# Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 23/Number 4

THE QUARTERLY
of the
Oregon Historical Society
VOLUME XXIII DECEMBER, 1922 NUMBER 4
Copyright, 1922, by the Oregon Historical Society
The Quarterly disavows responsibility for the positions taken by contributors to its pages.
JOHN KENDRICK AND HIS SONS
By F. W. Howay
All students of the history of the Northwest Coast have an interest in the story of John Kendrick. For the people of the United States that interest centres around his command of the first American trading voyage from Boston; while for the people of western Canada that interest is based upon the work which he carried on upon their shores. And yet when, in seeking informa- tion concerning him, the histories are searched, it is surprising how little can be gleaned. Some disconnected statements can be found in Greenhow and Bancroft, but they are so fragmentary as to be almost negligible and so inaccurate as to be quite worthless. In truth, it is a shadow rather than a substance that is seen in them.
The fact that the log of the first voyage of the Co- lumbia and the Washington has never been published doubtless accounts, in part, for this condition. In mak- ing this statement I do not overlook the rough precis of HaswelPs Logs which is appended to the 1884 edition of Bancroft's History of the Northwest Coast. But Has- welPs Logs, Hoskins' Narrative, Ingraham's Journal, Martinez's Diary, Menzies' Journal, and Boit's Log of the Union, to our disgrace be it said, still remain in manuscript. Being contemporaneous they each contain ​
278 F. W. HOWAY
scattered allusions to Kendrick and his work. With their aid we can piece out the printed sources, Meares, Vancouver, Delano, Marchand, and Boit's Log of the Columbia, and thus compile a somewhat connected story of this interesting man from 1787 until his death in 1794.
At the outset a few words may be said about his family. The name first appears as "Kenwrick"; later it broke into two forms: "Kenwick" and "Kendrick." The founder of the family, Edward Kenwrick, emigrated, we are told, from the "west of England," probably to- wards the end of the seventeenth century. His first home is believed to have been in New Hampshire. In 1704 he is found settled at Harwich in the Cape Cod region. His eldest son, Solomon Kenwick, born in 1706, was the father of our Captain John Kendrick. The date of the birth of our John Kendrick has not been positively ascertained, but it is supposed to be about 1740; in that event he would be forty-seven years of age (an old man in those days) when he took command of the expedition of the Columbia and the Washington.
At about twenty years of age we find John Kendrick as one of the crew of a whaler on a voyage to the St. Lawrence. Later he saw service in the tented field dur- ing the French and Indian war. He married in 1767 and, returning to the sea, became the master of vessels sailing out of Boston. 1 During the war of independence he commanded several ships preying on the commerce of the mother land. In this connection the records show that in 1780 he was the master of the Rhode Island bri- gantine, Marianne, carrying sixteen guns and a crew of sixty-five men. Letters of marque were issued to her on December 16, 1780, upon the bond of Captain John Kendrick of Wareham and Silas Casey of East Green- wich; the owner was John Williams of Worcester, Mas-
1 The biographical information in this and the preceding paragraph is culled from Library of Cape Cod History and Genealogy, No. 35, Edward Kenwrick; C. W. Swift, Yarmouthport, Mass. 1915. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 279
sachusetts. 2 Until 1778 his home was at Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard ; but in that year he removed to Ware- ham, Massachusetts.
The dates of the births of his sons, John and Solomon, are not known. The records show that the former was baptized in April, 1772, and the latter in November, 1772. 3 These two sons accompanied him in the Columbia on his voyage to this coast. The eldest, John Kendrick Junior, obtained an advance of 4 10s, and the younger, Solomon Kendrick, an advance of 1 10s. 4 These figures show their relative positions. John was an officer, prob- ably fifth mate ; Solomon was a sailor before the mast.
It is probable that the complete name of the Columbia was Columbia Rediviva and that of the Washington, Lady Washington; but it is customary to refer to them by the abridged names and this course will be followed. The two vessels left Boston 1st October 1787 ; they reached Cape Verd Islands 9th November; sailed thence 20th De- cember, and arrived at Falkland Islands probably about the middle of February, 1788. They resumed their voy- age on 28th February, but were separated in a gale off Cape Horn on 1st April. The Washington made her landfall on the Californian coast near the boundary of Oregon on 2nd August 1788. As she skirted the shore the natives were met and a small trade was carried on from time to time and from place to place. Somewhere near Tillamook Bay occurred the tragic event that cul- minated in the death of Marcos, Captain Gray's black servant, who had joined the sloop at Cape Verd Islands. Continuing her voyage the Washington reached Nootka 16th September 1788. The Columbia, after the separation, headed for Juan Fernandez, remained there about ten
2 Naval Records of the American Revolution (Washington, 1906), pp. 215, 383.
3 Manuscript letter from Julius H. Tuttle, Librarian Massachusetts Historical Society.
4 Manuscript in the Barrell Letters in Massachusetts Historical So- ciety's archives. ​
280 F. W. How AY
days, and sailed therefrom direct for the American coast, arriving at Nootka on 20th September 1788.
It is unfortunate that Haswell, the only person who has left any account of this voyage, was bitterly opposed to Captain Kendrick. Their difficulties culminated near the Falkland Islands in an assault by the captain upon his second mate. As a result Haswell sought and ob- tained a transfer into the Washington. His views may therefore be tinged with a certain, or uncertain, amount of bias. According to him, Captain Kendrick and his officers could not agree and were constantly squabbling. However that may be, we know that Roberts, the surgeon, Woodruffe, the first mate, and Haswell, the second mate, all left the ship. 5
The expedition made a lengthy stay at the Cape Verd Islands some forty-one days which both Haswell and Gray unite in condemning; the latter claims that it was thirty-six days too long. 6 More time was wasted at the Falkland Islands, where, Haswell alleges, Captain Ken- drick wished to remain until the next season, but ulti- mately yielding to Gray's importunities, continued the voyage. 7 What the truth may be we can not now deter- mine, for none of Captain Kendrick's letters extant make any reference to, or attempt to explain, these changes or these delays. This much is clear: that the Columbia consumed a year (less eleven days) in this voy- age from Boston to Nootka, while on her second voyage, under Captain Gray, she covered the same distance at the same time of the year in eight months. 8 Perhaps some allowance should be made for the pioneer expedi- tion; but even granting that, the difference is so great
5 Haswell's manuscript Log of the first voyage of the Columbia.
6 Captain Gray's letter of 13th July, 1789, in Washington Historical Quarterly, Vol. XII, p. 255.
7 Haswell's first Log of the Columbia, MS.
8 The Barrell Letters in Washington Historical Quarterly, Vol. XII, p. 256. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 281
that many will feel inclined to accept Captain Gray's view that Kendrick was not "a nimble leader."
Upon his arrival at Nootka Sound, Kendrick appears to have entered into a Castle of Indolence. During the winter of 1788-9 no step was taken to prepare the Colum- bia for the next season's work. Indeed, the evidence, including therein Kendrick's own letters, clearly estab- lishes that on this first voyage, from beginning to end, the Columbia never cruised a single mile for furs, but lay inert at Nootka Sound from her arrival in September 1788 until her departure in July 1789, when she sailed for Clayoquot Sound to commence her voyage to China. 9
Captain Kendrick was somewhat of a diplomat. To the great surprise of the British he succeeded in saving his vessels from seizure in that eventful summer of 1789. He seems to have very deftly combined truth, falsehood, and flattery in his dealings with the courtly Don; al- though his story about his entry into Nootka Sound in distress and his pursuing a voyage of discovery did not in reality deceive the Spaniard, as Martinez plainly shows in his diary. While Martinez was embroiling Britain and Spain by the capture of Meares' vessels the Columbia swung peacefully and safely at anchor, and the Washing- ton flitted in and out of the harbor without interference. Even Metcalf 's vessel, the Fair American, did not escape the Spanish net; yet the Columbia and the Washington, which were specially mentioned in Martinez's instruc- tions, seemed to be covered by an aegis ; and not only so, but Kendrick actually obtained permission to continue trading on the coast during the following year. 10 This appears from Martinez's Diary: "Captain John Ken- drick informed me," says that diary, "that he had not completely carried out his commission, and asked me if he might operate on this coast next year after a trip to
9 Id., pp. 252, 257, 259. Hoskins Narrative MS., p. 8. Haswell's first Log of the Columbia, MS.
10 Manning's Nootka Sound Controversy, pp. 305, 330; Martinez Diary MS. ​
282 F. W. HOWAY
the Sandwich Islands and Canton. I informed him that he might do so, but on condition that he always carry an official Spanish passport, as he said he expected to do, and under the further condition that he should buy on my account in Macao two altar ornaments for the mass, and seven pairs of boots for the officers of the San Carlos and of my own ship. However, I believe that none of this will be done." Some may think that the Spanish letter which he carried may account for this immunity; but it must be remembered that Don Bias Gonzales, the Spanish commandante at Juan Fernandez, was dismissed in disgrace for his failure to seize the Columbia there, the ambassador's letter to the contrary notwithstanding. 11 This friendship or good feeling was cemented by the entry of his eldest son John Kendrick Jr. into the Spanish service on the Princesa, as will appear later.
At Clayoquot Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, on 30th July 1789 Kendrick handed over the com- mand of the Columbia to Gray and himself took charge of the sloop Washington.
Why Kendrick exchanged vessels with Gray is not clear. Being the commander of the expedition, the proposition probably emanated from him. No records extant, so far as my search has gone, throw any certain light upon the question, nor afford any really satisfactory assistance in determining whether the transfer was in- tended as a mere temporary expedient or to be, what it afterwards became, a permanent arrangement. Hoskins, his friend, only says that Kendrick "thought best to change and to send Captain Gray on to Canton with the Columbia." He records the views of the officers as being suspicious of Kendrick's intentions, and adds that "on his arrival in China (Kendrick) was deprived of his largest vessel." 12 The expression is ambiguous, not in- dicating whether the deprivation was by Gray's conduct
11 Greenhow's History of Oregon, 1844, pp. 180, 184.
12 Hoskins' Narrative MS., pp. 8, 9. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 283
or by owners' instructions. The inference which I draw from the correspondence between the two captains, as well as from that between Gray and Barrell, is that the exchange was intended at the time it was made to be a permanent one.
At any rate after the Columbia departed on 30th July 1789, Kendrick in the Washington began in earnest the work of trading on the coast. The details of his move- ments may be pieced together from Hoskins' Journal, Martinez's Diary, a letter of his own, and one from John Meares. Before these were known this period was se- lected for his alleged circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, as reported by Meares. Dr. C. F. Newcombe has demonstrated that this circumnavigating voyage is a myth : 13 just another of Meares' fictions. The mere facts that Kendrick was at Clayoquot Sound on 30th July 1789 equipped with only sufficient provisions to last for a two months' cruise, and reached China on 27th January 1790, by way of the Hawaiian Islands, with a cargo of more than five hundred skins are, for anyone acquainted with local geography, sufficient to dispose of the question. The facts bearing on his movements at this time may however be summarized. In a letter to Joseph Barrell dated 13th July 1789, Kendrick states his intention of cruising "to the Northd. part of the coast." 14 Hoskins tells us that Kendrick went "on a cruise to the north- ward" and that "after cruising round Washington Isl- and" (Queen Charlotte Islands) he proceeded to China. Martinez's Diary records that the Washington at this time met Metcalf's Eleanora and later reported the fact to the Fair American on encountering her in Dixon En- trance. Meares, who is the father of the circumnavigat- ing story, in an undated memorandum gives a farrago which fits in part with these statements. He says : "That
13 The First Circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, by C. F. New- combe, Victoria, 1914.
14 The Barrell Letters in Washington Historical Quarterly, Vol. XII, pp. 252-3. ​
284 F. W. HOWAY
the Washington left Nootka in the latter end of Septem- ber, that afterwards she went up de Fonti's Strait (He- cate Strait) and passing thro' a Sea came out at the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Kendrick named the Island formed by these Straits, Washington," etc., etc. 15 Fur- thermore Kendrick, on this trading voyage, visited Bar- rell Sound (Houston Stewart Channel), which separates Prevost Island from Moresby Island, in the Queen Char- lotte Islands group. There he had a difficulty with the Indians. Accounts of the trouble are to be found in Ingraham's Journal, Hoskins' Narrative, and Boit's Log of the Columbia. The version I give is that of his friend Hoskins. In order to obtain some clothing that had been stolen from the sloop, Kendrick seized Koyah and an- other chief and bound them to his guns, placing one leg of each in the barrels and making pretense of prepara- tions to discharge the guns and blow the chiefs to atoms. Seeing their leaders in such imminent peril, the Indians produced the stolen articles. Kendrick then, knowing as he says that all chance of further trade had vanished, required as a condition of their release that all the skins in the village be brought on board. This order was obeyed ; he paid for them at the regular trade price, and the Washington sailed away. Out of this episode arose a serious and tragic affair when Kendrick, two years later, returned to Barrell Sound.
At the Hawaiian Islands on his route to China his observant eye caught a glimpse of sandalwood; at once he saw a vision of wealth ; and he left three men to col- lect a quantity against his return. In this case it seems plain that Kendrick sowed, but reaped not ; he must how- ever be recognized as the founder of the sandalwood trade. When Ingraham in May 1791 enquired about these men he was told that two of them had tired of the
15 Report of the Provincial Archives Department of British Columbia for 1913, Victoria, 1914, p. 31. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 285
life and returned to Macao with Captain Douglas but that the third was at Oahu. 16
Kendrick reached Macao Roads, China, on 26th Janu- ary 1790, about a month previous to the departure of the Columbia. 11 The correspondence between the two captains, so far as it has been preserved, has been already published in volume XII, Washington Historical Quar- terly. Nowhere does it contain a suggestion that the Columbia should be returned to his command. Though he speaks therein of the sale of his furs and asks advice, it yet appears from both Boit and Hoskins that up to the fall of 1791 Kendrick had made no returns to his own- ers. 18 From all presently available sources it seems that from the time that the Columbia sailed from China in February 1790 until the day of his death Kendrick han- dled the Washington as though the vessel were his own property. Further investigations may however throw light on this part of the subject.
Ever since the departure from Boston Kendrick had dreamed of transforming the sloop Washington into a brigantine. If Haswell is to be believed, he commenced to make the alterations at Nootka Sound in the fall of 1788, even though lacking the necessary blocks, ropes, and canvas. 19 Now he had his opportunity. The three years buffetings had so frayed and worn the sails and rigging that all must be replaced. His letters speak of the sloop as "now entirely destitute of sails and rigging" and enquire "whether sail cloth and rigging is to be pro- cured at Canton." 20 He spent a year and two months an unconscionable time in disposing of his cargo and in effecting the alteration in the rig of the Washington. His friend Hoskins says that immediately upon his ar-
16 Ingraham's Journal MS., May 23, 1791; Hawaiian Historical So- ciety Reprints (No. 3), p. 10.
17 Washington Historical Quarterly, Vol. XII, p. 265.
18 Boit's Log of the Columbia, in Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXII, p. 289; and Hoskins' letter cited in note on same page.
19 Haswell's first Log of the Columbia MS., 26th October, 1788.
20 Washington Historical Quarterly, Vol. XII, p. 268. ​
286 F. W. HOWAY
rival at Larks Bay Dirty Butter Bay (29th January 1790) Captain Kendrick "was seized with a violent fever, which caused his life for a time to be despaired of" and that thereafter every obstacle was placed in his way by the Chinese, everything possible to distress him was done, and his troubles culminated when he was arrested in the street of Macao by a guard of soldiers, ordered to depart immediately, and not to return under pain of im- prisonment. 21 What the cause of this unusual treatment was can not be ascertained; how far it may have been connected with an effort to evade the mandarin-made customs laws and the hard and fast commercial or non- commercial oriental ideas we can only surmise.
In March 1791 Captain Kendrick in the Washington, now a brigantine, sailed from Larks Bay, China, for the Northwest Coast of America in company with the Grace, William Douglas, master. Hoskins gives the following epitome of the voyage: "They went into a harbour on the southern coast of Japan where they were received by the natives with the greatest hospitality. Here Cap- tain Kendrick displayed the American flag which is prob- ably the first ever seen in that quarter. They carried to Japan about two hundred prime sea otter skins but the Japanese knew not the use of them. In a few days sail from this they discovered a group of islands to which on account of the natives bringing water off to sell was given the name of Water Islands, they not being down on any chart extant. The natives of these islands as well as those of Japan and the Chinamen could not under- stand each other in talking, but in writing they could well. Their tarry among these islands was short. The two vessels parted company soon after leaving them, each making the best of his way to this coast." 22
The Washington reached Queen Charlotte Islands ; on 13th June 1791 Kendrick anchored in Barrell Sound
21 Hoskins' Narrative MS., p. 130, August, 1791.
22 Id., p. 131; Delano's Voyages, Boston, 1817, p. 43 ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 287
(Houston Stewart Channel). Koyah and his co-sufferer had not forgotten the indignity to which they had been subjected. Here was the chance for revenge. The na- tives appeared quite friendly. Trade ran quietly along. One day a large number of natives gathered on the vessel and took possession of the arms chests on deck. Koyah then tauntingly called to Captain Kendrick, pointing to his legs : "Put me in your gun carriage now." The sav- ages swarmed upon the deck urged on by an Amazon. The sailors retreated below decks in search of arms. Cap- tain Kendrick at first bravely stood his ground trying to pacify the infuriated horde; gradually he edged to- wards the companion way. The Indians surrounded him. One with a marline spike hovered in act to strike. Daggers gleamed in every direction. Just as Kendrick reached the companion way Koyah jumped upon him and struck with his dagger. Luckily the blow went wide. By this time the crew returned with weapons from be- low; but they dare not fire upon Koyah because of the danger to Captain Kendrick. Finally the captain shook himself free of his assailant and, grasping a musket, led the charge. The natives retreated precipitately before the fire. All the efforts of the Amazon failed to en- hearten them to renew the attack. Soon the deck was clear of all except the woman, who vainly strove to stem the retreat. With one arm stricken off she still clung to the main chains howling like a demon. Discouraged she threw herself into the sea, which was covered with men and canoes. The guns were then turned upon the poor wretches striving to reach safety ; the boats were lowered and the fleeing savages pursued with bloody slaughter. 23 In this connection we may quote the words of that wise trader William Sturgis. He is speaking on the gen- eral subject of attacks by Indians. "I, with better op- portunities for investigating and ascertaining the truth, find the cause in the lawless and brutish violence of white
23 Hoskins' Narrative MS., pp. 132-4, August, 1791. ​
288 F. W. HOWAY
men and it would be easy to show that these fatal dis- asters might have been averted by a different treatment of the natives and by prudence and proper precaution on the part of their civilized visitors." 24
This attack and its repulse were the subject of a bal- lad composed by one of the crew. 25 All efforts have so far been unavailing to obtain a copy of it. Further search may however bring it to light.
From Barrell Sound Kendrick sailed southward and on 12th July 1791 entered Nootka Sound once more. The Spaniards were still in possession, but his friend Mar- tinez was not in command, he having been ordered back to Spain on his wife's complaint that he had failed to support her and her child. The frowning fort still guarded the entrance. Elisa, the commandante, records that Kendrick "paso por nuestra castillo con les mechas encendidas y gente armada." Through the speaking trumpet the Spaniards warned him not to enter, but he used a conveniently deaf ear. They recognized the ves- sel and after he had anchored at Marvinas Bay, now sometimes still called Kendrick Cove, an officer was de- spatched to forbid any trade. Kendrick replied that he had come from Macao to carry on trade in sea otter skins, but would obey the order and depart immediately. 26 As usual his movements were leisurely ; we find that on 20th July 1791 he purchased from Maquinna the harbour with "all the land, rivers, creeks, harbours, islands, etc., with all the produce of sea and land appertaining there- to." In leaving Kendrick sailed out by way of Esperanza Inlet which two years previously, as we shall see later, had been explored by his son John. It may even be, from some remarks in HaswelPs Log, that Captain Kendrick
24 Massachusetts Historical Society Proceedings, Vol. 7 (1864), p. 420 et seq.
25 Cape Cod History and Genealogy, No. 35, Edward Kenwrick, p. 10.
26 Papers Relating to the Treaty of Washington, Berlin Arbitration, Vol. 5, p. 176. Washington, 1872. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 289
himself had discovered this passage in the winter of 1788-9.
Proceeding southward Kendrick bought from the na- tive chiefs at Ahousat, near the entrance of Nootka Sound, and at Clayoquot Sound two other parcels of land described in the same vague manner. 27 In this he was true to his blood ; his grandfather had obtained consider- able land in the Cape Cod region by purchase from the Indians. 28 In 1795 an effort was made by the owners of the Washington to dispose of these purchases in London. 29 This is the only item which I have found after 1790 that shows any recognition by Kendrick of his owners' rights.
About 5th August 1791 Kendrick reached Clayoquot where he finished his season's trading. The Columbia arrived on 29th August, found the brigantine at anchor and Kendrick in possession of a log house that he had erected within the area ceded to him by Wickananish and which he had named Fort Washington. 30 He had then about one thousand sea otter skins on board. Hos- kins writing to Barrell on 21st August 1792 says : "Capt. Kendrick when I saw him the last season offer'd to give up to me (if I would pay his men's wages & a debt he had contracted in Macao of about 4000 dollars) his ves- sel and cargo which was a thousand sea otter skins. I told him I had no authority to accept his offer or to de- mand any payment from him nor did I think any person in the ship had." 31
Captain Kendrick sailed from Clayoquot 25th Sep-
27 These deeds and that referred to in the preceding paragraph will be found set out verbatim in Senate Documents, 32d Congress, First Session, Report Committee No. 335, pp. 20 et seq. No reliance is to be placed on the statements of alleged facts contained in this document.
28 Cape Cod History and Genealogy, No. 35, Edward Kenwrick, pp. 2-3.
29 Senate Document No. 335, mentioned in note 26, p. 29.
30 Hoskins' Narrative MS., p. 135, August, 1791.
31 Manuscript letter from Hoskins to Barrell, dated 21st August 1792, in archives of Massachusetts Historical Society. ​
290 F. W. HOWAY
tember 1791 for China by way of the Hawaiian Islands. 32 At Niihau he again landed three men to collect sandal- wood. According to Vancouver, who met these men at Oahu in March 1792, he had left them in October 1791 with the intention of disposing of his furs in China and proceeding thence to Boston. He expected to return from New England, spend a season trading on the North- west Coast, and in the ensuing year to call for them at Kauai, take aboard the sandalwood and pearls collected by them, and sail to India. 33 Here again he appears to have sown, but reaped not. If Vancouver correctly re- ports Kendrick's intention we have here another of those changes of conduct with which Haswell charges him.
In the main Vancouver's remarks correspond with those contained in the journal of Archibald Menzies, the botanist, and later the surgeon of the expedition, but the latter makes no mention of any intended visit to Boston. As this entry and some others that will later be men- tioned have never been published they will, with the per- mission of the Provincial Archivist, be reproduced from the copy of the journal now in the archives of British Columbia. This entry is dated 10th March 1792 : "He brought with him an English seaman who was left here about five months ago by an American brig, the Lady Washington, commanded by Mr. Kendrick. This man's name was John Roebottom. He told us that two other seamen were left with him on the island by the same ves- sel to collect Sandars wood and Pearls and that Mr. Ken- drick was to return in about twenty months to take them and their cargo on board. He also said that they were almost starved and very ill treated by the natives for some time after they landed, but that they now lived with the young king and his guardian on very good terms and were no ways tired of their situation." Menzies
32 This date may not be absolutely correct. It is given by Meares in a letter of 3rd July 1790, published in Archives Report B. C. 1913, p. 34.
33 Vancouver's Voyage, 1801 Ed., Vol. I, pp. 378-9. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 291
goes on to say that the men had become quite habituated to the native life and had adopted the native dress. He gave them some one hundred young orange plants to be distributed through the island, and to one of them he gave a collection of garden seeds "to amuse him in mak- ing a garden on that island and instruct the natives in the method of rearing and using them."
Kendrick reached Larks Bay again on 7th December 1791. 34 He spent nine months in disposing of his furs doubtless he had to smuggle them as Ingraham did and preparing for his next voyage. Here one may compare Kendrick's and Ingraham's relative speed. Ingraham did in four months what it took Kendrick nine to do; their cargoes were of about the same size; their vessels much the same size; and they were exchanging their furs in the same market, under the same conditions, and at the same time. But to return. In September 1792 Kendrick set out again from Macao in the Washington, accompanied by a small tender. As the brigantine herself was only ninety tons, one can imagine the size of the tender. Four days after his departure he met a typhoon. The fury of the gale threw the Washington on her beam-ends. The masts were cut away; the vessel righted; and under jury mast the crippled brigantine limped into Macao Roads. The sea was strewn with the wrecks of Chinese junks. Half-drowned Chinese were clinging to the debris. Ken- drick saved some thirty of the poor fellows. He was refitting the Washington at Larks Bay when, in Decem- ber 1792, the Columbia entered Macao Roads on her sec- ond voyage. 35
Fitting out once more Kendrick essayed his third and last voyage to the Northwest coast. Being now a man of fifty-three he had determined to make this "just one more trip." We do not know his exact date of sailing;
34 Ingraham's Journal MS.
35 Bolt's Log of the Columbia in Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXII, p. 335. ​
292 F. W. HOWAY
it was subsequent to 1st March 1793, for on that date he wrote from "Port Independence, on the Island of Hong Kong" to Thomas Jefferson, the Secretary of State. It is likely that he departed shortly afterwards, as that would be necessary if he were to trade on the coast that season. From Menzies' Journal, already referred to, we learn that Kendrick was on the Northwest coast in the summer of 1793. Writing in his journal at Karakakooa Bay (Kealaqequa Bay), Hawaiian Islands, under date 13th January 1794 Menzies says: "We found here the Lady Washington Snow under American colours com- manded by Mr. Kendrick. She had been on the North West Coast last summer collecting furs and meant to re- turn again in the Spring to compleat her cargo. It was in this vessel Mr. Howell came from China with an in- tent to remain some time at these Islands and for this purpose he had now taken up his abode on shore." There is in existence a letter from Kendrick to Thomas Jeffer- son, the Secretary of State, written during this summer from "On Board the ship Lady Washington, Harbor of Maw-win-na, St. Glair's Island, North-west coast of America," which most unfortunately is undated. It shows the kind heart of John Kendrick. It begs the in- tercession of the United States on behalf of Don Bias Gonzales who had been punished because of his kindness to Kendrick on the voyage of 1787. It would seem from its contents that Kendrick had met his son, Solomon, who was on the Jefferson on the coast in the summer of 1793, and had learned from him of the treatment of Gonzales. At once he writes to the United States authorities urging prompt action especially as the sea-letter had declared that the government would "stand willing indebted" for any assistance rendered to him on that voyage. 36
Vancouver states that on his arrival at Karakakooa Bay (Kealakekua Bay) on 13th January 1794 he found
36 These two letters are in Senate Document, No. 335 mentioned in note 26, pp. 17-20. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 293
that Captain Kendrick had been lying there in the Wash- ington for the preceding six weeks. This would make it probable that Kendrick had left the Northwest Coast some time in September 1793; the voyage thence to the Hawaiian Islands usually occupied about a month or six weeks. Vancouver leaves the impression that the mate, Boyd, the clerk, Howell, and six or seven seamen left the brigantine at this time. This, however, is scarcely ac- curate. Boyd seems to have been the mate of the Jef- ferson, and the only connection between him and Ken- drick was, according to Menzies, that the Washington brought him to Hawaii from the American coast ; Howell may have been clerk on the Washington, but if so, as the quotation from Menzies given above shows, it was merely a temporary employment.
Menzies' Journal furnishes some interesting items at this point. We learn therefrom that on the day after Vancouver arrived at Karakakooa Bay, he invited Cap- tain Kendrick and Mr. Howell to dine with him on the Discovery. The natives brought Vancouver some quanti- ties of charcoal for sale. This interested Menzies and on making enquiries he found that Kendrick, having no coal for his forge on the Washington, had induced a sea- man from an American vessel to undertake to burn some for him. Thus the natives had found another article of trade with the vessels. About the end of January Ken- drick with a party of officers from the Discovery went to view the schooner then in process of construction for Kamehameha. Vancouver throws no light on Kendrick's success in the sandalwood venture. In March 1794 he met Kendrick at Kauai. The latter had, in the interval, obtained at Waikiki in Oahu, from the natives, some eighty pounds of beeswax that had drifted ashore there. We learn from Vancouver that at the other islands Ken- drick had procured further small quantities of this bees- wax. After spending the winter amongst these islands Kendrick returned to the Northwest Coast. When Van​
294 F. W. HOWAY
couver anchored in Nootka Sound on 2nd August 1794 he found the Washington there undergoing her usual repairs. 37
What success Kendrick had in the trade during this season we do not know. Probably about October 1794 Kendrick sailed from Nootka for the last time. John Boit in his manuscript Log of the Union sets down, on the authority of John Young, that he arrived at Fair- haven Harbour in Oahu on 3rd December 1794. Captain Brown of the Butterworth, who then had under his com- mand only the other two vessels of his squadron, the Prince Lee Boo and the Jackal the Butterworth having returned to England was there at anchor. Brown had received from the chiefs of Oahu a present of the island. Kendrick having aided these chiefs in their successful struggle with those of Kauai offered to salute Brown if the latter returned the compliment. I quote from Boit's account: "In consequence of this victory Kendrick in- formed Brown that he should hoist the flag of the United States and fire a federal salute and desired it may be answered by the two English vessels which was agreed to and Captain Brown ordered six guns to be unshotted for that purpose. Unfortunately in returning the salute from the Jackal the sixth gun was not primed and the gunner without thinking removed the apron from the seventh gun in rotation which was fired and being shotted with round and grape it pierced the side of the Lady Washington and killed Captain Kendrick and wounded many of the crew, badly. Shortly after this the snow put to sea under the command of the chief mate bound for Canton." Walbran, on what authority I do not know, gives the date of Kendrick's death as 1st January 1795. If not exactly accurate this must be a very close approxi- mation.
Thus departed Captain Kendrick, in the fifty-fifth
37 For authority for these statements, see Vancouver's Voyage, 1801 ed., Vol. 5, pp. 5, 29, 112, 115, 121, 123; and Vol. 6, p. 65. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 295
year of his age. Delano gives a fulsome laudation of his character, 38 to which I can not wholly subscribe. In physical appearance he is said to have been "a very large man possessing great strength and courage." 39 From the sample of his handwriting and composition preserved in the Barrell letters 40 (being the instructions issued by him to Captain Gray while at the Falkland Islands in 1787) he seems to have had even less than the ordinary common school education of his time. As the commander of an expedition he was a complete failure; even his friend Hoskins has to admit that "to be sure the man was by no means calculated for the charge of such an expedition, but a better man might have done worse." But when his responsibility was reduced to the control and direction of a small vessel he showed qualities of initiative, perseverance, courage, energy, and foresight. He was a good seaman, a kind-hearted, though quick-tem- pered man. He seems to have been whimsical and vacil- lating. He shows himself as a man jealous of his author- ity, self-willed and dictatorial, but yet amenable to rea- son if approached in a proper spirit and manner. He had a keen eye for opportunities and possibilities of trade development, especially where they lay beyond, or at one side of, the beaten paths. His uncertainty of action and his leisurely movements were the defects which prevented him from obtaining those results to which his other qualities should have entitled him.
JOHN KENDRICK JUNIOR
Reference has already been made to the fact that Captain Kendrick's sons, John and Solomon, sailed with him on the first voyage of the Columbia, the former as fifth mate, the latter as an A. B. Haswell suggests that
38 Delano's Voyages, Boston, 1817, p. 400.
39 Cape Cod History and Genealogy, No. 35, Edward Kenwrick.
40 In the archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society. ​
296 F. W. HOWAY
Captain Kendrick's motive in quarreling with him arose "as is mosc probable from his wish to elevate his son to the position of second mate." To understand this refer- ence it must be remembered that when the Columbia sailed from Boston in September 1787 her officers were: Simeon Woodruff e, first mate; Joseph Ingraham, second mate ; Robert Haswell, third mate ; John B. Cordis, fourth mate ; and John Kendrick Jr., fifth mate. The discharge of Woodruffe at Cape Verd Islands and of Haswell at the Falkland Islands would naturally raise the position occupied by John Kendrick Jr.
While the Columbia lay inert in Nootka Sound the son John entered the Spanish service. It would appear that Kendrick chose the psychological moment. In a letter dated 13th July 1789 (just ten days subsequent to the seizure of the British ship Argonaut) Martinez reports this young man's entry into the Spanish service. In his eyes the young New Englander has three qualifications which in the order in which he mentions them are : that he has of his own free will abjured the heresies of Luther and embraced the Roman Catholic religion; that he is well educated; and that he is expert as a pilot. 41 The first reference to him in Martinez's Diary is under date 25th August 1789 when he was acting as interpreter on the occasion of a visit from Maquinna, the head chief of the vicinity. The next entry in which he is mentioned in that diary is in October 1789. I quote : "One day this month (October) the reconnaissance of the country from Tashis to the bay of La Esperanza was casually made with the boat in charge of the second pilot, Don Juan Kendrick and the interpreter Gabriel del Castillo. They had left home in search of whale oil and red ochre, but finding themselves at Tashis they determined (with the agreement of those who accompanied them) to explore the arm toward the west. They undertook this work
41 Archives of Indies, Seville, Spain, Est. 90, Caj. 3, Leg. 18; copy in my possession. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 297
with no more provisions than a little fish which they had bought from the Indians. Making the attempt steering between two bodies of land they came out into the ocean in latitude 50. They had crossed the bay of La Espe- ranza and had taken possession of the country in the name of the King of Spain, Don Carlos IV. As evidence of this, they set up, at a distance of 20' from the afore- said Tashis a cross with the inscription 'Carolus IV His- paniarum et Yndiarum Rex' with the name of Don Este- van Martinez engraved in these letters : T. D. E. J. M. Anno de 1789.' No other people have seen this passage but in all of it there is good anchorage for ships of all sizes which can be moored to the shore. The English who have come into this port have expressed doubts as to the existence of the passage but no one has proved its existence until it was done by Kendrick and the inter- preter."
He then disappears into the mists of the Spanish archives, and is seen no more until Ingraham arrives at Hawaii in May 1791. He learned that in the preceding month two Spanish vessels had touched there. In them was "Mr. John Kendrick Junr, Captain Kendrick's son whom he had let remain on board the Princesa with Don E. J. Martinez. These vessels from (Tianna's) descrip- tion I knew to be the Argonaut and Princess Royal which were captured in Nootka Sound." Tianna also gave to Ingraham a letter from John Kendrick Jr. to his father to be delivered in the event of their meeting on the Northwest coast. 42 The Argonaut and Princess Royal, though called Spanish, were then in Colnett possession. Setting out from San Bias in the former, Colnett had, in accordance with the understanding with the Spanish of- ficers, sought the other at Nootka, but in vain. Sailing thence for China he called, as usual, at the Hawaiian Islands, where he accidentally encountered her and took
42 Ingraham's Journal MS, May 23, 1791; Hawaiian Historical So- ciety Reprints (No. 3), p. 8. ​
298 F. W. HOWAY
over her command. 43 How the Spanish crews reached Mexico again is unknown to me; doubtless a search in the Spanish archives would disclose the means; Col- nett had on the Argonaut the crew of the Princess Royal, who had been in captivity with him.
Again John Kendrick Jr. goes into eclipse and is not seen until June 1794. Doubtless he continued in the ser- vice of Spain, for on this date he appears at Nootka on the verge of sailing in charge of the transport Aranzazu for Monterey. Catala the missionary accompanied him to Mexico where they arrived on 2nd July 1794. Young Kendrick seems to have absorbed the Spanish reverence for the faith, as Martinez had already indicated; he re- fused to sail on the return voyage until another spiritual pastor had been found to take over and carry on Catalans work at Nootka. 44
This is the last reference to him that I have been able to discover; there are, however, one or two allusions which may or may not refer to him. In 1799 the Elisa, Captain Rowan, was on this coast in the fur trade. Her supercargo was a John Kendrick. 45 Whether this person was identical with our John Kendrick Jr.; and if so when he had left the Spanish service and where he had joined her, at the Hawaiian Islands or at her home port in Boston; and if the latter, when and how he had reached New England ; these are all questions remaining at present unanswered. Again, in 1802, the Juno, owned by the D'Wolfs of Bristol, was here in command of a Captain Kendrick. 46 Was this John Kendrick Jr.? He would at that time be only about thirty years of age.
These fragments show how much research is still necessary to piece together the biography of this eldest son of Captain John Kendrick.
43 Colnett's Voyage, London, 1798, p. 101; Vancouver's Voyage, 1801 Ed., Vol. 3, pp. 236 et seg.; and authorities cited in preceding note.
44 Bancroft's History of Northwest Coast, Vol. I, p. 296.
45 Id., p. 307.
46 Id., p. 311. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 299
SOLOMON KENDRICK
The second son, Solomon, seems to have remained on the Columbia after his father relinquished the command to Captain Gray and to have returned on her to Boston on 10th August 1790. We next find him as third mate on the ship Jefferson, Captain Josiah Roberts, bound on a voyage from Boston to the Northwest coast. This ves- sel was a large ship in those days, perhaps of five hun- dred tons burthen. 47 Sailing on 29th November 1791, the Jefferson arrived off Cumberland Bay, Juan Fernan- dez, on 20th May 1792. The log entry reads : "Got out the pinnace and sent her ahead of us into the harbour with Mr. Kendrick the third officer and six hands, he having knowledge of the best anchoring ground, having been in this port before with his father in the ship Co- lumbia in the year 1788 and met with a friendly recep- tion." When Kendrick returned he reported that the Governor, relying upon a prohibition promulgated since that visit, would not grant permission for the Jefferson to anchor. Though the sea-letter and the Spanish am- bassador's letter were produced, the Governor was ada- mant and the ship was obliged to depart for Valparaiso. 48
The Jefferson was on the coast in the summer of 1793. I can not account for what appears to be an error of Captain Vancouver in stating that she was here in 1792 ; such an allegation does not fit in with La Rochefoucauld- Liancourt's synopsis of her voyage as obtained from Captain Roberts himself. 49 The Jefferson was accom- panied by a small schooner of eighty-six tons which had been built, during the voyage, at the Marquesas Islands in 1792, and carried a crew of twelve men. Solomon
47 This is according to Marchand's Voyage, 1801 English edition, Vol. 2, p. 270; La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt on the other hand in his Voyage dans les Etats-Unis, Paris, An. 8, Vol. 3, p. 18, says: "du port de cent cinquante-deux tonneaux."
48 Massachusetts Historical Society Collection, First Series, Vol. 4 (1795), pp. 235, 261.
49 Vancouver's Voyage, 1801 Ed., Vol. 6, p. 399; B. C. Archives Re- port for 1913, pp. 28-9; compare therewith La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt Voyage, Vol. 3, pp. 18-26. ​
300 F. W. HOWAY
Kendrick was an officer on this tender. Two absolutely contradictory accounts of the boss of this schooner and her crew exist. According to La Rochef oucauld-Liancourt, the two vessels spent six or seven months in trading, prin- cipally in the vicinity of Queen Charlotte Islands. There the tender disappeared. La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt says: "Un coup de vent terrible, qui a pense detruire son propre navire, a probablement frappe celui-la, plus rapproche alors de terre, et moins en etat que le sien de resister a un aussi gros terns. Avec lui ont peri douze hommes, ont ete perdus un nombre assez considerable de peaux et de matieres d'echange, et les plans des cotes des iles que le capitaine assure avoir decouvert." The other version is given by Boit in his manuscript Log of the Union on the authority of John Young as follows: "Captain Roberts had a small schooner as a tender on the N W Coast, which was cut off by the natives of Queen Charlotte Islands and every soul on board murder'd, among the rest a son of Captain Kendrick's who was 2d mate." Later in the log on the same authority Boit speaks of the treatment of captives by the Indians and after dwelling upon its horrors proceeds : "The same kind of treatment was experienced by a Newport man (by name, Bears) who was sav'd out of Capt Roberts' schooner (when taken at Cumsuah's village, Queen Char- lotte Isles), this poor fellow was likewise taken off by a Boston ship." If this story were true it would lead us into the interesting maze of striving to ascertain the identity of the vessel mentioned by Peron that was cap- tured and looted by the Haida and whose one survivor was similarly maltreated and similarly rescued ; 50 a story which most readers have been accustomed to regard as apocryphal.
But between these two conflicting reports the his- torian must, it would seem to me, take that which pur- ports to be the relation of the captain.
50 Peron's Voyage, Paris, 1824, Vol. 2, pp. 2-8. ​
JOHN KENDRICK AND His SONS 301
THE LADY WASHINGTON
It may perhaps be well to conclude this sketch with a word about the brigantine herself. After Captain Kendrick's death she sailed for China. Nothing is known of her movements thereafter until Broughton's arrival at Nootka in March 1796. He records that the Washing- ton was then there; and it seems that she was under- going repairs, as usual. She had left the Hawaiian Islands about the first of March 1796. This leads to the belief that it is possible that she was on the coast in the summer of 1795. If so, great celerity was being shown by her new, commander, whoever he was. Of course this is all surmise, based upon the usual routes of travel and the ordinary lines of conduct in the trade. During April 1796 at Marvinas Bay, Nootka Sound, with the aid of the Washington, Broughton heaved down his ship, the Providence, and effected his repairs. When he departed from Nootka Sound, 21st May 1796, he left the Wash- ington there, her leaks repaired and ready to continue her trading voyage. 51 At this point, so far as present investigation has ascertained, the curtain is rung down the scene is ended.
Since the above was written I have fortunately found in Bishop's Journal of the Ruby, in the Archives of the Province of British Columbia, the following entry which shows that the surmises in the last paragraph are correct, except that, owing to the perils of the sea, the Washing- ton did not actually visit the Northwest Coast in 1795. "The Sandwich Islands," says this journal, "were how- ever safely reached on the 19th (February, 1796) and the ship anchored in Why-tee-tee Bay, Who-hoo Island. Here was found the Snow Washington' formerly the sloop 'Mears' commanded by Captain Robert Simpson, who informed Captain Bishop that he had sailed from
51 Broughton's Voyage (French Ed.), Paris 1807, Vol. 1, pp. 75, 78. Broughton had met the Washington in January 1796 at Karakakooa Bay; see his Voyage, Vol. 1, p. 45. ​
302 F. W. HOWAY
Canton in July of last year (1795) for the North West Coast of America, but having met with a terrible typhoon off the coast of Japan, he had on account of damages put into the Sandwich Islands, and given up all hope of pro- ceeding to America until the following spring. They had passed the winter in Karakakooa Bay, Owhyhee, in company with the Prince William Henry, Captain Wake, who had sailed about six weeks before for California." Despite the confusion caused by the introduction of the word "Hears" as an alleged earlier name of the Wash- ington, there is no doubt of the identity of the vessel. In all his references to her, and they are contemporane- ous, Broughton speaks of her by her full name, Lady Washinpton; it is true that Broughton calls her a brig, while the Ruby's journal mentions her as a snow; but the terms "brig," "brigantine" and "snow" are used in-
DOCUMENTARY
Methodist Annual Reports
Relating to the
WILLAMETTE MISSION (1834-1848)
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The printed annual pamphlet reports of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, during the period between 1834 and 1848, contain material of considerable importance relating to the establishing and afterward the practical abandonment of the Jason Lee foundation. The reasons for sending Rev. George Gary to Oregon with broad powers and with directions to supersede Lee are shown in the later of these reports. If this action seems somewhat precipitate and was taken without giving Lee an opportunity to be heard, it is also apparent that Gary took the responsibility of acting without waiting to submit a report and obtain specific instructions.
Rev. H. K. Hines, in his Missionary History of the Northwest (page 307) gives an account of Lee's attempt at justification before the Missionary Board, July 1, 1844, and quotes from his address. Lee had left the Mission and had gone to Washington before he learned of the appointment of his successor. There he presented to the authorities the claims of the Mission concerning its land locations, and he urged legislation for the settlers. In addressing the Board afterward, he said: "I had heard that it was in contemplation by the Board to send a special agent to Oregon to examine into the condition and affairs of the Mission, and my impression was that he would probably cross the mountains. I believed that availing myself of the offered opportunity, I could reach home previous to the agent's departure, if one was appointed, and by giving the Board a detailed statement ​of events and of the affairs of the Mission, it might save the expense of sending the contemplated agent."
Hines adds that "his personal vindication was complete, and the Board was fully satisfied that he had served the church and the missionary cause in Oregon with great devotion and faithfulness. The Board saw the difficulties that had encompassed his work much more clearly than ever before, and had such a statement of them been before the body before the appointment of Mr. Gary, no such action would have been taken." Hines also states that Mr. Gary's sale of the school property "was not by any means sustained by the members of the Mission," some of whom opposed it, and that had the efforts that Lee was making at that very time at Washington been successful, the title of the Mission to its valuable land claim at Salem would have been confirmed, and the money expenditures of the Board for the establishment of the Mission would have been more than compensated.
Charles Henry Carey.
Excerpts from the Annual Reports
Fifteenth Anniversary, Forsyth Street Church, May 2nd, Report of 1834.
Two missionaries, the Rev. Messrs. Jason and David [Daniel] Lee, have been appointed to the Flat Heads beyond the Rocky Mountains. Since this mission has been in contemplation many circumstances have occurred which indicate that the good hand of God in its favor. About the time the missionaries were ready to take their departure from New York to the west, information was received that Captain Wythe had just returned from a trading voyage to that country, and that he had brought two Indian boys with him. On receiving this intelligence ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 305
it was thought advisable to have one of the missionaries have an interview with Captain Wythe, which was ac- cordingly done. From that gentleman valuable informa- tion was derived respecting the state of the country, the general character and disposition of the Indian tribes inhabiting the Oregon territory; and he likewise mani- fested a disposition to give every aid in his power to the mission. Ascertaining that he designed to cross the mountains early in the spring, in company with a num- ber of men, arrangements have been made, with the con- currence of Captain Wythe, for the missionaries to ac- company him. They are accordingly on their way, and it is hoped we may soon hear of their safe arrival and that success is likely to attend their labors.
Sixteenth Anniversary, New York, May 11, 1835.
It was stated in our last report that two missionaries were on their way to the Flat Head Indians, beyond the Rocky Mountains. In letters dated Rocky Mountains, June 25 and July 1, 1834, Brother Lee gives a detailed account of his journey through the wilderness and of his safe arrival at that place in good health and spirits. At the time he wrote, which was immediately on his arrival, he had not had sufficient time to make a minute survey of his field of labor, so as to be able to judge of its present state and prospects, only, in general, every- thing appeared promising the Indians whom he had seen were friendly and gave him a cordial welcome and the missionaries were in high expectation of success in their efforts to plant the standard of the cross in that barbarous land.
In his instructions, Brother Lee was requested to ascertain the practicability of establishing aboriginal missions among the tribes which inhabit the country be- tween the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. In his letter to the managers, he gave it as his opinion, which he formed from actual observation, that missions ​
306 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
may and ought to be established at Larmie's Fork, which is about 30 days' march from Fort Independence.
Among the Crow Indians which inhabit the country between the Missouri and the Yellow Stone Rivers; and among the BlackFeet Indians, who live in the immediate neighborhood of the Rocky Mountains. By thus estab- lishing a line of missionary operations among the several tribes who inhabit the intermediate places between the frontier white settlements and the Rocky Mountains, by which the natives would be conciliated and their friend- ship secured, a medium of communication would be estab- lished, affording facilities to the missionaries of obtain- ing supplies, of receiving and communicating intelligence. This subject therefore, is affectionately and respectfully commended to the notice of those who have the superin- tendence of these missions.
Seventeenth Anniversary, Forsyth St., New York, April 18, 1836.
From the Oregon Mission we have very encouraging information. On the arrival of the missionaries it was ascertained that the real Flat Head Indians were few in number, and had no settled habitations. The mission- aries therefore proceeded on to Fort Vancouver, at the mouth of the Columbia River, where they arrived in September, 1834, and were received with great cordiality and treated with much hospitality by the governor, Doc- tor McLaughlin, 2 and his family. On Sabbath, Sept. 28th, Brother Lee preached in the fort to a very atten- tive audience, which was the first sermon ever delivered in that part of the country, west of the Rocky Moun- tains. On the 14th of December he preached again and baptized four women and fifteen children. This was considered a solemn and interesting occasion by all pres- ent. After looking about them and taking the best coun-
2 Dr. John McLoughlin, Chief Factor of Hudson's Bay Company. ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 307
sel they could obtain, it was finally concluded to form a mission establishment on the Willamette River, about 60 miles from Fort Vancouver. Here therefore the mis- sionaries resorted, and after selecting a suitable location went to work with their own hands and erected a log house, 32 x 18 feet, one story and a half high. They also entered upon the cultivation of the farm, ploughing and sowing the seed. This done, they commenced a course of religious instruction, with a fair prospect of succeed- ing in reclaiming these wandering savages, who are in a very degraded state, to the blessings of Christianity and civilized life. The country is generally healthy and of- fers many facilities to the Christian missionary to prose- cute his work, with success.
Brother Shepard, 3 who accompanied the missionaries as a teacher, was left at Fort Vancouver, in charge of a school which had been commenced about two years before by Esq. Ball, 4 whose letters describing the state of things in that country have been published. This school con- sists principally of half-breed children collected from the vicinity of the fort, some of whom have made very en- couraging improvement in reading, writing and English grammar, and a few are studying geography and the first branches of the mathematics. In addition to the day school, Brother Shepard has under his instruction in the evenings ten of his scholars, two young men and three Japanese youths 5 who about a year previously had been wrecked on the coast and made captives, but after- ward redeemed by a sea captain in the services of the Hudson Bay Company.
The mission establishment of Willamette is so situ- ated as to form a central position from whence mission-
3 Cyrus Shepard.
4 John Ball, came with Wyeth's expedition, and began teaching, 1833.
5 A Japanese junk was wrecked near Cape Flattery. Captain McNeil of the American brig Llama brought them to the Columbia River in 1833. They were afterward sent home by Dr. McLoughlin by way of England. Captain McNeil was employed by the Hudson's Bay Company and re- mained in its service for thirty years. ​
308 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
ary labors may be extended in almost every direction among the natives and those emigrants who may here- after settle in that vast and fertile territory. Such were the opening prospects for missionary efforts among the surrounding tribes, as detailed to the Board by Brother Lee's letters, that it has been determined to strengthen the mission by sending out another mission family, two female teachers, a physician, carpenter and a blacksmith. These have accordingly been selected among those who volunteered their services for important enterprises and they only await a favorable opportunity to proceed on their journey.
Eighteenth Anniversary,
Held May 22, 1837,
Greene St. Church, New York.
From the Oregon Mission we have no very recent in- formation. The last account we received from Rev. David [Daniel] Lee. His letter was dated at Hono- lalu, one of the missionary stations at the Sandwich Islands, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health. His letters give a glowing description of the state of things in those islands and of the Oregon territory. From his representation, and from that made to the board previously by the Rev. Jason Lee, the superintendent of the mission, w r e were induced to send a reinforcement to the mission. Accordingly, in August last, a physician and blacksmith, with their wives and children, a carpen- ter and three female teachers, in all thirteen, sailed from Boston by way of the Sandwich Islands. 6 With these were sent out a large quantity of household furniture, about twenty boxes of clothing of various sorts and sizes, valued at not less than $2,000, agricultural, mechanical, and surgical instruments, as well as medicine for the
6 These were Alanson Beers, blacksmith, wife and three children; Susan Downing, Elvira Johnson, Anna Maria Pittman, teachers; J. L. Whitcomb, teacher; Dr. Elijah White, physician, wife, and two children. They arrived in May, 1837. ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 309
benefit of the mission. Of their arrival we have not yet heard, either at the Sandwich Islands or at the Oregon territory.
Not being able to send out a missionary with his family, as was generally desired, measures were adopted to send one or more as soon thereafter as practicable; on the 24th of January last, the Rev. David Leslie, wife and three children, accompanied by a pious young lady as a school teacher, 7 and Rev. H. K. W. Perkins, left Boston in the brig Peru, for the Sandwich Islands, with a view to find passage from thence to their place of des- tination. We cannot but hope and pray for the safe arrival of these missionary families, to their field of labor in due season.
Respecting the actual state of things in this mission, we have not much to add to the information that was given in our last report. It seems, however, that in con- sequence of the failure of the health of Rev. D. Lee and his departure to the Sandwich Islands, with the hope of its restoration, Rev. Jason Lee was left alone, assisted only by Brother Shepard as a school teacher. But from all the information received the prospects of the mission were flattering, and more laborers were greatly needed to answer all the calls which were made for religious in- struction. Should the families recently sent arrive in safety, it is hoped they will be able to go forward and prosper.
Nineteenth Anniversary,
Forsyth Street Church, New York.
May 21, 1838.
From the Oregon Mission we have recently received encouraging information from a member of the mission family, which sailed from Boston in August, 1836. This letter was dated July 5, 1837, and gave an account of the safe arrival of the family after a voyage of ten months
7 Margaret Smith. These arrived September 7, 1837. ​
310 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
all in good health and spirits. They arrived at the Mis- sion House, at the mouth of the Willamette River, which empties into the Columbia about sixty miles from the Pacific, about the last of May, 1837, and were rejoiced to find the two missionaries, Brothers Jason and Daniel Lee, in health and peace, and prospering in their work. They had succeeded in procuring a good farm, on which they had erected a convenient log house with three rooms for preaching and for a school, as well as for domestic purposes. Here they found a school under the superin- tendence of the teacher, Brother Shepard, consisting of about thirty children, mostly half-breeds, which promises much good to the rising generation.
The family which sailed in January, 1837, had not yet arrived, though they were daily expected, as we have information of their arrival at the Sandwich Islands in June last. When these shall have arrived the family will consist of twenty-three, including minors, namely, four missionaries, a male and four female teacher, a physician, a blacksmith and a carpenter.
This mission promises great usefulness to the rising colony in that part of the country, and therefore demands the vigorous support of the Society.
We are informed by a gentleman attached to the United States Navy, 8 who visited the mission about eigh- teen month since, that the superintendent of the mission had, by his pious and prudent conduct acquired the con- fidence of the entire settlement and was laying a founda- tion for immense good in that new Territory. And now that he is assisted by those who recently joined him in his work it is believed that their sphere of usefulness will be much enlarged and that the natives will share more largely in the benefits of their Gospel labors. It is re- gretted that we are not able to report the exact number which have been brought into church fellowship, but we
8 Lieut. William A. Slacum. ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 311
are assured that our missionaries have not "labored in vain, nor spent their strength for naught."
Twentieth Anniversary,
Green Street Church, New York,
May 20, 1839.
From the Oregon Mission we have information of the most authentic character from the superindent of the mission himself, who arrived here on the 31st of October last, after a tedious passage over the Rocky Mountains of about seven months, He was accompanied by five young natives, three of whom were sent to be educated at the expense of their parents, and the other two Flat Head youths accompany Brother Lee in his travels, which since his arrival have exerted a beneficial influence on the interests of the missionary cause.
We are happy to learn from Brother Lee that the last mission family, which sailed from Boston in January, 1837, had arrived in safety, and entered upon their work with cheerfulness and diligence while we were called to mourn over the sudden death of the wife of Brother Lee, who departed this life in peace after her husband had left for the United States. Her death is to be the more lamented, because she was eminently qualified for her station, and promised great usefulness to that distant and important mission.
The object of Brother Lee's visit, which was under- taken at the earnest request of the mission family, is to procure more help in that field of labor. It appears, both from his own account, from letters received from Daniel Lee and Dr. White, as well as from the published account of the Rev. Mr. Parker, 9 who traveled through that coun- try under the direction of the American Board, that the various tribes of Indians inhabiting that region are not only willing but even desirous to be instructed in the
9 Journal of an Exploring Tour beyond the Rocky Mountains, by Rev. Samuel Parker, Ithaca, N. Y. (1838.) ​
312 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
principles of the Christian religion and that though the natives are in general in a deplorable state as it respects their civil and moral condition, yet there is a wide field open for usefulness among them, that now is the time to enter it before the natives become yet more defiled by the proximity and intermingling of unprincipled white men, who may settle among them for the sake of traffic. From the local advantages of the territory, the salubrity of its climate, and richness of its soil, and the prospect of gain by opening a more extensive trade with the na- tives, it may fairly be presumed that the country will be, at a no distant period filled with white inhabitants. It is therefore highly important that the best interests of all concerned may be secured for the institutions of Christianity to be established there, that the settlements may be saved from the contaminating influence of vicious indulgences.
These representations being made to the board of managers, after a full investigation of the subject and counsel had with Bishop Hedding 10 and others, it has been determined to send out a reinforcement of five mis- sionaries, one physician, a blacksmith, millwright, cabi- net maker, three carpenters and joiners, three farmers, a mission steward to take charge of the temporal affairs of the mission, and some young ladies for teachers, to- gether with those farming and mechanical utensils which are necessary to carry on their respective trades and oc- cupations, as well as a quantity of goods, composed of such articles as are neeful for the supply of the mission family, and to enable them to purchase such articles as they may procure of the natives.
Though this outfit will be expensive, and for a time will require much to keep the mission in operation, yet if success crown our efforts by a prudent management, the expenditure to the Society will be diminished by the income from the cultivation of the farms, etc. And this
10 Bishop Elijah Hedding, of Lynn, Massachusetts. ​
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mode of conducting the mission is considered essential to its successful operation, as there is no other way to fur- nish the mission family with provisions and other neces- saries of life. The supply thus afforded therefore is considered only as subsidiary to the main object of the mission, which is to convert the natives to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. And though but little has been done toward their conversion, yet a foundation has been laid and a beginning made, which if followed up in the spirit of the Gospel, we doubt not will eventuate in great and lasting good to the inhabitants of that country.
Already the use of intoxicants in the settlement where the mission is located, has been banished, several of the natives brought under serious impressions, a school put into operation for the benefit of children and youth, in which about thirty are now taught, several of whom are making encouraging advances in learning, and have be- come habituated to the arts of domestic life. A large farm is also brought under cultivation, well stocked with cattle, poultry, etc., by which provision is beginning to be made for the sustenance of the mission family.
A great point has been gained by Brother Lee and his associates by securing the confidence of the natives and settlers in their good intentions, so that a controlling influence may be exercised for their temporal and spir- itual benefit.
There are now employed on this mission upward of twenty persons, including minors, namely, four mission- aries, two of whom are married ; a physician, blacksmith, and a carpenter, the latter all men of families.
Twenty-first Anniversary, Green Street, 1840.
The Oregon Mission is daily increasing in interest and importance. Our last annual report announced that the Board with the concurrence of Bishop Hedding, who ​
314 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
then had charge of the foreign missions, had determined to send out a large reinforcement to this distant and rugged, though promising field of labor. From the most authentic accounts before the Board, it appeared that the natives in that territory were generally prepared to re- ceive the Gospel; and that the Mission might be prose- cuted with vigor; and to the best advantage, it was essential that it should be able to provide itself with the means of subsistence. Remote from all civilized society, except a few settlers at Willamette and the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Vancouver, and at a great distance from any place where supplies of food and clothing can be procured, it was considered necessary, in order that the missionaries proper should be able to pursue their approprate work, that mechanics, farmers, physicians and school teachers, should be procured and sent out. And although this plan involved a heavy expense, it was believed that if judiciously carried into effect, it would ultimately prove a saving to the Society by putting the means of support within their own power as the fruit of their own labor. Accordingly, on the ninth of October last, a company of fifty persons, including adults and minors, male and female, left New York in the ship Lausanne, which had been chartered for the purpose of conveying them to Oregon. These included six mission- aries, their wives and children, a physician, wife and child, a missionary steward, wife and two children, two farmers, wives and children, a cabinet maker, two car- penters and a blacksmith, their wives and children and five single female teachers. As far as could be judged, from an acquaintance with them after their arrival in New York, they appeared to be a most devoted band of men and women, and had determined to brave the dan- gers of the ocean and the hazard of savage life, for the sake of promoting the cause of Jesus Christ. They car- ried with them, therefore, the entire confidence of the Board, and no doubt have the prayers of the Church for ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 315
their preservation and success in their arduous enter- prise. 11
On the 13th of February last, letters were received from them, dated at Rio de Janeiro, December 12, 1839, giving a very interesting account of their voyage, of their safe arrival all in good health and spirits, at that place, and of their expected departure for their destined place in a few days. With the blessings of a gracious Providence, they have probably ere this reached their in- tended field of labor. When they shall have arrived, there will be in that station, including those who were there before, not less than 68 souls, old and young, under the patronage of this society.
But what is most cheering and encouraging to the friends of this holy cause, just before this company sailed a letter was received from Dr. White, the resident physi- cian at the mission premises on the Willamette, in Ore- gon, giving an account of a powerful work of grace among the native children at the school, which extended to a number of the adult white settlers, who had em- braced religion and become members of the church. This great and good work, he states, is exerting a powerful influence upon the population generally, both white and Indian; so that those who were averse to labor are be- coming industrious, and those who were merely friendly are now most warmly attached to the missionary cause and deeply engaged to promote its objects. All, indeed,
11 These arrived June 1, 1840. They were: George Abernethy (steward), wife and two children; Thomas Adams; Dr. Ira L. Babcock (physician), wife and child; Henry B. Brewer (farmer) and wife; Ham- ilton Campbell (carpenter), wife and child; David Carter (teacher); Chloe A. Clark (teacher); Rev. Joseph H. Frost (minister), wife and child; Rev. Gustavus Hines (minister), wife and child; Lewis H. Judson (cabinet-maker), wife and three children; Rev. W. H. Kone (minister) and wife; Orpha Lankton (teacher) ; James Olley (carpenter) and wife; Josiah L. Parrish (blacksmith), wife and three children; Almira Phelps, teacher (married W. W. Raymond) ; W. W. Raymond (farmer) and wife; Dr. J. P. Richmond (physician and minister), wife and four chil- dren; Rev. Alvan F. Waller (minister), wife and two children; Maria T. Ware (teacher). ​
316 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
was love, peace and harmony and the prospects were brightening before them.
The farm, which had been brought under cultivation and well stocked with cattle, was becoming very produc- tive, furnishing the mission family with abundance as the reward of their labors, and the school consisting of upwards of thirty children, was exerting a most salutary influence on the children themselves, and on the sur- rounding community.
Though it makes no part of the object of the society to found a colony in that region of the country, but simply to send the blessings of the Gospel to those who are or may be there, yet we doubt not that this mission will contribute greatly to build up a Christian colony in the Oregon territory, which will tell favorably on the future destinies of its inhabitants.
Twenty-second Anniversary, Broadway Tabernacle, May 24, 1841.
OREGON MISSION. The Rev. Jason Lee is still the superintendent of the mission, assisted by his nephew, Rev. Daniel Lee, and other missionaries, who are now spreading themselves abroad through that interesting country on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and diligently laboring to plant the Gospel literally upon these ends of the earth. The expedition named in our last report, which accompanied Brother Lee on his return voyage to his field of labor, arrived in safety and found the work of God prospering among the Indians to such an extent that greatly cheered them in entering upon this distant field. Five hundred Indians have been converted during a single revival, and at a camp meeting which was subse- quently held, upward of a thousand of these sons of the forest were assembled for divine worship, all of whom have become humble and devout worshippers, renouncing heathenism and embracing Christianity. Including the reinforcements furnished by the last expedition, there ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 317
are 68 persons connected with the mission, men, women and. children, all supported by this society.
In addition to the labors of the missionaries in preach- ing the Gospel, they have organized schools, in which they and their wives are employed, with the male and female teachers, in instructing the children of these poor natives, not only in letters but in the arts of civilized life. The boys are employed in agricultural labors on the farms, which at every station are cultivated for rais- ing the necessities of life ; while the girls are instructed in sewing, knitting and household work of all kinds. Carpenters are there to build mission houses, chapels, schools in the erection of which the Indians are employed and are taught this trade. A cabinet maker constructs the necessary furniture for the families of the mission- aries, while a blacksmith makes the necessary tools for farming, and the farmers who have been sent out for the purpose superintend the pattern farms at the principal settlements and teach the Indians how to cultivate the soil. The wives of all these working men, by their ex- ample and influence, with the Indian women, are training them in the habits of domestic comfort and economy and preparing them for civilized life, to which the Gospel is destined to introduce them. A saw mill has also been erected, which promises to be a valuable auxiliary to the secular department of the mission, so that, under all these salutary influences, we may look, with the divine blessing, for a nation to be raised up in the Oregon territory from the wretchedness of barbarism to the blessedness of a civilized and Christian people.
Owing to a misapprehension of his obligations to the Board and a disaffection toward the superintendent, Dr. Elijah White has returned with his family to the United States and is no longer in connection with the mission. By the vessel in which he came passenger, the Board have received numerous letters from the several members of the family, together with dispatches from Brother ​
318 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
Lee, from which we learn that the affairs of the mission are in a prosperous state, and that the brethren with their families have been assigned to their several fields of labor. The regular annual report not being ready at the time of this vessel's sailing, is now on its way, by the land express over the Rocky Mountains and will probably reach us soon. For want of it, however, we are unable to give accurately the statistics of the mission and are obliged to content ourselves with a probable estimate.
The unbelief which seemed to pervade many minds in relation to the expediency of the large appropriation necessary for founding this expensive mission in view of our embarrassed treasury, has all been dissipated by the extraordinary success of the Gospel as reported to us during the year. The news from Oregon that a re- vival of religion in that mission had resulted in the con- version of many hundreds of the Indians, seemed to give a new impulse to the prayers and liberality of our entire church fellowship. And notwithstanding the tens of thousands of dollars which have been already expended in its establishment, and the heavy expense which must still be incurred in its support, there can be little doubt, from the interest now everywhere felt in behalf of Ore- gon, and the missionary zeal the success of this mission has already inspired among our ministry and member- ship that every dollar expended or demanded for its sup- port will soon be refunded into our treasury as the fruit of our appeals in its behalf. Instead of hundreds of Indians we hope soon to report thousands and tens of thousands gathered into the fold of Christ, when the fires of civilization and the lights of Christianity shall every- where illuminate the shores of the Pacific Ocean and re- flect their holy beamings until the darkness of heathenism shall be driven from that portion of our western conti- nent, and the light shine upon the very summit of the Rocky Mountains. ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 319
Twenty-third Anniversary,
May 19, 1842,
Morton and Bedford Streets.
May 22nd, 1842,
Second Street Church,
May 23rd, 1842,
Duane Street Church,
May 24th, 1842,
Forsyth St. Church.
THE OREGON MISSION. The mission in Oregon, as far as the board have ascertained, is still prosperous, though the board have to regret the want of specific in- formation with regard to the present condition of the several posts occupied by the missionaries. Owing to the great distance of the location and the consequent dif- ficulty with which despatches are transmitted to and from the field of labor, it is not in the power of the board at present to afford any new items of material interest. There is, however, it is presumed, no doubt that the mis- sionaries are faithfully and successfully laboring to scat- ter the Bread of Life among the poor benighted children of the forest in those ends of the earth, and faith, sus- tained both by prediction and promise, looks forward to no distant period when that wilderness land shall "bud and blossom as the rose." May the great Head of the Church hasten it in His time.
Twenty-fourth Anniversary, Greene Street Church, May 22nd, 1843.
THE OREGON MISSION. It would afford the Board great pleasure to be able to present to the Society a more full and satisfactory account of this Mission, than our present information will permit. They are per- fectly aware of the strong feeling which has been enlisted in its favor and of the hopes entertained of its ultimate success. They cannot therefore be ignorant of the fact ​
320 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
that there is deep anxiety felt in many parts of the church to know more of its present condition and pros- pects. Nor is it to be desired that an anxiety, the ex- istence of which augurs so favorably for the missionary cause, should be repressed. It is this spirit of inquiry into the nature and results of missionary enterprise which we desire should become general and which, when it shall be generally cherished, will be the immediate precursor of the world's redemption.
But however desirable a more full and accurate ac- count of this mission may be, nothing more will be ex- pected of the Board than to present such information as they have been able to obtain. Most gladly would they rehearse in the ear of the Society the wonderful works of God in the rescue of additional hundreds among the wasting tribes of Oregon from their savage ferocity and degrading superstitions, did their information warrant such a report. As it is, they can only say that while a few, under the pressure of afflictions and discourage merits have left the mission, there are still those in the field who are laboring and looking for brighter days. The unsubdued spirit of some of these self-sacrificing men in the midst of severe trials may be seen in the fol- lowing extracts taken from some of our latest despatches.
Rev. Jason Lee, in a letter dated Vancouver, April 8th, 1842, writes thus : "I am aware that unfavorable reports have gone home in reference to our prospects in this field, and certainly they are not so flattering as might be desired. But notwithstanding all that has been said, or anything that can or may in truth be said, you, reverend father rnd dear brethren, composing our re- spected Board, may rest assured that tho I am now de- prived of her who more than all others held up my hands in this laborious field, yet I am not discouraged, nor have I the least desire to leave it. I am fully persuaded that my best energies may profitably be used up here in Ore- gon. Nor am I able to persuade myself that there are ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 321
or ever have been talents of such superior order in this country that work commensurate to the ability could not be found. It may not, indeed, be such as flesh and blood would choose, but it is such as must be done by the follow- ers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, before the heathen will be given Him for His inheritance.
Your exertions, beloved brethren, have not been mis- directed as some have judged, and though your expecta- tions may not have been fully met, yet the day of eternity will reveal that the good effected here in Oregon will ten thousand times repay the labor and expense of this mis- sion."
That the spirit of indomitable missionary zeal still exists in Oregon, will be seen in the following extract of a letter to the Corresponding Secretary, from the Rev. H. W. K. Perkins, dated Wascopam, March 15th, 1842. His language is : "I cannot but fear that the removal of some of our number from the mission field may dis- hearten you and cause your hands to hang down. To prevent as far as possible such a result, it might not be entirely in vain to communicate with you on the subject.
"Indeed, it is to be regretted that any of our small number should have been induced to leave, and those, too, who, to human appearance, were so well qualified to act. But, sir, we are not disheartened. This God of mission is still with us even He who hath said: "I will never leave thee or forsake thee," so that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper." Thanks be to God, the seed sown in this barren land has not perished ; its roots are strong in the earth; to God we look for the increase. Nor is it with our natural organs that we look. Our eyes are indeed "to the hills from whence cometh our help," but they are the eyes of faith. We know Him who hath said, "All things are possible to him that be- lieveth," and, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done unto them." How many have agreed to ask for the sal​
322 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
vation of Oregon?" But were there only you and I, sir, it should be enough, even though we are as far sundered as New York and Wascopam. The promise is to two, and it is enough. The Lord our God shall furnish the men and means in number, measure and weight, as they shall be necessary.
"You have seen what he could do in a few short months, in the account which I gave you two years hence. 0! can He not work the same work again and in manifold greater power? Yes, a thousand times, if necessary. Oregon will be saved. The Church has asked it. It was doubtless long since ceded to Immanuel. 'Ask of Me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.' Dif- ficulties in the accomplishment of this work we expect. Satan will doubtless try to hold on to these old posses- sions ; but the Lord is a man of war ; the Lord is his name. Is desertion an unheard thing that you or our friends at home should give up all for lost, or even should half of us now remaining desert? You have not so learned war. The throne of grace be your Thermopylae still. Hell shall yet tremble and all heaven rejoice."
The spirit breathed in these communications com- mands our highest approval, and merits our highest com- mendation. For although our brethren in Oregon are evidently aware that unfavorable rumors have reached the Board concerning the Mission, yet with an unyielding firmness they reassert that confidence in the success of their undertaking. They evince a spirit of patient en- durance, invincible purpose, unconquerable zeal and un- wavering faith, which seems almost to preclude the pos- sibility of defeat.
And shall we abandon ourselves to despain because our expectations have not been fully realized? The la- borious husbandman casts his seed into the earth and patiently waits for the promised harvest. And does it become us, because our plans are sometimes partially ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 323
frustrated, and our hopes delayed, to conclude in the spirit of impatience, that all therefore is lost? There is indeed call for strict inquiry unto the spirit of mind in which these plans were adopted, and into the grounds upon which these hopes were entertained, but no room for discouragement in the prosecution of the work itself. Cause there may be and doubtless is for a deeper humil- ity, and for greater dependence on divine agency, but none for despair as to ultimate success.
The peculiar circumstances under which this mission was established, especially the strongly marked indica- tions of Providence which lead to the measure, are fa- miliar to all. Such, indeed, was the sensation produced in the Church by the visit of the Flat Head Indians to this country, in search of the white man's God, that the involuntary expression burst forth in every direction, "Surely this is the finger of God !" Many of the choicest spirits, in the connection, among whom we rank the sainted Fisk, 12 threw themselves into the interests of the mission with a zeal and energy which seemed to bid de- fiance to every obstacle. Nor have the divine interpo- sitions in its favor been less strongly marked in its prose- cution, than in the circumstances which gave rise to it.
It is now about three years since this mission was favored with a most extraordinary outpouring of the Spirit, which resulted in the conversion of hundreds of the Indians in this distant field. And we learn from Brother Kone, who with his lady has recently returned to the States, that about five hundred of these are now in the communion of the Methodist E. Church in Oregon. Are all these signal signs of a divine sanction to be lost sight of amid the clouds of a cherished unbelief? When the cheering intelligence of that glorious revival was wafted by the kindly breezes of heaven to the ear of the Church in this country, all doubts in every mind appeared
12 Dr. Wilbur Fisk, president of Wesleyan University, at Wilbraham, Massachusetts. ​
324 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
at once to be removed. Even the large amount appro- priated for the outfit of the general reinforcement to the mission seemed to meet with a general acquiescence. And is our faith to be measured only by the visible, im- mediate and uninterrupted success attendant upon our efforts? Had the Wesleyan Mission in Southern Africa and elsewhere, the Baptist Missions in India, and those of the American Board in the Sandwich Islands, been conducted upon such principles they had long since been abandoned. And it is painful even to think how much good by such an event, would have been prevented.
Assuming therefore the principle that perseverance is the best proof of fidelity, we must not halt, nor linger in the way. We have put our hands to the plough which is to break up the fallow ground of heathenism beyond the Rocky Mountains and we must prove by our perse- verance in the work that we have undertaken it at the call of our heavenly Master. Relying less upon human instrumentality and more upon divine efficiency, we must not cease to labor and pray for the salvation of Oregon, until the conquests already won shall be repeated, and even eclipsed by future triumphs.
Twenty-fifth Anniversary, Greene Street Church, May 13, 1844.
OREGON MISSION. The superintendency of this mission has been transferred to the Rev. Geo. Gary, of the Black River Conference. The conflicting and unsat- isfactory reports concerning it which, from time to time, have reached us, seemed in the judgment of your Board, and of the Bishop having charge of Foreign Missions, 13 to call for a thorough and impartial investigation of its conditions and prospects. For this purpose our beloved brother has been appointed. His age and standing, and particularly the design of his appointment, rendered it
13 Bishop Redding. ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 325
fit and proper, if not indispensable, that the superin- tendence of the mission should be left in his hands. We wish it distinctly understood that it is on these accounts Brother Lee has been superseded in the charge of this mission, and not because there is any lack of confidence in his religious and moral character, or of his entire de- votion to the interests of the Oregon Mission.
Brother Gary is invested with authority from the Bishop to use his discretion in retaining or diminishing the present number of missionaries in the field, when he shall have made himself fully acquainted with its circum- stances and condition. The Board have also authorized him, if in his judgment the interests of the mission shall require it, to curtail the secular departments of the mis- sion, to lessen the number of lay missionaries, and to dispose in the best way he can of any unavailable prop- erty now belonging to the mission.
Our new superintendent sailed in the ship Lausanne, from the port of New York, on the 30th of November last. We shall await with no small degree of anxiety for his first despatches and sincerely pray that they may be such as to revive the hopes and cheer t he hearts of those who have remained from the beginning through weal and wo, the unwavering friends of that mission.
The Board have the satisfaction to announce, that since the departure of Brother Gary they have received more full and cheering accounts from the mission than they have been favored with for a long time. Our mis- sion in that distant region occupies a section of country extending from the mouth of the Columbia River to the range of mountains forming the Dalles and Cascades, a distance of little less than one hundred and fifty miles. Pursuing the same lofty ridge for two hundred miles along the Willamette Valley, to the waters of the Umqua and Clamoth Rivers, and thence down these streams to the Pacific Ocean, and we have the boundaries of our present missionary field in the Oregon territory. Nu​
326 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
merous and powerful tribes of Indians once inhabited this section, chasing their "mormish" and "moloh" (dear and elk) but they have here, as seems to have been the case with the race everywhere, rapidly disappeared. Our missionary, Rev. G. Hines, who has traveled from the Columbia to the Umqua South, after careful considera- tion and inquiries, reports that the number of Indians in the country which we have just described does not exceed one thousand five hundred men, women and chil- dren. These are divided into as many as seven different tribes, each speaking a distinct language, which cannot be understood by the others, except through the aid of an interpreter. The same remarks applies to those in- habiting the Columbia River. They are represented generally as a dispirited and melancholy race of men, and so indolent that scarcely any motive, save those of stern necessity and immediate benefit, will induce them to labor.
Here have our missionaries been toiling amidst sur- roundings numerous and peculiar difficulties, and al- though their efforts have not been blessed to the full ex- tent of their hopes, still they have not labored in vain. Oregon has received the Gospel and many of her inhabi- tants rejoice in the light of God's salvation, while others are thirsting for the waters of life.
No intelligence, however, has been received for a long time, so cheering as the account of a camp meeting held not far from Willamette. Several letters speak of this occasion. It was the first religious meeting of the kind, for the benefit of the white population, that was ever held beyond the Rocky Mountains, and was equally re- markable in other respects. There was only one tent upon the ground; that was pitched between three trees, "two of which were towering firs, and the other a stately oak, fit emblems," to use the beautiful language of Brother Hines, written on the spot, "of the majesty and power of the truths, proclaimed beneath their wide​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 327
spread branches." The place selected was the Twalatine Plains, thirty-five miles from the Willamette Falls. The meeting commenced on Thursday, July 12th, 1843. On the first day only fourteen persons were present, and the text was, "Where two or three are gathered together," etc.
The next day the congregation had increased one half. Four sermons were delivered on Friday by Broth- ers Lee, Perkins, Leslie and Clark, 14 a Presbyterian cler- gyman, all of which deeply interested the people in the great truths proclaimed. On Saturday this interest very evidently increased, and some began to inquire, "What must I do to be saved?" On Sabbath, the number pres- ent on the ground was about sixty, nineteen of whom were not professors of religion, but before the exercises of the day had closed, sixteen of this number were re- joicing in a sense of sins forgiven and praising God for salvation through faith. Among these were several who had been Rocky Mountain trappers and rangers. One of them, who was well known and almost proverbial for his boldness, joyfully exclaimed, "Tell everybody you see that Joseph Meek, that old Rocky Mountain sinner, has turned to the Lord." Small as was this pious assem- blage on the plains of Twalatine, still it was great and glorious on account of the presence and power of the living God. Since the meeting several others have been brought to God. Thus we learn that even in these dark regions, where so many unpropitious circumstances have combined to hinder the march of evangelical truth, our labors, contributions and prayers, have not been un- rewarded. Precious souls have been converted to God, and the Oregon "wilderness" is beginning to "bud and blossom as the rose."
The Rev. D. Lee and wife have also withdrawn from this mission on account of continued indisposition, and both have recently arrived in this country. Brother Lee
14 Rev. Harvey Clark. ​
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was one of our oldest missionaries, having been devoted to the work for the last ten years. His early fellow la- borer, Rev. Jason Lee, appears much to regret that he considered it his duty to return home. Still, he thus encouragingly addresses the Board, under date of Octo- ber 13th, 1843: "On one point I have not the shadow of a doubt, namely, that the growth and spread, the rise, glory and triumph of Methodism in the Willamette Val- ley, are destined to be commensurate with the growth, rise and prosperity of our now infant, but flourishing and rapidly increasing settlements. Such is the adapta- tion of Oregon soil to the genius of Methodism, and such the fruit she has already produced in this country, that I am persuaded she is destined to flourish here in spite of all the chilling blasts of adversity that can be brought to bear against her. I cannot conclude without saying that there is the best of feeling among our people that has existed since our arrival in 1840; and the emigrants are perfectly surprised to see the religious state of this country."
It may be proper to remark here, that in addition to Brothers D. Lee and Frost, with their families, Dr. Bab- cock with his family, has also withdrawn from this mis- sion, sailing for the Sandwich Islands, on his way to the United States.
However proper and urgent may have been the rea- sons for the retirement of such brethren from these fields of Christian labor, still it must have been the cause of deep affliction to those who are left in charge of this great work. Brother J. Lee, in a letter dated August 12th, 1843, indulges in these reflections : "With all the discouragements which I encounter, I feel it to be a duty to God and the Board to say that my interest in the Oregon Mission is not the least abated, and unless com- pelled to do so I could no more abandon it now than I could the first day I laid myself on the missionary altar. Oregon is still of infinite importance as a field of mission​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 329
ary endeavor among the Indians." Brother Perkins, who still remains at his post, writes thus: "The happy seasons we have spent in shouting and rejoicing together over these repenting red men of Oregon, and the days and months of trembling anxiety with which we have followed the wandering, are known only to God. The happiest hours of my poor life have been spent in Oregon, and also my days and weeks of deepest anguish. The trials of an Indian missionary God only knows, and Heaven only can appreciate. But through all
We've shared our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens borne.
Well, you are ready to ask, What will become of the mis- sionary cause? God supports it, sir. All the depart- ments hitherto and all that will take place this year to come, will not materially affect the cause here. The tri- umphs of the Gospel in this country will be no less sure."
To conclude this somewhat extended sketch of the Oregon Mission, we rejoice to be able to say that the Gospel has already triumphed in this field. The mis- sionaries of the cross have "gone forth weeping, bearing precious seed," and they are already "rejoicing" over the sheaves they have gathered for Christ. The mighty truth of salvation by grace, through faith, which was once preached by Paul and his coadjutors throughout Asia, Greece and Italy, now resounds through the exten- sive plains beyond the Rocky Mountains.
This mission still calls for our Christian sympathies, and demands our unabated zeal and untiring efforts in its prosecution. We must continue our Christian efforts in those transmountain regions. Already many of the Indians there have been ensnared by the wily Papists and received baptism at their hands. The Romish priests are constantly strengthening their missionary corps, and making arrangements to extend their operations and in- fluence among these artless children of the forest. Dr. ​
330 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
Whitman, 15 in May last, left Missouri with a body of emi- grants embracing nearly a thousand persons, and from the signs of the times, many others will soon follow for this new home in the western wilderness. How unspeak- ably important it is that these settlers and their families should meet the Christian missionary on their arrival and thus be brought under the salutary restraints of the holy ministry, and the wholesome influences of religious institutions! These are a few of the many strong reasons for patient and energetic perseverance in this department of our missionary work.
The Board embraces this method to record their grateful acknowledgment of the kind attentions our mis- sionaries and their families so often received from the gentlemen of the Hudson Bay Company, stationed at Vancouver, and other points.
Twenty-sixth Anniversary, Allen Street Church, New York, June 19, 1845.
OREGON MISSION. Various circumstances have combined to render it advisable that important changes should be made in this mission during the past year ; and especially that the number of laborers employed should be considerably reduced. This we learn from our latest despatches have been effected by the new Superintendent ; and we believe with good judgment, though with great dispatch. Brother Gary arrived in the early (in Ore- gon) part of June last, and immediately entered upon a careful and minute investigation of the affairs of the mission. The missionaries were consulted and counseled with by the Superintendent and the result of all his in- quiries and examinations was a full conviction that there were more persons connected with the mission than could be profitably employed ; and that more property was held by it than was for its advantage either temporally or
15 Dr. Marcus Whitman. ​
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spiritually. In these views he seems to have had the concurrence of the greater portion of the missionaries themselves. He accordingly determined upon a course of retrenchment and immediately wrote to the Board in- forming them of his views and purposes and asking their counsel. The letter was dated in June, soon after his arrival. Besides this we have received another dated in July, from which we learn that he is rapidly carrying his plans and purposes into execution. With two or three exceptions, the laymen employed in this field have been dismissed; and the most of the property held by the mission and believed to be unavailable, has been advan- tageously disposed of. We are gratified to learn that our lay brethren, whose services are no longer needed in the mission, will generally remain in Oregon to strengthen the hands of the missionaries, and aid in the cause of promoting the cause of Christianity in that infant colony. Your Board deem it proper to remark at this point that though unforeseen circumstances have imperatively called for this apparently retrograde movement, yet we cannot hesitate to recommend the Oregon Mission as still worthy of the continued confidence and patronage of the Society and the cordial support of the whole church. Without impugning the motives of a single individual, it may and perhaps ought to be admitted, that the Board was somewhat misled in relation to the necessity of the great reinforcement sent out in 1839. But this admis- sion, under the circumstances should not, and in justice cannot subject either the Board or the Bishop having charge of the Foreign Missions, to the charge of reckless- ness in their expenditures. When it is considered that the only reliable source of information to the Board was to be found in the missionaries themselves ; that the mis- sion is some eleven thousand miles distant, requiring from a year to eighteen months for the interchange of correspondence ; that this correspondence was almost uni- formly agreeable to enlargement; that the Superinten​
332 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
dent of the Mission who was at that time in this country, strongly urged the measure; and that this large appro- priation was made at a time when money was plenty and comparatively easy to be obtained; it seems to us that it should be viewed as one of those mistakes which fur- nish no just ground for censure, suspicion or distrust. It should be recollected, too, that some of the master spir- its of the Church were the first to favor this movement, and the most enthusiastic advocates of the measure; among whom we may mention the name of the justly revered and lamented Dr. Fisk. Is it surprising that a course sustained by an advocacy at once so eloquent and powerful, and recommended so urgently by the Super- intendent, who was naturally supposed to have under- stood the wants of the Mission, should have been adopted by the Board? Certainly not. That men of ordinary minds should have been disposed to surrender their judg- ment to influences so strong and commanding is only what might have been expected. To have done otherwise would have rendered them liable to censure by the very persons who are most ardent in their attachment to the missionary cause, and most ready to sustain it by their means. Still, subsequent events have shown clearly that men of the strongest intellects and actuated by the purest motives, are not always free from errors of judgment. Nor is it reasonable to expect, even from the wisest and best of men, an entire exemption from mistakes. To claim this would be to assume attributes more than human. All, then, that can in justice be said of this now regretted measure, is that through the influence of glow- ing representations and plausible, though unwise coun- sels, the Board were induced to sanction an enlargement of the Oregon Mission which, with additional light and experience, they are free to admit was not really neces- sary.
But shall we surrender ourselves to a spirit of de- spondency or cherish a spirit of suspicion and distrust ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 333
toward our public servants and agents because they were not able always to see the end from the beginning? Such a spirit can only be the evidence of our ignorance of human nature, and of a lamentable want of that charity which "thinketh no evil." Instead of this, we should learn from our own frailities how to make due allowance for the unintentional mistakes of others.
It is a remarkable fact, to which it may be proper here to allude, that just after the large reinforcement of missionaries had been provided for, the cheering news came to this country of that great and glorious work of God among the Indians at the Balls Station. And it must be recollected by all, that though there has been considerable dissatisfaction expressed in different quar- ters, concerning this large appropriation, the reception of this intelligence seemed at once to secure a general acquiescence in the measure. But why this sudden and almost universal change in public sentiment? Simply because excited feelings were allowed to take the place of an enlightened and sober judgment. That revival was not the result, either directly or indirectly, of the project so recently and loudly complained of. It took place be- fore the newly appointed missionaries had reached their destination. Why then, should this intelligence, cheering as it was, have had the effect to reconcile the public to a policy which has since proved itself to have been unwise and uncalled for ? The true answer to this question may be found in this fact, that our faith and zeal are too often based upon the immediate, visible and uninterrupted suc- cess of our efforts.
We have dwelt the longer on this subject for the pur- pose of showing that if the Board, under the influence of eloquent and exciting appeals were, by the force of cir- cumstances, induced to adopt a scheme of doubtful util- ity, it is no less true that the very persons who were loudest in their condemnation of the measure, had their opposition all calmed down, at least for a time, by a re​
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port from Oregon which, if judgment had been allowed to preponderate over excited feelings, they must have seen had no bearing whatever upon the propriety or im- propriety of the course which had been adopted. The conclusion, then, to which we arrive in relation to this whole matter, is that in this, as in all other cases, we must learn wisdom by experience, and instead of indulg- ing in a spirit of crimination and recrimination, we should endeavor most assiduously to improve upon past errors and remedy as far as possible, existing evils.
If affords us great pleasure to learn that the Super- intendent of this mission had already done much toward adapting the agencies employed to the work to be per- formed. Nor are we less gratified with the intelligence that a considerable amount of property, consisting of lands, cattle, mills, etc., had been, or soon would be, dis- posed of. 1G For however advantageous some of this property might have become to the society in future years, in a pecuniary view, it was evident to the pene- trating eye of the Superintendent that the secular char- acter of the mission had already excited suspicions and heart burning among the newly arrived emigrants, which threatened an almost entire loss of confidence in the purity of our motives in its establishment and prosecu- tion. This would have been a loss for which no amount of money could compensate. The hopes of the mission, for the future, depend principally upon the success of the Gospel among the emigrants. The Indians are com- paratively few in number and rapidly wasting away. The Territory, however, is fast filling up with whites from the States, and the future character of this colony must depend greatly upon the impress it may receive in its infancy. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that whatever has a tendency to injure the influences or
16 The Indian Manual Training School property, one mile square, at Chemeteka (Salem) was sold for $4000, and became Oregon Institute, afterwards Willamette University. (Gustavus Hines, Wild Life in Ore- gon, p. 241.) ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 335
prevent the success of our missionaries, should be at once removed.
Our new Superintendent, with his lady, sailed from this port on the 30th of November, 1843, and arrived at Willamette on the first of June, 1844, about ten o'clock P. M. Here they were refreshed and comforted by a most cordial welcome from the missionaries, who were anxiously awaiting their arrival and looking with intense desire for letters from home. The mail was opened, the letters and papers delivered and after partaking of some refreshments they retired to rest a little after midnight. It being the quarterly meeting occasion at that place, our new missionaries had the opportunity of attending a love feast the next morning, which seems to have made a favorable impression on their minds in relation to the piety of the members of the mission.
On Monday morning June 3rd, Brother Gary called a council of the brethren who were present on this occa- sion, both preachers and laymen. These consisted of D. Leslie, G. Hines, A. F. Waller, G. Abernethy, A. Beers and H. Campbell. After solemn and earnest prayer for the divine guidance and blessing, Brother Gary proceeded to lay before them the object of his appointment and a summary of the instructions and suggestions which he had received from the Board of Managers and the Bishop having charge of Foreign Missions. He also requested from them any and all such information as would enable him to form just and accurate views of the state and prospects of the mission; and also to decide understand- ingly upon such changes as it might be found necessary to make. To this request they replied in substance, that since the arrival of the emigrants from the States last autumn considerable jealousy had been manifested to- ward the mission. This, it was represented, grew out of the fact that the mission had laid claim to several im- portant sections of land in different places, which they did not occupy themselves nor allow others to occupy. ​
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This jealousy, it was stated, had increased to such an extent in some instances that the claims of the mission were entirely disregarded ; and its lands taken possession of by certain "jumpers" as they are called, who are sus- tained in their course by public sentiment. "This state of things," Brother Gary remarks, "has brought all, or nearly all of our missionaries to the conclusion that there ought to be an essential change in the mode of our opera- tions here. In view of all these things," he continues, "I shall sell off our possessions as I can ; but you need have no fear that I will give any more than a quit claim to our real but very uncertain estate."
On the evening of the same day a council was held with the ministers at least as many of them as were present. The principal question was, how the work could be best supplied the present year. After obtaining such information and counsel, as the brethren were able to give, the Superintendent settled upon the following plan for supplying the work as it now stands:
Willamette Station D. Leslie
Willamette Falls G. Hines
Balls Station H. K. W. Perkins
Clatsop To be supplied.
In regard to future supplies for this mission, the Superintendent remarks: "I think we have ministers enough here for the present; and possibly I may send one that is here to the States this fall. I give it as my opinion that it will be for the religious interests of this country for the preachers to be called home from time to time, one after another, for the purpose of giving their families an opportunity for improvement, and especially to remove them from those temptations, under the influ- ence of which they are in danger of forgetting that they belong to Him, "Whose Kingdom is not of this world." The openings for business and the facilities for acquiring property are so many and so great, that it is difficult for those who expect to remain long in the country to resist ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 337
the temptations, which continually beset them, to connect themselves with pecuniary enterprises."
It is, however, but just to say that the Superintendent seems quite disposed to make great allowance for the connection with some of the missionaries with secular matters. He remarks : "They have suffered much from exposure and privation ; and as they were not able to do so much as they had hoped to do in their ministerial ca- pacity, they have seemed to think it admissible to provide for themselves and their families. But though they may not have accomplished all that may have been expected of them as ministers, yet I think they have done much to correct the morals and enlighten the views of the com- munity and that the Territory is altogether better than if they had not been here."
In reference to an occasional change in the ministry, Brother Gary reiterates his opinion as follows: "I am more and more convinced that an occasional change in our ministry would be of essential service to the spiritual interests of this mission. But very great care is neces- sary in the selection of the men who may be appointed to labor here. I am aware it would take much time and money to effect such changes, yet I think the spiritual advantages such a course would secure to this region greatly outweighs them all."
The only statistical report we have of the mission is contained in Brother Gary's latest dispatches. From these we learn that there at the Willamette Station 41 whites in Society and 8 Indians ; at the Willamette Falls, 16 whites and no Indians ; at the Balls, 3 whites, Indians not reported ; and 5 whites at the Clatsop station mak- ing in all 65 whites and 8 Indians. Among these were three local preachers, one at Clatsop and two at the Upper Willamette. It is presumable that most of the Indians to be found in Society, at this mission, are at the Balls. But as Brother Gary had not visited that station when he wrote, he was unable to give their number. ​
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In concluding this review of the Oregon Mission, it may be proper to observe that though the number of laborers in this field has been greatly reduced during the past year, this reduction has been mainly in the secular department. And there is good reason to hope that as the mission becomes less secular, it will become more spiritual in its character; that seeming weakness will prove its real strength, and its apparent retrogression turn out to be a forward movement. Such a sequel will serve to remind us of what it is always fatal to forget that neither worldly policy, numerical strength nor hon- orable distinction can ever be safely substituted for divine efficiency. "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." The good seed which has been sown in this far distant field is not lost. The enter- prise in Oregon must not be set down as a failure. There are two or three scores of triumphant spirits now in heaven who will bless the God of Missions and the Church through eternity that the voice of our missionary heralds was ever heard on the other side of the Rocky Mountains. Others are on their way who will, doubtless, unite in their rapturous strains for ever and ever. Besides the good already effected, under the most untoward circumstances, a foundation is laid for great good in the future. "The little one shall become a thousand?" and the valley of the Columbia shall yet become vocal with the songs of re- generated thousands the fruit of missionary instrumen- talities. In these views we are abundantly sustained by the language with which our worthy Superintendent closes his last letter. "There are," says he, "a number of worthy members in our church who have been converted here. Some have already gone to rest in Abraham's bosom. I think our Mission in Oregon has done good, is doing good, and will yet do great good in this land. Continue, 0, continue to remember us in your prayers!" To this request we sincerely hope the whole Church will give a hearty and united response. ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 339
DEATH OF JASON LEE
We have received the painful intelligence of the de- cease of Rev. Jason Lee, the late Superintendent of the Oregon Mission. He left Oregon before the present Superintendent had arrived in that country and before he was advised of his appointment to the Mission. Brother Lee arrived in the city of New York in May last, during the session of the General Conference, and re- mained until its close. He attended the New Hampshire and New England Conferences, at both of which he de- livered addresses and powerfully and successfully advo- cated the claims of Christian Missions. At the New England Conference, which was his own, he received the appointment of Agent for the "Oregon Institute" that institution first having been taken under the patronage of the Conference. He then left New England on a visit to his friends in Stanstead, Lower Canada; and from a note which he directed to the Board some months since, we have reason to believe that the sudden and rapid failure of his health prevented him from accomplishing much, if any, of his duties of his agency. He died among his kindred and early friends on the 12th of March, 1845, in the 42nd year of his age.
His joy was not estatic during his prolonged illness, but his faith was firm and his hope unwavering. When the Rev. Mr. Brock, the Wesleyan Missionary in Stan- stead, in one of his visits, inquired of him the state of his mind, he replied with much assurance, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." In a letter to the Board, ad- dressed to Brother Lane, February 7th, he says, "Rest assured, beloved brethren, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." About ten minutes before he expired he raised his eyes toward heaven and seemed to be gazing with intent fixedness upon celestial objects, while a heav- enly smile played upon his countenance, and his immortal and happy spirit, had glided away to his eternal rest.
Our beloved brother was the great Missionary Pioneer ​
340 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
in the valley of the Columbia River ; where, for ten years, he labored, suffered and sacrificed, to an extent beyond what the Church generally has ever realized or appreci- ated. "But his record is on high" and his reward is sure. His attachment to the Oregon Mission and his deep interest he felt for its prosperity, continued to the last. His mind dwelt upon it during the greater part of his illness. He was only divided from it by death. Death only could snap the cords which bound his soul to that mission. But perhaps the cords may still be unbroken. For who can tell whether his redeemed spirit may not still linger over the scene of his probationary labors, with an interest more intense than ever. With the aid of his faithful coadjutors, he has laid a foundation of good in Oregon which is already visible and which we have strong reason to believe will be permanent. Future generations will rise up to call him blessed; and scores of redeemed spirits from among the Rocky Mountain trappers and the children of the forest will hail him on the heights of the celestial Zion as the honored instrument of their salva- tion.
Brother Lee has left a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn his loss; among whom is an orphan daughter, who is still in Oregon in the family of Brother Hines, one of the missionaries. How consoling and de- lightful the thought, under such circumstances, that the God of Missions is the orphan's Father!
Twenty-seventh Anniversary, Mulberry Street Church, May 18, 1846.
OREGON MISSION. There is perhaps no one of the missionary fields under the supervision of this soci- ety respecting which public opinion has been so fluctu- ating. At one time it has been the most popular of all missions; at another it has been set down as a perfect failure. In some instances the Church's expectations concerning it have been entirely too sanguine; and in ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 341
others she has shown herself but too ready to yield to despondency. Had it been practicable for her to have taken a sober and enlightened view of this Oregon enter- prise, in all its various circumstances and aspects, she could not have been so easily elevated or depressed by counter representations from the country. But the ex- treme distance of the mission from the seat of the So- ciety's operations, the long intervals between our dis- patches, and sometimes the conflicting statements of the missionaries, rendered it impossible even for the Board to judge of the facts in the case correctly. The Managers flatter themselves, however, that the darkness which for a time rested on this Mission has passed away, and that its true state is now satisfactorily understood. What was visionary has given place to reality and well authen- ticated facts leave no room for the operation of busy and fruitless conjecture. And, now, occupying an emi- nence from which they are able to command an enlight- ened view of its entire history, the Board have deemed it proper to preface the operations of the past year with a brief and condensed view of the origin and progress of the mission up to that period:
This mission was apparently commenced under the most favorable auspices. The visit of the four Flat Head Indians to this country, in the year 1832, inquiring for the Christian's book and the white Man's God, produced a sensation throughout the length and breadth of our own Zion, amounting to enthusiasm. All eyes were at once turned to the valley of the Columbia as the great field for missionary effort and all hearts seemed to beat in unison for the project of establishing a mission among the Flat Head Indians. Some of the ablest ministers in the connection strongly advocated the measure, and many of our most influential members gave it more than a ver- bal sanction. The men and means were soon forthcom- ing, and on the recommendation of the Board of Man- agers, the Bishop appointed Jason and Daniel Lee to ​
342 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
that field. Some time was necessarily spent in making preparatory arrangements for their departure, during which they held a number of missionary meetings in various parts of the country, with very encouraging re- sults. They started for the west in March, 1834. Two laymen, Messrs. C. Shepard and P. L. Edwards, were afterward added to their number and added to the mission.
Arrangements had previously been made for these brethren to cross the mountains in company with Captain Wyeth, who headed a band of men in the employ of a Fur Company which had been formed in Boston. Our missionaries joined this company at Fort Independence, Missouri, which place they left with the party for the Valley of the Columbia, in the latter part of April, 1834, and after a weary and perilous journey over the Rocky Mountains they arrived at Fort Vancouver, on the Co- lumbia River, in the ensuing September.
For several reasons satisfactory to themselves, the missionaries, on becoming acquainted with the position and circumstances of the Flat Heads, abandoned the idea of establishing a mission among them. A location on the Willamette was deemed much more eligible and was therefore selected as a starting point and as the centre of a wide circle of benevolent action. Several other places were afterward selected as mission stations, which in the judgment of the Superintendent made it necessary to increase the number of missionaries. Ac- cordingly in letters from Rev. Jason Lee, dated Febru- ary 1835, the Board were earnestly solicited to send out a reinforcement. In compliance with this earnest re- quest, eight assistant missionaries, a physician, a black- smith, and several teachers, wene sent. This company sailed from Boston in July, 1836; and after some deten- tion at the Sandwich Islands, arrived in Oregon in May, 1837. ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 343
A second reinforcement, consisting of Rev. D. Leslie, his wife and three children; Miss Margaret Smith and Rev. H. K. W. Perkins, sailed from Boston on the 20th of January, 1837, and reached their place of destination in September of the same year. Early in the ensuing year a mission was commenced at the Balls, on the Co- lumbia River, about eighty miles above Vancouver. This project seems to have had the general concurrence of the mission family. Daniel Lee and H. K. W. Perkins were assigned to this field.
About this time a general consultation was held with the missionaries on the subject of the enlargement of the work in Oregon; and in view of the multiplication of mission stations, and the wants of the country, they advised the Rev. Jason Lee to make a visit to the United States and to use his influence to secure the men and means for the successful prosecution of the work. Mr. Lee yielded to this request, and accordingly left for the United States in the month of April, 1838. He was ac- companied by Mr. Edwards of the Mission, Mr. Ewing of Missouri, and two Indian boys of the Chinook tribe, which he brought with him to this country.
Mr. Lee arrived in New York in the autumn of the same year, and a meeting of the Board, held on the 14th of November, he was present and stated at length the object of his visit. He urged with much earnestness the importance of extending the work in Oregon, and in view of this he plead with great zeal the necessity of sending to that country a large addition to the mission family. He also stated that it was essential to the pros- perity of the mission that it should be furnished with the means of supplying itself with food, buildings, etc., and that all the necessary apparatus for agricultural and mechanical purposes should be sent out by the Board. To meet all these demands would of course require a very heavy outlay; and on this account, as well as for other reasons, some members of the Board, and many true ​
344 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
friends of the missionary cause, doubted the expediency of the measure. But it was powerfully and persever- ingly urged by the Superintendent, who had just come from the field of operations, and backed by the force of great names and an almost resistless advocacy, and was ultimately carried.
On the 6th of December, 1838, the Board decided upon sending out five additional missionaries, one physi- cian, six mechanics, four farmers and one missionary steward, with their wives and children, in all thirty-four persons, adult. They authorized at the same time the erection of a saw mill and the purchase of goods for the Oregon Mission, to the value of five thousand dollars. Dr. Bangs and Jason Lee were appointed to select the laymen, and the Bishop having charge of Foreign Mis- sions was requested to appoint the ministers. The per- sons who were to compose the reinforcement having been selected and appointed, the whole company, consisting of about fifty, including children, sailed from the port of New York on the 9th of October, for the Oregon Ter- ritory, by way of the Sandwich Islands. After a voyage of nearly nine months, they all arrived in safety at Fort Vancouver, on the first of June, 1840.
It is not surprising that such an increase of the mis- sion family, and the great outlay required to sustain it, should have produced some dissatisfaction. It was so; for in various quarters the measure was considered of doubtful expediency. But in the midst of these com- plainings, and just at a time when an unfavorable re- action began to manifest itself in many places, the intel- ligence came from Oregon of a glorious revival among the Indians at the Dalls. This glowing account had the effect to hush for a season all murmurings and to silence all objection to the great reinforcement; and yet it is a remarkable fact that the reinforcement, really, had nothing to do with the revival, as it had taken place be- fore the new missionaries had arrived. ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 345
The first dispatches from this mission after the ar- rival of the great reinforcement were brought in the ship Lausanne, and received by the Board in April, 1841. Dr. Elijah White, who had returned to this country on the same vessel, presented himself before the Board at its regular meeting, held on the 21st of the same month, and made a verbal communication. From his remarks, as also from the dispatches from the Superintendent, it appeared that after a most unpleasant and excited con- troversy between himself and Mr. J. Lee, he had been induced to resign his office as physician to the mission. After hearing Dr. White in his defense, the Board dis- approved of his leaving the Mission without their con- sent, but directed the Treasurer to settle his accounts.
Letters were subsequently received from Messrs. Kone and Richmond, and also one signed by several lay members of the mission, all of which expressed dissatis- faction with their circumstances and more or less with the Superintendent. From this period, up to the time of the appointment of the present Superintendent, all the written communications from Oregon and all the verbal statements of returning missionaries, only served to satisfy the Board more and more, that they had either been misled as to the necessity for so large a number of missionaries on that field, 'or that, in some instances at least, they had been unfortunate in the selection of the persons to occupy it. Added to this was the unaccount- able fact that the Board had not been able to obtain any satisfactory report of the manner in which the large appropriation to the late reinforcement had been dis- bursed. Every possible effort had been made to secure such a report, and all our successive dispatches warranted the expectation that it would soon be forthcoming. But in this the Board were doomed to disappointment, no such report was received.
In this state of apprehension and suspense, they first recommended to the Bishop having charge of Foreign ​
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Missions to appoint a special agent to visit the Mission and make all necessary inquiries respecting its financial concerns and spiritual condition and prospects and report the results to the Board. A resolution to this effect was passed on the 9th of February, 1842, and immediately transmitted to the Bishop. This recommendation was duly honored and a very efficient agent selected. A list of instructions was drawn up, defining his duties, and directing him in the prosecution of his agency. Unfor- tunately for this project, circumstances connected with the official relations of the newly elected agent rendered it necessary that he should decline the appointment. Thus the hopes of the Board were again disappointed. Still, however, they adhered to the opinion that such an agency was indispensable, and at a regular meeting held July 19, 1843, renewed the recommendation of the Bishop, either to appoint an agent or to supersede Mr. Lee by a new Superintendent. The Bishop preferred the latter course and at their regular meeting, in the following September, informed the Board that he had appointed the Rev. George Gary, of the Black River Conference, to the Superintendency of the Oregon Mission. This announcement was received with the most decided ex- pressions of gratification, and again the bow of hope ap- peared upon the darkening cloud of despondency.
As it was deemed necessary that the New Superin- tendent should be invested with the most unquestionable authority to carry out the objects contemplated in his appointment, the Board, at their regular meeting in November, adopted with great unanimity the following preamble and resolutions :
"WHEREAS, Strong intimations have been given to the Board at different times that the secular department of our Mission in Oregon is, to a considerable extent, unnecessary and at the same time very expensive to the Society, therefore, ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 347
1. RESOLVED, That Brother Gary, our new Super- intendent be, and is hereby instructed to ascertain, as soon as possible after his arrival in Oregon, the state of affairs in the secular department of our mission in that country, whether the mercantile, agricultural and me- chanical operations, as they are now carried on, in con- nection with that mission, are necessary to the successful prosecution, and whether they are advantageous to its interests in a pecuniary view or otherwise; and should he become satisfied that these secular operations are detrimental rather than useful to the mission, that he is hereby instructed to use his discretion in dismissing any surplus hands now in its employ, thereby giving to the mission, as far as practicable, a strictly spiritual char- acter.
2. RESOLVED, That Brother Gary be, and is hereby instructed to use his discretion in disposing of such prop- erty as now belonging to the mission as may not be avail- able to its advancement.
3. RESOLVED, That should Brother Gary find it necessary to dismiss any of the secular members of the mission family in Oregon, he be, and is hereby requested to pay off any amounts which may be due them, so far as pracitcable out of such property belonging to the mis- sion as it may not be advantageous for it to retain."
From these resolutions it will be seen that the author- ity given Brother Gary to sell or retain any part of the mission property in Oregon, as he might judge best for the interests of the mission, was unlimited; and in view of the circumstances of the case, such a discretionary power was imperatively demanded. But delicate and responsible as were the trusts committed to him, it gives us pleasure to be able to announce to the Society, and those friends of the missionary cause who have so nobly stood by us and sustained us through all our pecuniary embarrassments, that our excellent Superintendent has fully justified the confidence reposed in him by the Epis​
348 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
copacy and the Board. His devotion to the interests of the Mission; the industry, zeal, prudence, decision and perseverance with which he has prosecuted the work as- signed him, are worthy of all praise. With the excep- tion of Mr. Brewer, farmer at the Balls, all the secular members of the mission have been honorably discharged. The mission property, excepting churches and parson- ages, with the necessary appendages, and the farm at the Balls, has all been disposed of, and so far as we are able to determine, with much judgment and propriety and to the best advantage of the mission. On account of the distance from civilization and the difficulty of obtaining supplies, it was judged necessary to retain the farm at the Balls for the use of the mission family ; and also with a view to directing the attention of the Christian Indians to agricultural pursuits. We are happy to learn the Brother Brewer is diligent and faithful in the work as- signed him, and that he is exerting a good influence upon his Indian neighbors.
The avails of the mission property in Oregon amount- ed to between twenty and thirty thousand dollars. A portion of this has been appropriated to the payment of discharged missionaries ; but the larger portion is secured to be paid in annual instalments, which, as they become due, will serve materially to lessen the amount to be drawn out of the treasury to meet the current expenses of that mission. Among the property disposed of was the "Manual Labor School" which has now become the "Oregon Institute." Should this institute secure the sympathies and receive the patronage of the enlarging community, as we sincerely hope it may, it will probably subserve the great purpose of education better than while it was under the exclusive management of the mission.
Having disencumbered the mission of its secular char- acter, and thus removed every plausible ground of sus- picion regarding the purity of our motives, it will be the policy of the Board, in future, to confine ourselves strictly ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 349
to their proper calling. By such a course they are san- guine in the hope that the greatest hindrance to minis- terial influence and success will be removed out of the way. But it should be kept in mind that however bur- dened and clogged in its operations the mission may have been, on account of its connection with worldlly concerns, and however injurious this state of things may have been to its spiritual advancement, it has, on account of this very connection, conferred great temporal benefits on the territory. Indeed, it is not too much to say that the importance this territory has assumed in the estimation of the American Republic, is attributable more to the influence exerted by our mission than to any other cause. Whether we regard its colonization, civilization or evangelization, the Methodist missionaries have been its most influential and successful pioneers. And though the immigrants, on account of the secular character of the mission, were disposed to look upon them with a suspicious eye, and in some instances to impute to them motives of avarice and ambition, yet, upon the organiza- tion of a territorial government, one of these lay mis- sionaries was elected to the office of Governor, and an- other to that of Judge of the Probate and Circuit Courts. 17 These facts speak volumes and show conclusively that we have not entirely forfeited the public confidence in Oregon ; and when first impressions, founded in suspicion and jealousy, shall be subjected to the tests of candor and truth, the indebtedness of the colony to our mission will, we doubt not, be generally acknowledged. . . .
Among our dispatches from Oregon we have received a most interesting communication from Rev. G. Hines, entitled, "Oregon as it is." The principal topics em- braced in this communication are, the extent of popula- tion in Oregon, the character of the settlers, the political condition of the territory, with the code of laws by which
17 Steward George Abernethy was elected governor in 1845; Dr. Ira L. Babcock had been chosen as supreme judge with probate powers in 1841 at the time of the preliminary organization. ​
350 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
they have determined to govern themselves until the United States Government shall extend its jurisdiction over them; the religious condition of the country, the present state and prospects of our mission in that far off region, and the great importance of the Oregon Institute, both to the country and to the mission. With a few unimportant omissions, this document was published in three successive numbers of the Christian Advocate and Journal, where all the various topics may be seen fully and interestingly elaborated. We extract only that por- tion which relates to our mission. The views here pre- sented, it will be seen, go strongly to sustain the course of our Superintendent in relation to the secular affairs of our mission. The following are the extracts:
"THE M. E. CHURCH IN OREGON. It is not my design to trace the history of the Oregon Mission through all its different stages of prosperity, adversity and revo- lution, from its commencement to the present time, how- ever interesting such an exhibit might be ; but simply to present it in its present state as it regards numbers, piety and efforts for the promotion of the cause of Christ. In this it will be necessary to speak of some of the changes which have taken place since the arrival of Rev. G. Gary, our present Superintendent. These changes relate principally to the fiscal concerns of the mission. These concerns existed in the different departments of land claims to large tracts of land, amounting in all to thirty-six sections, claims to city lots, farming, merchan- dising, blacksmithing, carpentering, cabinet-making, grazing, horse-keeping, lumbering and flouring, with the constant trading, hiring and paying, attendant upon all these branches. It is only enough to mention this un- heard of amount of temporal business in connection with any mission, to convince all that it must be a very great clog to the performance of any spiritual work. The in- fluence of the multiplicity of business, and the accumu- lation of care and perplexity occasioned by the different ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 351
branches, were decidedly deleterious to the missionaries themselves ; and if any who have been constantly connect- ed with this business have exerted a happy and Christian influence, it has been in spite of the temporal business in which they have been engaged. To say nothing of the losses which the mission was constantly realizing in its ill-directed efforts to sustain this load of business, it was constantly sinking under the burden ; and every successive effort to relieve it but increased the difficulty under which the mission groaned. Though there may be among us some who have (been) connected with these different branches who are of a different opinion, yet it appears to most of us that the period for disburdening the Oregon Mission of the ponderous load that has been pressing her into the dust may be regarded as a happy epoch in her history. That time has now arrived, and the finances of the mission are brought to a close; and it is hoped that whatever may be her history in the future, she will never again be received, either at home or abroad, in any other light than that of a mission whose business and objects are decidedly of a religious character.
"Perhaps it will be more difficult for the church at home to appreciate the course pursued by our Superin- tendent in reference to the Mission School than in any other branch. The school has always been fostered by Mr. Lee as the darling object of the mission ; but it was impossible for many of us to discover that importance in the school which Mr. Lee always attached to it. Still the hopes of many lingered around the school, unwilling to give it up, believing that it would finally succeed. But after the arrival of Mr. Gary, tracing the history of the school, and pausing at every point to weigh its merits, comparing the present with the past, and contemplating it in all its possible changes for the better, and beholding nothing but darkness in the prospect before it, though to many of us the disbanding of it was an affliction, yet we were constrained to believe that neither policy, reason ​nor religion, required its further continuance. It was consequently abandoned and the premises sold to the trustees of the Oregon Institute. If it were necessary and time would admit, I could give you all the particulars which contributed to bring about these results in reference to the school.
"All the secular men in the mission in this valley, except one, have received an honorable discharge, and he is to receive his in the spring. In consequence of these dismissions there are but six men in connection with the mission, except Brother Perkins, who, with his family, is about to leave for the States. The laymen who have been discharged will principally settle in the country, and in all probability be more useful as private citizens than they have been as missionaries. They have been dealt very honorably with by the Superintendent, having received from him an equivalent for their expenses home; they certainly have no room to complain. The number of Conference preachers, as you are aware, when Brother Perkins leaves, will be four; local preachers also four; one of whom emigrated to the country last year; exhorters two, and members sixty-five. The preachers are located in different parts of the country, so that there are no settlements but are occasionally favored with the Word of Life; and though at present the storm beats against us, and the prejudices of some and the jealousy and envy of others, present many obstacles in the way, yet we trust the great Head of the Church will over-rule all for good and that our Zion will become a praise in these ends of the earth. But before I close this already protracted communication, allow me to present one subject more which stands intimately connected with the prosperity of our Church in Oregon, namely:
"THE OREGON INSTITUTE: I have stated above that the premises formerly occupied by the Mission School were sold to the Trustees of the Oregon Institute. At some future time I may give you a history of the ​Institute; but at the closing of this long letter I can only say a few words. I regard the Oregon Institute, in reference to science, as the morning star of this country. It has been struggling for an existence for the last five years; but if nothing serious befalls it, it is destined probably to be the leading institution of Oregon, at least for the present generation, if not for the present century, and perhaps to the end of time. For the promotion of the cause of God, the interests of our Church, and for the welfare of the rising country, a more judicious appropriation of the property of the Mission School could not have been made.
"The institution stands upon an elevated portion of a beautiful plain, surrounded with the most delightful scenery, and at a point which at a future day is destined to be one of considerable importance. The building is beautifully proportioned, being seventy-five feet long, three stories high, and two wings extending back from the front twenty-four feet. When finished it will not only present a fine appearance without, but be commodious and well adapted to the purposes intended within. It is already considerably advanced, so that a school is now in successful operation, under the tuition of one well qualified to sustain its interests. Already it numbers more students than either the Cazenovia or the Wilbraham institution did at its commencement. And if it is sustained by every possible means, if the prayers and money of the Church are enlisted in its behalf—who can tell but that it may equal, if not exceed, both these institutions in importance as well as usefulness? Though we cannot say that this is the only hope of Oregon—for whether it lives or dies, Oregon will yet be redeemed from the remains of Paganism and the gloom of Papal darkness with which she is enshrouded; yet we are compelled to adopt the sentiment, that the subject of the Oregon Institute is vital to the interests of our Methodist Zion in this country. If it lives, it will be a luminary ​in the moral heavens of Oregon, to shed abroad the lights of science and knowledge, to dispel the surrounding darkness, long after its founders have ceased to live. If it dies, our sun is set, and it is impossible to tell what will succeed. Perhaps others more worthy of the honor than ourselves will come forth to mold the moral mass according to their own liking, and give direction to the literature of Oregon.
"Be that as it may, Oregon, as a field of operations for the friends of science and religion, is daily rising in importance, as far as the increase of population is concerned. The original inhabitants are vanishing like the dew of the morning; and far and near may be seen the marks of civilization; villages are starting into being, and "Onward" is the motto of all. In short, with the enjoyment which the religion of Christ affords, Oregon is one of the most delightful countries in the world, and unless some sad reverse befalls her, one generation will not pass away before she will assume a rank of high importance in the scale of nations."
Twenty-eighth Anniversary,
Greene Street Church,
May 17, 1847.
   OREGON MISSION George Gary, Superintendent, residence, Oregon City
   Willamette, David Leslie, with two local preachers, employed by the Superintendent Dalls Station, Alvin F. Waller, Missionary, H. B. Brewer, farmer.
In our last report we gave a condensed history of this mission in its origin and progress, with its then present condition and needs. Since then, so far as we are able to gather from the intelligence we have received, no material change has taken place in its general aspects. ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 355
Brother Hines having returned to this country, the Sup- erintendent has found it necessary to employ additional aid in the Willamette Valley. For this work he has selected Brother J. L. Parish, a local preacher, who was formerly connected with the mission. This arrangement adds only a little rising $250 to the general expenses of the mission, and, we are happy to learn, gives general satisfaction. We are also informed that there are other brethren who may be acceptably and usefully employed in the mission, should the state of the work demand their services. From these favorable conditions, your Board indulge the hope that the day is not distant when this important field will be supplied with faithful and efficient laborers raised up in its midst.
But to secure permanently the undivided and efficient labors of these brethren, it is judged that some new ar- rangement will be found necessary. As a general thing, brethren will hardly be willing to give up their business concerns and abandon their worldly prospects, with only the hope of temporary employment in the ranks of our itinerancy. If they consent to make the sacrifices and endure the lot of an itinerant ministry, they will expect an equality of standing and to share in their immunities. To secure these, they must be recommended to and re- ceived by some Annual Conference in the States, or a Conference must be established in Oregon. The former course, as might easily be shown, would be attended with almost insuperable difficulties. It is, therefore, recom- mended to the next General Conference, as a matter of grave consideration, whether it would not be conducive to the interests of our missionary work in Oregon, to provide forthwith for the organization of an Annual Con- ference in that country.
By the Resolutions of the Board, published in our last Annual Report, it will be seen that in the appointment of Brother Gary, as the Superintendent of the Mission, special objects were contemplated. He was accordingly ​
356 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
invested with authority to dispose of the mission prop- erty, and reduce the number of persons employed in the secular department at his own discretion. Nor was he to consider himself obliged to remain in Oregon longer than was necessary for the prosecution of the special duties assigned him. Having accomplished the objects for which he was appointed, in much less time than was expected, he informed the Board, in a letter bearing date Nov. 9, 1844, of his desire to return to the States as soon as it might be thought expedient ; suggesting, at the same time, the early appointment of his successor in the super- intendency of the mission. In a subsequent letter, which is dated March 2, 1846, he presents a very satisfactory exhibit of the financial condition of the mission, and re- peats his convictions of the propriety of his return home.
From the commencement of our missionary opera- tions in Oregon, the interests of education have been steadily kept in view. At an early period in the history of the mission, a school was established under its auspices for the benefit of the Indian children. Suitable school premises were erected and for several years a school was kept up, at which children were gratuitously boarded, clothed and educated, at a very heavy expense to the So- ciety. This mission school was always a cherished pro- ject with Brother Lee, and his hopes concerning its suc- cess were sanguine to the last. Still, for various reasons not now necessary to be given, the results anticipated by the friends were not realized. Comparatively few of the Indian children could be secured as pupils, and still fewer could be long retained. The most of these who came were subjects of hereditary disease, and were conse- quently soon cut off by death. But, notwithstanding these discouragements, the hopes of many continued to linger around the school, and they would fain have be- lieved that prosperity still awaited it.
Soon after the arrival of Brother Gary, the question of the continuance of the school became one of very grave
i ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 357
consideration. And though to many brethren the thought of disbanding it was deeply afflictive, yet in the exercise of a sober judgment they could not recommend its fur- ther continuance. It was therefore given up, and the premises sold to the Trustees of the Oregon Institute. It must not be supposed, however, that in this transfer of the mission school premises to other hands, the M. E. Church in Oregon has surrendered all right of direction and control of the educational interests of the territory. So far from this, she has most probably by this arrange- ment secured to herself a more general interest and a stronger influence in the literary culture of that com- munity than she previously possessed.
The interests and management of the Oregon Insti- tute have been confided to nine Trustees ; eight of whom, we understand, are members of the M. E. Church. For the direction and government of the Trustees and their constituents, a Constitution has been adopted, of which the following is a true copy :
"CONSTITUTION OF THE OREGON INSTITUTE.
Art. I. The Oregon Institute shall always be under the supervision of the M. E. Church, in Ore- gon, or some organized body of the same.
II. The Institution shall be an Academic Board- ing-school as soon as practicable; and whenever it shall be deemed expedient by the proper authorities to make it a University, it shall be so constituted.
III. The primary object of the Institution shall be to educate the children of white men ; but no per- sons shall be excluded on account of color, provided their character and qualifications are such as are re- quired by the by-laws of the Institution.
IV. There shall be nine Trustees for this Insti- tute; one-third of whom shall be elected annually by the M. E. Church or Society; or such organized body ​
858 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
as is contemplated in article first ; two-thirds of whom shall be members of said society, whose duty it shall be to hold in trust for said society, or organized body, all the property of said Institution consisting of real estate, notes, bonds, securities, goods and chattels, etc., for the specific object set forth in the Third Article.
V. There shall be a Visiting Committee of three appointed by said Society or organized body of the same, whose duty it shall be to examine all the de- partments of said institution and report annually.
VI. There shall be a steward connected with the institution who shall have charge of the boarding de- partment, and also of the children who board in the institution, while they are not under the care of their teachers.
VII. In the literary department there shall be male and female branches, subject to the control of male and female teachers, and so conducted as best to promote science, morality and piety.
VIII. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the society, or organized body of the same, to be held on the third Wednesday of each year ; said Annual Meet- ing shall fill all vacancies in the Board of Trust, ap- point the Visiting Committee, and transact such other business as shall be deemed necessary to promote the interests of the institution.
IX. This constitution may be altered at any An- nual Meeting of the society above named, by a vote of three-fourths of the members present, (excepting the first article, which shall not be altered in any of its essential features) provided that notice of such afteration shall have been given to said M. E. Society, or organized body, by the Secretary, one month previ- ous to said Annual Meeting."
​In view of the present and prospective importance of this Institution, to the interests both of the mission and the community, the Board have instructed the new Superintendent to avail himself of an early opportunity, after his arrival in Oregon, to inquire into the expediency and practicability of a re-purchase of the premises, and to transmit the result of his inquiries at his earliest convenience. They have also instructed him to use his influence, immediately upon the organization of a territorial government, for that country by the United States, to secure a charter for the Institute, containing, in substance, all the provisions embraced in the above document. It is confidently believed that the Oregon Institute, which has been struggling for existence these several years, will yet, under the fostering care of the Missionary Society, and that of the Church, be rendered a great and lasting blessing to that far off western region. Should the report of Brother Roberts concerning it be favorable, it is probable a competent teacher will soon be sent out as Principal. It is ardently hoped that this institution is destined to wield a powerful influence in molding the mind and heart of the medley mass with which the Valley of the Columbia is so rapidly filling up.
Twenty-ninth Annual Report, Forsyth Street Church,
June 19, 1848.
OREGON MISSION. Brother Gary and his lady left Oregon in July, 1847, in the ship Brutus, for the Sandwich Islands, to which they have an unusually short voyage. On their arrival at Honolulu they were led to expect a long detention at that place for want of a passage home. But on learning that the whale ship, William Hamilton, of New Bedford, bound to the United States, had put into that port Brother Gary resolved to procure a passage in her, and made immediate application to Captain Fisher accordingly. ​
360 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
The William Hamilton arrived at New Bedford on the 14th of January, 1848; and Brother Gary and his wife reached New York on the 18th of the same month, after a very pleasant voyage of about six months from the mouth of the Columbia River. The day following that of his arrival, Brother Gary appeared before the Board and presented, in an address of more than two hours in length, a detailed and most satisfactory account of the manner in which he had fulfilled the responsible duties which had devolved on him as Superintendent of the mission, as also the present condition and prospects of our missionary work in that distant field. An outline of this address will furnish the latest and fullest intelligence from this mission and therefore present to the Society and its friends the most satisfactory report concerning it. We have availed ourselves of the copious notes taken by several competent brethren during its delivery, from which we have condensed the substance of his remarks.
On his arrival in Oregon, Brother Gary found the mission greatly and injuriously involved in secular busi- ness. The missionaries had not abandoned their proper calling, but so great was the number of secular men em- ployed in the mission, and such the extent of the mer- cantile, mechanical and agricultural operations connected with it, that it presented more the appearance of a design to establish a colony than of an associated effort to pro- mote true Christian evangelization. As might have been expected, so extensive a connection with secular matters had excited the suspicions of the new settlers, and preju- diced them to some extent, against the mission itself. Having fully satisfied himself of the true state of things, Brother Gary was not long in determining his course. He saw clearly, that however pure the motives of the projectors of this plan of operations may have been, and however useful the policies in the incipent state of the mission, the time had fully come when a change was ab- solutely necessary. He therefore, as soon as practicable, ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 359
In view of the present and prospective importance of this Institution, to the interests both of the mission and the community, the Board have instructed the new Super- intendent to avail himself of an early opportunity, after his arrival in Oregon, to inquire into the expediency and practicability of a re-purchase of the premises, and to transmit the result of his inquiries at his earliest con- venience. They have also instructed him to use his in- fluence, immediately upon the organization of a terri- torial government, for that country by the United States, to secure a charter for the Institute, containing, in sub- stance, all the provisions embraced in the above docu- ment. It is confidently believed that the Oregon Insti- tute, which has been struggling for existence these sev- eral years, will yet, under the fostering care of the Mis- sionary Society, and that of the Church, be rendered a great and lasting blessing to that far off western region. Should the report of Brother Roberts concerning it be favorable, it is probable a competent teacher will soon be sent out as Principal. It is ardently hoped that this institution is destined to wield a powerful influence in molding the mind and heart of the medley mass with which the Valley of the Columbia is so rapidly filling up.
Twenty-ninth Annual Report, Forsyth Street Church, June 19, 1848.
OREGON MISSION. Brother Gary and his lady left Oregon in July, 1847, in the ship Brutus, for the Sand- wich Islands, to which they have an unusually short voy- age. On their arrival at Honolulu they were led to ex- pect a long detention at that place for want of a passage home. But on learning that the whale ship, William Hamilton, of New Bedford, bound to the United States, had put into that port Brother Gary resolved to procure a passage in her, and made immediate application to Captain Fisher accordingly. ​
362 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
ficiency to the enterprise. The great body of the settlers, as yet, are scattered along the both sides of the Willam- ette River, the valley of which is considered the garden of the territory. The population of the agricultural por- tion of the community must, of course, be sparse, as each settler has the liberal allowance of a square mile for his farm. This policy, however, must produce favorable results, as it will necessarily lead to more rapid and ex- tensive settlement of the country, and to the opening of new and effectual doors for missionary enterprise.
The state of morals in the community does not differ materially from that which is usually presented in a newly settled country. Intemperance, and its insepar- able train of kindred vices, prevail to a great extent ; and it is greatly feared the license law, which was passed by the Legislative Council in defiance of the governor's veto, would have the effect to increase these evils. We are happy to learn, however, that, notwithstanding this, the morals of the people are gradually improving. Sabbath breaking formerly prevailed very extensively, but during the last three years there has been a considerable reform. In the recent election for Governor, which took place just before Brother Gary left, the question turned, not upon the party distinctions which generally govern the elec- tions in the States, but solely on temperance and anti- temperance principles and we are rejoiced to learn that the temperance candidate was elected. This certainly augurs well for this new and rapidly increasing com- munity. Still, the heterogeneous mass of mind and char- acter of which it is composed, can be molded and elevated only by the conservation influences of Christianity. Such is the fertility of the soil, the mildness of the climate, and the natural productiveness of the country, that the people of Oregon are not obliged to labor as are the people in this country. "Consequently," to use the lan- guage of Brother Gary, "they must become an enlight- ened and religious people or they will be a very depraved ​
METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 363
people." The ministers of religion are treated with great respect among them; and this in itself indicates their accessibleness to Christian instrumentalities, while it encourages the hope that our missionaries are yet des- tined to reap a glorious harvest in the Valley of the Columbia.
The mission has exerted a good influence on the com- munity, and to this the present importance of the terri- tory is mainly attributable. But for the large expendi- tures of the Society in that country, which were required to sustain the secular department of the mission how- ever mistaken that policy may now be deemed the civil aspects and prospects of the territory would doubtless, have been very far different from those which now ap- pear. Indeed, it is by no means improbable that what is now generally considered a mistaken policy of the Board, may be so overruled by a wise Providence as indirectly to bring a great revenue of praise and glory to his name. Much has also been done by the mission for the moral condition of the community. Many who had emigrated to that country were professors of religion and members of Christian churches before they left the States; but owing to the power of evil associations and other causes, they had backslidden from God and were unknown as Christians before the missionaries went out. Some of this class are now valuable members of the Church. Others, who went there depraved and wicked, and even profligate, have been brought to Christ and are now bright and shining lights amid the darkness which sur- rounds them.
The congregations generally are not large, but are gradually improving. There are three regular appoint- ments in the valley of the Willamette which are supplied, as may be seen at the head of the report of this mission. The numbers in Society, as reported by Brother Gary, are as follows, namely: ​
364 CHARLES HENRY CAREY
Willamette Falls, 25, and one local preacher, East Willamette, 66, and six local preachers, West Willamette, 40, and seven local preachers.
To this must be added the three white members at the Dalls; making in all a membership of 148. From forty to fifty of these have experienced religion in Oregon, and are to be reckoned as part of the fruit of our missionary labors in that country ; and we are warranted in the hope that a still greater number have already passed to their rest in heaven.
In view of these facts, and taking into account the priceless value of an immortal spirit, who will dare to pronounce the Oregon Mission a failure? ​
DOCUMENTARY LETTERS OF DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
These three letters were written by Dr. McLoughlin to Edward Ermatinger, who had been a clerk at Fort Vancouver under Dr. McLoughlin in 1825 and 1826, but who had retired from the fur trade and resided at St. Thomas, Ontario. The original letters are now deposited in the Archives of Canada at Ottawa.
The brother of Edward Ermatinger, who is referred to as being in charge of the company's business in the Snake Country, was Francis Ermatinger, who in later years resided at Oregon City and managed the H. B. Co. store there, and was chosen treasurer of the Territory of Oregon under the Provisional Government in 1845.
The references to the prosperity and progress of the retired H. B. Co. employees who settled on French Prairie, and their preparation to receive Bishop Blanchet are valuable, but what was Simon McGillivray intending to do with land in the Willamette Valley? Here is an item of real interest. The McGillivray family had been active stockholders in the old North West Company be- fore coalition with the H. B. Co. Was he intending to follow the ideas of Dr. McLoughlin and become a land owner and future citizen of Oregon ? It is to be remem- bered that in later years Gov. Geo. Simpson had differ- ences of opinion with Dr. McLoughlin and suggested that the land holdings at the Falls of the Willamette were taken up for the H. B. Co. and not for Dr. McLoughlin individually. The Doctor's high opinion of the Oregon country and expectation of early settlement in it are evi- dent from these letters of 1835 and 1836.
T. C. ELLIOTT. ​
366 T. C. ELLIOTT
Letter of John McLoughlin to Edward Ermatinger
Fort Vancouver 1st Feby 1835 My Dear Sir
I have now before me your Kind Letter of January 1834 and Allow me to congratulate you on your new situation and I sincerely pray it may be a source of per- petual felicity to you the name of your Wifes family is Known to me in 1817 I was a month 111 at a Mr Grover a Tavern Keeper in Haldimand and I there frequently heard Mention of Col Burnham the Gentleman you saw who Knows me is Robert Henry a long time a Clerk to the N W Co in the English River and afterwards a part- ner he is Brother of the Mr Henry who was drowned at the Columbia with Mr Donald McTavish and who left his property to his Brother Robert make him my Com- pliments if you see him again your Account of your situation is certainly gratifying and I have no Doubt that your situation is more Respectable more comfortable and perhaps more profitable than that of any Chief factor in the Country however Gros Bourgeous as you style him he may consider himself you have one great satis- faction you Act for yourself and have no one to con- troul you While you Know that in this Country you would be working for others and people who Know Nothing of the Business have the power of diciding on the Merits of your conduct and who would place a Runt a fellow that Knows Nothing can do Nothing as your Colleague Merely because they want to reward a Creature But let us change the subject I see that you and several of my friends expected me down last year the truth is that I had given them to Understand that I would do so But on reflection I considered it as well that while I was in the country It was as well for me to remain a little longer so that when I went down It might be optionable with me to remain if I was so In- clined as to the Business of this place it goes on in the Old way Except that last Summer I sent Ogden to erect ​
LETTERS OF DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLJN 367
a trading Establishment on a River on the Coast in Lati- tude 54 N But the Russians would not allow him ascend the River this is contrary to the treaty between the two Governments and of course John Bull must interfere but untill the affair is dicided we will remain on our oars the Mr Wyatt who you mention as complimenting us so much is come Back he has a party in the Snake Country has begun a farm in the Willamette and In- tends curing Salmon for the New York Market But I think this Salting Business will not pay him With him came the Methodist Missioneries they have settled them- selves in the Willamette and Intend to Devote their At- tention to Civilizing the Indians the Willamette free- men have become farmers and this fall will have three thousand Bushels Wheat for Sale Simon McGillivray who retires from the Concern has offered Gervais two hundred and fifty pounds for his improvements and Ger- vais would not accept it I have not heard from your Brother since the Month of June though I Expect news of him every Moment you Know he in the flat Head country he may perhaps pay me a Visit I am told he has a Clooch-I-man with Best Wishes Believe me to Be
Yours truly
JOHN MCLOUGHLIN
N B I suppose you have seen McDonald I believe he is to call on you I have sent My son David to be Educated with his Brother in Paris I see by the paper that you are presiding & speechyfying at Radical meeting how much you are Altered in Politic times make people change
JMcL ​
368 T. C. ELLIOTT
Letter of John McLoughlin to Edward Ermatinger
Fort Vancouver 1st Feby 1836 My Dear Sir
I have the pleasure to Acknowledge the receipt of your Esteemed favour of the 31st January 1835 By which I had the happiness to hear that you and yours were well and that you may long continue to be so is the sincere prayer of your humble Servant As to us here we go on in the Old way we have not Increased our Establishments on the Coast in consequence of the Rus- sian Opposition preventing our ascending stikine River last year But we have two Vessel in addition to the to the three posts on the coast and one Vessel Employed in taking timber to Wahou and our farm gives us Good Crops By the Bye if it was not so difficult to get here and that the Country was better Known people would prefer coming here instead of settling in Upper or Lower Canada I wrote you last year that two Methodist Mis- sionaries are settled in the Willamette and I have the pleasure to say that they are doing well they have be- gun a fine farm several Indians have joined them Who while they are receiving Religious Instruction are at the same time learning how to till the Ground Which will Enable them to live as Civilized men and which is the only Rational plan to be followed with Indians and which our Missionaries ought to follow instead of teach- ing them to Read and write and send them Back to their Lands which gives them a certain consequence in the Eyes of their Countrymen and Enables them to do harm (if so disposed) without having the power to do Good as it is impossible even if they were every so well Disposed to Receive Instruction for Natives to be Instructed and Wander about as they must necessarily do for their food No let those who wish to do good to Indians teach them to get their food in a different way than at present in short teach them Agriculture While they are instructing them in Religion ​
LETTERS OF DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN 369
Your Brother is still in the snake Country and doing every Justice to his Charge and had a very Narrow Escape last summer of being Killed by the Black feet his son is here at a school I have Established for the Good of the Native children in this Quarter But the Boy had so much misery in his Youth and has Been so sickly that he makes but slow progress he has also an infirmity he is a little Deaf however it is wearing off and I hope he will get cured of it Allow me to request you to make my Compliments to Mrs Ermatinger and with Best Wishes for you and yours Believe me to Be
Yours truly
JOHN MCLOUGHLIN
P S I am sorry you did not happen to meet my son David in Montreal he is now in France or at Addiscombe College Qualifying himself for to go out to the East Indies my other Son John quar- relled with his Uncle on account of his Extrava- gance and I Believe is now also on his way to the East Indies as Surgeon or Physician My Brother says he is Clever but has no OEconomy this how- ever may alter by last accounts he was in Mon- treal
JMcL
Letter of John McLoughlin to Edward Ermatinger
Fort Vancouver 3rd March 1837 My Dear Sir
I have the pleasure to Acknowledge the Receipt of your Kind favour of 3rd Feby 1836 and I hope I need not say that I was Extremely happy to see that you are in such Good Spirits with Every thing about you - - It is true as you say that you are in a fine country - - But it seems the people are much dissatisfied with the Ad- ministrations of Both the provinces and to tell you ^ my Mind not without cause But I hope these Dissentions ​
370 T. C. ELLIOTT
will soon cease and peace and Quietness Reign once more amongst you As to us here we go on in the Old Way I killed forty Head of cattle last Summer so you see the tabou is Broken Last year two more Missionaries came across from St Louis and are settled in the Vicinity of Walla Walla they Expect a large reinforcement this year both across Land and by sea on the 2nd Jany the American Brig Lorait Entered this River in Ballast having been chartered at Oahu at the Rate of seven hundred Dollars P Month By a Mr Slacum to Bring him here He said he came to join some friends who were to have come across land but as they did not come he is gone Back by way of Mexico from this you may see that we will not be long without seeing settlers here and Why should it not be settled you Know the Climate is Mild and you have not so fine a Country in Canada as the Willamette you Know we have no Need to make hay for our Cattle the settlers in the Willamette have Built a Grist Mill and this year have five thousand Bush- els Wheat they have Built a fine House of 30 by 70 feet for a priest whom they Expect to get from the Bishop of Red River and we also have a Chaplain the Revd Mr Beaver and his Wife from this you see we Expect to be well supplied with Clerical Characters I think I see you smile and say to yourself you Want it Well be it so it is well for those who can have what they want I have not heard from your Brother since the Brigade came down he was out in the plains last Summer and I expect to hear from him or to see him every moment I am told he intends to Urge to go out to shew himself But as I understand the Govr has written him this may Induce him to alter his Mind you are surprised at my having been at Haldimand the fact is in 1816 (fall) in the troublesome times, I fell ill going down from St Maries at Haldimand at the House of one Grover who treated me with the Greatest Kindness and I Beg if you go that way that you Remember me to him in the Kind​
LETTERS OF DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN 371
est terms please make my Compliments to Mrs E and Believe me to Be
Yours truly
JOHN MCLOUGHLIN
P S Maria and her Mother desire to be remembered to you What could put it in your head that Maria was at Quebec My crop this year is 5 M B. Wheat 4 M do Pease 2 M. Barley 2 M Oats ​
INDEX TO VOLUME XXIII
Albany, N. Y., in 1766, 58.
Alvord, Major, recommends extinguishing Indian title to lands along the Colum- bia between the Cascades and The Dalles and that the northeastern part of Washington be reserved as "Indian country," 10.
Atkinson, Rev. Geo. H., active in bring- ing about educational organization and growth of thought and sentiment for education at the beginning of the ter- ritorial period, 220-1.
B
Ball, John, first teacher at Fort Van- couver, whose letters describing Ore- gon country were published, 307.
Beaver, Reverend, and wife arrive in Oregon, 245.
Beeswax drifted ashore in Hawaiian Isl- ands, obtained by Kendrick, 293.
Bell's, James Christy, Opening a High- way to the Pacific, 1838-46, reviewed by Joseph Schafer, 84-6; discredits in- fluence of Lewis and Clark expedition and of Astor's enterprise and of Floyd's agitation, 84-6.
Benton, Thomas Hart, influences Dr. John Floyd towards urging occupation of Oregon country, 195; suggests im- portance of oriental markets, 199; of- fers resolution in the Senate inquiring into expediency of enabling President to take possession, 210.
Bonneville advises Indians be given res- ervations and Indian agents be ap- pointed to look after their interests, 10.
Bruce, William, in company with Jona- than Carver near the Falls of St. An- thony, 59.
Carey, Charles Henry, announcement of a new History of Oregon by, 276.
Carver's, Jonathan, Source of the Name Oregon, 53-69; Carver's "Travels" wins prominence for its author, 5 3 ; occasions inquiry as to sources of his information and reliability of his statements, 53; earns his military title through efficient service in Can- ada, 1755-63, 54; his education, 54- 55; in impecunious circumstances in the years immediately after the war, 55; in May, 1766, becomes actively associated with Robert Rogers, 55;
Carver's claim to an original idea of western exploration questioned, the probability of the suggestion's origi- nating with Major Rogers, 56; General Thomas Gage and Sir William John- son not pleased to appoint Major Rog- ers to the post at Mackinac, 57; Rogers' probable route through Al- bany and Oswego, 57-8; excerpts from original journal of Captain Car- ver indicate that he was ordered to join party proceeding to find the great river Oregon, 60; journal entries of fruitless search of this party for the northwest passage, 60-2; Major Rogers' scheme through reaching chiefs of the Mississippi valley to extend in- fluence of British authority and in- crease trade, 62; conclusion from sources: Jonathan Carver not an in- dependent traveler nor an independent writer, 62-3; his literary achievement, 63 ; copy of commission given by Ma- jor Rogers to Jonathan Carver to sur- vey a route from Mackinac to the Falls of St. Anthony and to return by Illinois river if not ordered farther westward, 64; copy of orders given James Stanley Goddard, appointing him secretary of detachment under command of Captain James Tute for the discovery of River Ourigan and Northwest Passage, 64-5; copy of in- structions given by Major Rogers to Captain James Tute, commanding party for the discovery of the North- west Passage or of the great River Ourigan, 65-9. Carver Grant, 59.
Education in the Oregon Constitutional Convention of 1857, 220-9; ideas brought from the Central States, 220; conditions in Oregon affecting attitude towards schools, 220; Reverend George H. Atkinson active in bringing about educational organization at the be- ginning of the territorial period; also stimulates educational thought and sentiment, 220-1; three types of con- stitutional provisions for educational system, 221-2; personnel of the con- stitutional convention, especially of the committee on education and school lands, 223; discussion Of the reports, majority and minority, of this com- mittee, 224; the executive for the ad- ministration of the state educational system, 224; the sources for the com-
[373] ​
INDEX
mon school fund, 225; discussion of the proposal to strike out the pro- vision for a state university, 226-7; the board of school land commission- ers, 227; Mr. Marple's minority re- port, 227-8; estimate of the conven- tion's work on education, 228-9.
Edwards, Philip L., work at the mission and later life, 81-2; joins Methodist Mission as lay member, 232; assists in establishing mission on the Willam- ette, 234; plans to leave for the U. S. but owing to the necessary departure of Daniel Lee, postpones his leaving, 237-8; begins teaching school at Campment Du Sable, 239; returns east with Jason Lee, 259.
Ermatinger, Edward, Letters of Dr. John McLoughlin to, 365-71.
Ford, Nathaniel, The Case of Robin Holmes vs., 111-137.
Gelston, Captain, recommends that Ore- gon Institute be not re-purchased by Methodist Missionary Society, 163-4.
Gervais, Joseph, at house of, first Sab- bath meetings held by Jason Lee, 235.
Gibbs, George, believed that land prob- lem was hack of whole trouble with the Indians, 26-7.
Goddard, James Stanley, lieutenant in the party sent out by Major Robert Rogers from Mackinac in 1766, 58-9; copy of instructions and orders given him by Major Rogers appointing him secretary of detachment under com- mand of Captain James Tute for the discovery of the River Ourigan and the Northwest Passage, 64-5.
H
Haswell, Robert, troubles as third mate with Captain John Kendrick, 295-6.
Holmes, The Case of Robin, vs. Nathaniel Ford, 111-137; charge that three children are detained as slaves, 112; answer that in accordance with agree- ment with parents they are held as wards, 113-4; General Joseph Lane, the witness relied upon to prove the truth of this agreement, 115-6; per- sonal history of Robin Holmes and his wife Polly and denial of agreement with Ford that ho was to keep minor children, 117-8; Robin Holmes accom- panies Nathaniel Ford's son Mark to gold mines of California to share in gold that they might dig, 117-8; con- tinuation of case freeing children, Ford paying costs, 118-36.
Holmes, Jenny or Mary Jane, Roxanna and James, children of Robin Holmes, detained by Nathaniel Ford, 112 et seq.
Indians of Southwestern Oregon commit offences, 2 ; conflicts with Rogue river
Indians, 2; Federal authorities report whites responsible, 2; Indians between Cascades and Rockies irritated by en- croaching settlers and whiskey dealers, 3; courts and military department fail to inspire Indians with fear so as to prevent attack, 3.
Japanese youths, three, wrecked on coast
attend school at Fort Vancouver, taught
by Cyrus Shepard, 307. Johnson, Amanda, ex-slave in Oregon,
111. Johnson, Benjamin, ex-slave in Oregon,
111.
K
Kendrick, John, and His Sons, 277-301; bases of interest in the story of John Kendrick for the people of the United States and for the people of Western Canada, 277; unpublished sources re- lating to, 277; printed sources, 278; the Kendrick family, 278; early life and services of John Kendrick, 278; his sons, John and Solomon, 279; the first voyage of the Columbia Rediviva and Lady Washington, 279-80; Has- well's account of the dilatory sailing, 280-1; the Columbia remains inert at Nootka Sound, 281; Kendrick con- tinues in the good graces of the Spaniard Martinez, 281-2; hands over command of the Columbia to Gray, 282-3; Kendrick's cruise northward in the Washington after the departure of Gray for China he does not circum- navigate Vancouver Island, 283-4; his trouble with the Indians in Barrell Sound (Houston Stewart Channel), 284; on his route to China becomes interested in the sandalwood of the Hawaiian Islands, 284-5; spends a year and two months in China in dis- posing of his furs and in altering the rig of the Washington, 285; treatment of him by the Chinese, 286; return voyage to' Northwest Coast, entering a harbor of Japan and later discover- ing group of Water Islands, 286; reaches Queen Charlotte Islands, In- dians retaliate for indignity suffered on first visit and are slaughtered, 286-7; sails southward to Nootka Sound, forbidden to trade by Spanish commander in charge, 288; purchases parcels of land, 288-9; trades and establishes himself at Clayoquot, 289; offer to Harkness, 289; returns to China via Hawaiian Islands and again stations sandalwood collectors there, 289-91; Kendrick is slow in disposing of his second cargo of furs in China and his vessel in starting to return is disabled by typhoon, 291; move- ments by Kendrick during the years 1793 and 1794, 292; intercedes in behalf of Don Bias Gonzales with Thomas Jefferson, 292; Kendrick acci- dentally killed in the firing of a salute
[374] ​
INDEX
at Fairhaven Harbor, Oahu, 294; esti- mate of Kendrick as seaman and as a man, 294-5; John Kendrick Jr. and his father's motive for quarreling with Robert Haswell, 295-6; John Kendrick Jr. in the service of the Spanish, 296- 8; later possible references to him, 298; Solomon Kendrick remains on the Columbia and returns to Boston Aug. 10, 1790, 299; sails as third mate of ship Jefferson to the North- west Coast, 299; experience with the governor of Juan Fernandez, 299; conflicting reports of fate, 300; later history of the brigantine Washington, 301.
Kendrick, John Jr., 279; enters Spanish service, 282; his promotion possible motive of his father's quarrel with Haswell, 295-6; in the Spanish ser- vice, 296-8; other possible references to him, 298.
Kendrick, Solomon, 279; remains on the Columbia and returns to Boston, Aug. 10, 1790, 299; sails as third mate on ship Jefferson to Northwest Coast, 299; experience at Juan Fernandez, 1792, 299; conflicting accounts of his fate, 300.
Lane, General Joseph, made treaty with Rogue River Indians, 8 ; witness in case of Robin Holmes vs. Nathaniel Ford, 115, 129-31.
Lee, Rev. Daniel, appointed at Troy con- ference as colleague with Rev. Jason Lee to labor among the Flathead In- dians, 232; advised by Dr. John Mc- Loughlin, leaves mission for the Ha- waiian Islands for his health, 238; at the Hawaiian Islands receives contri- butions for the mission and for him- self, 242; returns to Oregon, 245; as- signed with Rev. H. K. W. Perkins to mission station at The Dalles (Wasco- pam) 259; visits Willamette and drives back cattle to Wascopam, 262-3.
Lee, Rev. Jason, requested to undertake superintendency of Methodist Episco- pal Mission to Flathead Indians, 232; with other members of his party joins expedition of Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth, 232; trip from Independence to Fort Vancouver, 232-4; with Daniel Lee, explores the Willamette country, 234; preaches at Fort Vancouver, 234; decides upon location of mission sta- tion, 234; proceeds to Fort Van- couver where he conducts religious services, 236; makes trip to Fort Vancouver and Fort William and ar- bitrates differences between Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth and his men, 236- 7; marriage, 256; visits Umpqua country, 258; sets out for the United States, 259.
Little of Maryland presents memorial of eight farmers and mechanics, praying that bill for the occupation of Oregon might pass so that they could migrate to that region, 209.
M
McLoughlin, Dr. John, Letters of to Ed- ward Ermatinger, 364-70; McLough- Ifflfl high opinion of the Oregon coun- S7' ^u- 4; dis P ara ges the situation of the Chief Factor, 366; reasons given for postponing trip east, 366; Ogden sent to establish a trading post on the Stikeen river in latitude 54 is resisted by the Russians, 366-7; ex- presses lack of faith in profitableness of Wyeth's salmon curing venture, 367; Willamette farmers will in the fall of 1835 have 3000 bu. of wheat for sale, 367; Simon McGillivray of- fers Joseph Gervais 250 pounds for his improvements, 367; scope of the Hudson's Bay Company's operations on the Coast, 368; missionaries in the Willamette doing well, 368; teaching agriculture to the Indians advisable, 368; taboo on killing cattle in the Columbia valley removed, 370; inter- prets Slacum's visits and representa- tions as indicative that settlers would soon arrive, 370; the Willamette country beats Canada, 370; progress of the settlers on French Prairie, 370; Fort Vancouver crop statistics, 371.
Meek, Joseph, "that old Rocky Mountain sinner" is converted, 327.
Mining Laws of Jackson County, 138-162; condition of mining records in Jack- son county, 138-9; nature of historical data they contain, 139-40; law-mak- ing power and activities of early min- ers, 141-2; mining laws of Humbug Creek, 142-3; regulations of Jackson Creek Diggings the cosmopolitan character of its claimants, 143-4; laws of Kanes Creek and tributaries, 144; laws of Foot's Creek Diggings, 145-6; laws of Lower Jackass Creek, 146-7; Jackass Creek almost exclusively given up to Chinamen, 147; laws of Wines Camp, 147-8; laws of Boardman's Diggings, 148-9; laws of Lower Ster- ling Creek Dist, 150; laws of Wines Diggings revised, 151; Wines Camp meeting, 151; laws of Coyote Creek, 152-3; laws of Coyote Creek Dist., 153; laws of Coyote Creek, 153-4; laws of Steamboat Mining Dist., 154- 6; laws of Union Town, 156-8; boun- daries of Campbell Mining Dist., "Goose Valley," 158-9; laws of Louse Creek, 159-60; laws of Jackass and Poorman's Creek, 160-2.
Mission Record Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Willamette Station, 230-66; the influence of the Methodist Mission in the Willamette valley upon the religious, moral and educational life of the settlers, 230; Lee and Frost's "Ten Years in Oregon," 230; Jason Lee's Journal, 230-1; general description of the contents of the Mission Record Book, 231; the jour- ney of the Flatheads to St. Louis in- tent on securing religious aid and the response of the Missionary Society of
[375] ​
INDEX
the Methodist Episcopal church, 231-2; Jason Lee and other members of his party join Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth's overland expedition, 232; journal entries covering the trip from Independence to Fort Hall, 232-3; from Fort Hall in company with Thomas McKay and Captain Stewart to Walla Walla, 233; receives presents of horses from Cayuse Indians, 233; on board Hudson's Bay Company's boats proceeds to Fort Vancouver, 233- 4 ; mission house first occupied and experiences while it was in prepara- tion, 235; Indian children taken into mission, 235-6-7-8-9-42; gathering of first crops, 237; Indian youths at mission die, 237-9-41-6-7-53-4-5-8; Indian pupils leave mission, 239-43; rumor that Indian tarrying at mission planned to kill Daniel Lee and Cyrus Shepard, 238; fall wheat sowing, 239; potato digging finished, 240; daily in- struction of children at mission and of neighbors' children begun, 240; work of year and condition of mission sum- marized, 241 ; temperance society formed, 242; contributions received from the Hawaiian Islands and from Dr. John McLoughlin and other gen- tlemen at Fort Vancouver, 242-3; a Cayuse Indian bringing two sons and accompanied by two other Indians visit mission and request missionaries to settle among them, the boys remain, 244-5; the arrival of Dr. Whitman and wife and Rev. Spalding and wife and Mr. Gray at Walla Walla learned, 245-6; events of the closing year re- viewed, 247-8; the temperance society intercedes with Young and Carmichael to relinquish their project to establish a distillery, offering to reimburse them for expenditures incurred in the pro- ject, 248-50; reply of Young and Car- michael agreeing to stop preparations, but refusing to accept sum to reim- burse, 250-1; William A. Slacum at the mission and an expedition to pro- ceed to California for a supply of cat- tle organized, 251; Slacum in leaving the Columbia river in Brig Loriot com- pliments the mission, 252-3; reinforce- ments arrive, 255-6; marriage of Ja- son Lee and Anna Maria Pitman, Cy- rus Shepard and Susan Downing, and Charles Roe and Nancy, 256; Messrs. J. Lee and C. Shepard and wives visit the shores of the Pacific, 257; news from the cattle company, 258; annual meeting of the temperance society, 258; Jason Lee explores the Umpqua country, 258; new station at The Dalles (Wascopam) resolved upon, 259; Mrs. Jason Lee gives birth to son and dies, 259-60; sickness at Wascopam and accident to party re- turning on the Columbia river, 260-1; reinforcements arrive for the Presby- terian mission, 261-2; Dr. Whitman visits the Willamette mission, 262; Captain Sutter visits the Willamette
mission, 263; list of marriages, 1835-8, 263-4; list of individuals admitted to mission family with tribal connection and dates of admission and departure or death specified, 264-6.
N
Nuttall, Thomas, visits a few weeks at the Methodist mission, 237.
Ordway, John, Letter of, to His Parents,
268-9.
Oregon Caves, History of the Discovery of the Marble Halls of Oregon, 274-6.
Oregon Caves, An Account of the First Attempt at Exploration of the, 270-3.
Oregon Mission See Willamette Mission.
Oregon Mission Press, The History of the, 39-52, 95-110; American mission- aries to the Nez Perces first thought that it would be unnecessary to re- duce their language to writing but that they would acquire the English, 39; soon realizing their mistake, pro- ceeded to study native language and reduce it to writing, 39-40; Rev. Spalding devises alphabet using Eng- lish consonants for some of the vowel sounds, 39-41; prepares a spelling book and requests the Hawaiian mis- sion to print, this not carried out, 41- 50; offer of Hawaiian mission printing outfit accepted, 42; Edwin Oscar Hall, a printer, sent from Hawaiian Islands to set up printing establishment and to instruct in printing, 42; press and outfit described, 43; motive for Hall's trip found partly in desire to improve Mrs. Hall's health, 42-3; expense met with a subscription by the native women of a Honolulu congregation, 43-5; the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, 44-5; the 8-page book in the Spalding alphabet used in binding the 20 -page book in the Pickering alphabet, 45-7; story of the Pickering alphabet and its adoption, 48; assignments in book- writing and reviewing, 48; the return of the Halls to Honolulu, 49; A. B. Smith and Cornelius Rogers collabo- rate in the preparation of the second book, 49-53; assignments of work on manuscript for books made at Clear- water, Sept., 1839, 95-6; repair of press and printing of book in Flathead language, 96-7; authorship of this book, 97-8; the book of laws, 98-9; hymn book printed, 99; translation of the Gospel of Matthew and vocabu- lary, 99-100; inventories of stock of books and of printing office, 100; as- signments and work on translations, 100-2; reprinting of Spalding's Gospel of Matthew, 102-3; linguistic abilities of different members of the mission, 103-4; evidence and argument pertain- ing to misconception that the pioneer press in Oregon was also the original Hawaiian Mission press, 104-9; Eell's final history of the press, 109-10.
[376] ​
INDEX
Oregon Question, The, 1818-1828, 193- 219; committee on expediency of oc- cupying the Columbia River country, 193; Dr. John Floyd, a representative expansionist, 193-4; the diplomatic and domestic situation, 194-5; the immediate reason for Floyd's bringing up the Oregon matter, 195; six reas- ons outlined in the commission's re- port for the United States asserting right to the Oregon River country, 196-8; Floyd clearly interested in ex- pansion southward also, 198; Chinese immigration into Oregon but no ex- tension of slavery to Oregon contem- plated, 198-9; Benton's influence in the emphasis on the value and im- portance of oriental trade, 199; a second committee on the expediency of occupying the Columbia River and ter- ritory adjacent and a bill presented, 199-200; the Russian ukase fixing the southern limit of the Russian claim at 51 with buffer zone 100 miles farther to the south, 200-1; Floyd's discus- sion of the bill in the committee of the whole, 202-4; speeches for the bill by Wright and Baylies and of Tucker against, 204-7 ; arguments turned on commercial and political theories, 207; Golden urges advisabil- ity of priority in possession, 219; Floyd offers substitute for original bill the provisions of three of the six amendments of Mallory, 208; bill laid on the table, 209; Benton offers reso- lution of inquiry into expediency of enabling the President to take posses- sion, 210; bill authorizing President to occupy with military force and to set up a territorial government passes in the House, 210; the administra- tion had approved it, 211; cause of the Senate's failure to approve, 211.
Palmer, Joel, appointed superintendent of Indian affairs in Oregon, 1; favors provision of reservations and assist- ance, 1 ; formation and adoption of reservation policy in Oregon and Washington largely the work of Palmer, 3-4; four principles of policy favored, 4 ; recommends coast between Yaquina and Alsea rivers for reserva- tion area, 4-5; recommendations of 1853 become basis for Indian reserva- tion policy of Pacific Northwest, 5-6; text of annual report of 1853, 28-38; reiterates importance of extinguishing Indian title to lands bordering on the "Northern" and "Southern" roads, 29; urges exploration of the interior re- gions of Oregon for information neces- sary to fix policy, 29-30; suggests wiser tactics and better modes of treatment and explicit and fair deal- ing, 30-1; list of agencies and sub- agencies needed, 32-3; adventurers in mining regions most reckless and especially affected with feelings of hostility to the Indians, 33; a new
tribe, the Molallalas, on the upper north and south forks of the Umpqua identified, 34; new tribes found on the coast between the Tillamook and the Umpqua rivers, 34-5; claims for ser- vices unpaid, 35; estimate of expenses for the year, 35-6; suggests provision of a contingent fund to meet needs in emergencies that unmet might lead to war, 87-8.
Parker, Rev. Samuel, visits the Willam- ette Mission, 239.
Parish, J. L., agent for the Oregon Coast district, recommends policy of raising Indians to citizenship, 7; se- lected to aid Superintendent Gary, 354.
Perkins, H. K. W., proceeds to The Dalles station, 259.
Prehistoric Mounds, The Origin of the Oregon, 87-94; probable relationship of mound builders of Oregon to primi- tive people of mainland of Northeast- ern Asia and Japan, 87-8; Indian tribes of the Pacific Northwest had no knowledge of the Oregon mounds, 89; the modes of burial mounds were not used, 89-90; the crossing of the Ber- ing Strait could easily have been ef- fected by the builders of the prehis- toric mounds of Siberia and Japan, 90; description of the Oregon mounds and their contents, 90-4; type of skull and the evidence it affords, 93-4.
Rogers, Cornelius, participates in prepa- ration of 3 2 -page book at the Spalding mission and succeeds Mr. Hall as mission printer, 50-2; resigns and is drowned in the Willamette, 52.
Rogers, Major Robert, Indian fighter and author, 55; his repeated missions to the Great Lakes region and his peti- tion in 1765 to conduct an expedition to the Pacific, 56; his appointment as commandant at Mackinac not pleasing to General Thomas Gage and Sir Wil- liam Johnson, 56-7; probable route taken in proceeding to Mackinac, 58; Carver's orders from his superior do not contain mention of Ourigan, 58; Captain James Tute, the leader, and James Stanley Goddard, the lieutenant of the party, sent out, 58-9.
Reservation Policy in the Pacific North- west, 1853-5, the Adoption of the, 1- 38; Joel Palmer appointed to admin- ister policy, 1 ; valley lands occupied by settlers so provision of reservations and assistance favored, 1 ; decrease of supply of roots and game made In- dians restless and their state deplor- able, 1 ; Federal authorities report the whites responsible for the outbreak, 2; conflicts with the Indians in interior caused by taking lands occupied by Indians and by whiskey dealers, 3; murder of Ward party east of Fort Boise, 3; causes of dangerous Indian situation in the fall of 1854, 3; for- mation and adoption of reservation
[377] ​
INDEX
policy in Oregon and Washington largely the work of Palmer, 4; four principles of policy urged, 4 ; the coast between Yaquina and Alsea riv- ers recommended for reservation, 4-5 ; recommendation of Palmer made in 1853 became basis for reservation In- dian policy for the Pacific Northwest, 5; Indian Commissioner urges imme- diate adoption of the policy of coloniz- ing the Indians, 6; special report of Indian Commissioner to Congress based on Palmer's report to him led to de- cision, 6; Indian agents, J. L. Parish for coast district and R. R. Thompson for eastern Oregon, make recommen- dations, 7; Palmer finds objections to coast region and favors Klamath Lake region, 7; Lane and Palmer conclude treaties with the upper Rogue River Indians and with the Cow Creek band of the Umpquas, 1853-4, 8-9; policy for Washington Territory identical with that for Oregon, due to same general positions taken by Palmer and Stevens, 9; situation in Washington in 1853 east of Cascades critical due to threatened seizures of Indian lands by settlers, 9-10; Indian service or- ganized, appropriations made for mak- ing treaties and policy recommenda- tions made, 12-14; Stevens and Palm- er make headway toward extinguish- ment of Indian title west of Cascade mountains during 1854-5, 14-18; the proceedings and councils in connection with the making of the treaty of Wal- la Walla, 18-20; Stevens proceeds to Flathead country and Palmer treats with confederated tribes of middle Oregon at Wasco, 20-1; A. J. Cain treats with Indians north of Grays Harbor and Palmer treats with Indians along Pacific Coast, 21-2; Molalas, Umpquas and Kalapuyas also agree to move to coast reservation, 22; genesis of Yakima Indian war through aggres- sions, thefts and inflaming rumors culminating in the murder of A. J. Bolon by order of Kamiakan, 22-4; ob- taining of arms by Indians, intrusion of settlers and miners and failure of the military to awe, 25-6; summary of Indian policy adopted in 1854, 27; ratification of treaties delayed by war, 27.
Roberts, William M., Letters of the Rev- erend, Third Superintendent of the Oregon Mission, 163-91; action of the missionary society not to repurchase the Oregon Institute greatly deplored and basis for this action was such that it was extremely mortifying, 163- 4; condition of the Oregon Institute building, status of ownership of it and interest of the Methodist Episcopal church to own and maintain it, 164- 72; report on the work of the year, 172-3; the Cayuse war a distraction, 174; reports of camp meeting, 177; a slander noticed, 177-8; prevalence of mania for gold, 180; special remarks
upon the work at the following points and circuits: Oregon City, Salem, Cal- apooya, Mary's River, Yamhill, Tuala- tin Plains, 180-3; statistics, 184; financial and statistical letters, 186-8; Oregon and California mission confer- ence, 189-91.
Rogue River Indians, troubles with, 1853-4, 2.
Sargent, G., native of New England, dies in Willamette valley, 1836, 243-4. School, The First Indian of the Pacific Northwest, 70-83; teaching incident to first work of the Oregon Mission, 70; activities of the mission largely those of an orphanage, 71-2; faced by the condition of a diseased and dying race, 72-3; Perkins' picture of Shep- ard's ministrations, 74; farm and household work of the pupils, 75; Slacum's and Farnham's favorable ac- counts of the rightly directed efforts of the missionaries, 75-7; enlarged room and improved equipment, 77; in- tense religious feeling aroused, 78-9; biography of Cyrus Shepard, 79-81; Susan Downing as his helpmate, 80-1; John Ball, Solomon Smith and Philip L. Edwards also taught, 82. Seals, Benjamin, ex-slave in Oregon, 112. Slacum, William A., at the Methodist Mission, 251-2; in Brig Loriot leaving the Columbia sends compliments to the mission, 252-3.
Slaves, ex-, facts pertaining to in Ore- gon, 111-2. Southworth, Lou, ex-slave in Oregon,
111.
Spalding, Rev. H. H., thought Nez Perces would acquire the English before the missionaries learned the Nez Perces, 39; finding this a mistake, devised alphabet using English consonants to designate vowel sounds, 39-41; applies to Honolulu for press and instruction, 40; prepares spelling book and ele- mentary book to be forwarded, 40. Sutter, Captain, visits Willamette Mis- sion, 263.
Temperance society organized, 242; soci- ety convenes and requests Young and Carmichael to desist from project to establish a distillery, 248-50; answer to this request by Young and Car- michael, 250-1; annual meeting, 256; annual meeting, 258.
Thornton, James T., letter to, from Abraham Lincoln, 267.
Tute, Captain James, an associate of Major Robert Rogers, and is leader of an exploring party sent out from Mackinac in 1766, 58-9; letter from to Major Robert Rogers, June 10, 1767, 68-9.
V
Vancouver's report on men left at Oahu by Kendrick to collect sandalwood,
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289; mentions finding Kendrick with the Washington at Karakooa Bay, 292-3; at Kouai, 294.
w
Walker, C. M., joins Methodist Mission party, 232; assists in establishing mission farm on the Willamette, 284.
Ward party murdered by the Indians, 3.
Washington Territory, the Indian policy for, 9; identical with that adopted for Oregon because Palmer and Stevens were in general of the same mind, 9; Indian situation east of the Cascades critical, 9-10; Governor I. I. Stevens ex-officio superintendent of Indian af- fairs, 10-11; urged to survey field and report as soon as possible, 11; Stevens makes comprehensive report, 12; Con- gress authorizes negotiation of treaties and makes appropriations, 13; Stevens reports principle of Indian policy to be followed in making treaties, 13-14.
Willamette Mission, Excerpts from Meth- odist Annual Reports, 303-364; con- siderations connected with the super- seding of Jason Lee as superintendent and with the sale of the mission school property by Gary brought out in these reports, 303-4; conference with Cap- tain Nathaniel J. Wyeth to ascertain general character and disposition of Indian tribes of the Oregon Territory and to arrange to have the mission- aries Jason Lee and Daniel Lee ac- company him the following spring, 304-5; Jason Lee makes favorable re- port from Rocky Mountains on outlook for mission venture, 305; in accord- ance with instructions, suggests Lara- mie's Fork, the Crow region between the Missouri and the Yellowstone and the habitat of the Blackfeet in the Rocky Mountains as sites for mission stations, 305-6; reasons for not re- maining with the Flathead Indians and for proceeding to Fort Vancouver, 306; cordial reception by Dr. John McLoughlin, 306; first sermons in that part of the country, 306; establish- ment of the mission on the Willamette river about 60 miles from Fort Van- couver, 307 ; activities of mission, 307; the school at Fort Vancouver taught by Cyrus Shepard, 307; three Japanese youths wrecked on the north- west coast attend this school, 307; central position of Willamette station made extension of missionary effort advisable in different directions so it was determined to increase the mis- sionary force and selections from among volunteers were made, 308; letter from Daniel Lee at Honolulu and representation previously made by Jason Lee caused the sending of rein- forcements of thirteen to mission, 308; equipment of the value of $2000 accompanied them, 308; Reverends David Leslie and H. K. W. Perkins with their families were sent out, 309;
report received from first reinforce- ment of 1836, 309-10; information of the arrival of the second reinforcement at Hawaiian Islands received, 310: Lieutenant William A. Slacum gives a favorable report of the work of the mission, 310; Jason Lee's report at the missionary society's headquarters stated the needs of the mission, 311- 12; Lee's representations and other in- vestigations cause determination to send great reinforcement in numbers and equipment, 312-15; report re- ceived from Rio de Janeiro of favor- able progress of their voyage, 315; Dr. Elijah White's glowing account of in- fluence of missionaries, 315-16; great numbers of Indians reported converted at a revival, 316; inventory of salutary influences exerted by missions, 317; Dr. Elijah White disaffected towards Lee returns, 317; some counting of the costs of this missionary venture with a disposition to be assured that it will justify itself, 318; mission still prosperous as far as Board is aware, but information not as explicit as it would desire, 319-20; Jason Lee's let- ter acknowledges situation "not so flattering as might be desired," 320- 21; letter of H. K. W. Perkins refers to desertions, 321-2; confession that expectations are not fully realized but counseling of fortitude, 322-4; super- intendency transferred to Rev. George Gary, reasons therefor and his instruc- tions, 324-5 ; disappearing Indians, 325-6; Rev. G. Hines' report on Tuali- tin camp meeting, 326-7; Rev. Daniel Lee and wife, Frost and Dr. Babcock and family withdraw from the mission, 327-8; Jason Lee stresses "adaptation of Oregon soil to the genius of Meth- odism," his interest in the Oregon mission is not the least abated, 328; H. K. W. Perkins quoted: "Triumphs of the Gospel in this country . . . sure," 328; conclusion, "We must continue our Christian efforts in these transmountain regions," 329; Dr. Marcus Whitman and the migration of 1843 noticed as an argument for en- ergetic perseverance, 330; Gray cuts down force employed and sells prop- erty held, 330-31; Board admits hav- ing been somewhat misled in relation to the necessity of the great reinforce- ment, 331-4; "secular character" of mission had excited suspicions of ar- riving immigrants, Indians rapidly wasting away so mission must appeal to new settlers, 334; Gary reports pro- ceedings that led to conclusion that an essential change in mode of opera- tions necessary, 335-6; Gary's recom- mendations, 337; statistical report, 337; reductions mainly in secular de- partment, 339; death of Jason Leey- recognized as the great pioneer mis- sionary of the valley of the Columbia river, 339-40; summary of the venture with instructions to George Gary and
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conditions of transformed establish- ment, 341-52; the Oregon Institute vital to the interests of Methodism in Oregon, 352-5; Gary expresses desire to return to the States, 356; interests centered in the Oregon Institute, 356- 7; its constitution, 317-18; the new
superintendent to inquire into the ex- pediency and practicability of a re- purchase of the premises, 359; review of Gary's administration, 359-61; so- cial and moral condition of Oregon, 362-3; statistical report of the mis- sion, 364.
* ↑ Address delivered on the occasion of the annual meeting of the members of the Oregon Historical Society, October 28, 1922.
* ↑ Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth.
* ↑ This language is repeated in Hines' "Wild Life in Oregon," pp. 241-242.