinea'Or. Hkt., 248.
1 ^
{I
it-\
m'^
\ 41
CHAPTER XXII.
POLITICS AND PROCrRESS.
1840-1847.
WaITTNO fob a TeKTIITORIAL fioVEKNMK.NT — TltE Ql'ESTION OF A DELE-
GATE TO Washinoton — Attemi'ts to Pkovide for the Hik( i.ment of
British Subjects from their Land — Leoislative Prdcek.dinos—
Memorial to Conoresh — PriiLio KErnooF to Tresi-asseus— Reelec-
tion of Amernetiiy — DoriiLAs' Bill for Establishi.no a Terkitoiiy,
AND ITS Failure — Action of the People — Private Deleoatb to
Congress — Biographical Notices — ^Tiie Immigration of 1847.
With the news that the notice bill liad been passed,
and before it was known that a treaty had been con-
cluded, the subject of sending a delegate at once to
Wasliington to make known to congress the wants of
Oreifon bewail to be agitated ; for it was not doubted
that immediate action would be taken to adopt the
colony as a territory, and there were those who were
solicitous as to the changes which must follow, and
for official positions for themselves or friends. They
said that thousands of people had been induced to
emigrate to Oregon by a j)romise of land, which had
been selected and located under the land law of the
provisional government; and they wanted these claims
confirmed as they weie^ before any United States
surveyor should arrive with power to alter their
boundaries in conformity to section lines and subdi-
visions.
They needed a delegate to represent the matter in
congress, and to give the cooperation asked for to
the scheme of a national railroad to the Pacific ; an
agent who should go armed with a memorial signed
( (JOO )
r*^^!,
DELEGATE TO CONORESS.
601
hy liuiulretlH of unm who had travelled the road to
Oregon, and could .sj)eak intelligently of its facilities
for railroad Imilding. This delegate should also ])ro-
niote th'.; mail servi»e to Oregon. It was nientionod
with regret that the bill before conijress for orvranizint;
a territ«)ry would allow a delegate to be seiit only
when there were 5,000 voters or 25,000 irdiahitants
in the country, and this could not be expected for
three or four years. The present population could
not afford to wait; they were not numerous, but tliey
were far advanced beyond political infancy, anil were
in favor of demanding, if need be, the rights of men.*
Oil llie 26th of September a public meeting was
held at Oregon City to take into consideration matters
relating to the interests of the country. At this meet-
ing McCarver offered a resolution in favor of holding
primaries in each of the counties, which should send
delegates to a general convention to meet at Oregon
City, which convention should elect a delegate to con-
gress. The resolution also provided for as many
delegates to the convention from eacli county as the
law of apportionment would give them members in
the legislature.
In tlie apportionment of the legislature, Cliampoeg
had five members, or two more than any other coun-
ty, and would probably secure the election. There-
fore the resolution was not cordially received by the
citizens of Clackamas County, who chieffy composed
the meeting ; and it became evident at once that party
spirit would be developed in colonial politics as it had
never been before. The resolution of McCarver was
amended by P. G. Stewart, who wished the delegates
instructed to draught a memorial to congress ; and Mr
T' Vault embodied the several sugfSfestions in one reso-
lution, to the effect that it was the duty of the colonists
to petition congress to relieve their wants, and that
in order to obtain unanimity, a convention sliould be
held at Oregon City on the 2d of November for the
^Or. Spectator, Sept. 17, 1846.
fiOtJ
POLITICS AND PKOCJRESS.
purpose of draughting nieiuorials, which shoinldbe circa-
lated for the people to sign, and to devise means of
forwarding the isame, whether by delegate or other-
wise; the inhabitants of the several counties being
requested to hold uieetings therein for that purpose.
They then adjourned to the lOth of October.
At the appointed time it was a[)parent why a dele-
gate to congress was so much desired by certain
persons, and what certain other persons would require
him to do in their interest, /.fter resolvinof that
Clackamas County should have five delegates in the
convention^ D. Stewart broaclied the subject that
congress should bo asked to make reservations, first
of the falls of the \Villamette, with the land one mile
in extent on every s'.de of this water power ; together
with Fort Vancouver, Fort Nisqually, Cape ])isap-
pointment,^ and the Cascade Falls of the Columbia;
thereby preventing British subjects who held land at
these places under the colonial land law, which con-
gress would be asked to approve, from deriving any
benefit from their claims. The resolution wat' so
modified, however, as to partially obscure their inten-
tion, and congress was requested to reserve all water-
falls, capes, and town sites, the proceeds to be a})plied
to the improvement of the bays, rivers, and roads in
the territ )ry ; thus making a benefit apparently accrue
from it to the country. In this form the resolution
was adopted by the meeting ; and after discussing the
[tr-oposal t)f a delegate, the meeting again adjourned to
the 1 5th.
The subject <»f this resclution coming up at the
meeting of tlie iijtli, it was sc amended as to make
the proceeds of each town site produce a fund for the
benefit of [)ublic schools and local improvements,
when P. ^T. Stewart proposed to insert " so far as they
can do the same without interfering with ])rivate
rights," which excited warm discussii i.. The amend-
^The land at Cape Disappointineiit was ownc' oy Ogden, wUn purchased
it of previous cJainmnt ill bebruary 1840. Or )>jK.'-'for, Feb. 19, 184G.
CONVENTION CALLED.
inent being finally adopted and Mie resolution put to
vote, it was lost by fourteen to twenty-two. Six del-
egates to the convention were then chosen, and the
meeting adjourned amidst excitement and efforts by
the minority t-j obtain a hearing.'*
When the convention met according to a))})ointment
at Oregon City, three counties only were represented,
Champoeg by W. J. Bailey, J. Sanders, Joseph
Barnaby, and Y. Bernia, all from French Prairie;
Tualatin by HugJi Burni- uid Robert Moore, each
ov/ners of town sites ; Clackamas by Samuel McSwain,
Philip Foster, H. Wright, H. M. Knighton, S. S.
W hite, and J. McCormick, eacli wanting a slice of
(3regon City. The first resolution offered was by
Pailey, and declared that the meeting viewed with
indignation and contempt tlie unwarrantable, unjust,
and obnoxious efforts of certain individuals, at a pre-
vious meeting in Oregon City, to deprive citizens of
their rights, through a memorial to cf)ngress to reserve
town sites, water-falls, and capes that had been settled
for years, and were at that time rapidly advancing in
value by improvement.
This was followed by another from Mr Burns, who
resolved that the convention had full confidence in the
constituted authority, the legislature, as tlio proper
body to ipemoriajize congress on matters touching the
wants ot ii e territory, and recommended the legisla-
ture to petition the government of the United States
to allow the land law to remain under its preseiit form,
according to the organic com])act of Oregon.
At this stage of the })roceedings a motion to f,djoiU'n
sine die was made by one of the Oregon City delegates,
which was rejected, and Robert Mo(jre offered a resolu-
tion declaring tliat it was the sense of the convention
that it was highly imj>ro[)er to me<ld!e with the rights
■^:
' A.S nearly as can be gathered from the resolutions anil anienduK^ntH fiffcred
at these f-everal meetings in Oregon City, D. Stewart, James Taylor, S. S.
xV'liite, .ind M. M. McCarver were rcsjion.sihle for the resolution eoii(;orniii({
government reservations, thimgh how much they wore inHnenced can imly bo
conjectured. P. U. Stewart earnestly resisted the movement.
' 'I
G04
pouTics AND progress;.
or locations of the inhabitants of the territory, such
interference being detrimental to the growth, pros-
perity, and interests of the country. Bailey followed
with another, recommending the legislature to em-
body in its memorial that claim-jumpers, or persons
interfering with the rights of others touching land
clahns, should be debarred from receiving any land or
donation in the territory.
Once more one of the Oregon City delegation made
a motion to adjourn, which was rejected; and Moore
again resolved that the con\ cntion considered it un-
necessary to obey the mandates of the agitators of the
late movement to memorialize congress, or to send a
delegate or messenger to that body ; after which Burns
moved that the proceedings of the convention be signed
by the president and secretary, and published in the
Spectator, the motion lieing carried.^ The adoption r^
each of these resolutions, so opposite to the intentio-i
of the movers of the convention, was effected by the
deleu;ates of the other counties voting solidly against
the Oreg(Mi City delegates, whose nund)er, six, was
reduced to fi\ e i)y making one of themselves, P. Foster,
chairman of tlie convention. Thus ingloriously enc'ed
the first attemi)t to devise means to evict British
claimants under the organic law Two days later came
the news of tlio settlement of the boundary question,
in antici})ati()n of which these measures had been taken,
but the full tenor of which was unknown for several
months afterward.
In the n)ean while the legislature met,""' and con-
dor. Spcrtator, Nov. 2(), 184().
* The iiieinbersi of the house of representatives for 1840 were, for Clackamas,
A. L. Lovejoy, W. (I. T'Vault, Hiram Straight; Tualatin, Joseph L. Meek,
I). H. Lownsdale, Lawrence Hall; Yamhill, A. .1. Henibree; Clatsop, (ieorge
Summers; Vancouver, Henry N. Peers; Lewis, W. F. Tolmie; Cliampoeg,
Angus McDonalil, Jesse Looney, A. Chamberlain, Robert Newell; I'olk, Boone,
Williams. There were several of the name of Boone or Boon in the territory,
and I can Hncl nothing to guide nie in determining which of either family this
was, for his name is spelled without the final e in the house journal, and with it in
the tS]ii'C/(itor, and in neither place are the initials given. The same concern-
ing Williams, to whose identity there is no clew. Tolmie was from Fort Nis-
tjually, and Peers from Vanco'ver. Angus McDonald was another British
subject. A. L, Lovejoy was elected speaker.
i^*^:
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.
605
con-
gress was memorialized, the governor liaving left it
to the members of the legislature whether, in view of
the probability that the laws of the United States
would soon be extended over the territory, they
should attempt legislation any further than to confirm
appointments, fill vacancies, and make necessary ap-
propriations." They preferred to continue the regular
business of the session, during which they passed sev-
eral important laws. Among others, one reorganizing
the judicial system, by which the several counties were
formed into one circuit that should bu presided over
by a judge commissioned by the governor, and who
should hold his office twi years, with a salary of eight
hundred dollars, to be paid quarterly out of the t(T-
ritorial treasury. These circuit courts were given
original jurisdiction of civ'l suits of whatever nature,
and of criminal cases occumng in their respective
counties, and were to exercise the same conti'ol over
all matters of law and equity that the county courts
liad done ; the criminal court was abolished ; county
judges were to be elected by the people, the appoint-
ing power being taken away from the governor, except
in case of vacancies; a probate court was provided
for the several counties, to be presided over by the
president of the county courts; and several minor
chani»es eflfectcd.
The committee on judiciary consisted of T' Vault,
Tolmie, and Looney. Tolmie was opposed to altering
the judiciary organization, in view of the exj)ected
change in territorial atiairs, but was overruled l)y the
legislature, which was not to be dc[>iivcd of the glory
of making laws to govern, even for a brief period,
the conduct of colonial affairs, noi- was their work k^ss
creditable than that of tiieir predecessors.' A. A.
Skinner, an innnigrant of 1845, was elected circuit
judge by the legislature; and the office of territorial
secretar}', vacated by the death of John E. Long, was
r^
B"i. 1. Il
*(h-(nvr's Or. Arrhire-i, 159.
' Or. .Spectator, Doc. 24, 1846.
G0()
POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
filled by Frederick Prigg ; H, M. Knighton was elected
marshal ; John H. Couch, treasurer ;* George W. Bell,
auditor; and Theophilus McGruder, territorial re-
corder. The organic law concerning partnerslnps in
land or "two or more persons" was amended by re-
pealing the words "or more;" a measure which had
been much discussed previously, as a means of break-
ing the monopoly of the fur company and the missions,
as well as of other speculators. By an act regulating
weights and measures the imperial bushel of the Hud-
son's Bay Company, so much complained of, was
abolished.
All these acts, though good and proper, did not in-
terest the people as did the memorial, about which so
much had been said. The conmiittee first chosen by
the legislature to frame this important document was
comjHJsed of Hall, Peers, Summers, McDonald, and
Boone. Their joint production was placed in the
hands of a revisory committee consisting of T' Vault,
Summers, and Peers; and finally was remodelled by
Peers, who was a man of good parts, and a writer of
considerable ability, whose verses sometimes graced
the columns of the Sjiectatnr, so that at the last the
American petition totlie congress of the United States-
was penned by a British subject." That the colonists'
interests were not less happily represented the memo-
rial sliows for itself.
After respectfully soliciting the attention of con-
gress to their wants, the proud position which Oregon
would soon occupy before the world was briefly men-
tioned, and reference made to the flattering report of
the congressional connnittee on post-oflSces and roads
for 184G, in which the climate, soil, and other advan-
tages of the country west of the Rocky Mountains
were said to be correctly set forth; from which it
would seem that Oregon was "destined soon to be-
come a central point of commerce and happiness."
* Couch soon resigned and W. K. Kilbom was appointed.
*0r. Spectator, Dec. '24, 1846.
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS.
607
Proceeding to the expression of their wants, the state-
ment was made that bread-stufis couid on short notice
be supphed to the amount of five thousai'd barrels of
Hour, and should a demand arise, salt beef and pork
could be furnished to the amount of two thousand
barrels — low estimates, it was declared, especially Avith
regard to flour, which, were a market opened, conld
be greatly increased in quantity. Lumber could be
furnished in abundance, and tar and jntch manu-
factured if required. Flax and hemp had been suc-
cessfully cultivated in small quantities, and could be
made articles of ex})ort.
This paragraph was a bid for contracts to furnish
the vessels of the United States, and all American
vessels in the Pacific; the purchasing of supplies at
Vancouver by the con^niander of the Shark having
been a subject of ccmiplaint on the part of the colonists,
who thought it the duiy of the government to patron-
ize and encourage Oregon industry, in spite of the fact
tliat American merchants required twelve per cent
more for their goods than British merchants.
Congress was next deferentially reminded that the
settlers of Oregon had been induced to make the diffi-
cult journey to Oregon and cultiAate its fertile fields
by the promise of the govermnent that their homes
should be secured to them ; and tliey therefore thought
tliey had a right to expect a grant of land ; and not
only they, but those who should come after them for
the next few years. Their claims already taken were
made under the organic law of the territory, and pro-
vided that any person might hold six hundred and
forty acres of land. These claims they asked t( > have
confirmed to them, in the same sliape in which tliey
were located.
They asked also that the insui-mountable f-arriers
wliich in new countries always jiresented themselves
to the general diffusion of education, upon which were
founded the princij>les of the republican government
of the United States (whose extension over them-
:f :' 1
MS
POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
solves they prayerfully awaited), might be in part re-
moved by the liberality and wisdom of the government
in making grants of land for that purpose.
The navigation of the Columbia and the risk to
merchant vessels in crossing the bar were next alluded
to, and congress was petitioned for a steam tow-boat
which would remove these difficulties and dangers, at
all seasons of the year; and of information on the
subject of the intricacies of the river-channels, the
[)revailing winds, and strength of the current and
tides, it was politely presumed that congress was in-
formed, though that was far enough from the truth.
And finally an expression of wonder and admiration
was indulged in, that a project so grand as that of
the national railroad to the Pacific should have been
proposed to congress. That such a road should be
built they declared was obvious, particularly to those
who had travelled from the United States to Oregon.
And although it might be years before the great high-
way would be completed, yet they would look with
anxiety for its commencement.
These subjects, the memorial declared, were the
most important to the well-being of Oiegon, and they
prayed that congress would mct^t their wishes in a
manner which should redound to the peace and pros-
perity of all interested, and the furtherance of an
attachment t-> the government of the United States
which should cease only uith their existence.'"
In this rather tame but pe.tectly proper manner
was congress memorialized by its chosen representa-
tives. They wanted a market, j, donation of land, a
tug-boat, schools, and a highway to the Pacific; and
solicited the help of the governnient to j)rocure these
things. No provision was made for sending a dele-
gate to congress; but the addres>s was prepared in
triplicate, one copy to be sent to California and one
to the Islands by the bark Toiihin to await the first
opport^aty of l>eing fWwarded to Washington, while
" Or. Sipututor, Dec. 24, IMIiS.
NEWS OF THE TREATY.
COO
the third was reserved to be carried overland in tlie
spring- by W. Finley, who was returning to the States.
Months passed away after the first news of tlie
treaty without bringing any niessage from the govern-
ment of the United States to eagerly ex})ectant Ore-
gon. In February the Spectator gave expression to
the disappointment of the people, who it said had
"expected and expected until thoy were heart-sick."
There was indeed a feverish state of anxiety, for
which there was no very justifiable cause, which arose
chiefly from the desire of every man to receive some
direct benefit from the change so long desired. There
was now no fear of war with England; California
was secured," and was already seeking supplies from
Oregcm;^'" the crop of 1846 had been abundant, and
there was promise of still greater abundance in the
coming harvest. The healtli of the colony was excel-
lent, and improvements were being made on every
side witli ceouraging rapidity. But many persons
were dissatisfied at the tardiness of the govermnent
in furnishing them with titles to their land claims;
many were covetous of the possessions of others, and
some had trouble to dc-ft^nd their rights against asr-
gression, for there wert those holding themselves in
readiness to seize the ands of the Hudson's J3ay and
Piiget Sound companies as soon as the terms of the
treaty should be made known.
When the terms became known, what a falling of
high hopes was th«re! The government confinncd
the company in tlieiv possi'ssory rights; there was no
need to memorialize congres-s to reserve town sites and
" About .'>0 persona eini."'atoil from Oregon to California in the spring of
1847, iiiid among thim .lai s Marsliall. the tUscovurer of gold in iH48, Cap-
tain Charlfs Bennett, who tloo worked with liini at Sutter's mill, and Stephen
Staats. Bennett ami Staats returned to Oregon. Or. Syfit'itnr, June 10, 1847.
'MJ. E. F'ekett wrote from California tu Burnett, MuCarver, Ford, and
Waldo, tliat '20, (HK) harrel- uf flour and several thousajul huslu^ls of seed-
wheat, bustides lumber, ])o'atoes. ami butter, were wanted in that country,
all of which w >uid bri'ijj 1 xh i«-iee8; lumber SiW per M. ; butter .'Mle. to 62c.
per lb. ; potatoes $2 5(> j>er uushel, and flour $lu to $17 per barrel, Id.
Hist. Ok., Vol. I. ;«)
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POLITICS AND PRO(iRESS.
water-falls now; their disappointment was complete;
the indignation of the schemers knew no bounds.
Ajid tJien began an ill-suppressed rebellion which
vaunted itself in threats of an independent empire to
be made out of California and Oregon,'' which never
could be more than idle threats — for opposed to them
was always the wise and Ic^yal majority.
And while all this seething discontent arose from
not being able to get rid of the possessory rights of
the British conij)anies, the Canadian settlers of the
Cowlitz Valley, to the disturbance of good discipline,
were imitating the ways of loyal Americans and pray-
ing to be made citizens of the United States, for by
this means only they could secure their claims." On
the 23d of March, while the Modeste was still in the
river, the Canadians of Lewis County raised the
American Hag, made by Canadian women, at a public
meeting, and resolutions were passed declaring their
joy at being permitted to Hing to the breeze tlie star-
spangled banner of their adopted country, which they
promised to protect from harm as long as they should
live, and to gladly perform any service which the
United States might require of good naturalized
citizen s.^''
Finding themselves prevented by the treaty from
invading the lands of the two British cor[)oration8,
the disaffected made themselves amends by trespass-
ing uj)on the private claim of McLoughlin, who
brought suit in the circuit court of Clackamas County
against the corporation of Oregon City, and published
a notice forbidding trespassers upon his land. Much
excitement grew out of the proceedings, and a public
meeting was held at this place te denounce the prac-
" Home Missiounri/, xx. 20.
'■•Koherts complains of the vlemoralizing effect on the Canadians of the
donation law, both in fact and in expectancy. It made the servants of the
company restless and independent, auil destroyed thcnr former systematic
obe<lience. Tliis, he says, with the duties on imported goods, and the dis-
covery of gold, ruined the coinpany'i^ business lu Oregon long before the
expiration of their charter. Recolkct'ons, MS., 81.
^■' Or. Spectator, April 1, 1847.
-f
ELECTION OF GOVERNOR.
611
tice of claim-jumping, as this form of trespass was
]>opularly designated, at which ovei- a hundred and
fifty persons signed a strong protest. The resolutions
declared that the meeting regarded any action calcu-
lated to prejudice the claim of any cititzen who had
complied with the laws, as a violation of the good
faith of tlie comnmnity and deserving the re})rol)ation
of all honorable men ; that the organic compact, though
it might be avoided by some technicality, was made
to secure the rights of every citizen " not incompatible
or incongruous with the rights of reservation of the
United States gcjvernment ; " that every man engaged
in the movement assailing the rights of citizens was
to be regarded as a clisorganizer, whose conduct
weakened the golden bond of society, and gave occa-
sion to mob violence ; that all persons who, upon small
points, advised trespassing, should be held equally
guilty with the offenders : that in view^ of the approach-
ing jurisdiction, of the United States they pledged
themselves to maintain the supremacy of the existing
laws until that time; and that they would vote for
no man for any public ofHco who should be directly
or indirectly connected with the form of trespass called
claim-jumping.
Other meetings followed, at which speeches were
made against trespass, and more names appended to
the pledge, botli in Oregon City and elsewhere. Among
others, Lewis County sent over fift}' names. To the
ordinary judgment appearances indicated that the
spirit as well as the letter of the law was to be ob-
served, and that no one's rights would be infringed.
But the cunning brain framing the resolutions had
saved his honor by the introduction of the imiocent-
looking proviso which promised not to interfere with
the right of the government to reserve.
1 ^1
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Notwithstanding the expected territorial organiza-
tion, canvassing Tor the different candidates for offices
under the provisional government went on with more
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C12
POLITICS AND PR(XJRESS.
than ordinary spirit. Abernetliy and Lovojoy wore
the popular candidates for governor."'
The June election came round, and still no news
from the United States except a few excerpts from
newspapers copied first into the Polynesian, and from
that into the Spectator. Congress had evidently for-
gotten them, or was treating them with silent con-
tempt. They would go on with their own affairs as
if congress did not exist. The contest for the guber-
natorial office was close. In the Willamette Valley
Lovejoy had a small majority, but when the returns
from Lewis County came in, Abernethy had sixteen
votes over his opponent, and was really elected by the
Canadian voters."
Governor Abernethy was a native of Aberdeen,
Scotland, though reared under American institutions.
He has been called a good governor by men of all
parties; and so far as being discreet, temperate in
speech, and careful not to oft'end the popular opinion,
whether religious or political, he is deserving of this
judgment. Perhaps it was impossible to avoid censure
in excitingf times without being secretive and desiijn-
ing; Abernethy was both. The most odious word
that could be a})plied to a Protestant in those days
was that of Jesuit; yet Protestant and Methodist
Abernethy jiossessed all the traits usually ascribed by
a Protestant to a Jesuit. He was courteous, smooth,
•* Ur Prealey Welch announced himself as a candidate, but received no
votes.
''The representatives elected were: from Clackamas, .1. M. Wair, S. S.
White; Champoeg, Robert Newell, A. Chamberlain, W. H. Rees, W. H.
Rector, Anderson Cox; Tualatin, Ralph Wilcox, J. L. Meek, David Hill;
Yamhill, L. A. Rice, Lewis Rogers, A. J. Hembree; Polk, J. W. Nesmith,
M. A. Ford, St Clair; Vancouver, Henry N. Peers; Lewis County, S. Plo-
mondon; Clatsop, .John Robinson. .Justices of the peace elected in the sev-
eral counties south of the Columbia were: Joseph Hull, Columbus Wheeler,
F. X. Matthieu, Morgan Keyes, Rice Dunbar, Barton Lee, I>. T. Lennox,
C. D. Smith, .Fohn Rowland, William Dawson, D. T). Bailey, John Rounds,
James Howanl, James Taylor, David Ingalls, A. H. Thompson; north of the
Columbia: Ricliard Lane, R. R. Thompson, John White, Jacob Wooley, S. B.
Crockett, J. R. Jackson. County assessors: E. B. Comfort, S. C. Morris,
Thomas Leggett, John W. Champ, William Ryan, M. Brock. County
treasurers: .John H. Couch, David Waldo, Amos Harvey, N. Ford, R. W.
Morrison, A. L. Lewis, James Birnie. Or. Spectator, July 22, 1847.
THE AMERICAN AND MISSIONARY I'ARTIES.
U13
and silent, but iniplacablo. He could treat with scjeni
ing o[)enness a man who differed from liim in opinion,
or wlio competed with iiim for tlie j)ui)lic money or
favor, while scheming against him, and entertaining
for him a holy hatred. Withal he hated Catholics;
and it was through these combined qualities that he
was reelected, while the majority of American voters
preferred Ijovejoy.
Abernethy was nominally the head of the Amer-
ican party as it had been when there was a Hudson's
Bay party. No such association as the latter now
existed, because the British inhabitants were polit-
ically fused with the Americans, and most of them
were only waiting for an opj/ortunity to become citi-
zens of the United States. But the real American
party was now, what it had been in the first days of
the provisional government, opposed both to the for-
<'ign corporations and the Methodist ^lission. That
he could be elected, entertaining sentiments adverse
to the free American as well as the foreign corpora-
tions, was owing to the (jualities named. From this
time for several years, the only par'ties in Oregon were
the American and missionary, the uovernor belon<'ini>'
to the latter.
The summer rolled round, and Septend)er came —
more than a year after the settlement of the boun-
dary — before any information was received of the
doings of the national legislature in tlie matter of
Oregon's establishment as a territory, and then it was
only to inffict further disappointment. The president
had indeed recommended the establishment of a ter-
ritorial government in Oregon, and a bill had been
reported by Douglas of Illinois in J^ecendier, which
had passed the house the 1 (ith of January ; but there
southern jealousy of free soil nipped it.
Other rumors reached Oregon City of the inten-
tions of congress and the [)resident. Private advices
i>ave it as certain that an Oregon reyfimcntof mounted
riflemen was being raised; a splendid regiment, it
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POUTICS AND PROGRESS.
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was said, commanded by Persifer F. Smith of New
Orleans. ^^ The only definite intelligence was that an
act had been passed establisliing certain post-routes,
including one from Oregon City by way of Fort Van-
couver and Fort Nisqually to the mouth of Admiralty
Inlet, and another from Oregon City up the Willa-
mette Valley to the Klamath River, said routes to go
into operation on the 1st of July, 1847, or sooner if
practicable, or if any one could be found to conti'act
for transporting the mails over these routes for the
revenues to be derived from them. As the greater
portion of both routes lay through an uninhabited
country, and as the correspondence of the savages
was not great, the matter rested. The postmaster-
general was empowered to contract for transporting a
mail from Charleston, South Carolina, touching at
St Augustine, Key West, and Havana, across the
Isthmus of Pananiil to Astoria; the mail to be car-
ried each way once in two months, or oftener should
the public interest require it, provided the expendi-
ture should not exceed $100,000 per animm. In case
of the route bein' in operation he could establish
a post-office at ^\ la, and such other places on the
Pacific coast as miglit be required by public necessity.
The same act fixed tlie postage on letters from Oregon
or California to the States at forty cents.
In accordance with this act, post-offices v/ere estab-
lished at Astoria and Oregon City. Cornelius Gilliam
was appointed superintenderit of postal matters in
Oregon, David Hill postmaster at Oregon City, and
John M. Shivcly postmaster at Astoria. ^"^ An Indian
agent had also been ap})ointed namely, Charles E.
Pickett, a man ill suited to any office, if the ^Sj)cctator
may be believed. " Who can credit the appointment,"
"Oc. Sprctdtor, July 22, 1847.
'* ' Mr Sliively,' says Burnett, ' is an engineer, a plain, unassuming man, but
{lossessetl of mueii greater genuine ability than most people supposed. Justice
las never been done him. He was in Washington in the winter of 184.5-6,
and was the originator of the project of a steamship line from New York to
this coast, by way of Pauamd. liccoi, 141.
NEGLECT OF GOVERNMENT.
615
it asked, "or believe that the United States govern-
ment could have made its appearance in such a shape ?"
At a time, too, when the Indians were becoming
alarmingly insolent, requiring tlie utmost wisdom to
deal with or restrain them.'"" In what way liad the
peo[)le of Oregon displeased the president that he
should afflict them thus?
The people of Oregon found it indeed difficult to
perceive any benefit tliat they had received from con-
gress, or the presidential appointments. They were
still without a proper government ; they had no troops,
no shipping, no light-houses, no pilot-boats, no api)ro-
priations — nothing,-^ if they excepted two post-routes
to places where there were no settlers, and two p.,!st-
offices — the distributing office being at the mouth of
the Columbia, a hundred and twenty miles from Ore-
gon City, with no other conveyance for the mails
between the two places than Indian canoes. To add
to their indignation, a leading eastern paper (^t)n-
gratulated its readers that nothing had been done for
Oregon, because it was a saving of expense at a time
when the government was overburdened by the Mexi-
can war," and regretted that congress had not estab-
lised a port of entry at the mouth of the Columbia,
and appointed a collector to increase the revenue from
the imports of the British fur company, adding insult
to injury by complimenting the inhabitants of the ter-
ritory on their good sense, good order, and good laws.
'^ A writer in the Sppetnfor, Sept. 2, 1847, says that I'ickett was not in
Oregon, but was absent at tlie Islands; and alleges that he liad advised emi-
grants on the road to California to ' kill all the Indians you may find from
Oregon to California.' What Pickett did say w;us: 'Tieat tlie Indians kindly
along the road, but trust them not. After you get to the Siskiyou Mountains,
use your pleasure in spilling blood, but were I travelling with you, from tluH
on to the first sight of the Sacramento A'alley my only communication with
these treacherous, cowardly, untamable rascals wouhl be through my ritle.
The character of their country precludes the idea of making peace with them,
or ever maintaining treaties it made; so that pliilanthropy must be set aside
in cases of necessity, while self-preservation here dictates these savages
being killed off as soon as possible. Sp<'rt(itnr, April 21(, 1847.
■■" The citizens of Clatsop County, becoming impatient, in Novend)er started
a subscription for a ten.porary light-ho-..se to be erected ou Cape Disappoint-
ment; but it was never established.
"Xtw York Tribune, Aug. 20, 1840
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616
POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
IT
Somewliat ashamed of it all, Secretary Buchanan
wrote Shively, on his departure for Oregon, express-
ing the sympathy of the president, and his regret at
the failure of the Oregon bill."'^ He assured the peo-
ple of Oregon that the president would reiterate his
recommendations to congress in regard to Oregon, and
assured him there could be no doubt of a near relief
He referred to the act establishing post routes and
offices, and the act of the 19th of May, 1846, provid-
ing for a regiment of mounted riflemen, to protect
travellers^* on the road to Oregon. Stronjj assurance
was given that the United States would never aban-
don or prove unmindful of the welfare of Oregon,
but that everything possible should be done for the
welfare of that country.'^^ Thomas H. Benton also
wrote a letter of condolence.'^
** ' It failed in the senate, not, as I am firmly convinced, from any want of
disijositiou on tlio part of the majority to proviile a government for that
interesting portion of the republic, but because other urgent and important
business connected with the Mexican war did not allow tlie necessary time,
before the close of their sliort discussion, to discuss and perfect its details.'
Or. Spvclator, Extni, Sept. 8, 1847.
'•"It Wiia a«kiiig a good deal of the Oregon people to appreciate that act,
since the regiment was no sooner raised than it was sent to Mexico. Steck's
liijiv /h'<)t.,US., 1.
■'■'Voti,/. Globe, App. 1847-8, 40.
■"'He .said: 'Tlie house of representatives, as early as the middle of Jan-
uary, passed a l)ill to give you a territorial government, and in tliat bill had
sanctioned and legalized your provisional organic act, one of the clauses of
which forever proliibited the existence of slavery in Oregon. An amendment
from the senate's committee, to wliich this bill was referred, proposed to abro-
gate that prohibition; and in the delays aiul vexations to whicli that amend-
ment j,'ave rise, the whole bill was lai<l u))on the table and lost for the session.
Thi:f will be a great disa[)pointmont to you, and a real calamity; alnuidy 5 years
with<)\tt law or legal institution for the protection of life, liberty, and property,
and now doomed to wait a year longer. This is a strange and anoinalou.s con-
dition, almost incredible to contemplate, and most critical to endure, a colony
of freemen 4,000 miles from the metropolitan government, and without law or
government to preserve them. But (to not be alarmed or desperate. You
will not be outlawed for not admitting slavery. Your funchimental act
against tliat institution, copied from the ordinance of 1787, the work of the
great men of the south in tlie great day of the south, prohibiting slavery in
a territory far less northern than yours, will not be abrogatedYnor is that the
intention of the prime mover of the amendment. Upon the record of the
judiciary committee of the senate is the author of that amendm.ent; but not
Ro the fact. It is only midwife to it. Its author, Mr Calhoun, is the same
mind that " generated the firebrand " resolutions, of which I send you a copy,
and of which tlio amendment is the legitimate derivation. Oregon is not the
object. The most rabid propagamliat of slavery caniKit expect to plant it on
the shores of the Pacific, in the latitude of Wiscousui and the Lake of the
YET ANOTHER MEMORIAL.
617
According to eastern journals, the president had in
readiness a full rcsj^ister of officials in case the Ores»;on
bill passed the senate." But there were those in
Oregon who thou<,dit the colony too far advanced in
self-government to be treated like a new territoiy,
and that they were entitled to select their own offi-
cers. A convention at Lafayette was proposed for
the purpose of memorializing the president as to
appointing Oregon men to offices in the territory;
but local jealousies defeated the scheme. However,
the convention appointed a committee, consisting of
Burnett, George L. Curry, then editor of the >S^>er-
tator, and L. A. Rice, to draught a memorial to congress
upon the wants of Oregon, to be submitted to the
people for their signatures. The memorialists com-
plained of neglect. They declared that they did not
leave their homes to traverse, with wives and children,
uninhabited wastes to reach their present abode from
ignoble motives ; they had been animated by a desire
not only to benefit themselves and their children, but
to aid their conmion country in sustaining her rights
on the Pacific, and to brino; to a satisfactorv close the
long and harassing controversy with a foreign rival;
Woods. A home agitation for election and disunion purposes is all that is
intended by thrusting this firebrand question into your bill, and at tlie next
session, when it is thrust in again, M'e will scourge it out, and pass your bill as
it ought to be. I promise you this in the luime of the sfmth as well as of the
north; and the event will not deceive me. In the mean time the president
will give you all the protection which existing laws and detachments of the
armj and navy can enable him to extend to you; and until congress has time
to act, your friendi-- nmst rely upon you to govern yourselves as y(m have
heretofore done, under the provi.sions of your own voluntary compact, and
with the justice, harmony, and moderation which is due to your own character
and to the honor of the American name.' Tlie letter concluded witli the
a.ssuran('e that the writer was the sfvme friend to Oregon tiiat lie had ))een for
30 years, that he was when he opposed the joint occupation treaty in
1818, and that he was when he wrote his articles on the grand ilestiny of
that country, which he hope<l to live long enough to witness. (>/•. SpccUitor,
Sept. 8, 1847; Cowj. Olohe, I84r)-(), 0'21-'->; Or. An/n^, March 'J8, \8»1; St
Loim Republican, April 1847; Orcijon ArrhiriK, MS., 01; A'//<w' /fi'ij., l.xxii.
148. His letter is preserved in tlie archives of the state of Oregon. Tuthill,
in his J/iH. ('ill., 'J.")4, remarks that it was said of Douglas that he had a
special miijsion to give California a government. The same migiit be said of
Benton concerning Oregon from 1842-8.
^' Judge Semple of Illinois was mentioned by some as the future governor.
Rowan of Kentucky waa said to be the president's choice; and Richard M.
Johnson was recommendod by the Tnlmne o^ Aug. 12(5, 1840.
,,.m
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618
POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
as also to extend the area of freedom and Christianity,
by which they hoped to confer a lasting benefit upon
mankind.
Neither did they intend to expatriate themselves
by emigrating to Oregon. But when they had reached
this distant country they found themselves in embar-
rassing circumstances — in the midst of a jealous and
predatory Indian population, among the subjects of
Great Britain in the height of the excitement over the
boundary question ; without law or protection, except
as they governed and defended themselves, which
they had done amid many trials ; it being much more
difficult to administer temporar} laws than a fixed
system of government.
While their means were slender, their taxes were
high, owing to the necessity of impro\ing the country,
opening roads, building bridges, and erecting school-
houses and churches. They could not raise money to
pay the members of their legislature for more than
two weeks' service at a time, and were compelled to
adopt the laws of Iowa, modified by a few local acts.
They had no printing-press, and no books on law to
refer to ; nor any means of making the laws known
to the people until the Spectator was established, in
whose colunms only the local laws were published.
The memorialists declared that they had been
grieved at being debarred from enjoying the protec-
tion which the subjects of Great Britain received in
their very midst ; but comforted themselves that the
omission of their jrovernment to afford it was out of
regard to the sacredness of treaty obligations; but
that when the boundary question was settled they
could see no reason for the studied neglect of con-
gress. They had acted uv,der the conviction that the
duties of citizens and government were nmtual. " Our
forefathers," said they, "complained that they were
oppressed by the mother country, and they had a
just right to complain. We do not complain of op-
pression, but of neglect. Even the tyrant has his
DONATION OF LANDS.
619
moments of relaxation and kindness, but neglect never
wears a smile."
The particular injuries of which mention was made
as arising from the condition of affairs were aside
from the discomfort of uncertainty, of sus{)ension of
enterprise, and the inability of the colonial govern-
ment to treat with the surrounding natives, who
were every day becoming more aggressive, owing to
the non-fulfilment of promises of payment for their
lands. They could not tell when war would be upon
them, and the coming of their friends to Oregon cut
oft'. Their position with regard to criminals was
equally embarrassing. They had no prison ^ and no
money, nor means of punishing offences without re-
turning to the branding-iron, cropping-knife, and
whipping-post.
The conclusion of the whole matter was the usual
reference to the donation of land which the settlers
expected from congress, and which they insisted they
had justly earned in the aid they had given the gov-
ernment in settling the vexed question of title. " We
think we merit the respectful consideration of our
government. It is with our country, whether she will
hear us or not." With this parting note of warning
the address concluded. It was the threat so often
covertly, and sometimes openly, made, that loyal as
were the settlers of Oregon, they were independent
enough to disregard a government which had no care
for them.
By common consent the subject of a delegate seems
to have been avoided, for it was well known that no
choice could be made wholly satisfactory to all parties;
and since as yet they had no right to one, for any
clique to insist on sending a man of their choice to
represent the colony would only lead to protests and
confusion. The memorial, after being circulated for
r 4'
t 1
:
v4 I]
' II
'^^ The jail erected at Oregon City with furiils from the estate of Ewing
Young in 1844 was burned by an incendiary in August 184G. Or. Spectator,
Sept. .3, 184G.
- — - ^1
620
POLITICS AND P''.OGRES.s.
Signatures, was placed in the mail of the bark Whiton,
Captain Galston, to sail on the IDth of October for
San Francisco and Pananid, in the expectation tliat
it would be received and read in congress in time to
influence the legislation for Oregon at the session of
1847-8.-''
But the power in Oregon behind the throne had
settled the matter of a delegate without consulting
the people : and when the Whito7i sailed, it carried J.
Quinn Thornton, the private agent of Abernethy, to
reprecient in a general way the wants of the territory,
but in a more particular manner the views of the
Methodist missionaries with regfard to those sections
in the Oregon treaty which related to the possessory
rights of British subjects.^"
Thornton endeavors to explain away the odium
attaching to his position as a delegate not chosen by
the people, by implying that the general desire for
office was likely to frustrate the wishes and wants of
the community; therefore, he took it upon him to
become the savior of the people by appropriating the
best paying position for himself; but professes to have
feared that letters would be written to Washington
in revenge, which would damage his power with the
government. This becomes the logical reason of his
secret departure, his going on board the Whito7i at
night after the bark had already weighed her anchor,
and the general mystery surrounding the transaction.
He succeeded in getting to sea without any inter-
ruption, and arrived in San Francisco on the 10th
^ Thornton erroneously says the memorial was addressed to Thomas H.
Benton. He also says that ' it was proposed to elect a itl^gate, but that it
was decided to be impracticable.' Or. and Cal., ii. 37-S.
^ That the discovery of Abernethy 's action in this mat er resulted in unfa-
vorable comment may be gathered from Curry's remarks in the Spectator,
which, though an Abernethy organ, was not taken into th? secret of the pri-
vate delegate. Some will have honors, said the editor, whether or no, and we
understand that one of our distinguished functionaries has ^one to the States,
that another started in the height of desperation in a Chiiook canoe to go
around along the coast in order to head off the first one, and that one of the
members of the late Yamhill convention intends crossing the mountains on
snow-shoes to be in at the death, etc. Or. Spectator, Nov, II, 1847; Deady't
Hist. Or., MS., 3-4.
THORNTON'S ADVENTURES.
G21
of November, wliere the bark reniaineJ till the 12th
of December. While at this port, where the progress-
ive American was inakinjjf a <jreat stir and business
was extremely brisk, Thornton dis})osed of a quantity
of flour which constituted a part of the cargo of the
IVfiiton, loaned to him by Xoyes Smith, one of those
who came in 1844,^^ as a means of raising money for
his expenses. He had received from Kev. George
Gary a draft on the treasury of the Methodist society
in the east, and from Abernethy whatever more it
required to furnish him with means for his journey.
At San Josd in Lower California was found the
sloop of war Portsmouth, Captain J. B. Montgomery,
to which Thornton was transferred on invitation of
the commander, and was carried to Boston, where he
arrived May 5, 1848.^'^
When the legislature met in December, a set of
resolutions were introduced in the house l)y Nesmith,
remonstrating against the a[)pointment of Thornton
to any office in the territory, which were at first
adopted, afterward reconsidered, and finally lost by
the speaker's vote.^^ It is but just to Thornton,
:?i3
. Hi
f
''The career of Noyes Smith is given as follows: 'Over a quarter of a
century since, tlie world was astonished at hearing of the defalcation and dis-
appearance of an Albany bank officer. Having made the circuit of the
world, he some years afterwards appeared in Oregon under this name, became
a merchants clerk, then himself a merchant, and was rich and prospering
when he was recognized by an officer of the U. S. army. E.xposure drove
him to dissipation and ruin. His friends at the east seem to have finally
compromised his case, and his family sent for 1dm to return home, which ho
did to find his children grown up, ami everytliing mucli changed during
his long al).sence.' 8. A. Clarke, in Oirrlinul Moii/Jil;/, x. 410-15. Noye's real
name was said to be Egbert Olcott. Biirk's Eiitarprwx, MS., 13.
"'■' Thornton's Or. and Cal., ii. 247-8. I think it not uidikely that tlie
117/ /tort was looking for a vessel of tlie U. S. navy for this very purpose; since
Benton in his letter to the people of Oregon had assured them that iletiich-
ments of the army and navy should give them all the assistance in their
power, while waiting the action of tlie government; on which liint the gov-
ernor seems promptly to have acted.
'^■^Or. Spect,Uor,licc. 25, 1847; Ororer.i Or. Archmi.'*, 2.S2, 242. So well
had the secret of Thornton's agency been kept that the preamble to the
resolutions declares only that it is ' g(!Uerally believed ' that Thornton had
been secretly despatched to Washington City with recommendations, peti-
tions, and memorials for the purpose of obtaining for himself and friends the
moat important offices in the territory.
G22
POLITICS AND PROCiRESS.
i
whose position was sufficiently odious, to remind the
reader tluit the author of tlie resokitions was a son-
in-law of David Goff, whom Thornton had mercilessly
abused in the ISjwctator for his share in inducing the
immigration to take the southern route. For- the
same reason, however, the selection of Thornton for
the position of delegate was an unfortunate one. P\)r
allowing the resolutions to he printed i:^ the Spectator
the directors of the printing association dismissed
Curry frcmi the editorship."^*
Trusting to time's obliteration of the evidences of in-
trigue, Thornton says in his manuscript History oj
Oregon, that he was " sent by the provisional govern-
ment of Oregon " to Washington ; in which case the
governor, and not the legislature, was the government.
He also says in an address before the pioneer associa-
tion of 1874, that he obeyed the desire of Whitman,
who in the spring of 1847 urged him to yield to the
solicitations he had received to go to Washington on
behalf of the people and the provisional government.
There were some persons besides the governor who
were willing Thornton should go to Washington ; and
there were strong reasons why Whitman should be
one of them, in the yearly increasing danger of his
situation among the Cayuses, which nothing could
avert but the sword or the purse of the United
States.
Of this fact the authors of the memorial were well
advised when they said that they did not know how
soon they might be involved in an Indian war. For
reasons connected with the speedy settlement of Ore-
gon by a po])ulation which would entitle them to elect
a delegate, and to enjoy other privileges dependent on
numbers, they had touched but lightly upon those
facts which if known in the States might retard immi-
"* In his remarks on his dismissal, Curry referred bitterly to the attempt
to muzzle the press, on the part of (leorge Abernethy, Rev. W. Roberts,
J. R. Robb, and Robert Newell, ' who constitute a bare n)ajority of the board
of directors.' Or. Spectaf^yr, Jan. 6 and 20, 1848; Honolulu Polynesian, iv.
206; Friend, vi. 47 68: Pickett's Paris Exjmitian, 10.
IMMIC.RATION CF 1847.
823
^ration, tlio still existin«jf liardsliips of tho journey,
and tlio tlireatuniii!'' attitude of the Indians.
Owing to the wettlenient of the boundary question,
and the prospect tliat a donation law would soon he
j)assed, between four and five thousand persons eanie
to Oregon in 1847, most of them ;>eoj)le of comforta-
ble means."'''' They commenced arriving at the Dalles
as early as the 22d of August, and continued to arrive
until November, when two hundred wagons were still
on the eastern side of the mountains.
Every expedition by wagon had been attended by
suffering and loss; nor was this one an exception. Its
immber was the princi})al cause of its misfortunes; the
foremost companies exhausting the grass, compelling
the rear to delay in order to recruit their cattle, which
brought them in late, with great loss and in a starv-
ing condition. For the same cause, sickness attacked
the trains, an epidemic called he black measles pre-
vailing, from which many died on the latter part of
the journey or after arrival. The caravan of wagons
was also a cause of hostility on the part of the sav-
ages, from the Blue Mountains to the Dalles, who
attacked seveial small compcmies, robbing the wagons,
and in some instances tearing the clothing from the
persons of the women, leaving them naked in the wil-
derness, and connnitting other outrages.
There being now two routes opened, there should
have been a division of the travel ; but this was pre-
vented by the efforts of some who had met with losses
Ifi
> If I
I \ (I.
I* 1
*■'* '" vna said that not one wagon was hound for California this year; an
evil', ^iit niiatake, as is shown hy tlie account of the 'Wiggins party,' which
attampted to pass through the mountains on the head waters of the Sacra-
mento, and failing, turned hack to the southern Oregon road. This party
arrived in California in the spring of 1848, hy the hrig Henri/. S. F. C'ali-
J\)rnian, April 19, 1848. A correspondent of the Pohjnc'inn, iv. 123, 137,
writing from California, says that 1,000 wagons were destineil for tliat country,
hut that Oregon agents met them on the road an(' turned them to the Wil-
lamette Valley, hy representations of the disordered state of California, ami
the insecurity of property and life. Erpositor, Independence, Mo., May 17,
1847; NUes" Reg., Ixxiii. 6; JohnsoiiA Cal and Or., 202-3; Findlai/'n State-
meat, MS., 2; Victor's Jiiver o/ the We^l, 394.
• lK
il'Ii
roLiTic'S AND riuxaiKss.
oil tho lU'W route, hy others intorcHted in liavin*^ the
travcillcrs hrouji^ht to the Dalles and Orej^on City,
and hy the owners of tlie Mount Hood road. Letters
were sent to Careen Kiver to meet them, in which
tliey wore counselled to starve, whip, and even kill
any person advisins^ them to take the southern road.
A circular was distributed containin<:^ an exaj^j^erated
account of the calamities suffered the previous year,
and rcconnnending the Barlow road. As the circular
made no mention of the hardships and losses of trav-
ellers hy the Mount Hood pase of the Cascade Moun-
tains, and as it was signed by the govenor, all but
forty-five of the wagons took the route by way of
the Snake and Columbia rivers, with the results be-
fore mentioned."''^
From a manuscript narrative of the overland jour-
ney called the Southern Route, by Thomas L. David-
son,^' it appears that the natives on the Humboldt
and about the lake county of southern Oregon were
troublesome, shooting cattle, and wounding a herder
named Henry Williamson. They soon after attacked
a train as it was ])assing under a rocky point on
the border of lodoo or Tule Lake, which was saved
by a dash of two savage dogs putting the natives to
flight.**
One of the men who accompanied Levi Scott to
and from Fort Hall, named Garrison, was killed near
Granite Ridge, and Scott himself was wounded, but
with one arm pinned to his side by an arrow, shot one
Indian, and put another to flight. Had this been the
3«Lovi Scott, in Or. Spectator, Nov. 11, 1847; Hats' Nnr., MS., 4-8; Cfrim's
Ernii/niiit Aiiealotes, MS., 1-G; Or. Spectator, Nov. 25, 1847.
•" T. L. Davidson, sou of James IXividson, sen., was boni in Illinois in 1833.
When he was 12 years old his brothers Albert and James went to Oregon. In
184() Albert retnrned to +he States, and by his enthusiastic iliscriptions of
the Oregon co'uitry induced liis fatlier and many persons in Iowa, Illinois,
and Missouri to emigrate. Southern Route, MS., 1, 2. Davidson mentions tho
death in tlie Klamatli country of Mrs Benj. F. Burch, of consumption. She
was going to join her husband.
'''In III. Ajf. Jiept., 1873, mention is mailc of a massacre at this place in
1847, which ia an error. No massacre was effected at this jjass until after the
year 1850.
NAMKS OF IM.MKi HANTS.
(iW
Grhn'a
worst roiisoqiu'iirt' ot'tlu; hirij^e iiinnl)er"'''this ywii" [xnn--
ing into and through the Indian country, disregard ing
"• Of tlic 5,000 pcrsoiiH added to tlio population of the country at tliiH jiim--
turo few naiuo^i liavi' liouii prenervcil. 'llieso arc Hiiltjoiticcl, and with tlicin
sonii! hiograjiiiical notes showing tin; cliaraeter of ♦'le settli-rs.
K. S. Allen, Sunniel Athouwe, Kphraiin Adaiim, Charhis AilairiH, A. J.
AdaniH, .laiiie.H Anderson, .fohn \V. Allen, Sanuud Allen, T. II. Allen, Hi'nry
L. Aikin, Williun Allphin, Ariui, J). Avorson, ThoniaM Alli)hin, .Inlin Aikin,
lloliert Alexander, llieliard Andrews, .lohn T. Apiierson, .lanies Aikin, Tho.s.
N. Auhrey, Elias Huell, ('. B. Belliniier, .lohn Bultou, Wdliani Iktekntan,
John 1*. IJrooks, ISenjaniin .f. IJnreh, WiNon i'.laln, Klias Hrown, Dain.-utcus
Brown, .1. Henry Brown, .1. H. Bellinger, lli ■ ' aw, AVilliani Barey, Stenhen
Bonner, William S. Barker, J. C. Braly, .John t' y, I'aniel Rushinel, Oliver
IhiMhinel, John W. Hewley, Isaac W. IJewley, I (ickott Bewlcy, .James F.
Bewloy, r„eander Hurkhart, ('. O. Hurkart, All or Briggs, Hilt. Bonser, .John
Boii.st^r, Nathaniel liownian, IJenjaniin Urn** mi, W'i'liani Bcry ' ;.)ies Bae! an,
■f. Bntler, A. (,'. Brown, 'I'. M. liiiekn A. .M. iJixter. iaekstui Beattie,
I). I). Burroughs, Cliarles Blair, T. R. Bi.iir, Heni-y B' i iier, .J. H. Blanken-
sliip, .Janies A. Brown, K. Bidwell. .Ii.im Bird, I^. ... Bird, William Brisbane,
Burpee, tJlen O. Burnett, Sanuiel T. Burch. riv .. ■■■ Burnett, William }f.
Beimett, .J. A. Baker, vN'illiam Blackston , R. Uin L. Belknap, Belknap,
.lohn Blain, R. A. Barker, I'iram BuUuin, V. illiam S. W. Brooks, .John
Baum, Thomas Carter, Lafayette Cartel, Jeffer>*"n Carter, C. M. Carter,
Jvlward Cartwriglit, .John ( '. Cartwright, Henry \V. Coe, Ster)hen Cum-
iriings, C. M. Cook, W. W. Cliapinan, Jo.seph Ci.amherlain, \\ . n. C'anf'eld,
llohert Cantield, Thomas Cox, .Joseph • o.x, William Cox, Tliomas H. Cox,
Hugh' Coagrovc, Churchill, Turner Crump, C. B. ('roslty, Steplien CoHiu,
I'eter W. Crawford, .John Davis Crawford, (ieorgc Cline, .Joseph ('line, Ijewis
('line, .Jiison 8. Clark, (J. A. Ccme, O. H. Cone, J. 11. Crain, Chandler Cooper,
Jaither Collins, Nehuzarden Coli'ey, Jacoh Coinegys, Robert Cowan, J. T.
Crooks, Finico Caruthers, James Coleman, (Jeorge W. Ca.ev, Core, Cay wood,
A. R. Dimiek, William H. Dillon, J. T. Dillon, VAi D.-ivis^j Albert (t. Davis,
Leander L. Davis, C. Davis, Henry W. l)avi.s, John C Danforth, C. H. Dev-
endorf, John Dise, John N. Donnie, Manly Danforth, James Dickson, D. D.
Dostins, S. T. Duffield, Dunbar, Thonuis L. Dividson, (Ireen C. Davidson,
James Davidson, Albert Davidson, Doane, Dyer, John Downing, .J. S. Dunlap,
K. Douglas, Joseph W. Downee, H. H. Everts, Abel Endy, W. W. Eng,
J. Ij. Eotf, (reorge EofF, Rev. St Al. Fackler, Sanniel Faekler, Franklin, Janies
Fulton, James Fields, Fox, Sanniel Fields, William Fellows, Albert H. Fish,
Rezin D. Foster, John Foster, Isaac W. Foster, Wallace Foster, ( leorge Z.
Frazer, John Feat, Edward F. Folger, John Farley, .Tames R. Friedley, .John
Fisher, Ford, William Glover, Cal. (leer, L. C (Jeer, .Jolin W. (Jrini, Ralph
C. (leer, (Jeorge T. (leer, Joseph Carey Geer, William Graham, G. W. Graves,
Bernard Genoise, Isaac Gillilland, John G. Gibson, Samuel ( rethard, J. N.
(ireen, (}. N. Gilbert, Daniel O. (Jarland, Andrew (Jribble, J. J. (Jarrish,
Jacob (iracer, .Tames A. Graham, Leonard GofF, B. B. Griffin, Peter (!ill,
S. H. Goodhue, S. J. (Jardner, Dr D. Gardner, Albert (Jaines, V,. (ieinlis,
Samuel (lordney, Benjamin Gordon, Harvey Gordon, JohnC. Holgate, H. D.
Huntington, Hoffman, John Hiner, Robert Hou.ston, J. D. Holman, Frank
D. Holman, D. Hari)er, S. A. Holcond), John P. Hibbler, Joseph Hull, Rich-
mond Hayes, Cliarles Hubb nl, Hugh Harrison, Horace Hart, (ioalmaii
Hubbanl, William Hawkins, \, illiam Hock, G. H. Hughes, Joseph E. Hur-
ford, James Harpole, King L. Hibbard, G. V.'. Hunt, John S. Hunt, TheophiluH
Howell, J. M. Hciiidricks, T. G. HenilricKs, Harford, Jesse M. Heilges, A. L.
Humphrey, Samuel Headrick, T. H. Hunsaker, J. T. Hunsaker, Henry Hill,
Zacharias Hawkins, John Hudson, Haun, D. R. Hodges, Nelson Hoyt, H. H.
Jory, Hiram A. Johnson, B. Jennings, A. L. Johnson, R. A. Jack, S. A. .Tack-
son, Judson, Jacob Johnson, Rufus Johnson, H. Johnson, George I. Johnson,
Hist. Ok., Vol. I. 40
i \^
POLITICS AND PRO(JRESS.
the jealous opposition of the natives to the settlement
of white people upon the unbouglit lands of the Ore-
Rev. Hczckiah Johnson, James Johnson, Joseph Jcffers, Jolly, John \V. Jack-
son, William A. Jackson, B. Jenuiiias, Noah Jobe, Isaac M. Joliiis, Thon>as
Justin, John Jewott, Robert C Kinney, Samuel Kinney, Jchial Kimlall,
Kimball, Clinton Kelley, Penumbra Kelly, A. Kinsey, Ivison Kiiiscy, Thomas
S. Kinsey, John Kinsey, A. Kennedy, S. B. Knox, Kli;ia Kearney, James
Killingworth, J. Keller, Joseph Kelly, Jolm Kelly, Kent, J. Kestor, A. N.
Locke, SanuK'l Laughlin, D. O. Lownsdale, Lockwood Little, A. C. Little,
A. Levallcy, Larogue, Philemon Leo, Phehister Lee, J. W. Liiigenfelter,
John Lousingnet, Oliver Lowden, James 11. Lewis, J. IL Laugldin, Davis
Lator, A. Luelling, Leonard, Henderson Luelling, William Meek, Dr James
McBride, Rev. Thomas McBride, Israel Mitcliell, Lucius Marsh, William P.
Martin, George H. Marcli, S. D. Maxon, H. J. (i. Maxon, John Morcly,
Frederick MeC^ormick, Wdliam McKinney, Alexander Mc(i>uinn, Syhanus
Moon, John McCoy, .Tosepli Merrill, Thomas Monteith, WaltiT Mouteith,
Samuel T. McKean, J. Magone, Joel McKee, ,1. W. Murgan, J. 11. McMillan,
George Moore, Gilluirt Mondon, AN'illiam Milbern, Marsliall Martin, lloraci;
Martin, Isaac Morj^an, Jolm Miller, N. G. MclKmnell, Madison McCulh^y,
James M. Morris, William M(mlton, W. T. ^latlock, Samuel Miller, Richard
Miller, W. G. Maley, William McGunigalc, iknry Marland, William Mc-
Alphin, R. Memliihall, Daniel Mo.-iicr, Llias Mosier, Mills, John Marks,
Johnson Mulk(^y, (ieorgc Merrill, Mcl'herson, (). C. Motley, T. F. MclJlroy,
C Mulligan, J. C. Nelson, Josiuli Osborne, James Otlicer, John ^\^ Ov/en,
O. Pravillot, Tjcwis Pettyjohn, R. Pattern, Aaron Payne, Dr I'crry Pretty-
man, Ira Patterson, Joel Pal'.nei', William Patterson, Miriam Pue, William
Parker, .Toseph IJ. J'roctor, Thomas Pnrvii, John B. Price, Ridianl PoUard,
Frederick J 'aul, Henry PoUet, 'lliomas P. Powers, Peter Policy,.!. K.Payne,
Aaron Purdy, William P. Pugh, Dr John P. Pojijado, J. it. Pructt, 1,. 11.
I'oujade, Mattlicw Pattou, Rev. William Robinson, Joh:i E. Ross, Ivlward
Rol)S(in, J. C. Robinson, Jeremiah R. Ralitoa, Reason Read, David Read,
John Rodgers, Talmou J I. Rolfe, B. B. Rogers, Saul Rieliards, Frederick
Ramsey, lames O. Raynor, A. J:^. R(il)ins<>n, A. A. Robinson, Ricliard Rich-
ards, (Jeorgo Richies, Rolan, A. M. Rainwater, Randolph, J.)hu \V. Sliively,
Amos Sliort, Joseph Smith, R. V. Sliort, Airoii Stanton, Alfred Stanton,
Peter Sclmll, Benj. E. Stewart, Jonas Spcct, .1. W. Schrum, Thomas Sclirum,
Henry Schrum, Cyrus Smith, David Stouo, Alamander Stone, Nathaniel
St<me, Switzler, Ajidrcw J. Simmons, Spear, Wesley Sliannon, Morgan L.
Savage, Lutlier Savage, John S:i,vage, Cliarlej Sanborn, Saultorn, Cliristopher
Shuck, Beverly Simpson. C. W. Savage, Lewis Savage, L. W. Saunders,
Shepperd Sales, Dr Ileury Saffarans, I)r Snyder, Israel Shaw, Robert Sliaw,
Thomas Sliaw, Rev. John Spenser, Hiram Simpkins, Sturgess, Samuel R.
Tiiurstou, Christopher Taylor, William Turpin, James Terwilliger, 1'immons,
TuUistiui, R. C. Tainey, W. S. Torrance, A. J. Thomas, 0. Tuppcr, R. S.
Tupper, Tallantiue, John F. Taylor, Trncodale, Luke Taylor, W. II. Tappan,
Isa;ic Thompson, IraS. Towusend, David I). Tompkins, L. L. Tliomas, J. W.
Townsend, Vai' V'ource, William Vandcrwarcer, John Vaughn, < r. W. Walling,
Henry Warren, ( "harlea I]. Warren, William Whitney, James Whitney, Robert
Whitney, John Whitney, Jason Wheeler, A. J. Welch, T. C. Waller, Samuel
Whitely, Jacob Wooley, Coluudnis W^lieeler, Ricliard E. Wiley, Robert
Willis, Benjamin Wooils, Caleb Woods, George L. Wooils, James C. Woods,
David Weston, John Wilson, Darius Whcel.T, Josepli Williams, Lcander
Wallace, Isaac Walganiouts, Jacob Witchcy, George Westley, Andrew Wise,
(ieorgo Weston, Solomon Wheek-r, W. W. Walters, A. Williams, W. Wil-
liams, A. S. Welton, E. West, Luther White. Elijah Weeks, Rev. White, Dr
Thomas Wiiitc, Watson, Lot Whitcomb, John Warnock, Winchester, R. Yar-
brough, Elam Young, Daniel Y'oung, John Young, Jamea Young. There
arrived by Boa this year Thomaj Brown, EiwarJ Folger D U. Ciood J M
THE INCOMERS OF 1847.
027
n W.Jack -
us, Thoii.as
;il Kendall,
cy, Tlioiiias
iiey, James
stor, A. N.
L. V. l.ittlc,
iii};i;ufcltur,
hliii, Oavis
, I )r Jaiiica
William 1'.
liil Moivly,
1, Sylvamis
Moiitcitl),
McMillan,
tin, Horac'.j
McC'uUey,
ur, Richard
'illiain Mc-
ilin Marks,
. Mci'^lroy,
W. Ov/on,
rry Trctty-
)i;, William
i-d TnUard,
R. I'ayne,
■tt, I,. J I.
is, Ivhvanl
IV id Road,
Kiudorick
lanl Rioli-
.Sliivuly,
Stanton,
.i Scliruin,
Nathaniel
organ ],.
iri.itopluT
Saunders,
)ert Shaw,
;imnel 11.
'i'iinnions,
)er, R. S.
Tapiian,
las, J. W.
\VaUing,
■y, Robert
, Saiimol
Robert
Woods,
liCander
•e\v Wi.ie,
W. Wil-
IVhitc, Dr
r, R. Yar-
, There
>0',1 J iM
gon Territory, the mischief which followed might have
been sooner repaired, if not altogether averted.
Goeway, Mrs W. K. Kilbonio anil children, (i. W. Lawton, B. R MareelluR,
1). Markwood, Rev. P. J. McCorniick, (). B. Post, Rev. William Roberts, wife
and two children, S. C Reeves, C. C. Shaw, J. M. Stanley, fl. Swasey and
wife, Rev. J. II. Wilbur, wife and daughter, (Jeorgo Whitloek, .1. F. Winckley.
iJr I'crry Pretty man was born March '20, 1790, in Newcastle Co., Del. He
married Elizabeth H. Vessels, Dec. 25, 1825, and began the study of medicine
in 1S28, at the botanic medical school in Baltimore, Maryland. In 18;W he
moved to Mo., and 7 years later to Oregon. Ho settled in ISt'J on a farm
near East Portland, where he remained till his deatli, Mareli 27, 1872. J'orl-
Inml Admcitte, April 4, 1872. Mrs Prettynian died Dec. 2(), 1874, in the 71.st
year of her tage. She was born in Lewiston, Del., in KSOIJ. She was the
mother of 10 children, only 4 of whom survived her. A/., .Tan. 7, 1875.
John Marks, born in Virginia Jan. 10, 1795, removed when a l)oy to Ky.,
and in 1818 married Fanny Forrester, in 18.'>8 moved to Johnson I o.. Mo.,
and in 1847 to Oregon, and settling in Clackamas Co., where he resided until
his death, Jan. 5, 1874. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and received in
his declining years a pension from the government.
Thomas N. Aubrey was born in Va., in 1791, and moved westward with
the ever-advancing line of the frontier until he settleil on the shore of the
I'acitic. He was the oldest mason in Oregon, except Orrin Kellogg. Euijene.
Citij Oiinn/, May 'M, 1879.
Rev. William Robinson left Missouri in 1847. Mrs Susannah Robinson,
his wife, was born in Pa. in 179.'J; married in Oliio, and in IS.'i.'J removed to
Indiana, thence to Platte Co., Mo., and linally to Polk Co., Oregon. She out-
lived her husband, dying at the home of her daughter, Mrs CannoUj near
Cottage (irove in Lane Co., Sept. 30, 1870. I'orllmid A<li\, (Yit. 15, 1870.
Mr3 Alice Claget Mosier, born in New York, May 31, 1794, removed with
her parents to Indiana, where she married Daniel .Mosier in 18.'{0, witli whom
KJie came to Clackamas Co., Oregon. She spent the last years of her life witli
her son Eliiis, her husband having died before her. Her death occurred Jidy
2, 1870. /(/., Sept. 10, 1870.
Mrs Polly (Irimea Patton was born Sept. 23, 1810, in Frederick Co., Md.
She was the daughter of Joshua and Elh'n (; rimes, and removed villi them
to Adams Co., Ohio, where she was married to Matthew Patton in April
1830, who soon after removed with her to I,a Fayettt;, Itidiana, and in 1839
to Davis Co., Mo., whence they went to Oregon and settled in Portland. She
died January 7, 1808. M, Jan. II, 1808.
James Johnson was born April 4, 1809, in Tenn. He moved to Ohio in
1841, and thenco io Oregon in 1847, settling in the Tualatin plains, and died
August 20, 1870. Id., Sept. 3, 1870.
Mrs Anna Clark was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., February 20, 1823. At
the age of 10 she married Jason S. Clark, with whom she came to Oregon.
S!\e was the mother of 7 children. In 1805 they removed to White River
VuUey, in Washington, where Mrs Clark ilied Aug. 1.3, 1807. A/., S^pt. 7, 1S07.
Mrs Susan Bowles White was born in Frederick Co., Md., Sept. 18, 1793.
Sh(! was the daughter of Rev. Jacob Bowles of the Methodist cinireh. She
married Dr Thomas White, and eventually settled at French Prairie, where
she died Aug. 13, 1807.
Chandler Cooper, born 1823, was a native of V't. He moved with his
parerits to Ind. when a boy, and at the age of 24 to Oregon. Settling in
Vaitthill, he married Alvira Frye, by whom he had 3 chddren. He died
March 24, 1805, at his homo in Yandidl. Id., A\m\ 29, 1805.
Peter Schollwas born in Clark Co., Ky., in 1809, wlien young went to 111.
and thence to Oregon. Ho settled at Scholl's Ferry in Wiwhington Co. l',e
died November 23, 1872. Id., Nov. 28, 1872.
Ellas Buell, boru July 20, 1797, iu the state of New York. At the age of
f
! 1
rk
f
628
POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
IB I--: P~if
The immigration of 1847 from its numbers and
general competency materially assisted in the develop-
19 he removed with his parents to Ind., where he married Sarah Hammond,
Oct. 15, 1817. In 1835 ho went west as far as Louisa Co., Iowa, where he
resided until 1847, when he came to Oregon and settled in Polk Co., in the
spring of 1848, where he lived till liis death, November 14, 1871. Id., Nov,
.30, 1871.
Mrs Emmeline Buell Blair, wife of T. R. Blair, and daughter of Eliaa
Buell, was born in Tippecanoe Co., Ind., Feb. 29, 1829. Slie married Mr
Blair in Oregon in 1850; and died July 6, 1877, leaving several children. Id.,
Aug. 9, 1877.
Mrs Margaret McBride Woods, born May 27, 1809, iuTenn., was a daughter
of Elder Thomas and Nancy McBride. The family removed to Missouri in
181G, where Margaret was married to Caleb Woods in 1828, and emigrated
with him to Oregon, in company with her brother Dr James McBride and his
family. The sons of tliis marriage were two, (leorco Lemuel Woods, who
was governor of Oregon for one term, a,nd James C. Woods, niercliant. Slie
died at her homo in Polk Co., Jan. 27, 1871. Caleb Woods has since re-
sided at Columbia City on the Columbia river. Id., Feb. 25, 1871.
Benjamin E. Stewart, youngest of 11 children, was born near Newark,
Ohio, April 18, 1815. He was apprenticed to a saddler, and engaged in this
business at Findlcy, Hancock Co., where he married iVnn Cruml)acker, Sep-
tember 28, 18.S7. Before coming to Oregon he lived for several years vx
Putnam Co., Ohio. He settled hnally in Yamhill Co., on a farm, where he
died of injuries received by a fall, on the 18th of Aug., 1877, leaving a wife
and 3 sons and 3 daughters. Id., Sept. 6, 1877.
Susanna T. Hurford, wife of Josepli E. Hurford, born in Va., died at Port-
land in the 58th year of her age, Aug. 19, 1877. Id., Aug. 23, 1877.
Joseph Jcffers was born in VVaahington, D. C, C)ctobor 17, 1807, removed
to Wheeling, Va., in 1825, and was married to Sarah Crawford of tliat place,
November 19, 1829. Ho moved to Burlington, Iowa, in 1837, where he be-
came a licensed exhorter of the Methodist church On going to Ortgon he
resided 3 years at Oregon City, after which he made Clatsop Co. his home.
His family coli^5iatcd of 1 1 children, only 3 of whom survived him. Ho tlied
in Portland, Jan. 2, 1876. Id., Jan. 27, 1876.
Mrs Mary Watson, one of the arrivals in 1847, died at King's Valley, Ben-
ton Co., February 11, 1873, aged 64 years. /(/., Feb. 27, 1873.
Henry W. Davis, known as the Hillsboro Hermit, was bom in London,
Eng., wlicnco he emigrated to Canada, where he participated in the patriot
war of 1837-8, liaving commanded a gun in one of the battles, and is said to
have been a colonel. After the insurrection ho fled to the United States to
escape arrest. He was employed in a flouring mill at Cincinnati for some
time, and wlien ho went to Oregon took with him a set of mill -stones. He
erected a flouring mill on Dairy Creek, near Hillsboro, Washington Co., which
was in operation for several years. Davis lived alone, dressed in rags, and
avoided his fellow-men. He was once tried by a commission of lunacy, who
decided him sane, but eccentric. Ho died alone in his cabin in the summer
of 1878, leaving considerable real estate and several thousand dollars in
money, which wont to a nephew by the name of Tremble. Portland Bee,
Aug. .SO, 1878.
J. li. Bellinger wa.s born in tho state of New York in 1791, served in
the war of 1812, and built tho first canal-boat for tho Erie canal. He settled
in Marion County, and his family have been much noted in state politics.
He died of paralysis Nov, 13, 1878. Portlanil Bee, Nov. 14, 1878; Vorva'Hs
Oazt'tte, Nov. 22, 1878.
Jesse Monroe Hodges was born in Melbumo Co., S. C, Dec. 18, 1788. In
1811 he married Catherine Sta-dey of N. C. He served in the war of 1812,
and fought under General Jackson at Horse Shoe Beud, In 1817 he moved
BIOfiRAPHICAL.
G29
nient of the country ; .and by greatly increasing the
to Tenn., thence to Ind., and thence in 1839 to Mo., making his last remove
to Oregon in 1847, and settling in Benton County. He died at the residence
of his son, D. R. Hodges, March 28, 1877. His mental condition was sound
up to his latest moments, though over 88 years of age. Albnuii Democrat,
April G, 1877.
J. H. Crain, born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1831. He removed with his
parents, in 18.^7 to Fountain Co., In(l., and thence to Oref,'on. He remained
m and aliout Portland till ISo^, wlicn he M'cnt to tlie mines of southern
Oregon, finally settling in the Kogue River Valley. He served as a volunteer
in the Indian war of 1855-(), after which he married and followed the occu-
pation of farming. In 1870 he still resided in Jackson County. Ashland
Tidimj^, Oct. 14, 1876.
John Baum, bom in Richland County, Ohio, August 12, 1823, removed
with his parents to Porter Co., In<l., in 1835, and came to Oregon when 24
years of age. He located at Salem, but the gold discovery of 1848 drew
him to Cal. Here he mined for a few months, but finding his trade of car-
pentering more attractive, and also profitable, he followed it for a season. In
1850 he drifted back to Oregon from the Shasta mines, and in July 1851
married Phtebe S. Tieters, who died in July 1873, leaving 8 living cliildren,
3 of whom were sons, namely, James T., John N., and Edgar C. Sonoma Co.
JliM., G31.
Jonas Spect, another who went to the California mines, was born in Pa.,
and had lived in Ohio and Mo. He settled in Cal., to which state his biog-
raphy properly belongs. See Sutter Co. llUt., 24, and Yuba Co. JIM., 30.
James Davidson, father of T. L., James, jun., and Albert Davidson, died
at Salem, September 1870, in the 85th year of liis age. Olympia (IT. T.)
Tramcript, Sept. 3, 1870.
Morgan Lewis Savage w^as born in 1810; came to Oregon in 1847; <lied iu
Oregon February 9, 1880. He was twice married, and left a widow and 6
children. Lute Savage, as he was familiarly called, was a favorite among
the pioneers of the Pacific coast. He served in tlie Cay use war in tlie bat-
talion raised in the spring of 1S48, and was elected to the senate after
Oregon became a state. ' As a citizen, soldier, legislator, husband, father,
friend, lie did his whole duty.' Nesmith, in Or, Pioneer Assoc, Trans., 1879,
54-5.
Rev. St M. Facklcr, a native of Staunton, Virginia, removed to Missouri,
and thence to Oregon in 1847. He conducted tlie first Episcopal services in
Portland, and continued faithfully in his profession in tliat city till 18(i4, when
he removed to Idaho to establish tlie church in that territory. He never took
part in politics or money speculations, but kept an eye single to the promo-
tion of religion. His first wife dying, ^lie married a <laughter of Jolin B.
Wands of New Scotland, N. Y. In 18()7, being on the steamer San Fnine'iHco
bound east to meet his wife and child, he met his deatli about the 7th of
January from unintermitting attentions to others on board sufl'ering l)y an
epidemic. S. F. Alta, Jan. Ki, 18(i7; La (r'ram/e Blue Mountain Times, Aug.
1, 18G8.
Thomas Cox M-as by birth a Virginian. Wluni but a small cliild he re-
moved withliis parents to Ross Co., Ohio. In 181 1 hi; married Martlia Cox, who
though of the same name was not a relative. He removed with his family
of three children and tlieir motlier to Bartholomew Co., where he Inult the
first grist and carding mills in tliat place. Ho afterward removed to the
AVabash River country, an<l there also erected Hour and carding nulls at
the inoutli of the Sliawnee River. He also manufactureil guns and gun-
powder, and carried on a general ">laeksmitliing business. In 1834 he made
another remove, this time to Illinois, where he settled in Will County, and
laiil out the town of Winchester, the name of which was afterwanl cliaiiged
to Wilmington, and where lie again erected mills fi)r llonring anil carding, and
opened a general merchandise business. I>uring the period of land specula-
1 rt*i
^ J
I
I
633
POLITICS AlTD PROGRESS.
populataioii rendered possible the introduction of coun-
tion aiul ' wild-cat' banks, Cox resisted the gambling spirit, and managed to
save his property, while others were ruined, lu 1846 he made preparations
for emigrating to Oregon, in company with his married son Joseph, and two
sons-in-law, Elias Brown and Peter PoUey. Elias Brown, father of J. Henry
Brown, died on the way; and Mr Cox, in company with Damascus Brown, as
before related, brought the family tlirougli to Salem, where he set up a store,
with goods ho had brought across the plains and mountains to Oregon. He
purchased the land claim of Walter Helm and placed upon it Mr Policy.
When gold was discovered in California his son William went to the mines,
and being successful, purchased a large stock of goods in San Francisco, and
returned with them to Salem, where his fatlier retired from the merchantile
business, leaving it in the hands of William and Mr Turner Crump. Thomas
Cox then engaged in farming, raising choice fruits from seeds which he im-
ported in 1847. 'Cox's goldancling' has been called the finest yellow peacli
on the coast. The fruit business proved remunerative, Cox's first apples
selling readily at §6 a bushel and peaches at §10 and $12. Mr Cox die; I at
Salem October 3, 18G2, having always possessed the esteem of those who knew
liim. Or. Lilerary Vulettc, April 1870.
Joseph Cox, son of Thomas Cox, was born in Ohio in 1811, and removed
with his parents to Indiana, where, in 18.'32, he married, and two years after-
ward went to 111., settling at Wilmington, whence he removed vo St Josei>h,
Missouri, and remained there till 1847, wlien ho joined the emigration to Ore-
gon. He was a member of the convention that framed the present state
constitution. Without being a public speaker, he wielded considerable influ-
ence. Of an upright nature and practical judgment, his opinions were generally
accepted as sound. ' A good man in any community', Oregon was the gainer
by his becoming a citizen. ' He died in 187(5. <>r. Piouecr Assoc., Traun., 1870,
(>7. Thomas 11. Cox, born in Willington, Illinois, was a son of Joseph Cox.
He died at Salem, of paralysis of the heart, Sept. 25, 1878. Salem Statesman,
Sept. 25, 1878.
R. C. Tainey was one of the founders of Muscatine, Iowa, and served, after
coming to Oregon, in the state legislature. He wiis engaged in the Houring
business, l)eing principal owner iu the largest mill in Oregon. Died March 2,
1875, at Salem. Sac. J'econl-Unio.i, March 31, 1875.
Albert Briggs, a native of Vermont, with a number of others, joined a
company of 115 wagons at St Joseph, Mo., commanded by Lot Whitcomb.
Ho arrived at Portland October 14th, and went to Oregon City, where lie
remained till 1852, when he removed to Port Townsend. Further mention of
Mr Briggs will be found in the history of Washington.
Aaron Payne was a pioneer of Putnam County, Illinois. He was elected
first coroner, then county commissioner, and afterward delegate to the state
convention which was held at Rushville, Schuyler County. He was a ranger
under Gen. Harrison, was also in the Black Hawk war of 1832, and was
severely wounded at the battle of Bad Axe. At the age of 73, when the coun-
try was under the excitement of war, he longed to take up arms for the flag.
Ho came to Oregon in 1847, and settled in Yamhill County. Oregon Anjiis,
March 28, 1803.
Jolm C. Holgato was identified with the early histories of Oregon, Wiish-
ington, and Idaho. He was killed in a mining difficulty at Owyhee in March
1808. S<u-ramento Reporter, April 10, 1808.
John F. Farley came to California in 1846-7 with the New York volun-
teers. While in California he belonged to the veteran association, soldiers
of the Mexican war. He was one of the original members of the Washington
fuard of Portland, in which jjlaco he died, Feb. 16, 1809. Portland Oreijonian,
'eb. 18, 1809.
Dr James McBride, a Tennesseean by birth, but brought up in Missouri,
was a leading man in his community botli in Missouri and Oregon. A friend
of Senator Limi, he discussed with him the features of his famous bill of
BIOGRAPHICAL.
fiSl
coun-
try schools, though they were still supported by pri
1841-2, and early took an interest in Oregon matters. He emigrated with
his family to the new west in 1847, and settled in Yamhill County, where for
many years he lived, a iiseful ami honored citizen. He waa the friend of
education and temperance. E)arly in the history of the territorial government
he was elected to the council; and in the political excitement of the civil war
of 1861-5, was an ardent supporter of the administration. In 18G3, while his
eldest son, Jolin R, McBride, waa in congress, Dr McBride received the ap-
pointment of U. S. commissioner to the Sandv/ich Islands, which position he
held for several years. He died at St Helen, Oregon, in Dec. 1875, aged 73,
leaving a numerous family of useful and respected sons and daughters.
Portland Oreijonian, Dec. 25, 1875. His wife Mahala, a woman of marked
talent, survived him 2 years, dying February 23, 1877, at St Helen. Olympid
Tran^criff, March 3, 1877.
Jeremiah Ralston in 1847 removed from Tennessee, where he was born
in 1798. He laid out the town of Lebanon, Marion County, on his land
claim. He died Aug. 1877, leaving a large property, a wife, and 7 children,
namely, Joseph Ralston, Tacoma; William Ralston, Albany, Or. ; Charles antl
John Ralston, Lebanon; Mrs Moist, Albany; Mrs D. C. Rowland, Salem,
Or.; and Mrs Jolui Hamilton, Corvallis, Or. Seattle Tribune, Aug. 17, 1877.
Luther Collins came to Oregon in 1847, residing there until 1850, when he
went to Puget Sound, and was the first to take up a claim in what is now
King County. He was drowned in the Upper Columbia in 1852. His
widow, a native of New York, died in July 187(5, leaving 2 children,
Steplien Collins and Mrs Lucinda Fares. Seattle IiHeUigencer, July 8, 187t}.
Andrew J. Simmons arrived in Oregon in 1847, ami settled in Cowlitz
prairie. He died Feb. 12, 1872, in Lewis County, of which ho was sherifl', at
the age of 45. Seattle Intelligencer, Feb. 20, 1872; Oli/mpia Standard, March
2, 1872.
Mr and Mrs Everest located in 1847 near Newburg in Yamhill County,
wliere tlioy permanently settled. They were both born in Kng. in 1792, on
tlie 8th of March, being of ecpial age. They reared a large family, most of
whom married and liad also large families, nearly all living on the same sec-
tion of land. Olf/nipia Courier, Aug. 9, 1873.
Mrs Agnes Tallentine, mother of Mr Thomas Tallentine, died at 01ymi)ia,
April 13, 187G. She was born at Harrisburg, Pa., in 1820, crossed the plains
in 1847, and settled in the Puget Sound country in 1851. She left 2 children,
a son and a daughter. Olyrnpiii Transcript, April 15, 1876.
Samui.'l Fackler, a native of Md., in 1847 came from 111. to Oregon, and
died at Bethany, Marion County, Feb. 22, 1867, aged 81 years. Salem Amer-
ican Uniouiitt, March 11, 1867.
John Davis Crawford, born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Aug. 16, 1824, was
by trai'" a printer; thence he came to Milan, Ohio, where he studied law;
but repeated solicitations from his brother Medorum Crawford, finally induced
him to come to Oregon in 1847. In the Cayuse war ho was appointed in
the commissary department under General Palmer. When (Jeo. L. Curry
established the Free Prexs, Crawford waa for a time employt'<l upon that paper
as printer; but when the California gold excitement came, h« joined the exodus
to the mines, returning soon to Oregon with some of the precious metiila, with
which he purchased in 1851 a half-ownership in the Hoonier, the first steam-
boat that ran on the Willamette River, between Oregon City, Portland, and
Vancouver; and afterward on tlie upper Willamette and Yamhill rivers. In
1852 he went into mercantile business with Robert Newell in Cliampoeg,
where he continued to reside till the flood of 1861 swept the town away. Mr
Crawford was a member of the state legislature in 1872. He was a mason, a
member of the state grange, and of the Oregon pioneer association. He died
in Clackamas County in the summer of 1877. Or. Pioneer Assoc., Trans.,
1877, 6G-7.
f t
J^■
ii
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iSiJll
i 41
632
POLITICS AND PR0(j1RESS.
vate means. To this addition more than to any
Walter Monteith, witli his brother Thomas Monteith, came to Oregon in
1847. They were natives of Fulton County, New York, hut wlieu little more
than 20 removed to Wilmington, Illinois, emigrating from that place to Oregon.
The brothers purchiiHcd ana settled upon that section of land where the town
of Albany now stands, and laid it out in town lots in 1848. The rcsidt was an
abundant return upon tlioir investments. Like many others, they visited the
Californi.a gold mines, and returned with some money which assisted them in
starting in l)usines3. The first liouse in Albany, then the finest residence in
Oregon, wda built by the brothers at the corner of Washington and Second
streets. In 1850 they organized a company of which they were the principal
members, and erected the Magnolia Mills, near the mouth of the Calapooya
Creek, and have always been most active in all enterprises which luive con-
tributed to the prosperity of Albany. Walter Monteith died June 11, 187<>.
He had married in 18r)8 Margaret Smith. Three sons were the fruit of this
union. State liiijhts Democrat, June 1(5 and 23, 1876.
Henry Warren was one of the young men who came from Missouri to
Oregon to help build a state. He had not been loQg married, and brought a
wife and babe to the new land. The young people settled in Yamhill County,
where tliey remained for several years, until Air W^arren was appointed re-
ceiver of the land-office at Oregon City. His eldest son, Charles E. Warren,
was carefully eilucated and studied law, in which profession he graduated
with credit. When about 26 he married a daughter of Ur Henry Saffarans,
of Oregon City; but in his 28th year died, much lamented, disapi)ointiug the
hoi)e8 of his family and the community. Salem Mercury, April 3, 1874.
Mrs Jane L. Waller, born in Fayette County, Kentucky, in 1792, was
married to Thomas C. Waller in 1815, and went with him to Illinoii, where
he died, leaving her with a family of several young children, whom she
reared and educated, and witli wliom she removed to Oregon, settling in Polk
County in 1847. Slie lived ii useful life, respected by all, and died full of
years and honor Nov. 23, 1869, being 77 years old on the day of her death.
Dallas Time.'*, Dec. 4, 18{>9; Salem Statesman, Dec. 10, 1869.
James Davidson was born in Barren County, Ky., Aug. 30, 1792. Like
most western men of his time, he was self-educated; but his talents being
above the average, he became a leader among his fellows. When a youth he
took part in the war of J812, and was in the battle of the Thames, where
Tecumseh was killed. He married in 1817, and lived at Nashville, Tcnuessee,
from 1823 to 1829, at St Louis in 1830, and in Greene County, Illinois, from
1831 to 1836. He then removed to the Black Hawk purchase, Iowa, and
lived in Burlington until 1847, when he came to Oregon, and settled in Salem.
Mr Davidson has represented his county .'u the legislature, ami in all respects
enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his neigldiors. Nine children blcs.sed
the union. His sons, Albert and Tliomas, were among the most enterprising
agriculturists in Oregon. Albert, the elder, first came to Oregon in 1845,
and returning, induced the family, and many others, to return with him.
They took tlie southern route. Salem liecord, Aug. 29, 1874; Sakm Statesman,
Oct. 13, 1876.
Nebuzardan Cofifey, born in North Carolina in 1790, moved to Kentucky,
where in 1810 he married Miss Easley, l4 days older than himself. He re-
moved to Illinois in 1831, and came to Oregon in 1847. He died at his home
in Marion County on tlie 20tli of January, 1867, leaving his wife, who with
liim had borne the vicissitudes of 57 years on the frontier. Salem Unionist,
Feb. 11, 1867.
Samuel Headrick, born in Pettis Co., Mo., Nov. 13, 1836, came to Oregon
with his fatlier when a boy. Like most boys who crossed the plains, he early
learned self-reliance. In Marion County where he resided Headrick was
esteemed the soul of honor and the defeniler of the right. He was 4 years
sheriff of his county, and 2 years treasurer just previous to his death, which
occurred Mf.cii 26, 1869. Salem Unioimt, March 27, 1869.
BIOfiRAPHICAL.
033
any
previous one the colony was indebted for improvements
])r John P. Ponjade dird at his residence at Gervais, in July 1875. He
was born in France in 171M), and was a surgeon in the anny of Napoleon 181*2.
Ho came to Oregon in 1847. His son, T. C. Ponjade, resided in .Salem. Snkin
Ji'ecord, July 9, 187").
Robert Crouch Kinney was hovn July 4, 1813, in St Clair Co., Hi. At 20
years of age lie married Elizii Bigelow, and shortly afterward removed to Mus-
catine, Iowa, of which city he was one of the principal founders. Engaging in
milling hesiness, he remained 15 years at Muscatine, when tlie tide of Oregon
emigration bore him to the shores of the Pacific. Settling in Yandiill County,
he farmed for 10 years, save a short interval when he was absent at the gold
mines of California. He served in the territorial legislature, and was a mem-
ber of the state constituticmal convention. After 1857 he returned to his old
business of milling, and with his sons owned large llouring mills at Salem,
where ho died March *2, 1875. Mr Kinney had 8 children. Mrs Mary Jane
Kinney Smith, wife of J. H. Smith of Harrisburg in Lane County, was born
December Ki, 1839, at Muscatine. Albert William Kinney, wlio married
Virginia Newby, daughter of W. T. Ncwby, was born at Mu.scatinc, Oct. 3,
1843, and resided at Salem. Augustus Crouch Kinney, who married Jane
Welch, was born July 26, 1845, at Muscatine; studied medicine and lived
at Salem. Marshall Johnson Kinney, born at Muscatine, January 31, 1847,
resided in San Francisco. Alfred Coleman Kinney, born in the Chehalem
Valley, Yandiill County, January 30, 1850, graduate<l at Ikllevue Medical
College, New York; residence, Portland. Josepliinc Elarena Kinney Walker,
wife of James S. W'alker of San Fra.icisco, was born January 14, 1852, in the
Chehfilem Valley. William Sylvester and Eliza Lee Kinney were born at
Chehalem in 1854 and 1858. Robert C. Kinney was a son of Samuel Kinney,
who in 1800 settled on Horse Prairie, west of the Kaskaskia River, Hlinois,
and Samuel Kinney waa son of Joseph Kinney, who in 1799 resided near
Louisville, Ky. , ami had a family of 7 sons and 4 daughters. One of his sons,
William, drove the first wagon over the road from tlie Ohio River to tlie new
home of the family in Illinois, of which state he was afterwar<l lieutenant-
governor. Robert had a brother named Samuel who settled in West Cheha-
lem, and who died October 20, 1875. His other brothers and sisters remained
in the States. Stilan Farmer, March 12, 1875; Or. Statesman, March G, 1875;
Salem Mercuri/, March 5, 1875.
Robert Cowan, a native of Scotland, emigrated to Missouri, where ho
married, and joined the Oregon companies of 1847. In the following year he
settled in the Unipqua Valley, Yoncalla Precinct, and with the exception of
Levi Scott and sons, was the first white settler in Douglas County. ' His
cabin stood near the old trail which the pioneer gold-seekers of 1848 and 1849
travelled, and is .'cmembered by many as the last mark of civilization north
of the Sacramento Valley. ' He was killed by a splinter from a tree which he
was felling March 9, 18G5. Or. Statesman, March 20, 1805.
Samuel Allen settled on the Abiqua, in Marion County
Jost-ph Hunsaker settled 10 miles south of Salem.
J. H. Pruett resided at McMiniiville in Yandiill County.
Jacob Comegys, of Hagcrstown, Md., born 1798, came to Oregon in 1847;
lemoved to San JosiS, Cal., in 1850, where he died in 1870.
Charles Sanborn was disowned in the Willamette River near Eugene City,
Oct. 1875.
John F. Taylor never hail a home, but lived among the old settlers, dying
at the age of 78, and buried at public charge, an exception generally in his
habits to hia old companions.
J. C. Crooks, of Marion County.
Samuel Whitley resided on the southern border of Marion County- — a
native of V^irginia — and dieil September 18(18, aged 80 years.
William S. Barker, a cabinet-maker, settled at Salem, where he died July
2, 18G9, having been a respected citizen of Oregon for 22 years.
1 fl
POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
in stock and farm products, and particularly in fruit-
William Whitney, a native of Sately, Huutingdonshire, England, boni in
1808, at the age of 19 married Elizabeth Taylor of Bourn, Lincolnshire, and
moved to the United States in 1832. Their first residence waa in Pennsyl-
vania; from there they removed to Indiana, and in 1847 joined the emigi-ation
to Oregon, having at this time a family of G children. Whitney settled in
Marion County, and in 1848 went to the California mines and Met with good
success. He died at Buttevillo June 1, 1878, 3 years after his wife, who
died April 4, 1875.
Rev. P. J. McCormick, who came to Oregon in the ship L'^loile dn Matin,
before mentioned, was a man of very plain p.irts, and of an Irish family of not
the very best blood. On arriving at Oregon City he was stationed there for
some time, whei'e he was compelled to perform every menial service, even to
washing his linen, though a man of accomplishments. Falling ill from this
cheerless way of living, he wiis ordered to the uplands of Chili, wliere ho
resided 20 years; thence returning to Oregon, he resided there until his death
in 1874, Avell known for his tiilents and virtues. Portland Bulletin, Dec. 14,
1^<4.^
William McKinney was bom in Howard County, Missouri, Aug. 20, 1820.
In April 1S47 he married Matilda Darby, and started with the emigration for
Oregon, settling in Marion County. He died Oct. 20, 1875, leaving iv family
of 11 children, to whose welfare he was truly devoted. In losing him the
community lost a good citizen. Portland Oreipnian, Nov. G, 1875.
James Fulton, Lorn at Paoli, Orange County, Ind., in 181G, emigrated to
Missouri in 1840 and to Oregon in 1847. His father laid out tlie town of
Paoli, and with Blackstone, flallowell, Lindley, and Hopper, built the Half-
Moon Fort at that place in (Jen. Harrison's campaign. Settled in Yamhill
County, M'here he remained for 10 years, when he removed to the Dalles, his
present rvjsidence. Mr Fulton's Dalks and E i-stern Oirjon, MS. , contains some
uistructive matter concerning the changes which have taken place since the
settlement of the country, in the character of the soil and also in the climate.
It furnishes, besides, some facts of importance concerning the title to the
Dalles town site, which has been long in litigation.
Ephraim Adams, born in New Jersey in 1799, removed in 1835 to Ohio, in
1839 to Missouri, and thence to Oregon with his family. Located in Yaudiill
County, he spent the remainder of a long life in Oregon, dying January 15,
1870, at McMin!iville, respected and regretted by his acquaiufcmces of 29
years. O/: Slateamaii, Jan. 22, 187G.
H. L. Aikin, born in England in 1818, emigrated with his parents to the
United States in his childhood. At the age of 29 he left Illinois, where his
father was settled, to go to Oregon. He cliose a residence in Clatsop County,
where he lived a man of note m his community, dying at Astoria in April
1875, leaving 3 immediate descendants, a son and 2 daughters, his wife
having died before him. Portland Oretjoniim, April 24, 1875; Or. City Enter-
pru^e, April 23, 1875.
Isaiic W. Bewley began the westward movement by leaving Indiana for
Missouri in 1837, and thence on to Oregon. He is a brother of John W.
Bewley, of Lafayette, Ind. , and of Rev. Anthony Bewley, who was hanged
by a southern mob in Texas, at the breaking-out of the rebellion, for hia fear-
less advocacy of human riglits. Mr I. W. Bewley settled on a farm in Tilla-
mook County, Oregon, about as near sunset as any spot in the United States.
Lafayette (Ind.) live, in Portland Oreijonian, Oct. 31, 1874.
Tollman H. Rolfe, a printer, joined the Oregon immigration of 1847, but
proceeded in the spring of 1848 to California, where he was engaged on the
Star. TuthiWs llixt. Cal., 215. He was elected alcalde of Yuba County, and
afterward, in 1853, went to Nevada City, where he was employed on the
Journal, and afterward started the Nevada Democrat, which he edited in
company with his brother, I. J. Rolfe. Wlien Austin was founded Rolfe
went to that place, and for a time edited the Reveille, but returned to Nevada
BIOORAFHICAL.
686
raising.
The men of 1847 were not like those of 1843
City, and edited the Gazette. He several times fdlod the offico of city trustee,
aii(f about 1870 was elected justice of the peace, which ofliee ho held until
failing health drove him to San Bernardino, wliero he died in 1872.
William Allphin, a native of Kentucky, was horn Nov. 17, 1777. On be-
coming of age he removed to Indiana, settled at Indianapolis, ami engaged in
the manuiacture of brick, furnishing the material for the walls of tiie state-
house in that city. In 1837 he removed to Illinois, and 10 years later to Ore-
gon, where he located in Linn County, 8 miles cast of Albany. He was twice
a member of the territorial legislature, and held several other offices to which
he was elected by the people. He died October 187(5, within 13 months of
the age of 100 years, leaving a memory revered. CorvalUs Gazette, Oct. 13, 187G;
Albany Weekly Jieyister, Dec. 11, 187(5; Salem Slateninan, Oct. 13, 187(5.
A. N. Locke, born in Virginia in 1810, moved to Mo. in 1820, and to
Oregon in 1847. He was among the late arrivals of that year, ' having suH'ered
incredible hardships.' He settled in Benton County a few miles north of
Corvallis. There ho lived for many years, and raised a large and interesting
family. He was several times sheriff and county judge, filling these positions
in an honorable manner, and enjoying the confidence and esteem of the
county he served. He died on tlie 14th of October, 1872. CorvaUht Gazette,
Oct. 18, 1872.
Robert Houston, born in Matlison County, Kentucky, February 1793,
removed to Slielby County, Ohio, in 1805, and resided there until 1847. In
1827 ho married Mi**" Mary Brown, having by her G children. While residing
in Ohio, he served as associate justice for 7 years, and lilli'd other stations of
trust with credit. On reaching Oregon in September 1847, he selected a farm
in Linn County, where he resided till his death in September lS7(i, surrounded
by his children and grandchildren, and esteemed by all. He lived long in the
enjoyment of the simple pleasures of country life, as he had desired. Albany
fitate Ili(jhts Demorrat, Sept. 15, 187(5.
Leander C. Burkhart was born in Hawkins County, East Tennessee, Nov.
14, 1823. Emigrating to Oregon in 1847, he settled in Linn County, in company
with his father, and a numerous relationship, amassing a large fortune with-
out losing his high reputation for integrity, being possessed of a sterling worth
acknowledged by all men. He died at his residence half a mile east of Albany,
November 3, 1875.
Samuel Laughlin was born in South Carolina in 1791, removed to Missouri
in 1823, where lie resided until 1847, being twice married, and having 7 e'lil-
dren by each wife, an equal number of boys and girls.
Mrs Asenath M. Luelling Bozarth, daughter of Henderson Luclliug, came
with her parents to Oregon from Indiana in 1847. She was the mother of
11 children, 4 sons and 7 daughters, 10 of whom survived her. She died at
the home of her husband, John S. Bozarth, on Lewis River, Cowlitz County,
where she had resided 22 years, on the 30th of November, 1874, aged 40 years.
Vancouver Reii'mter, Dec. 25, 1874.
Charles Hubbard settled at what is now Hubbard Station, in Marion
County, in the spring of 1848. Mrs Margaret Hubbard died at her home in
that place December 7, 1879, aged 08 years. She was a native of Ky., but
married Mr Hubbard in Mo. After marriage she resided in I'ike County, 111.
Had she lived a few days longer, her golden wedding would have bejn cele-
brated. She was the mother of 4 sons and 3 daughters. Portland Oretjoman,
Dec. 13, 1879.
Hugh Harrison was born in Harrison Co., Ky., whicn county w;is named
after his grandfather. He was for several years in the Rocky Mountains with
Kit Carson, but settled in South Salem in 1847, where ho died at the age of
76 years, May 27, 1877. Portland Standard, June 1, 1877.
Joseph Merrill, born in Ross Co., Ohio, Nov. 15, 1818, removed with his
parents to 111. at the age of 10 years, returned to Ohio when he attained his
majority, and married the next year a Miss Freeman of Chillicothe, the cere-
■,; :t ,(1:
5' * f!ai,i
G»G
POLITICS AND I'ROCiRESS.
m
and 1844 animated by a romantic idea of founding a
ninny l)eing perfonncil by .Tustico of the I'e.u'o Thurniaii, afterward U. S.
Munator from Ohio. Merrill Hubsoqucntly returned to 111., where he resided
until 1847. In the spring of 1848 ho Hottled in Culiunl>ia County, Oregon.
Jlo died at hin home May (>, 187!*, regretted by the community in which he
lived. J'orfliuii/ iS/diitlard, May i;{, 187!).
Mrs John Ki.sher lost her hu.sliand at the crossing of the I'latte River,
Juno C, 1847; and on Snake River she hurieil her little girl 2 years of age.
Sho arrived late in the autumn at Tualatin plains, where during the winter
fiho iru!t W. A. Mills, who had arrived in 184U. He propo.sed marriage, and
they were united in 1848, continuing to resiilo near Hill.ihoro. Mrs Mills liad
5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters. JShe was bora in Wayne County, Ind.,
April 20, 1822, an<l died I>eeend)er 11, 18G9. Salnn. Fnniici; March 2(5, 1870.
William (Jlover settled in Marion County. Mrs Jano Jett Oraves (Hover
was born in "'ttsylvania Co., Va., in 1827, removed with her parents to Mis-
souri in 183v, and was married to William (Jlover in 1S4;{, with whom she came
to Oregon in 1847. She died December 31, 187(). Id., Jan. 12, 1877.
Lcander L. Davis was born iu Belmont Co., Ohio, and crossed the plains
in 1847, settling in Marion Co. He served in the state legislature iu 1800. He
died Juno 21), 1874, at Silverton, aged 48 years. /(/., July 4, 1874.
Mr.s Olive Warren Chand>erlaiu was born in Covington, New York, Feb.
12, 1822. While sho was a child, her father, an itinerant Methodist preacher,
removed with her to Michigan, where in 1843 sho nuirried Joseph Chamber-
lain, and came to Oregon. She was the mother of 10 children, 8 of whom
survive her. She died October 27, 1874, at Salem. Salem, Or., Statesman,
Nov. 7, 1874.
Mrs R. A. Ford, who settled with her husband in Marion County in 1847,
after becoming a widow studied medicine, and practised in Salem, educating
a son for the profession. She died iu March 1880, iu the city of Portland.
Portland Standard, April 2, 1880.
T. S. Kinsey died at Cornelius, in Washington County, November 15, 1877.
John Jcwctt died January 25, 1880.
William H. Dillon was a native of Kent Co., Del., from which he removed
when a child to the Scioto Valley in Ohio. When a young man he removed
again to Iiuliana, and thence to Oregon. Dillon lived one year on Sauv(5
Island, when he went to tlic California gold mines, returning iu a few months
with a competency, and settling near Vancouver.
Samuel T. McKean was from Delaware County, New York, where he
married a Miss Hicks in 1817, and removed to Richmond, Ohio, from M'hich
place many years later he again removed to Illinois, where he foun<led the
town of Chillicothe, naming it after the old Indian village of that name
in Ohio. When he came to Oregon he had a family of G children. In the
autumn of 1848 the family settled at Astoria, remaining there till 18(i3,
when they removed to San Jos(?, C.il. During hia residence iu Oregon Mc-
Kean hold several places of trust and honor, as member of the legislative
assembly, clerk of the district court of Clatsop County, and afterward as
county judge, and president of the board of trustees of the town of Astoria.
He died at San Jos^ iu 1873, and his wife followed him in 1877, leaving many
descendants. San Joni Pioneer, April 28, 1877.
John W. (Jrim was born in Ohio in 1820. He settled on French Prairie
near Butteville. I have a valuable manuscript by him entitled Emh/rant
A necdotes, which treats in an easy conversational style of the events of the
journey overland, his settlement iu Oregon, the Cayuse war, the Canadian
French, etc.
George La Rocque, a native of Canada, was bom near Montreal in 1820.
At the ago of 10 he entered the United States, and like most Canadians,
soon sought employment of the fur companies. Being energetic and intelli-
gent, he became useful to the American Fur Company, with whom he re-
1 M MK HIATIONS C( ).MrAKi;D.
637
Pacific state. Tlu^y realized that this had already
inaincd 8 years, finally leaving the service and settling in Oregon, near hia
f.iriner friend, K. X. Miittliitu, on French I'niirio. When tlie gold diseoveries
attracted nearly tlio wluilu adult male jxipulation (if Oregon to Cal., he
joine<l in tlii^ exodus, returning soon with .^r_',tK)(). Tiiis capital invested in
liusiness at Hutteville anil Oregon ( ity made him a fortune, lie died at Oak-
land, Cal, Fel). '2'A, 1877. Onyoii Ci/i/ KntnfmKi', March <S, 1877.
Ashliel Merrill died at Fort Hall, his wife, .Sirs Susannah Sigler Merrill,
and children iiursuing tiieir way to Oregon. Mrs Mcsrrill was horn in the
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, Mareli 20, KSIM). She was married to Ashhel
Meriill A[)ril 'J.'f, 182H, in Ross Co., Ohio, and nifived to Illinois, ami thetieo
in 1847 to Ongon. Tiieir ciiildren were William, (Jeorge, .Mary A., Kmerit,'
Lyman, Kleeta, Alvin, and Lyda. Six of these resided in Oregon, ehielly in
('olumhia C'o., and had numerous families. Mrs Merrill has celebrated her
82d hirth.lay. St. J/rl,n Coliimhidii, .March :?1, IHSl.
Josciih Carey (Jeer went from Windom, Conn., to Ohio, in 181(!. The
family removed to 111., and from there to Oregon. The founder of the Ore-
gon family of (leer was horn in 171)5. He .settled in Yamiull county in 1847,
and in the nuiidier of his deacen<lants has outdone the Canadians, there heing
of his line 1(14 on the Pacific coast, all honoral)le men and virtuous women,
besides being physically people of weight. I'orUiiinl West Shore, Feb. 1880.
Itjdph C. (leer was tlie pioneer nurseryman of Marion County. He also
taught the first public school in the seetifin where he settled, having 30 pupils
in 1848, all but 4 of whom were living 30 years afterward — a proof that the
climate liatl nothing to do with the fatal character of the diseases which car-
ried off the natives in early times. (Jeer planted apple and pear seeds to start
his nursery in the re<l soil of the Waldo hills, which he found to be excellent
for )■' purpose. His father also put an eipial amount of apple and pear seeds
in the black soil of the Clackamas bottoms, but was disa[ipointed in the
returns, which were not equal to the Waldo hills, where It. C. (Jeer has had
a fruit farm and nursery for more than 30 years.
Henderson Luelling and William Meek, immigrants of 1847, took to Ore-
gon a 'travelling nursery,' which was begun in 1845, by planting trees and
shrubs in boxes 1'2 inches deep, and just long and wide enougli to (ill the bed
of a wagon. In this way, protected by a frame to prevent cattle from brows-
ing them, 700 young trees were safely carried across 2,(X)I) miles of land, and
set out at a place called Milwaukee, on the Willamette Kiver, below Oregon
City, having been taken out of the boxes at the Dalles, and carefully wrai)ped
in cloths to protect them from frost or injury by hamlling <luring the transit
from the Dalles to their destination by l)oat. The experiment was hiiccess-
ful, and Meek and Luelling were "the first great nur.seryman of Oregon, and
afterward of ( 'al.
John Wilson drove to the Willamette Valley a nundier of choice Durham
cattle, from Henry Clay's lierd, at Ulue (Jrass (Jrove, III., and also .some fine
horses, greatly to the improvement of tiie stock in tlie valley. J. C. Geer
also drove a tine cow from this herd.
Stephen IJonser, who settled on Sauvi'' Island, drove a herd of choice
cattle, winch improved the stock on the Columbia River i)ottoms.
Luther Savage took to the Willamette Valley a blood race-horse called
(Jeorge, whoso descendants are nuuierons and valuable.
A Mr Fields drove a (lock of tine sheep from Missouri, winch he took to
the Waldo hills. Before getting .settled he and his wife both <lied under a
large fir-tree, with the measles. The .sluup were suM at auction m small lets;
and being superior, the Fields sheep are still a favorite bree ' in Oregon.
Headrick, Tur]iin, and Mulkey took a tlock of line sheep. ' ^lin's were
Saxony. This lot stocked Howell J'rairie. R. I'atton took a l;.rge liock to
Yandull County.
Mr Haun of Haun's Mills, Mo., carried a pair- of mill bulir-stouea across
the plains to Oregon.
' \\
M
4]
. X .83M
688
POLITICS AND riiOOUESS
been done, and came to j^ather whatever advanta<jfe
was to flow from it to tlioir generation.
A. R. Dimiok carriecl the soedt of the ' eurly, ' or 'shaker l>luc,' potato from
Mich., iilaiitiiiu thuin on his farm in tlie north part of Marion Co. From titutiu
Hueilii Hprnng tliu famoiiH Dimick potato, tlie Ituut raised in Oregon.
Mr Wat.son of KingM Valley, iJunton Co., drove some Hliort-horn stock to
Oregon. 'I'iie above note.s are taken from (IvvrH lUnodiil CnllU', M.S., a valn-
l)le eontriliiition on ♦>ho origin of utock in the Willamette Valley. See aUo
his addresM before the pioneer assooiation for 1870, on the immigration of
1847; Mce also Sulcni Or. SUUcHtnnti, .Inne 20, 1871).
John K. Ros.s wa.s horn in MadiHon Co., Ohio, Fel). 15, 1818. Emigrated
with hi.i parents to Ind. when 10 years of age, and to 111. when IG years ol<l.
At the age of 'Ji) ho started for Or., and was eapt. of his train of forty
wagons. In the Cayuso war whieh broke out soon after he arrived in Or. ho
served as lieut and cajit. He resided for Home time at Oregon City, engaged
in various pursuits. When gold was discovered in Cal. he went to thu
Feather River mines, and in bS.'U), after having returned to Oregon, explored
in the southern valleys and in northern (,'al. for gold, discovering several rich
placers, known as Yankee Jim's, Wambo IJar, Jacksonville, etc. For a
numbers of years ho was almost constantly engaged either in mining or selling
supplies to miners; and in 18.V2 again commanded a company wlio went out
to light the Indians on the southern route. In Ihe winter of 18,VJ-,'l ho was
married to Klizabcth Hopewood, of Jacksonville, theirs being the iirst wed-
ding solemnized in that place. Tliey have !) cliildren, ") gu'ls .and 4 boys.
When the Rogue River war broke out, in IS."),'!, Ross was elected col., and
again in 18.55 was elected col. of the Oth reg., and commissioned by Oov.
Davis. He w.is a member of tho ter. council in the sanu; year; and in 18(30
was elected to the state leg. When the Modoc war broke out, in 1872, ho
was connnissioncd by (Jov. Grover as brig. -gen. in command of the state
troops. In 1878 he was a member of the st;itc senate from the county of
.Tackson, where he has resided for maiiy years. The Saliin Slutf'oiiiDi, in
remarking upon the personal appearance of Ross, describes him as having a
well-shaped head, pleasant face, and a reserved but agreeable manner y|.s7j-
III ml Tii/iiKj.f, Dee. VA, 1878. One whole night I spent with Ross at Jackson-
ville, writing down his experiences; and when at early dawn my driver
summoned mo, I resumed my journey under a sickening sensation from the
tales of l)loo(iy butcheries in which the gallant colonel had so gloriously
participated
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
1847
SAVAOES as .1 ilANDIWORK OF THE CREATOR — TlIET MIGHT HAVE BEES BeTIER
Made— Bit They ahe nop so mitcii Worse than White Me;?, who are
Bad E.NoriiH— Rival Claimants for the Rewards to Follow their
Conversion — Portentous Clouds Hanging over Marcus Whitman —
Strange He cannot See the Darkening Sky— The Natives Maddened
BY THE White Man's Diseases, and iiv the Coming-in ot so Many to
Take from Them their Lands — Attitude of Catholics and Protes-
tants — Rival Roads to Heaven — The Savages Prefer their Own
Way — And thereupon They Perpetrate a Most Horrible Deed.
The origin of Indian wars is always much the same.
Mother Nature is a capricious parent ami feeds and
clothes her children indifferently well. In 1805 Lewis
and Clarke saw the Columbia Valley tribes at their
best. They had apparently attained to as nuich com-
fort and were as healthy and powerful as under the cir-
cumstances they could be. Could they have remained
in that condition for generations, there is no reason to
doubt that they would have continued to enjoy such
peace and prosperity as belongs to savage life. Nor
would it be contrary to the course of things to expect
them to advance morally and intellectually, even
while living under such hard conditions. Tlie savages
of the upper Columbia were very good men, for
savages. It is true, tliey were thieves, and if their
natural benevolence prompted them to relieve the
necessities of tlie white strangers, they rewarded
themselves the first opportunity.^ Thieving was a
There is no generosity in an Indian that I have ever seen in all my
experience.' Strongs Hist. Or., MS., CO. Oao might say the same with equal
pertinence of white men.
' C.3D )
1 1; _
II ;i
MO
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
legitimate means of securing themselves against want,
and lying only a defence against discovery and loss.
When the pleasing ceremonies of the Catholic
religion were introduced, giving them under certain
restrictions the right of appeal to a superior intelli-
gence and power, who would have compassion on their
sufferings if they conformed to requirements which
their reason showed them to be just, they seized will-
ingly and even joyfully upon the prospect. After
})ractising these forms for several years with remark-
able constancy, and finding themselves better off than
before, inasmuch as tliey were more at peace with each
other, and enjoyed further the pleasures of human
society and intercourse with something beyond the
reach of the senses, the race from which they under-
stood this beneficial reli<xion to be derived betj:an to
make its appearance among them.
The first feeling that is awakened by the contact
of the two races is covetousness. There are men
who have everything desirable, and pretend to what
they persist in calling the devil's gift, the knowledge
of good and evil. The Indian wished to steal, to
take these things at once, as soon as he saw them or
learned their use ; but was restrained by fear of the
consequences.^ Then came to him in this dilennna
the offer of knowledge, which lie immediately seized
up(m as a legitimate means to the end he coveted, the
possession of property. The offer of knowledge was
accompanied by the tender of a new religion ; but to
that no objection was made. What tliey knew of the
white man's religion was good; why should more of it
harm tlieni ? If it made the others wise, powerful, and
rich, why not ado})t it? Thus t)iere was no difhculty
*Rev. Thomas Condon, at the Dalles, going away from home with his fam-
ily, luft a tloniewticatod nati\o in ohargo of liis houso. Returning, \\v found
liis servant sitting outside tiie house, shivering in the cold; and on aaiting
him why he did not remain hy tlie comfortalile lire, was told tliat tlie tempta-
tion of seeing so many useful and desirable things, together witli the oppor-
tunity of appropriating them, had been so tormenting to him, that he liad
voluntarily banislied himself from their presence rather than take them and
subject himself to the eonseciueuces.
THE GENTLE SAVAGE.
G41
ail
about introducing missionaries. Without doubt, tlieie
was a strong- desire on the part of the natives to be
taught. T]\e mistake their teacliers made was in
believing it to be a proof of their spiritual suscepti-
bility, when it was, in fact, an evidence of a natural
emulation, to put themselves on a footing with the
superior race. In this n.attcr both teachers and
pupils were deceived ; the savage in expecting to ac-
quire in a single life-time tlie civilization which was
the slow growth of unknown ages; the missionary in
believing that he could graft on this wild stock a germ
whose fruit would not be tinctured with the bitter sap
of the uncultivated tree.
Having once entered into rektions ( f teacher and
learner, it was not easy to dissolve them, unless by
violence. The longer they remained in this position
the more difficult it became. \nd yet in 1847, and
for many years before, it had been evident that if a
failure of mission usefulness w^as not certain, success
in that direction was doubtful. The reason of the
failure sprang in a great measure from the character-
istic covetousness of the aboriginal, and his inability
to understand why it was that he could not at once
b(icome the equal of his teacher. Here his self-love
was mortified. He began to suspect that his teachers
wore governed by selfish and sinister motives in in-
truding into his country. The more white men he saw
the more this conviction grew. They did not all
pi'actise Aviiat the missionaries taught ; and why then
should lie ? Was it not all a scheme to get possession
of his country? They were losing faith in everything
wlien the Catholic fathers began to interfere ^ with
tlie Protestant missions, reminding them of the good
times when they were all Catholics, and no one had
disturbetl. the old harmony of tlioir lives.
It was difficult to control indolent, im[)atient, jealous,
jind v,s'erbearing savages, even when they were most
"' I refer here to the visits of tlio priests several years earlier. There waa
at this time no Catliolie mission in the Walla Walla Valley.
Hist On., Vol. I. 41
642
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
strongly animated witli a desire to be made acquainted
with the white man's civiHzation. But the moment
a controversy appeared among the white instructors,
and it was observed that they denied tlie vaHdity of
each other's behefs, and especially that they denounced
each other as false teachers, the task becanje tenfold
greater. The suspicion of the savages once aroused
that some kind of deception had been practised upon
them, it was not possible to allay it, particularly since
so many circumstances confirmed it. A. division, as I
have previously shown, had almost immediately taken
place, the Cayuses and Walla WaV.as j^ onerally choos-
ing the Catholic religion, and tiie Nez Forces the
Protestant.
The mercenary nature of the aboriginal to which I
have just referred led him to be governed somewhat
by the example or advice of the traders to whom he
brought his furs, and of whom he procured such goods
as he most needed or desired. Where the teacher
and the trader were of the same faith, it was easy to
control, in appearance, the views and conduct of the
natives. But where the trader was one thing and
the teacher another in religious matters, the native
according to his nature followed the trader. This had
been illustrated at Fort Walla Walla, where wliile
Protestant McKinlay was in charge Whitman had
been able, though not without difficulty, to restrain
the violence of the Cayuses, which broke out with in-
creased force when Catholic McBean replaced him.
Ever since the return of Whitman, in 1843 from
his unsuccessful mission to the American board, he
had lived over a smouldering volcano. Year after
year an army of white people came from east of the
Rocky Mountains, on whom the aborigines looked
with distrustful anger. It was true, they did not tarry
in the Nez Fercd or Cayuse country, but hastened to
the Willamette. Yet how long should they continue
to come in such numbers before the Willamette would
not hold them ?
"i
SIfJNS OF DISCONTENT.
64!)
From the immigrants the Indians stole horses and
cattle, and pillaged and vexed them in various ways,
while knowing well enough that these offences wore
deemed worthy of punishment, and were against the
laws tliey had themselves subscribed to. The immi-
grants, being advised, bore these dejiredations as well
as they were able, seldom coming to blows or retalia-
tion, trading with them for vegetables or grain, and
sometimes selling them cattle which they coveted.
There was, indeed, nothing of which they could justly
complain, their hostility proceeding rather from envy
and suspicion than from wickedness innate in the red
man more than in the white.
They were angry with Whitman because he did
not leave the country, because he raised grain on
their land and sold it to the immigrants, because he
had mills and comfortable houses, and every year
added to his facilities for reaping greater profits from
his residence among them. This had been their tem-
per all along; but in 1847 it had seemed to take a
more aggressive form, either because they had been
told that the United States then claimed sovereignty,
or because in their own minds their disaffection was
fully ripe, and the sword, so long suspended, was ready
to fall.
As soon as the immigrants entered the Cay use
country at the foot of the Blue Mountains they were
informed by Spalding of the unfriendly disposition of
the Cayuses, and advised not to travel in small com-
panies.* That this was timely counsel subsequent
events proved.
Whitman was at tliis time on a visit to the lower
country to bring up machinery for his grist-mill, in
order to make flour for the immigrants.'^ So convinced
was he that an outbreak nmst occur before long, that,
as I have said, he purchased of the Methodists their
I*
ill
\:7
r I'f'i
i :
I,
Mi
^'1
I'
I '
*P. J. Poniade, in lirouilkt'H Antlientk Account, 90. Ponjade said that
Spalding inquired anxiously whether the U. H. dragoons were not coming.
'Palmers Wtujon Trtiin, MS., 28-9; Orini's Emiiji-aiU Anecdotes, MS., 6.
t .
644
THE WHITMAN ItASSACRE.
station at the Dalles, from whicli they were willing
to retire notwithstanding its pn^spectivt^ as well as
present value, for the same reason — the fear of Indian
troubles. This purchase was made in the spring of
1847, or at all events before the last of August.
Waller was at that time contemplating a removal to
the Willamette Valley," and Whitman, when bringing
up from Vancouver his milling machinery, early in
September, left his nephew, Perrin B. Whitman, at
the Dalles, in company with a man from the Willa-
mette Valley named Hinman.
It would seem from tliese arrangements that Whit-
man did not consider the Dalles Indians dangerous.
The Dalles besides was within two days' travel by
canoe of Fort Vancouver, which was a point in its
favor as compared with Waiilatpu. It must forever
trouble the student of history to reconcile with his
characteristic good sense in ordinary matters Whit-
man's persistency in remaining at his station when
repeatedly threatened by the Cay uses and remon-
strated with by' McLoughlin for his temerity; and
Gray's verdict, that he possessed a great obstinacy,
seems justified.^ There were, it is true, good reasons
for wishing to remain. It was another case of the
domination of the temporal over the spiritual. The
Walla Walla Valley had been his home for eleven
years. He had expended much labor and money upon
improvements. He had taken rather high-handed
measures with the American board in refusini^; to
abandon the station in 1842-3, and did not now like
to acknowledge himself in the wrong. He Jiad hoj)es
from the discussions in congress that he might be able
to hold on until the United States should send an
Indian agent to his relief, and until the promised ter-
«0>-. Sjxrlntor, Sept. 2, 1847.
''Hint. Or., 108. Palmer says: He was going up with his machinery to
put up a flour-niill, just as ho intonilud, ami if tlicy continued thi.ir ho.tilo
Dolicy ho was going to l)reak up tliat Hiis»ion, abandon it, and go down to the
Dalles, and make that his heathjuarters. ' Wdi/on Tram, MS., Ui). Thia was
what Palmer learned from the doctor hiinaelf whom ho mot ou the Umatilla.
AFFAIR AT THE DALLES.
645
ritorial organization and land law sliould secure to the
missions each their mile square of land, which would
be lost by abandonment.
But there still remains a question of whether it was
a justifiable determination, under the circumstances,
to remain and imperil, not only his own life, but the
lives of all those associated with him, and possibly in-
volve the colony of the Willamette in savage warfare.
That he did this with his eyes open to the danger is
clearly apparent. For even while he was transporting
his mill to Waiilatpu the Cayuses were committing
acts portending an outbreak.** Blood luid been spilled
at the Dalles, as soon as the first party of ten men
arrived at that place, or on the 23d of August.
This affair was with the Dalles Indians, who had
stolen some property from the camp of the white
men. On making complaint to Waller, they were
advised to retaliate by taking some Indian horses and
* John E. Ross, an emigrant of 1847, describes the attitudes of the Cayuses
and tlie Walla Wallas. He met Whitman on the Umatilla, who ailvised him
to Mse great caution, which advice he followed ))y encamping early, taking the
evening meal, and then, when it became dark, moving to a secluded spot
away from the road for the night to avoid being molested and gutting into an
affray. After leaving the Umatilla he met a small party of natives, who
appeared morose, and on tae third day came to a place where it was evident
an attiick had been made. Beds, books, and various articles were scattered
about and <lestroyed. Alarmed I)y tliis proof of hostility, his i)arty, consist-
ing only of men, travelled by night, and on coming to tlie moutli of Rock
Creek, a branch of John Day River, were met by some Columbia River In-
dians, who notified them that there was trouble before them. About two
miles from the crossing, in a canon, they found four families who had been
robbed of their cattle and stripped of their clotliing. Six v.'omen and some
children were left naked. Tliey had, however, rescued a bolt of white mus-
lin, out of which they had hastily made coverings, tiiough they offered little
protection against the coM air of evening. Tlie outrage occurred while the
men were absent from the wagon looking for tlie stolen cattle, and the perpe-
trators were Walla Wallas. Ross' company remained with the destitute
families till another train came up, giving their blankets to the women and
making them a bed, first building a lire (m the sands to warm a place for
tlicni to lie vipon. Itosn' Xm:, MS., 4-G. The names of th» families wore
Franklin, Rodgers, Warren, and Hoyt. VrnirJ'ord'n Xnr., MS., 53. A peti-
tion was before congress as late as 1870 to reimlmrso Mrs Rodger.-*, then old
and blind, for losses amounting to .?'J,.")00, incurred by the robbery of her
goods on this occasion. The petition set forth that .lolin Rf)dgers, his wife
Margaret, Nelson Hoyt, and his wife Mary, emigrated from Illinois to Oregon
in 1847, an<l that while at the John Day River they were attiickeil by savages,
an<l robI)e(l of goods, money, cattle, and one wagon, to the amount above
stated. St Helen i'olumhiiui. Vntw/ord's Narra/ire, MS., siiys that Mrs
Rodgers stood in the opening of a wagon and defended it with au axe.
fi
S'lj
' t
]' *
!i - hiss*
I4f ■, i,iifci
G4G
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
holding tliem until the property was restored. The
Indians attacked in consequence ; there was a skirmish,
a white man and a chief were killed, and several on
both sides wounded; while four white nien fled to the
mountains in a panic, and were lost for several days,
endeavoring to discover the trail to the Willamette
Valley."
So alarmed was Waller that he sent for Abernethy,
superintendent of Indian afl'airs, to quiet matters, and
then hastened to overtake a company which had passed
a few miles west of the Dalles, and request them to
return .:A protect his family and the wounded mcn.^"
A party did return, and Abernetliy also came, who
succeeded in procuring an audience with the principal
chiefs, whom lie induced, by ^ aying them for the dead
native, called Equator, to restore the property of the
innnigrants, and promise better behavior. But whether
by these, or by the Walla Wallas and Cay uses, small
parties of strangers contiimed to be plundered, and
the property cached in the hills far away from the
travelled road."
Whitman made a visit to the Dalles during the
two months tlie companies were passing between the
Blue and Cascade mountains. On his return from
this journey, which Peter W. Crawford, to whom I
•The young man killed was named Slieppard; he waa from St Louis
County, Missouri. A Mr Parker was seriously wounded, and a Mr Aram
less seriously. Or. Spectator, Sept. 2, 1847.
'"T' Vault, in Or. SpectiUor, Sept. 2, 1847. T' Vault, Barlow, and Foster
were on their way to the Dalles when they met this company of Hi wagons
August 28th, under the command of Bowman, some of whose men returned
to the relief of Waller.
"James Henry Brown, an immigrant of 1847, and author of several man-
uscripts ill my collection, in his AiUoliiogrtiplii/, MS., 20-5, a work from
which I am able to gather much excellent information, gives an account simi-
lar to that by Ross, of the treatment of his train by the Cayuses. Geer, in
his W(Mo J/illn, MS., 2, mentions that his wife nearly lost her life by an
Indian at the crossing of Des Chutes River. Grim, in his Emiyraiit Anec-
dotes, MS., 5, says tliat the Indians were extremely insolent to the immi-
grants, and behaved in a belligerent manner on the Umatilla; and that Whit-
man, who met a large body of the immigrants there, asked them to tarry
for a day, and delivered an address to them, prophesying an Indian war, au<l
giving them advice. It is certain that he waa aware of the danger. It is
also certain, considering the numbers and mixed character of those who hero
sought a new home, that they were forbearing toward the Indians in an ex-
traordinary degree.
WHITE PEOPLE AT WAIILATPU.
647
ain indebted tor a voluminous narative of pioneer
events/'- says was in October, he again met tlie cara-
vans at the Umatilla/^
From the train to which Crawford belonged he
selected several persons whom he engaged to aid him
in various ways at Waiilatpu, He secured a man
named Saunders as a teacher, who with his wife and
children agreed to go to the mission ; a tailor named
Isaac Gilliland, and a farmer named Kimball, from
Indiana, among whose family was a daughter of seven-
teen." There were already at the mission many
who intended to winter there, part of a company from
Oscaloosa, Iowa, and others,^'' in all fifty-four, some
'* P. W. Crawford was born on the ri^ht bank of tlie Tweed, in Roxbiiry-
shire, Scotland, not far from the lionie ot Walter vScott. He was tanglit the
elementary branches in this neighborhood, but studied matheiiiatics at the
University of Edinburgh, where he learned surveying. For a short time
after leaving the university iic Wiis in tlie service of a large coniinercial firm
in London, and again at Southampton. From there he went t< Quebec, and
thence to Toronto and other parts of Canada, after which he trr ,'ellcd through
the northern tier of states on the south side of the lakes, living for some time
in Michigan and Illinois. He came to Oregon in 1847 in company with a
family named Cline, jind took a land claim on the Cowlitz River in Novend)er
1847, where he lived long and happily. Crawford's Nurratiir of (lieOvcrltrnd
Joiiniei/, containing also a history of early and subsequent events, is, witliout
regard to style, the most complete record extfint of the times it represents,
iind manifests throughout the author's remarkable powers of observation.
" Crawford says the doctor had been on 'a mission of lumevolence, convey-
ing and escorting a company of immigrants over a new and nnich improved
route to the Dalles, and who gave us another cut-ofi' so as to shorten our route
and give us good grass and water all the way.' A^ar., MS., 51. Tliis affec-
tionate reference, with which the historian even for truth's sake has no occa-
sion to rneddlc, since the doctor could at the same time attend to his own
business of establishing the new station at the Dalles, and pilot the immigra-
tion over the road to that place, comports with the general impression of his
willingness to be of service. Crawford speaks of him as being at this time
a stout and robust looking man, of a seemingly strong and intelligent mind.
JSTai:, MS., 52.
'* Gilliland was from Long Island, and was an elderly man without family.
L. Woodbury Saunders was a native of New Hampshire, but liad resided ni
central New York, and also in Indiana, from which latter stato he emigrated.
His wife was from Vermont, her maiden name being Mary Montgomery, and
her mother's maiden name Stickney, from an cld English family. Mrs Saun-
ders later married Alanson Husted.
'^ The persons at Waiilatpu after the new selections had l>een matle were
Joseph and Hannah Smith and 5 children, the elder of them being a girl of
16; Mr and Mrs Saunders and 5 children, the elder a girl of 14; Mr and
Mrs Kimball and 5 children, the elder a girl of 10; Josepli and Sally Ann
Cantield and 5 children, the elder a girl of 10; Mr and Mrs Hall and 5 chil-
dren, the elder a girl of 10; Josiah and Margaret Osborne and 3 children,
the elder a girl of 9; Elam and Irene Young and 3 sons, the eldest aged 21;
Mrs Rebecca Hays and one young child; Miss Lorinda Bewley and her brother.
\ ,
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$
648
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
II
of them having been detained by sickness, and some
by the lateness of tlie season. All who remained
were employed, as far as possible, by Whitman, who,
notwithstanding the threatening circuni.stances, was
making improvements on his mill. The doctor was
a man of affairs; he loved work, and he liked to see
others work. Thus absorbed, it was little wonder he
failed to perceive the black shado'.v approaching.
As is usual with armies, large migrations, or any
great bodies of peojile moving together without the
ordhiary comforts of life, disease broke out among the
immigrants of 1847. A severe illnes.s known as moun-
tain fever, and apparently occasi(med by the extremes of
temperature encountered in the mountains during the
latter part of the summer — hot days and cold nights —
prostrated many of the adults, and measles attacked
the younger portion of the people. This disease,
usually considered simple and manageable, became
malignant under the new conditions in which it was
developed. It seems to have been at its height when
the trains, all having some sick, was passing through
the Cayuse country. What was malignant among the
strangers, when it was imparted to the natives ))ecame
fatal, whether from ignorance of proper modes of
treatment, or from the character of the disease itself
The measles of 1847, like the ititermittent fever of
1821)-~.'30 and 18:14-7, became a scourge to the natives.
The white men who introduced it could not be held
to blame,^^ but the natives made them res-ponsible, not
I;
(Vockett Bcwley; Mr Marsh anil dcaiightcr, E. Marsh, agcil 11; Mr HoflFinan,
ami Mr Sales — in all, 54 persons of the immigration. Besides these were
a young man named Rogers, Eliza, daughter of Mr Spalding of Lapwai, and
C ehililreu of the Sager family, adopted in 1844, '2 boys and 4 girls, besides 2
halfdireed girls, daughters of J. L. Meek and James BridgiT, and 2 sons of
Donald Manson, whom the doctor was edneating. Total at Dr Whitman's,
08 persona. At Lapwai there were only Mr and Mrs Spalding and 3 young
children, Miss Johnsou, Mr Hart, brother of Mrs Spalding, Mr Jackson, and
\N'illiam L'raig. dr. HjiertiUor, Jan. 20, 1848.
'"I have been told of a case where the disease was intended to be given:
A party of immigrants while in the Cayuse country were much annoyed by some
of the young braves, who, with Indian iatrusiveuess and insolence, hung about
THE WHITK MAN'S DISKASES.
(>4i)
understanding tlmt in.scrutablo law of nature wliich
makes it fatal to the dark races to encounter tlie
white racc;^' or if they ))erceived its effects, not know-
ing that the white men were as ignorant as themselves
of the cause.
When the mission Indians found that a disease
which tliey could not control had been introduced
among them, they became greatly alarmed and excited,
as did also the natives on Pugct Sound, to which dis-
trict the measles luid spread.'"' Being a white man's
disease, the Indians thought a white doctor should
be able to cure it. In fact, they were witnesses to the
fact that the white patients generally recovered, while
their own did not. That they were much to blame
for the fatal results in many cases, was true.'" Being
the wagons, daring the drivers or tlie young lads of the train to fight, seemingly
anihitious to rival the white people in boxing and wrestling. One wagon thus
intruded on contained a woman, whose half -grown children were all down
witli the measles, and the driver of the team also, an active young fellow, was
in the height of the fever, though stdl compelled to drive. Seeing .im so
annoyed the woman ordered liim to stop the team and wrestle witli the Indian
as desired, and to blow his hot l)reath in the Indian's face to give liim tlie
me.asles. Wliether that particular Indian died in consequence is not known;
probably the woman was unaware of the danger, and only wished to have him
puni.siied for the trouble he gave, Init if the Intlian died his friends would be
apt to believe that some evil influence was purposely worked upon him, as in
this case there indeed had been. In Mi^^ioii Life Sketc/i<..'<, 41, written, I
judge, by Mr Perkins, of the early Dalles mission, there is a complaint of the
effect of settlement on mi-ssion operations, which is no doubt well founded,
even though the new-comers should consist of missionaries only. The result
of mingling the races in Oregon is conclusive evidence of its rniocliievous
ell'ects.
'' ' The experience of a century had shown that the indiscriminate admission
of civilized men as traders in the territory of the Indians is destructive to
the morals of the fonner, aiul not only the morals but the existence of the
latter.' Edhihurijh Ri'vicw, July 184o, 2;ii8. See also T nlutne Alma mic, 184C, p.
]!); Darwin s Voyni/e round the WorUI, 43.5-0; McCulloclis Western Isk^i, li.
32; Oihhs in Poirelts Geo,). Siu:, i. '239.
'" 'In 1847 the measles prevailed at Nis(iually. A fugitive Indian from
the Swinomish country brouglit intelligence to Nisqually that the Swinomish,
believing that the whites had brought tlie measles to exterminate them, were
coming to massacre the whites. At the time tliere were no stockades or
bastions at Nisqually, but orders came from fort ^'ancouver to erect the
\isual defences. The scattered white settlers on the Sound l)ecame timid, and
tlie Indians consequently more forward and troublesome. Hostile demon-
strations were made wliile the stockades and bastions were being erected, but
notliing serious resulted. ' Tnlink''.'< HM. Pinjet Sound, MvS., 30-1.
'" In the winter of 1847-8 the measles overran the country. It waa of
a very malignant type, and the natives suffered from it severely. Or Whit-
man, as a medical man, naturally endeavored to mitigate the ravages of the
disorder; but notwithstanding his efforts many deaths took place among his
4l'
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650
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE
ignorant of the injury they would receive from such
a course, many sought to cool their fever by plunging
into cold water, or, after coming out of their sweat-
houses, bathing in the river, a procedure which caused
almost immediate death.
When it is remembered that ever' since 1842, and
even earlier, the natives had been importuning the
missionaries for pay for their lands, and that others,
if not they, had repeatetlly promised on the faith of
the United States government that they should be
paid when the boundary question was settled; and
when it is remenr'^ered that this (question had been
settled for almost a year and a half, since which time
two immigrations had arrived, without anytliing being
done to satisfy the natives — the wonder is not that
they were suspicious and turbulent, and ready to
believe evil things of the white men, but that they
were so long held in tolerable control by a few isolated
missionaries.^"
The reader already knows the difficulty experienced
by Whitman and Spalding from the first, in prosecut-
ing their mission labor, owing to the unreasonable
requirements of their pupils, their indolence, selfish-
ness, and ingratitude for services. This was almost
as much as could be borne before any sectarian differ-
ences arose to aggravate tiie disorder. After this
the usefulness of the missions as schools of religion
and morality was at an end. A few perceiving the
benefit of agriculture and stock-raising tolerated the
teachers, and so far imitated them as to raise supplies
patients, arising as much from the neglect of advice, and imprudent exposure
during the heiglit of the fever, as from the virtdence of the disorder.' Amler-
fon'a NorHinxnt Count, MS., '2G5.
''■* ' When the Americans came into what the Indians claimed as their own
country, their number was considerable; they didn't come to carry on trade
with the Indians, but to take and settle the country, exclusively for them-
selves. They went about where they pleased, and settled where they chose
mthout asking leave of the Indians, or paying them anything. The Indians
saw it quickly. Every succeeding fall the white population about doubled,
and the American population extended their settlements, and encroached
upon the Indian pastures and camass grounds, excluding Indian horses, etc.
The Indians saw annihilation before them.' Jiitrnett'a Recol, MS., i. 104-5.
PEUPEUMOXMOX.
G51
for their own families, besides sellinc; to the immi-
grants. In the matter of cattle, also, they had ea<>^erly
acquired all they could purchase or steal from the
passing caravans, and had atteni})te(l to form a cattle
company to buy a herd in California, with what result
the reader knows. Perhaps this attenii)t of the Walla
Wallas is the highest imitation of civilization attained
to by them or by any Oregon Indians, as it not only
was a business organization, but partook something
of the character of an invasion, or an act of coloniza-
tion, since in 1847 we find the Walla Wallas in Cali-
fornia assisting Fremont to capture the country,'-^
The chief of this expedition, Peupeumoxmox, was
reputed to have so far benefited by his observations
abroad as to give good counsel to his people and the
Cayuses on his return,"' but the truth of his reported
friendship for the white people is not well established
by the evidence. Palmer met him in the spring of
1840, when he related the death of his son in Cali-
fornia, and declared his intention of going there to
avengfe his loss. This desire accounts for his willinij-
ness to aid Fremont. Palmer also says that he was
surly toward the immigration of 1845, and had even
made hostile demonstrations.-^
There were, at the time under consideration, a
number of dissolute characters, half-breeds from the
mountains to the east, hanging upon the skirts of
the travellers, men whose wild blood was full of
the ichor of hatred of religion and civilization, and
poisoned with jealousy of the white race, the worst
traits only of which they had inherited. These men
among the natives were like fire in tow, their evil
practices and counsel scorching every shred of good
the missionaries by patient effort had been able to
^' Says Johnson: ' A whole community of Walla Walla Indians left Oregon
across the mountains and established themselves on the Sacramento River,
near Sutter's Fort.' Cal. and Or., 123; TuthiWs HUt. Cal., 201.
■''■' This is what Parrish says, who talks of him as if he were a very dis-
tinguished personage; because, perhaps, he once sent his son to the Methodist
mission school for a few months. Or. Anecdotes, MS., 8G-7.
^Journal, 124-5.
fi
m
t sJ
Q52
THE WHITMAN MAShAL'UK.
weave into tlioir luibits of W^vJ* Every act of the
missionaries was criticised. Wlieii Whitman, wlio was
eiideavorini^ to l)re{ik up tlie custom of j^ninL;; to war,
exhil)it(!(l his disa|)))r()Imtiou by refusintr to sliake
hands witli an oftender, tlie accidental death of tliat
youMjt^ warrior was iniputed to him,'' and thoujifii they
pretended to ho, convinced to the contrary, tlieir hearts
were secretly hitter toward Whitn)an, whose 'evil
eye' tlusy were willing to believe had worked them
harm.
It was unfortunate that at this iuncture so manv
stranu'ers had been allowed to leather at tlie mission,
confirmin«( the suspicion of the Cayuses that the
Americans intended to settle in their country with-
out first treating for their lands: unfortunate because
it gave weight to a rumor circulated among them by
one Joe Lewis, a half-breed, who was employed about
the mission, that Doctor and Mrs Whitman were con-
spiring to exterminates them by poison, in order to come
into possession of tlulr lands for themselves and their
countrymen^" — a rumor v/hich was strengthened by the
'•^ Palmer rclatea that three Delawares came and settled among the Nez
Perci''n. One of them, named Tom Hill, Hucceuded in pcrHuadinu about a hun-
dred lodges to acknowledge him aa their eliief hy telling them tluat they then
could have as many wives aa they chose; that it was not wrong to steal, only
wrong to be detected in it, and that what the miasionariea taught was false.
Joiirnnl, 1129.
'■'■' This mnn was a half Nez Perci5, half Cayuse, son of a Nez Perc6 often
called Le t. .ii;'le. Whitman refused to take him hy the hand on account
of some ou.'DTi 1 i.nd misconduct at the Dalles; perhaps he was in the party
who kiilfid fiiu!];pard. However that was, the young man died that night,
l)eiug chok' ' 1 y a piece of dried buffalo-meat. Tliereupon an accusatioa was
brought .'i^^.ii.'.st the doctor. Mrs Whitman endeavcred to regain the confi-
dence of ilie natives by giving a 'feast for the dead,' Le (rrande and Peupeu-
moxmox being present and professing continued regard. Whether tneir
sentiments were genuine admits of doubt, but there was a ' villain of an Indian
called Tamsucky who fomented discontent, and tlireatencd Whitman that
he would be killed.' Tolmies J lint. Piiijct Sound, MS., 27. Palmer siiys that
Wliitman reganled Tamsucky as a good Indian; and Palmer left his horses
M'ith him during the winter of 184r)-(}. He was called Aliquot by the white
people. When Palmer asked him to name his reward for keeping the horses,
lie asked for some scarlet velvet, an<l otlier articles of adornment, which
Palmer brought and gave to Whitman when he met him on the Umatilla.
Palmer's Wagon Train, MM., 32^.
'■"* This story of Joe Lewis is given by several witnesses. One of these,
William Craig of T^apwai, no one woidil dispute. He says: 'A messenger
came there [to Mr Spalding's station] from the Cayuses, anu the ludiaus, when
AKKIVAI, OF L'ATUOLUS.
6a:i
;^ront imnihtT of dcatlis umoiijjj tlu; Cayuscs, ainomit-
iiijjf to nearly one halt' the jxtpulatioii."'
That tlie natives niui inured Whitniun was awuro;
hut he lioped tliat two doathn wliieli had occurred in
his house, of one of his adopted ehilih'en and out; of
Oshorne's, would liave shown thian that the disease
carried off white jx'ople as well as Inchans. Spalding;
asserts in the Orcf/on A})icncan., a small semi-monthly
pa{)er"'* ])ublished in 1848, that not only Joe Lewis,
but the Catholic ])riests who had arrived at Fort
Walla Walla from Canada on the oth of Septendier,
with the desij^n of establisliin<j missions amony the
assemlili'il, required him to state all he knew about the matter, ami to statu
the truth. 1 was present; aiul ho said, in Hulwtance, tliat all the eliief.s were
concerned except Vounir Chief and Five Crows, wlio knew nothing of it; that
the cause.. .was that Dr Whitman and l)r Spalding were poisoning the
Indians.. .Joe Lewis said thiit I>r Whitman and Mi Spalding had been writ-
ing for two years to their friends in the east, where Joe Lewis lived, to send
them poison to kill ofiF the Cayuses and the Nez I'erces; and they hail
sent them some that was not good, and they wrote for more tliat would
kill them off quick, and that the medicine had come this summer. Joe
Lewis said he was lying on the settee in Dr Whitman's room, ivnd lie heard a
conversation between Dr Whitman, Mrs Whitman, and Mr Spalding, in wliitli
Mr Spaliling askeil the doctor why he did not hill the Indians ofl' fastei'.
"O," said the doctor, "they are dying fast enough; tlie young ones will die
off this winter, and the ohl ones next spring. . . .Tlie Indian messenger
stated that Joe Lewis made this statement in a council of tlie Cayuses. . .
Joe Lewis, the messenger said, told the Cayusea in the council that unless
they [the IndiansJ killed Dr Wiutinan and Air Spabling quick, they would all
die. The messenger went on to say himself, that 11)7 Indians had died since
the immigration commenced passing that summer. He said that there were
6 buried on Monday morning, and among the rest his own wife; lie saiil l.o
knew they were poisoned.' /Srnuillct'n Aiitlictitic Aecoinit, 35-G.
^' ' It was most distressing to go into a lodge of some 10 (ires, ami count
20 or 25, some in the midst of measles, others in the last stages of dysentery,
in the midst of every kind of filth of itself sutiicient to cause sickness, With no
suitable means to alleviate their iiMjoiiceivaljle sufferings, witii perhaps one
well person to looK after the wants of "J sick ones. Everywhere the sick and
dying were pointed to Jesus, and tlie well were urged to prepare for death.'
VL H. Spahling, in Oret/nu Aiiiiriran, July ly, 1848.
'^"'Devoted to American princiiilcs and interests; to evangelical religion
and morals; to general intelligence, foreign aii>' domestic; to teiiipiTancc. and
moral instrumentalities generally; to science, literature, and tlie arts; to
commerce and internal improvements; to agriculture and home manufactures;
to the description and development of our natural resources; to the piiysical,
intellectual, and moral education of rising generations; and to such wcll-
defiucd discussions generally as are calculated to elevate and dignify the
character of a free people.' Its devotion was iudeeil great — so great tliat there
was little room left for anything else. ' The constituted nature am! relation
of things, our constitution,' M'as a motto which, if adhered to, wouid seem
to do away with all that goes before. ' Edited by J. S. (JriHin. Printed by
0. F. Putnam.* See Honolulu Polynesian, v. 54; Frknd, viii. •>.; Jiiinietta
Hecolkctiona oj a Pioneer, 251.
i m
I'}
654
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
V :!'.
r»
tribes of eastern Oregon, assured the Cayuses that
the Americans were causing them to die. This state-
ment, which was the beginning of a controversy not
yet ended between the Protestants and Cathohcs, he
made on the word of a Cayuse chief named Tintin-
mitsi, who, however, professed not to believe the ac-
cusation. ''^ The mere intimation of such atrocity
exposes the hearts of those who made them. The
hibors of Archbishop Blanchet in Canada, before
spoken of, had resulted in the a})pointnient of his
brother, A. M. A. Blanchet, bishi^p of Walla Walla,
who thereupon proceeded overland to Oregon, accom-
panied by nine persons, four fathers of the order of
the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, with two lay broth-
ers ; two secular priests, Brouillet and Rosseau ; and
Guillaume Leclaire, a deacon.^" After remaining at
Walla Walla about a month, the Oblate fathers de-
parted to establish a mission among the Yakimas in
the Simcoe Valley; but it was not until the 27th of
October that Blanchet and Brouillet, with Leclaire,
removed from the fort to the camp of the Cayuse
' hicf Tauitau, on the Umatilla River, about thirty
miles distant, the chief having relinquished a house
built for himself several years previous by Parabrun,
in an attempt to civilize the Cayuses.
The establishment of this mission among the Cay-
uses, already so turbulent, and from their present
temper so dangerous, was a sore trial to the Protes-
tant missionaries, while it was, without doubt, an in-
centive to Dr Whitman to endeavor to remain. The
pain and uneasiness the bishop was inflicting was not
by any means unknown to him;^^ but whether in
Catholic or Protestant, religious zeal knows no mercy,
!J :'"ir
'"Oregon American, July 1848.
"" None of thuso priests were .Tesuits, though Gray and Spalding speak of
thcin uniformly as belonging to that order.
^' 'The arrival of the bisiiop of Walla Walla,' says Archbishop Blanchet,
' with his clergy to the fort was a thunderbolt to the Presbyterian ministers,
specially to Dr Whitman. He was wounded to the heart by it. He could
not refrain from expressing his dissatisfaction, saying he would do all in his
power to thwart the bishop.* Hist. Cath. Church in Or,, 163-5.
CATHOUC MISSION.
655
and the inquisition of the sixteenth century only
changes its form according to the time and place of
its exhibition. Protestant and Catholic alike believed
the other the emissary of Satan, wliom to afflict was
doing God service. There was a difficulty, however,
in the way of tlie bishop's proselyting: he could cora-
nmnicato with the natives only through an interpreter.
Then the Cayuses were very little al)out the fort while
tlie caravans were passing, being engaged in trading
with or stealing from the Americans.
The new-comers had all left the country cast of
the Cascade Mountains, except the little colony at
Waiilatpu ; the Catholic mission was established in a
house furnished to the priests by Tauitciu in the lovely
valley of the Umatilla, and quiet reigned through-
out the great wilderness of rolling prairie from the
Dalles on the Columbia to Lapwai on the Clearwater.
Ay, the quiet of death was there, broken only by
the wails of the poor savage over the bodies of rela-
tives and friends. Doctor Wliitman's heart was full
of pity for them, as he rode from camp to camp with
medicines and advice, little imagining the sinister
meaning attached to his conduct by the Cayuses.
In the month of November Spalding came from
Lapwji', accompanied by his daughter Eliza, and a
Mr Jacl'.son who was stopping at his mission, bringing
a train of horses loaded with grain to be ground at
the mili. On the 25th, while tn route to Walla Walla
with Jackeon and Rogers of the Waiilatpu mission,
Spaldmg visited chief Peupeumoxmox, who resided
not far from the fort on the Walla Walla River.
After the manner of an Indian gossip, the illustrious
savage referred to the subject of Catholic misi^iona-
rics, taking occasion to remark that he had been
solicited to give them a place for a station, but that
he had refused ; and repeati»;g tlie assertion of Tin-
tinmitsi that the Americans were charged with de-
stroying the Cajaises, but ij ofessing not to credit the
rl
606
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
story. Peupei. iioxmox added, with true Indian cun-
ninj^, that the priests pronounced tlie diseases from
which they were suffering an affliction from God on
account of their heresy ; knowing well the fever into
which such a statement would throw S[)alding, and
probably deriving as much pleasure from it as a good
Methodist or Catholic could do.
During the night of Spalding's visit, a niece of Peu-
peumoxmox died, and he conducted the funeral ser-
vices at tlie fort next day, when he met Brouillet and
his associates, also there on a visit, with whom he
conversed on the manner of teaching by ^h( 'v'atholic
ladder.'^' During the forenoon of tiiO ?"{}... o re-
turned to Waiilatpu, where a messengei^ ; . a <xj)pearcd
from the camps of Five Crows and Tauitau, desiring
the presence of Dr Whitman among their sick, a sum-
mons which the doctor with his customary alacrity
obeyed. On this journey of thirty miles or more,
Spalding accomjjanied him. It is easy to believe the
latter when he says that as they rode they talked, far
into the night, of their past trials and triumphs, and
their present insecurity ; or even that Whitman utteretl
the words put into his mouth, "If I am to fall b}''
Roman Catholic influence, I believe my death v-ill do
as much good to Oregon as my life can."^^ He wiV:^
a mc^n capable of such a declaration. * -
^'^Sfronii's JfiH. Or., MS., 43-"). Spalding also practises son.c iUr>L i*,j,
where lie says in the On'i/oii Ainerktin. that no one who had not \vitn'3&. d iti
could eoiK'uivo of the intense agitation caused among the Indians h\/ tho '
introduction of the Catholic ladder, a chart containing rudely drawn pictures
of scriptural subjects, and illustrating the doom of heretics. 'M^ attention,'
he say.s, 'has suddenly licen arrested by the outcries and wailings of a whole
camp, oeeasioni'd by the arrival of some (me with an additional explanation of
the Catholic ladder, always accompanied by the declaration, "The Ainericans
are causing us to did"' Tins sounds like slander. At tlie time of whicli
Spalding speaks, tlie Catholic ladder was too well known among the Cayuses
to occasion any sucii outburst of alarm, if ever it had done so. The wailing
he hoard in November was tlic dcatli dirge; and if the natives excla'':ed,
'The Americana are causing us 'lO ilie ! ' such wa.t the truth, though tl had
brought djatli witliont knowledge or intention of doing so.
'•'■^Oiit/itii A iiicnavi, Aug. 1848, (U. This remark may have bee; < 'J <
forth by the doctor's knowledge of an ineidmt wjiich occurred at the lo.-s; V
l'eupeiiinoxnu)x while Spalding was there; a Nez J'ercii entered the ioi.jj v
with the inquiry, 'liDr Whitman killed?' as if he expected an affirmative
answer.
ATTENDING THE SICK.
687
3 wa
The 28th was Sunday. The two missionaries broke
their fast in the lodge of Sticcas, the chief who had
ofuided the imraiffration of 1843 over the Blue Moun-
tains; and the doctor could not help remarking upon
the meal t)f beef, bread, potatoes, and squash, as a
gratifying proof that under his teaching the Cayuses
had made some progress. Everything about the little
village was orderly and still, as became the sabbath.
It was the calm preceding the cyclone.
While Spalding remained to hold religious services,
Whitman proceeded to the camps of Tauitau and Five
Crows on the south side of the Umatilla, where, after
calling on his patients, he dined with Bishop Blanchet
at his mission in a friendly manner. According to
Spalding, the doctor appeared to have been agreeably
entortained, and to have considered certain negotia-
tions for the sale of Waiilatpu to the Catholics if a
majority of the Cayuses wished him to go away; an
engagement having been entered into that the bishop
or vicar-general should pay a visit to Waiilatpu in a
few days."^* Leaving Spalding to visit and comfort
the sick, Whitman left for home Sunday evening.
Spalding himself visited the priests, taking tea with
them, and on Tuesday evening returned to the lodge
of Sticcas to sleep.
That
evenmg
Sticcas communicated to Spalding
m
i¥ : ':
•: 'i
'* Frcim a chance remark of Spalding's, and from a quotation from him in
lirouUlfCH Authentic Account, 21, I have no doubt that Wiiitman was almut
to a':-:ept fin offer for Waiilatpu, from which ho was convinced he must now
go. Tlie (juotiition is as follows: ' Dr Wliitnian twice <luring the hist year
called the L'ayuse together, and told them if a majority wislied he woidd leave,
tiie country at once. . .Dr Whitman held himself ready to sell the Waiilatpu
station to the Catholic mission wiienever a majority of the Cayuses iiiiglit
wish it.' lu 1800-7 Spalding revived the menu)rics of twenty years before,
and delivered a course of lectures on the subject of the Waiilatpu mission,
which were published in tlie Alluin;/ Or. S/'i/.s /'iij/itn Dciiiornit, extending-
over a period from Noveml)er 18()0 to February 1807. In one tlieso ho-
says: 'Iho same week — referring to his arrival at Wiiitman's station — f
visited Walla Walla, and a conference was partly agreed upon with tiio'
priests. They asked and I agreed to furnish tiiem all needed supplies from
my station.' He, however, denied in tiiese lectiires, what he had aihnitte>'
lirevionsly, that Whitman diniMl with tlie priests, and says hv, ileclined on a.
plea of liastening homo to look aftt^r the sick. Such is the effect of sccttiri;, 'ism
that the most religious feel justifiod in lying to sustain a point.
IIlBT. Or., Vol. I. 42
658
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
the significant information that a decree of outlawry
had been passed by the Cayuses against the white
people in their country, declining to explain any fur-
ther. ^^ Filled with apprehension, the missionary cast
himself upon his couch of skins, but sleep was impos-
sible. On either side of him sat an Indian v/oman
chanting the harsh and melancholy death-song of her
people. When asked for whom they mourned, no
answer could be obtained. At early dawn Spalding
prepared to depart, his mind oppressed with misgiv-
ings. At a little distance from the lodue waited a
native woman, who, laying her hand on the neck of his
horse, in a few hurried words warned him to avoid
Waiilatpu. Considering that his daughter was an
inmate of that station, this hint was not calculated to
ease his mind or to cause him to loiter, tliorgh his
path lay directly in the way of danger, the road from
tlie Umatilla to Waiilatpu leading past the camp of
Tiloukaikt, a chief with whom Whitman had more
than once had a serious rupture.^®
When Whitman reached home late Sunaay night
he found things as he had left them. Mrs Osborne,
who had lost a child by the measles, and recently been
confined, was quite ill. Miss Bewley was down witli
intermittent fever. One of the Sager lads was par-
tially recovering from measles. Two half-breed girls,
left with Mrs Whitman to be educated, a half-breed
boy adopted by the doctor, Crockett Bewley, brother
of Miss Bewley, and a young man named Sales, were
all in bed with the epidemic, though convalescing.
During the forenoon of Monday Dr Whitman
** Yet this is the chief of wliom several wliite men lia ve said he was the only
true friend of the white race among the Oregon Indians. His friendship did
not extend to warning the missionarie. distinctly of their peril.
^"The camp of Sticcas, as I have already intimated, was on the nortli side of
the Umatilla, probably not far from the present town of Pendleton, while Five
Crows, Tauitau, Camespelo, and Yundiawalis had their villages on the south
side, but not far away. Peupeumoxmox lived on the road leading from Fort
Walla Walla to Waiilatpu, and Tiloukaikt, Tamahas, and Tamsucky had
their lodges between him and the mission; so that travel whLhevcr way he
would, Spalding must pass the camps of these chiefs to reach Dr Whitman's
station.
THE DAxMNINd DEED.
689
tman
assisted at the funeral of an Indian who had died
(kiring- his visit to the Umatilla, and was struck with
the absence of the tribe, many of whom were mounted,
riding about, and giving no attention to the burial ;
but as there had been a slaughter of beef which was
being dressed in the mission yard, an occasion whicli
always drew the Indians about, the circumstance Was
in part at least accounted for. School was in session,
several men and boys were absent at the saw-mill near
^he foot of the mountains ; the women were em-
j U/^'ed with the duties of housekeeping and nursing
the sick, and all was quiet as usual when Whitman,
fatigued with two nights' loss of sleep, entered the
common sitting-room of his house and sat down before
the fire to rest, thinking such thoughts as — Ah I who
shall say?''
While he thus mused, two chiefs, Tiloukaikt and
Tamahas, surnamed ' The Murderer,' from his having
killed a number of his own people, presented them-
selves at the door leading to an adjoining room, ask-
ing for medicines, when the doctor arose and went
to them, afterward seating himself to prepare the
drugs. And now the hour had come I Tamahas stepped
behind him, drew his tomahawk from beneath his
blanket, and with one or two cruel blows laid low for-
ever the man of God. John Sager, Avho was in the
room prostrated by sickness, drew a pistol, but was
quickly cut to pieces. In his struggle for life he
wounded two of his assailants, who, at a preconcerted
signal, bad with others crowded into the house. A
tumult then arose throughout the mission. All the
men encountered by the savages were slain. Some
'' Mrs Husted, then wife of the teacher at the mission, has avoweil that
Wliitiiian had certainly received some information or iutimation on Sunday,
and that on arriving at home kite that night the family was kept sitting up
several hours in consultation, talking over the chances of escape in case of an
attack. I think this may ho true, but state it only as the evidence of one
person, after many years, and the distraction of mind caused by what fol-
lowed. Spalding, in his lectures before quoted, hints at some such thing by
saying, ' Tne doctor and his wife were seen in tears much agitated. ' It becomes
difficult to account in that case for the neglect of the doctor to put each man
about the mission upon his guard.
I H
( '^^
t
?
i
m
t >, i
lil
w
> ii
IM
660
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
were killed outright; others were bruised and man-
gled and left writhing back to consciousness to bo
assailed again, until after hours of agony they expired.
Dr Whitman himself lived for some time after he had
been stricken down, though insensible. Mrs Whit-
man, although wounded, with Rogers and a few
others also wounded, took refuge in an upper room of
the dwelling, and defended the staircase with a gun,
until persuaded by Tamsucky, who gained access by
assurances of sorrow and sympathy, to leave the
chamber, the savages below threatening to fire the
house. On her way to the mansion house,^ where
the terror-stricken women and children were gath-
ered, she fainted on encountering the mangled body
of her husband, and was placed upon a wooden settee
by Rogers and Mrs Hays, who attempted to carry
her in this condition through the space between the
houses; but on reaching the outer door they were
surrounded by savages, who instantly fired upon them,
fatally wounding Rogers, and several balls striking
Mrs Whitman, who, though not dead, was hurled
into a pool of water and blood on the grimnd. Not
satisfied with this, Ishalhal, who had formerly lived
in Gray';:^ family, and who had fired the first shot
at her before she escaped to the chamber from which
Tamsucky treacherously drew her, seized her long
auburn hair, now blood-stained and dishevelled, and
lifting up the head, happil}^ unconscious, repeatedly
struck the dying woman's face with a whip, notwith-
stan<ling which life lingered for several hours.
Night came at last and drew a veil over the horrors
'* In Spalding's lectures there is a description of the mission premises as
they appeared in 1847. 'The doctor's adoue dwelling-house soood on the
north side of the W^alla Walla River, and one half-mile above th.i mouth of
Mill Creek, facing west, well finished, and furnislied with a good library ind
a large cabinet of choice specimens. Connected witli v}ie north end was
a largo Indian room, and an L extending from the east 70 feet, consist-
ing of kitchen, sleeping-room, school-room, and church. One hundred yards
east stood a large adobe building. At a point forming a triangle with the
above line stood the mill, granary, and shops. ' The whole was situated upon
the small area formed by the flat land between the river and the rolling iiills
to the west. The large adobe buihliug spoken of was known as the 'uausiou
house.
k
AFTER THE MURDER.
6CI
of that afternoon. No one knew when the last breath
left the body of the mistress of Waiilatpu. Ah ! it
was pitiful to see this pure and gentle woman, this
pure and noble man, while in the service of God
hewn down and cast into the ditch by other of God's
creatures whom to benefit they had lived. In the
general compensation it would seem to our poor facul-
ties that the bestowal of the martyr's crown poorly
recompensed the heart of omnipotence for witnessing
such atrocities.
It is needless further to describe the butcheries
which lasted for several days, or until all the adult
males except five, and several boys, were killed, some
on their sick-beds, some on their way home from the
mill, some in one place and some in another.
-f n
39
lono-
" Mr and Mrs Gaborne with their children happened to be in a bedroom of
the dwelling at tlie moment of the attack; and taking up a plank in the Hoor,
they secreted themselves under the house. During the night they escaped,
l)ut Mrs Osborne and the children being unable to walk more than 3 miles
during the dark hours, and afraid to travel by day, were in danger of starving
before they could reach Fort Walla Walla. On Thursday forenoon Osborne
arrived there, carrying the youngest child, and was received with hospitality
by McBean, the agent in charge; Mrs Osborne being rescued by tlie help of
persons belonging to the fort, who brought the family in on horses. There
was much said subsequently about McBean 's behavior; and his evident reluc-
tance to harbor the men who had escaped, although he offered to take care of
their families, was attributed to his C'atliolic faith. But I do not think that
any one paused to think of sectarian diflferenees then. McBean was afraid the
Cayuses might attack the fort were they provoked to it by the presence of
Americans, and the fort was not in a condition to withstand a siege. The first
man who reached Walla Walla was Hall, who by walking all night arrived
there Tuesday morning. A rumor being brought that tlic women and children
were all killed, Hall's reason seemed to give away; but becoming calmer, lie
decided to attempt going to the Willamette; ami being furnishetl with the
dress of a Hudson's Bay employt5, as well as ammunition, and every other neces-
sary, set out to travel down the north side of the river to avoid the Cayuses.
He proceeded safely until near the rapids at tlie Des Chutes River, where tak-
ing a canoe to cross the Columbia he was drowned. Letter of MoBean in tlie
Walla WalUi Statesman, March 1(5, 186G. McBean, who of course knew noth-
ing of Hall's failure to cross the Dallvs, proposed to Osborne to leave liis
family with him, and follow Hall's example; but Osborne refused. He would
go down the river Math his familj' in a boat with a trusty Indian crew from
tlie fort, but not otherwise. No natives about the fort would take the risk,
and therefore Osborne remained. In Brou'dlet's AntheiUk Avrniint are the
depositions of several persons on tliis subject; one of Josiali Osborne, win.
reflects severely on McBean for refusing him the things he di^naiuled for the
comfort of his family; but to one acquainted with the simple furnishing of the
interior trading posts, these refusals seem natural. McBean could not fuini 'h
what he did not have. The truth wiis, that although McBoan was ' below the
salt ' when compiired with other gentlemen in the company, he wiis not by any
means a brute out earned more gratitude than he received from the half-de-
:i; r
_ - ^ ^i.i
" it'l
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
i:K
The butcheries were harldy more atrocious than the
sufferings inflicted on the survivors. The helpless
women and children were compelled not only to wit-
ness the slaughter of their husbands and fathers, but
were forced to yield a hateful obedience to their cap-
tors while the yet unburied remains of those dearest
to them lay mangled and putrefying in their sight/'^
Several of the women were taken for wives. Five
Crows, who was declared not to have any hand in the
massacre, and of whom Hines says in his Oregon His-
tory, published three years after the event, that lu;
was a Protestant, and gave "good evidence of conver-
sion," on the eleventh day after the outbreak sent for
Miss Bewley to be brought to his lodge on the Uma-
tilla, Nor was Five Crows an unfair sample of an
Indian convert. He would have nothing to do witli
the destruction of the mission, but he would let it bo
destroyed. Being already wealthy, he cared nothing
for the booty, but he could not withstand beauty.
mented persons who escaped from the horrors of Waiilatpu. Another fugi-
tive was William D. CanHeld, who was wounded in the hip, but succeeded iu
making his way to Lapwai, which place he reached on Saturday afternoon, as
he himself says, ' without eating or sleeping. ' Cantield was a native of Arling-
ton, Vermont, where he was born Oct. 22, 1810. He married Sally Ann
Lee, June 10, 1828, and after several removes westward finally arrived in
Iowa, where he laid out the town of Oskaloosa. From that place he emi-
grated to Oregon. See Son. Co. Hitt., 470. Joseph Smith and Elam Young
also escaped. They were living with their families at the saw-mill. The
natives ordered them to Waiilatpu the third day after the massacre began,
but having glutted their revenge, and deeming it well to save some to grind
the grain, they sufiered them to live. The victims of the tragedy were
13: Dr and Mrs Whitman, Rogers, Saunders, Gillilland, Kimball, Hoffman,
Marsh, Sales, Bewley, James Young, John Sager, and Francis Sager. Or. Spvr-
lator, Jan 20, 1848.
*' Spalding says in his lectures that the women were compelled to cook for
largo numbers of the savages daily, who called upon his daughter to taste the
food and tell them if it were not poisoned. They were also ordered to
sew and make garments for Indian families out of the goods belonging to the
mission. Spalding also says that both the women and girls were subjected to
the most revolting brutalities; ' girls so young that tl e knife had to be used,'
is his language. Young in his deposition states that ' a few days after we got
there two young women were taken as wives by the Indians, which I opposed,
iuid was threatened by Smith, who was very anxious that it shouht take
place, and that other little girls should be given up for wives. ' Graijs IILit.
Or., 483. There is no doubt from the evidence, although much waa concealed
from motives of delicacy toward the women, that for the time they were
held prisonei-s at Waiilatpu, which was about a month, they were treated
with.the utmost brutality, the two white men being unable to defend even
their own families.
THE INDIAN'S BRIDE.
668
40
Miss Bewley was sent for, and having no one to pro-
tect her, she was torn from the arms of sympathizing
women, placed on a horse, and in tlie midst of a high
fuver of both mind and body, was carried through a
November snow-storm to the arms of this brawny
savage. Five Crows behaved in a manner becoming a
gentlemanly and Christian savage. He made his cap-
tive as comfortable as possible, and observing her op-
position to his wishes, gave her a few days in which
to think of it, besides allowing her to spend a portion
of her time at the house of the Catholic bishop. But
tliis generous mood was not of long duration, and
nightly she was dragged from Blanchet's presence to
the lodge of her lord, the priests powerless to inter-
fert
41
The position of the priests was made ground for
serious accusation when the story became known ; but
it is difficult to see how they could have interfered
without first having resolved to give up their mission
and risk their lives. If the Americans at Waiilati)U
could refuse to protest, and if Canfield could volun-
tarily seek to save his own life, leaving his wife and
children in the hands of the natives, it was hardly to
be expected that the [)ower of the priests who had
their own lives and purposes to be secured, and who
were not allowed under ordinary circumstances to
harbor women in their houses, should prove more
efficacious,*^
•i^i
•it
'i
♦' Miss Bowley says in her deposition that she ' begged jind cried to the
hishop for i)rotection, either at his house, or to be sent to Walla Walla,' but
nothing availed. Grai/'n Ilkt. Or., 48G-97. It is said that one of the priests,
in a piece of injudicious pleasantry, asked her liow she liked her new liusband,
an indiscretion which planted a thorn in his side that rankled longer, if wo
may judge by the wordy war which resulted from it, than the insult did in
Miss Bewley's heart, which slio said she 'thought would break.' Ih-nuHU'Cs
Authentic Account, 57.
*'^ A glance at the depositions shows charges even more grave which the
survivors made against each other, and against the dead. Crockett Bewley
was accused of saying imliscrect things which brought on the massacre. Even
Rogers was declared to liave confessed before he died that he had poisoned
In<lians. This was one of the peculiar features of the afl'air; men and women
were made so craven by their fears that they hesitated at nothing, when by
lying they could, as they thov.ght, avert danger from themselves. If the
half they said about each other were true, they deserved death.
■I'l
--...i.J
riiii
GG4
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
It will be reiiieinbered that when Dr Whitman re-
turned from the Umatilla he was expcctuig a visit
soon from the bishop or vicar-general, with whom he
hoped to make arrangements which, in a certain event,
would enable him to sell the mission property. On
the afternoon of the JiOth Brouillet proceeded on this
errand as far as the lodge of Tiloukaikt, with the
intention of visiting the sick and baptizing the dying
of that camp. Arriving late in the evening, he be-
came apprised of what had happened on the 29th at
Waiilatpu, and spent the night in much perturbati(m,^"'
but without neglecting in the morning to attend to
his religious duties. Having done what he could for
the dying Cayuses, he hastened to Waiilatpu and
offered such consolation as he might venture upon to
the widows and orphans, concealing his sympathy as
directed by the captives, and procuring the burial of
the dead.**
On the afternoon of the 1st of December Brouillet
departed from Waiilatpu and rode toward Umatilla, in
the hope of intercepting Spalding, who was expected
on that day for the conference which was to have
taken place. Soon after crossing the Walla Walla
River he discovered Spalding galloping toward him.
Fortunately for his purpose, the interpreter and a son of
Tiloukaikt's, who was following with the evident design
of spying upon his actions, had stopped to light their
pipes, which gave time for communicating the news of
the massacre and for a moment's deliberation. Before
any course could be decided upon, the chief's son Ed-
ward rejoined the priest, who interceded with him for
^^ Authentic Account, 50.
** Brouillet states that Joseph Stanfield, one of the half-breeds who nad
been in Whitiuau's service, was preparing the bodies for burial, but being
alone, could not inter thcin. He therefore ■vent to his assistance, though not
without a^jprehension that he might be assassinated while thus engaged.
Robert Newell, who visited Waiilatpu the following spring, and wlio kept a
memorandum of the incidents of the expedition, says tliat Dr Whitman and
wife were laid together in a single grave, with a neat paling aliout it; and
that the other victims were placetl in one common excavation, also enclosed
by a fence; but that both had I)een torn open by wolves. The scattered re-
mains were reinterred in one grave.
MR AND MUS SPALDINO.
cor>
the life of Spaklinjjf as a personal favor to liiin.self.
Not knowing wliat course to take, Young Tiloukaikt
after some hesitation turned back to camp, saying he
would consult with his father. Here was tlie hardly
hoped for opportunity, which was quickly taken.
Abandoning his horses to the interpreter, and taking
a scrap of food which Brouillet carried in his wallet,
the striken missionary plunged on foot and alone
into the wilderness over which a thick foj; settlinjjf
concealed him from his enemies.^'' After six days of
physical suffering from want and exjiosure, and gn^at
mental anguish,** he arrived at Lai)wai, and found that
his family was in the care of some friendly chiefs at
Craig's place ten miles away.
When the fugitive Canfield reached Lapwai he
found the Nez Perces ignorant of what had taken
place at Waiilatpu, and advised Mrs Spalding to allov
them to remain so. But the knowledge she possessed
of the Indian character, and the fact of the intini ite
relations between the Nez Percds and Cayuses, decided
her to break the news at once and throw herself on
their mercy. In the absence of her husband, and
temporarily of her brother, she confided the matter
to two chiefs, Jacob and Eagle, who happened to be
present, and who promised protection, but counselled
removal from Lapwai. One of them carried a letter
to Craig, and the other volunteered to communicate
the intelligence received from Canfield to the tribe.
*^ Brouillet says that almost immediately c' y"* ' palding left him 3 armed
Cayu8e,4 overtook him, who said to the interpiv • . ■ The priost ought to have
attended to his own business, and not to liave interfered with ours.' AiUfwtUic
Accouni, 52-5; Shea's Cath. Miss., 478.
^•'Tiiere can be no doubt that Spalding's mind was injured by tliis shook.
All his subsequent writings show a want of balance, wliich inclines me to
regard with lenity certain erroneous statements in his publicationfi. I find
in the Oregon Statesman of August 11, lSii5, this line: 'H. H. Sjjalding, a
lunatic upon the subject of Catholicism, and not over and above sane upon
any subject. ' During all his after life, while narrating the events of that
fearful time, his forehead was covered with great drops of sweat, and his eyes
had a frenzied expression Burnett mentions some of the survivors of the
Donner party whose intellect was afifected. Coleridge, in his Ancient Manner,
well (Jepicts this state of jniud.
'Mi
1,1 *■'
.:, i«
am
THE WHITMAN MAS8ACR.
This was on Saturday. On Monday the 8th of
December a niesseiii^er arrived from the Cayuses, who
related what liad occurred, stating the cau.se to be the
beUef that tliey were being poisoned. There was, as
might liave been exj)ected, a (hvision, the majority of
the chiefs foUowing tl»e advice of Eagle and Jacob,
while others evinced a readiness to join in the mur-
dering and plundering course of the Cayuses.*^
On the same day Mrs Spalding, who had remained
over Sunday at the mission with a guard of two or
three faithful Nez Perces, removed to Craig's. She
desired to send an express to Chemakane to inform
Walker and Eells of the massacre at Waiilatpu, and
also one to her daughter at the latter j)lace, but no
one could be found who would undertake either errand.
The missionaries were, however, safe at the Chemakane
station, the principal chief of the Spokanes on first
hearing of the Cayuse outbreak ] ising to defend
the inmates against attack, a proi' ^liich he faith-
fully kept^" by mounting guard over them till their
departure to the Willamette the following spring. At
La{)wai, the Nez Perces, under Joseph, and some
of James' band pillaged the mission buildings, but
were otherwise held in c^.jck by the chiefs before
named.
As in all the emergencies which overtook the
Americans in colonial times, the fur company now
came to their relief. As soon as possible after learn-
ing wliat had taken place, McBean despatched a
Canadian messenger to Vancouver to apprise Douglas
and Ogden, and through them Abernethy. At the
" Spaliling gives the uames of the friendly and hostile chiefs. Besides
Eaglu and Jacob, the latter of whom was about to be received into the church,
there were Luke and two of his brothers, and James, a Catholic cliief, who were
friendly. But Joseph, a chief who had united with the church 8 years pre-
vious, and up to this time with few backslidings had lived like a Cliristian,
and whose people constituted a good portion of the sabbath congregation
and school, 7 of them being church-members, deserted to the enemy. Ureyon
Amerienii, Aug. 16, 1848.
*" Atkinson, in Or. Pioneer As^oc., Trims., 1877, 70.
CALX, FOR AID.
fC7
Dalles he found in charge Alansoii Hininan/" with his
wife and child.
Besides Hininan there were Perrin Whitman, Dr
Henry Saffarans, and William McKinney and wife,
of the late arrivals. To none of these persons ditl
the messenger breathe a word about the massacre,
not even to Hinman, who accompanied him to Van-
couver to procure medicines for the sick 'ibout the
Dalles, until they were below the Cascades, so careful
was he not to spread any excitement amongst the
natives before means could be taken to rescue the
prisoners,
60
*• Hinman was formerly of the state of New York. After coming to Ore-
gon in 1844, he married a Martha (Tcrrish, whose father, iin immigrant of 1845,
resided in the Tualatin plains. Hinman wa« teacher in the Oregon Institute
for a short time, but Hfcms * < have been engaged by Whitman to take charge
of the station purchased fi i the Methodists at the Dalles.
'*Much ca^iital was m I'le out of this circumstance by the anti-Hudson's
Bay writers, including (iray, who attempts to show that tlie intention of
Mc^Bean was to allow the Indians to kill off those who wi;re at the Dalles.
The result showed that the caution used was justifiable and necessary. Had
he alarmed the people at the Dalles, it would have informed the natives of
what hail happened, and have delayed him on his errand, wliereas he was in
the greatest ptjssible haste to reach headquarters before the Dalles Indians
shomd hear what the Cuyuaes had done, (rray points out that a letter
written by Hinman to Abernethy after reaching Vancouver was dated De-
cember 4th, while a letter from Dougliis to Aberiietliy w;is not written until
the 7th; making it appear that Douglas luul delayed .1 days to inform him,
while the truth was tliat Hinman did not learn the news till the Otli, and that
his letter was wrongly dated. As it appears in the Oreijon Syi'ftntor of Dec.
10, 1847, from which Gray must have copied it, the date is Nov. 4tli, more
than 3 weeks before the massacre occurred, which should have been cor-
rected, as the month was wrong as well as the day. No time was lost either
at Walla Walla or Fort Vancouver in acquainting the governor with the
situation. The correspondence in full is contained in the Or. Spectator, Dec. 10,
1847, and in Gray's Hist. Or. Other authorities on the subject of the massa-
cre are the A. B. C. F. M. Anmuil Report, 1848, 23!)-44; California n, April
19, 1848; Kane's Wanderings, 317-22; Marshall's Christian Mission.-*, ii. 2(U>-7;
Sandirich Island News, ii. 54-5; Deady'a Hist. Or., MS., 2; Ford's Road-
makers, MS., 32; Johnson's C'al. and Or., 183-4; Kip's Army Life, 32; Wnlbi
Walla Statesman, Feb. 9 to April 13, 18CG; Evans, in Trans. Or. Piotueer
Assoc., 1877, .35-6; Atkinson's (Jr. Colonist, 5; Crawford's Nar., MS., 160-3.
Broiiillet's Authentic Account of the Murder of Dr Whitman and other Mis-
sionnries by the Cayuse Indians of Oregon in 1S47, and the Causes mhicli
Led to that Horrible Caf,a.ft raphe, is a pamphlet of 108 2)ages, in reply to a
statement appearing in the Oreijon American reflecting harshly on the Catho-
lic priesthood in general, and the priests of tlie Umatilla camp particularly.
It is not without the usual misrepresentations of sectarian writings, but is m
the main a correct statement of events. A second edition, with some slight
additions, was printed at Portland in 1869. Its first appearance, under the
head of Protestantism in Oreijon, was in the Freeman's Journal in 1853; being
put in its present form in 1869. See also CathoUe Magazine, vii. 490; Mul-
Ian a Top. Mem., 7; S. F. Daily Herald, June 1, 1850.
If
!• ill!
668
THE WHlTJvIAN MASSACRE.
The messenger arrived at Vancouver on the even-
ing of the 6th, and the following day Douglas wrote
to Governor Abernethy, enclosing a copy of McBean's
letter to tlie board of management, and informing him
that Ogden would leave at the earliest possible mo-
ment for Walla Walla with a strong party to endeavor
to prevent further outrages.
CHAPTER XXIV
RESCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.
1847.
His Honor the Indian — Preparations fou War — Legislative Proceed-
ings—Joseph L. Meek, Messenger to Washington — Formation of
Military Companies — Applegai k's Atpempt to Reach California —
PcHLic Appropriations and Pri\ ate Subscriptions — Joel Palmer,
SuPERINTENr-ENT OF INDIAN AfFAIRS — ChIEF FaCTOR OgDEN's ADVEN-
TURES AMONG THE CaYUSES — TlIE RaNSOM EFFECTED — PrICE PaID FOR
THE Cafiives — Correspondence between Ogden and Abernethy —
The (Jentle Savage is Willing to Forgive the White Men not
yet Massacred— Further Display of Hot Distemper between
Catholics ant" Protestants.
After all, we must give the American settlers of
Oregon, in common with the British fur-traders,
credit for treating the natives fairly well. Both are
entitled to the merit due from the performance of a
good action from necessity. The servants of the
Hudson's Bay Company were likewise the most
obedient servants of the lordly aboriginal ; for it was
by the savage skin-catchers of America that the cour-
teous adventurers of England lived. Likewise the
poor emigrant, rendered yet more respectful by the
presence of wife and children, was quite humble in
the presen"e of a fierce band of painted warriors.
But fifty well-fed and mounted riflemen t:)";ether
could massacre with the best of tiiem, not omitting
the women and children, or even the time-honored
custom of scalping.
Oregon had now at hand her first Indian war. In
the message of the governor delivered to the legisla-
ture on the morning of the 8th of December, that
(069)
li
v^
670
RESCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.
body was reminded of their relations with the natives,
how they were becoming every year more embar-
rassed, b}? reason of the failure of the United States
to se)id an agent authorized to treat with them. And
thereupon they recommended an appropriation en-
abling the superintendent of Indian affairs to take a
small party in the spring and visit the disaffected
tribes, making presents which would quiet their ap-
prehensions, and also to demand from them restitu-
tion of the property stolen from the new-comers
during the autumn.
On the afternoon of the same day, having received
the letter of Chief Factor Douglas, the governor
communicated the facts of the massacre of the 29th,
and submitted the correspondence of McBean, Douglas,
and Hinman. The case, he said, was one thaii required
prompt action, and he suggested that for the funds re-
quired they should apply to the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany and the mercliants of Oregon City, as without
doubt the United States government would assume
the debt.^ A resolution was immediately adopted,
requiring the governor to raise and equip a company
of riflemen, not to exceed fifty men with their off. jers,
to be despatched to the Dalles for the protection of
that station, awording to the prayer of Hinman, who
was much alarmed for his family.
On the following day a bill to that effect was passed,
and was signed by the executive on the 1 0th. Imme-
diately afterward a communication was received by
the house from Jesse Applegate, suggesting that a
messenger be sent to Washington to urge the United
Stjiites government to assume control of affairs. The
suggestion was at once adopted, and notice of a bill to
provide for a special messenger given the sani'^i day.-
The bill to raise troops required the governor to
issue a proclamation to raise a regiment of mounted
riflemen by volunteer enlistment, not to exceed five
^Or. Spectator, Dec. 10, 1847.
''Oi-ovtrs Or. ArcMves, W5; Polif neman, iv. 206.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
671
hundred men, to be subject to the rules and articles
of war of the United* States array, and whose terra of
service should expire at the end of ten months, unless
sooner discharged by proclaraation of the governor.
The regiment was required to rendezvous at Oregon
City on the 25tli of December, and proceed thence to
the Walla Walla Valley for the purpose of punishing
the natives. The fifth section of this act authorized
Jesse Applegate, A. L. Lovejoy, and George L. Curry
to negotiate a loan not to exceed $100,000, for the
purpose of carrying out the provisions of the act,
j)ledging the faith of the territory for the payment
of the sums obtained by them, unless sooner dis-
charged by the United States ; said loan to be nego-
tiated in gold and silver, or such goods as should be
required by the army; provided, however, tliat tiie
holder of such goods should deduct from the loan the
value of the goods remaining in his hands at the ces-
sation of hostilities.^
A public meeting had been called by the govern<^r
immediately on receiving Douglas' letter, which was
addressed by J. W. N< -mith, H. A. G. Lee, and
S. K. Barlow, and at which ibrtv-five names were
enrolled for the rifle company, which was to proceed
at once to the Dalles.* The company organized with
Lee as captain; J. Magone, 1st lieutenant; and J. E.
Ross, 2d lieutenant. The other officers were : C. li.
Devendorf, commissary; W. M. Carpenter, ^I. D., sur-
geon; J. S. Rinearson, 1st sergeant; C. W. Savage,
2d sergeant; William Berry, 3d sergeant; Stephen
'Or. spectator, .Tan. 6, 1848.
*The uamesi of the volunteers were as follows: Joseph B. Proctur. George
Moore, W. M. Carpenter, J. S. Rinearson, H. A. G. Lee, Tlicnuaa Purvis,
J. Magone, ('. Richardson, J. E. Ross, I. Walgamoutts, Jolin (r. Gibson,
B. B. Rogers. Benj. Bratton, Sam. K. Barlow, Wni Berry, John Lassater,
.Tohn Bolton, Henry W. (.'oe, William Beeknian, Nathan Oluiy, .loel Witelu-y,
John Fleming, Jolni Little, A. J. Thomas, Geo. Westhy, Edward Robson,
Daniel P. Barnes, J. Kestor, D. Everest, J. H. McMillan, Juo. C. ^»-"iford,
Ed. Marsh, Joel AIcKeo, H. Levalley, J. \V. Morgan, O. Tupper, R. S. J'upper,
C. H. Devendorf, John Finuer, C. W. Savage, Shannon, (i. H. Bosworth,
.lacob Johnson, Stephen Cumraings, Geo. Weston. Or. Spectator, Dec. 10,
1847. In the Snkm Merciiri/, 1877, is the list copied from tho roU of thn
orderly sergeant, which is the one here quoted.
;1
It
t d
14
672
RESCUE OP THE CAPTIVES.
Cummings, 1st corporal; J. H. McMillan, 2d corporal.
By noon of the 9th the company were equipped as
far as it was possible for them to be from the resources
at hand, and assembling at the City Hotel, received
a flag from the ladies of Oregon City, which was pre-
sented by Mr Nesmith, with an appropriate address.
Two hours afterward the company was on its way to
Vancouver, having been cheered on its errand by the
firing of the city cannon and the shouts of excited
spectators. Governor Abernethy accompanied them,
and also the commissioners appointed by the legisla-
ture to negotiate a loan which should enable the gov-
ernment of Oi'egon to prosecute, if necessary, a war
with the natives by whom the settlements were sur-
rounded.^
''The letter of the loan commiasiouers is as follows:
'Fort Vancouver, Dec. 11, 1847.
' To James Douglas, Esq. Sir: By the enclosed document you will per-
ceive that the undersigned liave been charged by tlie legislature of our provis-
ional government with the difficult duty of obtaining the means necessary to
arm, equip, and suppo. t in the field a force sufficient to obtain full satisfac-
tion of the Cayusc Indians for the late massacre at Waiilatpu, and protect
the white population of our common country from further aggression. In
pursuance of this object tliey have duemeil it tlieir duty to make immediato
application to the Hon. Hudson's liay Company for the required assist-
ance. Though clothed witli the power to pledge, to the fullest extent, the
faith an<l means of the present government of Oregon, they do not consider
this pledge the only security of those who, m this distressing emergency, may
extend to the people of this country the means of protection and redress.
Without claimuig any especial authority from the government of the United
Stiites to contract a debt to be liquidated by tliat power, yet from all pre-
cedents of like character in the history of our country, the undersigned feel
coiifidi;iit that the United States government will consider tlie muriler of the
late Dr Whitman and lady as a national wrong, and will fully justify the
people of Oregon in taking active measures to obtiiiii redress for that outr.age,
an<l tor their prot<'ctiou from further aggression. The right of self-defence is
tficitly accorded to every boily politic in the confederacy to which wo claim
to belong, and in every cauo similar to our own, within our knowledge, the
general government has promptly assumed the payment of all liabilitii^s grow-
ing out of the measures fciken by the constituted autliorities to protect the
lives and property of those residing within the limits of their districts. If
the citiziuis of the states and territories east of the Rocky Mountains are jus-
tified in promptly acting in such emergencies, who are under the immediate
protection of the general government. *hcie appears no room to doubt that
the lawful acts of the Oregon governmcr t will receive a like approval. Should
the t niiitorary character of our ^nvernment be considered l)y you sufficient
ground to doubt its ability to rediom its pledge, and reasons growing out of
Its peculiar organiwition be deemed sufficient to prevent the recognition of
its acta by the goverinnent of the Uiiiti'd States, we feel it our duty, .-is private
individuals, to mqiiiro to wliat extent, and on what terms, advances may bo
had of tho Hon. Hudson's Bay Company, to meet the wants of the force
APPEAL TO DOUGLAS.
673
as
sur-
On application to the chief factor at Vancouver for
assistance of a monetary nature, and of such amount,
the commissioners met with a difficulty which no doubt
the better informed citizens of the country were pre-
pared to anticipate, but which many were unable to
understand, and which related to the order of the
London directors to the company in Oregon, not to
deal in government securities, after the experience
they had had in the case of White, acting as Indian
agent. In his reply to the loan commissioners, with-
out an explanation of the origin of the order, which
would have been quite as offensive as his refusal,
Douglas declared his inability to make the required
advance for the company."
This answer, though not unexpected by the com-
missioners, was a disappointment. To no other source
could they look for such supplies as the army needed.
At the same time, with the indebtedness of the set-
tlers to the company, and their experience in collect-
ing debts from the general government, there was
the authorities of Oregon deem it their duty to send into the field. With
Bentimenta of the highest respect, adow us to subscribe ourselves, Your most
obedient servants, Jesse Applegate, A. L. Lovejoy, Geo. L. Curry, Connnis-
sioneis.' Or. Archives, 322-3; Oray'i HM. Or., 538.
®Fort Vancouver, Dec. 11, 1847. To Jesse Applegate, A. L. Lovejoy,
George L. Curry, Esquires. Gentlemen: I have had the honor of your coni-
munioation of this date, and have given an attentive perusal to the (locunients
accompanying it. With a deep feeling of the importance of the object which
has jirocured me the honor of your present visit, and the necessity of the
mcaaur>is contemplated for the punishment of the Cayuse Indians and for the
future protection of the country, I can on the present ocojision only repeat
the assurance verbally given in our conversation of yesterday, that I have
no authority to grant loans or make any advances whatsoever on account of
the Hudson's Bay Company, my orders on that point being so positive that
I cannot deviate from them without assuming a degroo of responsibility which
no circumstances could justify to my own mind. It is, however, in accord-
ance with the spirit and letter of my instructions from the Hudson's Bay
Company, to exert their wliole power and inllueuce in maintaining the peace
of the country, and in protecting the white population from Indian outrage.
The force equipped and despatched, at their sole expense, to Walla Walla,
under the command of MrOgdon, immediately on receiving tlio intelligence,
of the disastrous event at Waiilatpu, is an earnest of our attention to the calls
of humanity. The object of that expedition is, with the blessing of God, to
prevent further aggi-ession, to rescue the women and children who survived
tlie massacre from the hands of the Indians, and to restore them to their
alHicted friends. Trusting that these objects may be successfully accori-
plislied, I have the honor, etc., James Douglas, C. F. H. B. Co. Oreijon
Archhv.1, MS., CO-T.
JIisT. Or., Vol. I. 43
>i i
ih
-111
674
RESCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.
reason to expect objections even had there been no
positive order from the directors to guide them in
their decision. It could liardly be doubted, either,
that they deprecated the prospect of an Indian war
which would be the ruin of their trade, and perhaps
the destruction of their several interior posts. The
policy of the company had always been one of peace ;
on peace depended their success. To be known to
have assisted the Americans in making war would
destroy their long-sustained good standing with the
natives. From whatever point of view they regarded
it, there was every reason to avoid being involved
in the impending war. On the first intimation of
what had happened, without a day's delay, they had
despatched their ablest and most popular Indian trader
to the country of the Cayuses, attended by a party
of sufficient strength to defend Fort Walla Walla if
necessary, but at the same time to secure, if possible,
the safety of the prisoners in the hands of the In-
dians; in short, to do what, in Mr Ogden's judgment,
appeared to be best for all. Douglas probably thought
that the matter might be safely left in Ogden's hands;
and that the appearance of an American army in the
country might defeat his measures. Should he, then,
wish to aid in doing what would be opposed to the
best interests of both British and American citizens ?
The question could have but one solution in his mind,
and lie may have thanked fortune for the order which
enabled him to refuse to put an army in the Indian
country.
But there was another siJe of the subject to be
considered. The case was such that according to the
usages of the company itself, the individual murder-
ers must be punished. And by the same rule, the
Americans must punish them. To refuse to assist
them to do this was against their own sense of right.
Besides, a refusal, under the provocation from which
they were suffering, would be likely to exasperate the
Americans against the company in which case there
M U STKKING E ECRUITS.
67S
might be trouble at home. Under all the cimuni-
stances, Douglas did what was undoubtedly the
wisest thing; he accepted the security of the governor
and two of the commissioners, Applegate and Love-
joy, and advanced the means to equip and put in tiie
field the first company of Oregon riflemen, at a cost
of about a thousand dollars.
On obtaining these supplies, the volunteers pro-
ceeded without unnecessary delay to the Dalles, where
they were to remain in charge of the mission property
until reenforced.
But one company of less than fifty men could not
make war upon several powerful tribes, likely to com-
bine at the first intimation of hostilities on the part
of the Americans. The business of the loan commis-
sioners was, therefore, only begun. On the 13th of
December they addressed a letter to the merchants
and citizens of Oregon, in very much the same lan-
guage in which they had addressed the Hudson's Bay
Company.^
The success attending the labors of the commis-
sioners was entirely inadequate to the demand for
means to put in the field five hundred men in the
winter season, the amount secured being only $3,600,*
' It differed only in the concluding paragraph : ' Though the Indians of the
Colund)ia have committed a great outrage upon our fellow-citizens passing
through their country and residing among them, and their punishment Tor
these murderc may and ought to be a prime object with every citizen of Ore-
gon, yet, as that duty more particularly devolves upon the government of the
United States and admits of delay, we do not make this the strongest ground
upon which to found our earnest appeal to you for pecuniary assistance. It is
a fact well known to every person acquainted with the Indian character that
by passing silently over their repeated thefts, robberies, and murders of our
fellow -citizens, they have been emboldened to the commission of the appa'ling
massacre at VVaiilatpu. They call us women, destitute of the hearts iind
courage of men; and if wo allow this wliolosalo muriler to pass by as former
aggressions, who can tell how long eitlier life or property will be secure in
any part of the country, or what moment tlie Willamette will be the scene
of blood and carnage? The officers of our provisional government have nobly
performed their duty. None can doubt the readiness of the patriotic sons of
the west to offer their personal services in defence of a cause so righteous. So
it now rests with you, ccntlemen, to say whether our rights and our firesides
shall be defended or not. Or. Architm, 32S-n; Victor's Riwr of t/ie yVest,429-^.
*0f this, $1,000 was obtained from citizens, $1,000 was a loan from Mr
Roberts, supcriutendent of the Oregon Methodist Mission, and $1,600 from
>-:'
•i. in
'Ml
676
RiSCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.
and after making their appeal to the people they
resigned, and another board was appointed by legis-
lative act, consisting of A. L. Lovejoy, Hugh Burns,
and W. H. Willson. The new commissioners were
not able to collect funds, but were obliged to take
orders on the stores in Oregon City, in consequence
of wliicli it was impossible for the commissary-general
to obtain articles for the use of the army, money being
required to purchase axes and spades to make a road
for the wagons to pass up the Columbia River ; and
the commissioners were in some cases obliged to dis-
count twenty-five per cent of the subscriptions, in
order to obtain cash. What the commissioners could
not furnish the volunteers and the citizens supplied
out of their private resources, taking receipts for any
considerable amount of property.
The company destined for the Dalles were chiefly
from the late settlers. It took somewhat longer to
move men located on farms far up the valley. They
did move, however, with surprising quickness, consid-
ering the difficulties to be overcome.
On the day following the departure of the Dalles
company, the legislature proceeded to elect officers for
the army, the election resulting in the choice of Corne-
lius Gilliam, colonel commandant, James Waters, lieu-
tenant-colonel, II. A. G. Lee, major, and Joel Palmer,
commissary-genertl. Their next act was to pass a bill
to provide for a messenger to be sent to the United
States," their choice falling on Joseph L. Meek, who
the merchants of Oregon City. Report of Loan Commissioners, Grovers Or.
Archives, 332-3. Waldo says in his ('/■Utqiie-s, MS., 6, that he anil Applegate
contributed $1,000, and that he went around the valley soliciting subscriptions.
* The bill which passcil authorized him to proceed with all despatch by the
way of California to Wasliingtou City, and lay before the executive of the
United Sfcites such oilicial communications as ho should bo charged with. It
also required him to take an oatli faithfully to perform his duties to the best
of his abilities; leaving him to be compensated by the government of the
United States; and autliorized him to borrow, if he could, on the faith of the
Oregon government, ^500 for his expenses, wliilo he was made to give bonds
to the governor in the amount of !iiil,000, for the faithful execution of his
trust. Or. Spec(nf.or, Jan. 6, 1848. This was making the office of special
messenger an onerous one; and so the legislature nmst have perceived, for
another act was passed appropriating $500 in addition to the Hrst appropria-
APPEAL TO CONGRESS.
677
from his knowledge of the mountuins and plains to be
traversed, and the expedients of travel through a
wilderness country, as well as by his undoubted pa-
triotism and personal courage, was peculiarly fitted
for an expedition of so much peril and responsibility /°
The memorial of the legislature thus des])atched
was a pathetic iteration of the many prayers for pro-
tection which had hitherto passed unanswered except
in empty promises. "Having called upon the gov-
ernment of the United States so often in vain," it
said, "we have almost despaired of receiving its pro-
tection." "We have the right to expect your aid,
and you are in duty bound to extend it. For though
we are separated from our native land by a range of
mountains whose lofty altitudes are mantled in eternal
snows; although three thousand miles, nearly two
thirds of which is a howling wild, lie between us and
the federal capital — yet our hearts are unalienated from
the land of our birth. Our love for the free and noble
institutions under which it was our fortune to be born
and nurtured remains unabated. In short, we are
Americans still, residing in a country over which the
government of the United States has the sole and
acknowledged right of sovereignty, and under such
circumstances we have the rigJit to claim the benefit
of its laws and protection."
But the prayer of the logislr^ture was not for pro-
tection alone. The authors of the memorial took
occasion to say that in the matter of the offices to be
created when the territory should be established, they
would be gratified to have the government patronage
tion, ' for the purpose of facilitating the departure ' of the messenger. Or.
Laws, 1843-y, 'J, 11; PolyncKkm, iv. 206.
•® There was, besides these necessary qualitications in the man selected,
the western sentiment to be gratified, wliich, it will be remembered, was
opposed to Governor Abornethy's action in secretly despatching his own
selected agent to Washington a few .-'onths previous. VVlieu the act had
been signed constituting Mef>k the messenger of the Oregon legislative assem-
bly, Nesmith produced his resolutions, before mentioned, against the appoint-
ment of J. Quinn Thornton to any office in the territory, whi'ih being printed
in tlie Spcctdtor were conveyed to Washington with other matter in charge
of the messenger.
678
RESCUP] OF THE CAFfiVES.
bestowed upon those who were then citizens of Oregon.
But since there were many of equal merit among tliem,
and a selection would be invidious, under the peculiar
difficulties of their situation, they judged it would be
better to fill the offices of governor and judges with
men of the best talent and most approved integrity
without regard to their present place of residence;
whicii was the legislative way of saying that they
would submit to have all the chief places given to
men who were strangers to them, rather than that
Thornton should be returned as a United States dis-
trict judge, or Abernethy appointed governor. "The
accompanying documents," said the memorial, "will
afford additional information concerning some of the
subjects of which we have spoken." And in con-
clusion, Meek was commended to congress for com-
pensation for his services in conveying this petition
to the government."
The act constituting Meek a messenger contem-
plated a route by the way of California, in order to
carry despatches to Governor Mason and the com-
mander of the United States squadron in the Pacific,
Governor Abernethy having written letters which
were waiting to be conveyed, asking for a man-of-war
to be sent inmiediately to the Columbia River, and
making a requisition on the California executive for
But Meek decided that he could not then
arms.
cross the mountains into California, and pass over
the sierra out of California later in the winter, and
proposed to accompany the army to Walla Walla, and
proceed thence eastward through the South Pass, a
determination annoying to the governor. ^^ But Meek
knew too much about mountains to undertake the
route marked out for him, and persisted in his inten
"Or. Svectator, Dec. 25, 1847; Cong. Globe, 1847-8, App., 684-5.
^'Or. Archives, MS., 113.
" In a private letter to Major Lee, which found its way into the Oreijon
Archiven, MS., 10, Abernethy says: 'Meek has altogether disappointed ithe
expectations of this community, for it was fully expected of him he would
have been in California by this time.'
APPLEGATE'H EXPHDl'l'lON.
079
tion of going to Fort Hall, on learning which the
governor sent a commissioner to Jesse Applegate re-
questing him to go to California, or if he could not
leave home, to emjjloy some suitable person to carry
the despatches to Governor Mason. It was late in
January before this request reached Applegate, who
immediately organized a company of sixteen men, and
about the 1st of February set out upon the mission.**
But notwithstanding the determined character of
the men who led the expedition, and the urgent naturt^
of their duties, they were compelled to return. An
extraordinary depth of snovA on the mountains be-
tween liogue River and Klamath Lake prevented
crossing with horses. To hare abandoned the horses,
attempting to carry their blankets and provisions for
the journey, would have been discomfiture or death to
most of them. So at the end of one day's painful
march on snow-shoes improvised of willow sticks,
which sunk into the seven feet of soft snow several
inches at every step, and often pitched their wearers
headlong, the undertaking was relinquished, and the
company returned regretfidly to the Willamette Val-
ley,*" after four weeks of toil and hardship.** The
letters to Governor Mason with which Mr Applegate
was charged were, on the 11th of March, placed on
** Applegate 's company consisted, besides himself, of hia former associates
in laying out the southern route, Levi and John Scott, Solomon Tethcrow,
Thomaa and Walter Monteitli, Daniel Waldo, John Minto, Campbell, Smith,
Hibbler, Dice, Owens, Lemon, Robinson, and James Fields.
'•' In a private letter of Applegate is an interesting account of this day's
struggles in the snow, too long tci insert liere. See Or. Spectator, Fob. 10,
1848; John Minto, in Salem Mercury, Nov. 23, 1877; AMand TuUtkjk, Dec. 7,
1877. Solomon Tetherow, to wlioni Applegate refers as his faithful and valued
friend and helper on this occasion, was of the immigration of 1845, as else-
where mentioned. He was a native of East Tennessee, born in 1800. He
resided for some time in Alabama and Missouri, and married, at the ago
of 21, Misa Iblia Bilker. Ho aocoinpanied General Aahley on his expe-
dition to the head waters of the ..Vlissouri and Yellowstone rivers. He sub-
sequently ran a keel-boat on the Missouri to Council Bluffs, then a trading
post of the American Fur Coiripany, and was pilot of the first steamboat on
the upper Mississippi. He afterward migrated to Texas, but finding tliat a
sickly country, returned to Missouri, and finally went to Oregon, where he
settled on the Creole River, 'ivliore the town of Dallas latei' stood, removing
afterward to the Luckiamute in Polk County, where he died in February
1879. Portland Oregonian, March 1, 1870.
^^Or. Spectator, March 9, 1348.
t&'~:<
f w
«0
RESCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.
U
board the brig Ilemry, by which means tliey finally
reached Cahf'ornia.'^ By the same conveyance letters
were despatched to the American consul of the Sand-
wich Islands, imploring any assistance he might be
able to render.
The act of the legislature requiring the governor
to issue his proclamation for raising a regiment of
five hundred men was not at first regarded by the
executive as a wise one, both on account of the diffi-
culty of raising the means to put them m the field,
and of tiie eflect upon the savages, who might be led,
by hearing of extensive preparations for war, to a com-
bination against the settlers. Instead, therefore, of
calling for five hundred men, he called for one hundred.
This dift'erence of opinion led the legislature to re-
move the responsibility from the executive and to
assume it themselves, by a resolution passed the 25th
of December, at which time no further nev, j '. ad been
received from the upper country, or from !M^r.^or Lee's
company at the Dalles. ^^ The governor having at
last issued the proclamation required, trusting to the
patriotism of the citizens of the country for the sup-
port of the army'" in the field, the office of adjutant-
general was created, A. L. Lovejoy being elected to
that position. An act was also passetl establishing
the pay of privates and non-commissioned officers who
furnished their own horses and equipments at one
dollar and a half a day A penalty of not more than
two hundred dollars nor less than twenty-five dollars
'' Abernethy's letters are to be found in a manuscript volume of the Ore-
j/nn A rcliire.i, not contained in Grover's collection, wliich I liave liad copied
from the originals in tlie stfvtu-house at Salem. See Or. Arch., MS., 112-13,
1.34.
'"Ov. Sjtectator, Dec. 25, 1847. I find a letter in the Or. Archh-es, MS.,
100, wilttcn by Neaniith Dec. 27th, to Major Lee, in which ho says: 'But
little has a.j yet been aceoniplished owing to the imbecility of the executive.
The proclamation which was authorized for raising 500 men iinmediatrdy after
your departure has been delayed until the 25th ... I know it has been difficult
to obtain means, yet the governor has had sufficient at his disposal to have
procured you reenforcements and provisions, both of which would probably
nave been acceptable to you before this. '
'" Orovern Or. Archived, 247, 249.
THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY.
081
was fixed for each sale or gift of inuiiitioiis of war
to the nativos. This act brought tho higislaturo in
conflict with the fur-tradors at Vancouver, who were
in the liabit of paying for the asHistance of tlu; na-
tives in pasding the portages at tlie Dalles and the
Cascades with powder and ball, and who thought it
a hardship to these people, and one fraught with
danger, to refuse them their accustomed compensa-
tion.'^"
In truth, the situation of the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany at this juncture was anything but enviable.
They were located in a country which by the recent
treaty had l)ecome foreign, and whose people, more
numerous than themselves, were prejudiced against
them ; yet whose laws they were under a compact to
obey. The Americans had involved themselves with
the natives, and whether intentionally or not, the con-
sequences must be the same. While the company were
honestly doing what they judged best for the peace
and safety of the country, they were subjected to the
ever-recurring suspicion that they were in some way
to blame for whatever evil befell the people they
endeavored to serve.
In the midst of the anxiety and suspense which
harassed all minds during the absence of Ogden in
the Cayuse country, a report was spread that Gilliam,
indignant at the refusal of the company to furnish
.$100,000 worth of supplies on the credit of a govern-
ment which could not afford to pay a salary to its own
executive, had determined to take Vancouver bv force
of arms, and help his regiment to what they required
from its stores, tendering a draft on the Uniled States
treasury in payment. On the credit of this rumor,
Douglas placed some guns in the bastions, and made
other preparations for defence, at the same time writ-
ing to Abernethy for an explanation, trusting that his
letter would " satisfactorily account for any unusual
'*» Correspondence in Or. Spectator, Feb. 10 and 16, 1848; Or. Laws, 1843-9,
12,48.
,v,i" ■! :
682
RESCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.
precautions observed in the present arrangements of
this establishment." Upon this hint Abernethy has-
tened to reply that Gilliam entertained no such pur-
pose, and he trusted nothing would occur to cause
distrust. No one knew better than Abernethy what
a fatal error it would prove on the part of the Amer-
icans to fall out wdtli the fur company, to whom all
the savages were friendly; and while it may be doubted
whether Abernethy did not equivocate in his reply to
Douglas, there can be no doubt of the sincerity of his
wish to retain the cooperation of the company to as
great an extent as possible ; ~^ and fortunately the im-
pending wrath of the irrepressible Gilliam was averted.
No sooner had the governor issued his second proc-
lamation than about two hundred and thirty men
responded and were organized into companies, the
company at the Dalles being numbered 1st- in the
regiment of Oregon mounted riflerien.^"
^'That O illiam made some such threats seems quite certain. Petty grove
says that (iilliam proceeded to Vancouver and called for supplies, giving
Douglas until 1) o'c'i ck next morning to comply or refuse, au<l that Douglas
complied. Oiriioii, MS., 8, 9. The same story is met with in other places, and
added to the correspondence of Douglas and Aheruethy, confirms the rumor if
not the fact.
^^The seconii company was oflicered as follows: Lawrence }Iall, cap-
tain; 11. D. O'Bryant, Ist lieutenant; .Fohu Engart, 2d lieutenant; William
Sheldon, orderly sergeant; William Stokes, Peter S. Engart, Tlios R. Cor-
nelius, and Slierry Ross, duty sergeants; (iilhert Mondou, colo-- hearer.
Names of privates: A. P]ngart, Tli.>- Fleming, D. <,'. Smith, W. R. Noland,
Jos. W. Scott, (t. W. S.nith, A. kinsey, John N. Donnie, A. C. Hrown,
¥. H. Ramsey, S. A. liolcomb, A. Stewart, \Vm Milhern, A. Kennedy,
Oliver Lowden, H. N. Stephens, P. (1. Nortliup, ^V. W. Walters, J. Q.
Zacliary, Sam. Y. (Vok, J. J. (Jarrish, Thos Ki.isey, .J. S. '•Icoggin, Noah
Jobe, D. Sluunake, .1. N. Oreen, .J. Elliot, W. Williams, J.»lia Hoi ;,ite, R.
Yarborough, Robert AValker, J. Butler, I. \V^ Sii'ith, J". W. Lingenfelter,
J. H. Licnberger, A. Lieuberger, Sam. (iethard, Juo. lousingnot, A Wil-
liams, D. Harper, S. V. Cummings, S. Ferguson, Marshall Martin.
The oflicors of the tlurd conipmy were; John W. Owen, captain; Na-
tlianiel Bowman, 1st licuteiiant; Tliomas Shaw, 2d lieutenant; J. (J. Rol)ison,
orderly sergeant; Benj. J. Burch, J. H. Blankenship, James M. Morris, and
Robert Smith, duty sergeants. Nai.">s of privates: (»eorge W. Adams, Wil-
liam Atliey, Jolni Baptiste, Mauley Curry, Jesse Clayton, John Dinsmore,
Nathan I^nglisli, .Jolin Fiester, Jesse (Jay, Ix'ster Hulan, Steplu'i; .lenkius,
J. Larkin, .loshua McDonald, Thomas Pollock, J. H. Smith, S. P, Tliornton,
William Wiliion, Benjamin Allen, Ira Bowman, Currier, George Chapel,
William Doke, Linnet, T. Dulield, Squire Elendjougli, Henry Fuller, D. H.
Hartley, Fleming R. Hill, James Keller, D. M. McCumber, E, McDonald,
tJ1
AN AltMY ORGANIZED.
683
_Jefore the army was ready to proceed to the Indian
country the legislature had appointed Joel Palmer
superintendent of Indian affairs, and had also a[)[)ointed
a commission, consisting of Palmer, Major Jjce, and
Robert Newell, to visit the Nez Perccs, and other
tribes in the interior, for thy purpose of preventing,
if possible, their coalition with the Cayuses. Mean
time news began to be received from Major Lee and
his force at the Dalles.'^ They had reached that place
on Christmas night, after being detained ton days by
adverse gales at Wind Mountain.-* Major Lee found
Hinman and family,'" on their way to the Willamette
lidwanl Robinson, Chris. .Stenierinou, Joscpli Wilbert, T. R. Zuniwalt,
Charles Ziunmonl.
The ollicers of tho foirth company were: II. J. (}. Maxoii, captain; (}.
N. Gilbert, 1st lieuteuai'^; Wni. P. Hughes, 2(1 lieutenant; Wni. 11. .John-
.son, orderly sergeant v,. S. Tlioni;is, T. M. liuckucr, Daniel kStewart, and
Joseph R. Ralston, ( aty sergeants. Names of privates: Andrew J. Adams,
.rolin Beattio, Cha les Blair, John R. Coatney, Reuben Crowder, Jolin W.
Crowel, Manly Danforth, Harvey Evans, AUtert H. Fish, John Feat, Andrew
Gribblo, Wm. Hawkins, Rufus Johnson, .John W. .Jackson, J, H. Louglilin,
Davia iiator, John Miller, .lolm I'atverson, Richard Pollard, Wm. Robison,
Asa Stone, Thos. Allphin, Wm. Bunton, Henry ]51acker, Wm. Chaiiman,
Samuel Chase, Sam. Cornelius, .James Dickstm, S. D. Earl, Josepii Earl,
D. O. (Jarland, Rielr.nond Hays, Coalman Hubl)ard, Isaiah M. .Johns, S. B.
Knox, James 11. Lewis. Horace Martin, Jolin McCoy, James Olliccr, Henry
Pellet, Wm. Russell, .John Striethoff, A. M. Baxster, D. D. Burroughs,
Samuel Cluk, John M. Cantrel, Asi Cantrel, Albert G. Davis, S. I). Durbin,
Sanmel Fields, Rezin D. Foster, Isaac M. Foster, Horace Hart, Wm. Hock,
Wm. A. Jack. Elias Kearney, .lames Killingwortli, Isa;ic Morgan, N. G.
McDonnell, Madison McCully, Frederick Paul, Wni. M. Smitii, H. M. Smith,
.Jiison Wheeler, John Vaughn, Reuben StrietlioH, Wm. Vaughn, Wm. Shirley.
Tho Oiticers of tiie liith company were: Philip F. Thompson, captain;
James A. Brown, l.st lieutenant; Joseph M. Garri.son, '2il lieutenant; Georgo
E. Fra/.or, orderly sergeant; A. Gar'^ison, A. S. Welton, Jacob (Jreer, and
D. D. Dostins, duty sergeants. Nai.ies of privates: Martin P. Brown, Wil-
liam A. Culberson, Harrison Davis, .lames Klectrels, William Kids, Alvin K.
Fox, William . I. (Harrison, William Hailey, John A. Jolinaon, .1. D. Richard-
son, Martin Wriglit, William Smith, E. T. Stone, John Thompson, H. C
Johnson, .Joseph Kenncy, Henry Kearni'y, Jacob Lealio, Dauiel Mathony,
William McKay, John Oichard, John B. Rowland, John Co])enliaKen, Reuben
Crowder, Bird Davis, .John Eldridue, John Faron, C. B. (iray, Roiiert Har-
mon, James O. Henderson, <!reon Rowland, William Rogers, Thomas Wibson,
William D. Stillwell, AVilliam Shepard, Alfred Jobe, 'l'. J. Jackson, .lesso
Cadwallader, Andrew I.ay.sou, J. '. '. Mathony, Adam Matheny, Charles P.
Matt, James Packwood, Clark lloger.s. Ur. Sfirtdtor, Jan. 'M, 1848; Id.,
April (J, 1848; Alhaiiy StitJa /,'l<j/if.-< Dcinocni/, Nov. 2, 1877.
'■"■Much of the information regarding tiiis period has been tlrawn from the
correspondence, publisiied and unpuldished, found iu the Crcj/o/* Spectalor ai
Jan. (>, 1848, and (>/t,/o» A rcliurs, MS., 97, 101, 10:i.
■" /i'lm' Xar., M.S.,' 9.
"^Perrin Whitman and Saflfamns were also of the party. Tho former, on
first Boeing tho volunteers, took them for Indians, became alarnio<' and fled
■' .^'li
M
1,1*
^^ lb
til
684
RESCUE OF THE CAFIIVES.
Valley, the Indians having shown a desire to open
hostilities by driving off some of their horses. On
meeting Lee, however, who had only a few of his men
with him, the boats being scattered by the wind, Hin-
man determined to turn back and endeavor to save
the mission property. Leaving his family to proceed
to the Cascades, and there await his return, he acc",: i-
panicd Lee to the Dalles, where they arrived the 21st
oi December, and whence Lee's first report to the
governor was dated the 26th.
Lee found the natives there friendly, Seletza, the
head chief, whose men had been killing the mission
cattle, declaring that his people should pay for the
projjcrty destroyed."® The mission buildings were
undisturbed, though the property belonging to emi-
grants, left at Barlow's Gate on the Barlow road,
having arrived too late to cross the mountains, had
been carried off. A little of it was brought in, but
no confidence was entertained that the natives intended
to do anything more than to divert suspicion. In the
]nean wliile they circulated reports of a combination
and general council of Lhe Nez Perces and Cayuses,
and their determination to cut off the missionaries in
the Nez Perce and Spokane country, as well as to
murder all the captives then in their hands. Lee
himself sent these reports to the governor, but quali-
fied by the information of their origin."' Such was
the uncertain and excited condition of the public mind
into the woods, making his way to the cabins on the portage, which a party
had bee!! sent to cre'Jt. Mortified at liis error, ho remained there for some
time. The aeconiiU lie sent to Oregon City, by parties engaged in the trans-
portation of Mnp[)be8 to this depot, represented that tlio Indians had driven off
all the stock belonging to the mission, and had probably destroyed the
buildings; a report wliich greatly distnrbed the governor, who in his letters
to Lue inquired r.i)X'iously concerning the safety of tiie mission property, and
any , it was this re])ort which led him to meet the house in secret session, and
'letermined him upon calling out 500 men.
'■"' ' Sjletza professes frieiuiship,' writes Lee, 'but I shall keep an eye on
niin.' Saffarans in a letter to Lee, dated at the Dalles Jan. 30th, says; 'I
deem it necessary cat this crisis to warn you against placing too much confi-
dence in the fidelity and friendship of Homas, ' another chief. The general
feeling was one of distrust of all savages.
'■'• L'rav^onVs Nar. , MS. ,110
OGDEN'S EFFORTS.
G85
when the governor's proclamation calling for five hun-
dred men was issued, ordering them to rendezvous at
Portland on t' <■ 8th of January, and to proceed
on horseback, hi order that their supplies might
meet them, a party was sent to build a flat-boat above
the Cascades, and to transport the provisions and am-
munition over the portage and across the river; the
route lying by the mouth of the Sandy across the
Columbia to Vancouver, east by the cattle trail to a
point abovo the Cascades, and across the river again
to the south side, whence the trail led to the Dalles.
Aberncthy wrote Lee January 1st, that if there was
a prospect of a general war, he thought of building a
block-house at the Cascades, and keeping a force
there. ''^'^ He also wrote that provisions had begun to
come in froi-i the country, and Commissary-general
Palmer was doing all he could to hasten them."'^ The
impossibility of knowing what was going on in the
Indian country, or what was likely to be required,
augmented his cares and anxieties.
'^Tliis was the first intimation ever given of the value of that point for
defensive purposes; or for anv other, thougli it had been passed by thousands
since 1842.
^*Tliero have been recently rescued from dust and oblivion some of tlio
documents which show the mauiKT of furnishing the first army of Orogoii.
Yamhill County sent the following: Andrew lleuibree, GOO lbs. pork, and 20
bushels of wlieat; Eli Perkins, 1 hor.so, 2 ll)s. powder, 2 boxes cai).-i, 5 lbs.
lead; VVm. J. Martin, 1 horse loaded with ])n)vi.sions; Benj. Stewart, 2 boxes
caps, 2 Ib-i. lead, 1 blanket; John Baker, 1 liorse; Tho-i. McBrido, ^5 ea.ili;
James Ramsey, .'} l\u. powder, 8 lbs. Icail; Samucd Tustin, §5 cash, f) lbs.
lead, 2 lbs. powder; Joel J. Hendireo, 1 liorse, 2;M) 11)s. ])<)rU, 20 liiisliel.i
wheat; James Me(;inni», fS.i in orders; James Johnson, ^7.73 on Abernetlij',
4 lbs. load; T. J. Hubbard, 1 rille, 1 jii-stol; lliiani Coopi^r, 1 rille, 1 mu.sket,
GO rounds ammunition; A. A. Sluiiner, I blanki^t, 1 lb. powder; James Ken-
ton, 3 pair .shoes; J. M. t'oopcr, 2 boxes caps, 2 guns; James (!reen, 2 lioxes
caps, 2 lbs. lead; C. Woo.l, 1 rille; J. llowbnd, 1 outlit; \V. T. Newby, I
horse; Carney (!ro Iridge, 5 bii.sliels wheat, 10.) lb-,, purlv; Jr)lin Manani_% I
pair shoes; Jolu» viichardson, 1 Spani ih sadille-trec; Solomon AlK'n, G l)ar.)
lead; Felix Seott, 1 gray horse; O. Ri ley, 1 ri.le, H boxes caps, 100 lb*. Hour;
M. Burton, 1 pair p;ints; Richard Miller, 1 lior.ic, six boxes cajjs; Amos Har-
vey, 1 gi;i. James Burton, 1 sack and stin'U[)s. S il'iii Afnri(rii, ia .M'uui;/
Stile /i'i(i,',is Ihniocriil, Oet. 12, 1;>77. Siys Ab.'rnetliy to I/ee, 'Wo are iu)W
getting lots of ])ork, and some whc:it.' Or. A rrlnn-.i, MS., lO;}. 'I'homas
'.'ox, who had brought a stock of goo Is across the ))l,iiis tho ])i-cvious Miim-
mer, had a eonsiilerable (niantity of a:nmunirion wlii li w:is manuiactured by
liimseU in illiuuis, and which lie now freely furnished to the voluuteer.j with-
out charge. Or. Literary VuleUc, April 1879.
li:
1."
086
KESL'Ut: OF THE CAFTIVES.
At tlie moment when Gilliam was ready to move
toward the Dalles with an advanced company of fifty
men, Ogden arrived from Walla Walla with the sur-
vivors of the massacre. The letter announcing to the
governor the happy result of his expedit'on was dated
at Vancouver the 8th of January, and was as follows :
" Sir : Mr Ogden has this niouient arrived with three
boats from Walla Walla, anil I I'ojoice to say he has
brought down all the women and children from Waii-
latpu, Mr and Mrs Spalding, and Mr Stanley, the
artist. Messrs Walker and Eells were safe and well ;
they were not considered to be in danger. The re-
ports of the later murders (•t)nunitted at Waiilatpu
are all absolutely without foundation, not a life having
been lost tliere since the day of Dr Whitman's death.
Mr Ogden will visit the Falls on Monday and give
you every information in his power respecting the
Indians in the interior. The Cfiyuses, Walla Wallas,
Nez Perces, and Yakimas are said to have entered
into an alliance for mutual defence.
" In haste, yours respectfully,
** James Douglas."
In Douglas' letter, written in the excitement and
haste of the reception of the unhappy company of the
rescued, there was an error concerning the fact of
tliree nuirders wliich occurred after tlie 29th,^^ and
under no circunistances was an eiror of n Hudson's
Bay officer or a Catholic priest allowed to l)e anything
but intentional by the Protestant American writers
who have dealt with tlie subject of the "W liilatpu
massacre; the infallibility imputed to them extending
only to their knowledge of the truth, but not to their
disposition to toll it. The error in this case was really
immaterial, while the 07i dit of the last sentence of
Douglas' letter was of tlie greatest consequence
The courier bearing tlio despatcli to
Abernethy arrived at Oregon City on Sund;iy morn-
"See Broiiillet'K AutlierUic Account, 57; Deposition of Elam Youag, iu
Orat/s nu. Or., 482.
m
d(
Gf)vernor
dt
be
OG DEN'S SUCCESS.
687
ing, finding the executive at church. Even the usual
decorum of the sanctuary was forced to give way.
The letter was read to the congregation, and the
greatest excitement prevailed, of mingled gladness,
gratitude, and sorrow.
On the following day the ransomed captives''^ were
delivered to the governor in Oregon City. As the
boats passed Portland a salute was fired, as also on
their arrival at the Falls; the compliment being in-
tended to express the general gratitude of the people
to the gallant man who had effected their release.
On the 17th the governor indicted a letter of thanks
as follows :
" Siu : I feel it a duty as well as a pleasure to tender
you my sincere thanks, and the thanks of this com-
munity, for your exertions in behalf of the widows and
orphans that were left in the hands of the Cayuse
Indians. Their state was a deplorable one, subject
to the caprice of savages, exposed to their insults, com-
pelled to labor for them, and remaining constantly in
dread lest they should be butchered as their husbands
and fathers had been. From this state I am fully
satisfied we could not relieve them. A small party
of Americans would have been looked upon with con-
tempt ; a large party would have been a signal fi)r a
general massacre. Your innnediate departure from
V'ancouver on receipt of the intelligence from Waii-
latpu enabling you to arrive at Walla Walla before
the news of the American party having startcxl from
this reached them, together with your influence over
the Indians, accomplished the desirable object of
relievins: the distressed. Your exertions in behalf of
Mie prisoners will no doubt cause a feeling of ])leasurc
to you through life, but this does not relieve them nor
us from the obligations we are under to you. You
,^
■'I
■■•J
f. ;■
I
"The price paiil for the pri.soners was 02 three-point blankets, 03 cotton
yhirta, 12 guns, 01)0 loads of auiniuuition, 37 pounds of tobacco, and 12 flints.
Seven oxen and 10 bags of coarse tlour, ol>tained from Tiloukaikt, for the use
of the captive.?, had aUo to bo accounted for. Or. Spectator, Jan. 20, 1848.
688
rp:scue of the captives.
have also laid the American government under obli-
gation to you, for their citizens were the subjects of the
massacre, and their widows and orphans are the re-
lieved ones. With a sincere prayer that the widow's
God and the Father of the fatherless may reward you
for your kindnc^a, I have the honor to remain, y nir
obedient servant, George Abeunethy,
"Governor of Oregon Territory.
"To Peter Skeeu Ogden, Esq., Chief Factor Honor-
able H. B. Company, Vancouver." ^^
To which Ogden replied on the 'ifith :
"George Abernethy, Esq., Governor of Oregon Ter-
ritory.
"Sir: 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your
highly flattering letter of 19th inst., and the high
value you lay upon my services in rescuing so many
fellow-creatures from captivity, but the meed of praise
is not due to me alone. I was the mere actinjj: aijent
of the Hudson's Bay Company ; for without its power-
ful aid and influence nothing could have been effected,
and to them the praise is due. And permit me to
add, should unfortunately, which God avert, our ser-
vices be again required under similar circumstances, I
trust you will not find us wanting in going to their
relief. I have the honor to remain,
"Yours, most respectfully,
"Peter Skeen Ogden."
Ogdcn's letter appeared in the Sjwctator, prefaced
by the remark that "the act of rescuing so many
defenceless women and children from the bloody and
cruel grasp of savages merits, and we believe receives,
the universal thanks and gratitude of the people of
Oregon. Such an act is the legitimate offspring of a
noble, generous, and manly heart. "^^
When Ogden left Vancouver his purpose was to
stop the nmrders, and rescue the families before any
'■'Or. SpfCfM/o, , Jan. .30, 1848.
'»Or. Sj>ec(ator, Felj. 10, 1848.
HOW IT WAS DONE.
089
measures their countrymen might adopt could furnish
the Cayuses with a motive for further atrocities.
Taking sixteen men, he left Vancouver on the 7th of
December, withiri twenty-four hours after McBcan's
messenger arrived. Hinman accompanied him; and
on arriving at the Dalles, finding that the natives there
liad the previous day taken four horses from tJie mission
enclosure, an act which could signify nothing less than
liostilities, he advised Hinman to remove his family, and
all the Americans at the Dalles, to the Willamette,
leaving only a trusty Indian in charge of the mission
property, advice which was immediately adopted.
Ogden arrived with his party at Fort Walla Walla
on the evening of the 19th of December,^* and found
that none of the captive women or children had been
killed, though they had narrowly escaped, having been
'decreed against,' but saved by the interposition of
McBean, who, hearing of the intention of the Cayuses,
sent his interpreter to them with a message warning
them that "they had already gone too far" in what
they had done,^^ and requesting them to withhold their
liands from further crimes. Ogden's first effort was
to call the chiefs together and hold a council to learn
the plan with regard to their prisoners. For this
purpose couriers were immediately despatched to the
Cayuses, and on the 23d the council was assembled.
'* Tliere is a disagreement of dates here. In Ogden's letter to Mr Walker
he says he reached Walla Walla on the 12th, at least so it is printed in the
Spectator; but five days was too little time to get to that post in the winter;
and 12 days was rather a long timi', hut many things might occur to delay
him, and as the other autliorities agree on tlie 19th, I think it the true date.
"^'When my messenger,' he says, 'arrived, Indian women, armed with
Knives and other implements of war, were already assend)led near tlie Ikiusi;
where the captives were, awaiting the order of tlie Chief Tiloukaikt, wIk. was
l)resent. On being informed of my re([uest, he hung <lown his head and paused,
then with a wave of his hand peremptorily onlered the women away, who
abusing him, called him a coward.* Letter of McBcau, in Wnllti Wnlln Sfiitc.i-
vinti, Marcli 16, 18(50. Mrs Mary Saunders, lat(!r Mrs Husted, disputes with
MeBean the honor of having saved the lives of tlie women and children by
getting on her knees to Tiloukaikt; but I think the savage more likely to liavo
considered McBean's threat than her prayer. Mrs Husted, wlio long reside I
in San Francisco, became, like many others who were of adult years at tliat
time, a nervous wreck, incapable of reasoning upon the events which destroyed
her mental and bodily health.
UisT. Oa., Vol. I. U
690
RESCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.
Some indications of the temper of the Nez Perces had
been received before Ogdeji's arrival, through a letter
from Spalding to the bishop of Walla Walla, and also
through the intercourse of the chiefs on the Umatilla
with the same person. From Spalding, the bishop,
who was addressed as "Reverend and Dear Friend,"
had information that the Nez Perct^s wished the
Americans to be upon friendly terms with the Cay-
uses, and not to come into their country to avenge the
massacre at Waiilatpu, giving as a reason that the
natives had overlooked the death of the son of Peu-
peumoxmox in California, for which the slaughter of
thirteen Americans was no unreasonable offset. He
was, in fact, remaining with his family in the Indian
country as hostages of peace, and hoped to be able to
send the same two young chiefs who carried his letter
to the bishop, to Governor Abernethy, to prevent
volunteers coming into the Cayuse country, lest by
doing so they should precipitate him in ruin; and of
this effort on his part to avert their punishment, the
bishop was to inform the Cayuses. He also wished
the Hudson's Bay Company to be informed of his
situation with the Nez Perces; and that they had
pledged themselves to protect him only by his pledg-
ing himself to })revent the Americans seeking revenge
on the Cayuses.^" A similar letter was sent to Mc-
Bean at Fort Walla Walla.
This letter of Spalding's reached the Umatilla
about the middle of December, and must be taken
into account in considering what followed. The
bishop was asked to imjiress upon the minds of the
Cayuses that Spalding would do all that he could to
prevent war, and to inform the governor of Oregon
that his life and the lives of the other Americans at
Lapwai depended on this promise to the Indians.
The young chiefs who brought this message repeated
the wish that the bishop would request Governor
Abernethy not to send fighting men, but to come
38 Letter of H. H. Spalding, in Or. Spectalor, Jan. 20, 1848.
EXCUSES FOR THE MURDER.
091
akcii
The
the
tl to
himself in the spriiij^ and make a treaty of peace with
the Cayuses, who would then release the captives.
To this })etition the bishop replied that before writing
to the governor it would be necessary to learn from the
principal Cayuse chiefs whether this was their desire
also; and for the purpose of learning their minds pro-
posed a council on the 20th.
Before the 20th came round there were signs that
the Cayuses were beginning to realize that the crime
they had committed was one which the Americans
might not be brought to overlook even by promises
of friendship in the future. Camaspelo, a cliief of
high rank, sought an interview with the bishop, in
which he declared his reluctance from the first to con-
sent to the murder of Whitman, and his su])sequent
regret, and his present intention of killing his horses
and quitting the country forever. To this Blanchet
replied that peace, he thought, might be hoped for,
and counselled that the chiefs should all be brought
together to settle upon their course on the day ap-
pointed. Accordingly, when the day an-ivod the
bishop's house was crowded, Tiloukaikt, Camaspelo,
Five Crows, Tauitau, and a number of sub-chiefs
being present. The contents of Spalding's letter was
made known to them by the bishop in presence of his
clergy.
The first to speak upon the propositions of the
Nez Perces was Camaspelo, who, after admitting the
ignorance and blindness which had caused him to
despair of the life of his people, professed now to see
a way out of the darkness, and approved of the plan
of the Nez Perces. Tiloukaikt confessed that the
missionaries had given them instructions for their
good; but reverted to the death of the chief who
accompanied Gray in 1837, and to the death of Elijah
in California, endeavoring to show cause for what liad
been done, and hoping the Americans would ])ardon
him as he was willing to pardon them. Edward, the
son of Tiloukaikt brought forward the accusation of
092
KESCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.
poisoning, as made by Joe Lewis, a id the pretended
confession of the dying Rogers to /lie same effect, .it
the same time exhibiting a blood-stained Catholic
ladder, which he declared had been shown to the
Cayusos by Whitman with the remark, "You see
this blood I it is to show you that now, because you
have the priests among you, the country is going to
be covered with blood ; " thus placing the responsibility
on the Catholics, where the Protestants were willing
to believe it belonged. Edward even drew a touch-
ing picture of the distress and bereavement of the
captive families, and i-ecountod freely all the circum-
stances attending the massacre, only concealing the
names of the guilty.
At length all agreed to the propositions of the
Nez Perces, if they might be allowed to add a mani-
festo setting forth the reasons which influenced them
in committing the murders. To this the bishop con-
sented. They then stated what we already know, ask-
ing, first, "that the Americans may not go to war with
the Cayuses ; second, that they may forget the lately
committed nmrders, as the Cayuses will forget the
murder of the son of the great chief of Walla Walla,
committed in California; third, that two or three
great men may come up to conclude peace ; fourth,
that as soon as these great men have arrived and con-
cluded peace, they may take with them all the women
and children; fiftli, they give assurance that they will
not harm the Americans before the arrival of these
two or three great men; sixth, they ask that Ameri-
cans may not travel any more through their country,
as their young men might do them harm."^^
This being settled, the bishop wrote his letter to
Abernethy, saying that in a moment of despair the
Cayuses had connnitted acts of atrocity grievous to
the writer as well as to him. Yet he felt forced to
say that by going to war with this tribe, he would
without doubt have all the savages in the country
'^^ Broml'tet 8 AtUhentic Account, 60-3.
OODEN'S A1>DRESS.
G'X\
itry
against him. And would it bo for tlio interest of a
young colony to so expose itself? Advice ho had none
to om}r; he simply enclosed Mr. Spalding '« letter to
liimself.
The Cayuses, having been prepared by the council
on the Umatilla to treat with the governor of Oregon
on the terms laid down alcove, were not prepared to
receive Ogdoii with the leady consent with which
they usually listened to any proposition coming from
the fur company. They cf)uld sec plainly that their
hope of securing peace with the Americans depended
on retaining Spalding and the captive families as
hostages. Nor were they encouraged to hope for peace,
as Spalding and Blanchet caused them to believe.
"We have been among you for thirty years," said
Ogden, " without the shedding of blood ; we are traders,
and of a different nation from tlie Americans; but
recollect, we supply you with ammunition, not to kill
Americans, who are of the s tme color, speak the same
language, and worship the .same God as ourselves, and
whose cruel fate causes our hearts to bleed. Why do
wc make you chiefs, if you cannot cont .1 your young
men? Besides this wholesale butclu i v, you have
robbed the Americans passing through your country,
and have insulted their women. If you allow your
young men to govern you, I say you are not men or
chiefs, but hermaphrodites who do not deserve the name.
Your hot-headed young men plume themselves on their
bravery; but let them not deceive themselves. If
the Americans begin war, they will have cause to re-
pent their rashness; for the wai- will not end until
every man of you is cut otf from the face of the earth !
I am aware that many of your people have died ; but
so have others. It was not Dr Whitman who poisoned
them; but God who has C(mimanded tliat they should
die. You have the opportunity to make some repara-
tion. I give you only advice, and promise you nothing,
should war be declared against you. The company
have nothing to do with your <piarrel. If you wish
I
"!«:3'f
■■ J
1
H
1
i il
1
nil
004
RESCUE OF THE CAFnVES.
it, on my return I will see wliat can be done for you ;
but I do 'not firoinlHe to prevent war. Deliver me
the prisoners to return to tiicir friends, and I will pay
you a ransom, tluit is all."'"
Sucli was Ogden's address to the chiefs, contem-
plating, as he truthfully said, only the rescue of the
prisoners, without altering the relations of the com-
pany toward the Indians, whose friendship thej' had
long ])osses8ed and did not nieai' to lose. Neither did
he intend to anticipate the action of the American
government or people.
The Indian impulse, shifting as the sands of the
sea, gave way to Ogden's superior will. With some
weak efforts to excuse the disposition to yield, Taui-
tau consented to the ransom of the captives. The
Hudson's Bay Company's men were married to In-
dian women, and were therefore his brothers ; he could
not refuse his brother's request. Tiloukaikt, besides
the tie of blood, recognized the claim of the company
upon him made by allowing their dead to be buried
side by side. "Chief!" he cried, "your words are
weighty — your hairs are gray. We have known you
a long time. You have had an unpleasant lourncy
to this placer I cannot, therefore, keep the famiUes
back. I make them over to you, which I would not
do to another younger than yourself." Peupeumox-
mox remarked that he had nothing to say: the
Americans were changeable; but he agreed with
Tauitau that the captives should be given up.^ The
*^0r., Spectator, Jan. 20, 1848. Brouillet, ia Authentic Account, materially
alters the ir.^tter atul the meaning of Ogden's address, which was published
In the Or. Spcctuic'; Ictis than a month after it was delivered, and which
I take to be correct iix substance and spirit. The amount of falsifying which
the clergy on both ^ides thought necessary in order to avenge sectarian
affronts is something astounding to the secular mind.
** Contradictory opinions have i)revailed concerning the complicity of Pcu-
peumoxmox. Tolmie, in Puijet Soiaul, MS., 28, tells an anecdote that is in
nia favor. A messenger from Waiilatpu, coming with the news of the massa-
cre, was asked by the chief what part he had m it. On his answering that
be had killed certain persons, ' Take that fellow,' said Peupeumoxmox, 'and
hang him to the nearest tree.' Another statement is, that when the Cayuses
pi-oposcd going to war the chief warned them not to make the mistake of
conaidering the Americans cowards because they would not fight when
NONE TOO SOON.
e96
Nez Perco chiefs, who liad not yet returned to Lap-
ted to go at once and l)ring Spalding
wai.
erce
con sen
and the others from that station, sliould they vvisli to
come ; the anxious desire to escape having been thus
far carefully concealed from the Nez Perces. Ogden,
in his letter to Si>ulding, which the young chiefs car-
ried, advised the missionary to lose no time in join-
ing him, and to make no ju'omises to the Nez Percds,
being unaware, })erhaps, of the promise already given.
He wrote inunediately to Ogden tliat he should
hasten his (h^purture, and all tlie more because the
young chiefs had assured him that tiie Cayuses would
exterminate them should they learn that the Ameri-
cans were intending to call them to account. As
nothing was more likely than that such a purpose
was harbored by the Americans, he was aware of the
value of Ogden's advice to hasten to Walla Walla.
A letter was also despatched from AValla Walla to
the Chemakane mission, in which the purpose of Ogden
to do nothing which might interfere with the future
course of the United States in dealing with the Cay-
use murderers was reiterated,*" and in which he ex-
encumbered with their families and property, tliougli robhed and insulted,
for he liad been in California and seen that when it came to lighting every
American was a man; and that if war with them were begun, they would all
be killed otf. ParrixlixOr. Anccdolcx, MS., 1)1-2. There is a similar statement
in Rent, of Com. Iiid. Aff., 1854, ^l'l'ii-4. But I am of a difl'erent opinion about
the Walla Walla chief. If he liad been against the Cayuses, why did they
make his son's death to Hgtire so pronnnently in their justification ? Why
did he not warn Whitman t Wliy did he answer Ogden that Americans were
changeable, but that he would agree with Tauitau, one of the most bloody of
the Cayuses ? Peupeumoxmox was as wily as his name of Yellow Serpent
suggested, as I shall be able to show.
'•This letter was intended to be sent by J. M. Stanley, a young painter
travelling in the Intlian country to study savage faces, forms, and costumes;
but ho seems to have gone to Vancouver instead. Stanley was from Ohio,
and was at that time known chiefly in the Mississippi Valley. He travelled
overland to California by the Santa ¥6 route, and thence to Oregon on the
bark Whiton in July 1847. From Oregon City ho went up the Columbia, and
visited the Spokane country. Happening to be coming down to Fort Walla
Walla at the time of the massacre, he was intercepted by a Cayuse, who de-
manded, 'Are you a Hudson's Bay man?' 'No. 'An American ? ' 'No.'
' W^hat then ? ' 'A Buckeye ! ' This being a new nation to the Cayuse, and
one with which he was not at war, the artist was permitted to proceed.
When he arrived at the fort he learned the significance of the questions.
After Ogden's arrangement witli the Cayuses, Stanley returned to the Spo-
kane country, where lie remained till spring. He was afterward artist to the
?<'
ill
T
696
KESCUE OF THE CATTIVES.
pressed his great anxiety, whicL had not permitted
him to sleep for two nights. This lotter was not
written until the 31st of December, and the alarm
from which Ogden was suftering was occasioned by
the fact tliat he had no sooner received the captives
at Walla Walla, by agreement, on tlie 29th, than
rumors were received by the natives of the arrival of
the first company of the volunteer riflemen at Walla
Walla. The excitem(;nt occasioned by this int«'lli-
gcnce it was feared might cause Spalding's company,
wliich had not yet arrived, to be cut off, and any such
resumption of hostilities would certainly be fatal to
the success of his efforts for the rescue of even the
W^aiilacpu captives ; for the rage of the savages would
permit t'lem to stop at nothing. But to his great
relief Spa l(Hng arrived on the first of Janu^iry, accom-
panied by a largo force of Ncz Percys. After spending
another night in earnest council with these natives,
always more friendly and more trac^table than theij:
relatives the Cayuses, ( )gden embarked the ransomed
company for Vancouver,^' tliankful to be able to do so.
Nor was lie g(me a nu)nient to soon. A few hours
after his departure fifty ('ayuscis arriNud at the fort
with the purpose of taking and killing S})alding, as
they had all along declared tlieir hitention of doing,
should they learn that any but peace commitssionors
were on the way to their country. It was this deter-
Pacitic railway expoilition in 1853. Many of his Iniliaii poi traits wcroplacoil
ill tliu Sniithsouian lastitutiou, and were dustroyod hy (iro .s( mo tinio later.
"K" puj^naiit as wa.^ the idea of what the white woiiieii an 1 girls had suf-
fered jt tlu^ hands of tliuir captors, there were certain touches </ feelm^r ixliib-
ited. When Miss 15ev/ley \ias sent for it was yet earl_> morning'. According
to her testimony, Five Cn.ws prepared a good breakfast for h 'r, with i.ea,
and placed a new lilanki^t and huH'alo-rolte on the .sail lie of her lio' -e to nuike
lier conifortahle, bidding her goodd)y in a kind in.iiner. Spah ing in his
his lectures makes Miss Bevvh^y say of her arrival at the fort: ' As e rode up,
(rovernor Og<leu and A'l- McBea..,, with several Catholic priest , came out.
Mr Ogdeii took mo gently from the horse, as a father, and s^ id, '"rhank
(rod, I have got you .safe at last! I had to pay the Indians .ion for you
than for all the other captives, ami I •'■■ared they v, ould never ). vc jou up." '
iSfiiff /'/V////..1 hemotnit, Jaii 18, 18ti'. Stanley related that ; I'ayuse who
took to wife a gill of 14 years, after inunlering her brother and gaining her
Bubinission by threats against the lives of her mother and sister, ottered
Ogden a large price for her, or to . '-sake his own people ami live among the
white people. liv}it. Com. Ind. Ajf'., 10.4, '-'lO.
HATEFUL INGRATITUDE.
697
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mination, well understood by all, that decided William
Craig to quit Lis claim on the Clearwater, though on
the best of terms witli tlie Nez Perces. Bishop Blan-
chet also accompanied Ogden to the Willamette Valley,
but Brouillet and Leclaire remain(>d at the Umatilla
ui'til the 20th of February, when they too abandoned
the country ; and their property left among the Cayuses
was destroyed.
The recipients s r Ogden's favors were scarcely dis-
trilmted among the homes of sympathizhig friends in
the Willamette Valley before the Presl^j'terians, witli
8l)alding at their head, made an attack on the Hud-
sonV- Bay (^om})any and the Catholic clergy, openly
accusing th<'m of conspirhig witli the Indians to de-
stroy the Protestant missions in tin; interior; every
a(^t and word of either being turned into the acts and
words of conspirators plotting death and ruin to Amer-
words of conspirators plotting death and ruin to Amer-
icans and Protestants. All were termed Jesuits,
whether Jesuit, S(>cular, or Oblate; and fertile imagi-
nations, half crazed by horrors were sown with sus-
picions the foulest and most unnatural. The Spectator
being by its by-laws prohibited from entering into
sectarian discussions, the Orcijon American devoted its
c ilunms almost exclusively to tlie publication of the
matter.*' The results of its few weeks of existence
continue to appear in the frequent ass srtions published
and uttered even now that the fur ".onipany aiid the
Catholic p.riesthood in Oregon were responsible for
the tragedy of Waiilatpu, notwithstanding tiie facts.
The lack of motive on the part oi' the ct)mpany,
*'^Tho (iri'ijoii Anieririui was not the only paper l)rought into existence
about this time with tlic purpose of gi^'ing utterance to sentiments wliieh
were not admitted to the cohuntis of the conservative Spirtator. OeorgeL.
Curry, after being dismissed from the editorial chair of that journal for rea.sons
before mentioned, started the (hn/on Fn'c I'lrsn, a small weekly in which ho
1)rinted asnnich truth, welcome or unwelcome to the Sjirr/nfor., as pleased him.
t ran only from April to Decemtur 1848. It wiis printed from a ])ress made
in the country, and with displiy type wrought outfif wood }>y hand. Address
of (J. L. Curry, in Or. Ptoneer .Isinc, Triuii., IHTo, 1'2; tS. /. A'(«,n, ii. 12.3;
Jiidinniion'n Mims., 411; I'oli/iwuiin, v. 127; Portland Onyonkui, April 'M,
1872; Gi/fri/'K Has. Or., MS., 25.
RESCUE OF THE CAPTIVES.
even admitting the monstrous idea tliat its officers
were capable of such acts; the lack of both opportu-
nity and motive on the part of the priests, admitting
that these young men just out of European or Cana-
dian colleges could be thinking of murder, should be
sufficient proof that they did not instigate the In-
dians. The country belonged by treaty to the United
States, hence the company had nothing to gain. The
priests had not yet established a mission, or obtained
control of the Indians. They knew that Whitman
intended leaving the Walla Walla Valley, and would
if they wished it sell them his improvements at
Waiilatpu. Why then kill liim ? Or why, if he nrist
be killed, did the Protestant instead of the Catholic
Cayuses do the deed? It was the Indians nearest
to Whitman who killed him, even those almost of
his own household. By the captives, save- i id lib-
erated by those they now accused, being iii^;.]gated
by sectarian hatred, were put upon the stand, and
tricked into saying things the most abominable and
absurd. It was Spalding himself w^ho should have
been examined, under oath, and not all tl ose afflicted
and bewildi'red captives who understood little or noth-
ing: of the causes which led to tlieir tjreat misfortunes.
Finding the Protestants taking depositions, the Cath-
olics also resorted to sworn statements ; and it must be
admitted that so far as the depositions go the latter
have the best of the cause. But the rancor on both
sides ! The merely secular mind shrinks from contem-
plating it.*^ I have in previous chapters stated my
belief that the interference of the Catholics augmented
Whitman's troubles with the Cayuses; but it is evi-
dent to my mind that had there not been a Catholic
in the country the catastrophe would have come in
the identical shape that it did come, from Indian jeal-
ousy alone. Blanch et, in attempting to account for
^' Ainoug tho writers who will not countenance the accusations publislied
in the On-ijon American in 1848 aro Evans, Strong, Dowell, Waldo, J. Henry
Brown, Victor, Deady, I. I. Stevens, and J. Rosa Browne. Thornton and
(tray continued to put forth these horrible ideas.
THE CURSES OF THE CHRISTIANS.
f)99
its occurrence, uses the following language ; "At the
sight of the good already done, and to be done by
the army of the zealous missionaries just arrived, the
devil, shaking with anger and rage, resolved to make
his last efforts to utterly ruin the Cathojic clergy on
this coast." **
The Presbyterians blamed the Catholics, and the
Catholics blamed the devil, for what the exercise of
ordinar}' good judgment ought to have averted, but
which sectarian pride and obstinacy resolved to dare
rather than to avoid. ,
**Cath. Church in Or.. 165.
■ y
f !
I I
i 1 4 I
i'il
1
.!
fiif:
CHAPTER XXV.
THE CAYUSE WAR.
1848.
Organization of the Army — Colonel Gilliam en Route fob the
Dalles — Thoma.s McKay's Canadian Company — Captain Enqlish's
Company — Captain Martin's Company — Captain Shaw's Company —
Captain Garrison's Company — The Army at Fort Gilliam — The
Army at Fort Lee — Meek's Party— Peace Measures — A Brush
with the Enemy — Official Correspondence — Headquarters at
Waiilatpu — Action of the Peace Commissioners — Council with
the Cayuses — The Murderers must be Delivered up — Death of
Colonel Gilliam — Major Lee Assumes Command — The Governor's
Proclamation — Scarcity of Ammunition — The War Ended and
Troops Mustered out — Biographical Sketches.
The arrival of the rescued captives and the recital
of their wrongs greatly accelerated the preparations
for war. The letter of Spalding counselling peace
would have been suppressed but for the request of
Ogdon that all if any of the correspondence should
be published. But it was easy to see that Spalding
had written as he did, because, as the natives said,
" he was in a hole," and could not otherwise get out.
He had heard, through the Nez Perces, of the escape
of Hall, and supposed he would have reached Van-
couver or Oregon City, and that steps would be taken
for the relief of all who were left alive. He rightly
surmised that his countrymen would wish to be
avenged, and he took measures to warn them not to
precipitate him and all the other Americans in ruin
by coming with an army to fight the Cayuses. No
humane and reasonable being could blame him for dis-
sembling to the Indians when so many lives were at
GILLIAM'S ADVANCF.
701
stake; but the dissembling had not. stopped there.
While the general judgment declared the sentence to
be "for the barbarian murderers and violators. . . eter-
nal remembrance ; let them be pursued witli unrelent-
ing hatred and hostility, until life-blood has atoned
for their infamous deeds," ^ Spalding waa om})loyed in
creating a similar feeling toward the bishop of Walla
Walla, whom he had so lately addressed as his "dear
friend and brotiier," with the recpiest to do all he
could to save him. In the heated state of the public
mind, which was not prej)ared to reason, the impres-
sion that the sword had fallet> because the bishoj) had
cut the hair sank deeply. If it were not so, asked
the Presbyterians, how could the Catholics remain
when we have been driven away? That (juestion was
answered when the army approached the Umatilla,
but the answer was not forthcoming when Spalding
pointed out this significant fact to the volunteers,
who went away prepared to encounter the horns and
hoofs of his Satanic Majesty on that river.^
On the same day that Ogden arrived with the fam-
ilies from the missions in the interior, Colonel (xil-
liam set out for the Dalles with fifty men, in advance
of the companies mentioned in the previous chapter,
which were to follow on the 14th. He ^\as accom-
panied by Meek's overland party ; but such were the
difficulties and consequent delays of the march in the
winter, that the advance did not reach tlio Dalles till
the 24th, three otlier companioK being close behind,
and three others organizing to follow, besides a num-
ber that were being raised for defence in some of the
counties. A company of infantry was also forming
in Portland, which expected to be ready t.. march by
the 1st of February. On Frenci. Prairie a company
m
iff II
m
^Or. Spectator, Jan. 20, 1848.
' The cxciteinoiit hccaine so great that the volunteerH in startinj.' said that
their first shots would ho for the bishop and his priests; and that ior several
moniiis the Catholic cliurches and estahlishment*^ in tlie Willamette' Valley
were in the greatest danger of being burned dowu. Blavcliet'x Catli. Ci arch in
ih:, 173.
TOa
THE CAYUSE WAR.
was raised by Thomas McKay, among the Canadians,
which action on the part of this noted Indian-fighter
gave great satisfactiiJii, not only on account of his
reputation as a warrior, but as an indication of the
course which would be taken by the lialf-ljreed popu-
lation in the event of a pr-otractcd war^ with the
natives. A flag was designed for and presented to
Captain McKay, emblematic of the provisional gov-
ei'nment, bearing a lone star and a numl^er of stripes.
He presented it to his company with this brief ad-
dress: "This is the Hag you are expected to defend,
and you must defend it."*
Besides the Canadian company, Marion county
furnished two others, under captains Levin N. Eng-
lish and William Martin ;'' and Clackamas and Marion
'Grim describes McKay aa mounted and riding calong the road haranguing
the Frcuoli half-breeds in Cliinook. In an hour's time lie ha<l IM men in hii
company. L'liw/raiit Aiu'C(lof<'.% MS., 8. McKay's company was oHicered as
follows: Thomas McKay, captain; Charles McKay, 1st lieutenant; Alexander
McKay, 2d lieutenant; P^lward Dupuis, t)r<lerly sergeant; (George Montour,
BaptLstc Dorio, David Crawford, and Ciideon Pion, duty sergeants. Privates:
John Spence, Louis Laplantc, Augustine Rusaie, Isaac Oervais, Louis Mon-
tour, Alexis Vatrais, .loscpli Paine, Jno. Cunningham, Jiio. (Jros Louis, Joe
Lenegratly, Antoinc Poisicr, Antoine Plante, Pierre Lacourso, Ashby Pearce,
Richard Linklotter, Charles Bcaucliniaiii, Augustine Delard, B. S. Jjaderiste,
Antoinc Lafaatc, Natiian English, Charles Edwards, (Jideou (Jravellc, Clias.
Coweniat, Antoinc Boiiaupaus, ]\'iclinl.is liinl, Francis Duprcs, William Towie,
Thomas Purvis, A. J. Thomas, J. 11. Biglcr, Mongo, Antoine Ansure, Narcisse
Montiznic, BJdward Crete, (h: SpecUtioi; April G, 1848; lloss' Nai:, MS., 8-10.
'On Sprrtii/or, Feb 1(5, KS48.
■M'apiiiiu English's ortici^-s were William Shaw, ist lieutenant; F. M.
Munhers. '2d lieutenant : William Martin, orderly sergca- t; Iliram English,
Ceorge Siiaw, ThiMiia.-- Hougs, and L. •!. Rector, duty sergeants. Privates:
•Jackson Adams, IN. Abel, Wdliam Burton, Joseph Crank, John Downing,
Thos. T. Eyre, K. D. Foster, Alex:iuder (Jage, Tlionias (ircgory, (I. V\ .
Howell, Fales Howard, J. H. Lewis, N. <i. McDonald, James OHicer, Joseph
Pcar.sou, .lackson Rowefi, William Sininums, 1/wis Stewart, Charles Roth,
J)aniel Waldo, (ieorge ^^ sley, VVilliaii, Vaughn, L. K. English, jun., Nineveh
Ford, AllM'rt Fish. A. i.ribble, Sannrd Seniers, Thomas Wigger, Richaid
Hays, We>ley Howell, Richard Jeukinn, K. H March, William Me Iway, J.
R. Payne, Benjanun Simpson, .Uexaiultr York.
Captain Martin's officers were: A. E. < iarrison, 1st lieutenant; David
Waldo, 2d lieuteniuit; LudwellJ. Rector, orderly sergeant; William Cos per,
Fales Howard, .biseph Sylvester, lud Ber.jamin Wright, duty sergeants.
Privates: .1. Allinaht, H. Bunlo.i, T. .1. Blair, Josipli Borst, George Crab-
tree, Josepli CraiiL. Wesley Cook. Samuel Center, .lohn (ox, John Eads,
Parnel Fowler, S VL (.'rover, Joim Kaiser. Clark S. Prinj;li', Israel Wood,
Lewis Stewart, P easan ( . Kaiser Thoma.-? Cauby, .Sidney Ford, WilPani
Meliiwcrs, A. M fcUiinwater. B. l- .Shiaw, William Waldo, Silas (J. Pi gl'
<i. K. Vernon, itiMtaii Matheny, Thouia* T. Eyre, John C. llolgate. Alkiwj
Utate RifkU Democrat, Nov. '1, 1S77.
FORTS GILLIAM AND LEE.
703
together two otht^rs, Tjucler captains William Shaw and
J. M. Garrison."
Cpll
The army established, as it passed up the river, a way-
station for supj)iies ab the Cascade portage, which re-
ceived the name of Fort GiilianL The stockade erected
at the Dalles by Major Lee was called Fort Lee. The
only piece of ordnance at the governor's command was
the nine-})ounder belonging to Oregon City, which was
forwarded to the Dalles, this place being designated
as army headquarters."
When Colonel Gilliam arrived at Fort Lee there
had already been some skirmishing. On the 8th
of January some savages were discovered herding
the cattle left at the mission by the innnigrants
preparatory to driving them away ; and when Major
Lee and se^'eral men advanced on foot with the
intention of preventing it they were fired on. There-
upon a running fight was kept up for two hours, be-
t".'!en seventeen white men, some mounted and others
on foot, and twenty -three mounted natives, eight only
of whom were Cayuses. The natives succeeded in
driv'ng off about i:hree hundred head of cattle, and
wounding Sergeant William Berry.
Three savages
* Captain Shaw s oftioers were: David Crawford, 1st lieutenant; Bapti.sto
Dori I, '2d lieuti'ii lilt; Alisa om M. Smitii, orderly surgeaut; George Liiroquo,
Vatall Burgeii'u, George ^\. Shaw, and Charles McKay, duty sergeants.
Privates: .lohn H. Bigler, 0. Cruiii, .loseph Despon';, Williini Felix, Xavier
I'laiite, Eli Viliell, F. M. Maiikis, Antonio I'lante, Cliarles Edwards, Andrew
Heeher, Aavier Gervais, DavidJones, .lohn Pecares, .Samuel Kinsey, Joseph
Pf;irsi>n, Willi.»niTowie, Peter .laeksoii, Alexander Lahorain, William McMil-
\c% B. F. Nichols, Hira; i Smeael, AVilliaui Marrill, Francis Poieeor, (ieorge
Westley.
Captiiiii Garrison's orticcrs wire: A. E. (Jarrison, 1st lieutenant: .lohn C.
Herren, 2d lieutenant; J. B. Kaiser, orilerly sergeant; George Crahtree,
<ieorge Lanuiue, and .Iose[)h Coloster, duty sergeants. Privates: E. Bier-
naissc. Thorn IS li. Blair, .Jolm C. t'nx, Joseph Despart, (.'aleh M. (irover,
Isa.iah Math< \. .John Pica d, Wiiliani IMiilip, Henry liiirden, Silas P. Pugh,
Isaiie Wood. \nel Fowler Andrew Hubert, Daniel Herren, Xavier Plante,
VitoUe Bergi ron. Tliere i< a rei)etition of tlie same names in two or more
companies Jiere given, fro n whieh it a)ii>ears that men and ollieers were
fre(|iiently transferred. Bat as the itill- were thus pul)lished hy .]. Henry
Brown from the originals, 1 let them stand. They apjieared first in the
Salfin Mercry^ and were copied into the Alhitni/ Utatc Rujlits Democrat, Nov.
•J iMid 'J, iS7' and AMdiiil Tidiinjs, of same date.
''Or. ArctUves, MS., ll-i.
'1 I
704
THE CAYUSE WAR.
were killed, and one wounded. On the following morn-
ing, while a detachment was going some distance from
the fort to bring in a friendly chief, Seletza, who had
been robbed for refusing to join in the hostilities, sixty
Indian horses were captured— a reprisal which hardly
offset the loss of so much beef in a country destitute
of provisions.
On hearing of Major Lee's first brush with the
enemy, the governor wrote Colonel Gilliam, January
2Gth, to select some of his best men and horses, and
make a reconnoissance in the neiiihborhod of Dcs
Chutes River. " It will require great caution on 3''our
part," he said, "as commander-in-chief in the field, to
distinguish between friends and foes ; but when you
are certain that they are enemies, let them know the
Americans are not women," But (xilliam was not a
commander to need promptings of this kind. He
meant to show the natives that Americans could figlit
when disembarrassed of their wives, children, and
herds.
On arriving at the Dalles, he led a hundred and
thirty men to the east side of Des Chutes River,
where Major Lee was sent forward with a small de-
tachment to discover the whereabouts of the enemy,
a camp being found located about twenty miles above
the crossing, but moving toward the mountains, with
their families and property. Lee at once charged them,
killing one man and capturing two women and a
number of horses. Returning to camp, he was over-
takcji in a narrow canon by a well-armed and mounted
force, who opened fire, obliging them to dismount, and
shelter themselves among the rocks and bushes of the
ravine, where the savages annoyed them until dark
by rolling heavy stones down upon them. On the
following day Gilliam atta-cked the natives with his
whole company, killing a, number and taking forty
horses, a few cattle, and about $1,400 worth of other
pj-opertv which had been stolen. Skirmishing con-
tinued Tor several davs, during which time three men
SKIRMISHINO.
706
were killed, and one wounded so that he died subse-
quently at Vancouver.'*
In the mean time the governor's policy witii regard
to fighting suddenly underwent a change, for on the
'27th we find him instructing Lee, at every opportunity,
to assure the Indians that all the Americans want of
them is to give up the murderers, and Ihat they wish
to be at peace with all the other tribes. At the same
time he informed him that he thought of appointing
the three commissioners authorized l>v the lesxislature,
who should repair to Walla Walla for the purpose
of holding a council with the various tribes of the
Columbia, to prevent if possible a coalition between
them and the Cayuses; and tluit he had selected Joel
Palmer, superintendent of Indian affairs, Robert
Newell, well known to the Xez Perces and C^ayuses,
and Major Lee himself, who under White's adminis-
tration had also become well known to the Indians.
In accordance with this plan of action, the governor
on the 21)th directed Colonel Gilliam to remain at the
Dalles until the commissioners, with the last of the
volunteer companies, should arrive; and repeated to
liim the instructions he had given Lee concerning the
assurances to be made to the Indians, that if they
would give up the murderers and restore the stolen
property the volunteers should l)e withdrawn. On
the 2d of February commissions were issued to
Palmer, Newell, and Lee, and the former two imme-
diately set about niaking preparations for departure.
Palmer, being ci^mmissary-general, deputized A. E.
Wait and James Taj'lor, of Oregon City, to take cliarge
of tlie commissary and quartermaster depaitmeuts in
his absence." Knowing the impatient character of
''M
I •il
* Alexander McDonald was shot by the giianl whom lio apiiroached in a,
manner to induce the helief that ho was an Indian. James I'ackwood and
Jackson were shot by Indians while herding horses near the fort.
"In Ilia directions to Wait, Palmer says: 'Tlie troops in the field must bo
suppliLd with provisions at all hazards. . .If a supply cannot be had by pur-
chasing with such funds as are at the disposal of the departincnit, a resort
must bo liad to levying contributions upon the citizens. . .In doing this you
will be particular in not reducing the amount of bread-stuffs below the wants
H1.ST. Or., Vol. 1. 45
706
THE CAYUSE WAR.
Gilliam, the governor urged Palmer to use all possible
despateh to I'each the J)alles l)ef()re tlie eoloiu;! should
have moved from that plaee. The eommissiouer.s
arrived at Fort Lee on tlie 10th, accon)[)aiiied by the
connnands of McKay and ICnglish, witli the cannon,
which McKay's men tran.s[H:rted round the Cascades
in a sev^ere snow-storm, wliicli detained botli eom})anies
at the upper landing all day of tlie Dth, and also a
party of three Hudson's Bay men bearing despatches
to Fort Walla Walla.
Colonel Gilliam received a letter from the governor
by the hand of Conunissioner Palmer, in which he
was informed that the connnissitjuers had been ordered
to lujld a council with the field-ofheers of the army,
on the steps necessary to be taken in order to secure
entire unanimity of action. If the colonel thought
best to juoceed at once to Waiilatpu with the main
army, he was to do so, and to select a favorable point
for erecting a fort ; wood, water, and grass being requi-
sites. In case of the tribes combining and refusing
to comply with the demand to give up the nuirderers,
the field was left in the hands of the colonel, who was
only cautioned to respect the lives and property of all
Indians who were friendly.
This blowing hot and blowing cold, and final leav-
ing of everything in Gilliam's hands, was extremely
perplexing to the conunissioners, who, if they were to
effect tlie object for which they were delegated, must
meet the natives hi council before the army was upon
them. The council with the field-officers took place on
of families. You should have at least 40 daya' rations in advance. Call upon
the citizena through the medium of the press, or handbilb, or both, to come
forward and aid us. Now i.-i tlie time to sliow their love of country, their
patriotism, who are friends, ami who are foe i. There are hut two side i, for
and against: there can l)e no half-way place.'
Writing from Vancouver, on his way up the Columbia, ho saj-s: 'I luive
bought a keg of powder and 100 pounds of lialls wliich can be used as well as
lead. Secure all tlie ammuniton you can and forward speedily. Send cannon,
ball, and canister. I will make a portage for the cannon at tlie Cascades, aa I
go up. There are 40 pounds of good rille powder at Timmon'a, on the Colum-
bia Slough, opposite this fort.' Such was the multiplicity of cares of the
chairman of the peace commission, who, wliile delegated to negotiate for
peace, was preparing for war Soo Or. Archivtn, MS., 117-18.
VISIT FROM THE YAKIMAS.
707
tlio 1 Ith, l)ut tlierc was not tliat unaiiiinitv lor whicli
the governor liopt'd, and no arrangement was ett'ectod.
On the following day a coniproniiso was made, the
colonel allowing the connnissionei's to precede him,
aceompanit'd hy Major Lee, eajituins .\rcKay and
Thom[)son, Meek's l)arty, and men enough to make
up a com[)any of one; hun<h-ed. Letters were written
to be despatched by Jin Indian messengiu- to the
Catholic mission on tlu; Umatilla, to Fort Walla
Walla, and to the Nvx Perces, that they might be
prepared for the advent of the army as well as of the
peace commissioners. The latter were to proceed on
the morning of the 14th. In the mean time the old
frontiei' method of warfare prevailed, the innocent and
the guilty being shot down indiscriminately.'" Xews
was received on the l.'Uh that a combination had been
consunnnated between tlie tribes east of the l\dles,
which information determined Gilliam to delay no
longer, but to march the next morning with three
hundred men for Waiilatpu, leaving Captain W^illiams
at Fort Lee with twenty-seven men, including several
sick."
Before the commissioners could start on the 14tli
tlie}'^ received a visit from two Yakimas who came
as messengers from their chiefs to learn the inten-
tions of the Americans; saying that the Cayuses
wished them to join the murderers; but that they
had had no quarrel with the white [)eople, who did
not pass through their country. It" the Americans
desired peace, so did they. In this friendly mood they
'"I learii these things from a inemoraiKhim kept hy Rohort Xowell <luriiig
his journey to and from Waiilatpu. It was a strictly private diary, wliirli his
daugliter, Mrs Wardwell, of Lewiston, Idalio, allowed mc to copy in 1877.
The following entry is touching tliu recklessness of the volunteers: 'An
Indian was shot by one of our own people, H. English, wliile out hunting
horses to-day, Feb. ];?th, a most shameful tiling.'
"Newell says in his J/('»/o;'((/»/(( that Williams pulled down the mission
barn to make pickets anmnd the houses. Palmer, in a letter to Wait, says
only .3 men were left at F'ort Gilliam to protect the property, anil 3 to
run the boats from the Cascades to the Dalles. ' The men have volunteered
to tight Indians, and not run boats' — so say the ofiicera. Or. Arch'wtn, MS.,
12.3. Tliese bits of private information show the condition of the army more
clearly than the reports of officers.
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708
THE CAYUSE WAR.
were encouraged to remain, and sent back to their
chiefs with a few trifling presents.
The discipline of the army was bad. Several of
the men left at Fort Lee returned to tlie Willamette
because they were not permitted to fight Indians;
and Captain Ross resigned for some reason equally
foolish ; ^^ while much disorder prevailed in the com-
missary department; and annoying jealousies were
indulged in by some who had not provided themselves
with private stores. In spite f)f these drawbacks, tlie
army maintained a generally cheerful tone and prac-
tised their military manoeuvres with increasing dex-
terity, as they moved slowly to the John Day River
without encountering any natives either hostile or
friendly — an indication of enmity in Indian tactics.
On the 18th, at the upper crossing of John Day
River, it became apparent that a camp of the enemy
had left that place the previous night, as the newly
opened caches demonstrated, and Major Lee was oi--
dered in pursuit, returning at midnight without having
overtaken them.
On the 2b ^er a hard day's march, the wagons
not getting camp with the provisions until late
in the night, and flour being scarce, the company of
Captain Maxon took a vote on the propriety of turn-
ing back without orders. On the following day CoL .-
nel Gilliam remained in camp, and after a military
parade, made a speech to the army upon the duties of
a soldier and the dishonor of deserting the cause in
which tliey were enlisted, promising that the men who
had first moved in the nmtiny siiould be reniembered
in a manner befitting their conduct; which well-de-
served reproof had the effect to check desertion,
though it did not prevent other infractions of disci-
pline, and the waste of annnunition by the firing of
guns in camp.
On approaching the Cayuse country the natives
could be seen moving off" toward the Blue Mountains,
^''NeuxU's Memorandii, MS., 4.
Ill
lO
'OS
IS,
DES CHUTES DEPUTATION.
709
taking with them their personal effects and herds.
This condition of affairs, although, what might have
been expected, was the occasion of discontent among
the hungry volunteers, who had not enlisted simply
to march after a retreating foe ; and the distance from
a base of supplies was growing daily greater.
But at length on the 23d, while the army was at
Willow Creek, a deputation of thirteen Des Chutes ap-
peared, bearing a flag, with a request for a council. The
delegation was headed by a chief called Sue, who gave
as a reason for not sooner responding to the invita-
tion, that the volunteers had flred on his people and
compelled them to run away. He professed senti-
ments of friendship for the Americans, even offering
to join them against the Cayuses. It was agreed that
they should return to the Dalles and tliere await the
commissioners, who would hold a general council with
them when they came back from Waiilatpu.
These peace measures were not regarded with favor-
able eyes by the army, who were anxious to avenge
the killing of Pack wood and Jackson, but the Indians
were allowed to depart unmolested. Before leaving.
Sue presented Captain McKay a fine horse from the
principal Des Chutes chief, Welaptulekt, who also
sent word to Gilliam that he would bring in all the
pro[)erty left in his charge by immigrants, and all that
had been stolen by his peo])le, and return it to the
colonel at tlie Dalles, if that would make them friends,
to which Gilliam replied that such a course would
be entirely satisfactory.'^
On the mornino' of the 24th, about davlight, a mes-
senger arrived from the Catholic missionaries among
the Yakimas, to inform the connnissioners that this
people had decided to follow their advice, and would
remain at jieace, desiring that the governor of Oregon
be informed of tlieir decision at the earliest moment
possible, as if they feared to trust to the friendship of
the militarv. But no messaije had yet come from the
" Report "f coinmiasioiiers, in Or. Spfcttitw, April G, 1848,
"\i;
■IMI
710
THE CAYUSE WAR.
missionaries among the Cayuses, to whom a letter had
been sent" on the 20th.
About ten o'clock on the morning of the 24tli,
while the army was on tlie march, tlie commissioners
being in advance with a flag, two Cayuse spies were
discovered, and about noon a large force came in sight
making signs of hostility ; and when the commissioners
advanced tliey were warned to keep olf. They then
returned to the volunteers, and the natives began
closing in on all sides to the number of four hundred,
about one hundred being unarmed spectators and
women. Their first overt act was the si looting of a
dog belonging to one of the men. Then the battle
began.
It was a brave sight, the gayly dressed warriors
mounted on their painted coursers galloping over the
field, and the hills decorated with motionless human
bronzes. The vanity of a native is his most dis-
tinguishing trait. Tliese three hundred Cayuses liad
told each other, and believed it themselves, that they
should have an easy conquest of the Americans.
" We will beat the Americans to death with clubs,
and then proceed to the Willamette and take the
women, and all their property," said these boastful
braves,^' wlio had yet the art of war to learn. They
had an advantage in the ground chosen, and in their
general acquaintance witli the country, and had they
been as great warriors as they imagined, must easily
have beaten the invi>ders.
But the volunteers behaved well, considering it
"This apparent noglect is explained l)y Brouillet in Aiit/wnt-ic Account,,
69, where he says that tlie Cayuses had been iokl that the missionaries wouhl
remain among tliuni as long as they were at peace, but would retire as soon as
war should l)e declared; and that on tlie 19th of Feb. the Cayuses had gone
to meet the Americans, whereupon the priests removed to Fort VValla Walhi on
the 20th. Brouillet also says that Ogden promised the Cayuses to endeavor
to prevent a war, und that he would send an express to VValla Walla to ap-
prise them of the result; but that no such express came before the first engage-
ment, and that the Indian.'! suspected Ogdeii of betraying them. ' Had Ogden's
letter arrived in time, ' says Brouillet, ' it would probably have prevented the
engagement, and induced the Cayuses to accept peace upon the terms offered
by the government. '
'^C. McKay, in Or. ,"•■: ■■tator, March 23, 1848.
m .
FIGHTING EN ROUTE.
711
was their j)urp()se to kill as many as pos.sihh.'. Yet
ill Indian battles, excejit where there is a surprise and
a massacre, few are killed, for the Indian fights from
behind a tree, and his white antauonist usuallv adoi)ts
the same tactics. Gilliam's troops extended their
lines until they embraced in an almost complete circle
the wagons and cattle, advancing and fighting, using
every caution to avoid an ambush. The cannon was
twice discharged. l)ut owing to the scattered positions
of the enemy, proved of little use, and the rifie
became the sole dependence. The army continued to
inarch and fisxht until sunset, when the natives with-
drew and the volunteers encamped beside the road
without wood or water, having had at last a chance
to do something besides waiting and quarrelling among
themselves or complaining of their commander. The
loss on the side of the Americans was five wounded,
one dangerously ; while the Cayuses had eight killed,
including a chief called Great Eagle and a medicine-
man, and one severely wounded — the popular chief
Five Crows, whose arm was shattered by a ball from
the rifie of Lieutenant Charles McKay of the French
company. Newell, in remarking upon events of the
day, says that the murderers were eager for battle,
and that it was easy to distinguish between them and
those who had no personal interest in the fight, and
would have avoided it if possible.*" Divided among
themselves, and in consternation at the outcome of
the battle, the fighting next day was cautious and
ineffectual.
F'or two davs the men were without water, and with
little to eat, harassed continually by the enemy kec})-
ing on a parallel line of march. Some of the Cayuses
approached near enough to intimate their desire to
hold a council with the commissioners, but they were
told that no interruption could be allowed the move-
ments of the army until water was found. On the
night of the 25th the volunteers encamped on the'
^^ Memoranda, MS., 8.
_.,a:t
712
THE CAY USE WAR.
west bank of the Umatilla River, of which the enemy
ill the begimiiiig had boastfully said the Americans
should never drink ; and notwithstanding the overtures
for a council, some of tiie horses were stolen during
the night.
Crossing the Umatilla on the 2(;th, Gilliam marched
to within three miles of the Cay use camp, wJiere
he remained until the forenoon of the 27th. While
moving, and in camp, the Indians swarmed all along
the hills, the main body .showing a determination to
continue hostilities. From those who apj)roached the
volunteer camp the commissioners learned that their
messenger to the Nez Perces had been robbed and
sent back by the Cayuses, and they immediately
despatched another.
The correspondence of the Cay use war is one of
its peculiar features. Governor Abernethy had pre-
pared a communication to be presented to the Nez
Perces and other tribes to prevent a coalition with
the' Cayuses. In it he had begun with their first
intercourse with white people, reminding them that
they had invited and encouraged them to reside in
their (ountry and that their white friends had earnestly
labored to do them good, but had been rewarded with
death. Many Americans, he said, had passed through
their country to the Willamette, at first without
molestation but latterly had been robbed and assaulted.
The Cayuses had accused Whitman of jjoisoning them,
when they could see that the white people as well as
the Indians died of a disease sent by tlie Creator.
The hearts of the white people bled because of what
liatl been done at Waiilatpu. It could not be passed
by The murderers and ravishers must be given up
to be punished, and peace would then be restored;
but all who sheltered or assisted the criminals would
be accounted equally guilty, and be subject to the
wrath of the great white race, compared with which
they, the tribes of Oregon, were but a handful. Should
THE NEIGHBORING TRIBES.
713
)r.
at
3d
»P
d;
Id
Hie
•h
Id
thoy not take his advice and give up the guilty Cayuses,
the Great Chief of the Americans would send his
war-chiefs, and they would all be punislied until they
were glad to capitulate. He warnetl them that he
had sent the new.s of the massacre to California, and
asked for war ships to be stationed in tlie Columbia,
and that other means \vould be used for their chas-
tisement should they not conclude to accept peace on
his terms; but that should they consent he would
proniisc to protect them.
A letter was also prepared by Spalding, addressed
to the Nez Percds, counselling them to reniain at
peace.'' It was anticipated, when these connnunica-
tions were prepared, that the commissioners would
be able first of all to hold a council with the Nez
Perces, friendly Cayuses, and Walla Wallas ; but the
vacillating course of the governor in authorizing
Gilliam to advance on Waiilatpu should he think
best, when he knew that every instinct of the com-
mand'^r was for fighting, had defeated that expecta-
tion; hence the preparation of other letters to be
forwarded, as before luentioned, from John Day River
on the 20th.
Spalding's letter, and one addressed by Gilliam to
Vicar-general Brouillet requesting him to furnish the
facts concerning the part he had taken in the events
" Spalding's letter is a curiosity, and of value as a specimen of the literary
style of the Nez Perc^ school, rather than for its importaiiue to the history of the
country. It was written in Roman letters sis follows: ' Willariette, Feb. 3, 1848
— Nez Perce Chiefs: My Friends, Ellis, Kancoot, James, Yuainiuialkin, Luke,
Jacob, Pucatash, Yamohmohnim, Yiiintamilkin: — quick, meet them; with
these ilags meet them. From us, from the Americans, live go to meet you:
Mr Palmer, Dr Newell, Mr McKay, Mr Leo, and Mr Gilliam. These meet
you, with good hearts they meet you. They bear a message from the great
chief, they bear it; tlierefore they call you to meet them. Keep quiet yo
young men; do not go over to the Cayuses. Wait till these speak closely
with you. The good are not to be punislied; only the bad are to be punishecl.
The Nez Perces, the Americans are one, therefore do you not depart from us.
Very many Americana are going to seek the l)ad Cayuses, and the bad only.
There will soon be large ships fi'oni California; therefore they offer to you a
proposal of peace. They send you tobacco, therefore meet them without
delay. My youngest child is sick, therefore I cannot meet you. \Vlien he is
well, I will see you, by the blessing of God. Ever make your.selves good
hearts. By tlie blessing of God, may wc sec each other. H. 11. Sl'ALDiNO.'
Or. Archk-ts., MS., 120.
'I
714
THE CAYUSE WAR.
preceding and succeeding the massacre ^^ — a precaution
wliich did him honor, considering the feehng with
whicli the volunteers iiad been inspired concerning
the priest — were ench)sed in a packet addressed to
McBean at Fort Walla Walla, and intrusted to a
native named Elijah, who professed to be a Nez
Percd, and who had accompanied the volunteers from
Oregon City. Elijah, however, unfortunately or de-
signedly, fell in with the Cayuses before reaching
Walla Walla, and had taken from him, by Tauitau,
his packet and the presents of a flag and some tobacco
which the connnissioners had sent to the Nez Perces.
But Tauitau, not daring to keep the packet, which
was addressed to McBean, sent it to the fort, though
he intercepted and destroyed the answer,'"
The letter of the commissioners to McBean was an
explanation of the presence of an army in the country,
and an assurance that it was not with the purpose of
bringing on a general war, but to secure the punish-
ment of the Cayuse murderers, and if possible to pre-
vent the other tribes from joining with them. " We
do not expect you," they said, "to take part in the
matter so as to implicate you, but if possible to facili-
tate our movements to restore tranquillity ; " and he
was asked to apprise them of the disposition of the
Nez Perces, Walla Wallas, and other Indians. There
were some additional items of news, with an expres-
si(m of anxiety lest the Catholic mission and the fort
itself should be in danger, and the offer of a detach-
ment to guard the latter if necessary.^" The answer,
as I have said, was destroyed by Tauitau, and the
commissioners remained in doubt. Tn the mean time,
it happened that Timothy and R' J Wolf, two Nez
Perce chiefs, arrived at the fort sim iltaneously with
Tauitau's messenger, and to them the letter of Spald-
ing was given to be conveyed at once as addressed ;
'^ Brouillet's reply is the basis of his Authentic Account, which see at pages
48-r)(), 91.
'•Report of the commissioners, in Or. Spectator, April G, 1848.
■">0r. Archives., MS., 125-8
THE ARMY AT WjSLLA WALLA
SO that excepting the failure of MeBean's answer to
reach its destination, no serious interruption of the
correspondence occurred. This was the position of
affairs when the army reached the UMiatilla.
On the 27th the regiment moved to the Columbia,
the savages having all disappeared during the night;
which movement signified determined war. To tliosc
who had asked for a council during tlie encampment
on the Umatilla, it had been answered that they must
come to Waiilatpu where the Nez Perces were ex-
pected, though in truth nothing was yet known of the
disposition of the Nez Perces, which want of informa-
tion was the principal reason for deferring the meet-
ing with this portion of the Cayuses,
On the evening of the 28tli camp was made near
Fort Walla Walla. Colonel Gilliam, with Palmer
and Newell, spent the night within its walls, taking
council with McBcan, whose despatches from Van-
couver, having reached him at the same time, might
be supposed to express the sentiments entertained at
headquarters. It was his opinion that with good
management a war could be avoided,'"' That the
company should so desire was to be expected. Never-
theless two kegs of powder W'ere obtained, to be used
if necessary.
Gilliam had an opportunity while at the fort of
discussing the question of complicity with the Catholic
priests, and appeared to have been satisfied, as nothing
further was said in that quarter of the charges against
them.^" He moved six miles up the Walla Walla
'^^ NewelVs Memoranda, ~MH., 10.
^* There was a letter written l)y B. Jennings from Fort Lee, more often
called Fort Waseopam in the correspondence of the volunteers, stating that
Seletza, the Dalles chief, alleged tliat the priests at \Valla Walla liad made
shields for tlie Cayuses, from which circumstance the Cayuses flattered them-
selves they were invulnerable, and intended marching through the country of
the Sklos, who are probably a branch of the Yakiuias, from the name of one of
the Yakima chiefs, Skloom, to punish them for their neutrality, and thence
down the north side of the Columbia to tlie Willamette settlements. The letter
was dated February 28th, and addressed to A. E. W^ait. The same writer
mentioned that, as acting quartermaster, he was daily importuned for ammu-
716
THE CAY USE WAR.
River on the 20th, and encamped near the camp of
Peupeumoxmox, wlio made })r()fessions of frieiKlxhi})
for the Americans, and sold them some heef cattle.
During the night tliere was an alarm of Indians, but
none could be discoveretl until on the afternoon of the
next day's maich the smoke of their fires could be
discerned in the direction of Waidatpu.
On th ) 2d of March the volunteers encamped near
the mission, when Gilliam took two comj)anies and
visited the scene of the massacre, finding that the
houses had been burned, and all the property carried
oif or destroyed. Wagons and everything movable
had been cast into the fire, and nothing remained but
a heap of adobes, broken china, glass, pottery, and
warped iron, while books, letters, and many lighter
articles were scattered about ""^ the enclosure, and tiie
orchard trees were hacked or cut down. Horror was
added to desolation, for strewn over the ground were
the mutilated remains of the victims of the massacre,
which had been disinterred by wolves.'-^*
This spectacle evidently hardened the heart of the
impulsive connnander against peace commissions, and
he returned in an impatient mood to camp, after re-
sol
nition, the frieniily natives pretending to be afraid of the Cayuses; and if
refused, they then wanted a pass to go to Vaneouver, in all i)robal)ility to
purcliase powder and hall, from wliich circumstances he feared their intentions
were not gotxl. 'ihere were no means of ascertaining the trutli of an Indian
report, which hail always to he received with caution. See Or. Archives, MS.,
132.
'•'^ Among tiie letters were some which showed that Wliitman had been
aware of his danger. Joel Palmer, in Bronillrt's Aut/iciillc Account, 21.
''^ A tress of Mrs Whitman's hair is preserved among the relics in the Ore-
gon arcliives at Salem. Ncwdl'n Moiionimla, MS., 11; Victor's Iticer of tlva
Wcitt, 4.'!.S. There is also in the state archives a tomahawk said to have been
the one used by Tamahas in killing Whitman. When Tamahas was about to
be executed, it is said he gave the hatchet to Stffck Whitley, a chief of the
l)es Cliutes, whose family presented it to J)oaald McKay, who in turn gave
it to William Logan, Indian agent at Warm Springs in 18'J4. It 'vas exhibited
by Logan at a sanitary fair during the civil war, and finally prij.sented to the
state. It is not probable, however, that Tamahas would give a keepsake to
a Des Chutes chief when the tribe had refused to assist the guilty I'ayuses.
Another and more probable story is that Tamahas used a hatchet obtained by
Tiloukaikt of the (Jros Ventres in 183.3, and that he presented it to Five Crows
a few years afterward. This fact, if established, would go to show that Five
Crows was fully apprised of the inteutiou of the Walla Walla (Jayusea. See
Portland Oreijoniaii, !March 9, 18G5.
MEEK'S PARTY.
717
solving to niako lii.s hcarlquartcrs anionf.; tlio ruins, to
wliicli place ho removed on the 3(1. Thiii settled, a
detachment of a hundred was sent to escort Meek's
party of seven to the foot of the Blue Mountains,
whence they were to make their way, ])rotected by
their Hudson's Bay cap and capote, and their own
strength and sagacity, to the frontier of the United
States.*^ Three months had elapsed since the tra<jfedy
of Waiilatpu, and as yet they had not been able to
send the intelligence beyond the silver-rimmed moun-
tain ranges which cut oif the Oregon colony from the
inhabited world. In how great a degree the present
attempt was successful will be related in a future
chapter.
26
Amidst rumors that the Nez Perces were on their
way to join the Cayuses, and the assurances of Stie-
cas that, while pretending friendship himself, his people
were expecting war, the pei ce commissicmers made
efforts to hold a preliminary council with such of the
Cayuses as professed to be friendly, they being almost
altogether of the poorer and less influential class. But
the commander frowned on 'peace talk,' and expended
his energies on a fortress constructed of the adobes
of the demolished mission buildings which was named
Fort Waters for the lieutenant-colonel.'" While many
of the officers were willing to leave the commissioners
free to accomplish what they could, Gilliam opposed his
opinion and authority to this unmilitary sentiment, and
threatened to march to battle on the morning of the
6th, the very day on which the Xez Perces, two hun-
I*;
^*Mcek was accompanied from Waiilatim only by his old comrade of
mountain days, (r. W. Ehl)erts, and liy Jolin Owens, Nathaniel Bowman,
J;imos Steel, Suniuel Miller, .Taeob Lcalio, Dennis Buris, David Young,
Broiriia Minrcllmi!/, MS., '2'2. Tlie party being too small to be safe, Gilliam
ordered an escort to talvc them bjyond the t'ayuse country.
'■'"From a letter of Abernethy's I gather that he liad some hope that Meek
miglit meet the 0rej.;on regiment, so unicii talked al>out in congress, near Fort
Hall, if peace should have been concluded with Mexico, (/r. A rchircH, MS.,
108-9.
^' Newell says: ' Colonel Gilliam L^ft the council in a luitf, and declared he
had come to light, and light ho would,' Memoranda, MS., 12.
718
THE CAY USE WAR.
(Irod and fifty stroiiiL^, under Crait^ and OervaiH, liad
appointed to nit'«'t tlicni in council at \Vaiilat[)U. No
unity and little diseipliuu existed in the army, becauHe,
as Newell said, hohio uien had joined it from motives
of patiiotism, otlun's for |)oj)ula)'ity, a certain [)ortion
for ]»lund(>r, and the course taken by the conunander
was not i)\\o U) consolidate factions. (William did not,
however, attempt to load tlu; volunteers aj^ainst the
Cayusos l)efor(! the council, as ho had threatened. The
Noz Porees arrivixl ahout noon on the Otli. and were
received hv the army with cheers. On the 7th the
council o[)ened with the usual ceremony of smoki;i<]f
the calumet of peace. The letter of (jr»)vernor Aher-
uethy was then given to the chiefs, who hroke the
seal with much c^^re, but beinj^ unable to read it, the
contents W(>re delivered throuiifh an interpreter, while
tiiey listened with close attention. Ellis, the hcai!
chief of the Nez Perces, being absent, the first speech
in reply was made by Joseph, next in authority, a half-
brother of Five Crows, on the mother's side, and like
Five (^rows a professed ]?rotestant, but who, on hear-
ing of the Cayuse outbreak, had been the first to
withdraw h countenance from the missionaries and
to join in the plunder of their houses. Said Joseph:
"Now I show my heart. When I left my home I
took the book (the gospels in the Nez Perce language)
in my hand, and brought it with me. It is my light.
I heard tlie Americans were cominiif to kill me; still
1 held my book before me, and came on. I have
heard the words of your chief I speak for all the
Cayuses present, and all my people. I do not want
my children engaged in this war, although my brother
is wounded. You speak of the murderers. I shall
not meddle with them. I bow my head. This much
I speak."
Jac(/b, the chief, who was wont to practise upon
the superstitions of the people to advance his personal
popularity, as elsewhere mentioned, said: "It is the
law of this country that the murderer shall die. That
law
law
wa\
bre
and
.Si'KEC'HES OF THE IH1EF8.
719
law I keep in my lienrt, bccnusc I believe it is the
law of ({()(! the iijst law." lie also lia<l lieard, ;;:i tho
way, that tlic! Aincricaiis were coiuiiin- to kill all his
bretlircui, but he was not tunicd hack by tlu^ n'[)(nt,
and wajs thankful for tho ^ood letti'i' of the j^^ovfinor.
Tlien H|)<)k(! Tanu^s, tho Catholic Noz Perce, and
expressed his pleasure that Spaldinjj^ had escaped, and
his conviction that all the chiefs priscnt desii'ed j)eaco.
lied Wolf declared that when lie heanl of the; mas-
sacre he wont to Waiilat[»;; +■> discovtT the truth con-
<'crning the cons[)iracy, and hi been told by Tauitau
that not all the chiefs were <j;"iiUy, bat that the vouui;
men had connnitte<l tho r urde/s. W;'!i(»ut sKej)ing
lie returned and reported .o Spaldi" ,' \vhat chiefs were
engaged in killing the Amcricins, and Spalding had
said: " I go to the WiDamrUe and will say, 'The Nez
Forces have savca my lite,' aud I will go to the Wil-
lamette and save yours;" since whicli time they had
ail been waiting to jiear from the governor.
Timothy was more reserved. He said : " Yoxi hoar
these chiefs, they 8|)eak for all. I am as one in the
air; I do not meddle with these things; tho chiefs
speak, wo are all of tho same mind," Richard, who
accompanied Whitman to the States in 18,'35, was
thankful that tho governor had spoken so kindly. His
people would not go to war. They had been taught
by their old chief, Cut-noso, to take no bad advice, but
to cling to the good. Ellis was in tho butlalo country ;
but ho was sure that his counsel would bo for peace.
Kentuck, who had escorted Parker through tho
Salmon River country when he came to explore for
mission stations, followed with an address. Ho said
ho had boon much with the Americans and French,
and that none of them could say anything disparaging
of his character. Ho had fought with the Anuu'icans
against the Blaci.foot. He had been with Fremont
in California the previous summer, not for pay, but
from friendship toward the Americans."'^ It had boon
''^ In reality to avenge Elijah's death.
I
ir
720
THE CAYUSE WAR.
said that he was with the Cayuses and concerned in
the murders, but such was not the fact. His people
had never shed the blood of Americans; and he was
glad to learn that they only demanded the guilty for
punishment.'"'^
Camaspclo, the only Cayuse chief who was present,
acknowledged that his people had two hearts, and that
Tamsucky had consulted him on the subject of the
massacre before it was committed. He had refused to
have anything to do with it, but had pointed to his
sick child, and answered that his heart was there, and
not bent on murder; but nevertheless Tamsucky had
gone back to the other chiefs and told them that Camas-
pelo consented. Camaspelo might have said further
that at that very time Whitman had ridden forty miles
to visit his sick child, and yet the chief had not warned
him of danger. But the commissioners were more
intent on peace than on an examination of Indian
evidence. They were satisfied to be told that some
of the Cayuses would not attem])t to screen the mur-
derers, let their motives for neutrality be what they
might.
Superintendent Palmer then addressed the council.
He praised the Nez Perces for their reasonableness,
and took occasion to give them a motive for continuing
friendly by saying that* the Cayuses by their conduct
had forfeited their lands. At the same time he de-
clared that the land was ntjt wanted by Americans,
who asked nothing more than that the road should be
kept open for their countrymen tt) pass through to the
Willamette Valley, which, he added, nmst l)o done.
For this purpose a fort would be built, and a force
stationed at Waiilatpu. For the Cayuses to oppose
this demand would be futile. If they were wise they
would assist in discovering the criminals in order that
the innocent miirht be no lonsfer involved in the trou-
bles that threatened. The Nez Perces were advised
to return to their home and their planting; and as an
»0/-. Spectnfor, April 20, 1848- Orai/'n Hist. Or., 5C2-4.
PROPERTY RETURNED.
721
earnest of good faitli on both sides, William Craig as
agent should accompany and reside amongst them,^'^
with authority to settle all disputes. A school-teacher
and a blacksmith were promised them as soon as peace
should be restored, with the assurance that no other
white man should settle on their lands without their
consent; but they were warned not to interfere with
the missionaries still at Chemakane, nor to molest
immigrants or travellers as they passed through tlie
country, or Americans coming among them to trade,
to all of which they readily agreed. After addresses
by other commissioners and Colonel Gilliam, tobacco
was distributed and an American flag presented ; this
was followed by an entertainment in the evening, at
which the Indians exhibited the war-dance.
Ii
■V.
All this talk was an irritation to Gilliam, who beheld
the guilty Cayuses slipping through his fingers and
moving off toward the Nez Perce country while he was
forced to confer with their relatives, lingering only
near enough to get news of what transpired at tiie
council, but ready to elude him when he should move.
On the 8th the Nez Perces were permitted to visit
the Cayuse carmp twenty-five miles away, in the hope
that when they learned the result of the council they
might be induced to surrender the nmrderers, and on
the 9th the army began to move in that direction.
After advancing a few miles towards the crossing of
the Touchet, they were met by Sticcas, coming from
the Cayuse camp with several hundred dollars' wortli
of mission and emigrant jjroperty and money, which
was given up in the hope of winning a favorable
opinion for those who consented to its restoration.
Sticcas wished to hold a council, to which request
Gilliam objected, believing it^to be merely an artifice
to gain time ; but as two of the connnissioners present
"* Craig was appointed agent Marcii 10th, and went to take charge of tliO
mission property at Lapwai, and to render 'all the assistance in Iiin power ' to
tlie Nez Perci'a. O;-. ,1 ,r///'/r,s, MS., i;};).
Mist. Or., Vol. 1. ■iO
"M
722
THE CA^USE WAR.
added their solicitations to the entreaties of Sticcas,
the volunteers encamped, Captain English with forty-
two men being ordered back to Fort Waters with the
cattle and other property brought in by the Cayuses.
In the talk with Sticcas which followed, the chief
announced that the Cayuses had decided tliat they
would not surrender Tauitau nor Tanisucky, Cilliani
proposed that for the person of Joe Lewis he would
release five others of the guilty ; but as this would be
in violation of the agreement that the commissioners
had made with the Nez Perces, they refused their
consent, and withdrew from the council, returning
with English to Waiilatpu, and thence to Fort Walla
Walla, the Dalles, and Oregon City.
The commander had long wished to be freed from
the peace commission, which was daily lessening the
probabilities of the capture of the murderers. How-
ever that may be, Gilliam made his own agreement
with Sticcas, who returned to the Cayuse camp, and
soon after the volunteers, one hundred and fifty-eight
in immber, resumed their march toward Snake River.
On the 11th they met three Indians bearing a flag,
and drivini; some of the horses which had been stolen
while the army was en route to Waiilatpu, which they
were restoring as a peace-oflering. These Indians
reported that Sticcas had taken Joe Lewi^, and had
started with him to meet the volunteers, but that he
had been rescued, and the property retaken, which the
chief was brimjint; to deliver to Gilliam."^^ This Intel-
ligence caused Gilliam to hasten forward, as he now
strongly suspected Sticcas of deception. On the 13th,
while encamped at a spring near the Tucannon River,
he received a message from Tauitau, wlio professed
friendship, and an intention to forsake the company
of the hostile Cayuses, adding that he was encamped
on the Tucannon, a little farther up, and that Tam-
sucky had gone to Red Wolfs place on the Srake
River in the Nez Perce country; and Tih^ukaikt had
" Letter of Lieut. Magone, in Or. Spectator, A\}Ti\ C, 1848.
FIGHT WITH THE PALOUSES.
723
fled with the rest of tlie Cayusos down tlie Tucannon
with the intention of crossing the Snake River into
the Palouse country.
To many connnanders this strategic division of
the enemy would luive boded ill, but Gilliam seems
not to liave been daunted, and taking as verity what
might well liave been doul)ted, determined to act
without loss of time. Mounting his men after dark,
he marched for the mouth of the Tucannon, arriving
before daybreak near the Indian camp. As sof)n as
the morning dawned he advanced, but was arrested
when within four hundred yards of the lodges by the
approach of an old unarmed Indian, with one hand on
his head and the iHher on his heart, who hastened to
assure (xilliam that he had made a mistake, and that
this was the camp of Peupeumoxmox, who would not
fight the Americans. The nmrderers, he said, were
gone, and the only recourse for the Americans was to
take possession of tlieir stock Avhich was feeding on
the surrounding liills. The volunteers proceeding into
camp, found only a few warriors painted and armed,
who appeared friendly. Disappointed in his purpose,
Gilliam could see no better course than to follow the
old man's suggestion and drive off the enemy's stock,
thus crippling him in his resources.
The Tucamion runs through a deep canon, and to
reach the hills Avhere the cattle were grazing required
a toilsome march up a steep ascent for a quarter of a
mile. No sooner was this elevation gained than they
beheld the cattle swinnning across the Snake River.
The enemy had outwitted tln'in, and there was noth-
ing left but to collect about five hundri'd head of
stock, mostly horses, and return to the Touclset.
They had not proceiMled more than a mile in that
direction when they were attacked in the rear by four
hundred Indians, the majority being Palouses. A run-
ning fight began, which lasted all day, the army being
obliged to encamp several miles from the Touchct, on
a small stream, where without food or fire they passed
721
THE CAYUSE WAR.
a wretched night. So much did the Indians annoy
them by firing into camp, that the captured stock was
turned out in the hope that with that they would be
content to depart. Tliis, however, did not suffice, for
when the volunteers were ready to move in the morn-
imr, the Indians swarmed about their heels and hunor
upon their flanks.
It soon became evident that the battle was to be at
the crossing of tlie Touchet. When within two miles
of the ford the Indians made a dash to pass the vol-
unteers and take up their position, the river-bottom
affording a thick cover of shrubby trees. White men
and reds contended bravely for precedence, and the
smoke of their guns mingled as they approached the
crossing. ^^ In this engagement the Cayuses did not
show that apparent ignorance of tactics displayed at
the battle of Umatilla, and warming to their work
kept the army of Oregon for an hour at the ford
before it all gained the southern side. Unequal as
the numbers were, the volunteers achieved a decided
victory. Though sustaining a loss of ten wounded,
none were killed. The Indians, on the other hand,
had four killed and fourteen wounded.^ No attempt
was made to follow the Americans across the Touchet.
The whoop and yell, and rattle of musketry which
had been continuous for thirty hours, ceased, and from
the farther side'of the stream came the wild and mel-
ancholy death-song which attested their loss. On
the IGth the army arrived jaded and famishing at
Fort Waters, having eaten nothing except a small colt
for three days.^
'•'Captain Maxon iii his report says that the courage and detcrmi nation
of a few youn;^ men saved tlie army from a heavy h).sa and perhaps from
being eiit to pieces; and mentions in a siibseipient letter tlie names of captains
Hall, Owens, and Thompson, sergeants Bnrch and Cooke, Quartermaster
(iof)dluie, Judge Advocate Rinearson, and Paymaster Magonc. English being
at Waiilatpu did not participate in this battle, nor Tlionias McKay, who had
returned sick to Walla Walla ■when the coirnnissioners left. See Or. Syccla-
tor, April 0, 1848; Gray's Hint. Ur., TidS.
^ This is the number of killed and wounded given by Craig in a letter found
in the Or. Arrjim:i, MS., 1.38. A writer in the Cnthalu: Mniinzim; vii. 491,
states that there were flO Indians killed; but this number is eutii'ely too great.
^Crav^ford'a Nar., MS., 121.
DEATH OF GILLIAM.
72S
The lai/e expedition and its results had demonstrated
that notwithstanding the desertion of the Cayuses by
the Nez Perees, Walla Wallas, and Yakinias, they
still had a powerful ally in the Palouse tribe, which
occupied a sort of neutral country between the Nez
Perees, Spokanes, and Cayuses, and were largely aug-
mented in numbers by outlaws from the surrounding
tribes, which circumstance lowered their rank amoiiir
the savages. But m their present rather friendless
condition the Cayuses were glad to a /ail themselves
of these or any other auxiliaries.
On the 18th Gilliam held a council with his officers,
when it was determined that one hundred and fifty
men should proceed to the Dalles to escori a supply-
train to Waiilatpu, where provisions and anni\unition,
as well as men were wanting; and that the colonel
would accompany them in order to more readiJy con-
fer with the governor on the situation of aifairs,
leaving the command of the fort to Lieutenant-
colonel Waters. Accordingly the companies of cap-
tains Maxon and McKay, with other officers and ;nen,
set out on the 20th for the Dalles with wagons for
the transportation of supplies. They had reaciied
the springs beyond the Umatilla and were encamped
for the night, when as Colonel Gilliam was drawing a
rope from a wagon to tether his horse, it caught on
the trigger of a gun and discharged the contents into
his body, killing him instantly. Thus died an Itonest,
patriotic, and popular man, whose chief fault as an
officer was too much zeal and impetuosity in the per-
formance of his duties; whose glory would have been
to die in battle, but who perished by accident in the
discharge of homely labors.''^
The death of Gilliam left the conunand temporarily
in the hands of Captain Maxon. From his report to
General Lovejoy, which Jie despatched by C. W.
'^(Jilliai'i loft a witc ami 8 chiMreii. His boily was taken to clio Willa-
iiiette for interiiieiit l)y Caiitaiu McKay, whoso iinpaireil health obliged him
to retire from his conunand. Or. Spectator, April G, 1848; S. F. Caltfomian,
Maya, 1848.
I
:iil
786
THE CAYUSE WAR.
Cooke immediately on arriving at the Dalles, where
he found Captain Garrison in coumiand, the colonists
learned not only the events above recorded, but that
without more men and means the army was practi-
cally useless. Fort Waters was but an enclosure of
adobe walls a few feet high. The men in the field
were almost destitute of clothing; the horses were
worn out with marching, and no others could be ob-
tained, as those captured had been claimed by the
friendly Indians. The time for which a portion of
the army enlisted, three or four months, would soon
expire. He stated that one hundred and fifty men
only were left at Fort Waters, and almost without
ammunition and wholly without bread; while at Fort
Lee there were but fifty men and no supplies. Maxon,
having pictured their condition in a strong light, ap-
pealed t(J fathers to send bread to their sons, who
were enduring cold and hunger to keep danger away
from the hearth-stone; to mothers for clothing to
shield their soldiers from the piercing airs of winter ;
to the young women to withhold their smiles from
every young man who refused to volunteer to defend
her honor and the country of her adoption; and to all
to hasten forward the supplies for which he was wait-
ing at tlie Dalles.'^® This appeal, which was no doubt
necessary if the war was to be carried on, was some-
what highly colored as to the commissary department
at Fort Waters, where beef and bread were plenty
for some time after the departure of Colonel Gilliam
for the Dalles.^' These articles were obtained by the
seizure of cattle, and wheat, pease, and potatoes found
cached by the Indians, but which belonged to the
mission estate.
The people, again excited by the report of Maxon
'"Or. SpccUitor, April 6, 1848.
*' See letter written ou the 4th of April by Jesse Cadwallader, in Gray's
Hist. Or., 570. The newa of (iilliaiu's death had not at that date reached
Fort Wate-s. The writer complains oidy of the lack of ammunition, and
says he hopes to see (jrUliam back in a few days, and more men with him. A
letter froi- Lieut, -col. Waters mentions that they had repaired the mill, and
set it to grinding wheat found at the mission.
FURTHER RECRUITING.
727
and the fear that in a few weeks when the snow should
be off the mountains the Indians might invade the
Willamette Valley, made haste to collect such articles
as could be purchased from or spared by all classes,
and to forward them to the Dalles. In this work the
women of Oregon City heartily joined, organizing a
society whose purpose was to support the army in the
field,** and the maidens pledging themselves to treat
with avoidance and contempt all able-bodied yt)ung
men who would not march at once to the seat of war.
The objection offered by many to enli'sting or
remaining in the army was the fear of losing their
land claims by abandoning them at this critical moment,
when it was expected that the first jnail from the
United States would bring news ot the ])assage of an
act by congress giving a certain amount of land to
actual settlers. But to '':his fear the young ladies
replied that they would see that the soldiers' claims
were respected, and exhorted them to " fight on, be
brave, obey your officers, and never quit your posts
till the enemy is conquered," promising to reward
them with their sympathy.^"
The governor issued a proclamation for three hun-
dred recruits. Meetings were held in several counties,
and about two hundred and fifty men enlisted.*'
Before the recruits were ready to march, an express
arrived from Fort Waters with letters. Waters wrote
to Governor Abernethy, April 4th, that, not seeing
'"The president of this society was Mrs N. M. Thornton, the secretary
Mrs E. F. Thurston, an<l the treasurer Mrs Leslie; the first the wife of the
governor's privat'e delegate to congress, the second tlie wife of tlie first del-
egate elected uiuler tlie territorial organization, and the third the second
wife of Rev. D. Leslie. The committee appointed to collect funds consisted
of Mrs Robh, Mrs Hood, and Mrs Herford.
"'Or. Spectator, April 20, 1848.
"In Linn County H. ,1. Peterson organized a company, the means to
equip it being raised l)y sub.scription. Tliey left for Portland April 2r)th.
Clatsop County sent a few volunteers: S. B. Hall, D. H. Kinder, John Kichey,
R. V\ Morrison, and N. H. Evennan. A/., May 4, 1848. A second company
was raised in Linn County, officered by CJranville H. Baber, captiiin; Jeremiah
Driggs, 1st lieutenant; J. M. McConnel and Isaac Thompson, sergeants.
Three other companies were organized at Portland, one fr(w» Lmn, William
Pugh, captain; one from Polk and Clackamas, J. W. Nesmith, captain; and
one from Yamhill and Tualatin, William J. Martin, captain.
728
THE CAYUSE WAR.
any Indians for several clays, either friendly or hostile,
he had sent an express to Fort Walla Walla to gain
some information, if possible, concerning them, and
had learned from McBean and the chief himself that
Peupeumoxmox had revoked his friendship for the
Americans, and was now hostile on account of an act
of the recent legislature prohibiting the sale of arms
and ammunition to the Indians. He complained of
being placed by the act on the same footing with the
guilt}? Cayuses, and threatened, if the law should not
be abrogated, that his people would also Ijecome mur-
derers. Sixty lodges, said to contain between two
and three hundred warriors, were gathered within a
mile and a half of the fur company's fort, which cir-
cumstance was considered as being significant of hos-
tile intentions.*^
News had also arrived at the fort that the head
chief of the Nez Perces, Ellis, with sixty of his men,
had died in the mountains, whither they had gone to
hunt, of the two scourges, measles and dysentery,
which had carried off' so many Cayuses. This loss
would naturally affect the superstitious minds of the
Nez Perces, and it was thought their word to the
commissioners would be betrayed, as they had held a
great feast with the Cayuses since the last engage-
ment at the Touchet. The wound of Five Crows,
who was with Joseph, was also likely to carry him
off^, and altogether the prospect appeared gloomy in
respect to breaking up the alliance of the; confederated
tribes of the Umatilla, the Walla Walla, and the
Clearwater valleys. Waters also wrote concerning
the Des Chutes chief, Welaptulekt, that he went to
Fort Walla Walla and delivered up a large amount
of immigrant property, giving as a reason for not
taki
*' The cunning of the savage character has frequently been displayed when
one or more tribes have gone to war, by a portion remaining friendly in onler
to act as go-betweens, to buy ammunition, and carry information. If such
was the character of Peupeumoxmox 's friendship, the act of the legislature
defeated his intention antl gave him the provocation he desired for becoming
hostile.
LEE IN COMMAND.
729
takiiiij it to Gilliam, that lie was feaiful ho would be
killed ; but as it was known that he had refused to
accej)t the Hag sent to him by the peace commissioners
by the hands of his own men, his apology to McBean
was reyarded as a subterfuye. The same letter con-
veyed the information that Tamsucky, Joe Lewis, and
Tiloukaikt's two sons were on the road to Fort Hall,
the latter three intending to join the Mormons at
Salt Lake, while Sticcas and Tauitau were gone to
the mountains to remain until the war was over. The
other Cayuses, the Palouses, and some worthless Nez
Perces were conjjret'atinjT to m\e the volunteers one
more battle before abandoning the country and going
to hunt buffalo.
Such was the infonnation which the commander
of Fort Waters thought of sufficient im[)ortance to
despatch to the governor.*'" From the Yakima country
the news was more encourayfintj. Some of their chief
men visited the Dalles to assure the officer in com-
mand of Fort Lee that neither they nor the Spokanes
wished to be involved in the war, though the Cayuses
had threatened tliem with the same treatment they
gave the Americans if they refused to join in the
hostilities. On this representation, that they had
resisted entreaties and threats to make them go to
war, they hoped to get some ammunition ; but were
told that until peace was restored no ammunition
would be furnished to any Indians; but instead of
powder a })lough was presented to them, with which
they departed apparently satisfied."
Indeed, the quantity of ammunition which the gov-
ernor was able to send to the Dalles on Maxon's
demand was so small that none could have been
spared, had there been no other reason for withhold-
ing it. But such as it was, he returned immediately
with it to Fort Waters, leaving the Dalles on the 8th
of April with wagons loaded with flour.
"Or. Spectator, April 20, 1848. See alar letter of William Craig, in Or.
Archives, MS., 138; S. F. Califorman, May 8, 1848; Orai/'x Jfmt. Or., 575-7.
> '•'Letter of Captain Maxou, in (lratj.-< Hid. Or., 509-70,
'^H|-
780
THE CAYUSE WAB.
In Maxoii's report of the death of Colonel Gilliam
he had intimated that Major Lee would be acceptable
to the army as its colonel, and the governor, ignoring
the next in command, had connnissioned Lee, leaving
vacant the position of major, which was filled by
Lieutenant Magone of the Ist company of Oregon
mounted riflemen. Palmer having resigned the oflico
of su])erintendent of Indian affairs, Leu was a{)})ointed
tt> that place also, a combination of powers which it
was believed by some would go far toward securing
peace, ^ut however Lee's ))romotion might aflect
the Indian qU(!stion, a difficulty arose between Captain
William J. Martin's company of the new organization
and the colonel, with regard to priorty in regimental
number, Martin's company being numbered the 10th,
when according to his belief it was the 9th, and con-
sidering himself unfairly treated, he deserted at the
Dalles with his two lieutenants and twelve privates,
and returned to Portland,"" from wiiich place Colonel
Lee had departed on the 20th of April with three
companies, and a second supply of flour and annnu-
nition.
The policy determined upon by the governor and
Lee, to be pursued toward the Indians, was to treat all
as enemies who should be found armed in the Cayuse
countrj'' after notice should be given. News of the
appointment of a new superintendent of Indian affairs
having reached Fort Waters in advance of the reen-
forcement, Lee was met by an express from the Nez
Perces on John Day River, who brought a request
from the tribe for a council, to settle, amcmg other
matters, who should be head chief in place of Ellis,
on which account he hastened forward, arriving at
Waiilatpu on the 9th of May, in advance of the
wagons and volunteers. He found that Tauitau,
miir
** E. Bidwell and H. D. Martin were the lieutenants. The complaint was
that they were marched in the rear; were not always allowed beef when the
other companies were; and could not have their horses shod in time to march
with them from the Dalles, but were ordered to follow and overtake the com-
panies of Pugh and Neamith. Or. Spectator, June 1, 1848.
FURTHER COUNCILS.
7:u
Sticcas, Comespolo, ami somo lesser Cayuse chief's,
had returned to the Umatilla, and were profess-
in<it to be friendly, but it was tliou<;lit from the nu-
merous herds in the valley that they were takinjjf
care of the stock belonging to the nmrderers, who had
fled from the country, Welaptulekt was in contine-
nient at Fort Waters, awaitinj^ the judgment of the
superintendent upon his conduct. Between some of
the Cayuses and Nez Perces there was considerabh;
ill feeling because the majority of the latter still de-
clined to be forced into a war.'*' On being re<juested
by the Nez Perces to appoint a high chief, Lee
nominated Richard, on account of his superior attain-
ments; and also a})})ointed Meaway, a man of little
note, as war-chief, telling the natives if the selections
made did no meet their ajjprobation, to make a choice
for themselves; but they simply left the matter in
abeyance.^^
After settling affairs with the Nez Perces, Lee
helu a council with the Walla Wallas and the Cay-
uses of the Umatilla, and found that the accession of
men and ammunition to Fort Waters had not been
without effect. " The friendship of the Indians," re-
marked Colonel Waters, "increases with our num-
bers."
Peupeumoxmox, on being reminded of his threat
to turn murderer, expressed much shame at having
been guilty of such folly. "I told lum, and all
that were i)resent," says Lee, "that we were bound
to hold this country until the nmrderers were pun-
ished, the stolen property returned, and that which
had been destroyed paid for; and then asked them
what they were going to do. Whether they would
try to settle the matter, and let us go home about
our business, and leave them to theirs, or would
m
i J
*^0r. Archives, MS., 139-40
** Richard does not seem to have acted as tlie hea<l of the Raz Perces.
Gray says tliat he was ' murdered by a Catholic Indian ' after liis appointment.
His nomination appears to have been unpopular with the older and more
iuilueutial men of the Nez Percys.
< I
7»
THE CAYUSE VVAK.
they hold off as they luwl rlono, and leave us hero to
hold th(nr country with our j^unsi*"*'
This was not a question easy of answer, in view of
the fact tliat to atteni[)t to deliver up the murderers,
one of whom, Tihjukaikt, was still in the l^alouse
country, would involve tliiMu in a war amon<»' them-
selves; while to refuse to make the attempt would
bring them into hostilities with the justly incensed
Americans. These hard and unavoidable conditions
caused Peupeumoxmox and Tauitau to humble them-
selves before the superintendent, and to inomise more
than they were able to perform had their dispositions
in reality been more favorable toward it.
On arrlvmg at Fort Waters, Lee, finding the dis-
cipline good and the men satisfied with their com-
mander, inuned lately offered to resign his rank to
Waters, whose right it was; and their resignations
being sent to the governor, the regiment at once
elected Waters colonel and Lee lieutenant-colonel ; the
whole transaction being conducted with entire unanim-
ity and friendliness,*** Preparations were begun soon
afterward for invading the Nez Percd country, where
it was believed the refuge of the guilty Cayuses would
be found; and on the morning of the 17th of May the
regiment, now immbering about four hundred and
fifty, marched out from the fort, leaving only a small
force to garrison 'he post. That night the army en-
camped on the Coppei; and on the following morning
Lee was detached, with Captain Thompson and one
hundred and twenty-one men, with orders to proceed
,o the crossing of the Snake River at Red Wolf's
amp, to cut off if possible the retreat of the fugitives
o the mountains, while Waters would cross with the
main force at the mouth of the Palouse River, and
prevent their escape to the Columbia.
*' ' I also showed them the bill of articles taken at this place, and those
taken from iuiiiiigrants along the road, as also at Barlow's (Jate, and tohl them
wo would forget nothing.' Letter of Supt. Lee, in Or. Syectatcn; June 1,
1848.
♦"Or. Spectator, Juno 1, 1848.
WATimS IN COMMAND.
733
In order to facilitate these oj orations, some Palouse
chiefs, from mercenary motives now willing to lend
their aid to the Americans, agreed to have canoes in
readiness to ferry over the men an<l l)auj^'a;(e. l^ut
on cominj^ to the place determined u[)on, no canoes or
Indians were visihle, and Major Magone with four
men was detailed to cross the Snake Kiver on a raft
to search the banks of the l*alouse for the promised
ferry-man. This was eft'ected with dithculty, the river
being high and rapid; the Indians returning with the
major, buc too late to })r(!vent any further move-
ment that day. A day and a half having been spent
in crossing the army and baggage, the horses swim-
ming, at noon of the 21st the march was resumed
toward Lapwai under the guidance of an Indian })ilot,
who promised to direct the colonel directly to the
camp of Tiloukaikt.
On the 22d Waters was surprised by an expre-^s
from the Chemakane mission, bearing a letter from
Eells in reply to one from himself inquiring concern-
ing the temper of the Si)okane8. Eells reported that
they wera not entirely harmonious, but that he knew
of none who excused the nmrderers. As if to an-
swer for themselves, a party of forty-three of this
tribe accompanied the courier, and offered their ser-
vices, informing the connnander where a part of
Tiloukaikt's cattle could be found, and ofTering to
bring them to camp. They were sent upon tliis ser-
vice, and brought in, besides the cattle, two Indians
claiming to be Nez Peroes, who were thouglit to be
snies. On behig questioned, they declared that Tilou-
kaikt had fled to the mountains, but that most of his
stock was being herded by a few Indians near Snake
River, and could be captured. Major Magone was at
once ordered to take one hundred men and bring in
Tiloukaikt's property; and to capture any Inchans
suspected with being in league with the guilty Cay-
uses.
The order to capture susj>ccted Indians lieing lib-
III
m\
iiM !
734
THE CAYUSE WAR.
orally construed by the volunteers, the first one showing
symptoms of flight was pursued l)y a squad of nine
men, who followed and sliot him while attempting to
escape across Snake River in a oanoe.*" Is ear the
spot where this unjustifiable killing occurred, Magone
found a small camp of Indians under an old chief
called Beardy, who assured him that Tiloukaikt was
nowhere in that country, but had gone far away. He
directed the major to the camp of Kichard, the lately
appointed high chief, who confirmed this statement.
The Indians also informed him that an express of two
Avhite men had that morning gone to Colonel Waters
from Lee in the Lapwai country/"^ upon which he
collected the stock belonging to Tiloukaikt in that
vicinity, and returned to the Palouse to learn the
news direct.
Lee had been met at Red Wolf crossing by the
statement that Tiloukaikt's people had fled the coun-
try two days before, leaving all their worldly posses-
sions, some of which were in the vicinity of Lapwai.
To this place lie had marched, arriving on the morning
of the 21st, and remaining several days to poUect the
cattle belong to the Cayuses. To the Nez Perces
who visited the volunteer camp, Lee said that his
business in their country was to punish the Cayuses,
and that since they had fled beyond reach, he claimed
all their property, and that if they were true friends
♦' Major Magone in his report says that on nearing the river Baptiste Dorion
discovered an Indian and at once set off at full spued, followed by those who
were in front — not that he onlered the charge; and that liaving a poorer horse
he did not come up with them until the river was reached, A'heu he found the
men shooting at a canoe in wiiicli no person was visilde; but the men said
tiicre were Indians in it who had lied from the troops, and who were no doubt
guilty. W. P. Breeding, who now resides in the Palouse country, says that
2 Indians pushed off from shore in a rawhide boat just as tlie volunteers
gained the shore, and that Ramsey and Brown hastily nuide a raft of logs on
wliich they crossed Snake River, l)eing carried 2 miles down by the cur-
rent before they effected a landing, after whicli tln.-y ran back to a point
opposite the place from wliieh tliey started, and discovering the canoe under
tlio bank, w.atclied until an Indian raised his head to reconnoitre, when Brown
shot him. NirJinW 1ml. Aff., MS., I, 2.
'* C. W. Cooke and David M. (iuthrie carried this express, riding at night
through tlie long strctcli of Inihan country. Tfiey were assisted in crossmg
the Snake River by Buardy's people.
oftlu
ing t(
and a
Wate
numb
It
that I
do wit
tlie so
skin
return
ItM
paign
havino-
they re
cealed.
eating ■
a doum
incideni
the i)ea
tioned i
was dri
belongo
of digiii
erty to,
sliot <\o\
for firin
raying t
only lea
Sacisf
coopurat
tlie fu;ifii
tamed i
"' Report
expedition \
ment to retu
more genera
these (profea
APFAIRS AT FORT WATERS.
735
of the Americans, they would assist, without attempt-
ing to hide anything from him. To this they agreed,
and allowed the volunteers to drive back to Colonel
Waters' camp one hundred and eighteen liorses and a
number of colts, besides about forty head of cattle. ^^
It was with regard to rejoining the main command
that Lee had sent an express ; this he was ordered to
do without delay. His detachment crossed back to
tlie south side of Snake River in boats made of the
skin lodges left behind by the fleeing Cayuses, and
returned to camp, where he arrived about the 2Gth.
It was evident from the results of the spring cam-
paign thus far that there was nothing to be gained by
having a regiment in the Indian country. So long as
they remained, the guilty Cayuses would keep con-
cealed. There was the trifling s^.tisfaction of confis-
cating their property ; but it sometimes happened that
a doubt was raised concerning the real ownership, and
incidents occurred of a nature to embroil them with
the })eaceable Indians. Such an incident was men-
tioned in one of the oflicial reports, where a com})any
Avas driving to camp a herd which it was supposetl
belonged to the Cayuses, when an unknown Indian
of dignified bearing forbade them, declaring tlie prop-
erty to be his, upon which, without inquiry, he was
sliot down. Colonel Waters wished to punisli the man
for firing without orders; but his captain interfered,
s:aying the man had done his duty.'^" Such acts could
only lead to a general war.
Satisfied that it was hopeless to expect any real
cooperation, even from the Nez Perces, in caj)turing
tlie fugitives, whom they were known to have enter-
tained up to the time the volunteers were within
"Report of Cnj>t. Thompson, in Or. SpcrMnr, Julv 27, 1S48.
^'Aic/ioIh' IikI. AJf., MS., 2. Major Magoue, inclosing his report of the
expedition i,. Snake River, before nicutionecl, said: 'I ordered the detiicli-
nient to retnrn to the regiment, thorougldy convince<l tliat I wonld liave given
more general satisfaction by ordorinc them to wipe from the face of existence
these (professedly) friendly Indians. Or. S^clator, July 21, 1848.
,, ..hj|:
.hill;
736
THE CAYUSE WAR.
two days of Lapwai, and being aware that now that
the snow was oflF the mountains the Cayuses could
find sustenance witliout their herds, Colonel Waters
determined upon closing the r^ampaign, should it meet
the approval of the governor. Feeling, also, that it
was better that all the white inhabitants should remove
out of the Indian country, he despatched captains
Thompson and Nesmith to Craig's place on the Clear-
water to escort him and his family and goods to the
fort; and ordered Major Magone with fifty-five men
to the Chemakane mission to give Walker and Eells
an opportunity to leave the count" y, a'ivising them
by letter that in his judgment they would do well to
accept it.
These measures were adopted without waiting for
the sanction of Governor Abernetliy, as shown by
the dates of the correspondence and reports. ^^ Colonel
Waters left Waiilatpu June 8th to proceed to the
Dalles, the letter of the governor directing him to do
so being dated June 15th, which could not have been
received before he reached the Dalles. That the
orders of the governor agreed so well with the pre-
vious acts of the field-officer is evidence that the latter
su<;<»'ested to the former his course."
At Fort Waters, which was placed under the com-
mand of Captain William Martin, Colonel Waters
left fifty -five men, which number he expected to be
''^ Magone loft ca np for the Chemakane May 26th, and Tho:n])son nnist
have started for Lapw.'i a day or two later. He returned to Fort Waters
tlio day that Magone left t'heniakane witli the mission famiUes, and tlie
colonel, without waiting for the major's detachment, left at oueo for the
Dalles.
■'♦ ' Oregon City, Juno 15, 1848. Sir: On receipt of this you will hold a
council witli the superintendent of Indian affairs and come to a decision in
regard to remaining in tiie upper country. In order that the remainder may
ri'turn without delay, I wouhl recommend that one comj)any of 85 men, rank
and till!, ho fornie<l out of the volunteers tliat may oU'ur their services to
remain until the U. S. troops arrive. Of tliis company, 15 couM he stationed
at Fort liCe and 70 at Fort Waters. Of tlio latter, 40 or 50 could proceed at
the proper time to meet the emigrants. A company under Capt. Scoti wi'l
leave the heatl of this valley in time to escort the emigrants on the southern
route. I thiiik treaties can bo made holding the chiefs rcsponsihle and pro-
tecting the emigration from molestation. (Signed) Oko. Abeknetuy.'
'Col. Waters '
Or. ArchhrH, MS., 144.
END OF THE SPRIN(J CAMPAIGN.
787
augmented by a portion of Magone's command^ only
five of whom, however, remained. These were men
who had enhsted to serve until the 15th of September;
and the object in leaving the garrison was to afford
protection to the immigrants who might pass by the
Columbia route,"^^ and also hold the enemy's country
until they should be compelled to give up the mur-
derers.
At Fort Lee seventeen men only were left, under
command of Lieutenant A. L. Rodgers ; the remainder
of the regiment, which was joined at the Dalles by
Magone's detachment, proceeding to Oregon City by
the Barlow road over the Cascade Mountains, com-
manded by Captain Hall, while Colonel Waters with
the missionary party took a boat from the Dalles to
that place, expecting to arrive in advance and meet
the companies at McSwain's, on the Clackamas. Not
being able to do so on account of adverse winds, the
regiment arrived at Oregon City before Waters, and
was disbanded by Captain Hall, on furlough, subject
to the order of the governor,^ by whom they were
subsequently mustered out.
The foregoing history of the winter and spring
campaign has been written from the official documents,
as far as they can be found, which, although somewhat
meagre, afford a sufficiently clear account of the Cayuse
war to show the spirit in which it was conducted, and
the hardihood of the volunteers in marching back and
*^ I find a copy of a circular in Lee's handwriting evidently intended to be
forwarded to meet tlie immigration at Laramie or Fort JIall, it being acuord-
ing to the act of tlie Icgisflaturor. eating the oHico of suiierinteiident of Indian
affairs, that ho should ^ive instructions to persons emigrating liow to main-
tain peace with the Indians. In tliis circular tlicy are warncflof tlie existing
liostilities with the Cayuses and t'olumbia Kiver Indians, and informed of tho
establishment of military jtosts in their country. They were advised, uidcss
they were protected by United States troojis, to form tliemselves into military
companies, and consider themselves as soldiers, and their families and property
as tlieir ordnance and baggage train; to give no unnecessary offence, and show
no fear. 'Experience has taught ns that tho best way to keep tlie Indiina
really friendly is to keep them afraid of us.' Or. Airhiirn, MS., lGl-3.
'"'Kcjit. of Col. Waters, in Or. Spectator, July 27, 1848; I'olyneniait, v. 2;
S. F. Oill/ornuni, Aug. 14, 1848.
TIisT. Or., Vol,. I. 47
m
■■■^
738
THE CAY USE WAR.
forth hundreds of miles through a hostile country at
at a time of year when, if the Columbia River had frozen
over, as it sometimes did, they would have been en-
tirely cut oflf from supplies or reenforcements. Poorly
furnished with clothing and ammunition, without any
of the comforts of home or society, with little to gain
should congress recognize their services, and every-
thing to lose sliould fortune be against them, the men
of Oregon evinced a courage and intrepidity honorable
to individuals and their country ; as also, in general, a
self-restraint, doing little injury to the natives in per-
son or property, though often exasperated by the
recollection of past barbarities, and the evidence of
Ijresent hostility.
There is, however, an inside history which should
be given of the closing acts in the military adminis-
tration, since it relates to the attempted settlement
of the Walla Walla Valley by the volunteers, and
illustrates what Roberts calls the 'earth-hunger' of
these people. Lee says that when the regiment re-
turned to Fort Waters a council of the officers, except-
ing those with Magone's detachment, was held to
decide the question whether a command should be
left to occupy the post, and that on being put to vote
there was a majority of one against it, and prepara-
tions were begun for evacuating the fort. Colonel
Waters then made a call for volunteers to remain,
being unwilling to abandon the country and the advan-
tage gained ; but owing to opposition the order was
countermanded. But Lee, in order to induce the
men to volunteer to remam, pledged himself, by virtue
of his office as superintendent of Indian affairs, to
give authority to some prominent and rcsponsil)le
men to colonize the country immediately, and in the
articles to secure them, as far as it was in his power,
against future treaty stipulations prejudicial to their
interests. Tlie men to whom he pledged himself wer3
Captain P. F. Thompson of Yamhill and James Taylor
of Clatsop, and their associates. A call for fifty vol-
THE INNER HISTORY,
789
10
10
unteers was again made, to remain at Fort Waters
until the middle of September, and upon the promise
of Thompson and others that they would return with
their families by that time to settle in the Walla
Walla Valley, it was successful. Lee after returning
to Oregon City wrote to Governor Abernetliy for an
expression of his opinion as to the legality and pro-
jiriety of his action. " If tlie course to which I am
pledged," said he, " be not a violation of any law or
any principle of our organic compact, will you sanc-
tion the proceedings, and give to the promised
instrument the benefit of authority and of your ap-
probation?""
This proceeding of Lee's which had an air of com-
bining tlie military with the Indian department to a
degree not compatible with his constant assurances to
the Cayuses that the murderers were to be punished
as individuals, and not as a nation,'^'* and to tlie Nez
Perces that no white people would be permitted to
settle in their country without their consent, found a
ready coadjutor in the governor. To the inquiries of
Lee, he replied that the organic law did not limit set-
tlers to any ])art of Oregon, and although it might
be impolitic to occupy the lands of friendly Indians
east of the mountains, at that time, theic could be
no impropriety in occupying the country of the mur-
derers, provided the party taking possession were
strong enough to hold it and maintain peace. The
only reservation he asked them to make was of the
lands and improvements of the Presbyterian board,
to which the missionaries might wish to return and
lay claim, together with their other property,'^'' Ijcfore
^''Or. Archhvg, MS., 145-..
'^ Sue raliuer's speech to the Nez Percf^s elsewhere in this chapter. This
sentiiuciit Wiia corroborated l)y the speeches of Lee, (xilliani, and AlcKay.
'■"With regard to the Waiilatpu claim, the board sold it to Kes'. Ciishing
Eells for §1,(W0. At the time of the massacre there were about 100 horses,
200 cattle, and the sauie number of sheep belonging to Whitman. The
savages had taken most of the stock before the army came, and the volun-
teers consnmefl a jjart of what was left, for which no return was ever made
to the board. Original letter of Perriu B. Whitmau. Iiid, Ajf., Rept. 1862, 42G.
740
THE CAYUSE WAR.
which time- he had no doubt the United States gov-
ernment would be extended over it.
By the same reasoning which permitted settlers to
occupy and claim the Cayuse country, because the
people had not given up certain individuals whom the
law regarded as criminals, the lands of the Nez
Percds, Walla Wallas, and Palouses could have been
seized, for they too had sheltered the criminals; and
settlement being once begun in the Indian territory
cast of the mountains, it would not stop at imaginary
lines, as Abernethy must have known. It was no
secret tiiat the real origin of the disorders in the
upper country was the fear of the Indians that the
white people who were every year coming from the
east meant to take away thel. country by settlement,
or that Whitman had latterly wished to prevent col-
onization until the United States should make treaties
for that reason.** In killing Whitman the savages
had ignorantly broken down the wall between them-
selves and the Americans, bringing upon themselves
the very thing they dreaded; the governor and the
superintendent of Indian affairs, under the pretence
of a military necessity, lending themselves to the con-
fiscation of the Walla Walla Valley.
No sooner was the governor's sanction obtained
than the project was advertised by proclamation in
the Spectator under the name " Forfeiture of the
Cayuse Lands," with every eulogistic notice of the
country calculated to promote immigration.®^
When it is remembered that a colonization scheme
was on foot, the purpose of the volunteer officers in
"•On Spectator, July 13, 1848; American Unionist, Aug. 16, 1848.
" Lee appended to the proclamation, for the information of any who might
wish to join the colonizing company, that there were already in the country
grist and saw mills, a blacksmith's anvil and bellows, some tools, ploughs,
harrows, hoes, a quantity of iron, a crop of wheat, pease, potatoes, and corn,
with almost every convenience for forming a settlement. Or. Spectator, July
13, 1848. From this it would appear that the forfeiture was to extend to tho
mission property. Parrish says that the Methodists were driven away from
tho Dalles by the provisional government — a singular statement in tho face of
the fact that they had sold the station several months before the war broke
out. See Or. Anecdotes, MS., 30.
DOWNFALL OF THE PRESS YTEKL\NS.
741
urging tlio missionaries at Cliemakano to leave the
country becomes questionable. They may have thought
it for the best. And in order to be perfectly logical,
Superintendent Lee, when he arrived at the Dalles,
notified the Catholics, who were beginning a station at
that place, that it was desirable that no more missions
should be established until the presence of United
States troops in the country should render such efforts
safe and judicious.®^ The bishop of Walla Walla had
previously asked permission of the governor to return
to his charge, but Abernethy had taken no notice of
the application. Was the removal of the Protestant
mission a measure to prepare the way for the suppres-
sion of the Catholic missions ? If so it effected nothing,
for Rosseau stayed at the Dalles as a settler, cultivating
a land claim, but refraining from teaching the Indians,
as ordered by the superintendent; and the Oblate
fathers who had abandoned the Yakima country on
the breaking-out of the war soon returned thither,
while Bishop Blanchet, being prevented from going
to the Umatilla, attended the Cayuses en route as they
wandered about the country.®^ When called upon by
the Indian agent, Henry Saffarans, to answer the
charge of violating orders, he appears to have replied
in a manner satisfactory to the agent, who apologized
for troubling him, acknowledging that it was not to be
understood that a house or a farm meant a missionary
establishment, or that it was a violation of orders for
a man to attend to his religious duties in his own
domicile.^ And in this manner they prevailed and
held their ground, Blanchet does not conceal his
satisfaction tliat the war resulted in the total over-
throw of the Presbyterian missions, " and had the effect
'■Tliis letter was addressed on the outside to 'Rev. Mr Rosseau,' and on
the inside to 'Messrs Blanchet, etc' Or. Spectator, July I'A, 1848.
"^ Hlaiirhei's C'ntli. Church in Or., 173.
"* Jirouillet'K A lUlicntk Account, 83-4. An anecdote is told by P. W. Craw-
ford, illustrative of the suspicious temper of the people. The blacksmith at
Vancouver and an American named Buell were employed all winter making
axes for the use of the hunters and trappers, but wliich ' the settlers would
hav^ it were battlo-axes!' Narrative, MS., 14U.
•:; i|*
742
THE CAYUSE WAll.
of increasing those of the Cathohcs, by the estabhsh-
ment of St Peters at the Dalles." ^^
In the month of August another difficulty occurred
with the priests of the Jesuit missions in the north-
east. The natives were busy, as usual, carrying
rumors from post to post. It was said that Peupeu-
moxmox had hanged one of the nmrderers, whom he
found a day's march from Fort Walla Walla on the
Yakima,*^ a story which was not credited, although
the regiment before leaving Fort Waters had sub-
scribed to pay a reward of fifty blankets for the
delivery to them of one of the guilty chiefs, and half
that amount for a common murderer. That the Walla
Walla chief should hang a murderer without knowing
of the inducement, or, knowing it, should forfeit the
reward, Captain Martin refused to believe. The same
gossip said that Peupeumoxmox was pursuing another
of the guilty Cay uses, and McBean thought there
should be a party sent to assist him; but Martin saw
treachery in the movements of the chief, and kept his
men at the fort.
Again it was said, this time by the Nez Percds,
that a war had broken out between their nation and
the Snake Indians, and also that two of the Cay-
uses who accompanied Joe Lewis had been killed on
the Boise River; and again that many Americans
were coming by the Snake River route, and had
threatened to kill all savages they should meet by
the way, which had occasioned the erection of for-
tifications by the Cayuses on Burnt River, with a
view to cutting off the immigrants at that pass. And
still another rumor declared Tiloukaikt and seven of
his people killed by Shoshones led by a Frenchman.
These tales were the subject of conversation at Fort
Waters, where almost any piece of news was received
*^Catli. Church in Or., 172, 180.
•"McBean believed the story, which was brought by Patatis, an Indian
whose word he said was more to be depended on than the word of Peupeu-
moxmox. Or, Spectator, July 13, 1848.
AITITUDE OF THE CATHOUCS.
743
with avidity,*' and were reported to the Oregon au-
thorities as all there was to report.
At Fort Lee there was similar gossip, and Welap-
tulekt, who had lately come to profess much friendship
for the Americans, and was endeavoring to promote
peace by urging the Waiams of Warm Springs and
the Wascos of the Columbia River to return horses
and other property, brought the story to Lieutenant
Rodgers that the Catholic priests had promised to
supply the Cayuses with ammunition with which to ex-
terminate the Americans, and tliat unless the Waiams
and Wascos assisted them, they should also be killed.
So nmch impressed were the Indians by the threats
of the Cayuses that they retired from the river and
hid themselves among the mountains, from which cir-
cumstance Rodgers became cautious, and when soon
afterward a large amount of ammunition and arms
arrived at the Dalles, on its way to the Jesuit missions,
he intercepted and held it,^ at the same time giving
information to Governor Abernethy. The gov o nor
instructed Lee to write to M. Accolti, a Jesuit, then
at the Cowlitz, in explanation, telling him that the
most effective measures had been taken by order of
the governor to prevent the powder and ball from
falling into the hands of the Indians. Accolti replied
that he did not object to the seizure, since the gover-
nor thought it prudent ; unless it was intended to con-
fiscate the property, it might be brought to Vancouver
and left there until the restoration of peace; but he
took occasion to remind Lee that the law did not
prohibit the transportation of arms or ammunition
through the Indian country, but only the distribution
I
!
I'llil
•' To amuse themselves, Martin's company celebrated the Fourth of July
by a banquet held in a sliady arbor on tlie green lawn, the table being spread
■with roast-beef and mutton, coflFee, milk, sugar, bread, and pies. The tniists
were drank in water. C. W. Cooke gave: 'The words of young Miss Wick-
liflfe, " The American flag, the only thing American that will bear stripes I " '
Or. Spectator, Aug. 24, 1848.
** There were 1,080 pounds of powder, 1,500 pounds of balls, .300 pounds
of buckshot, anil 36 guns. The Oregon army had not been able to procure
more than 500 pounds of powder. Oreijon American, Aug. IG, 1848.
! I
744
THE CAYUSE VVAU.
of them to the Indians ; and explained that what had
been seized was the annual supply of the four mis-
sions of Okanagan, Co3ur d'Alene, Pend d'Oreille, and
Flathead River. In answer to a remark of Lee, that
much excitement and bad feelinjj ajjainst the Catholics
existed, Accolti replied that lie believed it, but that
Lee must know that it was undeserved, and that the
prejudices grew out of unjust suspicions and a grov-
elling jealousy."^
This answer, which contained some truth, was not
altogether just to the Protestants, the more intelli-
gent of whom were able to discriminate between fact
and prejudice; nor was it calculated to soften the sec-
tarian feeling, which culminated in December in a
petition to the legislature to expel the Catholics from
the country, which was refused. The quarrel ended
by permitting them to retain possession of their other
missions, but denying them the Umatilla country, to
which for a period of many years they did not return.
All the fighting and marching of the Cayuse war
was executed by the colonists without aid from any
source. The first intelligence which reached the out-
side world of the massacre at Waiilatpu was received at
the Sandwich Islands in February by the English bark
Janet, Dring, master, which conveyed a letter from
^Or. Archhvji, MS., 15C-G0. Father Accolti was born at Bari, in tho
kingdom of Naples, in 180(). Eilucated at Rome, he became a member of the
Society of Jesus, June 1, 1832. Having determined to devote his life to mis-
sionary work, he came to this coast iii 1844, going direct from France to
Oregon l)y way of Cape Horn, in tho ship L'/ndcJlitlyalile. His missionary
labors in Oregon continued till 1S.")1, during which time he had charge of the
mission of St Xavier and St Paul on tho north side of the Columbia River.
In 1851 he came to San Francisco, when ho continued his missionary labors
at Santa Clara and San Francisco. In 18r)3 he was sent to Rome, to obtain
priests for missionary duty on this coast, and with those who were selected hu
returneil in 1855. Soon after leaving Rome he was made pastor of Santa
Clara College, which position he held for 10 years. From Santa Clara he
was transferred to San Francisco, where lie was engaged in missionary duties
up to the time of his death, Nov. 7, 1878. Father Accolti was a man of
learning aTid distinguished for his earnest pioty. S. F. Evcnimj Bulletin,
Nov. 9, 1878. Rev. P. Veyret, anotlier of the Jesuits who came out in
Jjillo'dc du Matin, from Brest, France, was born at Lyons in 1812, and
became a memljer of the faculty of Santa Clara College, where he died Dec.
19, 1879. San Josi Pioneer, Dec. 20, 1879.
MEANS CF COMMUNICATION.
745
Douglas to S. N. Caistle of Honolulu; but no men-
tion of help is made in the Hawaiian journals. The brif^
Henry, which left the Columbia River about the middle
of March, did not reach San Francisco until tiie I'Jth
of April, whence she sailed for Mazatlan with gov-
ernment stores recpiired by the troops in Mexico. In
the mean time the United States transport Anita, S.
E. Woodworth commanding, with the military com-
mander of the northern district of California, IMajor
J. A- Hardie, on board, paid a visit to the Columbia
River for the purpose of raising recruits for the army
in Mexico,"" an errand which proved fruitless for
obvious reasons. ^^
So slow were the means of communication that the
letters of Governor Abernethy were not received until
June,"'" nor were the munitions of war asked for sent
to the Columbia River until the return of the Henry
on the 9th of August, when the volunteers were dis-
banded." So far as the conduct of the war was con-
cerned, the delay was rather fortunate than otherwise.
Had there been ample means at hand when the fight-
ing spirit was at its height, a general and bloody con-
flict would have been the result. Both volunteers
and Indians being short of ammunition, caution on
each side became a necessity, and averted the spilling
of much blood.
The United States Indian agent for Oregon, Charles
E. Pickett, who was in California when the first in-
'•5. F. Calif ornian, March 1, 1848; Murray'^ Nnr., MS., 210; Polynesian,
V. 2.
"The Anita arrived in the Columbia March 16th, 15 days from San Fran-
cisco. She departed April 22d and arrived at San Francisco April 27th. Or.
Spectator, March 23 and May 4, 1848; Ifonoliilu Friend, July 1848.
'■^I cannot account for this delay except by supposing that the Henry
proceeded directly to Mazatlan, without touching at Monterey. She was 9
days in San Francisco JJiiy, and it seems unaccounbible tliat in such an emer-
gency the despatches should not have been forwar<led at once.
'•'Major Hardie forwarded 100 riiies, witli 25,000 rille-cartridges, and 200
pounds of rifle-powder; 2 C-pounder iron guns and carriages, and ammunition
lor the same. Lieutenant E. 0. C. Ord of the Third Artillery forwarded one
6-pounder brass gun, with 210 strapped shot (fixed), 70 canister shot, 28
spncrical shot, and other artillery service; 500 muskets with their fixtures
and 50,000 ball, with a large amount of ammunition. The invoices were dated
June 27th and July 10th respectively. Or. Spectator, Sept. 7, 1848.
746
THK CAYUSE WAR.
telligonco of tho warlike events in his di.strict readied
that country, made application on his own account to
Governor Mason to be f'urnislied with the means ot're-
lievinjij Oregon; but Mason declined to assume tho
responsibility, or to allow Pickett to do so, saying
that the governor of Oregon only would bo likely to
have his acts sanctioned by congress,"* and Pickett
was so far satisfied that his 8ervic(!8 could be of no
avail thac he remained in California permanently.
During the progress of the Cayuso war the colony
in the Willamette was in a state of ex])ectancy and
alarm very trying to those who lived on the outskirts
of the settlements, especially to the scattered families
on the east side of the valley toward the Cascade
Mountains, where it was easy to imagir e danger a])-
proaching them from the direction of the passes into
eastern Oregon. Nor were the Indians in the Willa-
mette unaffected by the example of the Cayuses, but
tauntingly remarked that all the brave white men
had gone to fight, the weak and spiritless ones only
remaining at home, and that consequently they, the
Molalles, and others, were set at liberty to conduct
themselves as they pleased. To test their position,
several outrages were committed, one of a serious
character,'"' and companies of home guards were or-
ganized'^ in the most exposed settlements, ready to
march at a n moment's notice or whenever an alarm was
given. Buti Lie only occasion when anything like a
general c'.Li>gement took place was during a visit of
the Klaiiidths to the Molalles, a large encampment
'*5. F. Citlifornkm, May 17, 1848.
'* An Indian named Chilos, who had for 6 years been domesticated with
tlio settlers, ravished a young girl in the absence of the family, and Hed. He
was pursued and killed. Or. American, Aug. 16, 1848; Or. Si>fctator, June
1, 1^8. Elijah Bristow waa attacked, but repulsed the savages without
firing on them. Brintow'n Rencounters, MS., 3-7.
'*R. C. Geer was captain of a company in the Waldo Hills; Allen Davy
of a company in the Santifnn; Richard Miller between Abiqua and Butte
creeks in the northern part of Champoeg C'o. ; and Samuel Parker of a com-
pany near Salem. R. 0. Geer, in Sakin Or, Statesman, in .^aii Joid Pioneer,
Sept. 1, 1877.
AFFAIRS ON THK VVILLAMETIE.
747
being lojged on tho head of Abiqua Crock where it
debouches from the Cascade Mountains. Tlie Klu-
niatliH and Mohilles bej^an by robbing the cabins
erected on kind-cUiinis at sonic distance i'roni cucli
otlicr; and growing bolder, «'nt(!rt'd the houses of fam-
ilies, ordering the women to cook for them; or killing
their beef-cattle. As these acts usually pnx'eded a
massacre, the settlers became more and more uneasy.
At length, one afternoon in the early spring, a large;
party from the cncamj)ment above mentiotu'd sur-
rounded the residence of Kichard Miller, a })romiiU!nt
man in Chanipoeg County, making insolent demands
and uttering the soul-harrowing warwhooj), at the
same time endeav(»ring to cut off the passage; of a
neighbor of Miller's who was seeking refuge at his
house. It happened that Knox, from whom Knox's
Butte in Linn County was named, was riding within
sight of Miller's, with the first United Statcis mail
that was carried up the Willamette Valley; he took
in the meaning; of the denumstration at a i^lance, and
quickened his horse's gait to a run, leaving informa-
tion at every house on the road. Others mounted
and rode, spreading the story, and by morning sixty
men and lads were gathered at Miller's, the Indians
haviny; in the mean time retired with threats." An
organization was immediately effected, Daniel Waldo
being elected colonel, and the volunteers, horse and
foot, set out for the Indian encampment; the mounted
men crossing the Abiqua and proceeding up the north
side under Colonel Waldo and Captaiii Davy, while
Captain Geer marched on foot up the south side.'^
As soon as the Indians discovered the approach of
" One account says 150 men were gat lered at the house of J. Warnock in
the same neigliborhooil, and that tho I.idians had declared they would ctit
the throats of Miller's, Warnock's, and Patterson's families. /(/.
"The names mentioned in the account almvo quoted from are William
Parker, James Harpole, Wilbum King, James Brown, 8. D. Maxon, L. A.
Bird, Israel Shaw, Robert Shaw, King Hibbard, William Brisbane, Win-
chester, Port Gilliam, William Howell, Thomas Howell, George iTowell,
William Hendricks, Leander Davis, Len. Goff, (r. W. Hunt, James Williams,
J. Warnock, J. W. Schrun, Thomas Schrun, Elias Cox, Cyrus Smith, T. B.
Allen, Henry Schrun, and Jacob Caplinger; i)robably the most prominent men.
748
THE CAY USE WAR.
the mounted force tliey began crossing to the south
side of the Abiqua, as had been anticipated, and came
upon the footmen concealed in a thicket awaiting
them. An exchange of arrows and rifle-balls took
place, when the natives hastily retreated up the creek
with the loss of two of their number. Upon consulta-
tion it was decided that as the day was well spent,
those who had families should return, and the rest of
the men and lads should encamp at the nearest farm-
house to be ready to move in the morning, when tlie
pursuit was begun, a part of the absentees having
returned.
The savages were overtaken on the trail to Klamath,
their rear being guarded by a few good marksmen,
whose arrows flew about their pursuers, hitting one
man in the breast, but without penetrating his body.
The riflemen soon picked ofl' these, and drove the rest
before them to a spot where high cliffs intercepted
their passage on the side of the stream they were
travelling, and the current was too swift to permit
them to cross. Here they were driven to bay, and
compelled to fight, but they could do little to defend
themselves against the fire of the white men's deadly
rifles, by which seven warriors were killed and two
women wounded.
When the volunteers came close enough to ascertain
the results of tlu) battle, it began to dawn upon them
tliat they might have committed a sad blunder, the
more disgraceful because one of the seven dead warriors
proved to be a woman, with a strung bow in her hands,
who had been killed by the same shot whici> pierced a
male victim. In short, it was discovered that the real
marauders had escaped or- were never present, and that
the Indians attacked were their wives, children, and a
few guards left with the camp. The weather being
cold and wet, with a drizzling snow, the white men
built a large fire in the edge (-)f the forest, and carrying
the wounded women to a comfortable shelter, left them
for their relatives to succor, and returned home. They
n(
SUB-INDIAN AGENTS.
749
never boasted of their valor at the battle of the Abi-
qua;^' but the lesson inflicted preserved that part of
the Willamette Valley from any further threatening
demonstrations during the Cayuse war.
On account of the feeling of insecurity occasioned
by the conduct of the Klamaths and Molalles, Felix
Scott was appointed sub-agent of Indian affairs for
south-western Oregon by Superintendent Lee on the
10th of April ; and at tlie same time informed that it
was desirable for him to raise an independent company
of rangers for the defence of the southern frontier,
the governor being ready to commission the officers
whenever elected. At the same time it was not con-
cealed that there was no money, and no appropriation
made for paying either sub-agent or military com-
panies.^" But according to the views of such men as
the Scotts and others, this was a good reason for
accepting a conmiission. When money is plenty men
seek offices ; when money is not to be had, the offices
seek men, of the better sort.
On the 12th of May Scott reported t>) Lee that as
he proceeded up the valley he found the inhabitants
much excited in consequence of the bad behavior
of the Indians, and their continued robberies. Some
offender- luid boen flogged ; but that not putting an
end to tl. ir thieving practices, a resolution had boen
passe:\ and a copj' sent to tlie governor, declaring
that in future robberies would be [)unished witli death.
The killing of the Klamaths at the Al)i(iua was
referred to bv the Molalles, with whom tlicv W(;re
"It has boon a jnattcr of dispute that such a hattl'.^ waH over fon^'ht. as tho
engageincut oil tlie Ahitjna; ami, acconliiig to Miiito, this Miuidui- vva . Ino
reason of tlie silenee. Those who were not conceriit'tl in it liniglieil at those
■who were for 'killing scjuaws;' and it was tyeitly agreed to say nothing al)oiit
it. The matter almost passed out of recollection, when it was revived and
discussed in 1877, and the facts hroug)il on'.. It ihows that tho early Oregon
settlers did not v antonly kill Indians and lioist ••' it, as they were accused of
doing at a later period. Minto't E'rlij l)i:"% MS., 41-<>; J. Henry Ihowii and
H. 1-. McNary, in WiUnutetlc Far.a'-, M.ir. 24, 1877; limwn's Or. MUcvL,
MS., 57-8.
'^ Leu's letter to Captain Set It is i«\ tlio Or. Archives, MS., 1G8-9.
i! I
700
THE CAYUSE WAR.
intermarried, as a „ause ibr their continued depreda-
tions. A company of six men, under the leadership
of John Saxton, who had started from Cahfornia witli
a hundred horses, had lost sixty-five of tliem by the
natives after reaching the Klamath River, and had
been fired on all day by the Rogue River Indians,**'
with whom it was believed that Molalles were in
league. At all events, not more than fifty could be
found in the Willamette, and their fleeins: before him
to the Umpqua was regarded as a sign of guilt.
Another report dated June 2 1st, addressed to Ad-
jutant-general Lovejoy, states that he had ,)r<y.''-v.ded
with his company of independent rangers <'>.; i"--r • 'le
Santiam River when he was met by conipl.tiacs ct rhe
thieving practices of the Indians, and had divided his
force, taking six men with him, and leaving eight with
Lieutenant English, one party to take a course v. hich
it was intended should drive the savages to their trail
over the Cascade Mountains, and the other to inter-
cept them in their passage. Finding themselves hard
pressed and bec<iming alarmed, they escaped by leav-
ing their plunder and a couple of horses, probably in-
tended as indenmity for past thefts; and being satis-
fied with this. Captain Scott gave up the pursuit.
On the 7th of July Scott was ordered to proceed
to south-eastern Oregon to escort the innnigration by
the southern route, and was authorized to officiate 'ii
his capacity as Indian agent among any tribes on the
way. " I have reason," says Lee, "to believe the Cay-
uses will be along both roads. Impress on the immi-
grants their danger.'"*'" With a company of only
nineteen men he performed this important duty,^
^3
«'0r. Spectator, May 4, 1848.
"^On ArrMwH, MS., 109-71.
*'^ Felix Scott wan a native of Mouongahela Co., Va. He was at one tiji
lieiit.-gov. of Mo., after wliicli he came to California from St t'harles Cc. ■'
tiiat state, ami resiiled for some timowitli Captain Sutter at Fort Sutter, ir;
18t(i he removed to Oregon, where lie soon liecame known for his high cliarat-
ter. Ho resided in Yamhill Co. until 1841), wlien he settled j)ermanently in
Lane Co., and contrilmted much to its devehipment. Tii 18(»3, wi.shing to
drive a large herd of cuttle to the uiiuej of uaaturu Ovei, it>, and also to traua-
ARRIVAL OF IMMIGRANTS.
751
while the volunteers from Fort Waters discharged
a similer obligation on the Snake River route. The
Indians along both roads behaved in a quiet and
friendly manner to the immigration of this year, which
amounted to about seven hundred persons, according
to some authorities;^* but computing in the usual
manner, of five persons to every wagon, tliere would
have been more than twice that number. They
arrived in better health and condition than any pre-
vious body.^""
port other provisions by wagon, he opened a road across the Cascade Moun-
tains by the way of McKenzio B'ork of the Willamette, thus realizing the
idea which led to the misfortunes of a large part of the immigration of 1845.
Over this road he drove 700 cattle and 8 heavy wagons at the lirst attempt.
Beiiig improved subsequently, it became a good pass between the head of the
Willamette Valley and eastern Oregon. la 1857 Captain Scott returned to
the States to bring out some valuable blood stock. Returning in 1858 by
the soutliern route, he was murdered by the Iiulians near (ioose Lake, while
temporarily separated from tlie company with two other men, wlio were also
murdered. All the stock and money belonging to Scott were taken. He was
about 70 years of age at the time of his ileath. His sons, settled in Lano
Co., were Felix, jun., Rodney, HarrisoUj and Marion. Felix, jun., died in
Arizona in Nov. 1879. EmjcHe Presn, in Or. Statesman, Jan. 25, 1859; Drew,
in I{i"porl Com. I ml. Aff., l'8G3, 58.
•''.S'. /''. Calijorninn, Nov. 1848.
"'I find the following names of men who arrived in 1848: Tliomas Adams,
W. F. Adams, \X. L. Adams, William Armpriest, T. W. Avery, W. W.
Bristow, E. L. Bristow, Rov. \Vilsou Blain, ^\'illianl Brunson, Dr D. S. Baker,
An<lrc\v Bowjra, Isaac Belknap, (Jeorgo Belknap, C. Belknap, II. Belknap,
]i. B. Branson, (i. J. Basket, Andrew Baner, \V. Betliers, William Burns,
Ball, .Tusse W. Bylknap, CJeorge H. Brown, Benjamin C'loavei-, D-T-iil ("!!i-ip.
man, I'eter D. Cline, Jesse Chapman, Adam Cooper, J. A. Cloninger, Cotfoy,
Daniel Cushman, Suth Catlin, Jacob Conser, Thomas Clark, John S. Crooks,
Rinehart Cripe, Benjamin Cripc, (,'hriotian Clyne, Reuben Dickens, L. Davij,
John Davis, Jolin Dennis, Anderson Do Haven, James Davidson, James Emery,
(I. Emcrick, S<)l>)mon Emerick, Thomas (iatcs, E. (iarther, Levi (irant, Barrel
... (Iritfiii, (iriilin, GrifHn, William (Jrecnwood, P. Oearhart, (ieorge (Jraham,
Daniel Hathaway, Robert Houston, Richard Hutchison, Abitlia Hawley,
And'-'jw Hagey, Martin Hagey, P. Hagey, Henry Henninger, Nathaniel Ham-
lin, P. Hibbert, H. N. V. Holmes, Hooker, A. B. Holcomb. John L. Hicklln,
J. M. Hendricks, Frank Harty, S. Haima, (ieorge Irvin, William M. King,
Orrin Kellogg, Joseph Kellogg, (1. Kittredgc, Clinton Kelley, David Linen-
berger, Lyman Liitourette, Jolm J. Lindsay, William Lindsay, Lindsay, E.l/;ar
Lindsay, .J. Lewis, Josepli D. Lee, Nicholas Lee, Jacob Miller, Christian
Miller, .John Mc(ice. Isaac Miller, John M.ller, Henry Moody, John Moore,
li Moore, Simon Markham, E. L. Maasey, Han'en McAlliot ,'r, Isaac Newton,
Norria, M. Neff, Isaac Owens, Rev. Jos. E. Pnrrott, Ira Patterson, Reuben
Pigg, David Priestly, William Porter, Stephen J'orter, John Purvine, Farley
Pierce, A. Prussel, Jesse Parrish, Riley Root, James Robinson, .1. (J. Ramsey,
Horace Rico, Pliny Rieliison, Calel) Riciiey, A. H. Roljcrt."., ,lohn V.. Ricl;-
nell, John Stipp, Fendall Sutiierlin, Rev. John W. Starr, Buford S;)ii!li,
^L Shelley, Christopher Shuck, H. Straiglit, James Sliiel Is. i>avid Stone,
Nathaniel Stone, Daniel Trulinger. John Trulinger, Nathan Trtdinger, ( laiiriel
Truliugcr, Watt Tucker, Robert II. Thompson, James Valcutme, Ijaac Wyatt,
illi-
76'i
THE CAYUSE WAR.
Thomas Wyatt, Elias D. Wilcox, Nathaniel Wilcox, Leonard Williams, Willis
^\'illlal!ls, Isaac Winkle, Samuel Welch, W. B. Walker, W. M. Walker, A.
S. Watt, T. 1). Winchester.
Aliio 8. Watt was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Jan. 15, 1824; went to Mo. in
1838, autl to Oregon in 1848. He was married in 1850 to Mary E. Elder, and
settled in Yauihill Co. He was a member of tlie senate in 1878; has been clei k
of the court, surveyor, and farmer, and a useful and honorable citizen.
E. L. Ivlassoy, well known in Orejjon, at the breaking-out of the mining
excitement of ISOl removed to Walla Walla, where ho was justice of the peace.
In 18()7 while travelling in Idaho lie had his feet frozen, from the effects of
which he died in August of tluit year. Walla Walla Statesman, Aug. JK), 18G7.
Burrel B. ftrilfin settled in Linn Co., where he discovered in 1851 a
mountain of bluish gray marl near the junction of Crabtree and Thomas
forks of the Santiam. The stone was easily worked, and hardened on
cxiiosuro to the air, and came to be much used in place of brick for hearth-
H and chimney-pieces. In 1852 Mr (irilfin removed to t' - Rogue River
V, where lie discovered in 1875 valualjle ores of ciuuabar and antimony
Jacksonville. Oreijoman, Sept. 25, 1875.
,eorge A. Barnes, a native of Lockport, Monroe Co., New York, first
emigrated to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and from there to Oregon in 1848. He
went to the gold mines in California, after which he settled on Puget Sound,
with the history of which he has since been identified.
David Stone, who was captain of the company w itli which Barnes travelled,
settled in the Cowlitz Valley, a few miles north of the Columbia.
Thomas W. Avery emigrated to Oregon with his parents at the age oi 15,
and in 1849 went to tlie gold mines in California, from which he returned
in 1857, wlien he settled in T)ougl;i3 Co. Working as a carpenter and teaching
in a country school, he continued to reside in the Umpqua Valley until 18(i2,
when lie went to Salem to study law in the office of Bonham and Curl. He
Wiis elected to the Democratic state convention in 18G4, and commenced tlio
practice of law in Umatilla County, and was in the legislature in 180G. In
connection with J. C. Dow he established the Columbia Prcxs, the first news-
paper at Umatilla. He died of consumption in Salem in the autumn of 18G7.
tialcni Capital C/ironick, Dec. 14, 18G7.
Mrs Susan Sturges, born in 111., May 14, 1839, married Andrew Sturges
in Oregon in 1855, and died at Vancouver, in Washington Ter., April 28,
187G, her husband and 6 children surviving. Portland Advocate, May 11,
187G.
Mrs .Tacob Conser, born in Richmond Co., Ohio, July 31, 1822, removed
with her jjarents to 111., where she was married Feb. 28, 1839, and emigrated
to Oregon with h'>r husband in 1848. She died at Walla Walla while on a
visit to a sister residing tliere, April 18, 1879. San Jose Pioneer, May 10,
1879.
Nathaniel Hamlin, an immigrant of 1848, died in June 1SG6. Seattle
Wcdii/, June 18, ISGG.
Kl'v. Clinton Kelley was born in Pulaski Co., Ky., June 15, ISOt'. He joined
the Metliodist cliurch at tlie age of 19, and devoted his life to preaching.
Before he was 20 he married Mary Baston, who died in 1837, leaving him 5
children. He married in the following year Jane Burns, who also died,
leaving one child. He tlien married Maria Crane, by whom he had 9 children.
Being opposed to the institution of slavery, he determined to emigrate to a
country where his numerous family could be educated to become useful citi-
zu'iis, and chose Oregon for his home, wliero le was widely known as ' Father
Kelley,' and as a nover-tiring advocate of temperance. He died at his resi-
dence near E;ist Portland, June 19, 1875, leaving an honorable memory.
Dri-iininirn, Juno 2G, 1875; Or. Citij Entei-pri-ie, Juno 25, 1875; Portland Tein-
jieraiire Star, .Iuiie25, 1875; Salem Stall's. nan, Juno 2G, 1875.
W. W. Bristow, son of Elijali Bristow, who emigrated in 184G with his
brother, E. L. Bristow, anil other members of the family, followed his father
iu 1848, and all settled in Lane County, then the southern part of Liun. Mr
BIOGRAPHICAL.
753
Bristow was one of the foremost citizens of that part of the country; was a
Tiiember of the first state seiiatf, and of the state ciniotitiitional convention,
and active in securing the hicatioa of the state university at Eugene City.
In his family he wiis as gentle as he was enterprising in affairs of public
interest. He died at Eugene City, Dee. 10, 1874. Eu'/eiie City Guard, Dec.
1874; nonelmr,, Pl<umle„ln; Dec. VI, 1874.
J. M. Hendricks, brother-in-law of W. W. and p]. L. Bristow, also settled
at Pleasant Hill in Lane County, where he died in the spring of 1878. His
son, T. G. Henilricks, was a prominent merchant of Eugene City. San Jwe
Pioneer, April 6, 1878.
Nicholas Lee was born in Pike Co., Ohio, February 11, 1818. On coming to
Oregon he settled in Polk Co., near Dallas. He engaged in merchandising
in 1SG2, but retired to give place to his son, Joseim I). Lee, in 187(J. His
dcivth occurred July 11, 1870, at the farm where he settled in 1848. Dalhis
Ifaiiizcr, July 18, 1879.
yrancen Ella Reynolds, born in Tenn. in 1815, emigrated to Oregon in 1848,
an«' I', ided with her sister, Mrs Wells, at the time of her death on the 25111
of Novendier, 1879. Porllnml Atbrtcafp, Dec. 4, 1879.
William Porter of Aumsville, Marion Co., hat. never been farther away
from his home than Oregon City, in his 27 years' residence in Oregon, until
summoned to Portland by the U. S. district court, to appear as a juror. Ho
has contributed pleasing articles to the columns of tiio Farmer, but the journey
across the plains satisfied completely his love of travel. Salem Farmer, Juno
25, 1875.
John L. Hicklin, born in Kentucky, June 1793, first removed to Indiana
and finally settled in Washington Co., Tualatin plains, vircgon, in 1848,
where he continued to reside, surrounded by a large family. He died Oct. 14,
1870, after a long and exemplary life. Porllaml Staiida:,i, Oct. 27, 1876.
David Linenberger emigrated from Virginia. In 1851 he removed to Sis-
kiyou Co., Cal., where he engaged in mining. He died Sept. 7, 18(58. Yreka
Union, Sept. 12, 18G8
Rev. Joseph E. Parrott, a man of fine talents and a firm Methodist, was
born in Missouri in 1821, emigrated to Oregon in 1848, and married Susan
Garrison in 1851, who died in August 1S()9. On the 31st of May, 1870, he
married Mrs L. A. Wonlen. On the 3d of September, 1872, ho died at his
home near Lafayette in Yamhill Co. Portland Advocate, Sept. 19, 1872.
Buford Smith, who settled in Marion Co. , after a long residence removed
to northern Cal., where he remained a few years, and returned to Oregon,
having lost his health. Ho survived the change but a short time, and the
once energetic and always genial pioneer of 1848 passed to his rest at the ago
of 70 years, Nov. 6, 1870. Sa'"m Farmer, Nov. 12, 1870.
Mrs Elizabeth Smith, wife of Buford Snutli, was killed by the accidentiil
discharge of a g"n in Nov. 1876. Their sons were A., Cliarles, and William
Smith, who resided at Silverton in Marion County. S(dem Statenman, Nov. 24,
1870.
William Greenwood was born in Hardy Co., Va., September 13, 1800.
On the 12tli of August, 1828, he married Klizabetli Jane Bramel, ami in 1832
remove to St Loui.s, Mo., and 2 yeara later to near Burlington, Iowa, emigrat-
ing in U < to Oregon, aiul settling on Howell Prairie. He was always an
upright ai.d industrious citizen. Ho was elected to the state senate in 1802,
serving 4 years. His death occurred May IS, 1S09, from injuries received by
acciilent, leaving 2 sons and 2 daughters, and a large estate. Id., Aug. 9, 1809.
Mrs Jane Belknap, wife of JeHso Belknap, dieil Dec. 10, 1870. Born
in Penn. in 1792, she emigrated with her parents to western N. Y. in 1790.
At the age of 10 -she became a convert to Methodism, and on setlling witli her
husbauil in Benton Co., kept open house to tliC ministry, entertaining Bishop
Simpson on his first visit to Oregon to preside over t!ie lirst annual conferencu
of the Metiiodist clnirch. She had a largo family of children. Her husband
survived her. J'nrtlaiid Adiyx'ate, Dec. 21, 1870.
Kev. .John W. Starr was born in Va. in 1795, removed to Oliio in child-
HisT. Or., Vol. I. 48
754
THE CAYUSE WAR.
hood, and from that state in 1839 to Van Bnren Co., Iowa, emigrating in 1848
to Oregon and locating in Benton Co. He was an ardent preacher of his faith
from youth to old age. Id., March 20, 1869.
Caleb Richey died in Pleasant Valley, Nev., Nov. 28, 1875. Reno State
Journal, Dec. 18, 1875.
Jesse Parrish died in Marion County, Oregon, in Sept. 1878. Oh/mvia
Tramcrlpt, Oct. 5, 1878.
J. J. Lindsay was born in Ripley Co., Ind., Dec. 25, 1838, and emigrated
with his parents to Oregon. They remained but one winter in the Willamette
V alley, going to Cal. in 1849, and remaining there, where the elder Lindsay
died in 18ol. His subsequent history belongs to California. Sonoma Co. Hist .
o22.
CHAPTER XXVI.
OREGON'S ENVOYS— ERECTION OF A TERRITORIAL
GOVERNMENT.
1848.
Journey of Thornton — Adventures of Meek — The Piou.s Lawyer and
THE Profane Trafi-er— Intekvik'.vh with the President— Memorials
TO Congress — The Ordinance of 1787 — Bills hefore Cok( hess — The
Slavery Question — Warm Discussions — Final Passage of the Bill
Creating the Territory of Oregon — Appointment of Officials —
Anxiety of President Polk — Return of Joe Meek with a Live
Governor — Lane and Meek at San Francisco Bay — Arrival in
Oregon — Lane's Proclamation — Decline of Mission Influence.
Let us now follow the two Oregon messengers to
the national capital, and see what they did there.
Thornton, in the United States sloop of war Ports-
mouth, Captain Montgomery, arrived at Boston the
5th and at Washington the 11th of May.^ Though
no one in Oregon but Abernethy and his counsellors
knew exactly his errand, Thornton has represented it
as most comprehensive, embracing a petition for no
less than twenty-one favors from congress, among
which was the old formula of the United States juris-
diction. He also asked for grants of land; for con-
firmation of the colonial land law and the other
legislative acts and decisions of the courts, which had
been asked for by the memorial of the legislature of
1845; for money to pay the debt of the provisional
government; for troops to protect the settlements,
and the immigrants on the road ; and for steam pilota^re
' Thornton 8 Or. and Cal., ii. 248. In another place Thornton says he arrived
in Boston on the 2d. Or. Pioneer Askoc., Trans., 1874, 85,
(755)
756
TEKRITORIAL (iOVERNMENT.
and light-houses, besides Indian agents, and the ex-
tinction of the Indian title, which were by no means
original requests.
Thornton says that he had an interview with the
president on the 13th of May, having previously con-
versed with Stephen A. Douglas, to whom he car-
ried a lettter from Abernethy, and that soon after the
visit to the executive he prepared a memorial to con-
gress, which was presented by Benton to the senate.
He does not say that he presented the memorial of the
"free citizens of the United States resident in Ore-
gon," which was placed in the mail-bag of the Whiton,
and transferred with other mail matter to the Ports-
mouth, but one of his own. Yet it was the petition of
the citizens which was presented by Benton, and that
too on the 8th of May, before Thornton, according to
his own account, reached Washington from New York,
where he tarried two or three days. The mail had
reached Washington before him.^ If Thornton me-
morialized congress subsequently, it does not appear
upon the records. However, it is safe to presume that
his letters from Abernethy secured him friendly recog-
nition, and that but for the appearing of a second and
duly authorized messenger of the colonial government,
the special mission of Thornton, whatever it was, would
have received some consideration.
It will be remembered that Meek did not leave
Walla Walla until the end of the first week in March.
He arrived in Washington the last week in May,
having performed the journey across the continent in
the stormy spring months in less than half the time
occupied by Thornton in sailing around it. The party
had found the snow on the Blue Mountains not so
deep but that a trail could be broken by the men walk-
ing and leading their horses and pack -mules. Beyond
Fort Hall in the mountain passes travelling was more
difficult, but they were assisted by some friendly natives
and by a man famous among trappers, Peg-leg Smith,
» Cong. Globe, 1847-8, 737.
THORNTON'S EFFORTS.
767
whom they found in the Bear River country. At
Fort Bridger they obtained fresh horses, and avoiding
the hostile tribes between Independence Rock and
Ash Hollow by travelling at night and lying perdu by
day, supplying themselves afresh at forts Laramie
and Rubideau, they succeeded in reaching the irontier
just as the immigrants were crossing the Missouri
River on the 4th of May,"^
Here all his remaining men left him ; and after a brief
visit to his relatives in Missouri, Meek hastened to
Washington, being forced to make diplomacy supply
the place of money * with steamboat captains and stage
proprietors, and arriving at the capital in a costume
sufficiently ragged and bizarre to command the atten-
tion of men, small or great, anywhere in the world.
Nor was the messenger at all indifferent to his exalted
position and the mighty power of dress. The rags
and dirt which covered him, and which might have
been the envy of any Peter the Great, were v^^orth
jnore to him at this juncture than twelve suits of
broadcloth. He would see the president at once, be-
fore civilization should rob him of any particle of this
prestige,'^ It was better than a bear-fight, better than
a Blackfoot's scalp, the glory of being forever known
^Ehhert's Trapper's Life, MS., 24-31; Bameg' Or. and Cnl, MS., 2.
* The moneyless condition of both the Oregon messengers was about equal.
Thornton states that at one time he had only a lialf-dime; but remembering
to pray, that day his wants were supplied.
* In Mrs Victor's River of the Weil, 439-62, is an amusing account of
Meek's delmt in Washington. The book was in fact written by Airs Victor at
the suggestion of Meek, who furnished the incidents of his life, on which
thread is strung a sketch of the America!, fur companies and of the colonial
history of Oregon. All that part of the iiook relating to the movements of
the fur companies and Mock s personal aflFairs was written from notes fur-
nished by Meek; the remainder was gathered from various other sources. Of
Meek's characteristics, to vliich I have referred in his biography, Mrs Victor
geems to have had a ready appreciation, ami to liavt presented him very nearly
as he was — a fine man spoiled by l)eing thrust out into an almost savage life
in his boyhood.
Frances F. Victor, nie Fuller, was a native of Rome, New York; her father
was born in Connecticut, and her mother, Lucy A. Williams, of tlio Rhode
Island family of tliat name. Her father removed to AV'ooster, Ohio, in her
girlhood, where her education was completed. Most (Jhio people of tlie period
of iSol will remember a volume of poems ))ro«ght out by Frances and lier sis-
ter Metta Victoria, about this time, and while tlie authors were still in tlieir
teens. The sisters married brothers by the name of Victor. Frances, who
768
TERRITORIAL CJOVERNMKNT.
as tlic roughest and most roliclcHonio plenipotentiary
the great republican capital had ever seen.
It little concerned Meek that his relative was the
president's secretary. Was he not a great American
citizen, very free and quite unceremonious, and the
representative of other great American citizens who
looked out on a sea toward the sunset ? Two days
had not jiassed before the apartments of the White
House were as famili;it to him as the canons of Snake
River. Yet he was not wholly void of comjtunctions."
He began to feel in due time that after all in v/L t-'
soever appertained to greatness, there should be
applied the eternal fitness, and so he permitted a
tailor to trust him for a suit of * store clothes.' On
the 29th of May President Polk laid before both
houses a special message on Oregon affairs, in which
he quoted some passages from the memorial of the
colonial legislature, forwarded by Meek, touching the
neglect of congress, and reminded members that in
his annual messages of 1846 and 1847 he had urged
the immediate organization of a territorial govern-
continiied to write as inclination jirompted, removed to the Pacific coast in
18C3, with her husband, who belonged to the engineer corps of the United
States navy, and who after resigninj^ perished in the foundering of the steamer
Pacific in November 1875. Mrs Victor displayed great industry during her
residence in California an<l Oregon, in studying the natural and historical
features of the coast. She wrote many magazine articles and letters of travel,
and besides the liicer of the West, Hartford, 1870, published in San Francisco
All Over Oreipn and Washington, and a volume of western stories and poems
called The N^ew Penelope.
* Mrs Victor gives Meek's own account of his feelings, which do him no
discredit. ' He felt that the importance of his mission demanded some dig-
nity of appearance — some conformity to established rules and precedents.
But of the latter he knew absolutely nothing; and concerning the former he
realized the absurdity of a dignitary clothed in blankets ancl wolf -skin cap.
"Joe Meek I must remain, "he said to himself as he stepped out of the train,
and glanced along the platform at the crowd of porters with the names of
their hotels on their hatbands. Learning that Coleman's was the most fash-
ionable place, he decided that to Coleman's he would go, judging correctly
that it was best to show no littleness of heart evt'i in the matter of hotels.
After an amusing scene at Coleman's, which at once ijitroduced him to the
cognizance of several senators, he repaired to the presidential mansion, where
his cousin Knox Walker was private secretary, to whom also he made him-
self known in his peculiar style of badinage. Walker insisted on his being
seen by Mrs Polk as well as the president. Says Meek: "W^hen I heard
the silks rustling in the passage, I felt more frightened than if a hundred
Blackfeet had whooped in my ear. A mist came over my eyes, and whea
Mrs Polk spoke to mo I couldn't think of anythmg to say in return." '
THE SLAVERY QUESTION
700
ment. The colony on the Pacifif Huaboard wore now
as then in need of federal aid, and were justly entitled
to it/ Again he called attention to the wnnt of a
territorial organization, recommending that a regi-
ment of mounted men be raised for the relief of Onv
gon, that Indian agents be appointed to reside among
the different tribes, and an u[)pr()i)riation made to en-
able them to treat for the restoration and [)reservation
of peace. This he said should be done in time to allow
troops to reach the territory that year.
Before entering upon congressional proceedings
following Meek's arrival, I shall refer briefly to what
had been done since the treaty of 184G, settling the
boundary question. It was not because congress had
been unmindful of Oreijon that the colonists had been
compelled to wait so long for the jurisdiction oi" the
United States. The Oregon boundary was hardly
determined before the even more momentous ques-
tion was asked, How much, if any, of this new
domain shall be slave territory? In these days no
topic so engendered bitter contest on the floor of con-
gress as that of slavery. It was enough to secure its
failure in the senate that Douglas' bill** for establish-
ing a territorial government in Oregon, of which men-
tion has already been made as having passed the lower
^Cwif/. OMie, 1847-8, 788-9; S. F. CaU/ornioii, A[ay 3, 17, 1848; Home
Mmhiiari/, 22, 6.3; Amei: Quart. Jieg., i. 541-2.
"t'otif/. Globe, 1845-G, 24. Thornton has audaciously claimed to have Ijcoii
the author of this bill which was before congress with hardly any alteration
from Dec. 184G until its passage, with a few additions in Aug. 1848. Ho
particularly alleges that he 'incorporated a prov' . ,,i prohibiting slavery in
Oregon. This I took,' he says, 'from the or • .; of 1787; and I was
induced to make it a part of the bill, not only because of my own convictions
on the subject of human rights, but also for the reason that the people of
Oregon had, under the provisional government, steridy pronounced a rigid
interdiction of slavery.' Or. Pioneer. Annoc, Tniii-s., 1874, 87. Benton said
in the senate Dec. 8, 1845, that the colonists had presented their form of
government, 'subject to the ratification of the United States government,'
and it was well understood l)y the friends of Oregon, and its enemies also for
that matter, that the ordinance of 1787 was the liase on which the structure
of a government for that territory was to be erected. Therefore for Tliorn-
ton to claim that he framed this part of Douglas' bill, or had anything to do
with the fi'aming of it, is brazen assumption. But this is not all. He declares
that he ' felt a vehement desire to so multiply, in Oregon, the springs of knowl-
edge,' that he 'framed the 20th section of the act of congress of August 14,
780
TKURITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
house, January 1(5, 1847, incorporated the ordinance
of 1787, on which were founded the (organic Uiws of
the provisional jnpt)vernnient of Orep)n accorthn*:; to
the expressed desire of the colonial k'gislatu.'c of 1845,
1848.* This Hcction is nuinhcred in DmiglaH* bill section 18, and reads: ' That
wlieii the lands in siiid territory shall be surveyed under the direction of the
govorntncnt of the United States, preparatory to bringing the same into
market, sections numbered 10 and 'Mi in each township in saul territory shall
be, and the same is hereby, reserved for the purposes of being applied to schools
ill sai<l territory, and in the states and territories to be erocted out of the
same.' Or. Oen. L<iw», 1843-72, <)3-5.
Thornton goes on to say that the consideration which decided him ' to make
the '2()th section a part of the territorial l)ill, rather than of the land bill, to which
it more appropriately belonged, ' was the same which governed him in framing
sec. 17, relating to tlio transfer of civil and criminal suits from tiio courts of the
provisioi, li government to those established under the territorial government,
namely, the best interests of the jieople. One is yet more astonished at Judge
Thornton's audacity in view of the facts being open 1») any one taking the trouble
to look into the proceedings of congress from 1845 to 1848, or to a lilo of the
Orcijoii SjMicMor for 1847, where in the issue datctl Sept. Kith is Douglas'
bill of Dec. 184(5, as it passed the house, and was at first amendc<l by the
Bonate, containing not only tiio ordinance of 1787, and •'''i section granting
the IGth and 3(jth sections for school purpo.ses, but the « >n relating to the
transfer of the cases already in the Oregon courts to tli ict courts of the
United States; as well as a provision for having al' ies forfeitures,
actions, and causes of action recovered under the new organization in the
same manner they would have been under the old; the only difference between
this section of the act aa it finally passed and the first draught of the bdl, being
that in the former it is numbered 15, instead of 17; and that two provisos
were added to tliis section before the bill became a law, to guard the constitu-
tionality of the penalties and forfeitures, and to prevent jumses of the inter-
pret'ition of the old laws. The change in the numbers was effected by the
introduction, during a course of amendments, of several new sections, to tlie
disarrangement of the former numbering. There is nothing in the bill of
which 'Ihornton particularly claims authorship that was not in the original
bill of 1840. Yet he talks about his efforts to neutralize the hostility to this
measure, when no opposition in congress ever appeared to granting this land.
In his Aiitohioi/ntplii/, MS., 45, he says, in reference to the schotd-land sec-
tion, 'I will frankly admit that when to this section (the 10th) of the public
lands, the 3Cth was added by the passage of the bill, the thought that prov-
idence had made me the instrument by which so great a boon was bestowed
upon posterity, tilled my heart with emotions as pure and deep as can be
experienced by man; ' after which he talks about being recognized as a bene-
factor of his race when his toils and responsibilities shall be over. See Or.
J'ioiwer Annoc, Trait.'t., 1874, 95. I have endeavored to get the true and full
history of the first grant by congress of the 30th section of the public lands
for school purposes. After going over the congressional records and finding
tliat so far as I could discover, Oregon was the first recipient of this bounty,
I wrote to the commissioner of the United States land-oflice at Wtishingtoii
to learu if possible more about the matter; but found from his reply that he
could learn from me, inasmuch as he wrote that the ' act to establish the ter-
ritorial government of Minnesota ' was the first instance of the grant of the
3(ith in addition to the ICtli section for sciiool purposes, of diite March 3,
1849, months after the passage of the Oregon bill, containing the grant
of these two sections. I therefore came to the conclusion that the reiterated
petitions of the e;irly colonists, notiibly of the Methodist missionaries and Dr
White, to congress, the president, and the friends of Oregon, to remember
BII,LS BKFORi-: CONtiRESS.
761
as shown l)y tin; resolutions attacluul to the nien)oi'ial
of that l)0(ly,^ to which Benton drew attention Decem-
ber 8, 1845.
When the Oregon messenger arrived 'ie found two
bills before conyfress for the estai)lis]inK'nt of Oregon
Ti^rritory. Douglas, who had 8te|)|)(>d .'u-ross from the
house of representatives to the 8enate-chani'i,LM', and
was chairman of the committee on territories, intro-
duced, January 10, 1848, a bill which in place of the
section rejected by the senate at tlie ])revious session
contained one sanctioning the colonial laws of Oregon,
which being twice read was referred back to the com-
mittee, and reported February 7tli without amend-
ments, to go through the ordeal of southern opposition
when it came to del ,lo. It was not until the 20th
of April that Douglas was able to obtain the consent
of the senate to make bills relating to territories the
special order for the 2Gth ; and when that day came
round, the California claims and the $;J,000,000 aj)prQ-
priation being under discussion, the Oregon bill was
postponed, so that nothing had been done in the senate
for Oregtni when on the 8th of May the citizens' me-
morial was received, nor yet when on the 29th the
legislative petition was presented, together with the
special message of the president, and when Washington
was full of rumors concerning the affairs of Oregon,
emphasized by the presence of two men from that
distant territor}^ with requests from individuals and
the colonial government for congressional action.
On the 31st, Bright of Indiana, in the absence of
Douglas, brought up the Oregon bill, when Benton
moved an amendment authorizing the president to
their eflForta in beh.alf of the American title, hy liberal grants of land for
educational purposes, had first led to this generous provision as made by the
Oregon bill of 1846. The precedent once established, however, the other ter-
ritories of an even or subsequent date came into the same rich inheritance,
due probably to the influence of far-ofl' Oregon on national legislation, but
never in any sense due to the influence or the care for posterity due to J. Q.
Thornton as alleged. Actx Jil .s'c.s.s. ,?67/( Con;/., 120. I shall have occasion iu
another place to refer to similar unfounded iiretensions.
* See chapter XVIII, on the amendment of the organic laws.
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
raise a regiment of volunteers in the territory to
serve fc^r twenty months, wliioh was agreed to. This
amendment was followed by one by Hale of New
Hampshire, who moved that the 12th section of the
bill of the last session, touching the ordinance of 1787,
should be inserted in the place of its substitute in the
})resent bill; but as the subject was one of importance
to the whole country, desired the debate on it i)ost-
poned until the I'ith of June.
Bright opposed the amendment of Hale, on the
ijround that it would raise discussion and retard the
passage of the bill, whereas it was of the utmost im-
portarce that it should be pressed to an immediate
vote. Niles of Connecticut, on the otlier hand, ob-
jected to the unusual urgency displayed by the western
senators, and proposed to make Bent<^n's amendment
a separate bill and pass it immediately, while the re-
mainder of the territorial bill should take time for
examination. Hannegan of Indiana, however, ex-
pressed a determination to vote against the amendment
of Benton. The whole of Oregon, he said, lay within
the boundary from which slavery was excluded by
the Missouri compromise ; which statement being
challenged, he declared that no sane man believed
that slavery would ever exist in Oregon, and hoped
the bill W(juld be passed without delay. " He appealed
to every man not to turn a deaf ear to the cries of
our citizens in Oregon, surrounded by hostile Indians,
and not to be turned from it by this wicked and
useless question being agitatea."
Benton followed with an eloquent appeal, saying
that the Oregon settlers had deserved well of congress
for then enterprise, and now the neglect of
ment had
e.ioouraged thi
goverri-
murderous outrages which
compelled the settlers to send an express encounter-
ing the hardships and dangers of a winter journey
across the mountains and plains to ask for the inter-
position of an ungrateful government. He closed
by calling on senators of every variety of opinion to
GENERAL DISCUSSION,
7G3
unite in passing the bill and preventing any further
Indian massacres.
Then Westcott of Florida took occasion to resent
an insinuation against the judiciary coniniittee, that
it had retarded the passage of !he bilP" by thrusting
on the senate the question of free territory. "It was
not," he said, "thrust on the senate by that coniniittee,
but by the liouse bill (of 1847); and it was not then
or now thrust on the senate by any senator from the
south. It was not thrust upon them by the com-
mittee on territories. The amendment was entirely
unnecessary, as it is already in the bill under consider-
ation. The laws of Oregon already inhibit slavery.
These laws were submitted to the judiciary committee
last session, and will be found among tlie documents.
If the bill should pass as it has been reported, it will
contain a perfect inhibition of slavery." ^^ In conclu-
sion he ^ave notice that he would move to amend the
bill by substituting the bill of the previous session as
amended by i;he setiate. Davis of Mississi[)pi declared
that no one could more earnestly desire that Oregon
might have a territorial government than himself,
but he wanted time for consideration. The laws of
lowa,^'' he declared, were not atlapted to Oregon,
which required different ordinances. He would recom-
mend the recommitment of the bill to the judiciary
committee, with instructions to report immediately.
Berrien of Georgia suggested that the shortest way
to a final vote would be to ado[)t Westcott's amend-
ment of substitutinii- the former senate bill ; and Cal-
houn was not dis[)osed to interpofje any delay which
his duty did not imperatively require. He wished to
give a government to the territory of Oregon inime-
'•This is a rofercnce to the aiaenilmcnts niade l>y the judiciary I'oininittec
of tlie senate to the Oregon hiU at the previous session, which were rejectcil
by the house. They may he found in the l}r. Sjifctdtoi; Sept. Ki, 1847.
"('o«f/. Glolie, 1S47-8, 805. See Tliornton's pretensions in note 8.
''■"I find several references to the fact that tlie Oregon hill was dra^v^l up
on the plan of the territorial acts of Iowa and Wisconsin. Jil. Hriglit says,
page 8{M), that ' tl e hill is substantially the same as the bills for the admission
of Wiscousiu and Iowa, with the exception of the 12th section.'
76i
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
diately. At the close of the day's proceedings the
Oregon bill had not advanced a step toward its pas-
sage.
On the following day the consideration of the bill
was resumed, when Hale of New Hampshire offered
an amendment which was only another fagot to the
flame of southern opposition to free territory, era-
bodying as it did the conditions of the ordinance of
1787, as well as confirming the laws already in force
in Oregon not incompatible with the remainder of the
act, subject to alteration or modification by the gov-
ernor and legislative assembly; and extending the
laws of the United States over that territory. This
was objected to as a firebrand, and Hale offered to
withdraw his amendment for the present, to be re-
newed if he deemed it best on seeing the course taken
by the bill.
Calhoun of South Carolina replied to a proposition
of Bright to strike out the obnoxious 12th section, to
which Hale objected, that the removal of that section
would not be a removal of the difficulty. ''There are
three questions involved," said Calhoun: "first, the
power of congress to interfere with persons emigrat-
ing with their (slave) property into the state ; second,
the power of the territorial gov(^rnment to do so; and
third, the power of congress to vest such a power in
the territory ; " and recommended either Westcott's
amendmont by substitution, or the passage of the
military section as a separate bill.
Miller of New Jersey expressed sur})rise that the
people of Oregon had not the right to prohibit
slavery. Whence, then, had they derived the right to
sanction slavery I To pour oil on the billows, Dick-
inson of New York suggested leaving out the 12th
section, and permitting the people of Oregon to settle
for tliemselves tlie question of free territory. To this
})roposal Bagby of Georgia gave, by implication, his
consent, by saying tliat congress had no more riglit
over the territory than over any other property of
COMPROMISE BILL.
765
the United States; and denying that it could "erect
a wall around a territory in which citizens of other
states could not meet without leaving their property
behind them." For him, he wished the I'ith section
stricken out. At the same time he called Dickin-
son's doctrine, that Oregon could make its own laws,
a monstrous one, and called his suggestion an "attempt
to stir up agitation in reference to a territory into
which it was generally admitted slavery was never
likely to enter;" whereupon Hale retorted that this
was a "southern firebrand" which was now thrown in.
Bagby again "deprecated the new doctrine as to
these ephemeral things called territorial governments,
by which any twenty thousand settlers on the public
lands might set up a government, and demand the
right to enact their own laws." Foote of Mississippi,
though declaring that he did not wish to enter ui)on
the discussion of the question of slavery at that time,
as it "might enable an individual to whom the aboli-
tionists were attracted to increase his popularity,"
announced that he would vote for the bill if the 12th
section should be stricken out. Hale replying to the
personalities <^f Foote, the debate ended in remarks
of no pertinency to the history of the Oregon bill.
The third day was but a repetition of the t^ o pre-
ceding, except that some new voices were heard in the
debate. Things were said of the Oregon government
that would have roused the resentment of its founders
could tliey have heard them, and at every renewal of
the contest it was evident that the prospect for Or(\gon
darkened. At lenj^th Houston of Texas, j:()[)ing to
put an end to the discussion, moved to amend the 12th
section by inserting a modifying clause, which was
agreed to, but did not prevent the I'ocurronce of the
motion to strike out the section.'^ A vote being taken
'■'The following is the paragniph so ohnoxious to southerners, with tho
amendment ill italics: 'Sec. 12. And he it fiirtlier enacted that tho inhal)i-
tants of the saitl territory shall he entitled to all the riglits, privileges, and
iininnnitiea heretofore granted and secured to tlie territory of Iowa and to its
inlia))itants; and the existing laws now in force in tho territory of Oregon,
766
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
on striking out, resulted in a two-thirds majority
against it, which was the end of that day's proceedings.
I need not follow the bill through the ensuing six
weeks of discussion. On the 13th of July it was re-
committed to a select committee on the organization
of territorial governments in Oregon, California, and
New Mexico, which reported a bill on the 18th to
establish these several territories. This bill was in-
tended to be a compromise, and granted to Oregon
the right to organize by a popular vote, and by th^
"temporary adoption of their present laws prohibiting
slavery, until the legislature could adopt some law on
the subject;" while organizing the other two territo-
ries without this privilege, by appointing governors,
senators, and judges; their legislatures to have no
power to make laws concerning slavery.^* It did not
take away the liberties granted by the 1 2th section of
the original Oregon bill, the modifications being slight,
but withheld from California and New Mexico even
the right to send a delegate to congress. It was with
this powerful sedative the committee proposed to quiet
the agitation on the question of slavery in the terri-
tories until Oregon could be organized withouc over-
turning the free principles upon which the people had
erected an independent government, which they might
choose to retain rather than yield to the subversion
of their rights enjoyed under their own organic laws.
The contest then continued upon the propriety of
yoking Oregon, "a native-born territory," with terri-
tories hardly a month old and peopled by Mexicans
and half-Indian Californians. But after daily dis-
uniler tlie authority of tlie provisional govcmmont established by the people
thereof, shall continue to be valid and operative therein so far as the same
shall not be incompatible with the provisions of this act, or in violation qf
any rights by the law or constitution of the United States ivsted or secured to
the citizens of the United States or any qf thr,„, subject nevertheless to bo
altered, modified, or repealed by the governor and legislative assembly of the
said territory of Oregon; and the law'i of the United States are hereby ex-
tended over and declared to be in forco in said territory, so far as the same
or any provision thereof may he applicable.' Cont}. Olobe, 1847-8, 812.
"M, 950; Demly's Hist. Or., MS., .3; Clarke, in Ovcr'ind Monthly x
411-13; Benlona Thirty Years View, ii. 'J2'd-U.
EVADING THE ISSUE.
7«7
cussion for another week, and at the close of a thirty
hours' session, at eiglit o'clock in the morning of the
27th of July, the compromise bill was passed ^^ by a
vote of thirty-three to twenty- two, and sent to the
house, which almost at once voted to lay it on the
table, upon the ground that it did not settle, but
would only protract, the vexed question to which it
owed its birth.
But while senators were thus evading the final
issue which all felt must soon be met, the lower house
had not been free from agitation on the same subject.
On the 9th of February Smith of Indiana reported a
bill to establish a territorial government in Oregon.
This bill as introduced, by comparison with the Doug-
las bill of 1846, appears to be nearly identical. It
was made the special order of the house for the 28th
of March. Several debates were had, but little af-
fecting the passage of the bill up to the time of
Meek's arrival in Washington, and the president's
message to congress on the subject of furnishing a
government to that territory at the earliest practica-
ble moment. Fear of the delay which the inevitable
discussion of slavery was likely to involve led to the
proposition to refer the message to the committee on
military affairs, in order that troops might at once b*^
sent to Oregon ; but this motion was not allowed, and
the bill took its course through the arguments for and
against slavery in the territories, as the senate bill
had done. The only amendments agreed to were a
proviso in the first section confirming to each of the
missions in Oregon six hundred and forty acres of
land,'" the introduction of several new sections offered
as amendments by the committee on commerce, con-
cerning the establishment of a collection district, ports
of entry and delivery, extending the revenue laws of
the United States over Oregon, and appropriating
'* See text of bill in Cong. Gloh, 1S47-8, 1002-5.
'"This proviso, introtluced in the territorial act, when aland bill had already
been reported, but without the prospect of passing at that sesaioa, explains a
liart of rhoriitoa'a errand.
768
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
money for the erection of light-houses at the mouth
of the Columbia and at the entrance to Admiralty
Inlet; a section forbidding the obstruction of the
Oregon rivers by dams which would prevent the
free passage of salmon; and a section appropriating
$10,000 to be expended under the direction of the
president, in payment of the services and expenses of
the persons engaged by the provisional government to
convey coninmnications to and from the United States,
as also the purchase of such presents for the Indians
as might be required to make peace with them.^'^
It is asserted by Thornton that he secured the
amendments on commerce,^^ and knowing nothing to
the contrary, I shall hope that he did so, because he
should have done something to earn the money for
his expenses, which charitable members of congress
were induced to procure for him out of the public
treasury. The bill as it now stood, with the ordinance
of 1787 and all, passed the house on the 2d of August
by a vote of one hundred and twenty-nine to seventy-
one, and was sent to the senate, where for nine days
it received the same discursive treatment to which
the senate bill had been subjected, but was finally
passed between nine and ten o'clock Sunday iiioming,
August 13th, after an all-night session.
Seldom was there so determined opposition to a
bill as that offered by the southern senators to the
establishment of Oregon Territory : not, as they them-
selves said, from a want of sympathy with the people
of that isolated section of the country, who were, as
all believed, still engaged in a blood^'' contest with hos-
tile savages ; nor froui a conviction that slavery would
strike root in this far northern soil; but only from a'
sense of the danger to their sacred institution from
extending the principles of the ordinance of 1787 to
" By the language of this appropriation the §10,000 was intended for Meek
and Ilia associates. Meek received a large share of it, and the Indians not
any. See Virtor'n Hiwr of the West, 458-<)'2. Tliorntou also received money
ior his expenses, probably from the contingent fund.
^''Or, Pioneer Assoc., Tram., 1874, 94.
FINAL PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
769
the territory acquired since the pa;^sage of that ordi-
nance.^^ From their point of view the people of the
southern states were defrauded of their inheritance in
the vast possessions of the federal Union by the exclu-
sion of slavery from any part of the common territory
of the United States. They claimed the right to go
whither they pleased, and to carry their Imman chat-
tels with them, fiercely combating the opposition of
the northern men that negroes were not property, in
the usual acceptation of the term.
It had been agreed that congress should adjourn on
Monday the 14th, and the policy of the opposition
was to defeat the Oregon bill by preventing the ayes
and noes from being taken. Almost the whole of
Saturday was consumed in debate, in which Calhoun,
Butler of South Carolina, Houston, Yulee, Davis,
and other eminent southerners, argued the question
over the same familiar ground with no other object
than the consumption of time. Benton only had re-
plied at any length.
In the evening session, after a speech by Webster,
the debate was continued till after midnight, when a
motion was made to adjourn, which was defeated.
Butler then moved to go into executive session, when
an altercation arose as to the object of the motion at
that time,^** and the motion being ruled out of order,
"Maaon of Virginia said: 'The ordinance of 1787 was a compact formed
between the United Statea government and the people of the north-west terri-
tory before the constitution was formed. The history of that ordinance id
shrouded in secrecy, as the journals were not made public. But it is well
known that there was much conflict. The item concerning slavery was tlio
result of compromise ... Some states came into the mca.sure with dithculty
and sonu! with a protest. Virginia would never have boon a party to that
compact, never would have made the cession she did, liad slie supposed
her right to extend her population whither she would, would have beea
denied. . .There are now 3,000,000 of slaves penned up in the slave states, and
they are an increasing population, increasing fiister than the whites. And are
the slaves to be always confined within what may bo deemed their prisoa
states?' Cowj. Globe, 1847-8, SK):?.
'■'"Thornton, in his Huftory of the Promionnl Ooivriinirnt, in Or. Pio. er
AxHoc., Tram., 1874, 91, gives some particulars. He says Butler made the lo-
tion to go into executive session for the purpose of inquiring into the cou. . act
of Benton, who he had alleged communicated to the reporter of tlio New York
Unald some proceedings done in secet session; tliat Butler called Benton's
act dishonorable; and that Benton sprang toward him a rage, with clinched
His (>u., Vol, I. 49
770
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
a vote was taken on appeal, and the chair sustained.
In this manner the night was, hke the day, wellnigh
wasted, without coming to a vote on the Oregon bill.
Toward morning, Foote, who had already spoken
several times, rose again, when he was called to order.
The friends of the bill thinking the best way to bring
matters to a conclusion was to humor the Mississippian,
entreated that he might be allowed to proceed; and
he, declaring his ability to speak until Monday night,
commenced at the history of the creation, as given in
the books of Moses, and talked on in a rambling strain
until after nine o'clock Sunday, when it may be
assumed that his spirits began to flag, and he sat
down. Benton then hastened to recede from some
amendments which he had offered, but which the
house had refused to accede to ; and the bill, restored
to its precise form as it passed the house, was finally
passed by the senate, the long and trying ordeal was
over, and Oregon was a Territory of the United States,
on her own terms. ^^ The rule disallowing bills to be
presented for signature on the last day of the session
was suspended, and this one was signed on the 14th
of August, tlic president returning it to the house
with a message, in which he reviewed the question of
free and slave territory at some length, deprecating
the agitation arisirc^* from it, and predicting that it
would, if not checked, dismember the union."
Oregon had indeed been granted a territorial organ-
ization with all that usually accompanied such creative
acts, the appropriations amounting to $20,500,'"^ besides
the salaries of all the territorial officers, including the
hand aiid violent gestures, calling Bullcr a liar.
ators
another '
The two whito-haired seu-
;or8 were separated by their friends, Butler saying, ' I will see you, sir, at
lother time and place; and Beaton rejoining iu great heat, 'that ho coulil ho
en at any time or place, but that wlicn ho fought, ho fought for a funeral ! '
See aho Clarke, iu Overland Mont/ili/, x. 412.
'^^Nilen' lieij., Ixxiii. 274; Benton's Thirty Yearn, ii. 711.
'" For the territorial act of Oregon, see Oeneral Laws qf Oregon, 1843-72,
52-63; Comj. Globe, 1847-8, 1079-80.
»»For public buildings, $5,000; for territorial library, $5,000; for light-
houses, $15,000; for contingent expenses, SI, 500 annually.
LAND DONATION.
771
members of the legislature, which would bring a sum
of money into circulation annually sufficient to afford
partial relief to the currency of the country.'^* But
the subject of land titles had not been touched, except
so far as to secure the missions in the possession of
six hundred and forty acres each, and except that the
territorial act deprived every one else of all the title
they formerly had under the provisional government. ^^
The omission to provide the Oregon settlers with
their long-promised donations was not through either
the injustice or intentional neglect of congress, but
simultaneously with the territorial bills both houses
had been notified that a land bill would follow. Sen-
ator Breese of Illinois on the 3d of January asked
leave to bring in a bill to create the office of surveyor-
general of public lands in the territory of Oregon,^*
and to grant donation rights to settlers. In the house,
notice of two bills on the same subject was given by
McClernand of Illinois January 31st, and by Johnson
of Arkansas February 10th. McClernand's bill was
referred to the committee on public lands, of which
Collamer of Vermont was cliairman, who reported it
back April 25th, with an amendatory bill, and there
the subject of land donations remained while the bat-
tle was being fought over the ordinance of 1787.
When that fight was over it was too late to move in
the matter at that session. Ha subsequent course will
be related elsewhere."^
For the relief of Oregon in the matter of troops and
** Salary of the governor, who was also Indian agent, $3,000; 3 U. S.
judges, $2,000; secretary, $1,503; legislators, $."] pur iiay and mileage; chief
clerk, $5 per day; other officers, $3; marshal the fame as the marshal of
Wisconsin.
^ 'AH laws heretofore passed in said territory making grants of land or
otherwise affecting or euounibcring the title to lands shall be, and are hereby
declared to be, null and void.' Sec. 14 of territorial act, in Gen. Laws Or.,
1843-72, 60.
■'^Con,j. Olohe, 1847-8, 95.
"'It is uiteresting to know that the widow of Captain Robert Oray, wlio
first entered the C'()lumbia, had a bill for relief, on the ground of discovery,
before the house committee on public lands at this and a previous session.
See memorial of Martha Gray, m Or. Spectator, Sept. 3, 184C; Comj. Ohbe,
1847-8, 679.
772
TERRITORIAL (iOVERNMElIT.
munitions of war, nothing was don*;, or could have
been done in time to have averted a erushingf disaster
to the colony, had the Indians not been checked. The
Mexican war, which had only been brought to a close
in the sunnner of 1848, had made a licavy draft upon
the treasury, and the arniy'"** was at that time small.
The government was averse to enlisting men especially
for Oregon, inasmuch as the rifle regiment which had
been raised for service there and along the road to
the Columbia would now be marched to its original
destination, from which it had been diverted by the
war with Mexico, so soon as its ranks, thinned by bat-
tle, desease, and desertion,™ could be recruited. In-
stead of raising a new regiment, or ordering away the
men in garrisons, it was concuded by the secretary of
war to furnish the material likely to be required from
the companies and stores already on the Pacific coast.
Accordingly orders were despatched to John Parrott,
navy agent at San Francisco, to forward orders to
Commodore Jones to send "men, arms, amnmnition,
and provisions to Oregon," and also to forward by any
3afe conveyance $10,000, to be paid over to the gov-
ernor. But this order was not issued until the 12th
of October, when peace had been restored.^"
During the progress of affairs from May to August,
the two informal Oregon delegates had been charac-
teristically employed. Thornton, with a serious air
and a real love of scholarlv association, sought the
society of distinguished men, profiting, as he believed,
by the contact, and doubtless being often consulted upon
Oregon affairs. He asserts that he was approached
while in Washington by an agent of the Hudson's
Bay Company who wished to sell the possessory rights
of that corporation . in Oregon to the United States
for the sum of $3,000,000, and that he became involved
■^"The total strength of the army after the discharge of the volunteers en-
listed for the war was S.StMJ. Cong. GMk, 1847-8, lOOO.
"The rifle regiment was reduced to 427 men. Id.
^30th Contj., M Se^., H. Ex. Doc. 1, 18-20.
THE FUK COm-ANY'S RIGHTS.
773
in some trouble with the president for his course in
refusinj^ to sanction the purchase.^' That he became
the object of Polk's dislike may be true; but that the
president cared for his opinion is hardly j)robable.
With regard to the proposition of the Hudson's
Bay Company, I learn from various sources that the
senate had under consideration a proposal to purchase
its possessory rights in Oregon, ui)on the representa-
tion that the anomalous condition of the comiHiny
after the treaty would lead to trouble. Sir George
Simpson and Mr Finlayson paid a visit to Washing-
ton'^^ about this time, and the matter was in the hands
"The cause of the trouble was really not so iiiucli tlio fact that lie din-
approved of the purchase, which aiiy one was at liberty to do, as the manner
taken to show his di8a(jproval. As the matter is stated by himself, he re-
ceived a call at liis lodgings, from Knox Walker, the private secretary of the
president, who brought with liim and introduced aMrOeorge N. Saunders,
whom he left with Tliornton when he took his leave. The hitter, according
to Thornton, procee<led to make an attempt to bribe him to advocate the
justice of the Hudson's Bay Company's pretensions, and offered liiin §'25,000
to write such letters as lie should (lictate, to two memljers of the cabinet.
The pious plenipotentiary's reply, if we may believe him, was to threaten to
kick Siiiuulers down the stairs, when that person saved him the exertion by
going of his own accord. Not satisfied with this, Thornton wrote a letter to
the prcaident, which brought him finother visit from Walker, who urged him
to withdraw the letter, intimating that it would lie better for his private
interests to do so, but that he still refused. Tlie story soon after transpiring
through a communication to the Knv York Ilenilil, written by Thornton, and
signed ' Achilles de Harley, ' the president took unii)rage, and not only refused
to appoint liim to the place of one of tlio judges for Oregon, but also to pay
his expenses as a messenger from Oregon out of the §10,000 appropriation.
According to S. A. Clarke in tlic Orrrlaiifl Moiiililij, May 1873, who wrote
from Thornton's dictation, Robert Smith, from the congressional district of
Alton, Illinois, went to the pre>ii<lent for money for Thornton's expenses, and
was refused. Benton was then solicited to interest himself for Thornton, but
put the business off on Douglas, who being refused, tlireatened to fumisli
Thornton with money to stay over to the next session, when he would move
for a committee of inquiry to investigate the matter, in wliich tlie president
was concerned. This threat biouglit Mr Polk to terms, and the sum of
$2,7 oO was jjaid to Thornton, though he was obliged to return to Oregon with-
out an office either for himself or the coterie lie represented. Sucii is the
explanation furnished by Thornton of tlie failure of his mission to AVashingtoii,
and which ho has repeatedly made, in his HiMonj of Omjon, MS., 1-G; in his
Autobio(/rap/ii/, MS., 48-55; in the statement made to Mr Clarke, and on other
occasions. The real reason of Thornton's returning enipty-lianded was not
any quarrel of the kind here narrated, but the citizeius memorial and the
Nesinith resolutifm of the Oregon legislature, before spoken of, wliich Meek
carriftd to Wasliiiigton along with oth<!r documents. While there waa no
iralice in Meek, he wouM have been sure to have his own sport with the
governor's private delegate, tlie more so that Tliornton professed to lie
allocked at tlie giddy ways of the authorized messenger.
^'Extract from Montreal Ihrail, in A'/fcv' licj., Ixxiv. 2S)0-7.
^
774
TEUUITORIAL (JOVEKNMENT.
of tlic British charge d'affaires, Crampton. Tho
Hudson's I>ay Conipuny i)laced a high value upon
their property and lands in Oregon as guaranteed
to them by tho terms of the treaty of 18iG; and as
the latter were liable to be occupied at any time
by American settlers who held in no respect their
possessory rights, they were anxious to sell. The
United States did not deny their right to do so. The
only question was as to the i)rice that was set upon
them."*^ Sonu' of the senators, on j)olitical grounds,
had favored the proposition from the lirst; ' ut oth-
ers, better acquainted with Oregon local affairs, as
Benton and Douglas, called for information, and the
secretary t)f state laid the whole matter before them,
declaring that as adviser of the president he could
not counsel its acceptance without first ascertaining
the value of the property, but that if he were in the
senate he should vote for the purchase, as it would
prevent tho troul .o and annoyance likely to ari j rom
the joint navigation of the Columbia River.'
In the following year negotiations on this subject
wei'e interrupted, Buchanan declining to entertain the
company's proposition to sell, for the reason that the
British government interposed an injunction upon its
officers, restraining tliem irom transferring to the
United States any of the rights secured to it by the
treaty, the principal of which, in the estimation of
** A correspondent of the New York Jownnl of Commerce, under date of
August 7, 1848, says: 'The senate have before them in secret session tho
proposition of the Hudson's Biiy Company and the Puget Sound Company
tor the conveyances to the United States of all their Tandy, buildings, im-
provements, fields of cattle, forts, etc., and all their possessory riglits south
of 49°, as well as the territory, etc., north of that piirallul. The governor of
the Hudson's Bay Company, Sir John Henry Pelly represented to Lord
Palmerston tho expediency of tho transfer of the territorial rights, prop-
erties, and interests of the two companies to the U. S. government, and
Lord Palmerston, readily embracing tho project, instructeil Mr Crampton,
the British charge d'affaires, to bring it before tliis government. His letter
to Mr Buchanan's is strong; and Mr Buchanan's comnmnication to the senate,
urging the acceptance! of the proposition, preaents incontrovertible arguments
in favor of it. Mr Calhoun and Mr Webster are in favor of itj and to-day I
learn that Mr Benton and Mr Hanuegaa have taken the matter in hand.'
Polynesian, v. 150; Nileji' Be;/., Ixxiv. 97.
"* Extract from New York Herald, in N lies' Re<j., Ixxiv. 224.
UETUKN OF THOUNTON.
776
this ^ovommcnt, was the free navigation of t)io Co-
lunihiu, Tliver.'' Later, negotiations were resumed,
but not until the estabhshnient of a eolleetlon district
in Oregon had shown the British goverrnnent and the
company that the free navigation of American waters
was of Httle consequence, associated as it was witli
the obhgation to pay duties on Enghsh goods, on
the same footing with citizens of the United States.
When that discovery was made, the vahie of their
possessory rights was nmch lessened, and senators
were not so ready to buy. Tlie reader wlio will re-
member Benton's remarks on tlie 2d article of the
treaty of 1840, in secret session, knows that even at
that time he comprehended the im[)ortance of the
blunder made by the British embassador in regard to
this article; and it does not appear likely that Thorn-
ton was better informed on the subject than senatt)rs
who had for years been engaged in the discussion of
the Oregon Question from all points of view, or that
the Hudson's Bay Conqtany regarded his opinion as
worth $25,000, The publication of a letter contain-
ing a charge against the president of bribery, or of
consenting to bribery, whether written by himself, or
by another, as he has since declared, but emanating
from him, would be very good reason for regarding
him with disfavor.
Soon after the adjournment of congress Thornton
received a little more than the sum allowed by the
territorial bill for mileage of a delegate, and repairing
to New York, took passage on the Sylvie De Grasse
for Oregon, where he arrived in May 1841).^*'
'•''Washington letter, in Allfs' lie;)., Ixxiv. 312.
'®The person whom Tliornton accuses of approaching hitn with the offer
of a bribe, George N. Saunders, has had a notorious record as a politician,
and was not above attempting to make the agents of the Hudson's my Com-
pany pay for his assumc(l iuHuence in their affairs. He was described as of
an amiable and joyous temperament, but lacking in principle. He was for
some years editor of the Deitiocnitic Review, which his management converted
from a respectable mpgazino into a reckless and disreputable publication.
Yet he was wont with it to make senators and membcns tretnble, see Voirj.
Glolie, 1851-2, pt. i. 712, and was often called the president-maker. In
1853 ho was commissioned consul to London. New York cor. Or. SUUeniium,
77G
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
President Polk, who was elected on the issues con-
nected with the Oregon Question, was desirous of
having the new territory established during his ad-
ministration. It was already the middle of August
when the bill passed, and it was a long journey to
Oregon by whatever route the territorial officers
might choose. No time was lost in making the ap-
pointments; the appointees being urged to set out
at once for the Pacific coast. The president's first
choice for governor was General Janes Shields ^^ of
Illinois; but the appointment being declined, the
position was offered to another general of the Mexi-
can war, Joseph Lane of Indiana, who was requested
to organize the government before the 4t]i of March
following. Lane accepted.^*^ The other appointees
Oct. 4, ]8~)S. He is described by a writer in tbo Botiton Trnmcri'pt, in Id.,
Sept. 16, 1802, as the head and director of all knavish expedients to secure
the election of Buchanan in 1850. ' Nobody knew how ho obtained his money
or acquired his right to command; but money ho had ii. abundance, and his
right to command was not disputed. There, with his shining shock of bro\vn
hair, curling over the lowest of human ff)reheads and tlio most impudent of
human faces, he freely dispenseil the " inlluence " which carried Pennsylvania
for Buchanan in spite of the (Quaker vote. His reward was tiie office of navy
agent in the city of New York.' He became a defaulter to the government
to the extent of .$21,000 in 18G1. He settled in Louisville and preached
secession, and afterward went to ', 'anada, where he led the rebel fugitive ele-
ment, and where he told ( !eorge Augustus Sala that tlicj' were plotting atroci-
ties in connecti(m with the war which would ' make tlie ^^•orld shudder.'
Boixi Cili/ Statexmati, July 13, ISCo; Portland Orvijoiiinn, No>'. 9, 1805; Id.,
June 17, 1807.
^' Shields was bor- in Altinore, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1810, and emi-
grated to America ac the age of 10. In 18!V2 he settled at Kaskaskia, Illi-
nois, in the practice of the law. Ho was elected to tlie legislature in 18.%,
and was auditor of the state in 18150; was appointed judge of tho supreme
court in 1843, and commissioner of tho geuerul lund-otiice in 1845. At tho
breaking-out of tho Mexican war he recei\ed tlio appointment of l)r'gadier-
general in tlie United States a;-my, and was brevi^tted major-genera! for dis
tingui-shed services. He served six years in tlic U. S. sena+c, noing elected in
1841) from lUinois, juid afterward two years from Minnesota Territory. Ht;
was for a short time in California and Mexico, and afterwards served as a gen-
eral in tho union army. In 1878 ho was E.gain elected to the U. S. senate
from Missouri, but died a few weeks after taking his seat, iu June 1879.
dnmrs I'uh. Lif,; MS., .W; JVilcn' Ii<y., Ixxiv. 113, 337; S. F. Call, June 3,
1879; Salt Lake S. \V. Ilvmld, Juno 4" 1879.
■'"Joseph Lane was born in Buncombe Co., N. C, in 1801. From healthy
parentage and pure mountain air ho derive<l a strong ron.stitutiou, and
tliough not a largo man, ho was well knit, tough, and wiry, with a lively
and ambitious disposition. His father removed to Kentucky when he was a
cliild. At 15 he 'eft tiio paternal roof to seek his fortune, as sons of southern
and western men were wont to do. Ho married at tho age of II,). In 1820 he
setthd iu Indiana. Struggling with poverty and inexperience, tho gift of
OFFICERS APPOINTED.
777
!
were Knitziiig Pritcliett of Pennsylvania, secretary;
William P. Bryant of Indiana, chief justice; James
Turney of Illinois and Peter H. Burnett of Oregon,
associate justices; Isaac W. R. Bromley of New York,
United States attorney ; Joseph L. Meek, marshal ;
and John Adair of Kentucky, collector for the dis-
trict of Oregon.'"' Of these, Turney declined, and
O. C. Pratt was given the })osition. Burnett declin-
ing, William Strong of Ohio was named in his ])lace.
Bromley also deciined, and Aniory Holbrook was ap-
pointed in his ster'.J.
Meek, now United States marshal,^" received liis
commission anr. that of Governor Lane on the 20tli
tongue, which ""^ve' ileserted him, made liim early a man of mark, and he
was elected ca';' ,iu of the local militia, whi';h at that time, when the late
war with Engiiiud and the frequent Indian wars kept alive tlie military
spirit, was considered as a posit on of honor and trust. At this evidence of
the esteem of hid fellows, young Lane bef^ame ambitious to ae((uit himself in
all respects creditably, and begai.' to acquire that book knowledge which from
the circumstances of his boyhood had been denied him, studying while his
neighbors were sleeping. He also labored to accpiire property, and made his
first vantiire in business by buying a flat-boat iind transporting freight on the
Ohio River. Money came in, and when he was still young lie was elected to
the legislature of Indiana, lirst in the house and then in the senate. When
the Mexican war broke out the military spirit of Captain Lane was fired.
He enlisted as a private in the 2d Indiana regiment of volunteers, to take his
chances of promotion to the captaincy of a company. When the regiment
iissembled, captiiins being plenty. Lane was chosen colonel; and tlio other two
regiments from his state lieing equally anxious to be commanded by him,
the president made him their general. For two years previous to his appoint-
ment to the governorsliip of Oregon he was winning laurels on the battle-fields
of Mexico; and to the history of that republic this portion of his biography
belongs. Notes from a magazine of May 1858, in Lmic'-'i Aiitohioi/rnpln/, M.S.,
«i7-8.',.
'■'■'* NnuOdvaiiH Pirn;/uii(;, Au^. 28, 1848; Ifonol'ilu Poli/iii'Mini,, Feb. 3, 1849;
Oiri/oit Fact.% 8; Evans, in Or. I'ionfier Aumi:, Tnim., 1877, 27; S. F. Aha,
Jan. 4, 1E40; S. /■'. ('(tlifoniid Star ami (^nlit'oniiitti, Dec. 1(>, 1848; Or. S]n:<-tiUoi;
Feb. 8, 184!); S. I. Friend, Nov. 1, 184!); Am. Atmaiixr, 184!), HI.'!; NUm'
Bcij., ixxiv. !)7, 3:J8; Vir/or'.i Hirer of the Wext, 48;i.
*"Inthe New York Trilnnie of Sept. 184!), a correspondent says of Meek
that he was so illiterate as to bo able 'to do little more than write his name,
althougli President I'olk, with a full knowledge of the fact, appointed liim,'
etc.; and sfeites tliat he was riii 'old traiiper who hail been 72 years in the
mountains ! ' Tlie Or. S]>eri<i)nr of .Ian. 2t>, bSAO, remarked upon this, that at
that rate, as Meek liad lieen |i) years in the Willamette Valley, and was
probably 20 years old wlien he went to the mountains, he must be of the ven-
erable age of 102 years — lie was 40 — and took occiusicm to say that notwitii-
standing his want of liook learning, he had lieen jiecnliarly prompt and
faitiiful in every office with which lie liad been intrusted. This w;is a deci'led
change from the tone of Abernethey's private letters, written after Meok's
appointment as mes.senger, in which ho took frequent occasion to ridicule the
choice of the legislature. Or. .\rrhiiy,H, MS., 108.
1^
778
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
of August, and followed the president to Bedford
Springs, whither the family of the executive had
gone to escape the heat of the capital. In such haste
was Polk to put his officials on the way to Oregon
that he had already taken a seat for Meek in the coach
wliich would leave Bedford the day of his arrival, and
on that same afternoon he bade farewell to all his
summer's glory, and set out for the home of Lane,
near Xewbur<):h Landino; in southern Indiana. On
the 27tli of August he presented Lane liis commis-
sion^ and on the 29th this portion of tlie Oregon
government was on the way to Fort Leavenworth,
where was an escort of twenty -five men for the jour-
ney across the plains.
Owing to the lateness of the sea.son it was deter-
mined to take the southern route l)y Santa Fe, El
Paso, Tucson, and the Pima villages ou the Gila River,
following that stream to its junction with the Colo-
rado, and thence north-westwardly to the bay of San
Pedro in California, where they hoped to find a vessel
to take them to San Francisco, and thence to the
Colambia River. The company wliicli left Fort
Leavenworth on the 20tli of September numbered
about fifty persons, including Lane, his eldest son
Nathaniel, Meek, and Dr Hayden, surgeon of the
detachment under Lieutenant Hawkins, twenty-five
riflemen, with Av^agon -masters, teamsters, and ser-
vants.
On the Santa Fe trail they were met by the army
under Price returning from Mexico. The i)assage
of this host had swept the country of herbage. On
arriving at Santa Fe it was found impracticable to
proceed farther with wagons, and the baggage was
placed on mules for the march to the seaboard. At
every stage feed was j)oorer, and the sandy plains of
the Grande and Gila rivers reduced the nmles to a
pitiful condition. At Tucson the escort began to
desert, and in an attemjit to capture two of them two
others were killed, making tlie loss double. After
ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.
779
crossing the Colorado " and entering California rumors
of gold dis . 'cries caused such desertion tliat when
the expedituui reached Williams' ran cho on the Santa
Ana Rivx'r less than six men remained, and these
were obliged to walk while the few animals left alive
carried the baggage. At this j)lace, liowever, the
wayworn and wellnigh starved travellers found hos-
pitable entertainment and were furnished with horses
to take them to the coast. At Los Angeles they
found stationed Major Graham witli a comi)any of
United States troops; and thence they pi'oceeded to
San Pedro Bay, where a vessel, the Southam'pton, was
ready to sail for San Francisco.
On entering the Golden Gate tlie Oregon officials
encountered one of those wild phenomena which drop
in on mankind once in a century or so. Hundreds
of men from the Willamette, many of whom Meek
last saw in the Cayuse country without money enougli
to purchase a suit of clothing had it been for sale in
Oregon City, were waiting here for a passage to the
Columbia, with thousands of dollars' worth of gold-
dust buckled to their waists. A fever of excitement
pervaded the shifting [)()pulation of San Francisco
which it was impossible to resist ; and although neitlier
Lane nor Meek would forsake their trust, they were
tempted to fit out for the mines the few men who had
remained with them from Fort Leaven wortli, on a
partnership agreement, and saw them dej)art for the
gold-fields with Natlianiel Lane, before continuing
their journey.*^
Lane and !Meek went on board the Janet, Ca|)tain
Dring, The vessel was crowded with returning Ore-
gonians, and after a tedious voyage of eighteen days
anchored in the Columbia. The party to which Lieu-
''Near Cook's Wells the company found 100 wagons which had lici-u
abandoned by Major (Iraluiin, who was unable to cross the Colorado desert
with them.
" Meek was to receive half tlie first year's profit. The nsult of liis ven-
ture was three pickle-jars of gold-dust, which young lAne brouglit to liim the
following year, und which no more than reimbursed him for his outlay.
Vktoi'.i h'iivr of (he Wc^t, 480.
780
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
tenant Hawkins was still attached immediately took
passage in a canoe for Oregon City, where tliey
arrived the 2d of March, two days before the expira-
tion of Polk's term of office.'"'
On the day following his arrival Governor Lane
published a proclamation as follows :
" In pursuance of an act of congress, approved tlie
14th of August, in the year of our Lord 1848, estab-
lishing a territorial government in the territory of
Oregon : I, Joseph Lane, was on the 1 8th day of Au-
gust in the year 1848 appointed governor in and for
the territory of Oregon. I Jiave therefore thought
it proper to issue this my pi-oclamation, making known
that I have this day entered upon the discharge of the
duties of my office, and by virtue thereof do declare
the laws of the United States extended over and de-
clared to be in force in said territory, so Tar as the same
or any portion thereof may be applicaVjle. Given under
my hand at Oregon City, in the territory of Oregon,
this 3d day of March Anno Domini 1841).
Joseph Lane.""**
Thus Oregon enjoyea one day's existence under
the president whose acts were signally linked with
her history, in the settlement of the boundary, and
the establishment of tJie laws of the United States.
The only other presidential apjjointee besides the gov-
ernor and marslial present in the territory at its
setting out on its new career was Associate Justice
O. C. Pratt, who Jiad arrived about a month pre-
viously.*'' He administered tlie oath of office to the
*^Cr(iir/ord'g Nai:, MS., 18.5; Lntx'^s Avtobioiir<(p/ii/, MS., .*?; Or. Arijm,
May 1!), 1853.
•♦Till! proclamation was [.iriuti'd on tho little press iiae<l by (J. L. Curry to
print i'is independent paper, the Vriv. Pri:x^. Lnuc'x AiifMoiji'dp/i;/, MS., 5.
♦•' Pratt arrived on the bark Undine, loaded with returning .^old-mintrn,
whieh missed the river and ran into Shoalwater Bay. She enteivii aft'irward
and went np the river for a largo of lumber. Pratt lamled at Shoalwater
Bay, and went dovMi the beaeli to Capo Disappointment and Baker Bay, and
crossed to Astoria, where a hirge innnher of natives wn; congregate<l, to
<il>8ervc some of their barbannis festivals. 'At this war-dance, says Cra
ford, 'I saw O. C. Pratt for the iirst time.' Ntir., MS., ISl.
•aw-
SOCIAL CONDITION.
781
other officials, and helped to sot in motion the wheels
of the new political machine.
And so, without any noise <jr revolution, the old
govermnent went out and the new came in. The pro-
visional government was voluntarily laid down, as it
had voluntarily been taken up. It was an experiment
of a part of the American people, who represented in
their small and isolated community the principles of
self-government in a manner worthy of the republican
sentiments supposed to underlie the federal union, by
which a local population could (constitute an indepen-
dent state, and yet be loyal to the general govern-
ment. Under judicious management, good order and
happiness, as well as a general condition of pros-
perity, had been maintained. The people were indus-
trious, because all must work to live; they were
honest, because there was no temptation to steal ;
they were not miserly, because they had no money to
hoard; they were hospitable, because every man ex-
pected to need the kindness of his neighbor; and they
were moral both on account of a public sentiment
created by the mission and Hudson's Bay Company's
influence, and from the ab^ience of temptation. In
such a community there is strength ; and had there
been neither Indian war nor gold-discovery, the
same organization might have continued to stand for
a generation without further assistance? from the gen-
eral government.**
** ' In tho (liu of battle it also stood the test. It declan^d and sucoeaafully
waged war to redress tlie unprovoked wrongs tlic citizens had suffered; from
its own resources, without extraneous aid, it levied tlie necessary troops; in
the hour of danger its citizens res[iipn(le<l to the call of tlieir constituteil nutlior-
ity. Tlie Cayuse war was prohalily tlie most important historic feature of
the period. By it was fully demonstrated, not only the inliereut strength of
the provisional governuient, the unity of feeling it had engendered, its entire
eapiU)ility to nu et tho recpii.enients of the pcoiilc, hut the inciting cause of
the war had hceii the constant surrounding of the piotu-ers. ' Kvans, iu Or.
Piijiwer A. i-wt Trniiy., 1877,34. 'Tin; luc^iof the " forty's " wen,' no connnon
men; they A'ould have hceii men in any country; they iiad hi'en v innowed
out of a great nation, a chosen hand. 'J'iiey came as a community with all iho
necessary cliaracteristics to estiihlish a well-organized government; this they
put into oncration as soon as they arrived — rocke<l the cradle of tho infant
provisional government — nurtured and trained the rapidly developing youth
of tho 'territorial government.' lirown's AiUobioynxyliy, MS., 33. 'Thirty
782
TEilKITOllLYL UOVEllNMENT.
With tlio going-out of the provasioual government
there was unloosed ahnost the last grasp of the Mis-
sion political influence. The head and front of this
power for several years had been Abernethy. He had
stood high with the Methodists, the largest r(;ligious
denomination in Oregon, and by a certain smooth-
ness of face, of manner, and of soft brown hair over a
sloping forehead, had created the impression of mild,
almost weak amiability, rather than of any intellectual
force. I have shown, however, with what pertinacity
he could plot and plan against his British commercial
or other rivals. His dislike of the western men was
scarcely less, because he could not rule them, and be-
cause tbey snapped their fingers at Mission influence.
Like many another of the school in which he had
been trained, he believed the Lord was on the side
of professors of religion, and that if they obtained
the advantage of other men, not of their belief, the
Lord was rejoiced thereat, because the righteous shall
inherit the earth. This belief made it right for the
missionary party, of which he was the real head, to
practise that underhanded policy, in certain cases,
which when indulged in by men of the world is called
dishonesty. In these disingenuous measures Aber-
nethy was the prime mover; but the fear of injuring
his business or his position as governor kept him
silent. He was by nature, too, a quiet man, Vv'hose
opinions were made known by what he did rather
than by what he said. For a few years following the
change in Oregon affairs, he accumulated money ; but
he failed to keep the fortune circumstances threw into
his lap. He bought everything that offered, whether
he could pay for it or not, and when reaction came,
lost all that he had made, besides being heavily in
years ago was established by a mere han'lful of people, on this then remote
and inaccessible land, that famous provisional goveriunont which carried the
country through the vicissitudes of peace and war, until March 3, 1849, whe-i
the territorial governmei't provided by congress was proclaimed at Oregon
City amid the rejoicings of the people, by its first governor, General Joaeph
Lane.' Deady, in Or. Pioneer A asoc., Triuis., 1875, 4?.
THE RETIRING GOVERNOR.
788
debt. It cannot, therefore, be said of him that he was
greater in a business capacity than as a statesman or
philanthropist.*'^
A history that is written from the very mouths of
the Hving actors, and that despises no authority how-
ever humble, if it has any claim to be thought just,
should have brought to light, had there been anything
to record, some acts of generosity, of self-sacrifice, of
devotion to the good of the country, performed by
this leading man among the missionaries ; but in all
the instances requiring the exhibition of these quali-
ties, during the early period of Oregon history which
closes with the establishment of the territorial gov-
erinnent, the men who came to the front were the
men whom Governor Abernethy despised. There
remains to be recorded yet one more act in the life of
the colonial governor deserving of preservation in
history, which I reserve for a future chapter.*^
I have spoken freely of the Oregon colonists, their
personal peculiarities, and all their little and great
jealousies, and occasional misdoings. I have not made
of them religious martyrs, but something better; I
have not made of them pilgrim fathers, but something
nobler, their fanaticism being less fierce and cruel,
while for self-denying application and high and holy
purpose they were the peers of any who landed on
Plymouth Rock. If I have not presented the leaders
of the several migrations as heroes, to me they were
none the less heroic ; while the people were filled with
a patriotism as lofty and purjDoses as pure as any
appearing upon the highways of history/
49
" BenroHH Ma: Life in Or. City, MS., 10; Moss' Pioneer Times, MS., 35-9;
Mrs Wilion, in Or. Skefdie.'., MS., 18; Buck's L'nterjrruses, MS., 10.
** Governor Abcruetliy, a.siile from liis unfortunate speculation.^, su.stainocl
the wreck of the remnant of liia fortune in the Hood of 1831-2, whicli swept
away the most valuable improvements at Oregon City. Ho then removed to
Portland, and engaged iji a small business, which l;e followed till his death
in 1877. He remained always a firm friend of the church and of tumperance,
and is well spoken of for these traits. See Or. Pioneer Assoc., Trans., 1870,
68; Salem Sfafesmnv, in San Jose Pioneer, May 12, 1877.
** Herewith I givo^some modern biographies, more of which will bo found
in vol. ii., Historj of Orajon. W, H. Effingcr, born in Va, Nov, 14, 183S),
784
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
graduated from Dickinson college, Pa, in 1856, studied law, and took a tour
through the south, intending to locate himself in eitlier Miss, or Lti; but the
breakms-out of the civil war caused him to return to Va and feiko service in
the coniederate army. During the war lie was twice wounded. After its
close ho continued the practice of his profession in Va until 1872, when he re-
moved to Orecfon. At the time of the late Indian war he was maj.-gen. of
the state militia, and accompanied Gov. Cliadwick to Umatilla, where a ren-
dezvous had been appointed with Gov. Ferry of Wasliington. Elffinger desircid
to call out 800 militiii, but Chadwick declined. It is Effinger's opinion tliat
had this been done the Indians would not have broken through Howard's
lines. I have explained Chadwick's actions in my account of this war in
HiHt. Idaho, tliia series. In 1880 Mr. Efhnger was chairman of a delegation
from Oregon to the national democratic convention at Cincinnati, which ad-
vocated the nomination of .Stephen J. Field for the presidency. As a lawyer,
EiBnger achieved a high position in Oregon.
James Steele, of Scotch lineage, his grandfather having come to the U. S.
from Scotland, while his grandmotlier on the paternal side was a Gladstone,
a cousin of the English premier, was born and educated in Moore co., Ohio,
in 1834, moving to Iowa in 18i5G, just as the first railroad was being con-
structed in that state from Davenport to Iowa City. Several years were spent
in Iowa and Kansas, when he came to Oregon in 1802. His first employment
here was in II. Pittock's grocery store, wliore he ri;inained for one year. After
that he was book-keeper for Harker Bros two years. When the Ist National
Bank was organized in 1800 — the fir&t on the Pacific coast — he was made
c; ii'vir, remaining there IG years, resigning in 1882 to engage in banking on his
own account, he being one of the organizers of the Willamette Savings Bank,
and its first president; also sec. and treas. of the Northwest Timber Co., or-
ganized in 1883, the lands of the company being near Astoria. The Oregon
Construction Co. was another enterprise in which Steele became interested,
its purpose being to construct raih'oads. This co. built the Palouse branch
of the N. P. R. from Colfax to Moscow. Then there was the Oregon Con-
tract and Pavement Co., with tlie object of making all kinds of street im-
provement, anotlier important industry in wliich Steele was early interested;
also the Oregon I'ottery Co., whieli is a consolidation of the Buena Vista
Pottery Co. with the Portland Pottery Co., incorporated by Steele in 1884;
besides having mining interests m Idaho, and being a promoter of an enter-
prise which contemplated reduction-works at Portland. This is Scotch thrift
and American enterprise united.
J. C. Carson, born in Pa in 1825, removed with his parents to Ohio in
1834, where he studied medicine until 1850, when he came to Cal. by sea as
asst to a surgeon, Kiunaman, who designed erecting a hospital at Sacramento.
Not finding things as they expected, the hospital was given up, and Carson
went to tlie mines; but after drifting about for two years, he came to Port-
land, at that time a rude hamlet in a forest. Finding nothing to do here, he
taught a country school for a year. In 1852 Portland began to grow rapidly,
and taking advantage of the movement, J. C. with D. R. Carson established
a sash and door factory, in time employing 50 men. Carson has been several
times member of the city council, and was its president in 1854 and 1855.
In 18G6 lie was one of the three commissioners selected to report on the value
of the H. B. Co. property in Oregon and Washington. In 1870 he was a
member of the lower house of the legislature from Multnomah co., and re-
elected in 1880. In 1884 he was elected to the senate.
Jonathan Bourne, Jr, born in New Bedford, Mass., Feb. 23, 1855, was
educated at Harvard university, graduating in 1877. He travelled abroad
for a year, and came to Portland in 1878, where he read law with Vs . H.
Effinzer, being admitted to the bar in 1880, and entering into a partnership
with liim. Bourne became president of the Oregon Milling Co., owning mills
at Turner and Silverton, in Marion co. ; president of the Divided Car Axle
Co.; president of E. G. Pierce Transfer and Forwarding Co., with a branch
in San Francisco; and sole owner of the town of Grant's Pass, recently made
BIOGRAPHICAL.
78S
), was
aliroiul
\V. H.
lership
g mills
r Axle
)rancli
f mado
the county seat of Josephine co., besides having interests in various other
manufacturing and railroad enterprises. Ho was elected to the legislature
from Mulnoniah eo. in 1884. In politics he is an ardent republican, as was
his father Jonathan Bourne, Sr, who was four times member of the executive
council of Mass., and was the first delegate to vote for the nomination of
Lincoln in the convention of 18(50, since which time he has been a mem-
ber of every republican national convention to the present time. The son
inherited also the father's business talents, who was for many years the largest
whale-ship owner in the world, and later interested in railroads and various
manufactures.
John iSomerville, a native of 111., was born in 184G, and migrated to Ore-
gon in 1873 in company with his father, Alexander Somervillc, born in Ky in
181G. His mothers maiden name w;is Elizabeth Stephenson. They had two
other children, Edgar J. and Mary J. The family settled on a far;n in Linn
CO., where the father died in 1880. John engaged in mcrchan<lising, and sub-
sequently in stock-raising in eastern Oregon, ni company with A. H. Brey-
man. In 1883 .Somerville, Breyman Bros of Salem, and B. J. liowman
established the National Bank of East Portland. Somerville marrieil, in
1867, Ellen E. Shelley, a native of Lane co.
James Lotan, born in Paterson, N. J., served a term of enlistment in a
N. Y. regiment in the civil war, and came to Oregon in 18()4, having first
been employed in the navy-yard at Washington for a year. He was foreman
and manager of the Oregon Iron- works for several years, and in 1873 became
a large stockholder and supt of the Willamette Iron- works. Tlie company
was incorporated in 18G5 with a capital of $50,000, the money used in the
businccis afterward increased to about $200,000; M. W. Henderson pres., B.
Z. Holmes vice-pres., W. S. Stevens sec, and John Mair supt. Ihe com-
pany in 1883 had a business worth $400,000, which full ofif subsequently as
the railroads were completed.
B. F. Kendall, born in Springfield, 111., Feb. G, 1827, came to Oregon in
1851, and engaged in farming and stock-raising, having 80 acres of improved
land in Baker co., and several hundred head of cattle and horses. He was
elected county commissioner in 1883 on the republican ticket.
S. A. Caldwell was one of a joint-stock company of 150 persons from
Boston who in 1849 came to Cal. by sea in a vessel of their own. After ar-
rival, and finding that as a company they could do nothing, they sold tlieir
vessel and disbanded, Caldwell coming to Oregon in 1850. In 1852 he formed
one of a company wliich purchased stock of the immigrants. The winter of
1862 being a severe one, they lost 5-6 of their herd, having neither shelter nor
food, and the cattle Ijcing worn down with their journey across the plains.
In 1854 Caldwell settled in Eugene, where he resided for 8 years, when he
removed to Auliuru, and in 1876 settled near Malheur City on 160 acres, 120
of wliich was arable land.
W. McCliinahan, born in Ind., came to Oregon overland in 1852 in the
company of Williaui Huntington. In tlie spring of 1853 he went to Shasta,
Cal., and engaged in mining, remaining there 5 years, when the Eraser River
excitement carried liim to IJ. C, from which place he returned in the autunm
of the same year. In 1851) he married Annie Butt of Forest (ilrove and moved
to Clarksville, where he mined and kept hotel until 1872, when he settled on
a farm near Bridgeport. He secured 48>) acres, 260 of which was rich bottom-
land, and the remainder upland, all good f. r farming purposes. McClanahaa
gives the name of James Heetwood and William Mitchell as early .settlers in
hij section, and mentions Frank Koontz as having erected the pioneer saw-
mill I'.ere. The mill was Kubsc(iuently sold to CL'ments. A school was es-
tabljjho.l in the district, and religious services held once a month.
II. W. Sloan, supt of the Humboldt Mining Association of Cafion City,
furnishes the following: The stoclc of the co. is divided into 8 shares, held
by 6 working nieud)er3; namely, H. W. Sloan, two shares, value, $3,000; J.
Sprowl, two shares, i,3,(M),); W. C. Sprowl, 11. Heppner, P. Yergenson, and
II. Hunter, one share each, v^.OOi). They have a patent to 140 acres ot min-
IIisT. Or., Vol. I. 53
786
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
ing ground, and work the mine by hydraulic appara iis; have a 7-mile ditch,
including one milo of flume, which carries 1,()00 inci ea of water. The qual-
ity of the gold is ^) 8. 40 to the ounce, or .909 tine. A elean-up of $2,500 to
$3,000 is made every 5 or G weeks. The G stockholdara and G Chinese are
employed in working. Slo::.n also secured a hay rancho of 100 acres, which
he stocked with fine l)rood mares.
John Laurence, born in N. C, came to the Pacific coast in 1857, and
located himself at Yreka, Cal., engaging in mining and farming. In 18G5
he removed to Orant co., Oregon, K'ittling in Jolin Day Valley. In 1877 he
began merchandising at Prairie City, and also purchased the Strawberry
flouring mill, built in 1872 by Morehead & Cleaver, which made from 25 to 'M
barrels of flour per day of 12 hours, and a chop mill, both run by water-power
from Waldon Warm Springs. He became owner with his brother, Isham
Laurence, of 320 acres of grain land, and raised wheat, oats, and barley. He
also owned an interest in the Keystone gold mine with Starr, Carpenter, and
Shearer. It was situated 7 miles from I'rairie City, and had a S-stamp mill
upon it. Considerable tunnelling was done on two levels. The ore ran 3i
ounces of gold and 5 J ounces of silver to the ton. The mine cost $25,000,
and yielded up to 188G $31,000.
M. V. Thompson, of the firm of Groth & Thompson of Calion City, se-
cured with his partner the Eureka Hot Springs, a fine place of resort; also a
large stock rancho for raising horses.
Ireorge D. McHaloy, a farmer and stock-raiser near Prairie City, came to
Oregon m 1843 with his parents, who settled at Oregon City. In 1850 ho
went to the Cal. gold mines near Redding, where he remained over two years.
He subsequently located himself in the J()hu Day country as a farmer, remov-
ing from the North Fork to Prairie City in 1881, where he secured IGO acres
of hay land, his cattle feeding on the public lands in summer. He was elected
in 1884 a member of the lower house of the legislature.
Quincy A. Brooks was born in Pa in 1828, and educated at Duquesno
college, Pittsburg, graduating in 1841). He studied law, and came to Oregon
in 1851, locating himself soon after at Olynipia on Puget Sound, then a por-
tion of Oregon. He was appointed inspector of customs, and afterwanl
deputy collector of that port. Gov. Gaines appointed him prosecuting attor-
ney in 1852 for the northern district of Oregon, which office he held until the
organization of Washington territory. He took part in its early politics, and
was appointed by Gov. Stevens clerk of the supt of Indian affairs, holding
that position under Stevens, Nesmith, and Geary. In 1857 he removed to
Salem, where he married Lizzie Cranston in 1858; and thence went to Port-
land, where he remained until 1801, when ho went into mercantile business
in Walla Walla, and afterwards at Auburn. In 18G5 he received the appoint-
ment of postal agent for tlie Pacific coast, holding that otfice through John-
son's administration. On tlie brfiaking-out of the Modoc war in 1872, he was
commissioned quartermaster-general of the state troops, with the rank of
major, and served during the war. After the removal of the Indians he
located himself near Linkville, where he secured 1,00J acres of land, and some
valuable solfatara hot springs. His son, Edward C. Brooks, was appointed to
the military academy at West Point, graduating in 188G.
David Force, a native of Ind., born in 183G, of Ky parentage, enlisted
as a private on the breaking-out of the civil war, remaining in the service
to the close, and fighting in 37 battles, under Sherman, Sheridan, Rosecrans,
and Grant. He rose to ue captain during his service. In 18G9 he migrated
to eastern Oregon, settling in 1870 in what is now Klamath co., at the south
end of upper Klamath Lake, where be made a farm, and engaged in raising
stock cattle and horses. For 2.\ years he was supt of farming on tlie Klamath
Indian reservation. He married May E. Johnson of Brightborough, Iowa, in
1858.
John S. Shook, bom in Ind. in 1843, came to Oregon about 1802. He
was the son of Amon Shook, who also was born in Ind., but removed to Iowa
in 1847. The family being large with little weiilth, John migrated to Oregon
BIOGRAPHICAL.
787
and located himself in Jackson co. In ]8f>4 the rcinaindor of the family, con-
sisting of the parents, 'A sons, and 6 daughters, followed, and in 1870 John
again became tne pioneer, taking some land in the Klamath country, where
Alkali ia now situatetl, and being followed by the others and their joint prop-
erty, 15 cows, with which they went into atock-raiaing, working for wages
and investing all their earnings in cattle. John took a leading part in build-
ing up the town of Bonanza, where he was postmaster for several years, and
taught the first school. The Shooks in a few years were independent, and
became the largest land and stock owners in the country.
Richard Hutchinson, bom in T m 182(5, came to VsA. in 1807, residing
in Sierra and Mono cos until 18(11 v lien lie removed to Jackson co., Oregon,
and subsequently to Tule Lake, Klamath co. He married ^\xiiiie Armstrong,
of Tyrone co., Ireland, in 1848.
Newton Franklin Hildebrand, born in Moniteau co.. Mo., in 1843, camo to
Cal. in 1874, settling in Yolo co. In 1879 he made a tour through Idalio and
eastern Oregon, and in 1884 settled in Klamath co. liu married lihoda K.
George in 1872.
Joseph Henry Sherar, bom in Vt, came to Cal. by sea in 1855, being then
23 years old. He proceeded to the Salmon River mines, where lie remained
3 years mining. In 1859 he remove<l to Hoopa Valley, purchased a farm of
450 acres of good farming land, and a train of 40 mules, with which he carried
on freighting to Areata on the coast, to tlie mines on Salmon River, and 150
miles up the Klamath River. While in this business he had for a partner
Jonathan Lyon, a r.uphew of Gen. Lyon of the army of the civil war. In the
spring of 18(52 Sherar, with a passenger and freight train, started for tlio
Powc^r River mines. The route was along Trinity River to Trinity Centre,
across the mountains to Scott Valley, from there to Jacksonville, and thence
to Oregon City, crossing the Cascade Mountains by tlie old Barlow road, the
snow in places being 20 feet deep in J\i .le, to Tyghe Valley, Des Chutes Bridge,
John Day River, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Grand Roiul, and over the Biiie
Mountains to Powder River. Returning to the Dalles lie loaded his train for
the John Day mines. A (ierman in his party built ■.' nvcn of clay to bake
bread in, en route, giving the name to a settlt.iiu i. which was afterward
formed there. This company also named Antelope Valb \ from the great num-
ber of those animals found there, and Cold Camp from the cold experienced
there. Near this camp, while they lay tlicre, Berryway killed (iallagher for
his money and pack-train; he was arrested, tried, an<l hanged at Cafion City.
Proceeding, Shenir's company named Muddy Creek, Cherry Creek, and Burnt
Rancho, where C'lark and his partner were burned out by the Indians.
Bridge Creek was so called on account of a binall bridge of juniper logs, liuilt
over it by Shoeman and Wadley, who came from Cal. nnd went to the John Day
mines with a train. Beyond here was Alkali Flat, where the first hotel on the
road was erected in 18(53. Crossing the Blue Mountains to the head of Rock
Creek, the trail led to the John Day Valley, and thence to Cafion City. This
waa the road afterward so much molested by Indians, 180 miles in length, and
guarded by the 1st Oregon cavalry. Sherar continued to carry freight over
it for two years. In 18(53 he married Jane A. Herbert, and settled in Wasco
CO., raising horses until 1871. Sherar 's bridge over the Des Chutes has the fol-
lowing history: In earliest immigration tiiiiea, as my readers will remember,
it was frequently forded, at some peril to tlie traveller; sometimes the Indians
carried passengers over in canoes. In 18G0 a bridge was built at the crossing
by Todd and Jackson, carried away by high water in 18(51, and rebuilt in
1862. Jackson sold to Todd in the autumn, wlio took in Hemingway an<l
Mays as partners. Hemin. ;way soon purchased the interest of the other
partners, after which he sold to O'Brien, who sold to Sherar in 1871, for
$7,040, who expended $75,(X)0 in improving the roads on every side of it, (50
miles of which he kept in repair. In 1870 he purchased the White River
flouring mills, which manufactured 40 barrels of flour per day. He had also
a saw-mill cutting 2,800 feet daily. He purcliased the Fenegan rancho 14
miles east of his bridge, containing 1,580 acres, worth $25,(X)0; had 6,5(X)
788
TEIiHITORIAL (JOVEIINMENT.
ahocp and liorHca and nnilci) for farm work. He kept the Htagc-Rtation and
poHt-ollii'u at tilts bridge, where a little sottleinent grew in>, and wita considered
worth !i^>0,00(). Here was a j)ionecr; u man who liy hard work hocanio owner
of $IOO,OU() wortli of proiHirty, with a gootl yearly income. Many such there
uro in thin favored land.
Urxlney (<li«an was l>orn at Linganorc, Md., in 1827, of Maryland's earliest
Knglish ancestry, ami educated at the university of tliat state as a physician.
In I84U he passml .1 ••'•mpetitive examination \>y a lioard of army surgeons, waa
accepted, and commi.ssioncd a-sst surgeon U. S. A. in 1850. After being i.'i
temporary duty at severd posts in the west and Houtii-west, he was ordered to
the I'acilic coast, arrivirii^ in S. F. in 18")5 on llie steamer Jo/in L. StiYphcnx.
from Panama. Soon after ho was ordered to soutl-ern Oregon with the troo'js
8cnt to suppress the Rogue River Indians, at that time in a hostile attiti cle
to tiie white settlers, and in this service endureil hardships from which one
might well shrink. In ISOI lie settled in Portland, where he married, in 18t),t,
Elizabeth R. Couch, daughter of the pioneer John H. Oouch. He has been
president of the Multnomali County Medical Society, and the Medical Society
of the State of Oregon; member of the American Medical Association, and an
emeritus professor of obstetrics in the medical dept of the Willamette uni-
versity. He piibli.shcd a book entitled A Journal 0/ Aniiji L'lfi', and is the
author of several brochures upon diU'erent branches of medicine and surgery.
In 1881 he was appointed by the medical societies of Oregon delegate to the
International Medical Congress held in London, ami spent two years 8ul)se-
qucntly in the ho.spitals aiul medical colleges of Europe, whence he returned
to I'ortland in 1 883.
William Ried was born in (Hasgow, Scotland, in 1842, of Scotch pareiitii^;e.
Ho wcis brought up in an atmosphere of railroads, his father being manager
of the fUiisgow and South-western liailway, and a railroa.d builder for 20
years. William was sent to St Andrew's parish school, and educated in the
Presbyterian faith, under Samuel Neil, author of Loijk and LUeraUirc. At
an early age ho left his father's house to do battle in the world for himself,
Bucceeding in securing an education in (ilasgow university, with a knowl-
edge of the law which enabled him to jsractice as a partner of Alex. Douglas
of Dundee, soon after wliich he married Agnes Dunbar. Wiiile at Dundee he
met Mrs Lincoln, widow of President Lincoln, and performing for her some
literary service, was rewarded by the appointment of U. S. vice-consul at Dun-
dee, wliich office he held from 18G9 to 1874, when ho resigned to come to Oregon.
His frequent intercourse with Americans led him to give much attention to
the country, and in 1873 ho published a pamphlet on Urei/on ami WaMwj-
ton as Fi<'t(ln for Capital and Lalior, which was widely circulated, and re-
sulted in the formation by its author of the Oregon and Washington Trust
Investment Company, for doing business in Portland. The president of the
comiJ.iny was the rarl of Airlie, and Mr Reid the secretary. This company
invested over $1,000,000 in Oregon and secured mortgages on much valu-
able property, being subsequently converted into the Dundee Mortgage and
Tru.st Investment Company, with Reid as manager. Mr Reid has been very
active in commorci;;! and financial affairs. Soon after arriving in Portland
he organized the Board of Trade, with A. P. Ankeny and 85 other mem-
bers, who elected liiui secretary. In Sept. of the same year he procured the
establishment by the legislature of a State Board of Immigration, the gov-
enior appointed him one of the commissioners, and the board making liini
secretary. He prepared pamj.hlets, which were printed in several languages,
and circulated at the Paris oposition and the Philadelphia exposition, at-
tracting much attention to the rorth-west. He was the organizer of the Ore-
gon and Washington Mortgage i^avings Bank of Portland, the tir.st deposit
savings bank in the state. In 187G he conceived a system of narrow-gauge
railways in the Willamette Valley, to be built by Scotch capital, under the
name of the Oregonian Railway Company, Limited; and secured the passage
by the legislature of a law entitling foreign corporations to build railroads
ill the state, with the same powers belonging to domestic corporations. In
BIOGRAPHICAL.
780
the autumn of 1880 he had in operation in the Willamette Valley 118 miles
of road, when he applied to the Icgitilaturc for a riuht to enter the city, and
locate ilia road upon the pul)Ito groundH therein, hut Wiw opposed by Vil-
lard's railroad conii)anies and the city government. The legialuture, how-
ever, pasHed tlie bill over the governor's veto, and the Scotch company Wiis
triumphant, Ilcid being local preai<lent. The construction of the road into
Portland was proceeded with, and the grading had reached to a point within
II miles of the city, when the stockhoMcrs in Scotland, despite the protests
of the local president, gave a 00 years' lease of their railways to Viliard for a
guarantee of 7 per cent on the stock, lleid tlieu abandoned tlio management,
and turned to otlier enterprises, ilis next undertaking was the introduction
into the state of the roller system of manufacturing Hour, and the (.ity of
Salem Company, with a capital of §200,000, was the result. In 188;{ it erected
the Capitol A and IJ mills at Salem and C mill at Turner, at a cost of $'J;J0,00(),
with a combined capacity of 900 barrels per day. The success of these mills
led to tlie erection of otliers on the same plan, in Portland and tdsewhere.
The First National Bank of Salem was organized in 1882 by Mr. lleid erect-
ing the bank building antl becoming the first president. Having relinijuished
all connection with the Scotch companies above mentioned, in the spring of
1883 ho organized the Oregon Mortgage Company of Scotlajid, witli a capital
of $1,000,000, which he managed for two years. In 1884 lie organized the
Portla-^d National Bank, and was made its first president, and also president
of the Oregon and Washington Mortgage Savings Bank. In the mean time
the successors to Villard in Oregon repudiated the Itli years' lease of the nar-
row-gauge system, because the road was unconip.eted and unproductive.
The courts appointed a receiver; the , legislative act under which the Orego-
nian Company was chartered became inoperative through the expiration of
the time allowed for the completion of tlie road, the people of the valley de-
sired to have a road tf) tide-water put in operation, ami lleid was the man to
bring it about. Another bill was introduced in the legislature, conte8te<l as
the hrst had been by the city of Portland and the Oregonian Ilailway Com-
pany; but the bill became a law, and the Portland and Willamette Valley
Ilailway Company, organized by lleid, undertook to connect the Willamette
Valley system with Portland )jy the 1st of Nov., 1880. The stiite gave the
new company a contract, to last for IS years, to carry the freight and pas-
sengers of the uncompleted road to Portland. Mr. lleid is eminently a finan-
cier. There has been loaned on real-estate mortgages from May 1074 to June
]885, $7,597,741 of Scotch money. As one dollar liorrowed represents three
of value at minimum estimates, and as much of the property mortgaged ia
never released, there are many millions! worth of Oregon and Washington
lands held in Scotland.
Thomas H. Crawford was born in Indiana, June 24, 1840, and came to
Oregon in 1832, with his parents, who settled in Linn co. on a farm. For (i
years his opportunities for study were limited. Then he was sent to the San-
tiam academy at Lebanon for about a year, after which he entered the Wil-
lamette university, from which he graduated in 18(i3, after which he began
teaching. His lirst school was in Sublimity, where he remained three years,
when he took charge of the public schools in Salem for 1 J years. From there
he came to Portland in 18()8, and taught in the Portland Academy and Female
Seminary as assistant for two years. In 1870-2 he was principal of the North
Portland school, after which he was elected to the chair of natural sciences
cf Willamette university, rci mining in that position three years, returning
to Portland in 1875, and being elected principal of the Central grammar
school. On the resignation of the former superintendent of public schools in
Portland, in 1877, he was elected to till that position. Mr Crawford has la-
bored conscientiously to improve the school system and management, in
which he has been eminently successful; much attention has been given to
plans of building, and all matters connected with the public schools, until
those of Portland are not excelled by any city of its population anywhere in
the United States. It is noteworthy that the leading teachers in Portland
for many years have been educated in Oregon.