# Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 17/Number 3

THE QUARTERLY
of the
Oregon Historical Society
VOLUME XVII SEPTEMBER, 1916 NUMBER 8
Copyright, 1916, by the Oregon Historical Society The Quarterly disavows responsibility for the positions taken by contributors to its pages.
THE MOVEMENT IN OREGON FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A PACIFIC
COAST REPUBLIC
By DOROTHY HULL.
To fully understand the political tendencies of the West it is necessary to understand the Western spirit, for political platforms are but a more or less clear reflection of the spirit which animates those who frame them.
The West has always been the home of democracy. The Western movement in the United States from its first incep- tion was a democratic movement. The fur traders who blazed the trail to the West, and the ranchers and farmers who fol- lowed in their wake forging the broader path for civilization were not aristocrats, but the common people rugged, self- reliant, and ambitious. They pushed to the West, drawn by the lure of adventure, seeking cheap lands, and a chance to work out their political and social ideas free from the aristo- cratic organization of the East. Hence in the West democracy, social and political, became the dominant force.
The life of the pioneer was rough; social amenities were few, but a man's valuation was based on his personal worth and ability, and not on his wealth or ancestry. The problems confronting the pioneer were new and difficult, and through the effort required for their solution the minds of even the ​older men experienced rejuvenation. With all his faults the pioneer must be admired for his idealism and his optimism.
The early isolation of the West, and the completeness of its geographical separation from the political center of the nation fostered an intense feeling of local independence. It was not surprising then that in times of great public danger when vital sectional interests were believed to be at stake this spirit of local independence should find expression in the doctrines of popular sovereignty, states-rights, nullification, and even secession.
So it was that before 1795 the people of the Trans- Allegheny West threatened the establishment of an independent republic when it appeared that a selfish and short-sighted Congress was on the point of bartering away for ephemeral commercial advantages the right of a free navigation of the Mississippi River, on which the very existence of the western frontiersman depended. So it was that during the critical period of our history from 1850 to 1865 when the forces making for the destruction of the American Union were gathering impetus for their most dangerous attack on the integrity of the national government, and when the Pacific Railroad had not yet bound the West to the East with bands of shining steel there developed on the Pacific Coast a movement for the establishment of a Pacific Coast Republic. While it is true that the movement was supported by but a minority of the people of the Pacific Coast, the fact of its inception by political leaders of the West is significant.
While the first cause of the movement may be considered the spirit of the West, its immediate occasion was the conflict of local and national interests which became especially marked after 1855. To understand this it is necessary to present in greater detail the federal relations of the Western States and Territories.
The Movement in Oregon for the Establishment of a Pacific Coast Republic. (1855-1861.)
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 179
On June 15, 1846, the treaty with Great Britain was signed which secured to the United States the territory of Oregon lying south of the forty-ninth parallel of latitude. The Ore- gon question was thus settled, and it was supposed that the American government would at once proceed to organize a government for the newly acquired territory. It was not, how- ever, until August 14, 1848, that the bill providing for the organization of Oregon as a territory became law. This un- expected delay, caused by the opposition of the pro-slavery leaders in Congress to the clause in the Oregon Provisional Government declaring that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, should ever be permitted in the territory, was peculiarly galling to the citizens of Oregon, who felt that although their efforts had been largely responsible for the acquisition of this valuable territory by the United States government, that government was now refusing them necessary assistance and protection. Nevertheless all bitter feelings were forgotten in the general rejoicing at the news of the passage of the Territorial Bill in 1848.
March 3, 1849, the territorial government was put into op- eration by a Democratic governor (General Joseph Lane) ap- pointed by President Polk. The governor entered upon his duties with energy and enthusiasm, and the machinery of gov- ernment was. soon running smoothly. 3
In Oregon at this time the political lines of demarcation were not those laid down by the great national parties; such parties as existed were based on purely local issues.
Before the territorial organization the people of Oregon had had little reason to be interested in the national disputes of Whig and Democrat, and the Oregon settler, though perhaps a violent partisan before his immigration to the far west, after that immigration soon came to think little of his former party alignment, and to concentrate his attention on local affairs. 3
on
i Schafer, History of the Pacific North-West, pp. 216-217.
a Bancroft, History of Oregon, i, 780.
3 Woodward, Rise and Early History of Political Parties in Oregon, in Or-
Historical Society, The Quarterly, XII, pp. 36-37​
180 DOROTHY HULL
National interests, however, were not dead, but merely dor- mant, and the organization of Oregon as a territory led to an awakening which, though gradual, was none the less com- plete. The position of the people in relation to the national government practically forced them to take a definite stand with regard to national politics.
Unwelcome evidence of the dependence of the people of Ore- gon on the political complexion of the national government soon appeared. The election of 1848 placed the patronage of the government in the control of the Whig Party, and the incoming government was not slow in bestowing all available positions on office-hungry Whigs. Oregon soon felt the weight of this policy. The Democratic officials who had already won the confidence and respect of the people were replaced by Whigs. A period of bitter political strife followed this change.
Politically, Oregon in 1850, was in a transition state. The Democrats were undoubtedly the strongest party numerically, but they, as well as the other parties, lacked organization. It was impossible that such an anomalous condition of affairs should continue long. It was evident that both local and national interests demanded the perfecting of party machinery, 1 and the Democrats, spurred to additional effort because of their hatred of Whig domination, went to work to perfect a party organization for the territory.
The Whigs, though at first radically opposed to party or- ganization, learned a valuable lesson from their decisive defeat in the election of 1852 (territorial), and the organization of the party followed without undue delay. But even after organiza- tion the Whigs were not strong enough numerically to com- pete with the Democrats, nor were their political tactics equally as astute as those of the chief rival party.
In the Democratic Party itself leadership soon passed into the hands of a few men who came to be popularly denominated "The Salem Clique." This group was in turn dominated by
i Statesman, June 13, 1851; February 24, 1852.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 181
the commanding personality of Asahel Bush, the editor of the Statesman. 1
This Salem Clique gave to Oregon an arrogant and narrowly partisan rule. Rebellion in the ranks was not tolerated, and erring members were ruthlessly read out of the party. These domineering Democratic leaders also soon found it difficult to submit to the superior power of the national government.
Their proud necks chafed under the yoke imposed by Eastern officials appointed by an unsympathetic Congress. This feel- ing was particularly strong during the Whig administration of President Taylor, and loud were the complaints and many the protests launched against the custom of filling Oregon offices with foreign appointees. The territorial delegate in Congress 2 was requested to suggest that it would be well if the people of Oregon were granted the power of electing all their terri- torial officers. 3 The suggestion, needless to say, was unheeded. In the meantime a violent and bitter struggle was in progress in the territory between the Whig Officials and the Democratic Legislature. The tension between the two parties soon became almost unbearable. Two possible remedies appear to have suggested themselves to the Democratic leaders statehood and independence. A movement for statehood was actually set on foot in 1851, and also in that year appeared the first accusa- tion that the leaders of the Oregon Democracy designed at no distant day to throw off their allegiance to the United States government and attempt to set up an independent republic.* If the danger existed, as seems probable, it passed away with the success of the Democrats in the presidential election of 1852.
In 1854 "the most momentous measure that passed Congress from the day the Senators and Representatives first met until
1 Woodward, in The Quarterly, v. XII.
2 Joseph Lane. He was elected delegate in 1851, and held that position by suc- cessive re-elections until 1859, when on Oregon's admission to the Union, he took his place as U. S. Senator from that state.
3 Letter, Humphrey to Lane, January, 1852.
4 Quoted in Oregonian, July 28, 1851. ​
182 DOROTHY HULL
outbreak of the Civil War" was introduced in that body the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. 1
The storm raised by the passage of the bill was never to die away until slavery itself should be crushed. As Charles Sumner said in speaking of the act: "To every man in the land it says with clear, penetrating voice 'Are you for freedom, or are you for slavery ?' " Not only did the Free-Soilers and many of the Whigs denounce the Act, but many members of the Democratic Party refused to follow their leaders in support- ing it. In a document entitled the "Appeal of the Independent Democrats" the bill was stigmatized as "A gross violation of a sacred pledge (the Missouri Compromise) ; as a criminal betrayal of precious rights ; as part and parcel of an atrocious plot to exclude from a vast unoccupied region immigrants from the Old World, and free laborers from our own states, and to convert it into a dreary region of despotism peopled by masters and slaves." 2 The great Democratic Party was near- ing the rocks on which it was finally to founder.
The doctrine of Popular Sovereignty enunciated by the Kansas-Nebraska Act was one that from its very nature ap- pealed to the people of Oregon, with their virile Western con- fidence in the ability of the people of a locality to manage their own affairs, and yet in the beginning there seems to have been little unanimity of opinion with regard to the bill.
Despite the dominance of the Democratic Party there were in Oregon great numbers of thinking people who opposed the farther extension of slave territory, and viewed with alarm the aggressive attitude of the Southern Democrats who were dictat- ing the policies of the national Democratic Party. 3 In 1855 the first convention of Free-Soilers was held in Oregon, and the movement inaugurated which led to the formation of the Republican Party of Oregon. There appeared, too, a visible defection in the Democratic ranks, though this was due to local rather than to national disputes.
1 Printed in American History Leaflets, No. 17.
2 Rhodes, History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850, I, 490.
3 Bancroft, History of Oregon, II, 358. ​
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 183
It was during these troublous times that the rumor of a plan to establish a Pacific Republic a plan inaugurated by some of the Democratic leaders again became persistent. In July, 1855, an editorial headed "Our Future," appeared in the Standard (Democratic) suggesting the idea of the formation of an independent nation west of the Rockies as being in harmony with the designs of an all-wise Providence, by whom this natural boundary had been laid down. 1
The leader ran, in brief: "In a new country there are no old associations, no stereotyped habits which filter in an ac- customed routine our actions and our thoughts, but the customs which we were wont to have in our homes have given away to those which are formed by our new associations. Yes, it is indeed too true that we must look for new and: energetic governments in recently settled countries. The British colonies of North America passed through a Revolution, and reared for themselves the proudest republic on the face of the earth.
"The French nation alike overturned the dynasty of Louis Philippe and established a republic also. . . . With these facts before us the future of our country demands attention. What will be the results of these causes? Can it be possible that within a few years the Pacific Coast will ask, and can secure an independent government?
"Would it be policy for them to do so? And if it would, what will be the effect of our petition to the United States Congress? Is the recently avowed doctrine of Territorial Sovereignty broad enough so that it will permit us freely to say whether we will come into the Union, or whether we will remain without, and become separate from it? If nature ever marked out the division of countries, it has done so in North America. The vast chain of the Rocky Mountains presents an unmistakable boundary, and we have reason to believe that these boundaries, laid down by an over-ruling Providence, ought to be more strictly regarded. . . . Should we se- cure anything to our advantage by coming into the Union which
i Standard, Portland, Oregon Territory, July, 1855- Alonzo Leland, editor. ​
184 DOROTHY HULL
we could not have by and of ourselves? Let us think before we act. The growing disparity of habits between us and the Atlantic States, and the pecuniary advantages or disadvantages of a separation from the states are not the only questions which ought to be considered. Is it policy for us to join a government, the different sections of which are even now antipodal on a most exciting question, and which are cultivat- ing a spirit of disunion by their altercations?
"Do we wish to embroil ourselves in the agitation of a ques- tion which might be totally foreign to us? This agitation may cease, and in the name of heaven we hope it may but present aspects are most cheerless. Looking at this question coolly and dispassionately, that is, the policy of uniting ourselves to a gov- ernment already shaken by civil feuds and sectional dissensions, and which we should enter into by an entrance into the Union, and which we could avoid by refusing to bind ourselves by any closer ties, we are compelled to ask seriously, what is our duty in this respect to the present and future of Oregon. These questions may be deemed visionary by fogyism, so was that of the separation of the United States even after Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill had been wet with crimson dew, yes, and until after the Continental Congress had assembled at Philadelphia."
Carefully laying the burden on the shoulders of an over- ruling Providence, Oregon's Democratic leaders, with these facile arguments, tentatively broached the subject of the Pacific Coast Republic.
The leaders of opposing political complexion were not slow to take up the challenge. The Oregonian (Whig) was par- ticularly bitter in its denunciation of these Revolutionary ideas. An editorial headed, "Revolutionary Filibustering in a ne'w direction," ran as follows: 1
"Four years ago we repeatedly told the people of Oregon that the leaders of the self-styled Democratic Party designed at no distant day to throw off their allegiance to the United
i Oregonian, July 28, 1855. Thomas J. Dryer, editor. ​
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 185
States government. . . . We were led to this belief then from certain unmistakable evidences apparent in every act of those who then controlled, and now govern the Democratic Party of Oregon. The recklessness of their conduct, the utter disregard of law, order, or precedent, was then a subject of alarm, and has continued to increase to this hour. Whatever may be said of those who are constantly prating about their love of country, their devotion to the interests of the American Republic, . . . the facts are upon record that these men have been constantly laying their plans for a revolutionary movement, as the sequel will show. Although the party in power in this territory have had everything in their hands for the last three years, and although the leaders have been able, under their hypocritical cry of Democracy, to create, deceive, and gull the majority to sustain their measures, and to elevate an unprincipled set of demagogues to office and power; al- though their pensioned newspapers and party hacks have de- nounced for years the great fundamental principles of Ameri- canism, yet we are not prepared to see them at this early hour throw off the mask, and declare in favor of a Revolution, and a separate government here, but nevertheless they have done so. ... It will be remembered that upon two occasions this same party have endeavored to fasten a state government upon the people. These same men have always been the warmest advocates of a state government. The people have as often pronounced against their favorite measure. Now, in view of a strong probability, reduced almost to a certainty, of a radical change in the administration of the general govern- ment these men and their party come out in favor of a separa- tion from the United States and the formation of a new gov- ernment. Men, and particularly unprincipled men, never act without a motive. These filibusterers have a motive in view which will not fail to present itself to the mind. Their object is apparent. The time, place and occasion which has called forth this first published evidence of disaffection, will not fail to convince the honest mind of every American in the land. ​
186 DOROTHY HULL
Here you see a party which proclaims loud and long that Americans shall not rule America, proposing a disruption. They are endeavoring to create disaffection, anarchy, confusion, and discord among the people urging to rebellion a revolu- tion against their country. What for? The object is plain to those who know and can appreciate the character and aims of the party calling itself the Democratic Party. Are the people of Oregon prepared for this movement on the party chess-board? They will, of course, indorse it, and push on the cause of dis- union! We know not a few who will not take passage, no matter who may attempt to lash or goad them into this in- famous measure."
In September of the same year the Statesman had some farther information to give concerning the Revolutionary scheme. 1 A letter from an anonymous correspondent in San Francisco, reprinted from an exchange, set forth details of the plan:
"I lay before you, in advance of all publicity, a scheme which is now advancing under profound secrecy among a good num- ber of our most respectable and influential citizens. I have no time to comment, but give you the plan, as it has been re- vealed to me, without any injunction of concealment. A new Republic is to be formed, consisting at first of ten states, three to be formed within the present limits of the State of Cali- fornia, three in Oregon Territory, two in Washington Terri- tory, and two from western portions of Utah and New Mexico. The basis is to be a confederated government similar to yours on the Atlantic Side. The great Pacific Railroad is to be abandoned, and every obstacle thrown in the way of its con- struction, while the argument at the hustings is to be made to the people that the government at Washington has refused the road to the people of the Pacific. The question of slavery is to be adjured and disclaimed until the plan is so far executed that there can be no retraction, after which the southern four or five states will adopt slavery. The first convention is to be imposing in numbers, and especially in the distinguished talent ​
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 187
of its members. You need no information as to the number of ex-Senators, ex-Congressmen, ex-Governors, and ex- Judges who swarm in our midst, panting for one more good old- fashioned political chase. The President, Senate, Representa- tives, and Cabinet Ministry are all to be chosen by direct vote of the people. The naturalization laws are to be fixed on a severe basis. The act of independence is to be simultaneous with a well-planned and decisive seizure of the United States Reserves, with whatever of movables or livestock they may contain. The Sandwich Islands are to be guaranteed their independence and the United States are to be appealed to in a tone of friendly good-bye. Here you perceive an opening for all the prominent politicians, a field for the military and naval aspirants, a call for powder mills, and ordnance foundries. You may also guess how readily such a severance will be graciously received by England, France and Spain.
"I leave the subject with you without comment. Visionary as it may seem, it is not a fancy sketch; fail it may, but it is now a purpose of deep interest with the parties concerned. The first public movement will be either a society or a convention for the purpose of forming a new party to be called the Pacific Railroad Party, to draw off a majority of citizens from all old party alliances. Through this medium the Washington government is to be proscribed, and proved to be practically inadequate to our necessities. It is to be shown that we send our gold away, and receive no government protection in re- turn, and that as we now virtually govern ourselves we might as well have the credit of it abroad. The conspirators will be startled when they see this letter in your columns, and will begin to heave the lead to find out their soundings."
If such a plan as this outlined by the unknown correspondent existed, and if it had been formulated for the reasons sug- gested by the Oregonian, the failure of that paper's predictions as to the presidential election of 1856, and the election of Buchanan was probably more responsible for the failure of the leaders to consummate the plan for a Pacific Coast Re​
188 DOROTHY HULL
public at this particular time, than was the untimely exposure of the plot by the press.
Although Democracy had been triumphant in 1856, it was soon evident that the breach in the ranks of the party was growing wider and wider. The Civil War in Kansas had served to swell the numbers of the Anti-Nebraska men in Ore- gon, as in all the northern states. Republican organization in Oregon proceeded apace. 1 The Kansas strife also reversed the stand taken by the majority of Oregonians on the statehood question, and in the election of 1857 the vote for statehood was carried by a majority of 5938. 2 The change in sentiment was due to the dread instilled in the hearts of the people lest scenes might in the future be enacted in Oregon correspond- ing to those in "Bleeding Kansas." The securing of state- hood as soon as possible seemed the best method of prevention.
The question of statehood having been once decided upon, the main issue was whether Oregon should be slave or free. This was a question on which the Democratic Party as a Party dreaded to express itself, as a dissension was sure to follow. In order to avoid this shoal the Democratic Party passed a resolution; "That each member of the Democratic Party in Oregon may freely speak and act according to his individual convictions of right and policy upon the question of slavery in Oregon without in any manner impairing his standing in the Democratic Party on that account provided that nothing in these resolutions shall be construed in toleration of black re- publicanism, abolition, or any other factor or organization arrayed in opposition to the Democratic Party."
Many prominent democratic leaders in Oregon took the pro- slavery side, and three out of five democratic papers were rabid advocates of slavery. Hence, although two-thirds of the Democratic Party were probably in favor of a free state con- stitution, there seemed imminent danger .that slavery would be fastened on Oregon. 3
1 Woodward, in The Quarterly, XII, 130.
2 Woodward, in The Quarterly, XII, 135.
3 Argus, Sept. 5, 1857. ​
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 189
The Constitutional Convention which assembled at Salem on August 17, 1857, determined to present the questions of slavery and of the admission of free negroes into the state as separate issues to be decided by the people when the Constitution should be submitted to them. Thus was their favorite doctrine of Popular Sovereignty nobly vindicated.
The constitution was adopted by the people of Oregon by a decisive majority. 1 Only one- fourth of the voters supported slavery, but free negroes were refused admission into the state.
In the month following that decision of the people the Democrats were confronted by the "two-edged sword" of the Dred Scott decision. An expression of opinion could not be avoided, and yet was certain to cause strife. In the regular session of the legislature December 17, 1857, a resolution was introduced : " . . . whereas slavery , is tolerated by the Constitution of the United States, therefore Resolved that the chair appoint a committee of three to report what legislation is necessary to protect the rights of persons holding slaves in this territory."
Whether, as was claimed, 2 the resolution was introduced in order to cause dissension in the Democratic ranks, 3 that was the result. The vote on the resolution was indefinitely post- poned, but the dissension that it bred could not be quelled.
Bush, the local leader of the Oregon Democracy, in the Statesman of December 8, 1857, endeavored to harmonize the Dred Scott decision with the doctrine of popular sovereignty. "It is," he said, "the very gist of the Kansas-Nebraska principle that the people are called upon when they form a state govern- ment to act upon the subject of slavery." As to the right of a citizen to have his property protected under the constitution he showed that the Constitution recognizes and protects as property within the states whatever the state laws determine to be property. In this discussion, however, he classed state governments, and people moving in the formation of state
1 7i95 to 3215.
2 Oregonian, Dec. 26, 1857.
3 The sponsor was Wm. Allen, a National Democrat ​
190 DOROTHY HULL
governments together, and made no reference to popular sover- eignty in the territories in general.
The different parties met in conventions early in 1858 to nominate state officials, in order that the state government might be ready to go into immediate operation when Oregon should be admitted to the Union. The regular Democratic convention, meeting in March, endorsed both the Kansas- Nebraska doctrine and the Dred Scott decision, in spite of the fact that Douglas, the author of the doctrine of popular sover- eignty had broken with the administration over the Dred Scott decision. The platform warmly endorsed Buchanan, however, so it may be understood that Douglas was to be abandoned. The National Democrats, in a separate convention, though en- dorsing President Buchanan, held to the right of the people of the territories to frame and adopt their constitutions and all local laws for their own government. 1 Thus they appeared to support Douglas rather than Buchanan. The Republican State convention denounced the Dred Scott decision, 2 while the Whigs showed a disposition to stand with the national Democrats. 3
The party lines on the question were by no means clearly drawn. Bush, though accepting nomination at the hands of the regular Democratic convention, undoubtedly preferred Douglas, but he refrained during the campaign from express- ing this preference.*
On the other hand Joseph Lane, the territorial delegate, and hence the national representative of the regular Democratic machine, who had defended squatter sovereignty from the time of its inception, now as ably defended the Dred Scott decision.
In the ensuing Oregon election the regular Democratic Party, in spite of dissensions, was in the main successful, although in many parts of the territory the opposition (Whigs, Republicans, and National Democrats, who frequently acted together at the
1 Statesman, March 23, 1858.
2 Oregonian, April 10, 1858.
3 Quarterly, XII, 231.
4 Quarterly, XII, 234. ​
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 191
polls), showed a formidable strength. Their most conspicuous need was organization.
In July, 1858, the newly elected state legislature proceeded to elect Senators, in order that everything might be prepared for statehood. Both National Democrats and Regulars united in supporting Lane, and he and Delazon Smith, a man of similar political principles, were elected to represent the new state-to-be in the Senate.
In the meantime, the Statehood Bill was hanging fire in Congress. Before this special session of the state legislature, the bill for the admission of Oregon had passed the Senate. At the time of General Lane's election to the Senate, letters had been received from him and published in Oregon declaring that the Statehood Bill would pass the House, as there were no obstacles whatever in the way of its passage. 1 He appears, however, to have made no effort to secure its passage, 2 and Congress adjourned without having granted Oregon the de- sired boon.
Naturally suspicion was not slow to arise in the breasts of those leaders of the Oregon Democracy who were already in- clined to distrust Lane's honesty and sincerity of purpose. A cry of rage went up from Oregon when it was known that the Statehood Bill had failed of passage. In the Statesman, Bush gave vent to the popular outcry in a scathing editorial denouncing Lane, whom he had hitherto supported.^
The testimony that he adduced went to show that Lane was holding off the admission of the state until he could be certain of his election to the office of Senator. Later, however, a more sinister view was taken of his course, and he was accused in view of the approaching national crisis, of wishing to put Oregon into the position of a state outside the Union.
Viewing his actions in this light, very significant is the mes- sage sent by Governor Curry of Oregon, Lane's close friend, to
1 Statesman, March 15, 1859.
2 Statesman, Dec. 21, 1858.
3 Statesman, Dec. 21. 1858. ​
192 DOROTHY HULL
the territorial legislature which assembled in December, 1858. 1 After deploring the fact that Oregon had not been admitted as a state, he went on to show that the whole territorial system of the United States was unconstitutional. He said :
"It is wrong in principle. There is no provision of the Constitution which confers the right to acquire territory to be retained as territory, and governed by Congress with absolute authority. Nor, by the terms of the federal compact, can the people of the United States who choose to go out and reside upon the vacant territory of the nation be regarded as mere adventurers, without individual political rights, and be made to yield a ready obedience to whatever laws Congress may deem best for their government, and to pay implicit deference to the authority of such officers as may be sent out to rule them. No such power has ever been delegated by the sovereign people of the sovereign states to the government of the United States, and no such principle underlies the government. ... In reference to that clause of the Constitution which gives Con- gress power to dispose of and make all needful rules and reg- ulations respecting the territory or other property of the United States, which is contended for as the source from which Con- gress derives the power to govern the territories, that tribunal (the Supreme Court) has clearly determined that no such power exists therein. ... In my judgment Congress has no constitutional authority to establish governments anywhere upon the public domain or to create and ordain any species of constitution or organic law for the government of any civil community anywhere within the boundary of the United States."
Such ideas enunciated at this critical time could not but arouse distrust. Lane later advised the pople to put the state government into operation without awaiting the consent of Congress, but largely owing to the influence of Bush this sug- gestion was not adopted.
i Statesman, Dec. 4, 1858. ​
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 193
At first, as has been indicated, the regular Democratic or- ganization in Oregon had supported Buchanan, while the Nationals had appeared to veer toward Douglas. As time went on public sentiment began to change, and by the latter part of December many of those who had once been loudest in lauding Buchanan had become supporters of Douglas, and vice versa. Bush who had always secretly favored Douglas was by no means the last to openly shift his allegiance to that leader.
In the meantime, February 12, 1859, the Statehood Bill was passed by the House, and on February 14 it became law. The bill had been regarded in Congress as a party issue, and the debate over it had been long and acrimonious. The Republicans opposed the admission of Oregon ostensibly because the terri- tory lacked the necessary population, but really because, while Kansas with a greater population had been refused admission unless she would accept a pro-slavery constitution, Oregon with less population was to be admitted with a constitution prohibit- ing the entrance of free negroes into the state. They justly considered the distinction unfair. Then even more influential was the fact that a closely contested presidential election was at hand, and Oregon with her democratic delegation might cast the decisive vote. At any rate, her delegation would materially increase the strength of the Democratic Party in Congress.
The ultra-southern Democrats steadfastly opposed the bill because they feared the admission of any more northern states, whether Democratic or otherwise, or possibly because they, too, desired to see Oregon a state outside the Union. Today it is freely admitted that had Oregon failed of admission before the ejection of 1860 she could not have been received before 1864 or 1865, and with secession doctrines so rife in Oregon what the result might have been is difficult to tell. 1
The Statehood Bill would most certainly have failed of passage had it not been that fifteen republicans, inspired by Eli Thayer of Massachusetts, revolted against the party dictum
Conversation with Mr. George H. Hirae*. ​
194 DOROTHY HULL
and supported the admission of Oregon. As it was, the new state was admitted by a majority of 114 to 108. 1
The final passage of the bill did much to restore the lost prestige of Lane in Oregon, although there seems to be no good reason for giving him any credit for its passage. Rather the opposite. Reconciliation between Bush, the leader of the Regular Democrats, and Lane was impossible, but the National Democrats were ready to fly to the support of the latter. Their views were largely similar to his, and with him at their head they hoped once more to secure control of the party machinery. 2
In this they were successful, and in the democratic conven- tion of April 20, 1859, Bush was forced to see his enemies in control of the party from which he had practically read them out in earlier years : to see their tenets laid down as planks in the party platform, and their candidates nominated for office. It was a bitter blow. Bush was not, however, without means of defense, and the columns of the Statesman for the years 1859, 1860 and 1861 blaze with denunciations of Lane and his party.
As dissensions among the Democrats increased the Republi- cans were growing stronger, and straining every effort to form a party organization strong enough to defeat the Democrats at the polls. The Republican Convention which met in April, 1859, avowed the strongest devotion to the Union ; announced its opposition to the further extension of slavery; but denied the right of the government to interfere with the institution in the states where it already existed. A declaration was also made in favor of popular sovereignty, which, while not a good Republican principle, would certainly strengthen their position in Oregon, as it was a doctrine on which Oregonians had been bred and nurtured, and to which they clung, whether Demo- crats or Republicans. The Republicans, then, condemned the Dred Scott decision, but upheld popular sovereignty : the radical Democrats, who under the leadership of Lane had gained con-
i Franklin P. Rice, Eli Thaycr and the admission of Oregon in Proceedings of the 50th Anniversary of the admission of Oregon to the Union, Feb., 1909. a Quarterly, XII, 248. ​
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 195
trol of the party machinery, supported the Dred Scott decision, while the followers of Bush clung to the doctrine of absolute non-intervention, popular sovereignty carried to the nth degree. It can readily be seen that even thus soon the bonds uniting Oregon Republicans and Douglas Democrats were closer than those connecting the latter with the Radical Democracy.
The elections of 1859 were pregnant with meaning. The machine Democrats were successful, but their candidate for Congressman was elected by a bare majority of 16 votes, and their majorities everywhere were dangerously cut down. Un- doubtedly many of the Douglas Democrats had cast their votes for Republican candidates. This was a grim presage of the end.
The time for choosing delegates to the national nominating conventions was now at hand. The Radical Democrats had secured control of the State Central Committee, from which was issued a call for a State Democratic convention to elect delegates to the National Democratic Convention which was to be held at Charleston in the ensuing year to select the presi- dential candidate of the party. 'Lane hoped to so arrange the representation in the state convention as to secure his own recommendation as a candidate for the presidency. His tactics were understood by the opposition. The result was a split in the convention which resulted in the withdrawal of the rep- resentatives of eight counties. After this withdrawal, Lane, Matthew P. Deady, and Lansing Stout, were chosen as dele- gates and instructed to do every thing in their power to secure the nomination of Lane for either the presidency or the vice- presidency by the Charleston convention. 3
This National Democratic Convention met at Charleston April 23, 1860. The story of the split in the Democratic Party which occurred there is well known. When the pro-slavery delegates withdrew at the adoption of the Douglas platform, Lane, who had not attended the convention, telegraphed the
1 Quarterly, XII, 260.
2 Statesman, Nov. 22, 1859. ​
196 DOROTHY HULL
Oregon delegation to withdraw with the ultras. 1 At the Seceder's convention which met in Baltimore, Breckinridge was nominated for President and Lane for Vice-President. Lane's nomination was undoubtedly due to the fact that it was under- stood that he would be able to swing the vote of the Pacific States. It was soon to appear that this was a vain hope.
The news of Lane's instructions to the Oregon delegation and the report of the doings of the Seceder's convention aroused a storm of indignation among the Douglas Democrats of Oregon. Speculation was rife as to the plans of the Breckin- ridge party, and news of their disunion plans was not slow to filter through the press. Again was revived the rumor of a projected Pacific Republic.
The Statesman of July 17, 1860, under the head of "The Lane and Gwin Conspiracy" said: 2
"It is openly charged by Washington correspondents that Gwin (Senator from California) and Lane have entered into a conspiracy with Southern Congressmen to break up the Democratic organization as a preliminary step to breaking up the Union, out of which three republics are to be formed. The states east to be divided on the line of the free and slave states, forming two governments, and the Pacific Slope to constitute the third. But the dream of these political gamesters will not be accomplished, in their lifetime, at least. Even in the event that a secession movement should take place in the cotton states, California and Oregon when the test comes will re- main true to the Union."
During the following year the Republican and Douglas- Democratic Press offered from time to time more detailed in- formation as to the great conspiracy. It was shown^ that the Senators and Representatives from California, the Senator and Representatives from Oregon and the delegation from Wash- ington Territory, representing altogether a little more than a million of people, had held a caucus and resolved to favor
1 Statesman, July 3, 1860.
2 Statesman, July 17, 1860.
3 Statesman, July 24. ​
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 197
disunion and the formation of three separate republics, and that the formation of a Pacific Coast Republic was broached and advocated in case of a dissolution of the Union by Senator Latham of California. In December, 1860, fairly complete details of the plan were given. 1 The Pacific Republic was to be an aristocracy after the model of the ancient republic of Venice, all the power being vested in an hereditary nobility, the chief executive being elected on a very limited suffrage. Slaves were to be procured by inviting coolies, South Sea Islanders, and negroes to immigrate to California, and then reducing them to slavery. Gwin, it appeared, favored a sep- arate republic on the Pacific Coast because he feared that the aggressive policy of the southern leaders would be likely to involve the other states in continual difficulties. While the details of the plan might excite suspicion as the elaborations of a journalistic imagination, the truth of the main outline ap- pears to have been fairly well substantiated.
In commenting on the plan Bush of the Statesman said :
"What a ridiculous figure would the Pacific Republic cut among the nations. With a population of little more than half a million scarcely able to protect ourselves from the inroads of the Indians upon our borders, hardly rich enough to sus- tain the expenses of our economical state governments, and dependent upon the bounty of the general government for military protection, mail facilities, and for the salaries of a large number of our public functionaries, what would be our fate were we to cast ourselves loose from the protection and assistance which we receive from it. Burdened with a host of new officers and salaries, poor, feeble, defenceless contemptible, we should become the spoil of arrogant officials at home, and be at the mercy of every petty rival abroad. Now we rejoice in the pride of our strength the strength of a great and powerful nation. Sundered from our parent states our pitiable weakness would render us a bye-word and a reproach among
i Statesman, December 10, 1860; other references in Argus, Aug. a$. 1860; Argus, Dec. ao, 1860; Statesmen, July 31, 1860. ​
198 DOROTHY HULL
neighboring nations. With Mexico upon one side, British Columbia on the other, a defenseless sea-coast in front, and a horde of hostile savages and marauding Mormons in the rear, and unable to protect ourselves on any side, we could only preserve our existence by forming an alliance with some power- ful government which could afford us protection at the price of our liberty."
In September the Oregon legislature met to elect Senaton to fill the place already vacated by Smith and that soon to be vacated by Lane. The report of Lane's disunion projects had by this time irreparably damaged his reputation. Alarmed at the reports of the disunion conspiracy, the Douglas Democrats and the Republicans formed what was practically a fusion party with the one object of defeating Lane and his party. 1 After a prolonged and bitter struggle the election resulted in the choosing of J. W. Nesmith, a Douglas Democrat, and Colonel E. D. Baker, a Republican, as Senators. A political Revolution of no mean importance had taken place, and Ore- gon's Union sentiments were vindicated.
On the sixth of November, 1860, the presidential vote was cast, and by the ninth it was known not only that Lincoln was elected, but that the Republicans had carried Oregon.
There followed shortly after the news of the secession of South Carolina, and early in 1861 of five other states. At first, in Oregon as in many other northern states was heard the cry, "Let the erring sisters depart in peace," but later a more war-like tone developed among Republicans and Douglas Democrats. The Radical Democratic press, however, warmly supported the seceders. 2
Lane of course openly stood with the Secessionists. In several speeches in the United States Senate, he warmly de- fended the action of the seceding states, and indicated that Oregon's sympathies would be with them. 3 Personal pledges
1 Prophecied May 12, 1839, in a letter from Jesse Applegate to J. W. Nesmith.
2 See issues of Oregon Democrat 1861.
3 Speeches of Dec. 5, 1860; Jan. 15, 1861; Mch. a, 1861. Cong. Globt, ad Mo- tion, 36th Congress Pt. x, 8, 17, Pt II, 1343. 1349​
ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC COAST REPUBLIC 199
are said to have been given to Jefferson Davis that the Pacific Coast States would be disloyal to the Union. 1 It seems strange that such an experienced politician as Lane should have failed to read the lesson written in the election of 1860. Latham of California was the wiser, for he admitted in a speech in the Senate that California would undoubtedly remain true to the Union. 2 Yet there seems to have been greater danger from the disunion party in California than in Oregon. 3
Although the Radical Democratic party still had a strong following in Oregon, the fact that the Republicans had carried the state in 1860 made it fairly certain that no disunion scheme could have weight in Oregon. A leading politician writing to Senator Nesmith early in 1861 said : "You will see a good deal of blowing about a Pacific Republic for this coast. It does n't amount to anything now. If the Union should go into more than two pieces then it would most likely become a fact, and rather a small one. 4 Certainly there had been little chance of such a movement succeeding. While many people in Oregon believed in the sacred right of secession, but few were sufficiently interested to take up arms in defense of the right.
As the War went on, the various disunion papers edited in Oregon, one by one laid themselves open to prosecution and were suppressed. While in parts of the state men at first went to the elections armed, lest the pro-slavery party should attempt to re-enact the scenes of the Kansas-Nebraska strife, as they threatened to do, 5 the sense of danger gradually passed away, and a sense of security returned.
1 Elaine, Twenty Years in Congress, I, 308.
2 Congressional Globe, 2d session, 36th Congress, Ft. I, 684.
1 See San Francisco Weekly Bulletin Oct. 18, 1862, for schemes of California disunionists. When the plan for a Pacific Republic was abandoned they planned the seizure of the Mexican province of Sonora, which the French also coveted. At the commencement of the war, California secessionists had formed a league of Knights of the Golden Circle, taking oath to support a Pacific Coast Republic, and had planned the seizure of the Custom House .and the Mint in San Francisco, the Navy Yard at Mare Island, and the depot at Benicia. Fortunately their plans failed because the person chosen to lead the attack upon the public buildings named refused to accept the responsibility; and before another leader could be agreed upon, Gen. Edwin V. Sumner, U. S. A., assumed command at the Presidio in San Francisco, thus relieving Col. Albert Sidney Johnston, who went into tht Southern States via Mexico at once
4 Deady to Nesmith, Feb. 28, 1861.
$ Conversation with Mr. George H. Hirnc*. ​
BIBLIOGRAPHY
I. SOURCES.
Correspondence in the possession of the Oregon State Historical Society.
1. The Applegate Correspondence.
2. The Deady Correspondence.
3. The Lane Correspondence.
4. Letters of J. W. Nesmith.
Elaine, James G., Twenty years in Congress, 1861-1881, I, 308. Congressional Globe 36th Congress, 2d session, Part I, 8, 17,
382. Part II, 1343, 1349. Newspaper Files :
1. Issues of the Argus for Sept. 5, 1857; Aug. 25, 1860; Dec. 29, 1860; Jan. 5, 1861.
2. Issues of the Statesman for July 28, 1855; Sept. 8, 1855; June 23, 1857; Dec. 8, 1857; Mch. 23, 1858; Dec. 4, 1858; Dec. 21, 1858; Mch. 15, 1859; April 26. 1859; Nov. 22, 1859; Mch. 6, 1860; July 3, 1860; July 17, 1860; July 24, 1860; Dec. 10, 1860.
3. Issues of the Oregonian for July 28, 1855; Mch. 21, 1857; April 10, 1858; April 21, 1881; June 13, 1851; Feb. 24, 1852.
II. SECONDARY AUTHORITIES.
Bancroft, Hubert Howe, History of Oregon, II. San Francisco,
1886. Rhodes, History of the United States from the Compromise of
1850. New York. Rice, F. P., Thayer, Eli, and the admission of Oregon
Worcester's Magazine, February and March, 1906 : reprinted
in Proceedings of the 50th anniversary of the Admission of
Oregon. Salem, 1909.
Schafer, Joseph, History of the Pacific North- West. Woodward, Walter, Carlton, Rice and early history of the
parties in Oregon in Oregon Historical Society, The
Quarterly, Volumes XI and XII. Portland, 1910, 1911. ​
OREGON'S NOMINATION OF LINCOLN
By LESLIE M. SCOTT
That Horace Greeley brought about the nomination of Lin- coln for President in 1860, and that Oregon seated Greeley in the nominating convention, are central details of a political narrative which distinguishes Oregon in National annals at the beginning of its statehood career.
It is within the bounds of probability to say that Lincoln would not have won the nomination without the influence of Greeley. We may not go so far as to add that Greeley would have had no seat in the convention without an Oregon proxy ; but it is significant that the seat he occupied was Oregon's a State then but fifteen months a member of the Union, a State, moreover, that symbolized the fullest Western idea and marked the farthest Western expansion of the Nation.
The Republican National convention of 1860, at Chicago, was more vital to the country in its consequences than any other political gathering, save the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The convention of 1860 chose the leader who saved the National unity. We can hardly doubt that the Chicago meeting, in this great crisis, felt the guiding influence of that Providence which is ever watchful in a State, and sent Ore- gon to the fore and made the great New York editor its mes- senger.
Oregon had six seats in that convention. Oregon men sat in three of them Joel Burlingame, of Scio; Henry Bucking- ham, of Salem; Frank Johnson, of Oregon City. Two seats were occupied by nonresidents Horace Greeley, of New York City, and Eli Thayer, Member of Congress from Massachu- setts. The sixth place was vacant.
Greeley had opposed the admission of Oregon because of the general antislavery fear of its Democratic adherence. Thayer had joined the Democrats of Congress in admitting ​
202 LESLIE M. SCOTT
Oregon, and the disfavor of his constituents in this matter defeated him for Congress in the next election.
Before proceeding with details of the convention it may be in place to narrate briefly the matters that led up to the bestowal of an Oregon proxy on Greeley.
The Republican party in Oregon was active and resolute, but was a minority. It carried the State afterwards in 1860 for Lincoln by a small plurality over the Breckinridge and Douglas factions of the Democratic party. The antislavery leaders were determined to be represented in the Chicago convention.
But Oregon was four or five weeks distant from the Eastern centers. There was no transcontinental telegraph until Octo- ber 24, 1861, to San Francisco, and until March 5, 1864, to Portland (through line). News was transmitted by mail to and from the Eastern States, either by the pony express, via Salt Lake and Sacramento, or by the Isthmus of Panama. Oregon Republicans could not follow Eastern politics closely enough to participate in the preliminary movements. Its dele- gates, therefore, had to be free to exercise their own judg- ments as to the fittest course to pursue.
The Republican State convention met at Salem, April 21, 1859 more than a year ahead of the National convention. The State convention did not know what the apportionment of delegates for Oregon would be, but could not wait for the apportionment notice to arrive, probably nine months later, because the next State convention would not meet early enough to choose the delegates. So the State convention of 1859, taking for granted that Oregon would have at least three dele- gates that being its electoral vote for President chose that number of delegates A. G. Hovey, Dr. W. Warren and Lean- der Holmes. It instructed them to support William H. Seward, of New York, for President, "but, in case they cannot secure his nomination, their further proceedings are left to their dis- cretion." ​
OREGON'S NOMINATION OF LINCOLN 203
At that time, in 1859, Seward was the leading candidate of the Republican party. But in the ensuing year another figure loomed big on the political horizon, Lincoln, of Illinois. More- over, Missouri had a favorite son, Edward Bates, who had a large following in Oregon, because of the many pioneers here from Missouri. So that, as the date of the National conven- tion drew near, sentiment of Oregon Republicans had largely changed from its earlier favor of Seward.
That date, it was supposed, would be June 13, but the notice of apportionment, received in Oregon late in March, named May 16. In the Oregon City Argus of March 31, 1860, we find :
"By the latest news from the Atlantic we learn that the time for holding the Republican Convention at Chicago has been changed to the sixteenth day of May nearly a month earlier than was at first decided upon. This will cause inconvenience to some of the delegates appointed to represent this State, and we learn that Leander Holmes, Esq., in consequence of his in- ability to attend, has empowered Horace Greeley to act in his stead and cast his vote for Edward Bates."
In the apportionment, Oregon was allotted six delegates, or three more than chosen by the State convention of the year before. As the next Republican State convention would not meet until April 19, 1860, and that would not give three addi- tional delegates, if chosen at that late day, time to reach Chi- cago by May 16, the Republican State Central Committee Henry W. Corbett, of Multnomah, W. Carey Johnson, of Clackamas, and E. D. Shattuck, of Multnomah named, as the extra delegates, Henry W. Corbett, Joel Burlingame and Franklin Johnson, and authorized them to appoint their sub- stitutes as proxies.
Of the six delegates named, only two attended the con- vention Mr. Burlingame, who went East for interment of the body of his wife, and Mr. Johnson, who was a divinity student at Hamilton, New York. Mr. Holmes sent his proxy to Horace Greeley, and Mr. Corbett to Eli Thayer. Either Mr. Hovey or Dr. Warren gave a proxy to Henry Bucking- ham, of Oregon. The sixth delegate was not represented in the National convention. These details are corroborated by ​
204 LESLIE M. SCOTT
the following letter signed "F" (probably Henry Failing), printed in The Oregonian, October 20, 1896 (p. 12) :
"The appointments were made a long year before the meeting of the convention (National), and, of course, long before the call was issued. It was taken for granted that Oregon would be entitled to a representation equal to its electoral vote.
"At that time, Mr. Seward was the most prominent candidate for the nomination, and, in fact, no other candidate had, as yet, developed any great strength. During the year [following], however, a considerable change took place in the sentiment of the party in Oregon, and it is hardly probable that the same instruction would have been given in 1860.
"In fact, it was considered by many that the delegates could hardly be bound by instructions given so long in advance, but ought to be at liberty to exercise their riper judgment. Edward Bates, of Missouri, was the favorite candidate of The Orego- nian, then edited by Thomas J. Dryer, and there was much dis- cussion as to how far the delegates were bound. The Oregonian and the Eugene People's Press, Mr. Pengra's paper [B. J. Pen- gra] taking opposite sides of the question.
"When the call for the Chicago convention came out, it was found that Oregon was entitled to six delegates, and, as the State convention would not assemble in time to fill the list [not until April 19, 1860], the State Central Committee H. W. Corbett, E. D. Shattuck and W. C. Johnson appointed three additional delegates. They were : Henry W. Corbett, Joel Bur- lingame [father of Anson Burlingame], and Frank Johnson [the Reverend Frank Johnson, D. D.]
"The convention was originally called to meet on the six- teenth [thirteenth] of June, 1860, but the date was changed a few days later to the sixteenth of May. This upset the arrange- ments of several of the delegates, as they had so timed their departure for the East that they could not reach Chicago in time [for the earlier date]. Mr. Holmes sent his proxy to Horace Greeley. Mr. Corbett sent his to Eli Thayer, member of Congress from Massachusetts. Frank Johnson was already in the East, a divinity student at Hamilton, New York, and attended the convention in person. Mr. Burlingame, I think, went to Chicago in person. What Mr. Hovey or Dr. Warren did I do not remember, if I ever knew, but I think Leander Holmes' was the only proxy held by Greeley.
"Mr. Corbett and Mr. Holmes both went East, according" to ​
OREGON'S NOMINATION OF LINCOLN 205
their original plans, arriving after the nomination of Lincoln was accomplished."
In Parton's Life of Horace Greeley appears a brief explan- ation (pp. 442-43), written by Mr. Greeley, of how he obtained the Oregon proxy. He says :
"My mind had been long before deliberately made up that the nomination of Governor Seward for President was unde- sirable and unsafe. Yet I had resolved to avoid this conven- tion for obvious reasons. But when, some four or five weeks since, I received letters from Oregon apprising me that, of the six delegates appointed and fully expecting to attend from that State, .but two would be able to do so, on account of the very brief notice they had of the change of time of holding the con- vention, and that Mr. Leander Holmes, one of those who had been appointed and clothed with full power of substitution, had appointed and requested me to act, in his stead, I did not feel at liberty to refuse the duty thus imposed on me. Of the four letters that simultaneously reached me one from Mr. Holmes, another from Mr. Corbett, chairman of the Republican State Committee, a third from the editor of a leading Republican journal [Thomas J. Dryer of The Oregonian, or W. L. Adams of the Oregon City Argus'] and a fourth from an eminent ex- editor [Simeon Francis] at least three indicated Bates as the decided choice of Oregon for President, and the man who would be most likely to carry it a very natural preference, since a large proportion of the people of Oregon emigrated from Mis- souri. One of them suggested Mr. Lincoln as also a favorite, many Illinoisans being now settled in Oregon."
The National convention took three ballots to nominate Lin- coln, as follows :
First ballot William H. Seward, of New York, 173^; Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, 102 ; Edward Bates, of Missouri, 48 ; Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania, 50^2 ; John McLean, of Ohio, 12; Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, 49; Benjamin F. Wade, of Ohio, 3 ; William L. Dayton, of New Jersey, 14 ; John M. Reed, of Pennsylvania, 1; Jacob Collamer, of Vermont, 10; Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, 1 ; John C. Fremont, of California, 1 ; whole number of votes cast, 465 ; necessary to a choice, 233.
Second ballot Seward, 184^; Lincoln, 181; Bates, 35; Cameron, 2; McLean, 8; Chase, 42^ ; Dayton, 10; Cassius M. ​
206 LESLIE M. SCOTT
Clay, of Kentucky, 2 ; whole number of votes cast, 465 ; neces- sary to a choice, 233.
Third ballot (preliminary) Seward, 180; Lincoln, 231^; Bates, 22 ; McLean, 5 ; Chase, 24^ ; Dayton, 1 ; Clay, 1 ; (final) Lincoln, 364; changes to Lincoln, in the order as given in Official Proceedings, Ohio, 4; New York, 10; Maine, 10; Pennsylvania, 1 ; New Hampshire, 1 ; Rhode Island, 3 ; Con- necticut, 4; Ohio (again), 13; Missouri, 18; Iowa, 2V 2 ', Ken- tucky, 10; Minnesota, 8; Virginia, 8; California, 5; Texas, 6; District of Columbia, 2 ; Kansas, 6 ; Nebraska, 5 ; Oregon, 1 ; others, 15; total change to Lincoln, 132 j/2.
Oregon's vote first ballot : Bates, 5 ; second ballot, Bates, 5 ; third ballot (preliminary), Lincoln 4, Seward 1; (final) Lin- coln 5.
On the preliminary third ballot, Lincoln with 231^ votes lacked but l l /2 votes of the majority to nominate. The stam- pede to him started with Ohio, whose delegate, D. K. Carter, announced the change of 4 Ohio votes to Lincoln. Delegates from other States joined the rush to Lincoln, and, finally, as reported in the Official Proceedings, a delegate from Oregon, who, on the preliminary third ballot, had voted for Seward, also changed to Lincoln, thus giving the nominee the full five votes of this State. The identity of this fifth man is unknown to the present writer. It may be in place to point out, at this junc- ture, that this one vote, on the third ballot, was the only Oregon vote given to Seward, and that the delegates thus were exer- cising the "discretion" which the Oregon Republican conven- tion of April 21, 1859, had allowed to them. Also, it may be pertinent to add that Oregon gave four votes to the preliminary movement to Lincoln on the third ballot, and, at last, gave Lin- coln its other vote, with the announcement of one of its dele- gates (name unknown) : "Oregon also casts her unanimous vote for Abraham Lincoln" ; further, that Greeley, evidently, either joined the Oregon majority that voted first for Bates and then for Lincoln, or led that majority. And it is important to note that Oregon's member of the committee on platform and resolutions was Mr. Greeley. ​
OREGON'S NOMINATION OF LINCOLN 207
When Ohio gave Lincoln the final votes that made the ma- jority of the convention, there was a moment's pause, "like the sudden and breathless stillness that precedes a hurricane," says Holland's The Life of Abraham Lincoln" (chap. xv.). Then:
"The storm of wild, uncontrollable and almost insane en- thusiasm descended. The scene surpassed description. During all the ballotings, a man had been standing upon the roof, com- municating the results to the outsiders, who, in surging masses, far outnumbered those who were packed into the Wigwam. To this man one of the secretaries shouted : Tire the salute ! Abe Lincoln is nominated !' Then as the cheering inside died away, the roar began on the outside, and swelled up from the excited masses like the noise of many waters. This the insiders heard, and to it they replied. Thus deep called to deep with such a frenzy of sympathetic enthusiasm that even the thundering salute of cannon was unheard by many upon the platform."
Further light is thrown on Oregon's and Greeley's participa- tion in the National convention, by a letter of Frank Johnson, printed in the Oregon City Argus, July 14, 1860. The letter was dated at Hamilton, New York, June 1. It said in part:
"The first hearty outburst of enthusiasm was on the an- nouncement of Horace Greeley as member of the committee on platform and resolutions, from Oregon. It was received with universal applause, and cries of 'When did you move?' from those near him."
Speaking of the report of the committee on resolutions, the letter continued :
"The result is the most perfect and unequivocal statement of Republican faith ever written, the wisest and most diplomatic points of which I think I am safe in saying Oregon had the honor to contribute. Each section of the report was received with hearty applause by the house as it was read.
"During the third ballot there was tolerable order, until Ore- gon declared for Lincoln, rendering his nomination certain. At this point the enthusiasm became irrepressible; the Wigwam was shaken with cheers from twenty-three thousand Republi- cans, which were renewed as State after State declared its unan- imous vote for 'the man who could split rails and maul Demo- crats.' The cheering was redoubled when a rather premature salute announced his nomination, and several distinguished men ​
208 LESLIE M. SCOTT
are said to have wept. It was perhaps half an hour before Mr. Evarts, chairman of the New York delegation, could secure a sufficient silence to move that the choice of the convention be made unanimous."
In the membership of convention committees, the Oregon delegates were placed as follows: Committee on permanent organization, Frank Johnson; committee on credentials, Joel Burlingame ; committee on order of business, Eli Thayer ; com- mittee on resolutions, Horace Greeley; vice presidents of the convention (twenty-six others), Joel Burlingame; secretary of the convention (twenty-five others), Eli Thayer.
The Oregon delegates did not engage in the floor discussions of the convention, but the proxy delegates, Greeley and Thayer, did so briefly. Greeley moved that each State delegation pre- sent the credentials of its members and that any disputes be referred to the committee on credentials. D. K. Cartter, of Ohio, moved "to amend the proposition of a gentleman from Oregon or New York, Mr. Greeley, I am not sure which" (laughter) that all credentials be presented to the committee on credentials. Greeley answered :
"I accept the amendment of the gentleman from Maryland or Rhode Island, I am not particular which" (laughter and ap- plause.)
A short time later Greeley moved for a call of the States for the purpose of appointing a committee on platform, but with- drew the motion in favor of one from Cartter for appointment of such committee, one member from each State, by calling the roll of the States. The motion was laid on the table, pending permanent organization of the convention, and the committee was appointed at the evening session, the objection being that the motion then was premature. Greeley and Thayer urged immediate procedure for the committee, the latter declaring "The State of Oregon is now ready," but the matter went over.
When the committee on rules and order of business reported the order of the roll call, William D. Kelly, of Philadelphia, while defending the recommendation of the committee, that included the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska and the Dis​
OREGON'S NOMINATION OF LINCOLN 209
trict of Columbia in the roll call, was interrupted twice by a voice, "How about Oregon ?" Whereupon he answered :
"Oregon is a constituted State and there was no question about Oregon."
Evidently the voice was not informed that Oregon had been admitted as a State fifteen months before, on February 14, 1859
Oregon spoke again when the convention was considering the report of the committee on resolutions and platform. Joshua R. Giddings, of Ohio, moved to amend by inserting a clause of the Declaration of Independence, relating to the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This amendment was lost, after Thayer, proxy from Oregon, said :
"I agree with the venerable delegate from Ohio [Giddings] in all that he has affirmed to this convention concerning the privileges of the Declaration of Independence. There are also many other truths than are enunciated in that Declaration of Independence truths of science, truths of physical science, truths of government, and great religious truths; but it is not the business, I think, of this convention, at least it is not the purpose of this party, to embrace in its platforms all the truths that the world in all its past history has recognized. (Applause.) Mr. President, I believe in the ten commandments, but I do not want them in a political platform."
"Giddings left .the convention and then, to placate him, his amendment later was adopted, on motion of George William Curtis, of New York, one of the youngest delegates from that State.
"The platform was adopted amid demonstrations of the wild- est enthusiasm," says Holland's The Life of Abraham Lincoln (chap, xv.) "An eye witness of the scene says: 'All the thou- sands of men in that enormous Wigwam commenced swinging their hats, and cheering with intense enthusiasm ; and the other thousands of ladies waved their handkerchiefs and clapped their hands. The roar that went up from that mass of ten thousand beings is indescribable. Such a spectacle as was pre- sented for some minutes has never before been witnessed at a convention. A herd of buffaloes or lions could not have made a more tremendous roaring/ "
We have narrated Oregon's part in the momentous con- vention that took three days at Chicago, May 16-17-18, 1860, to choose the Great Emancipator and the saver of the Union. ​
210 LESLIE M. SCOTT
Behind the scenes, in the unconscious shiftings of the con- vention, worked the great editor of New York, the man whom Oregon sent there, the man whom the leaders of the party in his own State tried to shut out of the convention, the man, moreover, who, in the words of Seward's friends, turned the trick to the favorite of Illinois and thus worked out an old grudge that had smouldered many years unknown in the bosom of the editor.
The editor denied the grudge ; perhaps the friends of Seward exaggerated it ; perhaps the editor was unconscious of it ; cer- tainly Oregon knew nothing of it. Truly, in the nomination of the man who was to save the Nation from dissolution, the words of the poet had further proof :
God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.
Defeat in the National convention was a heavy blow to Seward ; also to Thurlow Weed, his political manager, and to Henry J. Raymond, founder and editor of the New York Times, keen rival of Greeley's New York Tribune. Weed and Raymond ascribed the defeat to Greeley and bitterly denounced his motives as those of revenge growing out of Greeley's fail- ure to win the Whig nomination for Governor of New York in 1854, and the nomination for Lieutenant-Governor in that year, of Raymond. Weed got his revenge in February, 1861, by defeating Greeley in a close caucus contest for United States Senator but that is another story.
Seward's enemies in the National convention of 1860 were of various kinds. There were cumulative hostilities from the Fillmore element of 1856, the Democratic Free Soilers, the Know Nothings and the foes of the Weed political machine. Greeley worked cleverly on these elements. His influence con- tributed greatly to ally them against Seward. Unaided, Greeley could have done little or nothing; but these forces fitted to his hand; the result was the greatest political stroke of his career.
In Parton's Life of Horace Greeley, the Tribune editor's work is thus described (pp. 442-43) : ​
OREGON'S NOMINATION OF LINCOLN 211
"The general expectation was that Mr. Seward would re- ceive the nomination for the first ofHce. . . . The person chiefly instrumental in frustrating the hopes of Mr. Seward's friends was the editor of the Tribune. At least we may say, with the utmost confidence, that, had Mr. Greeley, in his news- paper and at Chicago, given a hearty support to Mr. Seward, that gentleman would have been nominated."
Likewise ascribing the defeat of Seward to Greeley, Edward Everett Hale, Jr., in his William H. Seward, says (p. 259) :
"This was a very great surprise and disappointment to Sew- ard's political friends, and to himself. It was ascribed to a number of causes, notably the course of Horace Greeley, who had attended the convention with a view of supporting Bates, on the ground that Seward could not be elected."
Thornton Kirkland Lothrop, in his William Henry Seward (p. 215), says Greeley was ready to support anybody to beat Seward; "And it has been said that, when Seward was ac- tually defeated, he [Greeley] openly gave thanks that he was even with him at last." This author admits that the influence of Greeley was probably exaggerated, but does not deny that it was effective. "Greeley bided his time," continues Loth- rop, "and in 1860 went from New York to Chicago as a dele- gate from Oregon to the Republican convention that he might do all in his power to get even with Seward and defeat his nomination."
Editor Raymond, Greeley's newspaper protege and later his rival, who had supplanted Greeley with Seward and Weed in the State Whig convention of 1854, was badly cut up by Sew- ard's defeat in 1860. Knowing these associations, we may more intimately judge his comments in the New York Times, in a letter written from Auburn, New York, after an interview with Seward, following the convention :
"The great point aimed at was Mr. Seward's defeat ; and, in that endeavor, Mr. Greeley labored harder and did tenfold more than the whole family of Blairs, together with the gubernatorial candidates to whom he modestly hands over the honors of the effective campaign. . . . It is perfectly safe to say that no other man certainly no one occupying a position less favor- able for such an assault could possibly have accomplished ​
212 LESLIE M. SCOTT
that result. We deem it only just to Mr. Greeley thus early to award him the full credit for the main result of the Chicago convention."
Raymond said that Greeley inflicted the defeat by conceal- ing his personal motives of revenge under professions of gen- eral friendship for Seward, and by representing that the sacri- fice of Seward was necessary for party success. These pro- fessions and his long political association with Seward gave Greeley, said Raymond, a hold on Republican sentiment and a weight of authority; also: "Mr. Greeley was in Chicago several days before the meeting of the convention, and he devoted every hour of the interval to the most steady and re- lentless prosecution of the main business which took him there the defeat of Governor Seward." The result, continued Raymond, was "the deadly effect of his pretended friendship for the man upon whom he was thus deliberately wreaking the long-hoarded revenge of a disappointed office seeker."
Thus came Oregon into the great political affairs of the country at the time of its own beginnings as a State and in the greatest crisis of the Nation. It came into those great af- fairs through the small resentments of rival men, thus proving again that momentous things turn on events seemingly insignifi- cant. For while Greeley's disappointed enemies may go too far in attributing Greeley's course to the political revenge of an unsuccessful office seeker, yet it would seem that Greeley's purposes did partly grow out of personal antagonisms. His- tory amply proves that the desires of all the greatest men are made that way; that antagonisms make the subconscious mo- tives of their actions, just as the wish or the regret becomes the father to the thought.
But it is fair to say that not office-seeking disappointments impelled Greeley against Seward and Weed so much as their recognition and support of his rival, Raymond, especially after his long work for their political fortunes. Greeley had done much for them ; he had been their hewer of wood and the drawer of water; they had done nothing for him; and they added insult to injury by casting him aside and taking Ray- mond as a political partner. Those who know the human​
OREGON'S NOMINATION OF LINCOLN 213
nature side of newspaper men can catch a glimpse of the inner consciousness of the editor Greeley, and realize how willing Greeley must have been to answer the summons of Oregon to represent it in the convention against Seward.
Greeley countered these aspersions, of course, with the skill of a great editor in a journalistic duello. If his motives harked back to the subconscious experience of shabby treatment at the hands of Seward and Weed, yet the modern reader can hardly doubt the sincerity of his purposes.
"I went to Chicago," he wrote, "to do my best to nominate Judge Bates, unless facts, there developed, should clearly render another choice advisable." The reader will remember a quota- tion from this same statement of Greeley 's quoted earlier in this article, narrating how he acquired the Oregon proxy and recog- nized the obligation that went with it to support Bates, who was a favorite of Oregon Republicans. "I reiterate that I think Judge Bates would have been the wiser choice. There is no truer, more faithful, more deserving Republican than Abra- ham Lincoln; probably no nomination could have been made more conducive to certain triumph; and yet I feel that the selection of Edward Bates would have been more farsighted, more courageous, more magnanimous." Greeley added that the true cause of Seward's defeat was not his (Greeley's) op- position to him, but the conviction, on the part of the delegates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana, that the nomina- tion of Seward would jeopardize the election in those States. Greeley said later, in response to Raymond's letter (quoted in the foregoing) aspersing Greeley's motives as those of revenge:
"If ever in my life I discharged a public duty in utter dis- regard of personal considerations, I did so at Chicago last month. . . . Our personal intercourse [with Seward] as well since as before my letter herewith published, had always been frank and kindly, and I was never insensible to his many
food and some great qualities, both of head and heart. But did not and do not believe it advisable that he should be the Republican candidate for President."
The "letter herewith published" referred to by Greeley in the foregoing paragraph, Greeley had written November 11, 1854, after the state election, for whose nomination as Gov​
214 LESLIE M. SCOTT
ernor, Seward and Weed had neglected Greeley and had nom- inated Raymond for Lieutenant Governor. The latter, ad- dressed to Seward, terminated the old-time political firm, com- monly known as Seward, Weed and Greeley, and complained of the firm's neglect toward Greeley, in distribution of offices and recognition, during a period of nearly twenty years. The letter was an indiscreet one ; it betrayed a resentful spirit and it armed Seward's friends with shafts of criticism and derision for later attacks on Greeley. As already noted the real motive of Greeley's hostility, if it came from personal animus, and it probably did in some measure, probably was the favor be- stowed by Seward and Weed, after Greeley had borne their burdens patiently many years, upon Greeley's competitor in the newspaper filed, Henry J. Raymond. The Seward bio- graphers have been unsparing of Greeley in comments on this letter, particularly Frederick Bancroft in The Life of William Seward.
But Greeley's biographer, Parton, in concluding the chapter on this episode, remarks, in order to show Greeley's lack of personal animosity toward Seward:
"Perhaps I may add that, a few days after the election of Mr. Lincoln in November, 1860, I myself heard Mr. Greeley say: 'If my advice should be asked respecting Mr. Lincoln's cab- inet, I should recommend the appointment of Seward as Sec- retary of State. It is the place for him, and he will do honor to the country in it.' '
Oregon, though in majority Democratic, at the outbreak of the Civil War, yet gave its electoral votes to Lincoln. Its lead- ing Senator, James W. Nesmith, a Democrat, was one of Lincoln's stanchest supporters. Oregon was admitted as a State, in 1859, just in time to help elect Lincoln. The votes of its delegates in the convention that named Lincoln for President participated in the nomination. The distinguished men, Greeley and Thayer, whom Oregon called to the con- vention with its proxies, wielded an influence that was decisive of the result. The writer of this article feels justified in ac- cording to his native State an honor which history reveals as hers, and in giving to this article the title : "Oregon's Nomina- tion of Lincoln."
DOCUMENTARY ​
(Letter)
Doctor John McLoughlin to Sir George Simpson. March 20, 1844.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
By KATHARINE B. JUDSON.
The following letter, copied from the original letter book in Hudson's Bay House, London, is of great interest as well of importance to students of Oregon history.
Minute annotation has seemed unnecessary.
To the writer it seems self-explanatory. It answers quite fully, in the figures of profit and loss given, and the writer has similar statements for other years, the extravagant state- ments made by Americans regarding the supposedly enormous profits of the Hudson's Bay Company in Oregon. Without the thrift and careful management which characterized every move, the Company would have made no profits at all in the southern section.
Crate, one of the men mentioned in this letter, is mentioned also in the volumes of the British and American Joint Coin- mission for the Final Settlement of the claims of the Hudson's Bay and Puget's Sound Agricultural Company. He seems to have been in charge of the sawmills five or six miles above Fort Vancouver, and to have had many of the duties of a mill- wright. ​
216 DR. MCLOUGHLIN TO SIMPSON
One important thing to be noted in this letter, however, especially in connection with the very long letter which was published in the American Historical Review, October, 1915, also found at Hudson's Bay House, are the personal relations between Dr. McLoughlin and Sir George Simpson. Hostility to Americans was never demanded of McLoughlin he was instructed to keep on good terms with them and his friend- ship to Americans had nothing to do with his resignation. McLoughlin, indeed, abhorred ill-will and rough dealings. He had had enough experience with fur-trade rivalry and rough methods, even aside from his very humane nature, to always wish for pleasant methods and good will. And his friendship for the "better class of Americans," as he calls them, was sincere. He also repeatedly wrote the Governor and Committee at London that even accidental bloodshed in rivalry would only bring disrepute to the Company and cause complications with the American government.
As I noted in the brief introduction to the letter in the American Historical Review, there were endless differences of business judgment between McLoughlin and Simpson. Mc- Loughlin, for instance, wanted many posts along the coast and only vessels enough to carry supplies to them, and bring back the furs from them, trading with the Sandwich Island at other times. Simpson's policy was to use vessels almost altogether and to have no land posts, if possible to avoid them, or as few as possible and as small as possible. McLoughlin fought the coming of the little steamer Beaver, and I doubt if ever he was reconciled to it. It was frequently out of repair, had to have an expert crew who could be used for nothing else, was too small for the Sandwich Island trade and too large, he thought, for a mere coaster. But the Beaver was one of Simpson's pet schemes, and even McLoughlin's showing that the vessel was actually a loss, financially, did not quell his interest in that plan. ​
DOCUMENTARY 217
But the real bitterness between the two men began with the death of young John McLoughlin at Stickeen. This was touched upon by an important letter published in this Quarterly, June, 1914 (Volume 25).
Now young McLoughlin and young McLeod got mixed up, in some way, in the Canadian Rebellion of 1837, while they were both either in the Red River country or in eastern Canada. I have not yet been able to get details, and have only one of Simpson's letters which show that they had made themselves so conspicuous that they had fallen under the dis- pleasure of the United States Government. Governor Simpson got both youths out of the scrape and sent McLoughlin to the mouth of the Columbia with his father. It was only five years later that the young man was murdered, having unwisely been sent to one of the most dangerous posts on the coast, with a crew of insolent, insubordinate, undisciplined men, without any second officer, and himself not old enough nor experienced enough, nor with judgment enough, to manage the post with- out assistance. It was almost a crime to send him there, as I see it rash and inexperienced as he was and most unwise and ungenerous in Simpson to send away his second officer and leave the novice there alone, if it was done through dis- like. Yet those things did happen, without fatal results, and without personal motives, in the exigencies of the fur trade, and one has only to read letter after letter of McLoughlin, to the Governor and Committee, and to Simpson, to feel that nothing but the utmost skill, determination, and British firm- ness and justice ever carried the Company through those years without massacre.
In this connection it might be well to note, because the Com- pany has been maligned, that many residents of the Red River country begged that the Company should keep control of that country while there were Indians in it, because of their won- derful control of the natives ; that there never was a massacre in the Oregon country, or an Indian war, until the natives knew that the British no longer had control of the country; ​
218 DR. McLouGHLiN TO SIMPSON
and further, that co-operating with the Hudson's Bay Com- pany, the Canadian Government has settled British North America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, without a single one of those Indian wars which reddened the soil of America. And yet the Canadian Government had to do with very savage tribes, including head-hunters and cannibals.
Simpson had, it seems to me, a distinct prejudice against young McLoughlin. After the murder, being convinced be- forehand through his own prejudices, that young John was to blame, and alone to blame, he did not investigate the murder with anything like the calm justice or from the impersonal point of view that he should have shown. McLoughlin, on the other hand, passionately devoted to his eldest son perhaps the more so because of his generous qualities, and of the fact that he had been a source of worry to him, expressed an intense bitterness in his letters to Simpson and to the Governor and Committee. John Todd, in the Quarterly article referred to above, says that McLoughlin "has also written a thundering epistle to their honours at home . . . " It was thundering. I have read it, and some other thundering letters addressed to Simpson personally. A letter from Archie 'McDonald to Edward Ermatinger, in that correspondence which throws so many side lights on the Oregon country at this period, is per- haps the best resume that can be made of the Stickeen tragedy that one never knew what the young half-breed sons of the traders would amount to, that so often they seemed to express the worst of both sides, and that they were always a great source of anxiety to their fathers.
Vancouver, 20th March, 1844. To
Sir George Simpson, Gov. in Chief
Rupert's Land Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours 21st June, 1843, with the accompanying documents, as p. packet list. ​
DOCUMENTARY 219
2. I am surprised to learn from you that the men who have left the Department complain of ill usage as I am certain none have cause but the case or cases ought to be stated, the in- dividuals complaining and the person against whom they com- plain named as the charge is made in such general terms it is impossible to rebut it except in the case of Heroux which is stated by Chief Factor Keith in explanation of which I have to observe that Heroux was employed in hauling logs to the saw mill. Crate who was in charge of the mill gave Heroux some orders which he refused to obey and a quarrel arose. I do not know who struck first but Mr. Forrest happened to come at the time, found Crate on the ground and Heroux beating away on him most brutally and some of the men stand- ing around looking on. Mr. Forrest pulled Heroux off Crate and indignant at seeing a stout man like Heroux beating away as he was on a small man like Crate told Heroux to stand up as he had to do with him, but Heroux seeing he had his match would not answer the call and Mr. Forrest gave him two or three cuffs when Heroux took to his heels and came and com- plained to me and told me so pitifull a story that he affected my feelings, and supposing he had been ill used I wrote to Mr. Forrest for an explanation when Mr. Forrest came down with Crate who gave a true version of the affair. Heroux had not mentioned to me that he had disobeyed Crate's orders, and in such a case, allowing that Crate had struck him he was perfectly justified by the circumstances and it would be no excuse for a stout man like Heroux to be beating away on a little man as Crate, though it is not surprising that a man capable of acting as he did should misrepresent the affair. But how am I to account for people well acquainted with the char- acter of these men and who know that their statements in such cases can never be depended on, bringing forward such charges in general terms. If Mr. Keith wanted to bring forward this charge, why did he not enquire into the cause of Heroux's complaining and against whom it was made, but the best evi- dence that there was no just cause of complaint is that the ​
220 DR. MCLOUGHLIN TO SIMPSON
recruits you sent us this year are some of our old hands who have returned to this Department in preference to any other. However, you may depend that as heretofore our best en- deavour will be exerted to make the men as comfortable as the nature of the business will admit, and I am really astonished that you should have considered it necessary to write me on that point, as you have been several times here, since I am in charge of the Department and no man ever complained to you of ill usage. I beg leave to return my thanks through you to Mr. Keith for bringing Heroux's case forward as it has af- forded me an opportunity of proving its falsity; at the same time let us learn from this case to be cautious before we give credit to what these men say and recollect that the old proverb there are two sides to a story is true.
3. As you say the Boutes must be trained in the country, but the truth is the men are so miserably small and weak' for years past we cannot find men of sufficient physical strength among the recruits to make efficient Boutes to replace our old hands. At present we have some Boutes who ten years ago were considered old and so little attention is paid to the selec- tion of the men that in 1839 a man was sent here from Montreal who had only one finger and a thumb remaining on his hand ; in 1840 we received another who has one of his arms withered, and [an?] impotent arm, and among the recruits who have come here from 1839 to 1843 both inclusive, there is only one man who can serve for a Boute. The men are so weak that the least fatigue lays them up in hospital and the able men have to do their duty.
4. In your fourth para, [paragraph] you write there could have been no impropriety in your forwarding the statements referred to in your third paragraph to the president and council for their information and they did perfectly right in giving their opinion and making such observations as they considered proper. Every person interested in the business has an un- doubted right to express an opinion be that opinion right or wrong, and no person has a right to find fault with a person ​
DOCUMENTARY 221
for his opinion, but no action of mine can justify any one imputing to me the unfairness of withholding information on business from my colleagues to entrap them into any measure, as if I had known you had written them on the subject, I would not have troubled them about it but my letters [sic]' speaks for itself.
5. In regard to the remarks in your fifth paragraph re- lating to the murder of my son in which you write, "I trust I may not be called upon to resort [revert?] to this to both of us most painful subject/' permit me to say that I am astonished how you could think that such a remark would prevent a parent demanding of you information as to the measure you took when you delivered the murderer of his son to the Rus- sians, if that man is to be prosecuted, and you may depend every endeavour of mine will be exerted to have that affair thoroughly examined and which I would have attempted to have done before this but that I considered it the duty of the Company to examine this affair, the murder of one of their officers by their servants under his command in one of their establishments, but since it has not been done I forward with this a copy of all the depositions to my agent to be by him placed before council, and to follow such measures as my means may justify as I have fully explained in my despatch No. 1 and will observe, as I informed you in paragraph of mine of March 1843 C. F. Douglas proceeded to the coast and examined the men who were at Stikine when my son was murdered and I send you a copy of the depositions he took and an extract of the letter he wrote the Governor and Committee by which you see Heroux and P. Kanaguasse ten months before the murder, were known to have been concerting measures to murder my deceased son and Mr. R. Finlayson and in the night of the murder Francois Pressie proposed also to murder my late son, and Mr. Douglas according to my orders delivered P. Kanaguassie and Pressie to the Russian authorities and if this affair is not thoroughly examined, so that justice be done and the men see that they cannot murder their officers with ​
222 DR. McLoucHLiN TO SIMPSON
impunity, it requires no gift of prophecy to foretell that this murder will be followed by others unless the officers allow the men to do as they please, as on the men's own showing, it was murder on their part, and if he was drunk as they say their crime was only the greater. As to my late son being a drunkard as these men represent, the vigilant watch they admit he kept and the state of his accounts disprove this and the cause of their hostility to him was that he kept them to their duty and would not allow them do as they pleased. If the character of an officer is to be taken from what such men as were at Stikine will say, let me in truth add, though it pains me to say so, will swear to without examining into what they say, the situation of the officers is extremely deplorable.
6. I do not know nor can I imagine whence you derived the information that our rivals in trade have been so success- ful that they will repeat their visit. It is true Capt. Chapman caught six hundred barrels salmon, but after he did it was so bad he could not sell it and has given up the business. Captain Couch's owner, Mr. Gushing of Salem, Massachusetts, sent a small vessel last summer and another is expected this season but he is carrying on a losing business. He is, as they say, a wealthy man and perhaps keeps on in expectation of our being obliged to withdraw, and that the business will fall to him. Another American, Mr. Pettygrove, equipt by the house of Benson and Co., New York, who were to send here a vessel last fall with an assorted cargo but she did not come.
7. When you speak of the abundant resources at our dis- posal, if you mean goods you are correct; but if you mean men and officers, we are too few of the latter and as to our men, I have already stated their capacity.
8. In your 9th para, you write, "I am sorry to observe the Southern or Bonaventura party, have made very poor hunts, arising as much from the impoverished state of the country as from their late arrival at their hunting grounds which by good management might have been avoided." As to your writing the expedition ought to have been despatched ​
DOCUMENTARY 223
sufficiently early to benefit by the whole hunting season, I am surprised to see that you write so as the appointment of an officer to head the party was made by council and conse- quently the expedition had to wait until Mr. Ermatinger had closed the business of the Snake Country and arrived here, and in fact we had no other officer to place at its head and the Snake country remained without any manager till Mr. Grant came from York and you will perhaps recollect that Mr. Ermatinger objected to proceed in charge of the expedition and that you spoke to him about it ; but to revert to the party it was equipped in the autumn of 1842 and placed under the command of Mr. Laframboise and cleared 477, but the con- duct of the men was so bad that under no consideration would Mr. Laframboise return. He had only promised to go for a trip. I am, said Mr. Laframboise, through the mercy of God come back safe because I gave way to my men; if I had as- sumed the tone of a master I would have been murdered by them. I will not venture again.
9. As to Mr. Grant's good returns they amounted to 3916.18.6 for outfit 1842, and the gain to 2405.12.8; and for 1841 the returns amounted to 3706.6.3, the profit to only 1389.17.1, in consequence of the heavy expense of the op- position. [American rivalry.]
10. In your fifteenth para, you write in your letter to the Governor and Committee that by opening a store at St. Fran- cisco, having a vessel of 150 tons on the coast, selling at first to retail dealers only and being contented with small profits a good business might be done, on this subject I shall only re- peat my conviction that the sooner the unfortunate business which was badly planned, prematurely and irregularly prose- cuted, be wound up, the better for the interests of the Honour- able Company. I am certain people reading this would suppose that I am the originator of this business. I beg distinctly to state that when it was first suggested to me in 1835 till you proposed it to me in London in 1839, though I always had a good opinion of the business, I opposed it merely because I ​
224 DR. McLoucHLiN TO SIMPSON
felt we would not be allowed the necessary latitude to carry on the business in the manner it ought to be conducted, but in 1839 when you mentioned to me that we ought to enter in that business, I agreed and made out a requisition by your direction, and in compliance with my instructions sent the out- fit in charge of Mr. Rae whom you appointed to it in 1841 , It is true I ordered a house to be purchased at St. Francisco because we could not get one to rent, and it would have cost much more to build a house than what we paid for the one we bought and you will see by the accounts current of the out- fit, it has cleared 1848.5.7 after paying [for] the house and the duties on the inventory for both which it takes no credit, and deducting 40 per cent from the outstanding debts which is much better than I expected considering the situation Mr. Rae was placed in and proves that the business is much better than you supposed.
11. By your 17 Paragraph you say you forward ten men as recruits for the Department, and in your 18th para, you write, "We are of opinion that there are as many in the De- partment as you can employ" to which I will revert bye and bye ; and that you "see by the books that no fewer than [sic] ten officers and 149 men were stationed last winter at Vancouver." True, as you state, there were ten officers and 149 men on the books winter 1842/43 and our winter establishment always will appear large from this circumstance: that in the winter we have all the recruits from the other side and every year you will find in the books men who have left for Oahoo and other places, and when the busy time comes we seldom have two- thirds and sometimes not one half of the men who appear in the winter in our books, and this at the sickly season when sometimes half of the people are laid up in the hospital by the fever, so that it [is] only with the utmost difficulty we get through our work. Last summer, our first week in harvest we had one hundred and seven men, of these seven men were in the hospital ; and the last week we had forty-seven in hospital, and last year was the healthiest summer we have had since ​
DOCUMENTARY 225
1829. I have known sixty-two men at one time off work from fever, principally in the harvest. At present we have 149 men, the same as last year. The wages of the officers and men at Fort Vancouver attached to the depot and general charges amount to 3500
Our farm yields
3800 Bushels of wheat, at 4/6 per bushel 855.0.0
90 tierces pork, at 100/ per tierce 450.0.0
100 tierces beef 400.0.0
100 hides 40.0.0
30 cwt. butter 54.0.0
180 cwt. pease 117.0.0
1916.0.0
which is transferred to the depot, and we have still in the farm store,
1000 bushels pease 1200 bushels barley 2000 bushels oats
We sent to Woahoo
A. 60 masts, valued here $30.00 a piece 450.00
B. 260 M Lumber, which at 75/ per M 975.0.0
3341.0.0 3500.0.0
A. These spars will sell at Woahoo from 25 to 50 each, and some 75.
B. Our lumber which we only value in invoice *75/ per thousand feet we never sell for less than *200/ per M. From this you see that these 107 men have done work at this place which at the low invoice valuation has almost paid the wages of all our present establishment and we have on hand,
1000 bushels pease
1200 bushels barley 2000 bushels oats ​
226 DR. McLoucHLiN TO SIMPSON
Besides unloading two vessels from London, loading 2 for Sitka unloading 1 from California loading 1 for London
Do. 2 for Woahoo
Do. the Cadboro and assisting to take the outfits to the interior to the Snake country, and bringing down the re- turns and in fact, if the season had not been healthier than usual, we would not have got through with our work.
12. You say there were no fewer than ten officers, say, J. McLoughlin James Douglas D. Harvey A. L. Lewis D. McTavish G. Roberts
C. Dodd John O'Brien William Tod
D. McLoughlin
When you wrote this paragraph, you must have overlooked the passage in my letter which states that C. F. Douglas would be employed for the summer in removing* the people from Fort McLoughlin and Tacko [Taku] and in erecting the establishment on the south end of Vancouver's Island; Mr. Roberts had left fall 1842; Mr. Dodd had been sent here by Mr. Manson without any instruction from me and I sent him back by first opportunity to Stikine ; I had to send Mr. Tod to the interior on account of his health, and Mr. O'Brien at the time you wrote was with you so that we remained during the busy season
J. McLoughlin
D. McTavish, store and office
D. McLoughlin, shop
'Governor Simpson had ordered these posts abandoned. ​
DOCUMENTARY 227
A. L. Lewis, farm and men
D. Harvey, saw and grist mill,
from March till June when Mr. Douglas returned and brought Mr. Low[e] from the coast and it is certain we are too few of- ficers for the business, and that if we had had one more officer the vessel for London would have been despatch [ed] one month earlier and ten good men would have enabled us to place at least five hundred pounds more to the credit of the District and if the season had not been fine we would not have been able to get through our work.
14. We would require here in the summer, to carry on the business on a proper scale 120 men at the lowest calcula- tion ; in the sickly season we would require more.
15. We require
2 book keepers, one to go out annually with the accounts
1 clerk for the store
1 do. retail shop
1 do. farm and men
1 do. grist and saw mill
2 do. to write in the office 1 do. casualties.
16. According to your instructions we will supply the Rus- sians with only 30 cwt. butter.
17. I have not been able to begin to build the lighter [for the steamer Beaver] and I am happy to see that I am directed not to build it, as you say the coal room of the steamer might be used as a store room if required, and the cabin also by erecting a poop cabin on deck, and on emergency the Cadboro might serve as a lighter; indeed she is doing so now; as I was afraid to send her on the open coast in the winter, I sent her with a cargo of Russian goods to be towed by the inner channel by the steamer.
18. The mill from Abernethy together with the wages of the millwright are transferred to the Hudson's Bay Company. ​
228 DR. MCLOUGHLIN TO SIMPSON
19. In 28 para, you write, "I have made a few alterations in the indent sent us, striking out the felted cloth which has been universally condemned and thermometers that appeared to me quite unnecessary, requesting that plug be substituted for carrot tobacco as according to some recent alterations in the revenue laws, the latter cannot be shipped unless to great disadvantage, and reducing the quantity of strichynine from 6 oz. valued 27.12.0 to one oz. as you say the former strichynine was perfectly useless. If the article be useless as represented, much better expose the concern to the loss of one ounce than six until it be ascertained whether the drug be effectual or not." As to the felting cloth, on receiving the account of its bad qualities we had countermanded it before the receipt of your despatch. The thermometers were to enable us to keep the registers we had been directed to keep; the 6 oz. strychnine were for sale except about % oz. for ourselves. The remarks on the inferior quality were that a superior article to the last might be sent. The large quantity of medicines is for sale, and I can only state that our requisition is made out with the utmost care and attention. As to changing the carrot for plug, I can only say the quality of the last we got from London is so inferior that no person will buy it when they can purchase any from the Americans.
20. I send with this the tariff of our Indian trade at this place which is the same at Nisqually, Fort George and Fort Langley, but it is impossible to keep to a regular standard at this place or Fort George with all these Americans around us.
21. In the 73d resolve of Council, I am instructed not to give passages in any of our vessels whether inland or maritime to any persons that are not connected with our business, and I beg most strongly to offer the supplementary suggestion that our posts also may receive such persons only for temporary purposes of casual hospitality, and in yours of 29th June you write, "I have recently heard from private sources that the Rev. Mr. Blanchette had received two priests from Canada by the way of Cape Horn, that the Rev. Mr. Demers had been ​
DOCUMENTARY 229
conveyed into New Caledonia, and these aided by our people in erecting of their chapels and that the Rev. Mr. Balduc had obtained a passage in our steam boat." These circumstances arising probably from pressure of business have been omitted in your despatches and I mention them merely with the view of saying you cannot be too minute in recording and com- municating every passing event of importance. The case how- ever of Mr. Balduc and Mr. Demers,* I beg however to refer you to the 73 Resolution of council and to my letters of 21st Inst. which obviously prohibit any further indulgence of the kind without the express sanction of the Governor and Com- mittee, or the Governor and Council."
If it was intended that we should not be at liberty to grant passages to persons applying and paying for them, there was no use in fixing the rate of passage money, as no person going from this to Woahoo or coming from Waohoo to this place can wait till he gets leave from London to be allowed to em- bark on board of the Company's vessel, and our being obliged to refuse when people are ready and able to pay for their passage will only serve to excite ill feelings towards us which is contrary to every rule of business and as it is beyond doubt our duty to conciliate, especially when we can do so to our own advantage. As to the Rev. Mr. Demers going to New Caledonia and the short trip Mr. Balduc took with Mr. Douglas from Nisqually to Fort Victoria, and the arrival of the two Roman Catholic priests, I deemed [them] to be so very unim- portant that I did not consider them worth mentioning though I must observe I did not think the Company had any objection to the Rev. Mr. Demers going to New Caledonia, but he did not apply to return, but if he does, your instructions will be observed. At the same time I must state it will only excite ill-will towards us, as he can any day he pleases go there perfectly independent of us. As to the Rev. Mr. Balduc when I heard he had embarked with Mr. Douglas I was happy of it as I expected he would have proceeded to the Coast with Mr.
Evidently something omitted in quotation; and quotation marks are erratic. ​
230 DR. MCLOUGHLIN TO SIMPSON
Douglas and afforded religious instructions to many of the Company's people who have been for a long time deprived of it, and which for my part I consider it a duty to afford them if possible, and it is certainly to the interests of the Company to do so as it tends to render the servants more honest and faithful. As to the Rev. Mr. Desmet of the order of Jesuits, he has been treated precisely as the other missionaries from the United States. He has had supplies from us on paying for them in the same way as the Methodist Mission in our vicinity and the Presbyterians at Walla Walla and Colville. The Jesuit are at the Flathead and Coeur d'Alene Lake.
23. I informed you in mine of 20th March, 1843, that part of the immigrants who came from the States with Mr. Hastings were preparing to leave this for California. About forty of them left this in May but meeting with Mr. Lease with a party of their countrymen and hearing that they could get no lands in California some returned to this place, but the main body proceeded to Saint Francisco where I understand they have got lands along side of Captain Sutter.
24. This fall a large emigration came from the States, some say a thousand persons, but I believe they are not so many. Eight or ten Jesuit priests and lay brothers came up with them from St. Louis, Missisoure and proceeded to join their brethern in the Flat Head country, but some are coming down here this spring, perhaps to settle in this vicinity. I am informed that Father Desmet is gone to Europe to endeavour to make an arrangement with the Hudson's Bay Company to get his sup- plies for his mission.
25. As I already stated Chief Factor Douglas proceeded to the coast, took the people and property from Fort Durham and Ft. McLoughlin which according to your directions are abandoned and began an establishment at the place he selected on the south end of Vancouver Island which according to your instructions has been named Fort Victoria, and placed it under the charge of Chief Trader Ross. It has a fine harbour, quite accessible and by last accounts everything was going on well ​
DOCUMENTARY 231
at this place. The fort is three hundred by three hundred and fifty feet, to consist of eight buildings of 60 feet, two behind and three each side, and Mr. Ross is going on with the build- ings and this year and this year* will plant a large quantity of potatoes so that by having flour, pease, and a few barrels beef and pork, he will be able to afford refreshments next winter to any vessel that may call there.
26. The Vancouver arrived from St. Francisco this third May and as you see by the account current the outfit to Cali- fornia for 1842 paid the heavy California duties and got only the usual advance 33-1/3 and cleared as already mentioned, [amount left a blank] as per accompanying account.
27. On the same day with the Vancouver, the Columbia, Capt. Humphreys, entered the River but as you are aware, the bulk of her cargo was for the Russians and as the whole cargo was mixed up, we had to unload her entirely and to save time [as] we took the Russian goods out of the Co- lumbia, we put them immediately on board the Vancouver, Capt. Duncan, and sent her with their goods and supplies for the Coast to Sitka and Fort Simpson from whence after de- livering her cargo in good condition and received the furs of Fort Simpson and Stikine, she returned on the 22nd August under the command of Capt. Brotchie who, as it was his turn to go home, I had instructed to exchange with Capt. Duncan, the latter taking the command of the steamer and Capt. Brotchie of the Vancouver.
28. The Columbia left this the 6th July with a cargo of wheat for Sitka and returned here on [date left blank]. I find by Governor Eoline that the wheat arrived late; the fact is that I supposed they were more in want of goods than grain and therefore sent the goods first, and though every exertions were made, it was impossible to send these vessels off sooner as from the 23rd May to the 6th July we had to unload and load two vessels besides receiving and expediting the brigade for the interior.
232 DR. McLouGHLiN TO SIMPSON
29. The brigade arrived from the interior the sixth June and left 24th of the same, but unfortunately in going up, one of the boats was supset and one of the men drowned and another in poling fell out of the boat and was also drowned.
30. On the 6th July, the Diamond, Captain Fowler arrived from London and delivered her cargo in excellent condition and as there was no prospect of our sending a cargo of lumber in time to Woahoo by our own vessels, I chartered the Diamond for four hundred and twenty-five pounds to take a cargo to Woahoo.
31. The Columbia left this the first of December for Woahoo but could not get over the bar till the 3rd February.*
32. In consequence of your only sending ten men, I had to send to Woahoo for fifty Kanakas, part of which is to replace the Kanakas gone in the Columbia, and three going in next ship, and the Kanakas I sent for will not replace all the blanks in our list.
33. On the return of the Columbia, she will proceed to Sitika with the grain and when she comes from there she will, according to the intelligence we may receive and the date of her return and either proceed to California or London with the returns.
34. A few days after the departure of the express last March a momentary excitement broke out among the Nez Perces and Cayuse tribe who inhabit the country about Walla Walla caused by reports spread among them that Dr. White, who as I informed you, gave himself out as an Indian agent for the United States, had said he would take their lands from them, which it is certain he never said and also from another report which came to the Willamette that the Cayuse and Nez Perces had said they intended to attack the settlers, but which was unfounded.
35. Dr. White stopped here as he was passing and on his way to visit the Cayuse and Nez Perces tribe according to appointment and as he might take a fancy (though he had
because of that delay, that Simpson decided definitely on tb location of Fort Victoria, Vancouver Island, ​
DOCUMENTARY 233
publicly said he had nothing to do with us) to address these Indians in our establishment, and in case Mr. A. McKindly* might not know how to act and this might bring us into trouble with Indians, to avoid this and all misunderstanding hereafter on the subject, I addressed Mr. McKindly the following letter and handed it for perusal to Dr. White, after which I sealed and delivered it to Dr. White, with the request he would give it to Mr. McKindly which the Doctor did.
36. Vancouver, 14th April, 1843. Mr. A. McKindlay,
Dear Sir
Dr. White is, I understand, on his way to Walla Walla. You will observe that until our Government has given up its claims to the country and recognized the rights of the U. States and we are officially informed of it, we cannot recognize Dr. White as an Indian agent and he can only be known to us as a private individual and as such to be treated with all the Courtesy his conduct deserves but you cannot permit his hold- ing council with Indians in the Fort, and you will remember that the goods sent to you are to be employed in trade with Indians but you may of course sell him any, or give him on credit, such articles as are usually supplied gentlemen on the voyage. I am
Yours truly
John McLoughlin.
N. B. To avoid misapprehension, you will attend no Indian Council with Dr. White.
37. Dr. White went to visit the Indians and saw the Cayouse and Nez Perces tribe together about twenty-five miles from W'alla Walla, at which it is said he principally spoke to them of religion and advised them to become farmers. At the first meeting the two tribes in consequence of natural jealousies were on the point of coming to blows but the assembly broke up quietly.
234 DR. MCLOUGHLIN TO SIMPSON
38. The American settlers on the Wallamette had a public meeting- last May and wanted the Canadians to unite with them in organizing themselves into a Government, but the Canadians would take no part in their plans of organization and govern- ment. The Americans with a few English who came by the way of the States and some foreigners formed themselves into a body, elected three men as an executive board, three others as magistrates, a sheriff, and three constables, and I am happy to say all the people have been quiet and in general very in- dustrious.
39. In May, a party of Americans who came fall 1842 from the States left this under the command of a Mr. Hastings, an American lawyer to proceed to California, and if they did not find that country to suit them they are to go from there to the States. I learned that they safely arrived, that Mr. Hastings is highly pleased with the country and has a grant from the California Government of ten leagues of land.
40. In company with the immigrants there came a Lieut. Fremont of the Topographical Corps of Engineers, U. S. Service. He got some supplies from us and left this on the 13th Nov. He expected to be at Washington in March and to return here this season to finish his survey and it is said a large immigration will accompany him to this country.
41. As to the immigrants come this year [1843] they have placed themselves all on the South Side of the Columbia River, in the Wallamatte, Falaty Plains, about Fort George and Clatsop and give out that they believe the Columbia River will be the boundary and they think it is settled by this time. I know that several of them come strongly prejudiced against us in consequence of false reports raised as you will see, more particularly noticed in my letter, paragraph [number left blank] to the Governor and Committee, arising from a letter published in the papers by Captain Spaulding who was here in 1840 with the large re-inforcement for the Methodist Mission and whom you may remember we saw at Woahoo. However, I believe their sentiments are changed and they are convinced that they ​
DOCUMENTARY 235
were grossly misinformed. A large party of them are to pro- ceed this spring to California where a large party of their countrymen who came with them separated from them in the Snake country to go thither.
42. The Lama, Captain Nye came in May with a few sup- plies for the Methodist Mission, but left as soon as she had discharged her freight.
43. The Pallas, Captain Sylvester, consigned to Mr. A. E. Wilson who keeps a store at the Falls for Mr. Gushing of Salem as I already mentioned, arrived here in September. She is of about one hundred tons, and it is said is intended to run between this and Woahoo.
44. On the first July the steamer Beaver left Fort Victoria on Vancouver Island and proceeds to Fort Simpson on her tour to the north as far as Cape Spencer. At Fort Simpson the steamer met the barque Vancouver, according to instructions I had given Captain Duncan.
45. By the Vancouver I received Governor Etoline's letter of the 14th July in which he complains strongly of the state the Valleyfield's cargo was in and of which I am not sur- prised by the fact that a good deal of our property was injured and when she was laid on shore at Nisqually for survey a seam seven feet in length was found which had not been caulked. At the same time Governor Etoline writes that Urlain Heroux, the murderer of my son attempted to murder his gaoler merely because he prevented his escape.
46. Gov. Etoline complains of the late arrival of the wheat and says it ought by agreement to be at Sitika about the first June; the agreement provides that the furs shall be there about that date but the date in which the wheat is to be there is not mentioned. However I shall as heretofore, do my best to send them their grain about the first June. As to the delay this year, the two vessels the Vancouver and Columbia arrived here together in May and as I conceived they were more in want of goods than provisions, I sent the cargo of the Valley​
236 DR. McLouGHLiN TO SIMPSON
field which had been here ten months and as the Diamond ar- rived when the Columbia was ready for sea, I nevertheless detained the latter to send by her as much of the Diamond's cargo consigned to the Russians as we could by the Columbia, and Gov. Etoline not knowing my reasons for the delay, of course complains and which I merely mention to account for the reason of the delay and which you see could not be pre- vented on our part and the detention of the grain merely arose from a desire to serve them, and you may depend as hitherto that we will do everything we can to satisfy them and fulfil our contract and I have great pleasure in stating that we have found them accommodating and desirous to meet our views.
47. Gov. Etoline would not undertake to build us a lighter, but proposed to sell us the hull of a schooner for 300 and if we did not wish to purchase it he very obligingly offered to send it to us till our own lighter was built but as we did not require it, I declined with thanks accepting Gov. Etoline's very kind offer.
48. The plan of operation for our shipping this summer is to keep the steamer on the coast till October when she will return here.
49. The Cadboro on her return from Sitika is to proceed to Langley for a cargo of salmon and come here. She will then, according to circumstances be sent to Langley with the outfit, or to St. Francisco.
50. As to the Columbia and Cowlitz, it is impossible to say how they will be employed until I receive instructions, but it is evident they will both have to proceed to the N. W. Coast with the grain for the Russians and the supply for our trade. It is probable the Columbia will proceed to London with the returns.
51. On the 4th inst. a meeting of the settlers was called in the Wallamatte to petition the U. States Congress to ex- tend their jurisdiction over this country. The Canadians were invited to attend and did so, and being the majority (as a great ​
DOCUMENTARY 237
part of the Americans are hostile to Dr. White who summoned the meeting-, would not attend) voted down every measure pro- posed, say ing they were British subjects and could have nothing to do with a petition to the congress of the U. States to extend her jurisdiction over this country and when the boundary was run they would obey the laws of the country they happened to be placed under.
52. On the fourth in the evening the Americans killed an Indian at the Falls of the Wallamatte. At the same time the Indian shot an American who died five days after of the wound. It seems the Indians tokl the Americans this Indian was a bad man, that he had threatened to murder some of the Ameri- cans and had murdered an Indian, his two wives and children, it is said. Dr. White offered a reward of one hundred dollars for this Indian dead or alive. It seems this Indian heard of this, when, conscious as he was of being innocent, as is well known, of the charge of murder brought against him, he went to the Falls but armed himself with two pistols and was fired at twice before he fired. Some of the Indian's followers wounded two of the Americans with arrows. One of them is since dead. As this has occurred from false report the Indians themselves spread against this Indian, his relations so far have been quiet but when they collect at the salmon season there may be some stir about it; but every exertion of ours will be made to keep peace in the country which at present seems to me a difficult task but we will do our best, as if such a misfortune occurs it would hardly be possible for us to avoid being drawn into it either by one party or the other, but I trust that by the mercy of God we will be able to keep clear.
53. The following is a comparative statement of the ac- counts for Outfit 1842 and 1843 for the Districts along the sea. ​
238
DR. McLouGHLiN TO SIMPSON
Outfit 1843
Outfit 1842
54. Gain Loss Gain Loss
Vancouver depot 991.18.11 1213. 3.1
Vancouver sale shop. . .3147.13.11 3838. 2.5
Vancouver Indian trade.2273.14.6 1186.16.10
Langley Fort 1892.10.4 1702.16.10
Nisqually Fort 302.19.8 97.11.8
Simpson Fort 2566.10.1 1486.2.4
McLoughlin Fort 748.12.6 1465.9.3
Durham Fort
Stikine Fort
Country Snake 1225.6.10 2405.12.8
Party Southern CCal.].. 425. 4.1 31.18.0
Islands Sandwich
Russian transaction 1430.5.0 1460.17.9
Columbia barque 97.16.4
Cadboro schooner 92. 2.10 478. 0.0
California establishment.1848. 5.7
Steamer Beaver 1153.17.5 2813. 8.11
Vancouver barque 370, 448. 1.1
Charges general 1787.13.4 2692.7.6
Victoria Fort 488.1.1
Gowlitz barque 409.9.4
17481. 5.* [Loss] 3774.19.
3774.19.
[Profit] 13706. 6.
14503.17.2 6816.11.2
7687. 6.
6816.11.2
55. There is Louttet, a blacksmith, going 1 out, and he is an excellent man and he wishes to be allowed to come back to the Department. Perhaps he wants to propose to be allowed to go free at the expiration of his engagement. I wish to see him back in preference to a stranger, still I wish the rules of the Service to be kept up, and he to come back on the usual terms, and if at the end of his time he has conducted himself well, has the means to establish himself, and we can dispense with his services, we will allow him to go free, but he nor
the blurring of figures in the original. ​
DOCUMENTARY 239
any other man ought to be allowed to go free on any other conditions.*
56. As to the number of men that you ought to send, it depends on the boundary question. If we are to continue our business in the present scale, we will require forty whites to replace these retiring and deaths and to enable us to allow some of our Sandwich Islanders retire as it does not do to have too many of them. I am
Your obedient humble servant
John McLoughlin,
C F.
[Copied from original]
the country, as the Company were under bonds to return all men into the civilized section. ​
(Continued from page 146 in June Quarterly)
DIARY OF REVEREND JASON LEE II
Sat. July 26, 1834. For more than a week whenever I have thought of writing in my Journal my mind would at once revolt at the idea but my aversion arose chiefly from ill health.
I went out on a hunting excursion in company with two others and we forded many creeks and got wet frequently rode hard say 35 mi. without food and when returned lay down in the tent in a draft and sleeped caught sudden cold which settled into my limbs and back and the pain was so intense as to cause the perspiration to flow most freely. The pain was so extreme that it took away most of my strength and I am extremely weak yet. Two days I did not sit up more than an hour. Have been reading some in the Bible and have read Mrs. Judson's [Ann Haseltine Judson] Memoirs and was much interested and I think profited. I trust this light affliction will be beneficial to me and drive me nearer to the gracious throne. O that I were in a situation to do some- thing for God.
A few miserable looking Indians came to camp to-day. They are called Root-Diggers.
The hunters returned laden with meat. Capt. McCay* in- tends to start on Monday and there is a prospect that we shall go with him,
I have enjoyed a good degree of comfort for two days and pray the Lord to revive his love more and more for I long to be wholly swallowed up in God. Lord Jesus mould me into thy image that I may glorify thee.
Sun. July 27, 1834. Have enjoyed peace and consolation to-day to God be all the praise. Repaired to the grove about y 2 past 3 o'clock for public worship which is the first we have had since we started. By request of Mr. McCay a respect- able number of our company and nearly all of Capt. McCay's Indians Half Breeds Frenchmen &c very few of whom could understand the exercises but all were extremely attentive. ​
DIARY 241
O, that I could address the Indians in their language. I did not attempt to preach, but gave a short exhortation from I. Cor. 10-21. "Whether therefore ye eat or drink" &c. I find myself very weak in body and my mind shares measur- ably the same fate. My voice too was much weaker than I had anticipated hence I said little and hardly know whether it was said to purpose or not. I feel a sort of listlessness enui [ennui] or want of energy that I can hardly account for. Lord deliver me from such apathy and nerve me for the work which thou hast given me to do.
It rained this morning a little which is not common here. It thundered and looked likely for a shower but we had wind and no rain.
Mon. July 28. Last evening two of Mr. McCay's men commenced a horse race and when the[y] [were] under full speed another ran in before them probibly with the intention of turning his horse and running with them but by some means he did not succeed and the others ran directly on to him and one of them was thrown and probibly the [horse] fell upon him and broke something inside for although he was blooded and cuped [cupped] and everything done for him that could be done yet his senses did not return and he expired at 3 o'clock A. M. He was a Canadian and a Catholic. By re- quest of Mr. McCay I attended at 12 o'clock, read the 90th Psalm prayed and then went to the grave and there read a part of the 15 Chap, of Cor. and the burial servise as found in our discipline but was at a loss to account for our Brethren's abridging that excelent servise in the manner that they have if they approved of having one at all for real[l]y it seems to me they might as well have none as have it in its present form. Nearly all the men from both camps attended the Funeral and appeared very solelm. O that they would re- member this that they woul'[d] think on their latter end. The Canadians put a cross upon his breast. He was buried without a coffin having no means of making one. A cross was erected at the Grave. ​
242 JASON LEE
Tues. 29, 1834. Went about 3 mi. down the river fishing caught one trout only and found myself so feeble that I was very glad when I reached camp. Mr. McCay has informed his Indians what we are and our object in coming to this country and they were very much pleased indeed and more so when told there was a prospect of our locating at Wallah- wallah.
Last evening two Indians came to our tent and brought with them an interpreter who could speak but little of their language and told us they wanted to give us two horses. Being suspicious that it was their intention to pursue the course which the traders say they generally do Viz. to give a horse and then require more than its value in goods that they want I therefore told them that if they gave me horses I had very little to give them in return and they replied that they wanted nothing in return. I then told them that I would take them.
Wednes. July 30, 1834. Capt. Wyeth's Fort is not yet finished but he will be able to leave in a few days. He pur- poses to make all the speed possible and his baggage being mere nothing it is juged impossible for us to take our cows if we go with him we have therefore determined to go with Capt. McCay who will travel much more slowly.
While our brethren [were] absent catching the horses, two Indians came and presented me with two beautiful wite [white] horses. Surely the hand of Providence must be in it for they presented them because we are Missionaries and at a time when two of our horses are nearly worn out. This if I mistake not augurs well for our ultimate success among these generous red men. O Lord God hasten the hour when we shall be able to impart unto them invaluable spiritual things which will ten thousand times repay them for their temporal
things.
This Fort is in Lat. 43 14', N. but Lon. is not yet ascer- tained. It is on Lewis' Fork in an unpleasant situation being ​
DIAXY 243
surrounded with sand which is sometimes driven before the wind in as great quantity as snow in the east
Left the Fort at 11 o'clock A. M. traveled S. crossed a beautiful stream of clear water and after a few hours march camped on Portneuf. Find myself weak and afflicted with a severe headache. But what child is there which the father chasteneth not? If therefore we receive not chastisement then are we bastards and not sons. Lord assist me with resignation to bear and profit by all these light afflictions.
July 31. Thurs. Was exercised with so much pain in my head and back that it was with difficulty that I could com- pose myself to sleep but find myself considerably rested not- withstanding. Made a short march and camped on Lewis' Fork. Grass very good.
Fri. August 1, 1834. How does the golden moments of time on their rapid wings flit almost imperceptably by ? They are apportioned to us moment by moment. We look for them they are gone they are not here. Another month has passed away and I have made little progress in my journey westward and I fear not so much as I might have done in my journey upwards. O Lord quicken me more and more. Amen. My head has been much more composed to-day and I have been able to enjoy the scenery which in some places has been rather beautiful and picturesque. The American falls are quite in- teresting. Mr. McCay judged the whole fall to be 50 ft. but the shoot itself is not more than 20 or 25 ft. Saw an eagle's nest on a rock which rose a few feet above the water in the midst of the river. As soon as we had camped most of the males went in to bathe and the females soon followed but a little distance from them. The grass is very poor.
Sat. Au. 2. Came 9 or 10 mi. and camped on a small stream with many beautiful cascades of a few feet. One of the men caught a beaver. Find I am still very weak but my appetite is good.
Sun. August 3, 1834. Made a march of 3 hours and camped on Raft River. It is a small stream and received its ​
244 JASON LEE
name from the circumstance that some of the Traders were obliged to make a raft to cross it in high water. Even here I have the word of God to read. What an inestimable privilege. For it is able to make me wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. O, Lord waken my drowsy powers to read and understand and practice all thy righteous will and pleasure. The Indians play foot-ball on Sunday and (tell it not in Christendom) it has been taught them by people calling themselves Christians as a religious exercise. O my God hasten the time when darkness shall flee away and the true light shine Jn every heart. Soon my Sabbaths on earth will be finished and then if I am faithful here (O glorious prospect) I shall enter upon a Sabbath that will have no end.
This evening I feel my mind calm and serene perhaps the prayers of the Christian Church have been answered in our behalf.
How cheering the thought that thousands of prayers have this day [been] offered for us.
Mon. August 4, 1834. Marched 7^ hours and camped on a small creek.
Grass not very good. Find myself very much fatigued but we have time enough to rest.
Tues. 5. Camped on a beautiful brook about 12 o'clock. We have come \ l /2 day march out of our direction to try to kill mountain sheep.
The Capt. has sent out some Indians to find where the sheep range and to-morrow we purpose to make a general hunt. We are surrounded with high mountains in almost every direction.
Wednes. August 6. Started out hunting in company with Capt. Stewart and one other. We ascended a very high mountain in search of sheep. We were obliged to climb it in a zigzag direction and I think we ascended 3000 ft. above the level of the prairie on which it is based and still there were others whose summits were above us. We commenced de- scending on the opposite side and [I am] persuaded we passed ​
DIARY 245
places with our mules that it would be utterly impossible to pass with a horse. The rocks were what they call cut rocks composed of quartz and we passed over some piles of them where the mules were forced to leap from one rock to an- other and there were so many creveses and the rocks were so sharp that I would scarcely thought it possible for them to pass without breaking their legs. After descending some distance we passed between the summits of two mountains and descended a little on the other side and came into a grove of spruce fir pine &c. We then went up along the side of the mountain until we discovered that the mountains formed a horse shoe shape and were so high and steep that not even a man could pass them and here we found four as beauti- ful little ponds of clear cold water as I ever saw. While look- ing about the base of the mountain for game I heard stone ratling down the side of it and! concluded that they started themselves as it appeared impossible for any animal to climb a mountain which appeared almost perpendicular but on more minute observation I discovered sheep nearly to the top but the distance was such that I could but just discern them but by help of a small telescope I saw probibly a hundred and they looked very beautiful but we could not get at them.
We now commenced our descent and finding myself too much fatigued to walk much I rode over places the like of which I never before dreamed that mortal man would dare to ride over.
Sometimes after making our way over nearly impassable rocks we would find some that were entirely so and were obliged to return and take another route. Some places the trees and bushes very much retarded our progress. But we have arrived safe to camp weary and without game.
Thirs. August 7. Passed mountains some thofu] sands of feet high and descended one long and steep. Saw some hem- lock spruce and fir poplar &c came about 12 mi. Though we have not been able to kill any fresh meat yet Mr. McCay and his Indians have gratuitously supplied us for some days. ​
246 JASON LEE
The females generally bring it and put it down and return without saying a word as they can speak no language that we understand.
Fri. August 8, 1834. Drank -a little milk and water but took no breakfast, having set this apart this day for abstinence and prayer. Went out hunting hoping that I should be able to kill an antelope as we shall probibly see no more game this side of Wallahwallah but saw only one and could not get near enough for a shot. Made a long march of more than 20 mi. Found some access to the throne of grace but still my insatiate soul cries out for more of God. Find myself very weary but thank God he gives me time for rest and repose.
Sat. Au. 9. Our way for two days has been mostly over sandy plains covered only with wild sage and pulpy leaved thorn and a few willows and birch on the streams.
Came over 20 mi. and are camped without running water.
A large brook flows here in spring and fall but there is now only here and there a stagnant pool which is warm and has a very disagreeable taste. I can endure but little am much fatigued when we reach camp.
Sun. August 10, 1834. My soul would delight exceedingly to enjoy the privileges of God's House to-day but on the contrary we must soon each and pack our animals and proceed on our journey. But my heart is cheered my soul is com- forted from the consideration that God is here in this "void waste as in the city full" and that he is the fountain of all blessedness and that all the means that can be used are only instruments or mediums through which he conveys his bless- ings and that he can as easily convey them to us in this barren waste directly from himself as he can to others through the preaching of his word or by any other instrume[n]tality. And blessed be his name he does not forget or overlook us even us though so far isolated from the civilized world in this heathen desert. Thank God I find peace in believing and joy in the Holy Ghost. My ardent soul longs to be sounding ​
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salvation in the ears of these red men. I trust in God that I shall yet see many of them rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. Lord hasten the hour and thou shalt have all the praise. 7 o'clock P. M. Felt rather fatigued when Br. Shepard and I arrived in camp with the cows being half an hour behind the horses.
After resting for some time and reading my bible with pleasure retired beside a beautiful rapid in Lewis' Fork (whose waters we reached to-day after an absence of 9 days) and there soothed by the pleasing sound of the swift rolling water, I poured out my soul to God in prayer and did not find it in vain to call upon Israel's God. Felt a rather more than usual spirit of prayer for the universal triumph of Immanual's King- dom and especially for the prosperity of the mission in which we are engaged, and I trust thousands of Christians have been wrestling with God for the same object and this animates me in this literally desert land. Saw two very curious springs on the opposite side of the River. They burst forth from the rocky bank of the river say 50 ft. above it and the impetuous torrent white as the driven snow rushes with a majestic splendour down the nearly naked rocks into the river beneath. They are so perfectly white that at a distance they have the appearance of a snow bank. I judge the distance which the water flows out of the bank or the width of the largest to be at its commencement two rods and the quantity of it discharges at least sixty tons a minute. How astonishing are the works of God; and though we can not comprehend them yet in wisdom has he made them all.
A contemplation of these works is profitable for w[h]ile it tends to show us our own weakness, ignorance and insignifi- cance it gives us more exalted views of the power wisdom and greatness of the Almighty Maker.
Mon. 11. Au. Came twenty miles and camped on the Snake Falls and near a band of the Snake Indians called the Diggers.
They have few horses and no guns and live chiefly on fish and roots hence their name Diggers. They are friendly and ​
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peaceable. They subsist at present on Salmon which have just commenced running. The Salmon go no higher than here. We purchased some dried and some fresh. They are most excellent being quite fat. The dried make good food without cooking at all. For two fish hooks I could get a fish that would weigh 12 or 14 pounds. Many of the males are entirely naked with the exception of a breech clout. The females have some skins about them but boys of 12 years are naked as they were born.
These Indians look healthy and are very fleshy and like all others that I have seen are fond of smoking. Our cows ex- cited a great curiosity among them being the first probibly that they ever saw. Some of them like their horses seemed to be afraid of them. The grass was so poor we were obliged to send the horses back 5 or 6 mi. to get food. It was with great difficulty that we could prevent the Indian dogs from devouring our fish.
Tues. August 12, 1834. Started at half past 8 o'clock and passed immediately through the Indian camp and men women and children came out to take a view of us as we passed.
The falls here are very beautiful.
The greatest fall is say 6 feet but the river is rapid for a long distance. Arrived at camp with the cows at Y-2. past 3 o'clock having traveled say 23 mi. over nearly barren hills and sand plains. The river is very swift all the way and many places rapid. It is truly beautiful and : it is the only beautiful object that I have seen to-day for I have seen so many naked rocky and barren sandy mountains that they have lost their power to charm. We are now drawing near the vast Pacific and I rejoice that few weeks with our usual prosperity will find us at Ft. Van Couver. How strikingly the Provi- dence of God has been manifested in furnishing us with food and preserving us from all harm through all the clangers which we have passed. O that our gratitude may keep pace with his mercies, "Bless the Lord o my soul." ​
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The Indian wigwams are constructed of willow bushes with the large end in the ground and fastened together at the top and covered with long grass which very much resembles straw and answers the same purpose. Their form nearly that of a hay stack and some of them 15 ft. in diameter. And to me who have been so long accustomed to a somewhat similar habitation they appear quite comfortable for summer for which they are only designed. One of our horses being old was unable to stand the hardships of the journey and though he has not been saddled since we left the Fort we were obliged to leave him. I regret that the grass was very poor but the Indians will soon find him and how he will fare with them I cannot divine but before another spring his labours will doubtless have terminated. O that like the faithful beast man might answer the end for which he was created.
Wednes. Aug. 13, 1834. While we were at breakfast an Indian stole one of Capt. McCay's horses and got off with it undiscovered. It was discovered that the horse was stolen an hour and a half after and one of the Indians belonging [to] camp took a good running horse and pursued the thief alone. The thief when he discovered that he was pursued left the horse and run and the other brought him back. To steal a horse from a company of 30 in open daylight I think rather a bold push. Marched over 20 mi. and came to camp rather weary but am much stronger than I was a few days since. Capt. McCay who has buried one native companion last night took another to wife. It is customary among the Indians here for the uncles of the girl to barter her with the [man] who makes application if they approve of the match for mer- chandise. But on this occasion the Capt. who had previously gained the consent of the fair Lady sent for her uncles smoked with them and then sent for the girl and asked her in their presence if she was willing to go with him she assented he then told them that this was the way the whites did that they gained the consent of the lady and then the relatives gave their consent and did not sell their females like their ​
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horses. The uncles did not object and they were man and wife.
Surely these Indians must be very desirous to adapt the customs of the white people when they so readily yield [in] a matter of so much interest for a female sells for a pretty large sum.
Thirs. 14, August. Some very good looking Indians came to camp last night and this morning but they are poor having scarcely a knife among them. Cows very weary walked very slow made a shorter march than usual camped on an island excellent grass. Thus far we have had plenty of food and though it has not been such as we have been accustomed to eat in times past yet it has sometimes been very excellent and always wholesome for me, though some of it has not always agreed so well with others.
Fri. Aug. 15, 1834. We are still upon the Island and do not move camp to-day. The animals will be glad of rest. Some of the Capt's men are gone 6 or 8 mi. to a little river to trade with some Indians.
I have been looking over the letters that I have received since my departure from the land that gave me birth and I find them very encouraging for they assure me that God's people in every direction are offering fervent supplication for our prosperity and the success of our Mission. And this causes me to rejoice when I reflect that the fervent effectual prayer of the righteous availeth much. O that I may so live that I may ensure the blessings which are so earnestly solicited in my behalf. In the evening and morning we discovered that when walking through the grass our shoes became wet through there is no dew in this country and on examination we discovered that it was salt. It is deposited on the low grass in fine powder and tastes as strong and good as manu- factured [salt].
Sat. August 16, 1834. Capt. McCay sent word to me to send a bag to him for flour and if he had anything else that we wanted to let him know and we should have it. While ​
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at the fort I dined with him and partook of the productions of his own farm corn pork &c. We had kept a little flour to be used in case of sickness but having used nearly all of it I thought we had better purchase a few pounds but he re- fused to sell us any though he sold to others but said he would send us some if we would accept it as a present accordingly he sent us say 15 or 20 Ibs. which would cost there as many dollars.
Soon after sending the above mentioned message he came to our tent and informed me that he should leave us to-day and remain in this part of the country trading with the Indians and trapping beaver till March and pressed me to mention anything that we needed for our journey down and we ac- cepted of some flour and a little sugar. How strikingly the hand of Providence is manifested in our behalf in sending us the productions of the land to which we are journeying to sustain us on our way while we were yet at so great a distance from it and also in inclining the heart of an entire stranger in this savage land to supply our wants without money and without price.
Mon. Aug. 18. Started the cows Sabbath morning about Y-2 past 7 o'clock A. M. and came to a halt % past 9 evening, having been on the march nearly 14 hours. The horses reached camp before sun set. After making a long cut off they reached the river and turned a little up it to find grass so that we did not see them and we went two mi. below and left the cows and then went up and found camp. Distance probibly between 35 and 40 mi. This is indeed rather more than a Jewish Sabbath day's journey but there seemed no al- ternative for us but to "go ahead." But I trust the time is not now distant when we like other Christians shall have the pleasure of devoting the holy sabbath to religious exercises. Lord grant that it may soon arrive.
Made a short march to-day and camped in good grass. Soon after my arrival went to Capt. Stewart's lodge and had been talking some 15 or 20 minutes when Mr. Walker ​
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came and informed me that Mr. Shepard was in a fit. He was quite black on my arrival. We applied camphor to his head and nose and rubed his arms and legs and he soon began to come out of the fit first utering sounds and then words and then became sick and vomited I examined and found large pieces of camphor gum that he had vomited up together with some roots that he had taken. After vomiting he became easier but could not after recall anything [which] transpired for an hour but he is nearly recovered only he is weak. "Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not of the Son of Man cometh."
There is a nearly white gnat rather smaller than the black one which has for severally days rendered our situation any- thing but comfortable. I find it impossible to keep out of my mouth eyes nose and ears. I am this moment nearly on fire from their bites.
Tues. Aug. 19, 1834. Passed some Indians on an Island and Bro. Shepard went to them and purchased two fresh salmon. March rather short. One year this morning since I took the last view of my native town which contains so many invaluable relatives and friends.
I tore myself from them in spite of all their arguments in spite of all their entreaties. I beheld and what did I see! an imaginary vision fliting before the mind's eye to disturb the sweet and balrny repose of midnight's peaceful hour? No. It was no dream it was reality. I saw but how can I de- scribe that scene ? The like few have seen, I never saw before and shall never see again. I saw, yes I beheld with my own eyes five Brothers and four Sisters their Husbands their Wives, Nephews Nieces Friends and Companions of my youth grouped together to take the parting hand with one whose face they had but the slightest expectation of seeing again till the wheels of time cease to move.
The parting hand was extended it was grasped tear after tear in quick succession droped from the affected eye and was quickly followed by streams flowing down the sorrowful ​
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cheek the heaving bosom was no longer able to retain the hitherto suppressed sigh but I must stop, the sight of mine eye affected my heart and had I yielded to my feelings I should have lost the fortitude of the man and the Christian in the simplicity of the child. I turned my back upon them and hurried me away and for what? For riches for honour for ease for pleasure for power for fame in fine was it for anything the world calls good and great? O Thou searcher of hearts Thou knowest. One year is elapsed and I have not yet reached the field of my labours. O how I long to erect the standard of my master in these regions which Satan has so long claimed for his own.
Wednes. 20. Made a long march 20 mi. Left Lewis River on the right. Camped on a small stream of clear water.
Thirs. Aug. 21, 1834. Traveled 20 mi. passed some warm springs and one hot one which burst out smoking near the bank of a small stream. I think the temperature is as high as the boiling point.
The stones in and near the spring were covered with good salt some of which we gathered for use as we have had none for some days. Camped on a small stream water rather dis- agreeable to the taste. Grass good.
Friday, 22. Came 22 mi. camped on a small brook best of grass.
Most of the Indians have gone on. The monotony of this journey is indeed wearisome to mind and body. For some days we have been almost constantly surrounded with monu- tains form of most resembling that of a hay stack their surface sand. They would appear very beautiful to one who had never before seen the like. But to us who have seen nothing but mountains so long with scarcely a valley inter- vening there is little to excite interest. Their form is so similar that we almost fancy we have seen them before.
Sat. Aug. 23, 1834. Came unexpectedly upon Lewis River and soon left it and shall see it not again this side of the ​
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Columbia. Overtook the Indians and a small party sent out by Capt. McCay who are on their way to Wallahwallah. Came 15 mi. Camped on a large brook good water.
Sun. 24. Camped before 11 o'clock A. M. Thinking it best to rest on the Sabbath as we expect to reach W. in six days. The holy and thrice blessed Sabbath which in Christian lands is hailed as the prototype of the saints eternal rest above which brings with it an anticipation a fore[t]as[t]e of the extatic joys of heaven and fills the pious soul with high and holy emotions which causes him to pant more vehemently for more of God and for a preperation for the enjoyment of the now inconceiveable raptures of that glorious and eternal city.
"Where congregations ne'er break up and Sabbath never end," this holy Sabbath has been to us pilgrims little els[e] for four months but a day of labour, toil, and fatigue but far be it from me to murmur or complain. All is right. All is as it should be.
Mon. August 25, 1834. Traveled over hills and moun- tains as usual say 20 mi. Camped on a cold stream or rivulet, grass good. Some part of the way the dust flew in such quan- tities as nearly to suffocate one and the slow monotony of cow-driving is indeed very wearisome. And the quart of milk which they afford us now per day is a small compensa- tion for this labour but we hope to reap much benefit from them hereafter. Read Lord Byron's Sardinappollas [Sarda- napalus] but do not think that sort of writing will tend to better the heart or mend the life though it may inform the head. And he who could write such stuff as his "Vision of Judgment 7 ' must be I think, if not infidel in principle (which is most probible) a total stranger to all vital experimental religion.
Tues. 26. Started 6 o'clock 30 m. with the cows and ar- rived at camp at 3, distance 25.
The hills over which we came are not nearly so high as those we have been wont to pass of late. They are covered with scattering grass which is now dry and turned white for want of rain. ​
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1834. Friday, August 29. Made a severe march on Wed- nesday. Twelve hours with the cows, 36 miles over some mountains difficult for the animals being covered with small stones. Saw some of the Kioos squaws digging cammas. Camped near the Kioos Village. Thursday did not move camp. Walked a mile to the village to look for salmon and cammas, as our provisions were nearly spent, but they had no salmon and were lean with their cammas. I suppose some of the Kioos who had been with us informed the chief that we were there and our object in coming to this country. We were invited the chief's lodge. Dried salmon, choak cherries and water were set before us, of which we partook and con- versed as well as we could by signs and the few words of Nez Perce that we had learned, but we were sadly puzzled to understand each other. The chief of the Walla Walla tribe was there and he showed me some old papers with scraps of writing on them and a calendar showing the day of the month with Sunday distinctly marked written I presume by some gentleman of the H. B. Company. I then, in red ink, wrote my name and Daniel's, stating what we were, dated it and gave it to him and he seemed pleased with it. He soon made a sign for me to follow him, and he took me out and presented me an elegant horse and one of the Kioos presented Daniel a fine horse and one of the fattest I ever saw. We invited them to come to our lodge and in the afternoon two chiefs and others, more than could get into our tent came, and the Kioos chief and a brave, I think, gave me each a horse. I gave them knives, fish hooks, awls, etc., not of great value, but of con- siderable importance to them, in return. We smoked with them, sang a hymn, and commended them to God in prayer, and then dispersed, and prepared to go, some of us, and sup with Capt. Bonneville and wandering traders, in company with Capt. Stewart, and were treated in a very friendly man- ner. Started early this morning in pursuit of the horse gave me by the Wallah Wallah chief, he having broke his halter and gone. Met the chief coming to see us start, and told what I ​
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was after. He immediately returned to his lodge and sent a man for the horse and took me into the lodge and asked me if I would have something to eat. He wished to try my skill in medicine and presented a sick girl, probably afflicted with headache. I gave him some camphor, with directions how to use it. He accompanied me to our camp and the Kioos chief and others came to see us off, Mr. Shepard and I before the rest, and gave us a hearty shake of the hand and called us friends. The fire for a few days has been raging in the woods upon the mountains a few miles distant, and the atmosphere was so filled with smoke that we could see but a short distance, and was painful to the eyes. The two chiefs knowing [that] we should be likely to miss our [route] followed us and rode with us some miles until we reached the point where there wab no danger of missing the way and then took their leave. Is this not an interposition of Providence? Who would have supposed that these Indians would have shown such kindness and generosity towards strangers on account of their religion ? And yet this is the cause of their taking so much interest more in us than in others. They have prayer on Sunday fore- noon, and run horses and dance in the a. m. [p. m.]. In short their religion amounts to nothing more than a sort of Catholic mummery taught them by the traders. May He who teaches us as never man was taught soon teach them the way of life and salvation opened up by the great atonement made on Calvary. We have been nine hours ascending and descend- ing one mountain, the highest and most difficult by far that we have crossed. Found some beautiful springs of water. Camp in the woods almost without grass.
Saturday, August 30. Started at 6 o'clock and ascended a worse mountain than yesterday. It was with great difficulty that the cows could get up at all, but we at last reached the summit and traveled most of the day on the ridge, but we lost the view of the scenery, the smoke being so dense that we could see but a few yards. Many green pitch pine trees were burned down, and the fire was yet consuming them. The grass is mostly ​
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burnt up. Very little grass remains and that so dry that it is turned white. Mr. Hubbard, one of Capt. Wyeth's men, came to camp having- been lost from his company four days.
Sunday, August 31. Started this a. m. with the intention to reach Walla Walla tonight, as our provision is nearly spent. Left Messrs. Shepard and Edwards with the cows, to be two days to Walla Walla. An Indian told us that we could not reach Walla Walla till after dark; we therefore camped at 10 o'clock in good grazing. The men did not come with the cows as we expected, and Mr. Walker went in search of them, but did not find them. They had taken another road. I know not where it will lead them. We have just eaten the last food we have. We have had plenty of meat and a little flour, in case of sickness, until today. We should doubtless reach Walla Walla tomorrow, where we can get plenty. How thankful we ought to be that Providence has thus smiled upon us and so constantly supplied our wants. O Lord, make us grateful for thy mercies. I rejoice in the privilege of- being able to suspend traveling on this holy day, though I have to ride to Walla Walla without my breakfast in consequence. What our reception may be at the fort I know not, but think it will be favorable ; but be that as it may, I feel no anxiety with regard to it. Lord God Omnipotent, reigneth. Amen. Bless the Lord! the heathen shall be given to his son for his heritage and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. Lord, hasten the time.
Tuesday, Sept. 2. Marched over 30 miles in 7 hours yesterday and arrived safe and hungry at Walla Walla (Wal- lula of today). Immediately waited upon the Governor of the fort, Mr. Pambrun, who received me with great civility, gave me food, and sent some to the tent for others. On my return found that the brethren had arrived with the cows. Thus we have all arrived at Wallah Wallah where we were led to suppose that we could procure most kinds of food that would be desirable; but corn and flour, salt, a little fat, and a few fish from the Indians, are all there is in this place. The gov​
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ernor kindly invited me to make the fort my home, and prof- fered me any provisions he had and regretted that he had no better supply. I know not whether to leave our animals here and go by water or go by land. O Lord, do thou direct us. Capt. Wyeth has arrived in good health. Capt. Stewart killed a horse for meat, being the only kind he could get here, as he could not eat fish. We concluded to live on fish.
Wednesday, Sept. 3. Closed a bargain with Mr. Pambrun in relation to our animals. We are to have two cows, a bull and five horses for the same number at Fort Vancouver, and 2 each for five horses, and 3 for four mules, to be paid in provisions or goods at the lowest price. This looks very little, but it is probably the best we can do with them under existing circumstances. No news of Capt. Wyeth's vessel, and he is fearful she is lost; but I trust a kind Providence will direct her safe to port. The Wallah Wallah tribe is small and far more filthy and indolent than the Kioos. They are constantly about us, watch us when we eat, crowd around our fire even slept in front of our tent. The old chief, father of the acting chief, is very anxious that we should return to Wallah Wallah, also that I should preach to them now, but the governor re- garded it not expedient as the chiefs are absent, and the good that could be effected would be comparatively little as I could tell them nothing that they could understand, but what has been told them before we came.
Thursday, September 4. This morning packed our baggage (took) it to the boat with the expectation of getting off in good season, but did not embark until after dinner. Took our leave of Mr. Pambrun, who rendered us every possible at- tention while at the fort. I soon discovered that the water came into the boat so fast that the goods would soon be wet. After passing the riffle, which was in sight of the fort, we ​
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landed, unloaded, and remained until near night gumming the boat, embarked, came a few miles and camped.
Friday, September 5. Had a fine sleep in some willows, laid upon the dry sand. The morning is rather cool, but very fine, indeed. Our people are preparing breakfast and as soon as we have eaten we shall embark. The Columbia is clear and beautiful and the rock scenery on both sides the few miles we have come is very fine. Bless the Lord all seems to be well with me this morning. The current is strong, and we have got ahead well today. Passed one rapid not very dan- gerous but we all walked except enough to manage the boat. Indians are scattering all along the banks of this river, and consequently come out in their canoes to see us and sell some fish and cherries. They generally want tobacco in return, but will take powder and balls. They are nearly naked, most of them. Some have horses. They are said to be great thieves.
Saturday, Sept. 6. Run one rapid. I came near striking a rock in the midst of it, but escaped. Camped at 5 o'clock, not considering it safe to proceed, there being rapids below or rather falls and the smoke being so dense that we can see but few yards. Find myself rather unwell. The Indians here have some fine horses and we frequently see droves of them grazing on the shores. The Indians live almost wholly on fish which they procure with little labour. They cure it for winter by drying.
Monday, 8th Sept., 1834. Saturday night I was taken with vomiting and a relax which followed all night severely and in the morning was exercised with a good deal of pain which continued with some abatement all day. Passed some rapids and made the portage of the falls about 1 mi. in length. The boat and baggage were carried by the Indians at one load. A hundred or more crowded around us as soon as we arrived and ​
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followed us across the portage, and watched all our motions till we embarked. They are said to be a thievish set. In a small eddy just below where we embarked the salmon were leaping in great abundance. In the course of a few miles we saw scores of seal amusing themselves in the river which were the first I have seen and they were quite amusing. We are camped a few miles below the little Dells and at the head of the Big Dells. Here we have to make a portage of two miles. I find myself better the pain having left me in a great measure. Some Indians run the boat through the rapids and we carried the goods by land. Came a few miles left Capt. Wyeth to await the arrival of his company which came by land, and the wind was high we were obliged to camp.
Tuesday, September 9. Remained in camp, the wind being too high to move. Ascended a very high mountain, and amused ourselves by rolling great stones down the mountain. Our living is bread and fish.
Wednesday, September 10. Some Indians came to us and brought some sturgeon, one weighing probably 50 pounds. We embarked late and found the wind still so strong that we could make but little headway, and were forced to debark before night. It will be a long time before we reach Vancouver unless the wind abates. We have heard that Capt. Wyeth's vessel has arrived, hence I feel anxious to know if the goods have come safe.
Thursday, September 11. The wind prevented our moving today. For exercise and amusement Mr. Shepard and I climbed a hill high and precipitated large stones, some of them several tons weight, from a ledge several hundred feet high. There is no appearance of abatement of the wind and when we shall be able to reach Vancouver is hard to tell. ​
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Friday, September 12. After breakfast assayed to proceed, notwithstanding there was a strong headwind, but we advanced very slowly by hard rowing some seven or eight miles, when we could proceed no further by the oar, we towed the boat with a line, sometimes on the shore and some of the time in the river. We camped in some willow bushes, here to remain till we see what the morrow will bring forth. Our provision is nearly done except flour, but I have no anxious hours, trusting that he who ruleth the wind will provide for us.
Saturday, September 13. The wind still continues with un- abated force, and probably we shall be unable to move today. But Providence is still watching over us for good. Indians came with plenty of fresh and dried salmon, and thus our temporal wants were supplied. And we know that the fount of spiritual blessing is as near us in this western desert as it is to those who dwell in Christendom, and through the same medium we may have as rich a supply as they. Oh, Lord, give more and more of the bread of life. I had feign expected to reach Vancouver before Sabbath, but the Lord has determined otherwise, and I cheerfully submit to his all-wise dispensa- tions, rejoicing in the knowledge that no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Vancouver, Tuesday, September 16. This is the first op- portunity I have found to journalize since Saturday. Contrary to my expectations we were able to proceed, and encamped a short distance from the Cascades. Sabbath morning proceeded to the falls and made the portage of one mile, carrying two loads each, and then returned to let the boat down with a line, but it stuck upon the rocks, and the men being unable to remove it I went to their assistance and with considerable difficulty we succeeded in getting it over. But what rendered it very disagreeable was that the rain was pouring constantly. We tarried long enough to eat a bite, and proceeded. Camped near sunset, drenched in rain, built a good fire, pitched our tent and all slept in wet clothes except myself. Monday started at seven o'clock, called at a saw mill belonging to the H. B. Co. ​
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They are building a new mill and the workmanship does honour to the master. The scenery up the Columbia below the Cas- cades is the most delightful I ever beheld, but we could get but a partial view of the mountains on account of the mist in which they were enveloped. Arrived at Fort Vancouver at 3 o'clock, found the governor and other gentlemen connected with the fort on shore awaiting our arrival, and conducted us to the fort and gave us food, which was very acceptable, as we had eaten our last for breakfast. We received every attention from these gentlemen. Our baggage was brought and put into a spacious room without consulting us and the room assigned for our use, and we had the pleasure of sleeping again within the walls of a house after a long and fatiguing journey, re- plete with mercies, deprivations, toil and prosperity. I have been much delighted today in viewing the improvements of the farm, etc. The dinner was as good and served in as good style as in any gentleman's house in the east. Fine musk- melons and water melons and apples were set before us which were, indeed, a luxury, after the dry living we have had for some time. After dinner took a turn in the garden and was astonished to find it in such a high state of cultivation. The orchard is young, but the quantity of fruit is so great that many of the branches would break if they were not prevented by props. Dr. McLoughlin, the governor of the fort, seems pleased that missions have come to the country and freely offers us any assistance that it is in his power to render. It is his decided opinion that we should commence somewhere in this vicinity. O Lord, do thou direct us in the choice of a location. This evening received the joyful intelligence that Capt. Wyeth's brig was in sight. It is a matter of joy because the last we heard it was on a sandbar some 70 miles below, and we feared we should be obliged to go down for our goods. Is not the hand of Providence in all this? Would to God that I could praise him as I ought for his gracious dealings with us. It is now past 1 1 o'clock and I must commend myself to divine care and retire. ​
DIARY 263
Friday, Sept. 19. Daniel and myself are now on the bank of the Willamette river, a little distance from Mr. McKay's place. Wednesday expected that the brig would come up to Vancouver and we should receive our goods there, but the want of wind prevented her coming up. Went on board just at night and ascertained that we could not get them until the cargo was taken out. Slept on board and walked to the fort, three miles, in the morning and commenced preparations for a trip up the Willamette. Dr. McLoughlin made all the neces- sary preparations of men, boat, food, etc., and we were off about 4 o'clock. Camped up on the sand. Started early this morning and came to the mouth of the Willamette and found the brig there. Took breakfast on board. Waited while Capts. Lambert, Wyeth and Thing explore the vicinity in search of a place to suit their business, but they could fine none to please them. Left them with the expectation that they will unload some of their goods and ours at or near the place where they now are. Arrived at 1 :30 o'clock.
Saturday, September 20. Yesterday rode over Mr. McKay's place. The soil is sandy, light and poor. The corn killed by frost ; potatoes, light crop ; wheat and peas, tolerably good. Do not think such land will answer our purpose. This morning examined a piece of ground on the opposite of the creek good soil, timber in abundance in the vicinity and would make a tolerable farm; but it is but a few feet above high water mark and in the spring is surrounded by water, and I fear subject to frost, and fever and ague. There is plenty of grass for cattle in all directions, and the horses and cattle for the farm look exceedingly well. The superintendent, a Canadian, showed us the utmost attention and kindness. Started 9 hours 30 minutes to proceed up the river. Nearly all the land for some miles is overflowed in high water. Passed over a ridge covered mostly with a large species of fir, white maple, hemlock, ash, black cherry and cedar.
Sunday, September 21. Daniel, being unwell, I was anxious to reach the settlement and we reached the river and camped. Some of the settlers came over to see us. ​
264 JASON LEE
Monday, September 22. Come along the river, or a little distance from it, about 12 miles to Mr. Jarvie's. Called at the houses of the inhabitants, who were very glad to see us. Most of the men are Canadians with native wives. The land seems very good, but the season has been too dry. The crops in this plain have been better than those lower down the river. Here we found Mr. Smith teaching half breeds. He is an American who came from Boston with Capt. Wyeth. At sup- per we were treated with a fine dish of Canadian soup, ex- cellent pork, and beaver, and bread made of flour without bolt- ing, and as fine muskmelons as I ever tasted. Our tent was pitched in the melon bed and we slept there found it very convenient in the morning.
Tuesday, September 23. Started early this morning and rode some three or four miles up the river to examine the land. Found an excellent place for a farm above all the settlers. Re- turned to the lower farms and went on foot three miles to see a plain where Capt. Wyeth has chosen a farm.
Wednesday, September 24. Prairie du Sable on the bank of the Willamette. Fog dense cannot see a man two rods. Good health, plenty of food, etc., but my mind is greatly exer- cised with regard to the place of location. Could I but know the identical place that the Lord designs for us, be it where it may, even a thousand miles in the interior, it would be a matter of great rejoicing. O, My God, direct us to the right spot where we can best glorify thee and be most useful to these degraded red men. P. M. Did not find the horses till nearly noon. Came about 11 or 12 miles and are on a beautiful prairie, but know not the distance to the river. This plain would, I think, make a fine farm, but it is probably too far from the river. There are 30 Indians, old and young, a few rods from us, and some of the men are as naked as they were born a filthy, miserable-looking company, and yet they are quite contented. They subsist mostly on cammas. Probably
more than [ ] in this vicinity have fallen a sacrifice to the
fever and ague within four years. ​
DIARY 265
Thursday, September 25. Started 8 hours and come over bad roads very slow to the fall of the Willamette, and thence to the Clackamas river, forded it and crossed the prairie which we wished to see, but think it will not answer our purpose. Left the prairie and found our way a mile to the Willamette through a swamp thickly timbered and covered with under- brush. Saw some Indians a little above us; came up and camped on the sand near them. My mind is yet much exercised in respect to our location. I know not what to do.
Friday, September 26. Sent the horses to Mr. McKay's place and hired two Indians to take us to Vancouver in a canoe. Expected to reach there to-night, but the wind and the tide being against us, we were forced to camp.
Saturday, September 27. Arrived at the fort 9 hours. Found our brethren well. After mature deliberation on the subject of our location and earnest prayer for divine direction, I have nearly concluded to go to the Willamette.
Sunday, September 28. A. M. Assayed to preach to a mixed congregation English, French, Scotch, Irish, Indians, Amer- icans, half breeds, Japanese, etc., some of whom did not un- derstand five words of English. Found it extremely difficult to collect my thoughts or find words to express them, but am thankful that I have been permitted to plead the cause of God on this side of the Rocky Mountains where the banners of Christ were never before unfurled. Great God! Grant that it may not be in vain, but may some fruit appear even from- this feeble attempt to labour for thee. Evening. Preached again, but with as little liberty as in the morning; but still I find it is good to worship God in the public con- gregation. My Father in heaven, I give myself to thee. May I ever be thine and wholly thine always directed by thine unerring counsel, and ever so directed as to be most beneficial in the world and bring most of glory to the Most High ; that I may at last be presented without spot and blameless before the throne. ​Monday, September 30. This morning began to make preparations in good earnest for our departure to the Willamette, and after dinner embarked in one of the Company's boats, kindly manned for us by Dr. McLoughlin, who has treated us with the utmost politeness, attention and liberality. The gentlemen of the fort accompanied us to the boat and most heartily wished; us great success in our enterprise. Arrived at the lower mouth of the Willamette where Capt. Wyeth's brig is, late in the evening.
Tuesday, Oct. 1.—Received a load of our goods from Capt. Lambert and left the rest in his charge, to be sent to the fort. Breakfasted and dined with Capts. Lambert and Thing. Left late in the day and camped a few miles up the river on the point of a small island, the only place we could find for some miles where we could get the boat ashore. To the Willamette we have concluded to go. O may God go with us, for, unless thy presence go with us, we will not go up, for it will be in vain.
(Concluded in December Quarterly)
Correspondence of the Reverend Ezra Fisher
Pioneer Missionary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Oregon
Edited by
SARAH FISHER HENDERSON
NELLIE EDITH LATOURETTE
KENNETH SCOTT LATOURETTE
268 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
(Continued from page 176, June Quarterly)
Clatsop Plains, Oregon, March 1, 1849. Rev. Benj. M. Hill. Dear Brother:
In this I will give you a journal of my tour through the Willamette Valley last June and July.
June 13th, 1848. Preached at my north station, four miles from my residence, to an attentive assembly and attended S. S. and Bible class. We seemed to enjoy more than a usual degree of the divine Presence. In the evening walked three miles to the landing for these plains, seven miles southwest from Astoria. Here we spent an hour in social prayer with six or eight professors, among whom were two who have re- cently professed a hope in Christ. Conversed with Mr. L. on the importance of publicly putting on Christ by baptism. He assured me that he is only waiting for the returning health of his wife that she may accompany him.
19th. Left the Scippanouin 160 landing for the Willamette, in company with a party of fifteen, in a large canoe. The morning was delightfully serene and the Columbia, here eight miles in width, formed one vast mirror reflecting the light, the imagery of towering hills and stately forest trees everywhere skirting and often overhanging its bold and pre- cipitous shores. This day by alternate sailing and rowing or paddling, we made our way up the stream forty-three miles; and, just as the sun was concealing his golden beams behind the accumulation of lofty hills, we sought and found a camp on a rocky shore at the base of a steep mountain side loaded with heavy forests and almost impenetrably bestudded with vines and shrubbery. Here we kindled our fire, took such re- freshments as we had provided for the journey, committed ourselves to the care of Him who spreadeth out the heavens as a tent and laid our weary bodies down under the starry canopy to rest for the night, as is our uniform custom in journeying on this mighty river.
22d. This morning at eight reached Linnton, a small town
1 60 Skipanon, on Clatsop Plains. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 269
of six or eight log cabins situated on the west bank of the Willamette six miles above its junction with the Columbia and twelve S. W. from Fort Vancouver. 161 Here I left my party for Tualatin Plains, ten miles S. W. My way lay over high hills and through a dense forest. About twelve reached the house of my esteemed friend and brother, David T. Lenox. Here I was received with truly Christian hospitality. Four of his children have publicly put on Christ during the last year. In the afternoon visited the school which I taught in the summer of '46, now taught by a worthy Br. Ford, formerly from N. Y.
23rd. Met delegates from six churches, and by request preached on the importance of brotherly love. Was called to the chair and, after long but friendly deliberation on the subject of the connection of churches with missionary bodies, an association was organized, consisting of five churches, under the name of the Willamette Baptist Association, leav- ing each church free to act at pleasure on the missionary question. Oh, how deeply ought Christians to humble them- selves in view of the thought that so many of our dead breth- ren are so slow to awake and put on their strength and come up to the great battlefield of Zion's King! May the love of the gospel soon bring all our churches to a union of sentiment and action on this great practical subject.
24th. This day has been one of hard labor and, I trust, of some humble, fervent prayer. It does my soul good to see some manifest marks of discipleship in the midst of error. A spirit of kindness has been maintained while there has been very little yielding of principle. On the whole, the best work done this day has been the discussing and acting on the subject of the importance of liberating the ministry from wordly care and encouraging them to work in Christ's harvest field. Br. Vincent Snelling was appointed to travel
161 Linnton was laid out in the winter of 1843-4. and a road cut out from it to Tuilatin Plains. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 1:415. It languishes in competition with Portland.
(P. H. Burnett and Morton M. McCarver, pioneers of 1843, were the town proprietors. George H. Himes.) ​
270 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
and preach twelve months in the Willamette Valley, and nearly $100 was subscribed on the spot for that object. This is our commencement of the book of acts. May its records be greatly enlarged each coming year.
25th. Sabbath. Preached to an unusually large concourse for Oregon from Heb. 12:28, "Wherefore we, receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved," etc. Theme, Peculiarity and Immutability of Christ's Kingdom. Br. Johnson fol- lowed and continued the subject. The fixed attention of the congregation indicated that they were instructed on sub- jects of infinite moment. May God apply the word with saving effect to some souls!
26th. and 27th. Prepared the minutes for the press and preached to a small collection in Tualatin Plains.
28th. Rode ten miles to Mr. Clark's camp ground, 163 where a camp meeting was commencing, and at two P. M. preached on the importance of relying entirely upon the means of divine appointment in laboring for Zion's enlarge- ments; Zion's strength rests alone in Zion's King. Some seri- ous impressions had been made during the meeting of our Association, and it was evident that some few souls were con- cerned for their future state.
29th. Rode ten miles and visited Elder Porter's 163 family and affectionately recommended to the young members the Pearl of Great Price.
30th. Rode 28 miles from Tualatin Plains to Oregon City Country interspersed with prairie oak and fir openings and occasionally a belt of half a mile of heavy timber; under- growth, hazel bush, some of which grows 15 feet high and large enough to be used for making brooms 16 ^; hills high on approaching the river.
162 The site of the present Forest Grove.
163 Rev. William Porter (1803-1872) came to Oregon from Ohio in 1847 and settled in Washington County on a farm. He preached mostly for the West Union and Forest Grove churches. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. 1:58.
164 The author frequently used the hazel to make brooms and coarse brushes for the use of his own family. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 271
July 2d. Preached for Br. Johnson, and after preaching Br. Johnson baptized a sister in the Willamette, a large con- course of citizens witnessing the scene, which was solemnly interesting. In the afternoon visited and addressed the Union S. school. Br. Johnson's meeting house enclosed except win- dows, but yet unpainted.
3rd. Rode 15 miles up the east side of the Willamette to the Molalla River. Visited an anti-missionary Baptist min- ister l6 s ; found him antinomian in doctrine. Spent the night with Br. Cornelius and wife. The plains on this stream (Molalla) are sufficiently large to afford a good settlement. Here are some eight or ten Baptist members and a church will probably soon be constituted. 166
4th. Rode 25 miles through a rolling open country, inter- spersed with prairies. The way lay back of the main French settlement, the Roman stronghold of Oregon. l6 ? Spent the night with a Br. Hunt and family, with whom I became ac- quainted fifteen years ago in Indiana. Br. H. is some ten miles from any other Baptist family of kindred spirit on the subject of Christian enterprise and about twelve miles from Salem. 168 How important that Christians should always, especially in new countries, select their place of residence in reference to their usefulness and Christian privileges.
5th. Rode ten miles to Br. Matlock's, another brother with whom I labored in Indiana, one and a half miles from
165 Possibly Rev. Isom Cranfill. George H. Himes.
1 66 The date of the organization of the Molalla church, the editors have not been able to find. It was admitted to the Willamette Association in 1851 (Minutes of the Association of 1851), but was in existence at least as early as September, 1849, and had been organized after this letter was written, probably in the spring or summer of 1849. Had it been organized by March, 1849, the author would probably have mentioned it in his journal, and it is mentioned in his journal of September, 1849, as having been organized.
167 This French settlement is usually called French Prairie, because first set- tled by French Canadians formerly in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 1:70.
168 Salem was laid out on lands belonging to the Oregon Institute shortly after the removal of the latter to Salem in 1844. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 1:222. There had been a settlement there from an earlier date. ​
272 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
Salem. l6 9 Visited his family and in the afternoon visited the Oregon university or, in other words, the Methodist Insti- tute, now in operation under the superintendence of Rev. Mr. Wilbur. 1 ? His daughter performs the duty of teacher at present. I learn they are expecting a teacher from the States the coming year. The school at this time occupies the place of a common school, but meets the wants of the village and surrounding country. The buildings are of wood and have been erected at an expense vastly disproportionate to the present demands of the country. Yet, feeble as the school has been, doubtless it has proved a blessing to Ore- gon and will ultimately reward the denomination for all the needless expenditures. Its site is eligible, on the east bank of the Willamette about forty miles above Oregon City.
6th. Rode twenty miles up Mill Creek to the north fork of the Santi Am River, visited two families and attended the funeral of a young married lady with whom I traveled on our way from the States. Made a short address and of- fered up a prayer at the grave.
7th. Rode sixteen miles, after fording the river, to the middle fork and preached to an interesting collection of people, some of whom rode from three to twenty-five miles to hear preaching.
8th. Crossed the middle and south forks ; the latter stream is nearly as large as the Mohawk River. Rode 15 miles to the church on said stream and preached at 12 (noon) to the church. 1 ? 1 This church is situated in the midst of the richest
169 This was W. T. Matlock, who was a member of the state legislature in 1851. History of Pacific Northwest, compiled by North Pacific History Company, 1:326. He later lived near Clackamas Station in Clackamas County.
170 The Oregon Institute, the forerunner of the present Willamette University, intended at first as a school for the children of Methodist missionaries, was organ- ized early in 1842. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 1:201-203, 222 -
Rev. James H. Wilbur, (1811-1887) came to Oregon in 1847. His daughter was later the wife of the Rev. St. M. Fackler, an Episcopal clergyman. W. D. Fenton, Father Wilbur and His Work, in Ore. Hist. Soc. Quar. X, 2; p. 17.
171 This was probably the Santiam Baptist Church (at Sodaville, Linn Co.), which had been organized by Rev. H. Johnson that same summer. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. 1:8. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 273
and most delightful portion of Oregon. Perhaps a more picturseque scenery cannot be found in North America. The church is small, but its members are fast prospering and wish to work for good while they work for themselves; and under a faithful ministry we might reasonably hope for happy re- sults. This is about 65 miles above Oregon City in the center of the Willamette Valley and a few miles below the termina- tion of future steam navigation, in the vicinity of water power to almost any extent. I was strongly impressed with the thought that near this place was perhaps the most favorable point in the whole country for the location of an instittuion of learning for our denomination. By the recent developments of gold in California these convictions are strengthened.
9th. Brother Snelling and myself both preached and ad- ministered the sacrament of the supper. Congregation good for so new a country, but no unusual interest apparent.
10th, llth and 12th. Visited; viewed the surrounding country.
13th. Rode thirty miles to Salem, and spent the night with Br. Matlock. 14th. Crossed the Willamette and rode about 30 miles over a rolling prairie and open country to the south fork of the Yam Hill; visited two families, but noth- ing of special interest occurred.
15th. Rode 14 miles. My way lay along the Yam Hill bottom lands; soil luxuriantly rich and large fields of wheat of enormous growth were now waving their long golden ears to the gentle breezes that glide over the plains. Met the Yam Hill church at the time of their monthly meeting and preached on the occasion at the house of Br. Miller, 1 ? 2 an ordained minister from Missouri. 16th. It being Lord's day, Br. Snelling and myself both preached to a large con-
17 a This was Rev. Richard Miller, who came to Oregon in 1847. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. 1:5, 59​
274 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
gregation for the sparseness of the settlement, and at night I rode home with Br. Snelling. How distressing the thought that in all my travels in the Willamette Valley I have found no Baptist Sabbath school above Oregon City. My spirit is deeply afflicted with the thought that the children of Bap- tist families and others have so few opportunities for religious instruction. One Sabbath each month they may hear a sermon preached; and then there are few books, except the Bible, adapted to instruct the youthful mind in morals and religion, while the temptations to visit and rove the plains in diversion are many and powerful. I long for the faithful S. S. teachers, with their neat little library of books, to direct the youthful mind in the ways of virtue and wisdom.
17th. Rode 30 miles, crossed the two remaining forks of the Yam Hill River, passed through Chehalum Valley, 173 visited two Baptist families and spent the night on the south fork of the Tualatin River with an interesting Baptist family.
18th. Visited Rev. Mr. Clark in Tuality Plains. Near his residence he, with the assistance of a few benevolent friends, sustains a school called the Oregon Orphans' Asylum. 17 * This school will probably become in some future day a literary in- stitution for the Congregational denomination. Rode 14 miles, visited two families and arrived at Br. Lenox's.
20th. Walked 28 miles to Oregon City. 1 " Spent the re- mainder of the week in visiting in the city and vicinity and in preparing to go down the river. 23rd. Preached twice for Br. Johnson. Congregation moderately good. 24th. Left Oregon City for Clatsop on board the launch of the unfor- tunate ship Peacock. 176
173 The Chehalem Valley was settled as early as 1834 or 1835 by Ewing Young, who had accompanied Kelley to Oregon. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. I:g2.
174 This was the forerunner of Pacific University.
175 Oregon City at this time, according to Dr. Atkinson, had 120 houses.
176 The U. S. S. "Peacock," of the Wilkes exploring expedition, was lost at the mouth of the Columbia July 18, 1841. Bancroft, Hist, of N. IV. Coast, II 1532. ​28th.–Reached home; found my dear wife just recovering from a painful illness occasioned by an abscess in the right breast. It, however, pleased our Heavenly Father to spare her life and that of our little son, now eight weeks old.
Clatsop Plains, March 1st, 1849.
Dear Br. Hill:
I wrote you one letter under date of Sept., 1848, and forwarded on board the brig Henry bound for San Francisco. I have written you three since and forwarded to San Francisco on board the Mary Cadell. She left about the first of Feb. I hope these will reach you by mail; one of them contained my report of 19 weeks up to Feb. 2, 1849. With this journal I shall send you a letter under date of Feb. 8, 1849, on the subject of a literary institution. Accompanying the package which I send you on the Mary Cadell were the following in answer to letters received by boxes of goods last Sept.: Two sheets to members of Deep River Baptist Church, Connecticut, under date Oct. 12, 1848. One to Sarah L. Joslin, East. Jeffry, N. H., Oct. 12, 1848. One to Rev. Joseph Stockbridge, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1848. One to Mrs. Elizabeth N. Jones, Weston, Mass., Oct. 17, 1848. One to the Baptist church in Amenia, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1848. One to Rev. Reuben Winegar, Rensselaerville, Albany County, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1848. One to the Elmira and South Port church, Chenango County, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1848. One to East Greene church, Chenango Co., N. Y., Nov. 12, 1848. One to James Cowan, 119 Ludlow Street, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1849. One to Rev. Ira M. Allen, N. Y. f Feb., 1849, and a package to Timothy Taft under various dates, Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y. I trust they will all reach their places of destination.
I shall leave in a few days for San Francisco, if Providence wills, and shall probably spend three or four months in California. Br. Johnson advises to this course in view of the unsettled state of things at present in Oregon. You will ​
276 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
hear from me again soon, if life is spared. The goods which you forwarded on the bark Undine were lost. You will probably draw to the amount on the insurance office and forward the same articles again.
I will here insert a small bill of articles which were over- looked in making out the bill forwarded you last month. I hope it will reach you before you fill that bill, that you may put them up together:
1 leather travelling trunk, 2 pairs small shoes for child 2 yrs. old, 1 coffee mill, lace for eight or ten ladies' caps, 2 pair of ladies' dark kid gloves, rather over medium size, 1 dress shawl, worsted, 1 Latin dictionary, 1 Virgil with clavis, 1 pair spectacles, for Mrs. Fisher, set in silver, 4 rolls of black quality binding about one inch wide.
N. B. Should this bill not reach you before you fill the bill last ordered, you will probably forward these articles with other articles which you may forward for the mission- aries.
P. S. I shall report up to the first of April in a few weeks and hope to be able soon to let you know the state of things in California. Br. Johnson writes me that probably nine-tenths of all the men in Oregon will go to the mines in California next summer. 1 ?? I think this a large estimate. Gold is found in small quantities in several places in Oregon, and the prospects are said to be most promising on the Santi Am River. Whether it will be found sufficiently abun- dant to justify working is yet uncertain. 1 ? 8 No doubt our government will order a geological and mineralogical sur- vey of California and Oregon Soon. 1 ?^ Such a work would greatly aid emigrants in deciding the place of their loca- tions. We need an unusual degree of grace to enable us to
177 The author was right. Probably about two-thirds of the young and mid- dle-aged men went. F. G. Young, Financial Hist, of Ore., in Ore. Hist. Soc. Quar. VII: 3 73.
178 Gold was already found in small quantities in the gravels on the Rogue River, and along the Willamette. George H. Himes.
179 This survey was not made, although it was later agitated, especially by a Mr. Evans. George H. Himes. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 277
be successful in the great work of the gospel ministry in the midst of the unparalleled excitement which reigns through the entire community. Sometimes I almost de- spond in view of the present and coming scenes. All ar- ticles of living are high food, raiment and labor. Oregon is almost empty of goods. Farming is being neglected to an alarming extent. All improvements in mills and me- chanics' work is about to be suspended and the rage is for gold and how men can reach the mines. It will cost prob- ably two or three times as much in dollars and cents to support a family here this year as last. Yet we hope that in a year or two things will become more settled and the facili- ties for doing good will be much increased. All reports rep- resent the moral condition of California alarmingly deplor- able. Gambling, drunkenness and violence reign.
Yours,
EZRA FISHER. Received July 3, 1849.
Sullivan's Creek, a fork of the Terwallomy,
May the 12th, 1849. Dear Mrs. Fisher:
Colonel Hall and Edward Lenox, being about to return to Oregon, I take my pen to write you a line. My health is very good, through the tender mercies of Almighty God. Yet our work is quite laborious at present and we get but little gold in comparison to those who dug six or eight weeks ago. Mr. Stone and myself are boarding with Mr. Jeffrie at three dollars per day. We expect to move camp in a few days to the bars on the large streams. We may go south to the Terwallomy, or we may go north toward the American Fork. I cannot tell when I shall leave for home. Should providence smile on my health, I think of staying till we can get on the bars and till I can make enough to help the family to some of the comforts of life. I have seen men take out 4, 6, 8 and 12 ounces in a day since I have been here, while others within ten steps would not pay their board and work ​
278 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
hard. I think the climate tolerably good, but washing day after day with feet and hands in the water, and drinking to intoxication and carousing through the night and sleeping like pigs in the dirt, will generate disease in any climate. I do not know whether it will be necessary for me to send you any funds before I return. Should I conclude to stay till July or August, and I have a good, safe conveyance, I will send you $100 or $200. If you need anything to make yourself and the children comfortable and can get a credit till I come, do not let the family suffer. We hope to find better diggings as soon as the rivers fall. We have a toler- able variety of provisions in the mines, but it is not like home. We have few religious privileges in the mines, and nothing would induce me to spend three or four months in the midst of profane swearing, drunkenness, gambling and Sabbath breaking but the hope of providing for my dear family, and that, too, while California and Oregon are in a state of confusion. Next year probably these privileges will be measurably past. We shall hardly expect to get any let- ter from you till I go to San Francisco. I wish you would write me to that place, to the care of Dr. C. L. Ross, and let me know 7 what articles of clothing and groceries the fam- ily will need and I will do as well as I can for them. I spend little time in thinking about moving while I am work- ing hard every day but the Sabbath. I hope to see you in August or the fore part of September at the farthest. Pos- sibly in July. I would like to see you all and enjoy the so- ciety of my family and neighbors a few days at least; but I hardly dare to think of it now. Give my best respects to Mr. Robinson and wife. I shall never forget their great kindness, and should like to be their future neighbors, if God so directs.
You can have no adequate idea of the vast influx of popu- lation from all parts of the world to California. Do not have Lucy Jane teach and work at home so as to make both you and her sick. I hope Timothy will do well and take ​
CORRESPONDENCE 279
good care of the garden, so that I can have a few good vege- tables when I get home, and I will make him a little yellow present. Ann Eliza and Sarah Josephine must be good scholars and help Mother do the work and Father will re- member them. Kiss Francis Wayland for me. I suppose he is beginning to go alone. May God bless you all and hasten the time when we may meet in peace and enjoy the comforts of life.
Benjamin Woods, together with several other of our Ore- gon men, was killed by the Indians a few weeks ago on the American fork. But we have no fear from the Indians in this part of the mines.
Yours in haste,
EZRA FISHER.
Terwallomy River, two miles above the mouth of Sulli- van's Creek, July 1st, 1849. Dear Mrs. Fisher:
I wrote you about one week ago by a Mr. Smith of Ore- gon, who will soon leave the mines homeward bound. But Mr. Bird, being about to leave tomorrow, I deem it a pleas- ure to spend a few moments in communicating to my dear family. I am usually well, although somewhat poisoned with ivy. Stone is well; also all the Oregon men with us, except Mr. Bird. He is now recovering from an attack of the flux. I should have left with him, if I had two or three hundred dollars more. But the time for digging on the bars of the rivers is near at hand. I have incurred the expense and fatigue of the journey and to all probability this is the last year that the mining business in California will break up the farming and mechanical pursuits in Oregon, and, as we very much need a few hundred dollars to settle ourselves comfortably, educate our children and to aid in promoting all the interests of Zion on the Pacific Coast, I think I shall stay till perhaps the first or middle of next month, if my health will allow me to continue to dig. But should I feel any strong indications of approaching sickness, I should ​
280 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
embrace the first favorable opportunity of leaving the mines and reaching home in safety. I am heartily tired of the mines. I sometimes think they may be truly called the gam- bler's and drunkard's heaven and the Christian's banishment. How long I should be willing to remain in this imprison- ment for the benefit of myself and family I know not. One day I look towards the place of all my domestic attractions and Christian relations and long for a release. I then think I will not be a fool and entrust the education and support of a rising family to the charity of the Christian public, or to the slow and hard earnings of my hands at home, while six, eight, ten and sometimes twenty and even more dollars can be made here per day clear of expense at a season when society is literally broken up in Oregon, and California too. As far as my friends advise here, they recommend me to stay two or three months at least, and then they say they will go with me. I expected to do no great things in mining when I gave you the parting hand. I have not been disappointed. Yet to all human appearances I have done better than I should have done to have remained in Oregon. The weath- er for the last week has been very warm, the thermometer rising in the shade during the heat of the day to 106 degrees and in the sun to 119 degrees, but yesterday and today it is quite comfortable. We lay by about three hours in the heat of each day. If you can live comfortably till I return, I would rather Lucy Jane would study than teach, yet I would have you consult the good of the neighbors' children as well as that of our own. I hope Timothy will improve some in arithmetic and grammar, if he can, after doing the necessary work for the family. Should you need flour or anything else., I think you can get it on a short credit and I will cheerfully pay it on my return. Keep Ann Eliza and Sarah Josephine at their books part of each day if you can. Kiss little Francis Wayland Howard for me. I want to see you all very much. May God bless us all with life and health and prepare us for a happy and prosperous meeting. ​
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Tell Widow Bond I have sold her gun tolerably well and hope she will be benefited by it on my return. I can hardly expect to be favored with so rich a blessing as a letter from you till I reach San Francisco. I have written you five or six letters since I reached that place. I almost envy you the peas, potatoes, onions, gooseberries, strawberries, etc. I hope you enjoy them all well, as well as the milk and butter and eggs. Tell Timothy to save the oats and peas in Mr. Robinson's barn if he can. Do not forget to remember me affectionately to him and all the family. I should have writ- ten Mr. Perry before this, but all my time is occupied, and I have somewhat expected that he would be in the mines be- fore this time. Mining business is generally very dull; per- haps half the miners are doing but little more than paying expenses. Give my respects to all the friends. Write me at San Francisco and let me know what groceries and cloth- ing the family will need the coming winter.
Your affectionate husband and father,
EZRA FISHER.
To Lucy Fisher and all the children.
Mrs. Lucy Fisher,
Clatsop Plains, Oregon. To be left at Astoria, care of Mrs. Ingles.
San Francisco, Cal., July 18, 1849. Rev. Benj. M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. A. B. H. M. Soc. Dear Brother:
In a letter of the 29th of February I think I gave you my apology for visiting California and going to the mines. I now wish to say that my stay in the mines was a little more than eight weeks, in which I am not conscious that I have performed any essential service to the cause of Christ, farther than that my influence went to suppress the out- breaking sins of those with whom I associated. During those eight weeks I preached but two Sabbaths, and I sup- pose these were the only sermons which have ever been ​
282 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
preached in the mines. My present haste forbids my giving you at this time anything more than a brief outline of the state of things morally in the mines. A large majority in the part of the mines where I worked were from the Span- ish-American republics and soldiers and sailors, many! of whom had either deserted from our country's service or run away from merchant vessels. The various countries of Europe, the Pacific isles and China, as well as several states and territories of our own nation, were represented. Pro- fanity, Sabbath breaking, gambling and drunkenness reign unrestrained. Every trading shop within my knowledge sells intoxicating spirits, and most of them suffer gambling tables. Perhaps there is not a place on the face of the earth where gambling is conducted on so large a scale. It may be said in truth that thousands of dollars are some- times won at one table in a night. Many of the laborers dig through the day and at night change their gold into coin and gamble it away before they sleep. In short, the mines may, with some degree of propriety, be called the gamblers' and drunkards' heaven. And to crown the scene, the Chris- tians' Sabbath is the great day of trade and bull fighting and drunkenness and licentiousness. Professors of religion sell more ardent spirits and provisions on that than any other day in the week. I went to the mines principally to raise something to give my family the bare comforts of life, hop- ing, however, that I might in some measure unite bodily labor with duties of the ministerial office. God has merci- fully blessed me with about $1000 worth of gold, and to all probability, if I had stayed three or four months longer and had been blessed with a continuance of my health, I might have raised from $2000 to $4000 more. But an abiding con- viction of the duty I owe to the cause of Christ in Oregon has induced me to direct my attention to the appropriate field of my labors as soon as I could place my family above immediate want. I have been in this place ten days await- ing a vessel for Oregon. I shall sail tomorrow or next day. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 283
I supplied Br. Wheeler's 180 place in this town last Sab. while he is making a visit (and I hope an important one) to Pueblo, about 40 or 50 miles south of this place. One important object he has in view is to secure, if possible, a site for a literary institution. The location must be favorable if se- cured.
Wrote you on the 29th of Feb. last, at which time I made my report up to that time and, as I left before the middle of March, I shall not think of being chargeable to your Board till the time I arrive again at my own home. It af- forded me great pleasure to meet Br. Wheeler and wife as missionaries at San Francisco, when I reached here last April. He needs at least three or four able, efficient fel- low laborers. 181 I hope your Board have them already un- der appointment. For my part, I think my first business after reaching home and spending a week or two in Clatsop will be to visit the Willamette churches and endeavor to do something with the friends of education by way of agreeing upon a site and securing it for an institution of learning for the denomination in Oregon.
I have just received a letter from my dear wife inform- ing me of the arrival of several boxes and a barrel of goods at Oregon City, directed to me; also one box directed to Elder Johnson. I shall attend to that business as soon as possible and acknowledge the receipt of the goods donated by letters to the donors. I answered most or all of the let- ters of which you speak in your last during last winter and you have probably received the answers before this. Many of our Oregon men are returning from the mines and I fondly hope the great gold excitement will gradually abate in Ore- gon from this time. Yet it is hard to predict what will be the end of this unparalleled state of things. I understand that Br. Snelling is at the mines. An excellent brother in Oregon has given me the assurance that he will join me in
1 80 Rev. O. C. Wheeler arrived in California in February, 1849. Bancroft, Hist, of Calif. 11:727. See also note 148.
181 Two other missionaries for California were appointed by the Baptist Home Mission Society in 1850. Bap. Home Missions t N. Am. 1832-1882, n. 339. ​
284 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
purchasing two claims side by side and donate in common with me the necessary amount of land for the site of an institution and do all in his power to carry the work forward, if I will go into the enterprise and move to the spot. He has just carried home with him more than $4000 in gold dust and coin. The question with me is whether I may enter into this work without diminishing my usefulness as a faithful minister. We may act too precipitously on this subject. Should we take action on this subject before the immigration from the States reaches Oregon and lands take a great rise, as they have already done in California, I trust your Board will at least acquiesce in the movement and in that event have a suitable man ready for the mouth of the Columbia.
Yours,
EZRA FISHER.
Oregon City, Nov. 14, 1849. Received Sept. 13. Rev. Benj. M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. A. B. H Missionary Society. Dear Brother:
I shall employ my leisure moments during a few evenings to transcribe my journal of a tour from my former residence, up the Columbia River and through the Willamette Valley in August, September and October last. Aug. 26th. Preached to an interesting congregation at Clatsop Plains af- ter an absence of five months in California. Found it truly pleasant to meet the few members of the church and address them on the subject of the importance of fortifying the youthful mind against the temptations peculiar to the Coast and solemnly warned the youth of their great danger. 29th. Left my family for a tour through the Willamette Valley.
Sept. 4th. This day reached Oregon City, after a journey of almost an entire week of laboriously pulling the oar by day and sleeping on the ground by night, which is no un- common occurrence to those travelling this route. Found ​
CORRESPONDENCE 285
the Baptist cause in this city somewhat improved and the territorial legislature, in which are two of our Baptist brethren, 182 in session, and, providentially falling in with two other brethren from the country, we held an interesting con- ference on the subject of the necessity of taking action for the establishment of a literary institution in Oregon and, preparatory to this work, unanimously agreed to call a meet- ing of friends of education in the denomination to be held in this place on the 21st and 22d days of the present month. This city, situated immediately below the great falls of the Willamette, at the head of which two saw-mills, with two saws each, and two flouring mills, 18 * are kept constantly employed, begins to assume a business like appearance. The town contains ten or twelve drygoods stores, a variety of mechanic shops, five places of public worship Methodist, Baptist, Congregationalist, Seceder 18 * and Roman Catholic and a population of about six hundred souls. At present this is the most important place in the Territory and it will always form the great connecting link between the Willam- ette Valley and the Pacific Ocean. Here I spent four days in visiting families and the members of the legislature.
8th. Travelled 16 miles to the sti^e church on the Molalla over a rolling country interspersed with forests of fir and open lands generally set thick with ferns and scat- tering grass. Soil generally good, but settlements few. 9th. Preached to an interesting congregation on the Molalla prairie. This church, numbering about eight members, has had preaching but a few Sabbaths since its constitution. Manifest a laudable desire for a stated ministry and are willing to contribute liberally, in proportion to their numbers, for its support.
182 These two Baptist members of the legislature were probably R. C. Kinney and W. T. Matlock, members of the House. Rev. H. Johnson was chaplain of the House. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. II .-72; 1=633; H:i43- Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. In the first reference in Bancroft the initials of Matlock seem to be wrongly given as W. S. The manuscript records of the Oregon City church show W. T. Matlock to have been a member there.
183 The two flour mills were owned, respectively, by Dr. John McLoughlin and the Oregon Milling Company. The sawmills were apparently also owned by them and connected with the flour mills. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 11:2-5.
i84.Th Seceders were the New School Presbyterians. ​
286 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
10th. Travelled up the Willamette Valley about 25 miles, crossing four of the branches of Pudding River, all incon- siderable streams. The face of the country is generally about as level as the gently rolling prairies of the Mississippi Valley, except for a few points of hill in passing out of the Molalla prairie. Soil variable; generally good, yet occasion- ally inclining to be wet and clayey. Settlements sparse in the morning, but in the afternoon more compact. Spent the night with a brother formerly from Iowa. He is settled on the southwest border of Howell's Prairie, 12 miles N. E. from Salem and, far removed from church privileges, thirsting for the golden waters. It is to be lamented that Christ is too far thrust aside. Oh ! "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"
llth. Rode ten miles to Salem, a small town on the east bank of the Willamette, containing some twenty families. Here I visited two Baptist families who seem desirous of seeing the cause promoted in their place and have secured two town lots for church purposes, should they be needed for that object. I8 s This is the point where the Methodists have located their literary institution. The school at this time numbers about 70 children of both sexes. This place has a commanding central position in the Willamette Val- ley, and will probably become a place of some importance in future years. At present the health of the place is question- able. We hope the day is near when an efficient Baptist church will be gathered in this place. In the evening rode ten miles up the valley of Mill Creek through a picturesque and fertile part of the country; spent the night with a Bap- tist family who have been halting on the subject of mission measures, but are now desirous of having a church consti- tuted in their settlement, which may be done in a few months, if we can find any preacher who can visit them
185 A Baptist church was organized in Salem in November, 1850, but seems not to have survived. It was revived in 1859. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. I:i?, 141. See also the letter of Aug. 23, 1853. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 287
even monthly. 186 There are some eight or ten Baptist mem- bers in the settlement.
12th. Traveled 23 miles this day over some of the most delightful part of Oregon; my way lay along the borders of the timber skirting the Willamette, crossing successively the Santiam and Callipooia rivers. In passing the Santiam the foot of the mountains recedes from the river and the prairies on the east open out to ten or twelve miles in width and forty or fifty miles in length, except as the streams are sometimes skirted with rich groves of fir and oak. The valleys of these streams sometimes penetrate far into the bosom of the mountains, affording some of the richest and best watered lands in the world. Farther east the mountains rise, pile above pile, till at last may be seen some six or seven lofty conical peaks, raising their summits far into the region of perpetual snow. At one view the eye can survey the luxuriant plains with their meandering streams, the ever- varied mountain side clad with dense forests of evergreen firs and the still more lofty snow-capped mountains, around whose sides the clouds sport in wild confusion. Perhaps no part of the world can exhibit, at one glance of the eye, so admirable a combination of the beautiful, the grand and the sublime.
13th. Spent the day in examining the country in refer- ence to the location of an institution of learning. I never travel through this portion of the valley without being for- cibly impressed with the thought of the almost incomparable beauty and grandeur which must strike the eye and cannot fail to inspire the heart of every beholder, when civilization shall have taxed all the resources of these plains and moun- tains. How important then that the character of the crowds that must soon people this valley should be formed by the precepts of our Holy Law-giver!
186 This was probably the nucleus of the Shiloh (Turner) Baptist Church, or- ganized August 31, 1850. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. I:g. ​
288 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
14th. Visited a small church on the south fork of the Santiam. l8 7 Find the few brethren ready to do something liberal for the preached Word and in anxious expectation to welcome Br. Cheadle, our colporter missionary, who has al- ready arrived safe in the valley. 188
15th. Travelled 25 miles to Mill Creek to meet a Sabbath appointment which I left as I passed up the valley.
16th. Preached to an interesting congregation and enjoyed a good degree of consolation while they listened atten- tively to the Word.
17th. Having returned as far as Molalla, I preached at 3 P. M. to a small congregation of people, and on the 19th reached Oregon City.
Sept. the 21st. The friends of education convened, and after the preaching of a short sermon the convention was or- ganized by calling Br. Hezekiah Johnson to the chair and electing myself clerk. But a few persons were present; but all seemed impressed with the conviction that the time had arrived when God in His providence called on us as a de- nomination to take prompt measures to establish a perma- nent school under the direction and fostering care of the Baptist churches in Oregon.
22d. Convention met; I again preached, after which the convention originated the Oregon Baptist Education Society and adjourned the meeting to the Church in YamHill County on the 27th.
23d. Spent the Sabbath with the church in the city and twice addressed the people. Congregation good. Spent the remainder of the week in visiting the church in Tualatin Plains and preached twice on the Lord's day. This church have in their bounds an ordained minister of excellent char- acter, but unable to devote much of his time to the minis-
187 This was probably the Santiam Baptist Church, at Sodaville, Linn County. It was organized in 1848 and became extinct about 1857. Mattoon, Bap An of Ort. 1:8.
188 Rev. Richmond Cheadle, 1801-1875, was born in Ohio and came to Oregon from Iowa in 1840. He was at this time colporter for the American Baptist Pub- lication Society. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. 1:70. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 289
try. 189 The church wants and needs a man of more ability who can devote his time to the great work of preaching the gospel. A faithful minister might, the first year, expect from this church his family provisions, except groceries, and perhaps more. Your Board would do well to appoint a mis- sionary for that church and vicinity. This church is situated in the midst of an interesting farming country and within from two to eight hours' ride of all the small towns rising up on the Willamette from the Falls (Oregon City) to its lower mouth, including Vancouver on the Columbia River. This church is the oldest and, in truth, at present the most promising church in the territory, having a number of in- teresting young men.
25th. Rode to YamHill Church to prepare for the meet- ing; visited several families. 26th. Visited three families, among whom I met with a man apparently near the eternal world, yet he seemed unwilling to have his mind led to the subject of his spiritual welfare. I gave him a few words of advice and left him to his own reflections. Oh, how obvious it is that man naturally has no love for God ! . . .
27th. Met the friends of education, one member from each church except the Molalla church being present. After a long and friendly deliberation, it was agreed to locate the institution on the east bank of the Willamette River, about eight miles above the mouth of the Callipooia River, and about seventy above Oregon City. The Education Society appointed a Board of Trustees for the institution and the Board appointed me to take charge of the school and re- quested me to remove as soon as practicable to the place and open a school. Measures were also taken to raise $2000 for the purpose of erecting suitable buildings and to meet the other necessary expenses. 28th. Returned to Oregon City through an interesting, picturesque country of prairie and timber forty miles; visited one family on the way and reached the house of Br. Johnson late at night almost over-
189 This was probably Rev. William Porter. See note 163. ​
290 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
come with fatigue of body and anxiety of mind. We have assumed vast responsibilities, yet our strength is weakness and I fear but a very few realize the amount of responsi- bilities we have assumed; and then we must take one man in part from the appropriate duties of the ministry till we can obtain relief from the States. Yet we cannot do less, if we do anything. The public will have no confidence in our meeting and passing resolutions while we do not act. Schools are greatly needed; our hope of successful operation in Ore- gon is in the youth. Other denominations are in advance of us, and the Romans are already at work. Well, by the grace of God, without which we are nothing, we must try. Pres- ent emergencies alone reconcile me to the task. I shall probably be called to preach almost every Sabbath and have thrown under my immediate instruction a portion of the most promising youth in the Territory. I confidently hope relief will be speedily sent from the States in the person of a well qualified professional teacher to fill the place.
29th. Attended the monthly meeting of the church at Oregon City, preached on the occasion, and on the 30th preached again. The subject, The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Congregation attentive. In the evening addressed Br. Johnson's Sabbath school.
Oct. 15th. Having succeeded in procuring a passage down the river, I went on board a whale boat, the best method of conveyance we have as yet on our waters, and commenced my journey homeward. 19th. After four days of hard rowing and three nights' lodging on the ground, I reached home and found my family in usual health and en- joying the smiles of a gracious providence. The scenery along the Columbia from the mouth of the Willamette down- ward is highly romantic. For the first sixty miles the bot- tom lands spread out from one to eight or ten miles in width, interspersed with prairies covered with the most lux- uriant grasses and weeds, but subject to occasional inunda- tions in June and July. The timber of these bottom lands ​
CORRESPONDENCE 291
is willow, balm of Gilead, alder, fir, oak and some maple and ash. Much of this land is sufficiently elevated to admit of settlement. Immediately back of these bottoms and not un- frequently approaching the river's edge rise the low moun- tains, sometimes rather abruptly, but seldom precipitously, from 1000 to 5000 feet, groaning under a dense forest of evergreen, fir, spruce and cedar, interspersed with maple and alder. Lower down the river the mountains occasionally arise from the water's edge with great abruptness and some- times raise their basaltic walls like perpendicular battlements 500 or 600 feet, from whose heights the timber lands rise with a gradual ascent and, during the rainy season, drain their waters in imposing cascades over these buttresses of nature into the bosom of the noble river whose rolling floods perpetually wash their base. As you approach nearer the ocean the scenery becomes more imposing. The river widens into a broad sheet from six to fifteen miles in width, the high hills on either side, with, however, many exceptions rise abruptly from the water's edge and, clothed with their evergreen forests, present an imposing contrast to the wide spread expanse of waters pent up at their bases. Nor does the grandeur of the scene decline till this vast accumulation of water loses itself in the Pacific, where may be seen, to the astonishment of the beholder, the warring of mighty waters as they meet and dash their angry spray from the summits of mighty billows, bidding defiance to all the in- ventions of man.
No doubt that the great commercial emporium of Oregon must rise into being in the vicinity of this imposing scenery; and conditions are rapidly working to bring about the com- mencement of this work. Milling companies are being formed with a large capital for the erection of both water and steam sawmills, and other mills are being erected; town- sites are selected and the rage for speculation in town prop- erty is fast ripening into a mania. May God grant that the children of light may be wise and prepare to follow thh ​
292 REVEREND EZRA FISHE*
extraordinary spirit of enterprise with the spirit of the gospel. Yours in gospel bonds,
E. FISHER.
Oregon City, Ore., Nov. 31st, 1849. Rev. Benj. M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. A. B. H. M. Soc. Dear Br. :
After a long delay in consequence of our unsettled affairs as Baptists in Oregon, and the multiplicity of cares that come upon me, both of a religious and domestic character, by means of my absence in California, I now take my pen in hand to write you as near as possible the present state of things with us and to answer a few of your inquiries. And, first, I will acknowledge the receipt of a list of letters which I have received from you: One under date of July 20th, 1848; one July 29, 1848; also the box of goods enclosing with them the bill of lading. Goods were received in good order. With this I have an inventory and bill of lading of goods shipped on board the Serampore. One under date of Aug. 8th, 1848, and with it, I think, a commission No. 1281, April 1, 1848. Also a commission for Elder V. Snelling, Br. Snelling is yet in the gold mines and will not probably return until next spring, consequently he will not be able to fill that appointment. One under date of October 2, 1848; one from Jas. M. Whitehead, Nov. 1st, 1848; one from your- self under date Nov. 1, 1848, accompanying an invoice of goods shipped on board the bark Whiton, Roland Gelston, master, with the bill of lading. Goods all arrived safe and in good order, except that the shoes and donation goods had become somewhat moldy not materially damaged. Also one under date of Nov. 23, 1848. I have just written and forwarded a letter to Rev. S. S. Cutting, editor of the N. Y. Recorder; also one to the ladies of the First Bap. Church in N. Y., acknowledging receipt of their valuable donation.
On the twenty-third of August I arrived in Clatsop Plains from California, after a passage of twenty-six days. Found ​
CORRESPONDENCE 293
my family in good health. I immediately entered upon the duties of a missionary and, after preaching one Sabbath, left home on a tour in the Willamette Valley. On reaching this city I found two of our brethren in the legislature and two more from the country present. Upon deliberating upon the importance of immediate action on the subject of locating and putting into operation an institution of learning under the direction of the denomination, it was agreed to call a meeting to be held at this place on the 21st and 22d days of September to take action on the subject. The meeting was accordingly held and an educational society was formed; but in consequence of the small number in attendance the meet- ing was adjourned to the 4th of October to the YamHill Church. At that meeting every church in the Territory but one was represented, and the convention voted to locate the institution on the Willamette River about 70 miles up the river from this place and appointed a brother to repair im- mediately to the place and secure the site. It was then un- derstood that the land was vacant. The convention also ap- pointed Rev. Richmond Cheadle to labor two months for the purpose of raising two thousand dollars for erecting a school house and covering other necessary expenses. The conven- tion also invited me to move to the place and take charge of the school and voted: to pay me $400 and to request the Home Missionary Society to continue my appointment with the usual salary of $200, regarding that amount as barely sufficient to sustain my family for the year. Solely from the consideration of the fact that the exigency of the case seemed to demand immediate action, and we have no man in Ore- gon but myself to whom our brethren are willing to look to fill his place till a competent teacher can be found and sent us from the States, I thought it best to comply with the call. The convention also instructed me to correspond with you on the subject of engaging a well qualified teacher to take charge of the school. We hope to be able to pay a teacher $800 salary. Thus you perceive the reason whv I ad- dress you from this place. I have just arrived here with my ​
294 REVEREND EZRA FISHEZ
family. We have just learned: that the site on which we have fixed for the location of our institution is not vacant and we have concluded to spend the winter in this place. I shall open a school here within a few days and preach in this place and the adjoining towns on Sabbaths. I think it rather probable the result will be that we shall finallv locate our school in the immediate vicinity of this city. Public sentiment of our wiser brethren seems to be setting- strongly this way. By the opening of the spring the question will be decided whether we locate permanently at this place or in the center of the Willamette Valley. We hope to be able to buy the lands and erect the first temporary buildings and perhaps support our first teacher without calling on the lib- erality of our eastern brethren directly for funds. But we must look to you for a competent teacher qualified to teach the Latin and Greek languages, natural science and mathe- matics, and it will be very desirable if he could teach music Money is plentiful^ in this country and education is held in popular favor. Our plan will be to find some Baptist friends who will buy and hold a claim of 640 acres and donate a por- tion of it for a site now while land is cheap. Will you find us a teacher and send him to our assistance as soon as a properly qualified one can be obtained? My removal from the mouth of the Columbia renders it important that your Board find a young man of talent and appoint him to labor at Astoria and Clatsop Plains. A man is also much needed in the church in Tualatin Plains. The church in that place will supply a minister's table from the first and the place is important in location. I shall report at the expiration of this quarter for all the time I have served as missionary since I returned from California, but I shall forward you a portion of my journal the next mail.
I am much interested in the private letter. Almost all ar- ticles of drygoods sell at from 100 to 300 or 400 per cent ad-
190 The increase in the supply of money in Oregon was, of course, the result of the California mines. Some gold was coined in Oregon City, and Mexican and Peruvian silver dollars had come in large quantities. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 295
vance on the market prices in New York. Farming uten- sils, castings, especially stoves, tinware, nails, crockery, pat- ent pails, washtubs, brass kettles and household furniture of kinds sell very high, and all kinds of fabrics made of leather (shoes, boots, saddles, bridles, etc.), ready-made clothing, calicoes and all kind of cotton goods, flannels, silks and fashionable woolen goods for ladies' clothing, woolen hose and half hose, etc. I hope your friend still continues of the same mind. I think I can find a faithful, experienced Baptist brother who will like to embark in the business. He is now in California for his stock of goods. His name is Levi A. Rice, formerly from Ohio, whose moral character stands high. Should your friend wish farther information and still wish to do something through the medium of trade for the moral and religious conditions of Oregon, I hope God will open the door for him. We have also another brother of good standing and also an attornev-at-law who is about entering into trade in this place, who no doubt might be induced to enter into this kind of business. Freight from San Francisco to this place costs as much as freight from N. Y. to this place. Your friend will readily see the advantage of shipping directly to the Columbia. Our merchants all trade through California. Consequently it is their policy to discourage all capitalists in eastern cities from embarking directly in the Oregon trade. Oregon has suffered long from this selfish policy.
Yours with Christian esteem,
EZRA FISHER.
Received Feb. 9, 1850.
Oregon City, Jan Stb, 1850. Dear Br. Hill:
'; , v . . You have probably learned before this that I am at this place engaged in teaching and preaching. A convic- tion of duty rather than a desire to change has brought me to this place and this employment. At this period in my life I have not the most distant desire to engage in teaching and ​
296 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
thus abate my ministerial labors. But the time has evidently come when we, as a denomination, must act in reference to securing a site and putting into operation a school or we lose an important kind of influence with the rising generation, and even with the present acting community.
The public are asking for schools and will have them. If then we select our site and leave the schools to spring up hereafter, the public will repose no confidence in our enter- prise and other denominations will educate not only the chil- dren generally, but even those of our Baptist families. And then we need, very much need, some benevolent object around which we may rally the denomination, and I know of no one benevolent object in which they will so readily be brought to harmonize and which will serve as a precursor to all the benevolent enterprises of the gospel as an institu- tion of learning under the control and instruction of Baptist men and dependent on the denomination for support. If we undertook the work, I felt fully assured that I must give a portion of my time at least to the work till such time as we could secure the labors of a professional teacher from the States. Again, should the Lord of all hearts convert our children and they look to the work of the ministry, they must either enter upon that work uneducated, or we must provide the means of education for them in Oregon. We cannot expect to send our sons back across the Rocky Moun- tains or by way of the ocean to the States to be educated, and they are fast growing up around us. With these and many other considerations rushing upon my mind, I was led to the conviction that it was my duty for the time being to enter upon the work of teacher as well as preacher till we can be supplied from other sources. Perhaps Br. John- son and myself will be enabled to perform nearly as much ministerial labor and sustain the school, if it is continued in this place, as we should if I had continued at Clatsop, al- though I left that place at last with great reluctance. We shall probably finally fix upon a site for our institution im- mediately adjoining this city plat, about half a mile from the ​
CORRESPONDENCE 297
river on a point which will have a commanding view of the river below and a portion of the city as soon as the timber is removed. We have provided for forty acres of land. 1 * 1 I suppose Br. Johnson has given you the particulars. I there- fore will leave this subject for the present.
I have rather a promising school.* 93 How long it may re- main so is with the All Wise to disclose. We shall much need classical books, such as are in use in our best schools in the States, among which we must have a few Latin and Greek grammars, lexicons and such preparatory books as are required in fitting for college in the old States. Also Roman and Greek antiquities and classical dictionaries. We hope to make arrangements as soon as we can to order such books as we shall need. But should you find any liberal friend of education in Oregon, I hope you will do something for us by way of securing a few books of the above descrip- tion.
We intend to make vigorous efforts the coming summer to erect a good wooden school house, perhaps with two apart- ments and a boarding house, notwithstanding the enormous price of lumber and all building materials and labor. Lum- ber is now worth $100 per thousand feet; carpenter's labor is worth from $8 to $12 per day. Flour is worth $25 per barrel, potatoes $4 per bushel and all other provisions pro- portionately high. You will readily see that all our expenses must be very high, and there is no immediate prospect of their becoming lower. All kinds of labor are richly reward- ed except that of preachers and teachers.
191 This was on the Ezra Fisher Donation Land Cliim, which adjoins on the east the town site of Oregon City. The author, Rev. H. Johnson and J. Jeffers bought the right to this tract of over 600 acres, and the author obtained a patent to it from the government. See his letters of March 20, 1850, and Nov. 12, 1850. The purchasers agreed to give the college a tract, and fifty-one acres were later deeded to the trustees of Oregon City University, under which name the institu- tion was chartered. Some of the timber on the claim was very large. One red fir measured 300 feet in height.
The view mentioned included the Willamette River and three snow-capped peaks St. Helens, Adams and Hood.
192 A niece of Hezekiah Johnson had taught a private school in the church building for several months, sometime previous to this. Besides the author s school there were at this time only three other schools in the town two under Roman Catholic auspices, and a private school for girls under Mr. N. M. Thornton. St letur of Fb. 8th of this year. ​
298 . REVEREND EZRA FISHER
Our Board of Trustees have requested me to ask that your Board of the H. M. Soc. continue to appoint me with a salary of $200, in addition to what I shall receive for teaching, as they expect I shall preach nearly every Sabbath and spend some time in visiting the churches and attending public meetings. Your Board should not neglect a single month to secure a suitable man for the mouth of the Columbia River and to have him on the way immediately. The place is too important to be neglected.
Accept, dear brother, my grateful acknowledgement of the clothes you sent me. They fit well and are the best I have to appear in public in. The Lord grant you your reward. The clothing we have received from the States has been of essential service to my family, and I know not how I should have been able to have sustained my family without them. Let our friends know that partially worn woolen clothes aid us in publishing the gospel in this new and neglected territory.
I wrote you last about the 8th and 9th of Nov. and then thought I should have forwarded these sheets in a few weeks, but the labors of my school and other duties have prevented till the present. You will soon hear from me again on the subject of your friend's commercial enterprise and by way of my report, etc.
Yours affectionately,
EZRA FISHER. Received, April 6, 1850.
Oregon City, Jan. 26, 1850. Rev. Benj. M. Hill. Dear Brother :
Your letter of June, blank day, 1849, and June 28th, were received on the 18th inst., acknowledging the receipt of sun- dry letters from me, one of which contained an order for goods. I trust you have filled the bill and forwarded the goods, with the replacing of those lost on the Undine. I think rather unfavorably of the Undine wreck, falsely so ​
CORRESPONDENCE 299
called, and I have not unbounded confidence in Capt. Gelston. He presented a friend of mine with an order on me for freight on the goods you shipped by him for me to Cali- fornia, after giving you a receipt on the bill of lading. The order was not paid and I presume he will not present me with his bill as I retain his receipt in the bill of lading. I wish to give you a statement of facts relative to our mis- sionary affairs in Oregon. When we came to Oregon, Ore- gon City was the only place worthy the name of a town in the whole Territory. Br. Johnson seemed providentially thrown into this city. I was providentially thrown into Tu- alatin Plains. I explored the settled part of the country generally, and in view of the fact that Br. Snelling being placed at YamHill, a place somewhat central in the Willamette Val- ley, and in view of the prospect that a place of importance would soon rise at the mouth of the Columbia, Br. Johnson complied with my suggestion that it was important to fill that opening. I removed to Astoria, but finding little could be done there till commerce increased, yet being conscious of the importance of the point prospectively, I removed eight miles to Clatsop Plains, where we have a few good members, thinking to labor there till circumstances should favor an at- tempt to build up an interest at Astoria. Things were new, everything was to be done, both in the way of providing for my family, for common schools and for the cause of Christ. The means of subsistence, except clothing and mechanics' labor, were cheap. We knew the policy of your Board in relation to the amount they give to aid the churches in sus- taining each missionary and, in the main, we approved of it. We could not expect any very rapid changes in the settle- ment of our territory, so far removed from all other settle- ments. Yet we were confident that our position was of great importance. Our brethren were generally men who had re- ceived their religious training in the West and knew but little of system in the support of the ministry and indeed had not yet generally learned the importance of ministerial ​
300 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
support. Were we to ask the Board for $600 salary, that would appear like an enormous expenditure in comparison to the relative results and importance of the field. We, there- fore, concluded that to abandon the field would be disastrous and our only alternative, in view of all circumstances, would be to practice economy, even to parsimony, and, while the country was new, to meet the necessities of our families, which remained unprovided for by the Board and our breth- ren and friends, by our own industry and that of our families till we could have time to correct false views in our brethren here and the age of the country would insure us entire sup- port. I know not how it has been with Br. Johnson, but I have never attempted to conceal from your Board the fact that sheer necessity impelled me to labor, working with my hands to supply my immediate wants. Had you forwarded to me the $200 in cash, that sum would not have bought $65 worth of clothing and groceries in N. Y. My only alterna- tive seemed to be to order goods for my family supplies. This process has taken from one to two or three years to get our returns. With this state of things I have been in- clined to wait with patience. Could we have received our pay from N. Y. at your prices at the end of each year, we might have been able to give ourselves mostly to the gospel ministry up to the time of the commencement of the gold excitement. Since that time changes have gone on with un- paralleled rapidity, till the time has now come when, instead of $200, it would require $1800 to $2000 to give my family a comfortable support at Oregon prices. Gold is found so abundant that our men will go and get it in preference to farming their rich lands, till potatoes are worth $5 per bushel and flour is from $25 to $30 per barrel, and all kinds of living extravagantly high. Gold is found on the Umpqua and Rogue rivers in Oregon, so that our men will probably mine near home next summer. 193 We therefore expect a great in-
193 Mining was just beginning in these valleys. The summer of 1850 saw two hundred miners at work in the Umpqua Valley, but the real boom came some time later. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 11:184-186. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 301
flux of population into our Territory the coming- year. 1 ** Farming will revive and sawmills will be multiplied through the country bordering on our navigable waters. We confi- dently hope for a more settled state of things and expect our pel. I could now settle myself in Tuallity Plains and have my family table supplied, excepting groceries. Then $200 brethren will soon become liberal in the support of the gos- or $300 would meet all my expenses, by ordering my cloth- ing and groceries from N. Y. But we must have a school, and our brethren think my duty calls me to take charge of it till you can send us suitable teachers. I may realize about $1000 per year for teaching, if we continue the school in this place, and be able to preach every Sabbath. Next week the friends of education meet at this place and no doubt they will agree in opinion with Br. Johnson and myself on the place of location. We have forty acres of land cleared from all incumbrances immediately adjoining the city plat for the site, and can build within half a mile from the Willamette River on a commanding eminence. In the event of my teach- ing, Br. Johnson will travel through the Willamette Valley the coming season and I shall spend my Sabbaths with this church and at Milwaukee, I95 a business place springing up six miles below this place on the river. My first quarter of the school will close next week. School has been large and I have been compelled to call in the aid of my eldest daughter part of the time. We shall continue the school in the Bap- tist meeting house 196 till next fall or the spring following and, in the meantime, we shall make an effort to build a good
194 See note 154.
lot Milwaukie, only recently laid out, had a population of 500 in the fall of 1850. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 11:251, quoted from Oregon Spectator, Nov. 28, 1850.
mfi Amonc- the cuoils who attended the school while it was still held in the meet n* house were Theodore Matlock, Almond B. Holcomb, William G. Welch, Safe Hotean John Welch, F. Dillard Holman, E. M. White, W. L. White, Lucy line G FTsh"'r E T T. Fisher, Ann Eliza Fisher, Franklin Johnson, W. C. John- son, Annie Abernethy, Abner P. Gaines, Noble W. Matlock, Jane Matlock, Ellen Matlock William Bullack, William Cason, Adomram Cason, James Cason, Maria Morfitt 'William. Morfitt, Julia A. Johnson, Charlotte Johnson, Amy Johnson, Sarah Josephine Fisher, Lucy Moore, Rebecca Parrish, Pauline Tompkms, Helen Tomp- tns, Josephine Hunsaker, Horton Hunsaker Jacob Hunsaker and Medorem Crawford. Recollections of W. C. Johnson and W. G. Welch. ​
302 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
school house, with two apartments, on the contemplated site, although lumber is from $100 to $150 per thousand feet and carpenter's and joiners' labor is from $8 to $12 per day. Cannot some friends furnish us with a bell weighing from 100 to 400 pounds ? You may learn by the bearer of this that a large company is forming, or rather is formed, to build up a town immediately adjoining Cape Disappointment with steam mill, steam boat, 19 ? etc. This is adjoining the point which the government will first fortify on the north side of the Columbia at the entrance from the ocean. The enterprise will probably succeed, not however to the prejudice of As- toria. I am pained in spirit every moment I think of that point (at the mouth of the Columbia) being left destitute of a Baptist minister. Your Board cannot be too forcibly re- minded of the importance of early occupying that part of the field. The N. Y. of Oregon must spring up in that vi- cinity very soon. The first steamer which comes into the Columbia to run between this city and the mouth of the Co- lumbia will stop the shipping at Astoria. We have a small church at Clatsop Plains, not quite extinct, which would receive a minister and do what they can for his sup- port. If we had a man at the mouth of the river now, a block 200 feet square and located in the most favorable part of this new town, called Lancaster, would be donated for church purposes. Elder Snelling is in California and I learn that he has made arrangements to move his family to that territory. 198 He has not labored under the commission you sent me. We feel that we must have a missionary or two more for the Willamette Valley. One is needed at Salem on the east side of the river and one on the opposite side of the river with the Rickreal Church or the YamHill Church.
Yours affectionately,
EZRA FISHER. Received May 8, 1850.
197 This was later known as Pacific City, then Unity, and then Ilwaco. G. H. Himes.
198 Snelling died in California in 1855. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. 1:44. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 303
Oregon City, Oregon Ter., Feb. 8th, 1850. Rev. Benj. M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. A. B. H. M. Soc. Dear Br. : '
I take my pen in hand to give you the Constitution of the Oregon Bapt. Educational Soc., together with a few of the resolutions passed at the late meeting of its Board held in this city Feb. 2nd. As we have as yet no means of publishing the proceedings of our meetings, we must transcribe and send all our proceedings in letter form :
Constitution of the Oregon Baptist Education Society as adopted by convention, Sept. 22, 1849.
Art. 1st. This Society shall be called the Oregon Bapt. Education Society.
Art. 2nd. The objects of this society shall be to promote the cause of education generally; to locate one literary in- stitution, or more, for the benefit of the Baptist denomi- nation in Oregon Territory; to appoint a board of trus- tees for each of the same; to hold such board or boards responsible for the faithful execution of the trust commit- ted to them; to aid in the education of indigent pious youth of promising gifts in our churches and to raise funds to carry into effect the above named objects.
Art. 3rd. The officers of the Society shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and five Directors who shall constitute a board for the transaction of business, all of whom shall be members of regular Baptist churches, and three of whom shall form a quorum whose respective duties shall be the same as those usually exercised by officers of the same name in similar societies, who shall be chosen an- nually, but shall hold their offices until their successors are chosen.
Art. 4th. Any person may become a member of this So- ciety by subscribing to this Constitution. ​
304 REVEREND EZRA FISHE*
Art. 5th. This Society shall hold its annual meetings at the time and place of the annual meetings of the Willam- ette Baptist Association.
Art. 6th. It shall be the duty of the President to call special meetings of this Society at the request of any two members of the Board.
Art. 7th. The officers of this Society shall be empowered to regulate their own meetings and to make their own by- laws, not inconsistent with this Constitution.
Art. 8th. This Constitution may be altered or amended at any annual meeting of the Society by a vote of two- thirds the members present.
In view of the improbability of securing the property where the locating committee had fixed for the site of an institution and in view of the manifest providences of God, the Education Society convened Feb. 3d. Elder H. Johnson called to the chair. Moderator prayed. On motion it was voted to reconsider so much of the proceedings of the So- ciety as it related to the location of an institution of learning in the center of the Willamette Valley.
After hearing proposals from the brethren who had pur- chased the Barlow claim in reference to this object, it was unanimously voted to locate the Baptist institution on the forty acres of the above named claim immediately adjoining the city plat of Oregon City. 1 " The site will command an excellent view of the river below the town and the lower part of the city. Providence has seemed to close up almost
199 The tract is now known on official maps as the Ezra Fisher Donation Land Claim, and adjoins the Oregon City Claim on the east. No college buildings were ever erected there. The building,* as recorded later in these letters, was put up in Oregon City.
This Baptist institution was only one of a number of Christian denominational institutions which were projected in these days when the state had as yet failed to provide adequately for public instruction. Some of these institutions died early; others, as at Monmouth and Corvallis, were merged into state institutions. A few survive as Christian academies and colleges.
Among those which perished were the Clackamas "female seminary" at Oregon City, a college at Eugene, and academies at Sheridan and Santiam. Among the surviving schools are Willamette University, Pacific University, Albany College, and McMinnville College. To this last was turned over the remnant of the property of that Oregon City college, whose early history is given in these letters. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 305
every other favorable point and open up this point unan- ticipated by all and unsought, and by this means throw us as a denomination in juxtaposition with the Romans, and in the only position where they may be successfully met. Here they are making great efforts to secure the work of educating the children and youths of our city and surround- ing country. They have erected a nunnery about 70 feet by 30, two and one half stories, with a school in operation under a lady superior and five assistant sisters of charity and have about sixteen or twenty female children from fam- ilies in our city. One of the priests teaches all the male scholars he can draw under his instruction, which, by the way, have been very few (not more than 8 or 10) since I opened my school. My school the last quarter numbered more than fifty.
We have also a female school in this place taught by a Presbyterian lady. 200
On motion it was unanimously voted to request Elder Ezra Fisher to continue the charge of the school in Ore- gon City and that the Board of the A. B. H. M. Soc. be requested to continue him as a missionary in this place and vicinity at a salary of two hundred dollars a year. The Society voted to make an effort to raise four thousand dollars the ensuing year to erect a suitable school house and to meet the incidental expenses of the Society. The Society voted: to appoint Elder Richmond Cheadle its agent for two months, with a salary of one hun- dred dollars per month, to carry the above resolution into effect.
Voted to request the Board of the A. B. H. M. Soc. to use their influence to procure us a bell, weighing from 200 to 500 pounds, and classical books such as are in use in literary schools in New England and New York.
Since the last named meeting the proprietors of the claim have agreed to give to the institution about ten or
200 This was Mrs. N. M. Thornton. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 11:35​
306 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
twelve acres more of land lying immediately adjoining the site and we hope for a small donation from the ad- joining claim. 201 I must renew my private request that you find us a well qualified, literary young man and send him out to our relief as soon as practicable. I cannot think of being long confined five days in seven within the walls of a schoolhouse while so much is to be done in the ministry and there are so few laborers. But at present our brethren have so willed it and I comply from a conviction of duty rather than from a desire for the office. I wish to leave this matter with God. I trust I shall be able to make out my report up to this time next week.
I am as ever your unworthy brother and fellow-laborer in Christ's vineyard, EZRA FISHER,
Missionary in Oregon. Received May 27, 1850.
Oregon City, Feb. 19, 1850. Rev. Benj. M. Hill. Dear Brother:
Herein I send you my report of labor under the ap- pointment of the Home Mission Society from the 22nd of August, 1849, up to the first of Oct. for the term of ten weeks, it being the first report which I have made for the year commencing the first day of April, 1849. I have labored ten weeks in the quarter, preached fourteen sermons, delivered six lectures on the subject of Sunday schools and religious education, visited religiously fifty families and one common school, baptized one, traveled to and from appointments 535 miles. The remaining items of the report I have been unable to do anything for, except that the Sunday school in Clatsop Plains is con- tinued with three Baptist teachers and about twenty scholars; about 135 volumes in the library. For a more
201 This donation from the adjoining claim was never made. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 307
detailed account of my labors this quarter I refer you to my journal, which I forwarded you in December last, if I mistake not.
Respectfully submitted,
EZRA FISHER, Missionary in Oregon.
Oregon City, Feb. 20, 1850.
Herein I send you my report of labor for the third quarter of the year commencing April 1st, the quarter commencing October first, 1849. Labored thirteen weeks, preached fourteen times, delivered thirteen Sunday school lectures and twenty lectures to my day school, attended three church meetings and visited eighteen fam- ilies religiously. But have done nothing on the other various subjects required in the form of reports in the commission. The reason I assign is the circumstance of my being called to remove to Oregon City and the new and somewhat peculiar relation I have consented to sustain for the time being as a teacher in our newly organized school for Oregon.
The time has come when all these benevolent enter- prises should have a home in the hearts of all the Bap- tists in Oregon and should be responded to by benevolent action; and I think something will soon be done on the subjects of home missions, foreign missions and the Bible cause, as well as for our institution of learning. My school has been flourishing the past quarter and num- bered between sixty and seventy different scholars. I had about ten young men and lads who declaimed each two weeks and about 20, male and female, who wrote and read their compositions each alternate two weeks. Two boys in algebra, one young lady in natural philos- ophy, about a dozen in geography and about the same number in English grammar, about twenty in arithme- tic and two in history. The present term is an unfav- orable season of the year. I have taught but one week, ​
308 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
have 24 and the prospects fair for about 40 scholars. At a meeting of the board of the institution, held in this place on the 15th instant, it was resolved to name the in- stitution the Oregon City College.
I will now proceed to give you a report as near as I can calculate for the quarter ending April 1st, 1850. My field of labor comprises Oregon City, Milwaukie and vicinity. I have labored thirteen weeks in the quarter, preached sixteen sermons, attended three church meetings. Addressed Sabbath schools twelve times, my day school fifteen times on religious subjects. Delivered one temperance lecture. Visited religiously thirty-five families and individuals. I have assisted in the celebration of the Lord's Supper twice ; attended one meeting of the Oregon Baptists' Education Society. Have the charge of the Sabbath school in Oregon City, with 20 scholars and four teachers and 200 volumes in the library. The remaining requisitions in the instructions I have omitted, as nothing is yet done for them. Our congregations in this place and Milwaukie are increasing and it seems obvious to all our friends at least that the hand of God is in our attempts to establish our institution in this place. Marked attention is generally paid to the preached word and we fondly hope that God will visit us with His spirit, notwithstanding all the rage for gold and speculation with which we are surrounded. All of which is respectfully submitted.
EZRA FISHER, Missionary in Oregon. Received May 27, 1850. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 309
Oregon City, Oregon Ten, March 29, 1850. Rev. Benj. M. Hill. Dear Brother:
Yours of July 14, 1849, addressed to me in California, con- taining a copy of the one you forwarded in June, yours under date October 15th, 1849, accompanying my commission bear- ing date Apr. 1, 1849, and yours of Dec. 10, 1849, have all been received within a few days, the last of which I hasten to answer as briefly and as directly as the complicated circumstances will admit. You may rest assured that it affords us great pleasure in Oregon to have so strong assurances that our brethren on the other side of the mountains cherish so correct and liberal views in relation to the future importance of Oregon and we are still more cheered to discover the almost impatient anxiety you manifest in our prompt action on the subject of locating and bringing into existence a school for the benefit of the Baptists in Oregon.
I have only to say that when I wrote you in Feb. and July the denomination as such in Oregon had not been consulted on the subject in any of its peculiar relations and my object in writing you from San Francisco was rather to apprise you of the course marked out in my own mind for my immediate actions than to ask our eastern brethren to aid us immediately. But God in His providence has seemed to mark out for us a course in an unexpected manner and in a relation which we had little anticipated and now we are compelled to yield to the manifest providential indications or sacrifice the most important local position in the Territory and with it the little public confidence we are beginning to secure. This is the only point in Oregon where Romanism and Protestantism can be brought to bear directly upon each other. The nuns have here a school and we understand the Jesuits contemplate establishing a college in the immediate vicinity. We have good reason to suppose that other denominations would have soon fixed upon this place if we had not secured our site first. I have already informed you that we have secured a land claim immediately adjoining the claim on which Oregon ​
310 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
City stands at an expense of $5000. Br. Johnson assumed one half of the debt and I paid $1250, which consumed all my available means, and we found a friend of mine who paid $1250. This was the only method we could hit upon by which we could secure anything like a suitable amount of land for college purposes near this place without paying from $8000 to $15000. We have appropriated about fifty acres of the claim, in the most eligible situation and within about half a mile of the most populous part of the town, to college purposes and the Trustees accepted the same. Since I last wrote you we have secured a town lot, 66 feet by 100, in a central part of the city as a donation. 202 This lot is now valued at $300. We wish to put on this lot a building, 66 by 30, two stories, the present season, if possible, to be occupied by the school till such time as we can sustain a school on the college premises. The building and lot will then sell for more than the first cost or, what is rather probable, may be ap- propriated to a preparatory department. By this plan we shall be able to keep a full school from this time forward, with suitable teachers. Should the price of lumber fall, as is prob- able it will, we shall labor hard to raise the requisite means and build this summer and fall. Yet we have few men in Oregon to whom we may look to give us the requisite means. Br. Johnson, one other brother and myself have subscribed $650 toward that object. Our school now occupies the Baptist meeting house and must still occupy it till we can build. We also need a boarding house erected so that we can be pre- pared to board as cheap as board can be had in the country. This must be done or we shall fail of benefiting children of Baptist families in the country. Unless funds can be raised in the States to the amount of five or six thousand dollars, this part of the work must be delayed. Now we think that the school itself will afford a good teacher from six hundred to a thousand dollars salary. We think we can manage to furnish him a garden and other perquisites to the amount
202 This was lot 8, block 97, of the Oregon City townsite, and was southwest of the present Barclay School building. Clackamas County Deed Records. ​
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of from one to two hundred dollars. We think by these means, if the friends in the States could raise $200, so that he could provide his family clothing at N. York, we can sustain a good teacher. We would suggest that he leave his measure for all his clothes with you, as it costs 30 dollars in California gold to get a coat made at a tailor's shop in Oregon and all other sewing is proportionately high. $200 in New York is worth $1000 here in the line of clothing, etc. We must have a teacher well qualified to be a popular teacher in a New England Academy and one who wishes to make teaching his business for life. It would be desirable that he have a wife qualified to teach in the primary depart- ment, or to teach a ladies' school. It will be of little use to send us a stupid, half-educated man, with little common sense and ignorant of human nature. Should he be a good singer, and preacher too, it will be all the better. We can find him work. We want and must have, if possible, almost every- thing necessary to afford facilities for students to prosecute their studies without serious inconvenience. We need a system of common school books so that we can furnish our scholars with the best approved books at moderate prices, when they enter the school. Our school will soon have scholars commencing a preparatory course and we must therefore have text books. We then want common school books, from the spelling book to the rhetorical reader. Perhaps Saunders' series is as good as you can furnish us. We are now using these as reading books, but there are no more to be obtained in the country. We are using Thompson's Arithmetic; per- haps that is as good as you can send us. 2 3 We use Brown's and Wells' English grammar. We have a few in natural phil- osophy; we use Olmsted's. We have some in algebra and
203 James B. Thomson had a number of works on arithmetic published by Clark and Maynard, New York.
Denison Olmsted, of Yale, had a number of works on natural philosophy by the same publishers; and by R. B. Collins and E. D. Truemin of Cincinnati. Amer- ican Catalogue for 1876, and O. A. Roorbach, Bibliotheca Americana. W. H. Wells' Grammar was published in Boston, and Goold Brown's Grammar was pub- lished in New York. Ibid, ​
312 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
shall soon need a few Latin and Greek grammars, readers, and lexicons. Now it seems almost indispensable to our suc- cess that we have the most approved works always at hand. Can you not find some friends who will send out by our teacher on commission a small book store of school books and religious and literary works and afford them here for forty or fifty per cent profits? They will meet with a ready sale and we can find some friend here who will sell them for a small per cent for the benefit of the school and Oregon generally, without taxing the teacher with this matter farther than receiving the funds and forwarding them and conducting the correspond- ence. More than a thousand dollars' worth of school books were brought to this place about two months since 2 4 and they are almost entirely sold, so that the country will be out of school books in a few weeks. In addition to this we want a small, well selected library, comprising histories, voyages, travels, literary and scientific works, especially works on the natural sciences, mental and moral philosophy, political econ- omy, lives, theological standard works, etc. ; also a set of globes, a small portable telescope and a case of instruments to facilitate the study of natural philosophy, surveying, trig- onometry, etc. We have already asked you for a bell. We repeat that request; if you can find some benevolent friends who can send us one of from 200 to 600 pounds weight. The Romans regulate the time of our city by their bells. Not a Protestant bell in the place. We need: nails, hinges, door latches and glass sufficient for building a house of the size before named and furnishing two school rooms thirty feet square. Sash also can be bought and shipped much cheaper than they can be bought here. We think you could render us essential service, if your Board would take this matter into advisement and, when you find the man, commission him to travel a few months through some of the most important cities and large towns in the free states and solicit funds for the
304 These were brought out by G. H. Atkinson. George H. Himes. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 313
above named object. We want no old, useless books shipped. Send us standard works of the most approved authors, if you would aid us in giving a sound political, moral and re- ligious character to Oregon. 23000 miles is too far to ship trash for a literary institution and, I trust, theological school for the Baptists in Oregon.
We intend to raise $5000 or more for this work in Ore- gon the present season. We have an agent appointed for two months and he will work in the best part of the season. I this day introduced the subject to a friend of mine. He assured me that he would give us $500 when we got ready to circulate our subscription and would also deed us a lot in Lancaster, a town just springing into existence on Baker's bay on the north side of the mouth of the Columbia, which he said was worth $500 more. Surely, thought I, the Lord intends to bless our feeble efforts. We feel that we are placed by providence now where we cannot leave the work and we see no other way but that I must stand in this moral Ther- mopylae until you can send us aid. We have reason to expect my health must gradually decline under the labor of teaching, and preaching every Sabbath. Yet such is the great destitu- tion in our whole territory that we feel that it is sinful for me to think of leaving the appropriate duties of the ministry. There are times in the history of men's lives in which all the energies of the man are called for. This at present is our condition in Oregon. This is the time when the demand for preparatory work is great, very great. There is scarcely a rising town in Oregon where church property and educa- tional property would not be donated to the denomination, if we had a few more men in the ministry, or, what would be still better, a few more wise, active laymen to secure such valuable property.
We hope the brother you appointed for Oregon last Nov. is on his way with one or two more fellow laborers. We would name Fort Vancouver as a commanding point which should ​
314 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
be occupied very soon. Soon immigration will be pouring in upon us from over the mountains and by water. Your Board must be apprised of this. We have the best evidence that gold is abundant in the south part of Oregon, and probably our Oregon men will dig near home this season.
We see that Br. Geo. C. Chandler is about leaving the pres- idency of Franklin College. 20 ^ He is favorably known by us. Would it not be right to draw him away from Indiana to the charge of our school? Means must not be wanting to in- sure us a teacher such as will secure public respect and confi- dence? My school numbers about 45 this quarter and will be larger from this time forward. Last quarter it was larger.
We subscribe ourselves, Yours respectfully,
EZRA FISHER, W. T. MATLOCK,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Clerk of the Board.
Done by order of the Trustees of Oregon City College. Received July 9, 1850.
Oregon City, Oregon Ten, July 1, 1850. To Rev. Benj. M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. Am. Bapt. Home Mission Soc. :
Herein I send you my report of labor under the appoint- ment of the Home Mission Society for the first quarter end- ing June 30, 1850. My field comprises Oregon City and Mil- waukie, six miles below Oregon City on the east bank of the Willamette, Clackamas County, and Linn County, 306 Washing- ton County (formerly Tualatin) immediately across the Wil- lamette from Oregon City. I statedly supply the station at Oregon City half the time and superintend the Sabbath school and teach the Bible class. Supply the station at Mil- waukie once each four weeks and supply the station at Linn City once each Sabbath three-fourths of the time. I have la- bored thirteen weeks the last quarter, preached twenty-five
205 Rev. George C. Chandler (1807-1881) was licensed by the church in Spring- field, Vermont, while the author was pastor there. He went to Indiana in 1838 and was president of Franklin College from 1843 to 1850. He came to Oregon in 1851. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. 1:73-82.
206 Linn City was laid off by Robert Moore in 1843. Hist, of Portland, ed. by H. W. Scott, p. 78. ​
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(25) sermons, delivered one annual address before the Oregon Tract Society, 20 ? auxiliary to the A. T. Soc., twelve lectures to the Sabbath school and Bible class, attended three prayer meetings and one three-days' meeting in connection with the communion season of the church in this place on the first Sab. in May. Visited religiously twenty-three families and individuals, visited no common schools, addressed my own on moral and religious subjects twenty-seven times. Bap- tized none, obtained no signatures to the temperance pledge, organized no church, aided in no ordination, traveled to and from my appointments one hundred and fifty miles, received none by letter or experience, no conversions known, none pre- paring for the ministry, except one anti-missionary brother who is studying and reciting to me. No monthly concert of prayer (I trust this thing will not long be so).
The people where I labor have done nothing for any of the missionary societies. Connected with the places where I preach are three Sabbath schools in which the Baptists partic- ipate, but only one under Baptist direction. The one at Ore- gon City has four teachers, 20 scholars, and 200 volumes in the library. I have a Bible class of six scholars.
Respectfully submitted,
EZRA FISHER,
Missionary at Oregon City and vicinity.
Our association has just closed an interesting session. 308 All was harmony ; all the delegates were deeply impressed with a sense of the importance of ministerial support and passed some spirited resolutions on the subject. One small church sent up a pledge that they would pay one hundred dollars for one fourth of the time for a year, if they could be supplied with monthly preaching. Other churches will do as well and we now have the hope that before the rainy season sets in al- most every church of nominally missionary Baptists in the
207 This was organized in the autumn of 1848 and did some colporteurage work. George H. Himes.
208 The Association met with the La Creole Church, June 28-30. Minute* of Willamette Baptist Assn. of Ore. , ​
316 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
Territory will have entered into a systematic arrangement of their own to sustain preaching part of the time. Yet we have serious drawbacks upon our spiritual prospects by means of the gold excitement. Some of our leading members and many of the men, especially our young men, are off in the mines much of the time, and the mind dwells on the thought of golden treasures at the expense of all the great moral and religious subjects which are indispensable to a happy and re- ligious influence. Our citizens are now mining successfully in Oregon on the Umpqua and Rogue rivers and gold is found above the Cascade Mountains on both sides of the Co- lumbia River 209 and it is the opinion of those who have visited that region as prospectors that it will also become a mining region this fall.
Our school is quite as flourishing as could be expected in the midst of all these exciting causes. Several of the young men have gone to the gold regions and one or more will leave soon. Yet my average number of scholars, large and small, is about 56 the present quarter. I have had 75 different scholars since the term commenced, which was on the 27th of May. The school calls for all my energies during the week. My oldest daughter is almost constantly employed in teaching with me. In addition to teaching, for the last eight weeks I have spent about one hour each day soliciting sub- scriptions for our school building. We shall build the first building in the city, on account of obtaining scholars, but think we shall be able in two or three years (perhaps sooner) to take the department for young men to the college prem- ises. We have resolved as a Board to build a house 22 feet by 42, two stories, so as to accommodate the school with two good school rooms in one story and appropriate the other story to a lecture room, 22 by 32, and a room of 10 feet by 22 for a library, philosophical apparatus or reading room, as the case may demand. We have now subscribed $3332 in cash and what is called $6500 in Pacific City property. The
209 This gold was found on bars just above the Cascades of the Columbia. George H. Himes. ​
CORRESPONDENCE 317
town property is not available at present and probably is not now worth more than twenty cents on the dollar. This sub- scription I have obtained, except a few hundred dollars. We have an agent, Eld. Richmond Cheadle, in the field for two months, so as not to materially interfere with his ministerial duties. He has just entered upon the work. We hope he will raise for us $2000 or $3000. We think we shall be able to raise 500 or 1000 dollars more in this vicinity for this object. The hand of the Lord seems to be with us in this work. Yet it is extremely expensive building. Lumber is worth at this time $55 per thousand feet, delivered, and we have no hope of its being lower, and mechanics' work is worth from $10 to $12 per day. We are waiting with great anxiety for our teach- er and hope his wife may be well qualified to teach a ladies' school. The building for our country female seminary is going up and teachers will be needed in that and we ought to fur- nish our proportion of teachers. 210 The building is to be 60 by 30, two stories. You will no doubt do what you can for us by way of securing a library suited to our present wants and, if possible, make arrangements so that we can have a small book store kept here so that at all times we can supply our own scholars, and all others who may want them, with the best approved school books and other popular and stand- ard works. Our whole territory is materially suffering for want of school books now and the scarcity will be daily in- creasing. Our teachers, or one of them, might keep the books and sell them without entirely deranging the school. I say one of them, for with present appearances, we cannot expect to do with less than two teachers from this time forward. Beside this, we must have teachers, both male and female, through the Territory. Immigration will soon pour in upon us from all parts of the world by thousands and we must be prepared to meet this extraordinary state of things or ignor-
210 The Clackamas County Female Seminary was the successor of a school opened by Mrs. N. M. Thornton, February i, 1847. Oregon Spectator.
It was later enlarged, chiefly through the efforts of Dr. G. H. Atkinson, and two teachers sent out through Governor Slade of Vermont taught there for a time. It became a public school some years later. The site is occupied by the present Barclay School. George H. Himes. ​
318 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
ance with vice and luxury will soon work the ruin of this fair portion of our great nation. We are looking for some half dozen female teachers sent out by the Board of National Popular Educational Society. 211 We hope that the Society will not be made a tool to sustain Congregationalism through all our new states and territories. From the nature of the case it must be a mighty engine and, unless well guarded, will be employed to serve the interests of those sects who manage its affairs. A fair proportion of the teachers sent out to the West by that Society should be Baptists, or the deficiency should be met by direct denominational action on our part, or the molding of the minds of the next generation in the mighty West is given over into Pedo-baptist hands, or, what is far worse, into the hands of the Romans.
We have not yet contracted the printing of the minutes of our Association, but voted to print 300 copies, together with an abstract of the minutes of 1848, all of which will about fill eight octavo pages. Our printer here will charge us $75 for 150 copies. I have prepared them for the press and I do not know but we shall send to you for printing. We presume the work can be done for $12 at most in New Y. The Associa- tion voted unanimously to request the Board of the American Baptist Home Mission Society to appoint Elder Vincent Snelling as their missionary to labor one year within the bounds of the Willamette Baptist Association at a salary of $200. 2 " Done by order of the Association. Ezra Fisher, Clerk. Yours respectfully,
EZRA FISHER.
Oregon City, Oregon, July 10, 1850. Dear Br. Hill:
The steamer Carolina is in with the mail at Portland. I do not know how soon she will go out, but probably in two or three
211 This refers doubtless to the five young women who came out to teach in 1851. They were escorted by Thurston, the Oregon delegate to Congress, who died on the way out. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. II: 136. (They were sent by the National Board of Education. Gov. William Slade. president, at the solicitation of Dr. G. H. Atkinson. George H. Himes.)
212 Rev. Vincent Snelling was appointed Aug. i, 1850, by the Home Mission Society, for the term of one year. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Or*. 1:44. ​
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days.* 13 I mail this in haste, hoping to be able to write again before the mail is made up a this place. We had a S. school celebration in this place on the Fourth. I was called upon to deliver the address. The whole business of the day passed off in order and on the whole a new import to the S. S. cause was given. All our schools have increased since that day ours has almost doubled. My school large. Gold on the Umpqua and Rogue rivers not found sufficiently plentiful to justify digging while the mines are more rich elsewhere. Nothing certain as to the quantity of gold up the Columbia. I shall send an order for clothing and groceries this mail if possible. Yours truly,
EZRA FISHER. Received Sept. 6, 1850.
Oregon City, Oregon Ter., June 17, 1850. Rev. Benjamin M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. A. B. H. M. Soc. Dear Brother:
Herein I send you a bill for goods which I wish you to fill and forward to me by the first good opportunity you have to ship direct to Oregon. I hope you will not ship to California, as it costs as much to ship from California to Oregon as it does from N. Y. to Oregon. 1 book case and table for writing made so that the book case can stand on the table, cherry, 1 barrel of best brown sugar, 1 ten pound box of green tea, 30 or 35 yds. of carpeting, not exceeding $1.25 per yd., 1 box sperm candles, 1 pair heavy calfskin boots, No. 11s, 4 pairs of men's good calfskin shoes, No. 10, 4 do. half No. 8's and half No. 9's ; 2 pairs thick shoes, 8's and 9's ; 4 pairs ladies' gaiters, Nos. 4 and 4^ each; 1 pair do., No. 3; 4 pairs of ladies' shoes, calf, 4 and 4^; 2 do. Morocco, 4 and 4^; 2 pairs ladies' shoes, calf, No. 3 ; 2 pairs do. girls' Nos. 12 and 13 ;
213 In June, 1850, the steamer Carolina (Captain R. L. Whiting) made her first run to Portland from San Francisco with mails and passengers. In August she was withdrawn and put on the run between San Francisco and Panama. Ban- croft. Hist, of Ore. II: 188. ​
320 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
1 pair girls' gaiters, No. 12 ; 4 pairs child's shoes, calf, Nos. 8 and 9; 1 dress coat; 1 good summer vest and 2 pairs cloth pantaloons for me, made to your measure, rather large; 4 pairs of suspenders for pantaloons; 12 or 15 pairs colored lamb's-wool half hose for men; 6 pairs ladies' cotton hose, colored; 2 do. alpaca; 3 do. lamb's-wool; 4 do. lamb's-wool small, for girl about twelve years old; 4 do. lamb's-wool hose for girls eight or nine years of age; four pairs lamb's-wool half hose for children, four or five years old. Let all the hose and half hose be colored. 1 bolt of good gingham ; 1 bolt of good worsted, or alpaca, fashionable for ladies' dresses, not very light colored ; 20 yds. of lawn, light colored ; 1 cheap settee, if it will not cost too much for freight; 10 yds. of Irish linen, fine, for bosoms and collars; 1 bolt cot- ton sheeting, bleached, fine; 1 do. unbleached, fine; 2 ladies' summer bonnets, trimmed; 2 do. misses' trimmed, age 8 and 12 years; 1 web of linen edging, half-inch wide; 1 do. 1J4- inch wide, a good article ; 3 pairs brown linen gloves for gentlemen, rather large; 1 pair black kid gloves, gentle- men's, rather large; 4 do. ladies' gloves; 2 pairs ladies' mitts for summer; 4 do. misses' mitts for girls 8 and 12 years old; 6 large bottomed chairs and one large and one small rocking chair, strong, boxed, ready to set up here; 2 pairs of silver set spectacles, suitable for my age; 1 hat for me, 23^2 inches in circumference on the outside around the band; 1 copy of the Comprehensive Commentary, if you have not forwarded it to me before this ; 1 pair of brass can- dlesticks; 1 do. iron; 1 pair of snuffers and snuffer tray; 6 German silver dessert spoons, large; 2 boxes of vegetable shaving soap, put up in small white earthen boxes; 6 fine ivory combs ; 1 ladies' parasol ; 6 white linen pocket hand- kerchiefs ; 4 silk pocket handkerchiefs, 4 black silk cravats for gentlemen, or 4 yards of good black silk for cravats; 8 yds. of figured white lace for ladies' caps; 1 bolt of good, fine, firm, red flannel; 20 yds. of drab colored cambric for facings of dresses; 1 boy's cap for winter, not fur, for boy four years old; 12 yds. brown holland, fine article; 15 ​
CORRESPONDENCE 321
yds. brown toweling; half pound good black sewing silk; 1 silk and 2 cotton umbrellas; 1 dozen spools of white sew- ing thread; \ l / 2 dozen spools of colored thread; half pound of black linen sewing thread; 15 yds. good black cassimere for men's pantaloons; half ream good letter paper; 1 Ib. alum; 1 good overcoat for me, rather large for yourself; 1 dress shawl, worsted, a good article; 4 pounds of Thomp- sonian composition, 2 ^ and a quart of No. Six. We wish you to study economy in the purchase of these articles, yet we are quite sure that cheap sale articles, for instance shoes and boots, ready-made clothes, etc., are very unprofitable; they fall to pieces so soon, $ale shoes, for instance, in this dry climate often last but a few weeks and sometimes but a few days. The taste of people is fast changing and people are becoming extravagant in dress and we must be able to appear in all circles. You need no further explanations. I received no bill of the goods you sent us last and know noth- ing how your account stands with me. We want you to fill this bill and let us know how we stand. We feel that we cannot get along with anything short of what I have ordered, in our present condition, and, if this more than covers my salary, I must try and raise the funds here some way to meet it. Our necessary expenses and sacrifices to keep the institution in operation must keep us exhausted in means un- less God by His gracious providence opens doors beyond our present knowledge. But we have commenced the work in faith and we trust we shall be sustained. We cannot go back. The work to us appears more and more important every month. We expect the labor of elevating its character will be great and the work will advance slowly and with great expense, but waiting will be disastrous to our reputation as a denomination of Christians in Oregon. We must have help in Oregon for this work !
Not a word from you in this mail, either to Br. Johnson
214 This was a famous remedy of that time.
The formula seems to have been bayberry 2 Ibs., ginger i Ib., cayenne pepper a oz., cloves 2 oz. Horton Howard, An Improved System of Botanic Medicine, Columbus, 1832, p. 370​
322 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
or myself. Give us at least a male and female teacher be- fore next spring, and a good, young minister for Astoria and vicinity; a man adapted to rise with the people and mold the mind of the people, both morally and religiously. This seems to me indispensable, if you will have the Baptist interest take deep root at the great commercial point in Oregon. 21 * Yours with great respect.
EZRA FISHER. Received Sept. 6, 1850.
Oregon City, Oregon Ten, Sept. 20, 1850. Rev. Benj. M. Hill. Dear Brother:
After a long delay I take my pen to write you a kind of a general epistle, a part of which must be virtually a re- capitulation of some of my former letters. By Divine bless- ing my family and Brother Johnson's are all in tolerable health. I commenced the fall quarter of our school last Monday. We have now fifty suholars; probably we shall have an increase next week. My daughter still assists and we are yet compelled to have all the school in one room. The work on our school building progresses as fast as we could expect, in view of the present state of things in our country. We have the frame now erected, forty-two feet by twenty-two; two stories of ten and eleven feet, and a base- ment of wood eight feet in the clear. We shall be able in a few days to pay for the timber and work as far as we have gone, which will be about $2000. Our financial affairs will then stand somewhat as follows: $3000 on subscriptions in cash and building materials, town property as subscribed $6700, which we estimate worth about $2000 or $2500. 216 It would seem by a glance at our subscription list that there
215 The reason why the commercial metropolis of Oregon rose at Portland instead of Astoria is probably because of the long haul from Astoria to the more thickly settled parts of Oregon. It was cheaper to bring ocean ships to the head of navigation, Portland, than to make the longer haul overland to Astoria.
216 The school building completed at so much sacrifice was not used as such for more than a few years after the period covered by these letters. It was finally torn down in the seventies. The proceeds of such property of the school as could b sold were given to McMinnville College. Mattoon. Bap. An. of Ore. 1:37. ​
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are no serious embarrassments to our moving forward and completing so much of the house as will be imperiously called for the coming winter and painting the outside. But money is daily becoming more scarce with us and we see no reason to suppose it will become more plenty. Those who went to the mines last year and found gold so plentiful have spent their surplus funds and little improvements in agri- culture or buildings have been made. Lumber has been in little demand in California, the markets there having been filled with eastern lumber. Collections must, therefore, go on slowly, yet labor and lumber and all kinds of building materials are higher here than they are even in California. We, however, hope to be able to enclose the house and fin- ish two school rooms before the first of January. The super- intending of the work must necessarily make some drafts upon both Br. Johnson's and my time. He has the superin- tending of the building and I have secured about three- fourths of the subscription. But a failure in this work would prove ruinous to the Baptist cause in the public estimation, so far as present appearances indicate. When we have pro- ceeded so far as to have finished two school rooms, our en- treaties for a teacher qualified to sustain the reputation of the first literary school in Oregon will know no denial. To me it seems that we shall be brought to a Thermopylae. We have taken strong encouragement from your letters and re- ports that we shall not be disappointed and we have given publicity to our sanguine expectations. Our school also is increasing in numbers and improvements and will very soon call for the labors of two men in the higher department and a teacher in the primary department. This would be the case at this time, if we had a boarding-house connected with the school where students could board for four or five dol- lars per week; but at present board is from $10 to $12 per week, washings not included. We need to build a boarding- house and find some good eastern family to come and take charge of it, who would be satisfied with a steady increase ​
324 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
of property and a conviction of being instrumental of great good to Oregon and the world. Would to God that such a man could be found in some of our older churches who would be able and willing to enter into such an enterprise. Such a department, well rilled, would, no doubt, open the way for scores every year to commence an education under the influence of the gospel. We ardently hope you will spare no ordinary efforts to secure us one teacher at least who will stand high in moral and literary attainments.
We have another subject nearly allied to this, to which I wish to call the attention of your Board, because I suppose it can be done better through that channel than any other now open. It is this : We now have several rising towns just beginning to spring up at points which will not fail to become important business places. The proprietors of these townsites and the citizens will spare no pains, and I had almost said means, to build a good school house and sustain a good teacher who will give promise of some permanency. Now, had we at this time, and from this time forward for four or five years at least, a few good Baptist teachers of leading minds, they might enter into a profitable business to themselves and be exceedingly useful to the cause of Christ and general education. Such an enterprise would no doubt lay the foundation for the establishment of Baptist churches in these towns at a very early period in the history of the towns. I know now of a place where a preacher who would consent to take a school might grow up with the people, and his family, if not large, would be easily sustained from the first. The people men of enterprise are solicitous on the subject. I could now name several such places on the Columbia and the Willamette below the head of tide water Our Methodist brethren, ever awake to secure vantage ground, are now negotiating with the proprietors of Port- land, twelve miles below this place, and will no doubt soon have there a school in operation belonging to the Methodist Church and built and sustained, so far as funds are concerned, ​
CORRESPONDENCE 325
by the proprietors and citizens of Portland. 21 ? We can find employment at this time for more than a dozen good teachers in our territory, where they would be well paid and at the same time opening the way for fourfold that number more. As it respects our want of ministers, allow me to re- peat the request with earnestness that your Board make an appointment for a minister to labor at Astoria, Pacific City and Clatsop Plains as soon as you can find a man who is suited to the place. The great commercial city for Oregon must rise at the mouth of the Columbia. This must be the key to the whole country. We have a fair proportion of Bap- tist members and adherents there, and I shall never rest when I think of this place till it is occupied. A Brother Newell, 218 formerly a teacher of music in N. Y. and Au- burn, is in Pacific City and will probably take his family to that place. The Baptist interest is rising in Salem, the seat of the Methodist Institute, and a church will be constituted in a few weeks at that place. 219 I have referred your Board to this place on a former occasion. An efficient minister would soon find his support there, by your aid, in a few years. This is the best point in all the upper country from which to reach all points in the Willamette Valley, Another minister is wanted about as much on the west side of the river five miles above at a new town called Cincinnati. 320 This place is in the bounds of the La Creole Church, form- erly called Rick-re-All. Two ministers thus located would always be near each other to counsel and give aid and at the same time would each have a wide and rich field on each side of the river. Another minister is much needed on Tual- atin Plains. This is the strongest church in the Ter. and would do their duty as they learned it. The immigrants to
217 This was Portland Academy and Female Seminary. The building was com- pleted in November, 1851, largely through the efforts of Rev. J. H. Wilbur. Wm. D Fenton, Father Wilbur and His Work, Ore. Hist. Soc. Quar. X:2i.
218 George P. Newell (1819-1886) was a native of England, but had lived in America some years before coming to Oregon in 1850. He was Government Sur- veyor and Inspector of Customs at Pacific City for three years, and was for fifteen years a deacon in the Oregon City Church. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. I:?*.
210 See note 185.
220 The town wa laid out by A. C. R. Shaw. Th name is now Eola. George H. Himei. ​
326 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
California are, many of them, turning their course to the Willamette Valley and others to the Puget Sound. 221 Im- migrants are now daily arriving, and every vessel and steam- er from California is bringing the disappointed miners ; it is confidently expected that we shall have our population more than doubled before next April. Your Board will soon see the necessity of making special effort for Oregon, as well as California. I often feel almost worn out in the multiplici- ty of my labors, yet I have never felt more the importance of working while the lamp burns and throwing all over into the hands of the Lord than I have the past summer. God has wonderfully blessed my poor frail body with strength We are now out of school books. Will you not induce some friend of youthful education in Oregon to raise some school books Saunders' series, or Angel's, if better; Thompson's arithmetic; a few grammars and books of philosophy, his- tory and astronomy, adapted to academies and have them shipped? Could not a society of young men be formed in your city who will furnish us with books as we may order them, so that we might have time to sell them and refund the money, with profit enough to pay them for the labor? There are now no school books or singing books suited to teach church music in Oregon. Do think of us. Respectfully and affectionately yours,
EZRA FISHER. Received Nov. 14, 1850.
Oregon City, Oregon Ten, Oct. 1, 1850. The Rev. Benj. M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. Am. Bap. Home Miss. Soc. :
Herein I send you my report of labor under the appoint- ment of the Home Mission Society for the second quarter (under the commission bearing date April 1, 1850) ending Oc- tober 1st, 1850. I statedly supplied the station in this place
221 The first American settlement in the Puget Sound country was in 1845. By 1850 there were possibly one hundred American citizens in that region; and trade had just begun in American bottoms. The Hudson Bay Company had, of course, some in some years before the Americans. Bancroft, Hist, of Washington, Idaho and Montana, pp. 2-17. ​
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half of my time and the station at Milwaukie one Sabbath a month. Milwaukie is a rising village on the east bank of the Willamette near the head of ship navigation and six miles be- low this place. 222 I preached the remainder of the time in this place and vicinity. I have labored thirteen weeks in this quar- ter, preached 21 sermons, delivered no lectures except to my school and Sabbath school. Baptized none, obtained no signa- tures to the temperance pledge, have not organized any church, aided in no ordination. We established a weekly prayer meeting in this place about five weeks since; have at- tended all its meetings. Visited religiously twenty families and individuals, visited no common schools, traveled to and from my appointments 40 miles. No persons have been re- ceived by letter or by experience and I know of no person who has experienced a hope in Christ. No young men in our churches to whom I preach preparing for the ministry. Our sisters in this place have established a monthly concert of prayer for the cause of missions. My people have paid me during the quarter $25 for my salary, but nothing for any missionary society. I have the superintendence of the Sab- bath school in this church and conduct the Bible class ex- cept when absent. We have four teachers and about 25 children; library, about 150 volumes. My Bible class varies from four to eight or ten, mostly members of my day school. My day school embraces about fifty in an average attend- ance, but I have had 70 different scholars since the present quarter commenced, which has now been in progress three weeks. My daughter devotes most of her time as an assist- ant. Our prospects as a whole are far better for building up a permanent interest in this place and the whole Territory than at any period since we have been in Oregon.
Churches are beginning to feel the importance of liberat- ing the ministry from secular labor and care.
I have secured a deed for four town lots in Portland for a
222 Ocean-going ships stopped coming to Milwaukie about 1852. George H. Himes. ​
328 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
Baptist church property. 2 ^ Since the first of January I have paid by way of establishing our school not far from $300 in securing the site, $50 to the erecting of a building on land, $50 towards ceiling our meeting house and have $100 more to meet on my subscription for our school building be- fore next summer and have given no less than $100 of time in soliciting subscriptions and collecting funds for our school building. I do not name this to boast of my liberality. But we have entered upon the work and there seems to be an im- perious necessity laid on the few friends who have taken hold of it. The rainy season has commenced and our school building is not enclosed. We have therefore to fit up our meeting house for the winter. I wish you to send Mrs. Fisher the Mothers' Journal and pay for it from my salary. We are in great want of religious periodicals to circulate among the churches and our members. Numbers of them would gladly pay for them, if the proprietors would run the risk of conveyance of the money. But they seem unwilling to pay their money and forward it and not receive the papers. We could obviate this difficulty by ordering you to pay for the periodicals from our salaries, but our salaries in N. Y. are worth from 75 to 400 per cent more to us than the money is here, and, with the great expense of living here and the respon- sibilities in carrying on the work before us, we cannot make that sacrifice. We will get the subscribers, collect the mon- ey and forward it faithfully free of charge for our services, if the proprietors of the papers will allow us to forward it at their risk. We will also pay the per cent for transporta- tion. We feel that after the preaching of the Word, our brethren cannot be profited so much in any other way by being led into the duties of the consistent Christian as through the medium of the Christian press.
Br. Mahlom Brock has subscribed and paid for the Moth-
223 The First Baptist Church of Portland was not organized until 1855. Mat- toon, Bap. An. of Ore. 1 114. Mattopn says that Rev. H. Johnson obtained tht property for the church in 1850, and give* it as a half-block on the corner of Fourth and Alder Streets. Ibid. p. 140. ​
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ers' Journal and the Home Mission Record 22 -* and I could have numbers of other similar subscriptions, if I could in- sure the papers. If you think best to accede to the proposals made in this, write me at your earliest convenience. We wish to know if the proprietors of the New York Recorder and the Mothers' Journal will do the same. We wish you to be reminded anew that we are almost discouraged in re- lation to the hope of your furnishing us a suitable teacher by the opening of spring. God being my helper, I will try and sustain the school till you send us a suitable man to sustain at least a part of the responsibilities of our school. Then again we are entirely out of school books and there are none to be had in the country. Cannot you send us some? We will sell them so that we can refund the money with ten or 20 per cent, perhaps more.
Then we very much need preachers for the places I men- tioned to you in the letter I forwarded to you by the last mail. -. .
I have received no letter from you since the one you sent accompanying the commission of the first of April last.
All which is respectfully submitted in great haste.
EZRA FISHER, Missionary at Oregon City. Received Dec. 9, 1850.
Oregon City, Oregon Ter., Nov. 12, 1850. Rev. Benj. M. Hill. Dear Brother :
Yours under date of Sept. 4th, 7th, 9th, together with a letter from Rev. Geo. C. Chandler of Aug. 19, were received last mail and I now hasten to answer them in brief so as to have them leave by f the next steamer. By Divine favor my health and that of 'my family have been unusually good through the season, notwithstanding the unusual amount of
224 "The Home Mission Record" was the official publication of the Baptist Home Mission Society and was first published m :84g. Bap. Home Missions tn N. Am. 183*188*, p. 54​
330 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
labor on my hands. We were much rejoiced to learn that you had succeeded in securing the services of our esteemed Br. Chandler for Oregon, but regret that he must be so long detained from the field so much needing his labors. We hoped confidently that I should have been relieved from at least a part of the responsibilities of the school before another summer opened upon us. But now, should our school pros- per as the present signs seem to indicate and we should be able to complete our building and open a boarding house at moderate charge, we shall have more scholars than two men can faithfully teach, unless the common school system should go into effect in our city. 225 Should this take effect, our school will be reduced in numbers, but not injured in char- acter. We must aim at elevating the character of the school as fast as the demands of the people require it. We know nothing of Mr. Thurston's arrangements with teachers for Or- egon City. 226 We as a Board of Trustees for the Oregon City College have never thought of corresponding with any man or body of men to meet our demands but your Board. And we see no good reason at this time for changing our pol- icy. We ardently trust that your Board will not let the ap- pointment of Br. Chandler fail through any rumor you may hear from Boston or Washington. Should a good Baptist teacher reach Oregon and find himself disappointed in pros- pects, we should of course do what we could to introduce him to useful employment, but we have no thought of filling this vacancy with any other than the man of your appoint- ment. The average number of our school this quarter is be- tween 50 and 60 and we have had more than 80 different scholars since the quarter commenced. You will see by this that I have work enough for one man aside from my min- isterial duties. We are obliged to suspend the work of our house for a few weeks in consequence of the sickness of Sis-
225 This refers to the efforts made in 1849 to establish a public school system in Oregon City. Rev. G. H. Atkinson was appointed school commissioner, but the system of free graded schools was deemed too expensive, and the "female semi- nary" was opened instead. Mrs. E. E. Dye, in Joseph Gaston, Portland, Its History and Builders, Portland, 1911; 1:665.
226 See note 211. ​
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ter Johnson, which has necessarily engrossed Br. Johnson's time and care for the last four weeks, but hope the work will soon be progressing. But the rainy season will not allow us to hope to be able to occupy the building till the opening of another spring. Our lumber is all green and it is becoming difficult to collect subscriptions fast.
The peculiar features of the Oregon land bill make it un- safe for us to leave the college claim unoccupied after the first day of next month. 22 7 It therefore devolves upon me to move onto the claim. The erecting a temporary house claims some of my time, when it is much needed to forward the work of our school house, but we trust God will give us patience and strength to go through this part of the work. I trust you will make good use of Br. Chandler's time while in the old states in making him acquainted with the most efficient patrons of education and securing so much of public favor as will insure to our institution that kind of aid which must be derived from abroad. 228 I mean books and necessary apparatus. School books at this time cannot be had in Oregon. This day four scholars were taken out of my school purely because no school books could be obtained in the country. And, unless we get books soon, similar cases will be no un- common occurrence with us.
November 16. Arrangements should be entered into im- mediately to keep our school supplied with school books, at least, without fail. I wrote you on this subject in my last. We should be kept constantly advised of the best systems of common school books and classical text books. I hope Br. Chandler will make the necessary arrangements with some book store or young men's association to meet our wants. I have written the Cor. Sec. A. B. Publication Society on the importance of supplying Oregon in part with religious read-
227 The organic act organizing Oregon Territory had made void all titles ob- tained under the laws of the provisional government. By the donation land law of 1850 a four-years' residence was required before title could be obtained to the lands granted under it. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 11:260-261.
228 Mr. Chandler originally came to Oregon to take" charge of the school in Oregon City. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. 1:76. See also note 205. ​
332 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
ing. That Society has had a missionary agent in Oregon more 22 ^ t j ian a y ear w j ien money has been plenty and books scarce and almost everybody asking for religious books and the agent not a book to sell. And that too, when the agent could probably do ten times the amount of work for the country with his buggy of books by visiting and preaching and selling truth from house to house that he will unaided by this valuable auxiliary. I venture the opinion that no part of the union has opened a more inviting field for this work than this territory. In addition to this, we have not a church of our order in the country with half a supply of hymn books, and no note books. 230 All this with a people who are every day be- coming more and more conscious that their children must be put on an equality with the rising generation on the Atlantic coast. Our gold is fast going to build up eastern cities and en- rich the old states and we shall be less able to patronize this cause than at this time and there will be greater difficulties in training the people to a spirit of enlarged benevolence. Could our colporter be furnished with such works as he might order it would be a source of great influence to every Baptist min- ister in Oregon, of incalculable benefit to fortify the public mind against error and afford a good profit to the Society. Please urge this matter upon the consideration of that Soc.'s Board. Immigration is rapidly coming in by land and by wa- ter. 231 jj. j s now time for Christians to work. I hope your Board will appoint Br. Snelling as your missionary ; it will do good, more so than a man of the same ability from the States. For explanation on this subject I refer you to Br. Johnson's letter. I should write to Br. Chandler, but I know not where to direct a letter at this time. If he comes with an ox team, let him have good, substantial oxen of 4, 5 and 6 years of age. 233 Horses will do if he gets good ones and comes in
229 This was Rev. Richmond Cheadle. See note 188.
230 The "note books" refer to books giving the music for the hymns.
231 The immigration of 1850 amounted, so Bancroft says, to about eight thou- sand, Hist, of Ore. II: 174.
This is four times the estimate of F. G. Young. See note 305. Young'* estimate, however, probably refers only to those who came overland.
232 Mr. Chandler finally came overland, but some of his goods cam* by *. Sec letters of Sept. 3, and August 8, 1851. ​
CORRESPONDENCE
333
the first train, which he should do by all means, and start as early as he can travel, and take along with him oats and corn to feed his team principally for the first month, before the grass starts much. Drive moderately at first, have plenty of teams so that two horses may travel behind the wagon, and exchange horses each alternate day, and work each pair of horses two days in succession. Let provisions be selected in proportion to the amount of nutrition they contain to the pound. Let him take dried fruit, dried beef and the fattest pork he can find without bone, well cured. Let him take nothing heavy, except clothing, and send his books by water, put up so that they will not get wet. Let him have good In- dia rubber cloths to sleep on and under. Tell him to take special care of his team and, if he comes with horses, never let them go to hunt stray cattle, if he can avoid it and keep peace with the caravan. Tell him to be sure to cross at or near Council Bluffs and keep the north side of the Platte all the way and never touch the old road till he reaches the Sweet Water and he will save several days' travel and avoid all the bad water courses. I speak advisedly on this subject. If he comes with a horse team, he should have mares. He will need much grace, but if he does not take too much care and labor on himself the journey will be pleasant and healthy to himself and family. May God bless him and his and make them a lasting blessing to Oregon.
Yours affectionately,
EZRA FISHER. Received Jan. 25, 1851.
Oregon City, Ore., Jan. 17, 1851. To Rev. Benj. M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. of Am. Bap. Home Mis. Soc. Dear Brother:
Herein I send you my report of labor under the appoint- ment of the Home Mission Society for the quarter ending January 1st, 1851.
I have labored thirteen weeks in the quarter in the work ​
334 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
of the ministry, so far as I could in connection with my varied and urgent duties with our school, preached 20 sermons, de- livered twelve lectures to our Sabbath school and Bible classes, attended 14 prayer and church meetings, visited religiously 15 families and other persons, weekly recommend the cause of Christ to my school, visited no common school, baptized none, obtained no signatures to the temperance pledge direct; no church organized, attended no ordination; traveled to and from my appointments 20 miles; no persons have been received by letter or experience; no hopeful con- versions; no young men preparing for the ministry; monthly concert not observed as yet. My people have paid during the quarter nothing for any missionary or benevolent society; I have received ten dollars for my salary; our people have paid $150 to ceil our meeting house, which is still our school room. Connected with the churches to which I preach are two Sabbath schools, one in this place under my charge having five teachers and 25 scholars, with a library of about 150 volumes; the other is a mixed school, about ten of the children from Baptist families and one or two of the teachers.
N. B. I have not reported the number of the members received to the church in this place as Br. Johnson acts as moderator, is present at all our church meetings and has undoubtedly reported them. They shouldn't be reported twice. I have reported the state of our Sabbath school be- cause this work rests on me. While I am necessarily em- ployed as teacher and have the care of the school on my hands, I must confine my labors to this place and vicinity. I preach one Sabbath in four at Milwaukie where our pros- pects are flattering for building up a good church in the course of the coming year. We contemplate commencing our labors in Portland, a commercial town of 800 or 1000 souls, twelve miles below this, in a few months. Till Brother Chandler arrives it seems indispensable that Brother Johnson and myself make this place our residence. The cause of temperance is at this time on the ascendant in our city. We ​
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are holding weekly meetings, with encouraging prospects. One of my scholars succeeded last week in obtaining about fifteen names of his fellow students to the pledge. Our sisters sustain a monthly prayer meeting.
The passage of the Oregon Land bill is operating tempor- arily against our school by calling some of our supporters with their families to leave town and settle on their land. Yet our school this quarter numbers about fifty and is in- creasing. We think we shall feel the effect of the bill still more through the coming summer, probably not longer. Our school building moves forward slowly. Money is constantly becoming more scarce and we find it hard collecting sub- scriptions, yet our motto is Onward. As soon as the days become a little longer and the traveling improved I intend, God granting, to take the subscription paper mornings and evenings and try what can be done by way of collecting and enlarging the subscriptions.
Perhaps we shall have to secure the labors of some person for two months in this work during the season. We have contracted for enclosing the house and that work is on the way and the house will be ready for painting as soon as the rainy season passes. We shall not be ready to occupy the house before June, perhaps Aug. or Sept. We trust we shall not fail of receiving a reinforcement in Br. Chandler, and we hope others. It is ruinous to abandon this work or even to suspend operations at this time. We could better do it after the house is completed. Should we suspend at this time, the public would say this people attempted to build and were not able, we should lose public confidence, consequently pecuniary aid, and our unfinished work would mock us. At present we are assured that we are securing public approba- tion. Our community is weekly increasing with an energetic, enterprising people, and the demand for ministerial labor this year will be triple that of last summer. I am in a strait betwixt the two, but I see no other way than to hold to the ​
336 REVEREND EZRA FISHEI
school till relief comes, preach as much as I can and leave all with God. I moved to our College claim the 29th of Nov. Yours in gospel bonds,
EZRA FISHER, Missionary at Oregon City. Received March 10, 1851. On Margin:
N. B. I have received no letter from you since the one under date of Sept. 4th and 7th informing me of Br. Chand- ler's appointment. I have answered them.
Oregon City, Feb. 17, 1851. Rev. Benj. M. Hill,
Cor. Sec. A. B. H. M. Soc. Dear Brother:
Yours under date Oct. 19th, Nov. llth and Dec. 9th have all come to hand, together with duplicates of the invoice of goods and bills of lading of the same on board the bark Francis and Louisa. We hope they may arrive safe in the month of April, but I have taken my pen in haste, worn out with fatigue, to make another application to your Board for a re-appointment for one year. I will here insert a copy of the requests from the church in this place and from the Board of Trustees of the Oregon City College.
At the regular church meeting Feb. 1, 1851, voted to recommend Elder Ezra Fisher to the Board of the A. B. H. Mission Socy. for re-appointment to labor in this place and vicinity for the term of one year.
F. A. COLLARD, 2 33 HEZEKIAH JOHNSON,
Clerk. Mod.
Oregon City, Feb. 6th, 1851.
This is to certify that at a meeting of the Trustees of the Oregon City College held at the Baptist" meeting house in said city on the day and year first aforesaid, it was agreed to recommend to the Board of the A. B. H. Mission Soc. Elder
233 F. A. Collard came to Oregon in 1847. He later served three terms in the legislature. Hist, of Willamette Valley, p. 669. ​
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Ezra Fisher as their missionary in Oregon for the term of one year from the first day of April next. W. T. MATLOCK,'34 E. FISHER,
Secretary. Chairman.
My labors will be one fourth of the time in this city, probably one fourth of the time at Linn City on the opposite side of the river from this city, one fourth of the time at Milwaukie, at the request of brethren there, and part of the time at Portland. It seemed to me desirable that Br. Johnson should continue his labors in this place the coming year. I therefore moved his call to the pastoral care of our little church. I shall find all the labor I can possibly per- form with my school on my hands. We are advancing slowly with our school house. It is a hard time to collect, and almost all our men are going to the mines this spring. Very extravagant reports come from the Klamath mines, pretty well authenticated, of very rich mines of gold on the waters of that stream.^* Probably two thirds of the men in the terri- tory will go for gold during the spring, if we receive no coun- ter reports. At present the whole community is in a high state of excitement. We think things will become settled within a few months and hope the farming community will return permanently to their farms. We shall do all we can, in connection with all our other cares, this spring and the ensuing summer to carry the work (of building) forward and hope to have two rooms ready for occupancy before the ar- rival of Brs. Chandler and Read. Our school has already suffered the loss of several of the young men from the gold excitement, and more will go to the mines. Yet they will probably return in the fall, at least a part of them. Labor will be extravagantly high the coming season and lumber will be scarce. We dare not oppose the providences of God
234 VV. T. Matlock was several times a member of the territorial legislature. H was a delegate to the first Republican state convention, and was at one time receiver of the U. S. Land Office. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 11:72, 143, 158, 296, 418.
45 235 Gold was first found in the tributaries of the Klamath in the spring of 1850 In July discoveries were made on the main Klamath. Bancroft, Hist, of Ort. ​
338 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
in this new excitement and we think we can better calculate on results than when the mines were first discov- ered in California. Our men will not leave our Territory, immigration is constantly pouring in upon us. The mining is to be done in our own territory and in six or eight months our valley will be thronged with immortal beings. Gold will either be plentiful or labor will be comparatively cheap. The world's wickedness will be thrown upon us. How much we need strong faith and warm hearts to meet and conquer the enemy by love!
Our school numbers about fifty this term. When our re- inforcement arrives we hope to make such a disposition of the labor as will most glorify God. Brother Johnson and myself have concluded to order the Home Mission Record as fast as we obtain subscribers and pay for the paper out of our salary at N Y. till it amounts to five dollars each, and that will be as much as will meet the wants of our brethren in Oregon the present season probably. We would gladly do ten fold that amount, if we were able, but our family expenses are great and we are economizing to the extent of our abilities to meet the claims of our schools and secure public confidence. I trust God will carry us through and bless the efforts.
I herein send you the names of Mahlom Brock. Oregon City Post Office, and J. D. Garrett and Hector Campbell, Milwaukie Post Office, as subscribers for the Home Mission Record 1 . Please forward them to said offices.
Give my sincere thanks to Dr. Williams 2 ^ for consti- tuting me a life member of your Society. I am altogether unworthy the honor of that distinguished servant of Christ. The Lord multiply his means and enlarge his liberality to this great Christian enterprise. My personal thanks to Dr.
236 This was probably Rev. William R. Williams, at that time pastor of the Amity Street Baptist Church of New York City. An. Encyc. XVI 1641 .
A person could be made a life member of the Home Mission Society by the payment of $30.00. Bap. Home Missions in N. Ant. 1832-1882, p. 350. ​
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Cone a 37 for the donation to our College library. When the books arrive, the Board will take action on the subject. Yours with esteem,
EZRA FISHER. Received April 21, 1851.
237 This was Rev. Spencer Houfhton Cone, D. D. (1785-1855). He was ft leading member of the Baptist denomination at this time, and pastor of th First Baptist Church of Nw York City. Am. Encyc., V. ao.
THE QUARTERLY
of the
Oregon Historical Society
VOLUME XVII . DECEMBER, 1916 NUMBER 4
Copyright, 1916, by the Oregon Historical Society The Quarterly disavows responsibility for the