# Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 15/Number 3

THE QUARTERLY
of the
Oregon Historical Society
Copyright, 1914, by Oregon Historical Society The Quarterly disavows responsibility for the positions taken by contributors to its pages
THE "BARGAIN OF 1844" AS THE ORIGIN OF THE WILMOT PROVISO
By Clark E. Persinger
Professor of American History in the University of Nebraska
[This paper reveals the fact that the proposed accessions of the whole of Oregon and of Texas were combined by the "Bargain of 1844" to make a Democratic party campaign issue and means of "party harmony and unity."—Editor Quarterly.]
Why did the Northern Democracy so suddenly present that "apple of discord"—the Wilmot proviso—to the Southern Democracy in August of 1846?
Von Holst answers this question with the rather vague assertion that the "vox populi of the North" compelled the politicians to take some action against the proposed increase of slave soil through the proposed Mexican cession. Wilson in his "Slave Power" attributes the proviso to "several Democratic members" of Congress, who had been "cajoled into a vote for [Texan] annexation," and now, unable to retrieve the past, sought in this way "to save the future." Schouler makes no assertion as to its origin. Garrison in his volume of the American Nation series contents himself with the statement: "The circumstances of its origin suggest, if no more, that its introduction was simply a maneuver for political advantage in a family quarrel among the Democrats." ​
138 CLARK E. PERSINGER
The explanations of both Wilson and Garrison hint at what seems to me the true reason for the proposal of the Wilmot proviso; but they merely hint at it, and do not satisfy the legitimate curiosity of the secondary student of this remark- able movement in the history of the antislavery struggle. It is the purpose of this paper to elaborate somewhat these two explanations, by showing that the Wilmot proviso owes its origin to the breaking of the "bargain of 1844" between the Northwestern and the Southern wings of the Democratic Party.
When President Tyler revived the question of Texan annexa- tion in the spring of 1844 the Democratic Party was to all appearances homogeneous and united. In reality, however, it was composed of diverse elements, loosely bound together, needing only the Texan issue to reveal their existence and identity. These groups were three in number the Southern, the Northeastern, and the Northwestern. The Southern gave its chief adherence to Calhoun; the Northeastern to Van Buren ; the Northwestern as yet wavered between Cass, Douglas, and Allen ; and one of its most brilliant and frequent spokesmen was the "impulsive and hasty" Senator Hannegan, of Indiana. 1 The Southern or Calhoun group was already aggressively and recognizedly proslavery and proslave soil; the Northern or Van Buren group was already almost fanat- ically antislavery and free soil, and on the verge of that union with the Liberty Party which in 1848 produced the Free Soil Party. But the Northwestern group, although antislavery and free soil, was only moderately so. It was willing to see the increase of slave soil so long as free soil kept pace with it or gained a little upon it.
It was to these three groups of Democracy that the Tyler treaty for the annexation of Texas in the spring of 1844 brought immediate puzzlement and not-distant falling out. The Southern group, in its anxiety for Texas, was more than ready to ratify the Tyler treaty, especially as its own
i Characterization by Cass, in conversation with Polk. Quaife, "Diary of Polk," I, 268. ​
THE "BARGAIN OF 1844" AND THE WILMOT PROVISO 139
leader had negotiated that treaty, and had announced during the negotiation that the chief purpose of the proposed annexa- tion was the preservation of slavery and the extension of slave soil. The Northeastern and Northwestern groups were united in their opposition to the Tyler treaty, but differed in their reasons for opposition to it; the Northeastern group opposing it because Texas was slave soil, the Northwestern group be- cause it was offered without compensating addition of free soil to the northward.
To meet the demands of the Northeastern Democrats Van Buren declared against immediate and unconditional annexa- tion. To satisfy the Southern Democrats Calhoun meditated bolting the regular Baltimore convention and standing for election as a Southern candidate on a straight Southern plat- form. Then the Northwestern Democrats suggested that if the Southern Democracy were willing to combine Oregon, with Texas in the party platform, campaign, . and subsequent congressional action, such a balancing of free and slave soil expansion would satisfy the Northwestern and some of the Northern Democrats, and bring about party harmony and victory instead of party division and defeat. So originated the "bargain of 1844" the "Oregon and Texas" plank of the Democratic platform of 1844; not as a mere appeal to the Northern States in general, but as a definite means of party harmony and unity without the sacrifice of vital principle or interest by either the Southern or the Northwestern group of the party. The fact that such a bargain had been made was not published broadcast; in fact, it was kept most secret, but party leaders in the Northwest and Calhoun's lieutenants, if not Calhoun himself, knew of its arrangement and content. 1
The "bargain" having been made and ratified by their party convention, the Southern Democrats at once almost be- fore the campaign opened pressed for the completion of their half of the bargain, and demanded the immediate ratification of the Tyler treaty of annexation. 2 But the Northwestern
1 It is intended to make the "bargain" itself the subject of another paper at a later date.
2 Letter from Glenville, Alabama, July, 1844. Niles' Register, LXVI, 314. ​
140 CLARK E. PERSINGER
Democrats as yet refused to vote for Texas. Hannegan, of Indiana, later explained his action by calling upon the Senators from Missouri and Tennessee to bear witness to the fact that "up to the Baltimore convention" he had been "a decided friend to the immediate annexation of Texas." "What I saw which induced me to apprehend a breach of faith at that convention," he said, "it is unnecessary at present to detail. But my friend * * * knows that he repeatedly urged me to vote for the treaty, notwithstanding my apprehensions, and that I refused to do so, for I did apprehend that if Texas were brought in if we annexed Texas without some definite action on Oregon the Baltimore resolutions would be con- strued to mean all Texas and the half of Oregon with certain gentlemen" 1 and, looking at Colquitt, of Georgia, he re- peated it, "with certain gentlemen." The Senator from Missouri testified that what Hannegan had said was "per- fectly true," and the Senator from Tennessee confirmed the Hannegan explanation. Evidently Northwestern Democrats were already suspicious of Southern Democratic intentions as to Oregon and of the recently-made "bargain."
In the exciting campaign that followed, Southern Democrats concerned themselves chiefly with Texas, but did not forget to show an occasional "Texas and Oregon" banner, nor occasionally to unite the two issues in their public utterances. Northeastern Democrats for awhile considered the advisability of bolting the Democratic congressional ticket in the hope of defeating the annexation of Texas, but finally gave it up as a hopeless task, and quietly voted the regular party ticket. Northwestern Democrats emphasized the advantages of Texan annexation, pledged the party faith to the "whole of Oregon," and united the two issues at every opportunity : "Texas and Oregon; Oregon and Texas, always went together"; 2 "every- where they were twins ; everywhere they were united." 3
When the campaign of 1844 ended in Democratic victory, the Southern group once more pressed for the carrying out of
1 Cong. Globe, 29 Cong., i sess., 15, 388.
2 Hannegan, of Indiana, Mar. 5, 1846, as reported in Niles' Register, LXX, 22.
3 Same, as reported in Cong. Globe, 29 Cong., i sess., 15, 460. ​
THE "BARGAIN OF 1844" AND THE WILMOT PROVISO 141
the Texan portion of the "bargain." Texas, they said, was "an issue which had been made by the Baltimore convention
of the United States * * * who had decided in favor of it," and now "the friends of that measure from the South called upon their representatives from the North * * * to come forward and respond." "They did," said McDowell, of Ohio, in reviewing the record of that session, "come for- ward and respond." 1 In doing so, it is true, some of them "conjured" the Southern Democrats "most earnestly" to "yield to the spirit of compromise, and give us a small portion of that territory," claiming it had been "held out to the North, that two of the five States to be formed out of Texas would be free" ; 2 and all demanded the carrying out of the remainder of the "bargain" by the passage of Oregon "notice" and ter- ritorial bills. But as to Texas the Southern Democracy would "yield to no division" beyond the illusive "extension" of the Missouri compromise line through it ; 3 and as for Oregon, so long as the Northwestern Democrats "held Texas in their hands," enough Southern Democrats voted for Oregon measures to nurse them along until Texas was out of danger, and then refused further to discuss such important questions so near the close of the session.* A few of the Northwestern Democrats, interpreting this as a repudiation of their portion of the "bargain," refused to vote for Texas ;s but the majority, evidently hoping more from the future than they were ob- taining at the moment, helped to bring Texas in.
When Congress assembled again in the winter of 1845, Northwestern Democrats were prepared to insist on the prompt and decisive carrying out of the Oregon portion of the "bargain." Following the suggestion of the President, whose election had resulted from the "bargain" campaign, they introduced a series of measures looking to the final oc- cupation of Oregon ; the most important, of course, being that
1 Cong. Globe, ag Cong., i sess., 140.
2 Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, ibid., 16, app., 315.
3 Brinkerhoff, of Ohio, ibid., 378.
4 Hannegan, of Indiana, ibid., 15, 460.
5 Ibid., 15, 388​
142 CLARK E. PERSINGER
to instruct the President to give immediate notice to Great Britain of our intention to abrogate the joint-occupancy agree- ment of 1828. To their apparent surprise, Calhoun led the Southern Democrats in opposition to the "notice" resolutions, insisting upon the certainty of war with Great Britain should our Government thus assert our exclusive claim to the "whole of Oregon." Hannegan, of Indiana, at once arose in the Senate and denounced the "singular course" of the Southern Democrats. "Texas and Oregon," he announced, "were born the same instant, nursed and cradled in the same cradle the Baltimore convention and they were at the same instant adopted by the Democracy throughout the land. There was not a moment's hesitation until Texas was admitted; but the moment she was admitted the peculiar friends of Texas turned and were doing all they could to strangle Oregon." 1 Calhoun promptly replied to the charge of Southern Democratic treachery. "If I acted boldly and promptly on that occasion," he explained, "it was because boldness and promptness were necessary to success. * * * If I am for deliberate meas- ures on this occasion it is not because I am not a friend to Oregon. * * * If you institute a comparison between Oregon and Texas I would say that the former is as valuable to us as the latter and I would as manfully defend it. If the Senator and myself disagree, we disagree only as to the means of securing Oregon and not as to its importance." 2 Calhoun's reply sounds candid and convincing, but Folk's "Diary" in- forms us that, while asserting and reasserting his disagree- ment with the Northwestern Democrats "only as to the means of securing Oregon," Calhoun was secretly confiding to Polk his opinion that "the two Governments" ought to settle the Oregon question "on the basis of 49. " 3 Hannegan answered Calhoun's defense of the Southern Democratic position with the assertion that he "did not intend to charge any improper motives ; * * * but it appeared strange to him that when a question of territorial acquisition arises in the northwest
1 Ibid., 15, no.
2 Ibid., no.
3 Quaifc, "Diary of Polk," I, 313. ​
THE "BARGAIN OF 1844 AND THE WILMOT PROVISO 143
there should be found such a backwardness on the part of southern gentlemen to give it their aid" j 1 that if Calhoun were "a true mother" he would surely "not be willing to cut the child in two and give away one half." 2
Two or three days later, when "Mr. Rhett, Mr. Yancey, and others of the Southern phalanx" in the House took the same ground as Calhoun in the Senate, Douglas of Illinois "at first intimated, and subsequently rather broadly charged upon the Southern members of the party, an attempt to 'play a game' treacherous to the West. He asserted distinctly that the Oregon and Texas annexation projects had their birth in the Baltimore convention. * * * There they were 'cradled together' with a distinct understanding that if the West sus- tained the South in securing Texas, the South would sustain the West in their claims to Oregon." 3 Houston of Texas and Rhett of South Carolina entered formal denials of having had "any hand in the game ;" but in milder form Douglas persisted in his charge and was supported in it by McDowell of Ohio and Smith of Indiana. 4
Still, a few days later Wentworth of Illinois renewed the charge. "The South and West went together for Texas," he told the Southern Democrats, and now they should "go to- gether for Oregon. The West certainly so expected. If they did not go together, there was a class of politicians who would make a great deal of capital out of it ;" they were already predicting that "the South, having used the West to get Texas, would now abandon it [the West] and go against Oregon." Yancey of Alabama demanding if he meant "to intimate that there was any bargain between the South and West" to that effect. Wentworth denied that he had "said there was any such bargain," for to say so "would only implicate himself as a party to it after having voted for Texas." 5
So, through six of the nine months of this session of Con- gress, ran on charge, denial, and even countercharge; most
1 Cong. Globe, 15, in.
2 As reported by Niles' Register, LXIX, 279 (Jan. 3, 1846).
3 Ibid., 289-290 (Jan. 10, 1846).
4 Cong. Globe, 15, 125, 140, 143, 159.
5 Cong. Globe, 206, 207. ​
144 CLARK E. PERSINGER
frequently in short, sharp interchange of sentiments, occa- sionally in the form of a lengthy colloquy. In one way and another the charge of "bargain" and "breach of faith" was reiterated by Douglas, Wentworth, and Ficklin of Illinois; Hannegan, C. B. Smith, and Cathcart of Indiana; Brinkerhoff and McDowell of Ohio. Southwestern Democrats joined in. Johnson of Tennessee asserted the binding character of the union of the two issues by the Baltimore convention; 1 Sevier of Arkansas and Atchison of Missouri admitted that Han- negan of Indiana "certainly had some grounds for his opinion" as to the "integrity" of the Southern Democrats on the Texas- Oregon bargain. 2 Even the Southern Democrat, Haywood of North Carolina, "cited the impossibility of getting Texas through until the two questions had been made twin sisters by the Baltimore convention," and announced himself "thank- ful" that North Carolina was adhering to that union of issues and repudiating "factions * * * demagogues * * * dictating to the Senate." 3
Finally, by the signing and ratifying of the Oregon boundary treaty with Great Britain in June, 1846, president and senate accepted the Calhoun policy and its consequences as to the "whole of Oregon." Their action left the "North- western Senators * * * excited and in a bad temper;" "lashed into a passion" against all who had any part in the compromise transaction. 4 But in less than two months after their humiliation by the Oregon treaty, opportunity for revenge seemed to be offered the Northwestern Democrats. The President asked for two millions to negotiate a peace with Mexico. The purpose of the appropriation and of the pro- posed negotiation was well understood to be the acquisition of Mexican territory to the south of the traditional line of 36 30'. "All was going as merrily as marriage bells toward its consummation," reported the National Intelligencer. 5 when suddenly "the friends of the administration from the
1 Ibid., 288-289.
2 Ibid., 388.
3 Ibid., 459.
4 Statements of Polk, Quaife, "Diary of Polk," I, 474, 487.
5 Quoted in Niles' Register, LX, 374 (Aug. 15, 1846). ​
THE "BARGAIN OF 1844" AND THE WILMOT PROVISO 145
free States led off the opposition to their Southern brethren." 1 Northwestern Democrats, remembering, said the Washing- ton correspondent of the Baltimore American, "the 'bad faith' of the South, as they called it, upon the Oregon question,
come into the Union with their consent." 2 This determina- tion found expression in the Wilmot proviso, introduced, it is true, by Wilmot of Pennsylvania, a Northeastern Democrat, but its authorship claimed by the Northwestern Democrat, Brinkerhoff of Ohio. The original draft of this proviso, in Brinkerhoff s handwriting, is still, I am informed in a recent letter from Prof. R. T. Stevenson, of Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity, in the possession of Brinkerhoff 's son, Mr. George Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, Ohio.
In conclusion and summary: From the original establish- ment of free-soil and slave-soil sections of the Union during the late or post-Revolutionary period down to as late as 1843, the traditional principle upon which the country acted in re- gard to the slavery question was the equal, or approximately equal, division of all new territory between free soil and slave soil. When the proposal of Texan annexation threatened preponderant southward extension, Northeastern Democrats were frightened into opposition to its annexation, but North- western Democrats were willing to bargain with Southern Democrats for a combination of Texas and Oregon issues that should result in the continuation of the old, traditional policy of approximately equal expansion of free soil and slave soil. This bargain was more or less definitely drawn up by a small group of Northwestern and Southern Democratic politicians and submitted to and ratified by the Democratic convention at Baltimore in May, 1844. Democratic success in the campaign of 1844 was followed by the immediate carry- ing out of that portion of the "bargain" relating to the annexa- tion of Texas, for which all but a few of the Northwestern Democratic Members of Congress voted, these few asserting
1 ibid.
2 Ibid. ​
146 CLARK E. PERSINGER
a Southern Democratic intention of repudiating the "bargain of 1844" when the time should come to provide for the carry- ing out of that portion of the "bargain" relating to the re- occupation of Oregon. When the next session of Congress took up the Oregon question, the suspicions of these North- western men appeared to prove well founded. The Southern Democrats, under the leadership of Calhoun, opposed the claim to the "whole of Oregon ;" opposed giving notice to Great Britain of our intention to abrogate the joint-occupancy treaty of 1828 ; and opposed attempts to establish a free-soil territorial government over the portion of Oregon which we did succeed in obtaining. Accused of a "breach of faith" in carrying out the "bargain of 1844," the Southern Dem- ocrats denied altogether the existence of any such "bargain ;" or denied that they individually had had "any hand it it;" or else denied that it had applied to the "whole of Oregon." Betrayed and incensed by this "Punic faith," as they called it, of the Southern Democrats, the Northwestern Democrats in August of 1846 proposed the Wilmot proviso as the only means possible for the restoration of the traditional free-soil and slave-soil balance for protecting themselves against pos- sible future Southern Demorcratic "breach of faith," and for "saving the Democratic Party of the Northern States" after its betrayal and humiliation through the miscarriage of the "bargain of 1844." ​
AN ALMANAC OF 1776
By J. NEILSON BARRY
It is a small volume, only three inches by five, with a worn leather cover, and pages yellow from age. The printing is old fashioned, small, having the long "s" similar to an "f." The title page gives the information that it is "Gaine's Uni- versal Register, or American and British Kalendar for the year 1776," and that it was published by H. Gaine of New York.
It is a storehouse of information in regard to the various officials of that year, which was so momentous in the history of this country, and there are many things which throw light upon conditions in the Colonies at that period.
The book was the property of Hon. Abraham Ten Broeck, a member of the General Assembly of New York, representing the Manor of Van Rensselaer ; that he was a patriot is shown by notes which he made on the blank pages of the calendar, which also contain memoranda of his business transactions of that year.
The data are given in the most matter-of-fact way, without any indication of the turmoil of excitement at that time, yet the printed explanation for the lack of information regarding the Province of Massachusetts Bay has reference to the Revo- lution then in progress. "The present unhappy state of this Province prevents us from being as particular in our account of it as we cou'd wish we do not know who is in, or who are out of, office ; when the melancholly differences that now sub- sist between the Mother Country and her Colonies, are hap- pily terminated, we shall with Pleasure present the Public with as correct and copious Lists of the officers of Government as can be possibly obtain'd."
The calendar for July states that that month was to begin on Monday. The Fourth, which has since become so famous, was on Thursday, and the prediction for the weather was "Cloudy and it may rain about this time."
Among the manuscript notes are :
August 27th "Battle of Long Island."
September 15th "Regulars landed on York Island."
September 16th "Battle of Harlem." ​
148 J. NEILSON BARRY
October "Fryday llth Battle on lake Champlain, Cumber- land Bay, began at 11 & continued untill 5 o'cl."
November 3d "Genl. Carlton's Army left Crown point."
November 16th "Fort Washington taken."
December 26th "At 8 o'clock in the morning General Washington attacked the enemy at Trenton & obtained a Com- plete Victory by taking 1100 Prisoners, 50 killed, 100 wounded, 8 Brass Cannon, 1 Howitzer, 4 Standards and other Trophies, with the loss of 3 men only."
The frontispiece is a map of New York, showing the city as covering only the lower end of the island, with open country beyond.
"An Estimate of the Number of Souls" made in Congress Sept. 1774, shows a total of 3,026,678 in the Colonies.
There is a list of the dates for "Quakers' General Meetings," and a number of English lists, including the Royal Family, the Nobility, and civil, military and ecclesiastical officials, also notes in regard to other European countries.
There is a list of articles which shall not be shipped from any of the Colonies of England unless a bond is given that they "shall be landed in some British Colony, or in Great Britain," and a list of duties on exports and imports.
A general description of America is given, and a list of offi- cials headed by "General and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces in North America, His Excellency the Hon. Thomas Gage."
The "Governments" for the various Colonies follow, begin- ning with West Florida, and containing the names of the Gov- ernors, the Council, the various Judicial officials, Public officers, civil, naval and military, and the value of coins.
The Governor of West Florida was Peter Chester, of East Florida, Patrick Toryn, and of Georgia, Sir James Wright, Bar- onet. This Colony was divided into twelve parishes, beginning with Christ Church, Savannah. A list is given of the duties "on goods imported from any Colony to the Northward of South Carolina," and also a list of "Dissenting Ministers." In 1750 eight vessels were cleared out of Savannah harbor, and in 1772 two hundred and seventeen. ​
ALMANAC OF 1776 149
William Campbell was the Governor of South Carolina. The duies on slaves were given : "Indians imported as slaves 50 each. Negroes or slaves 4 feet 2 inches or more high 10. Ditto, under, and above 3 feet 2 inches 5. Ditto, under and above 2 feet 2 inches (sucking children excepted) 2.10." The number of vessels cleared out of "Charlestown" was 209 in 1734 and 507 in 1773. The number of houses in "Charles- town" was 1450, and the inhabitants, white and black, 14,000. The Colony contained 65,000 white people and 100,000 slaves.
The Governor of North Carolina was Josiah Martin, and of Virginia, John Murray, Earl of Dunmore. Maryland is given as a Proprietary Government with Hon. Henry Harford as the Governor. "Except the Collectors and Comptrollers of his Majesty's Customs, the Proprietor has the sole appointment of all Officers, civil and military of this Province ; he has also the Presentation to every Parish of the established Church. Instead of the King's, all Proceedings of the Courts are carried on in his Name, * * * the Power of the Proprietor of Maryland is equal to that of any Sovereign Prince, who is not despotic in his Dominions."
Pennsylvania included Delaware; the Proprietors were "the Hon. Thomas and John Penn, Esqs.," the latter being the Gov- ernor. Among the Representatives in the General Assembly were Benjamin Franklin and Robert Morris. There are lists of officials for the Library, for the College and Academy of Philadelphia, for the Hospital, for "the light house" and for the "nightly watch." For the "Contributionship for Insurance of Houses from Fire," "For the Relief and Employment of the Poor," "For the Relief of Masters of Vessels, and their Wid- ows and Children," For the "American Philosophical Society for promoting useful knowledge," and "For promoting the cul- ture of Silk." "The chief City and Metropolis of the Province, is Philadelphia, supposed to be the largest and most regularly laid out of any in North America. It contains above 5,500 houses and 40,000 Inhabitants."
In New Jersey the Governor was Hon. William Franklin, The College of New Jersey at Princeton receives considerable space, the Rev. John Witherspoon being the President. ​
150 J. NELSON BARRY
There is an historical note regarding New York of which His Excellency William Tryon, Esq., was the Governor, and in addition to the usual list of officials there is quite an extensive notice in regard to New York College. "The Building (which is only one-third of the intended Structure) consists of an elegant Stone Edifice, three complete stories high, with four Stair cases, twelve Appartments in each." "The Edifice is sur- rounded by a high Fence, which also encloses a large Court and Garden, and a Porter constantly attends at the front Gate, which is lock'd at 10 o'Clock each Evening in Summer, and at 9 in Winter." Lists of officials for the New York Hos- pital, for the Chamber of Commerce, and for the Marine So- ciety, are also given, and the names of the ministers of the Episcopal, the Reformed Dutch and the Presbyterian Churches. Then follows "Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Post Master General for North America, appointed by the Hon. the Continental Congress." "Mails are made up at the Post Office in New York For Boston every Monday and Thursday, for Albany &c every Thursday, for Philadelphia and the Southward, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday." "The Mail for England is clos'd at the Post Office in New York the first Wednesday in every Month."
An extensive note is given of the Corporation for the Relief of the Widows and Children of Clergymen in the Communion of the Church of England in America.
The Governor of Connecticut was Hon. John Trumbull, and the president of Yale College was Rev. Napthali Daggett.
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations "by their Charter are impowered to elect their Governor, Deputy Governor and Assistants, annually," the Governor being Hon. Joseph Wan- ton. "There are four commodious Stage Coaches, and a gen- teel Chariot, constantly plying from Providence to Boston. Passengers pay Two Dollars." There is an extended note of the Rhode Island College, "Tuition 12 Dollars per year, Board- ing 1 Dollar per Week."
While the Governor of Massachusetts Bay is given as Hon. Thomas Gage "the unhappy State" of conditions prevented the usual list of officials from being ascertained, which was also ​
ALMANAC OF 1776 151
the probable cause for the scanty data in regard to New Hamp- shire, of which Hon. John Went worth was the Governor. The officials of Nova Scotia, NewFoundland, St. Johns and of Can- ada then follow.
There is a list of the congregations and ministers of the Presbytery of New York and of other Colonies.
A "List of the several Regiments of his Majesty's Forces now at Boston, with the names of their Commanders," "A List of Governors of the Province of New York from the year 1664 to the present Time," and similar lists of the Governors of New Jersey and of the West India Islands.
The staff of the British Army under Hon. Thomas Gage, and also the "Staff of the Army of the Thirteen United Prov- inces in North America, as accurately as could be obtained Octo. 10, 1775. General and Commander in Chief of all the American Forces, His Excellency the Honorable George Washington, Esq." "Major Generals, Artemus Ward, Charles Lee, Israel Putnam, and Philip Schuyler, Esqrs." "Brigadier
Generals, John Sullivan Green and Spencer,
Esqrs.," and many other names, followed by the "State of the Four Regiments raised in the Colony of New York for the Continental service," and the names of the officers, with man- uscript notes and checks, by the owner of the little volume, one of the Lieutenants being designated as a "bad character." Also similar lists for the Royal Artillery "for the Continental service" and of the Troop of Light Horse raised in the City of New York and the Independent Forces consisting of the First and the Second Battalions of New York, in which the names of the Companies are designated by such terms as Prussian Blues, Oswego Rangers, Hearts of Oak, Free Citizens and Brown Buffs.
There follows a table of New Jersey Bills reduced to New York Currency, and the little volume closes with a list of roads radiating from Boston, New York and Philadelphia, which indicate the extent of the settlement of the country, and the routes of communication. The post roads extended to Quebec in the north, to Charleston, S. C, in the south, and as far west as Pittsburgh. The wayside taverns were important ​stopping places in the wearisome travel over rough roads by the heavy stage coach or "genteel chariot," they often derived their names from the sign boards which they displayed, and this custom is illustrated by the following stopping places westward from Philadelphia, Black Horse, 6 miles; Prince of Wales, 10; Buck, 11; Sorrel Horse, 12; Plough, 13; Unicorn, 16; Blue Ball, 20; Admiral Warren, 23; White Horse, 26; Do wings, 33; The Ship, 35; The Waggon, 41, which was the terminal.
SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
First Delegate to Congress from Oregon Territory. He was elected
June 6, 1849; took his seat in Thirty-first Congress,
beginning December 3, 1819.
​SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
First Delegate to Congress from Oregon Territory. He was elected
June 6, 1849; took his seat in Thirty-first Congress,
beginning December 3. 18-19.
DIARY OF SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
INTRODUCTION BY GEORGE H. HIMES.
(This diary was found among Mr. Thurston's effects by his wife, who was living at Oregon City at the time of his death. She gave it and numerous letters which he had received, principally from his constituents in Oregon, to her daughter, Blandina, who became the wife of Alfred W. Stowell. After his wife's death Mr. Stowell agreed to give the diary and letters to the Oregon Historical Society, in due time. Meanwhile he loaned them to Judge J. C. Moreland, Clerk of the Supreme Court of Oregon, in whose possession they were when Mr. Stowell died on Janu- ary 17, 1906, leaving no directions regarding their future dispo- sition. A few years later, after consulting with the heirs of Mr. Stowell, Judge Moreland delivered the valuable historical ma- terial to the Oregon Historical Society.
Mr. Thurston was the first delegate to Congress from Oregon Territory, and was elected on June 6, 1849, receiving 470 votes out of 943 the total vote of the territory. The other candidates received the following votes: Columbia Lancaster, 321 ; James W. Nesmith, 104 ; Joseph L. Meek, 40 ; Rev. John S. Griffin, 8 473. At the date of this election the "Oregon Country" embraced all of the present states of Ore- gon, Washington, Idaho, and the parts of Montana and Wyo- ming west of the summit of the "Rocky or Oregon Mountains, as alluded to in Robert Greenhow's map of 1844, to accompany his "History of Oregon and California." Mr. Thurston was born in Monmouth, Kennebec County, Maine, in 1816; was graduated at Bowdoin College in 1843 ; admitted to the bar of Maine in 1844 ; removed to Burlington, Iowa, in 1845 ; prac- ticed law and edited a newspaper there until the spring of 1847 ; crossed the plains that year with his wife and one child, reach- ing Oregon City in October ; began the practice of law at once ; in 1848 removed to Washington County, and was a member of the last legislature of the Provisional Government beginning on December 5, 1848, closing February 16, 1849 ; was delegate in Congress (elected as above noted) and served from Decem- ber 1, 1849, to March 4, 1851 ; died at sea off Acapulco, Mex- ico, April 9, 1851, and was buried at that city. On January 16, 1852, a bill was passed by the legislature of Oregon Terri- tory appointing Adam Van Dusen, of Astoria, William M. King, of Portland, and Dr. William H. Willson, of Salem, a committee to provide for the reinterment of Mr. Thurston's remains in Oregon soil, and appropriating $1,500 to provide for the expense. Early in February, 1853, this committee sent Mr. B. F. McLench, a brother-in-law of Mr. Thurston, to ​
154 SAMUEL HOYAL THURSTON
Acapulco for the body. Returning, he arrived at Portland on March 3d, and on April 12th a formal funeral was held in the Methodist Church, Salem, Hon. Delazon Smith delivering a memorial address, after which the remains were placed in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery by the officers and members of Chemeketa Lodge No. 1, I. O. O. F.)
A BOOK CONTAINING A FAITHFUL RECORD OF MY SEVERAL EFFORTS IN BEHALF OF OREGON, FROM AND AFTER THE 21ST DAY OF NOVEMBER, A. D. 1849, MADE AT OR NEAR THE TIME THE SAME WERE MADE, THIS MEM- ORANDUM THEREOF BEING COMMENCED NOVEMBER 23d, 1849.
On the 21st day of November, 1849, having made a flying visit to my friends in Oxford and Kennebeck counties, I left my father's house on my way to Washington. I took the cars at Readfield, for Portland, and could have reached Boston same night, but determined to stop at Portland to see if I could enlist the press of Me. and the representative from Cumberland county in behalf of the interests of Oregon. I had an interview with the editor of the Eastern Argus, A. H. W. Clapp, and other leading politicians of Cumber- land co., Me, all of whom appeared warm in our favor. I felt much gratified at my success, as the editor promised to aid to the extent of his ability, the measures which I in- formed him the people of Oregon wished to bring about. But by taking this course, my tavern bill, & hack hire, were four dollars more than they would have been had I come directly on. Having accomplished for Oregon what I desired, at Portland, I left that place Nov. 23d & went to Boston, and could have passed on direct to New York, on my way to Washington. But I determined to see the editors in Boston to enlist them also, if possible, in behalf of our measures. I arrived at Boston at 1-2 past 12. After dinner I visited Charles G. Green, editor of the Boston Post, and of the Massachusetts Statesman. I was successful with him, and he also, as did the editor of the Argus, entered warmly into my plan and promised the influence of his papers. On the morning of the 24th I went again to see Mr. Green whom I found anxious to be informed ​
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as to matters in Oregon, and ready to do what he could, to enable him to do so; he requested I would forward him to Boston a brief statement of the facts. I then called on Col. Schooler, editor of the Boston Atlas. He appeared to fall into my plans, and promised to do what he could to forward the matter. Said he was in favor of donations of land, of paying" off the Cayuse war debt and of reducing the postage to five cents to Oregon. I also promised to send him a similar statement to that of Green. He gave me a letter of introduction to Winthrop. So much being accomplished I left in the 4 o'clock train for N. Y. which stopped at Spring- field over Sunday so that the delay at Boston, cost me three dollars more than I should have been put to, had I not stopped at Boston for the purpose above named. At halfpast ten, Monday Nov. 26 I left Springfield for N. Y. where I arrived November 27 about the hour of 4 o'clock a. m. November 27th & 28, I spent in close communication with the Editors of New York. Greeley was gone & so was Webb, so that I had to talk with the subalterns, promising to write to the editors after I should arrive at Washington. The editors of the N. Y. Evening Post, the N. Y. Sun, and James Gordon Bennett of the Herald, were free to express their inclinations to favor our interests, and at once acknowledged the justness of our claims as soon as I named them. I have no doubt they will make their promises good. Now by making the above named efforts, I was put to an expense after I left Boston, five dollars more than I should have been, had I come direct to Washington.
Nov. 29. I left for Washington, but by reason that the cars got belated, I had to stop at Philadelphia whence I set out for Washington where I arrived November 30th, about 8 o'clock P. M. and stopped at Gadsby's Hotel. This was my first entry into Washington. I felt that much responsibility was upon me and when I recollected that the interests of all that country west of the Rocky mountains, and between the Latitudes of 42 and 49 north were intrusted to my care, I resolved stronger than ever, that no effort of mine should re​
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main unmade which might be beneficial to our our noble and beloved Oregon. So having concluded this much of this memorandum I retired to rest to dream of the land of my choice where was my all my property and my beloved wife and little ones. December 1, 1849.
Today I visited several of the departments and at 8 P. M. called on President Taylor in company with Gov. John P. Gaines. I learned two thousand dollars of the $5000 appro- priation for books had been expended. The remaining $3000 we had paid over by way of draft on the Independent Treasury, to Gov. Gaines who will expend the whole or nearly so in the purchase of books at N. Y. and take them to Oregon with him round the Horn.
We also had paid over to Gov. Gaines the $5000 appropriated for public buildings. This he will take to Oregon and expend in commencing the buildings, relying upon Congress to make further appropriations.
The Government was just upon the point of paying over also to him the $20,600 appropriated by the last Congress to meet the expenses of the first session of the Oregon legis- lature. I objected to this, on the ground that it would not reach Oregon until next July, and urged that draft or drafts be drawn by Gov. on the custom houses at Astoria and San Francisco for the amount, so that the members of the last legislature might receive their pay as soon as possible. I received assurances that this should be done according to my desire.
In my interview with the President he assured me he would do all in his power to favor Oregon. Gov. Gaines and my- self then requested that a war vessel should be ordered to Astoria. He promised it should be done. Then as the "Supply" on board which Gov. and other officers were going, was to stop at San Francisco, we urged him to order the same to Oregon, after discharging what freight she had for S. F. He said he would either do this, or order a smaller vessel to take the government officers and the Oregon stores to Oregon. ​
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Having learned that one St. John had been appointed to the custom house at Astoria vice John Adair, and that the time allowed him by law to file his bond had expired, I requested the President that he would take no further action in the matter till I had an interview with him. He promised that he would not. Before we went in, I had requested Gov. Gaines to intercede also. He promised he would ; accordingly he requested the President not to do anything further in the matter till he could reach Oregon and report back to the President, remarking that he knew Genl. Adair, etc. The President also promised him that he would not, so that Genl. Adair will not now be removed for 6 or 8 months, any- how. I think he will not be removed at all. In the evening, after we left the President's, I conversed with Gov. G. till 12 at night upon Oregon matters, and promised to see him today which I shall yet do. Yesterday I received various letters from persons in different parts of the States, inquiring for their friends in Oregon. I replied promptly, considering that that was also a part of my duty, because my constituents in Oregon were interested in the matter. After the interview with Gov. G. I wrote two letters to Oregon communicating a part of the information obtained by my calls and researches. Also on this day I procured a boarding place at the St. Charles, paying nine dollars per week and finding my own lights, the landlord finding everything else. I also attended the Democratic caucus this evening from 7 to 8, in which all the states were represented save S. C. and
The President is to recommend the reduction of postage to Oregon to five cents per letter. This he promises and I hope he will perform.
December 2, 1849 This day I went to meeting at the Wesleyan Chapel, Methodist, and heard the minister discourse upon the following text, "I was glad when they said unto me, Come let us go up into the House of the Lord." In the evening, as Gov. Gaines was soon to start for Oregon, and had previously requested me to do so, I called on him to converse relative to Oregon affairs. And we agreed to go ​
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on Monday and see the Sec. of the Treasury about forward- ing the money over the Isthmus to pay off the late legislature, and to see the Sec. of the Navy to get him to order the Store Ship "Supply" to Portland to carry the government officers and stores. After this I returned home, wrote a letter to J. W. Nezsmith, and went to bed at one o'clock.
December 3, 1849 This day Gov. Gaines and I called on the 1st Comptroller of the Treasury relative to ordering the Collector at Astoria to pay off the members &c of the last Legislature. He immediately wrote a note to the Secretary recommending the course. The Secretary approved the course, and he informed us that the order would be forwarded accordingly.
We next called on the Secretary of the Navy to get him to have the Store Ship "Supply" ordered to Oregon, at Port- land ; he informed us that he would do so with the approbation of the President. The President had previously said to us that he would have it done, so that Gov. G. and I concluded it would be done, of course. On this day, too, I got instruc- tions to say to Gnl. Lane and Pritchett that their dues for salaries would be paid to their order, upon their forwarding a certificate of their oath of office, and their act. to the De- partment to be audited. I wrote Gnl. Lane accordingly. In the evening I went to have another interview with Gov. Gaines on Oregon matters, in which we continued till twelve o'clock at night. I wrote a number of letters to constituents in Oregon, and finally went to bed at one o'clock in the morning.
December 4, 1849 In the morning and forenoon I applied myself to writing home. Went to the R. Hall at 12, and stayed till four, while the house was balloting for Speaker. There was no choice of Speaker, and the House adjourned. During this time I wrote a letter to A. L. Lovejoy relative to the Coast Survey, giving him an extract from a letter of the Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey to the Secretary of the Treasury. After supper, I went to see the 2nd Assistant P. M. General relative to postoffices and post roads in Oregon. ​
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He said he would help us all he could and promised to go with me and see the P. M. Genl. next day, in the forenoon.
I then went to see Horace Greeley,* Editor of the N. Y. Tribune. Oregon has nothing to expect from him. He will oppose Govt's giving us a section of land, and in fine will be both small, mean, and stinted in all his views towards Oregon. After this I went home, and wrote a letter to the Pacific News, San Francisco, for the purpose of getting the people there petitioning Congress for the mail once in two weeks from New York. After attending to various other business, I went to bed at 12 o'clock.
December 5, 1849 In the morning, after breakfast, I called on the 2nd Assistant P. M. Genl. to learn what I could relative to the mail service in Oregon. I found that there had been reported to the Department one post-office at Astoria, John Adair, P. M., one at Portland, Thos. Smith, P. M., and one at Oregon City, Geo. L. Curry, P. M. I found the fol- lowing mail routes had been established: 1 from Ft. Van- couver to Oregon City, 1 from same place to Astoria, 1 from Independence (Mo.) to Ft. Vancouver, and 1 from Oregon City up the Willamette Valley to Klamet River. Bids had been received for carrying the mail on these routes. There was also another route omitted above, from Ft. Vancouver by Ft. Nesqually to mouth of Admiralty Inlet. To carry the mail on this last route once a month there was a bid of $3000 ; to carry it from Independence to Vancouver once in six months, 24,000 dollars ; from Vancouver to Oregon City, 1 per month, $429; from Ft. Vancouver to Astoria once a month, $1500; and from Oregon City to Klamet Valley, once in 3 months, $6000. After I had ascertained the above facts, I attended the session of the House until supper time. In the evening I visited Genl. Cass and found him, as usual, all the
correct. He opposed the admission of Oregon to the Union in 1858 and 1859; and yet as the holder of the proxy of Leander Holmes, of Clackamas county, who was one of the three delegates elected at the Republican State Convention held in Salem, April 21, 1859 the other two being Dr. W. Warren, of Marion county, and A. G. Hovey, of Benton county to represent Oregon in the Republican National Convention of 1860 he was an important factor in aiding to nominate Abraham Lincoln as the Republican candidate for President. ​
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time for the West. He will go for all we ask. He says Govt. never ought to sell any land in Oregon, but should donate it to settlers.
December 6, 1849 Today I attended the session of the House, but there was no choice for Speaker. The Whigs adhered closely to Winthrop, while many of the Democrats adhered but partly to Cobb. I also wrote a letter (see copy retained) to the Postmaster Genl. making inquiry as to what mail routes, postoffices and postmasters &c there were in Oregon.
I also answered a letter written to Col. Benton by a man from Ohio, asking certain information relative to Oregon. Col. B. requested me to do so. I accordingly replied by a letter of 8 pages, and forwarded same to the Ohio States- man for publication. In the evening I occupied my time in ascertaining what laws had ever been passed favorable to Oregon, more particularly to establish post routes, and for carrying the mail to our country, after which I retired to bed at 12 o'clock.
December 7, 1849 This day I called on the Secretary of the Navy to see if I could get him to order a Government vessel to Oregon. He informed me that he had already ordered the steamer Massachusetts to Astoria to await the use of the officers of Oregon. This being satisfactory, and in conformity to the promise of the President before made, I then brought to his notice the fact that a British vessel, in Oregon, under guarantee of Major Hathaway, U. S. A., vio- lated, about last July, the Vmerican laws regulating the coast- ing trade. He requested me to communicate the fact in writ- ing to his Dep., and he would attend to it. I then a Jed on the Treasury Department to see if the Collector at Astoria had ever communicated the fact to the Treasury Dept. The First Comptroller tho't not, but requested I would make the inquiry in writing, when he would attend to it promptly. Accordingly, I went to my room, and did so. After this, I attended the session of the House, but no choice of Speaker was made. This was the fifth day. During the session I ​
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wrote to Mr. Atkinson of New York, giving him information relative to Oregon, requesting him by private note to publish the same, because I tho't. the facts stated would induce emigration to Oregon. In the evening, after writing several letters, I attended the Democratic caucus. Returned home, and after writing this, went to bed, about 12 at night.
December 8, 1849 This day I attended on the session of the House. The forenoon I spent in hunting up what laws had been passed, either relative to or in favor of Oregon. Wrote several letters, during the day, and received answer from the Postmaster of New York informing me, in answer to a letter addressed to him for that purpose, as to the number of letters and papers sent to the Pacific and brought from there since the commencement of the Pacific Mail line, with the amount of postage charged on the same.
This day I also received a bundle of notes and receipts left in my [trunk] when lost. The man who forwarded the same to me informed me he had found it on the sea beach near Panama.
December 9, 1849 This day I went to the Methodist meet- ing, and heard Mr. Morgan preach from these words, "Happy are ye if, knowing these things, ye do them." The sermon was most able. Same day I addressed him a note requesting him to call at my house of board. Read in the evening and went to bed about 12 o'clock.
December 10, 1849 This morning Revd. Mr. Morgan called as per request of yesterday. Gave me a letter of ad- mittance into Br. Purcell's class. Spent the balance of the forenoon in looking up Oregon matters. Then from 12 A. M. to 4 ;?. M. attended the session of the house. The 30th or 31st ballot was completed today and no organization. I wrote several letters home, and hunted up 1 Greenhow's map of Oregon for the purpose of drawing up a resolution upon the subject of extinguishing the Indian title to all Oregon lying west of the Cascade mountains. After supper I re-
i Robert Greenhaw, translator and librarian to the Department of State at Washington, D. C., and author of a memoir, historical and political, on the Northwest Coast of North America, published in 1840. ​
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ceived a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury in answer to one of inquiry written him by me, informing- me that no information of the kind had been received from the Collector of Astoria or from any other source. After writing some letters to my constituents in Oregon, and looking still further for laws relative to Oregon, and making memorandums, I went to bed between ten and eleven.
December 11, 1849 This morning I called on the Secretary of the Interior, Thos. Ewing, to find out what instructions had been given to the Gov. of Oregon relative to Indian affairs. The Secretary sent me to the chief clerk of the Indian Bureau for the information.
I then brought to his notice Robt. Newell, Sub. Ind. Agent in Oregon, requesting his removal. He informed me to write him a letter on the subject and he would attend to it. I next went over to the clerk for the information above re- ferred to, and took a brief abstract of said instructions in pencil. This took me till one P. M., as they were quite long, after which I went into the House which was then balloting for Speaker. W. J. Brown ran ahead and came to 4 votes of an election. Winthrop, the Whig candidate, withdrew. After this the House adjourned at about 4 P. M. After supper I called on Senator Douglas to consult on Oregon affairs. Found him favorable. After this I returned home and wrote to the Sec. of the Interior requesting Robt. Newell's removal as Sub Agt, and recommended as his successor Joseph [Jo- siah] L. Parrish of Salem, Oregon. Went to bed about 12 o'clock, M.
December 12, 1849 After perusing the papers, I went to Col. Benton's to see him upon Oregon affairs. He was not in. I then went to the House Library and ordered the J ournals of the House for the last ten years. Then went to the P. O. and found among others two letters, one for information of
Daniel P. Bradford of Brooklyn, relative to moving to Ore- gon. I replied to both on the spot, and wrote to Mr. Craw-
i Medorcm Crawford, who crossed the plains to Oregon in 1843. ​
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ford enclosing his father's letter to me. By this time it was 12 M. and the House commenced to ballot for Speaker. Brown lacked two votes of an election. Here a disclosure was made that Brown had written a letter to Wilmot. This disturbed the Southers [Southerners], who had voted for Brown. Brown read the letter, and much dissatisfaction being- expressed by some southern members who had voted for Brown, whereupon Brown withdrew. Here great confusion ensued, after which the House adjourned. No Speaker. After supper I directed ten papers to so many of my constituents, and walked out ; returned, and until supper held a conversation with Mr. Hamilton of Maryland relative to slavery & Wilmot Proviso &c. Mr. Hamilton said the South did not assume their present position relative to the new territories so much on act. of the privilege of having slaves in them, or the liberty to do so, but because they feared that if they stood by quietly that the Anti-Slavery question would gain ground so much in the North as to lead the North to make attempts on the abolition of slavery in the Slave States themselves. I assured him that not a single man could be found in the North who dared to support such a notion, without the consent of the slave states themselves, and that as a corresponding fear to that named by him on the part of the South, the North also feared that if they stood by and saw slavery enlarge, that one day the free states might be overpowered by it and the Union itself overthrown. And here, after considerable dis- cussion, I asked him 1st, whether free territory did not flourish better than slave territory? 2d, whether a new ter- ritory admitted now kept free for a hundred years to come would not be a more prosperous part of the Nation, than it would if slavery existed in it? and then, whether it was not the duty of all legislators to provide for that state of things which would make their Government the most prosperous, to all of which he answered affirmatively. I then replied that in his answer we all found our duty in regard to new ter- ritories. After this I called on Col. Benton relative to Oregon. Found him affable, and wished me to call any evening. Then ​
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went home, and the Journals of the House not being brought according to my orders, I was unable to pursue my researches on Oregon matters. So I read an address to the New Mex- icans & Californians by some men of New York, in which they showed successfully, I think, that a free country prospers better than a slave country.
December 13, 1849 After reading my papers this morning and directing the same to persons in Oregon, I went to the Capitol for the purpose of hunting up some public documents to send to Oregon. The folder assured me he would furnish me with all he could spare, and to begin with he let me have some 18 maps of Oregon by Lieut. Wilkes. 1 I sent one to the county commissioners of each county in Oregon, kept two for my use, and sent the others to gentlemen in Oregon. I told the folder that he must be liberal towards Oregon and he said he would. The House next commenced its session and the whole day was spent in a most disgraceful altercation. The Southern democrats made some 15 or 20 speeches, all declaring that if the Wilmot Proviso should be applied in the dispositions of the new territories, or if Congress should abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, in either case, they and the South would dissolve the Union. The North replied that they should do what they could to prevent the farther extension of slavery, but if the South outvoted them, they would not dissolve the Union for that.
From the discussion, I perceived that there were two sub- stantial questions between the South and North: 1st, whether Congress has the constitutional right to restrict slavery from the new territories ; and if so, 2d, whether under the circum- stances it would be expedient or just. The South say no to both ; the North in a body say yes to the first, and nearly all say yes to the second.
The South appear not to have patience to discuss these ques- tions upon the merits to be shown in argument ; but, laying it down that they are right and no mistake, fall to abusing the North because she thinks otherwise, and threaten the Union
Lieut. Charles Wilkes, of the U. S. exploring expedition of 1838-1842. ​
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if the North acts upon its own judgment, providing that action is successful. The North, on the contrary, thinks the South is wrong, but don't abuse so freely, and in no case threatens the Union, even if the South does act successfully even upon its own judgment. The South will vote for no man unless he is to their minds an anti Wilmot Proviso man, while the great body of the North are willing to go for any Anti-Wilmot Pro- viso man, providing he is moderate and a fair man. While the South would not vote for Jesus Christ in person unless they were satisfied that he was with them on the slavery question. Here then is the difference. The House had one ballot, which lasted till after 4 P. M., when it adjourned. In the evening, my journals ordered yesterday still not coming, I read, wrote, etc., and went to bed at 11 in the eve.
December 14, 1849. This morning, after reading the pa- pers, I went and got some charts of the battlefields in Mexico, sent one to the Territorial Library and the balance to others in Oregon. I then ordered the journals of Congress under the Confederation, as I wanted to consult the ordinance of 1787 upon an Oregon question. After this I went to the post office for my papers, and found an extract from the Boston Courier, in the New York Sun, purporting to be a letter written from Vancouver, Oregon, in which both our country, rivers, and people were slandered. I immediately wrote to the Editor of the Courier, requesting him to forward me a copy of the paper containing this letter, and requesting him to publish what I might have to say in reply. I next bought fifty copies of the Daily Globe containing an act. [account] of the disgraceful proceedings of yesterday, and franked them home. I then tended the session of the House till nearly five P. M. There were many more boisterous speeches made, and two votes for Speaker, but no choice. Lynn Boid [Boyd] had the highest of anyone. The House next adjourned. I went to supper, and after that was writing in my room, when Mr. Whitney, the cele- brated railroad man, called on me and wished me to go to Gadsby's and see his plans. I did so, where we remained till after 8 P. M. I then returned home, when a letter was laid ​
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on my table from W. Weatherford 1 , of Oskaloosa, Iowa, want- ing information relative to moving to Oregon. I replied to the [amount] of a whole sheet immediately, recommending him to go. After this I wrote the memorandum of this day, read the ordinance of 1787, other reading and went to bed about 12 at night.
December 15, 1849 This day I procured the journals of the House since 1837 and extracted from two volumes whatever related to Oregon, and shall complete the balance as soon as possible, and then do the same with those of the Senate. I also got fifty of the Daily Globes enveloped and directed them to my constituents at home. Attended on the session of the House till 4, and devoted the rest of the evening to reading and directing papers. The House made no choice of Speaker. Boyd of Kentucky got the highest vote.
December 16, 1849 This day I went to the Methodist meet- ing, and (spent) the balance of the day in writing to my wife and others, directing papers &c.
December 17, 1849 This morning, immediately after break- fast, I called on the P. M. Gen'l, who read me a part of the doings of the late P. M. Gen'l relative to our mails. It appears that Howland & Aspinwall were let off by agreeing to carry the mail by sail vessels to the mouth of Klammet river. The P. M. Gen'l requested me to call at his house on the evening of the 19th, and I agreed to do so. Next called on the Sec. of the Interior, T. Ewing, who informed me he would forward the commission of Parrish by next mail, as Sub Ind. Ag't, vice Newell.
Next called on the 1st Comptroller of the Treasury, who informed me that he had not forwarded the order to Adair to pay off the Legislature, but would do so immediately. I urged upon [him] the importance of doing so. Next, attended on the House session, which lasted till three. But during the session I went over to Capt. Wilkes to examine the charts of the mouth of the Columbia. Came back and hunted up the
i Dr. William Weatherford, who came to Oregon in 1852, first settling in Yamhill county, from which he removed to Portland in 1854. ​
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number of House bills introduced relative to Oregon, and car- ried the same to the person in charge of the H. Documents, who said he would find them for me. I then wrote a letter to Gen'l Adair, when I was sent for by Capt. Wilkes relative to said charts, and agreed to meet him at his house at 12 o'clock A. M. on the 18th. I occupied the evening in copying from the journals of the House whatever related to Oregon, and went to bed at 11 P. M.
December 18, 1849 This day I ordered my patent reports to be sent down to my room for direction, and at 12 o'clock M., I called on Capt. Wilkes to examine his charts, and in the even- ing I met the Post Master Gen'l relative to mails to Oregon. He informed me that Howland & Aspinwall had obtained lib- erty from the late Secretary of the Navy and P. M. General, Mason and Johnson, not to run their steamers to Oregon, but in consideration that they stopped at intermediate points on the coast, they should be allowed to carry their mail no farther than the mouth of the Clammet river, and were not to be bound to carry the mail to Oregon by steamer until after they had received six months' notice so to do. Upon this I determined to call on the Secretary next morning and get him, if possible, to make the order immediately. I also hunted up some bills on this day that had been introduced into the H. R. relative to Oregon. The balance of the day I was writing a reply to a slanderous article on Oregon, which had appeared in the Boston Courier.
December 19, 1849 Immediately after breakfast I got Gov. Gaines and called on the Secretary of the Navy and requested him to make the order above referred to on Howland & Aspin- wall to carry the mail to Oregon by steamer. He assured us that so soon as Congress was organized he would enforce the performance of this contract to the letter ; in other words, that he would order the steamers to run to Oregon. He also said, in reply to a request that a vessel might be sent to Oregon to be at the disposal of the Gov't, that he would have one sent, that he had or would inform Com. Jones that but one vessel must remain in the harbor at San Francisco. ​
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I next called on the Comptroller. I found he had not, as promised, made the order on Gen'l Adair to pay out of money in his hands, belonging to the Gov't, the expenses of the late Oregon legislature. He promised faithfully that he would do it on this day. At noon I went to the session, during which time I hunted up Senate documents concerning Oregon. I next directed my Patent reports, wrote several letters, and sent several papers home to Oregon. Went to Democratic caucus in the evening, came home and went to bed at 12 o'clock M.
December 20, 1849 Attended the session this day as usual. No speaker chosen. The balance of the day I was completing my reply to the slanderous article which appeared in the Boston Courier. This day I received a letter from Troy from a gentle- man who wished to go to Oregon to print some paper. He was a Whig in politics. I replied to him that I was a Democrat, gave him what information he wanted, and told him I had no objections to his starting a Whig paper, as I nor any democrat had no views we were afraid to have discussed. I also copied some of the Journals of the House relative to Oregon.
December 21, 1849 Immediately after breakfast, I went to Gov. Games' room, from whence he and I went to see Collamer, Postmaster Gen'l, to get him to appoint a mail agent in Oregon. He requested us to put in writing what we wanted. We went home, and I wrote a letter recommending the appointment of an Oregon man. But finding out that the Department would have none appointed but a Whig, and that that was the in- clination of Gov. Gaines, I recommended Mr. Lownsdale. 1 I also recommended O'Neil, Avery, Skinner, E. F., Haun, Spaulding, Burkhart, Kellogg, and Simmons for Postmasters &c. Here Gaines wished me to tell him who was Post Master at Oregon City. I did so. He asked what kind of a man he was, politics &c. I told him that I did not like the man, but that I should not recommend his removal. He asked me for the name of a man who was a Whig. I told him J. D. Holman. 1
i Daniel H. Lownsdale, an Oregon pioneer of 1845.
i Father of Frederick V. Holman > president of the Oregon Historical Society. ​
DIARY 169
After this I attended on the session of the House; next hunted up some Senate Documents concerning Oregon. After supper, I carried my reply to the Vancouver letter to the In- telligencer office for publication, and then came home and went to copying the Journals of the House relative to Oregon. About half past seven I went up to the President's, as it was reception night, when everyone who pleases has access to the White House and is allowed to promenade [in] the East Room and the halls. It was quite a showy time. I next came home and copied more journals, and went to bed about 12 M.
December 22, 1849 This morning I read the papers and copied a letter which I wrote Mr. Collamer, Postmaster Gen'l, and directed some papers to my constituents. I then went to the session of the House, where I remained till about six o'clock. Today a resolution passed to ballot three times, and if no one was elected Speaker in that time, then he who had the highest number of votes on the 4th ballot was to be elected. On the 1st ballot Cobb had 95, Winthrop 90 ; 2nd ballot, Howell Cobb had 95 and Winthrop 96 ; 3rd ballot, Cobb had 97, Win- throp 97; 4th ballot, Cobb had 102 and Winthrop had 100, after which Stanley offered a resolution declaring Cobb duly elected, which prevailed, some 31 voting against it. In the evening I copied from the Journals of 1 ses. 29th Con., and went to bed at 12 o'clock.
December 23rd, 1849 This morning, being Sunday, we did not have breakfast till about 9 o'clock, immediately after which I went to class meeting and presented my letter of admittance to Br. Purcell. Next after this I went to the Wesleyan Chapel and listened to a professor of Dickinson College who preached from John, 3rd chapter, and I think first verse : "What manner of love hath he bestowed on us that we should be called the sons of God." The sermon labored to show our duty to God, illustrating by the relations of father and children on earth. By his position it would seem that until after the advent of Christ, no one of the Jews was ever in the habit of calling God his father, but that, until that time, the relation was con- sidered more like that of servant. He also illustrated the ​
170 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
difference of obeying through fear or hope of reward, and that of obeying through pure filial love. Nevertheless it was not wrong to hold out inducements of happiness and heavenly reward to urge along the Christian on his way. God had done this, and these grew brighter in proportion as the pilgrim had progressed on his journey.
After the sermon, he remarked that a collection would be taken up to aid Dickinson College in her efforts to educate the young men of the Church. I gave fifty cents, and the same amount to Br. Purcell to support our minister. Here goes a dollar, and I hope that the declaration, "Honor the Lord with thy substance, then shall thy barns be filled and thy press overflow with new wine," will be realized by me. After this I wrote a letter to 1 Col. Ford, one to J. Conser and one to Wes- ley Shannon. Sent some papers and read. I went to bed about half past ten.
December, Monday, 24, 1849 On this day I attended the session of the House, wrote &c.
24th and 25th was at Baltimore.
26th I attended the session of the House and wrote several letters in answer to some sent me inquiring about Oregon.
27th, the House adjourned till Monday, the last day of December.
December 28, 1849 This day, after breakfast, I went up to the office of the Secretary of the Navy to get copies or extracts from the contracts and correspondence concerning the mail route from Panama to Astoria. After getting this, I was sent for by Mr. Preston, Sec'y of the Navy, relative to giving notice to Aspinwall to run the mail steamers to Oregon. He said he had power to order them to touch at two points on the coast of Oregon, and asked me where the other place should be aside from Astoria. I told him Nesqually, in my judgment, but to be safe I would see Capt. Wilkes. So I went to see Capt. Wilkes and he recommended Nesqually. I then returned to my room and wrote the Secretary to order them to discharge and take mail at Astoria and Nesqually, which I supposed he
i Nathaniel Ford, of Rickreall. ​
DIARY 171
would do next day. I sent the letter to him by S. L. Harris, a clerk in the Department. This took me till night. In the evening I was engaged till eleven in directing Pres. messages to my constituents, writing to some of them &c.
December 29, 1849 This morning I went to see the Sec. of the Interior. He informed me that he had removed R. Newell and appointed J. L. Parrish. I next called on the 1st Comptroller of the Treasury and he informed me he had sent the order to General Adair to pay off the Legislature. I next went and drew my travel and took up Stephen Coffin's draft on me, of Oregon, for eighteen hundred dollars. I also bought 100 of Pres. message with accompanying documents for my constituents, and directed 100 papers to same. I also wrote my wife, telling her to call on said Coffin and tell him to pay her one thousand dollars in Am. gold, and deliver up to her my note due to G. Abernethy for seven hundred dollars, and that he and I would be square, as I borrowed one hundred dollars of him at San Francisco. Also wrote to Parrish in- forming him of his apt. ; answered several letters relative to Oregon, drew up a resolution relative to extinguishing Ind. title to land in Oregon, and went to bed at 11.
December 30, 1849 This day was Sunday, and by reason of having to go to the Intelligencer office to examine the proof sheet of an article I had prepared to [answer] the slanderous letter from Vancouver, I got belated so that I did not go to meeting at all. So I wrote two or three letters home to people in Oregon, drew up a resolution to offer in the House on Monday, and did some other work and went to bed at 10 o'clock in the evening.
December 31, 1849 On this day, in the forenoon, I drew up two resolutions, one to call the attention of the Committee on Indian affairs to the extinguishment of the Indian title to land in Oregon, and one to call the Comt. on Territories and on the Judiciary to Puget Sound Ag. Com. lands & possessory rights of H. B. Company and British subjects to land in Oregon.
After attending the session, I wrote a letter and carried it to the President requesting him to declare Portland and Nes​
172 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
qually in Oregon, ports of delivery, as he is empowered to do by the organic law, and to appoint surveyors. I next went to Thos. Ewing, Sec'y of the Interior, relative to getting a law passed to extinguish the Indian title, establishing agencies and appointing agents and sub-agents, &c. It seems to be the de- termination that no Democrat shall be appointed to office. I then came back, between nine and ten, and there being a social party among the members of our boarding club, I had to attend for an hour or more, and when I returned to my room about ten or after, I found a letter on my table from Wm. F. Moseley of Michigan, requesting information for certain per- sons who wished to emigrate to Oregon. I replied in a letter of over four pages, and forwarded it to the Detroit Free Press for publication, requesting the editor to forward me a paper, and one to Mr. M. I had previously directed 100 Pres. mes- sages with accompanying Doc/s to the people in Oregon. I retired at half past twelve at night.
January 1, 1850 This day was New Year's, and in the morning I called on D. R. Atchison of the Senate and Chair- man of the Committee on Indian Affairs in the Senate, for the purpose of getting him to aid in getting through a bill for the extinguishment of Indian titles in Oregon, and establishing Indian agents and agencies. He promised to report a bill next week. I next went to my room and put in writing for that committee such suggestions as I thought might be of use to the Committee to enable it to frame a proper bill, and went and handed the same to Mr. Atchison.
I then drew up a resolution to instruct the Comt. on Post Offices and Post Roads to inquire into the expediency of making or establishing certain mail routes in Oregon, also a resolution to the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire as to the rights of the H. B. Co., British subjects, and the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, under the treaty of June 15th, 1846; also instructing the Comt. on Territories to inquire as to the expediency of making appropriations for the purchase of the P. S. [A.] Co.'s lands. I then drew up the title to two bills, one for making appropriations of land in Oregon for improve​
DIARY 173
ment of the navigation of the Willamette, and the other for the payment of the Cayuse war debt. I then read an hour, then wrote a letter to Sec'y of State to inquire about the consulship at Panama, and after sundry other things, went to bed at 11 o'clock.
January 2nd, 1850 There being no session on this day, I prepared a title to some bills, and drew up some resolutions, and visited members of the Senate to get them interested for the bill to extinguish title. Wrote a letter to my wife, directed some newspapers, and corrected the proof sheet of my article in the Nat. Intelligencer in reply to the slanderous communi- cation of the Boston Courier. I also paid for the Intelligencer for Winston, Tompkins, and Moore 1 , and took receipts for one year. Went to bed after eleven.
January 3rd, 1850 This day I attended the session of the House, wrote a long letter to New York in answer to inquiries made concerning Oregon, also another to Vermont. Paid over the money for 9 Unions for subscribers in Oregon, and in the evening visited Benton to get his aid to get the Indian bill through the Senate, and was bored all the balance of the even- ing with company so I could do nothing, and went to bed at 11.
January 4, 1850 This day was Friday. In the morning I called on Hobbie, by invitation, to see about advertising for proposals to carry the mail in Oregon. He requested me to call next day at 11. I then went to the Intelligencer office and ordered 25 [copies] of that paper to send home. I then at- tended the session of the House, but nothing was done, but adjourned till Monday next. I then went to the Senate and heard Cass on his Hungarian resolutions. In the morning I became alarmed about Robert Moore's gold which I had sent to the mint at Philadelphia, because I had received no receipt, so I telegraphed the office of the mint and received for answer that it had been deposited, but no specific directions given. I then wrote to hold the same, and not pay over without an order under my signature or to me in person. In the evening I
i James Winston, Tompkins and Robert Moore, residents of Clackamas
county. ​
174 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
called on General Rusk of Texas to get him as one of the Comt. on Indian Affairs to aid in forwarding the bill for the extinguishment of Indian title to lands in Oregon. He promised me he would do all in his power. After writing several letters, and receiving several asking for information concerning Ore- gon, I went to bed at 11.
January 5, 1850 This morning, immediately after break- fast, I went to see the President about the ports of delivery in Oregon. He informed me that he had referred my letter to the Sec'y of the Treasury. I called at his room, but he was not in. I then went to see Hobbie and arranged with him the advertisement for proposals to carry the mail on sundry routes in Oregon. After this I called on the Sec. of the Treas- ury again. He was not in. I then went to my room, and wrote him a letter relative to said ports, and urged him to attend to it. I next wrote a reply to Bache, Supt. of the Coast Survey, informing him that the Methodist Institute was all the scien- tific or literary institution that I knew of in Oregon, but that so soon as I should be informed whether the Legislature in- corporated more, I would inform him. I then wrote a long letter to Gov. Lane, et al., in Oregon, informing them what I had got done about the Pacific mail and mail steamers. I next wrote a letter to the Secretary of War, asking an inter- view with him relative to the troops in Oregon. I wished him to occupy said troops in building military roads. After much other work, I retired at half past eleven.
January 6, 1850 This was Sunday, so immediately after breakfast I went to class meeting, and after that to preaching, and came home at half past 12. I then wrote [until] dinner on an answer to several letters written me about Oregon. After dinner I went with Hamblin and Fuller over into Vir- ginia to the site of Jackson City, and to the Alexandria and Georgetown Canal. This Jackson City is one of the fruits of speculation in Gen'l Jackson's administration by men who wished to make a fortune. A town was laid off here, when there never was a house built, the corner-stone of the city laid in great state, with the deeds, books, and memorandums ​
DIARY 175
deposited in a niche between the nether and upper stone. The upper stone had been removed and the papers taken away. Thus arose and fell the Jackson City. The General was present at the laying of the said stone.
I returned about dark, and wrote on said answer sometime till 8 o'clock, then wrote to my wife and to L. N. Phelps of New Hampshire to get him to go to Oregon. Next read some, wrote the memorandum of this day and went to bed at 11 P. M.
January 7, 1850 Immediately after breakfast, I went up to the Treasury to see the Secretary about the ports of delivery in Oregon. He was not in. I then went and got some bills to send for papers for persons who had sent money by me. Sent money $6.25 to the N. Y. Tribune, and 9 dolls, to the N. Y. Herald, as per charge in my book. I then bought six more Intelligencers containing my letter, to send to persons who had read the one in the Courier and who had written me about it. Sent one to Ohio Statesman and requested him to publish, and wrote him to advocate our claims to donations of land.
Next attended on the session of the House, and while they were balloting for clerk which they did not elect this day, I went to the Senate and talked with Atchison, Rusk, Benton, and Corwin about our Indian bill, and got Douglas to call up and get passed his resolution relative to Indian title in Oregon &c. I also heard J. P. Hale and Clay speak on Cass's resolution to dissolve diplomatic intercourse with Austria. Hale pre- tended he was favorable, but moved to include Russia, and the whole tenor of his arguments was opposed to it. Clay opposed it, and while Hale was speaking of Cass, remarks about liberty and the rights of man, I thought truly they were noble and Heaven-born sentiments, and when he spoke them, methought I heard Deity himself sitting on his throne with the listening hosts of Heaven round him, while he called one of his strong- est and most vigilant guardian angels, and giving him a shield of livid fire, bid him to protect and defend those sentiments.
After supper, I went to see John Bell who had charge of the Indian bill from the Committee. After talking with him, I came home and wrote seven pages to him on the subject of ​
176 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
Indians west of the Cascade mountains, and carried it to the U. S. Hotel and left it for him. I then came home, and after writing some and reading, I went to bed at eleven.
January 8, 1850 This morning I went to see the Secretary of the Treasury to get him to declare Portland and Nesqually Ports of Delivery, and appoint Surveyors. He wished me to recommend names for Surveyors, when it should be done. In the evening I wrote him the letter and recommended Wm. M. King for Portland and [Michael T.] Simmons for Ne- squally. I then went to the session of the House, but received a letter there from the Secretary of War requesting me, in answer to a letter I had written him, to call on him at one P. M. I immediately went and [had] an interview with him relative to employing the troops in Oregon in constructing military roads. He said he would have them so ordered. He also wished me to give him a statement in writing about Major Hathaway's chartering the British vessel and sending out the expedition to meet the troops. I then left them and went to the Post Office Department to see to having the commissions of postmasters and the Post Office agent sent by the mail of the 13th. They were done so. Next came home to dinner, and after that visited Col. Benton's, by invitation, to tea. After that came home, wrote a letter to Col. King and D. H. Lowns- dale, wrote another letter to the Secretary of War to inquire whether Oregon was entitled to present a pupil to the West Point Academy, and the necessary steps to get admitted. Also wrote another letter to the Secretary of the Treasury giving an act of the British vessel carrying Government troops and stores to Nesqually from Vancouver, and requested him to order Adair to seize the vessel and have it confiscated. Also wrote a letter to Abbott L. Lovejoy about going to Oregon. At the session in the House I also gave notice of a motion for Com. to bring in three bills, one for laws in Oregon to im- prove the navigation of the Willamette and other rivers, one for the relief of Oregon, and one to make compensation to Jos. Lane and others for expenses in getting to Oregon. Went to bed at 12. ​
DIARY 177
January 9, 1850 This morning- I wrote till session time on an article in reply to contemplated Oregon emigrants, for the Ohio Statesman. I then attended the session of the House, during which time I wrote a letter to a Mr. Sawyer of Ells- worth, Maine, in answer to his letter of inquiry about Oregon. I then came home and wrote on my letter to the Statesman till eleven, when I went to bed.
January 10, 1850 This day, immediately after breakfast, H. H. Hunt 1 of Oregon called on me. After he went away, T wrote on my article to the Ohio Statesman until he called again, when we went to attend on the session of the House. After the session closed, I then wrote on my article. In the evening Hunt called again, and we agreed to call on the P. M. Gen'l to see if Hunt could not get the mail to carry from Astoria to Oregon City. After he went away, S. H. Blake of Bangor, Me., called. After he left, I continued and finished my article. I received a letter today from H. T. Webb of Johnsville, Md., inquiring after his brother Wm. Webb. I also received one from H. T. Blanchard, from Whitehall, N. Y., inquiring after Oregon &c.
In the evening I received one from Hon. Wm. M. Meredith, informing me that the President had this day signed a proc- lamation declaring Portland and Nesqually, ports of delivery, with all the privileges allowed by law to such ports. It was after twelve when I got through.
January 11, 1850 This morning, immediately after break- fast, I went with Mr. Hunt to the Post Master GenTs to see about getting for him the contract for carrying the mail from Astoria to Oregon City. We were informed that no contracts could be let till next May. I then went to the Secretary of the Treasury who had sent for me to come and see him about appointing surveyors of the ports of Portland and Nesqually. He asked me what King's politics were. I informed him that they were democratic. He then asked if there was no Whig there that he could appoint. I informed him that there were
i Henry H. Hunt, of the "Astoria Mill," who established it on the south bank of the Columbia river, a few miles east of Astoria, in 1845. ​
178 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
Whigs there ; but I could not recollect the names of any I could recommend, and assured him that Mr. King would give satis- faction. I perceived he did not want to appoint a Democrat, but said he would let me know what would be done tomorrow. So I went to the House Session, and after that spent the whole evening in franking papers to Oregon, and went to bed at 11.
January 12, 1850 This day I went again to see the Secre- tary of the Treasury about the appointments of surveyors in Oregon. Could not see him and I wrote him a letter. Attended the session of the house which balloted or voted for Sergeant- at-Arms, but without a choice. Mr. Lane was withdrawn. I wrote to Mr. Cornwall about getting his son into the West Point Academy. Got some patent reports and franked them home to Oregon, also franked some speeches of Cass.
January 13, 1850 This day was Sunday. I attended class meeting in the morning, and then went to preaching. The text was, "The Lord rains" [reigns] and the drift of the discourse was to show that all things in the moral and physical world are [under] the immediate supervision of God.
After meeting I came home and wrote a letter to the editors of the Union, the purport of which was to draw from them an answer whether they are believers in the doctrine that a state has a constitutional right to resist the laws of the Union, if such state shall be of opinion that such laws are either im- politic or unconstitutional, and to know if they would favor, or oppose, such resistance for cause that California shall be admitted into the Union as a free state with her constitution as adopted. And in an accompanying note, I said to them, if resistance is to be made on such grounds, then let the blood of him who first makes the attempt wipe out the stain of the rebellion. I say so now. I then wrote a letter to my wife, and one to Chicopee. Today I had a long talk with a Mr. Fitch of Michigan, about going to Oregon to start a Demo- cratic paper. Went to bed between ten and eleven.
January 14, 1850 This day I drew up two bills, one appro- priating land for the improvement of the navigation of the Willamette and other rivers, and the other for payment of the ​
DIARY 179
Cayuse War debt. I also called on John Bell about the Indian bill. He has not yet reported it, but says he will soon. I also carried my letter to the Intelligencer to publish. In the evening I received a mail from Oregon, but nothing from my wife. I also wrote many letters and did not go to bed till one A. M. January 15, 1850 Went through the usual routine.
January 16, 1850 This day was spent by the House in attempting to elect doorkeeper. Today I wrote a letter to Col. Benton in answer to his inquiring about negro's rightf in Oregon. Attended the session of the House, franked 14 Pat. Repts. to Oregon, wrote several letters, and attended the Smithsonian lecture in the evening. Wrote letter to the Oregon Spectator, and went to bed at twelve.
January 17, 1850 This day the agents of the Pacific Mail steamers called on me about the harbors in Oregon. I wrote a letter to Robt. Moore about it. Also wrote six pages for the Ohio Statesman in answer to inquiries attended the ses- sion of the House, and talked with members of the House and Senate relative to what I supposed was going about the Pacific line. Was quite unwell during the day and night. Went to bed at eleven.
January 18, 1850 Wrote letters today to some two or three relative to Oregon, one to Franklin Jenkins, who asked me to assist him to Oregon. Mr. Aspinwall called on me today with Mr. Bartlett who called yesterday. We had a long talk about matters and things connected with the steamers, and he told me he thought the steamers would go to Oregon before the time set by the Sec. of the Navy. I got from them Sir Geo. Simpson's letter, and copied it, and sent the same with a short letter to Robert Moore. After various other bus- iness, being quite unwell all the time, I went to bed at 11.
January 19, 1850 This day, soon after breakfast, the fol- lowing gentlemen called, Henry Chancy, Edwin Bartlett, G. G. Howland, and S. S. Howland, relative to the Pacific Mail Steamers. They assured me they would accomodate Oregon. At their request to name some person whom they could employ ​
180 SAMUEL OYAL THURSTON
to erect ice houses, I gave them the name of Col. J. Taylor. 1 They said [they] should write to him, and would enter into the ice trade from Oregon down the coast. After they left I went to see John Bell, Senator from Tennessee, about bring- ing in the Indian bill. Then attended a session of the House occupied in choosing a door-keeper. House postponed the order of the House to elect its officers till the first of March 1851. During the session I wrote a letter to Mr. Crane of the N. Y. Ev. Post relative to going to Oregon to start a paper, also a letter to Blain about the news of election of the House and the steamers. Today I sent two gold dollars and fifty cents in silver to the Louisville Journal for James M. Moore, and lest it might be lost, wrote a separate letter to the editor appraising him of the fact. Also wrote to the Presbyterian for Robert Moore. Sent a card to the Spectator, and the answer of the Sec. of the Navy in relation to the British vessel carrying troops from Vancouver to Nesqually in 1849, with a note accompanying same, franked 18 patent reports of 48 to Oregon. After attending to various other business I went to bed, but after I had gone to bed I received a letter by mail from E. Cranston, 2 Ohio, wishing information relative to Oregon. He had written me once before to which I had replied, and he had published my reply in his village paper. After this I went to sleep.
January 20, 1850 This morning attended class meeting and preaching meeting from the following text, 2nd Chapter, 5th verse of Revelations, "Remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen and repent and do thy first work over else I will come quickly and overturn thy candle-stick out of its place except thou repent." The tendency of the discourse was to prove that a person once converted to God could fall from grace again, which position was maintained by a most con- clusive course of reasoning. After meeting I wrote a letter to my much loved wife in which I told her about my dream
1 Col. James Taylor, residing at Astoria.
2 Ephraim Cranston, who came to Oregon in 1851, settling with his family in Marion county. He was the father of Mrs. A. H. Breyman, now living in
Portland. ​
DIARY 181
concerning Henry Bouy; how I loved him, and how anxious I felt for him. After this I wrote eight pages to Mr. E. Cranston whose letter I received last night. At his request I gave him liberty to publish it. This took me till about 9 in the evening.
January 21, 1850 This day the House determined to post- pone the further election of its officers till the first day of March, 1851. I attended the session. After session I visited Atchison about the Indian bill. He informed me that the Comt. had instructed Bell to bring in a bill. I then went to see Bell, but he had gone to a party, so I did not see him. I then came home and wrote a long letter to Thomas M. Cooley 1 of Adrian, Michigan, in answer to a letter he wrote me about Oregon, and went to bed at 11.
January 22nd, 1850 Today I went to see Bell about bring- ing in the Indian bill. He said he would bring it in this week, but wished to see the Commissioner on Indian Affairs and have an interview with me. Attended the session of the House &c. Wrote some in the evening &c.
January 23, 1850 This day I went to see Douglas to get him to push up Mr. Bell to bring in the Indian bill. He said he would do it. I occupied the most of the forenoon in drawing up resolutions to bring the subject of land donations in Ore- gon before the Committee on Territories. Attended the session of the House, and occupied the evening in drawing up other resolutions to bring the defects of our organic laws before the Committee on Territories, and a resolution instructing the Committee on Public Lands to inquire into the propriety of establishing a land office in Oregon. Also franked some Docu- ments home.
January 24, 1850 This day I went to the Treasury Depart- ment to see about the pension of Aaron Payne, got a draft on the Sub Treasury at New York for 144 dolls, and a letter
i A native of Attica, N. Y., born in 1824, who became a citizen of Michigan in 1843, was admitted to the bar in 1846, and later on became a national authority on constitutional law, and in 1887 was chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission. ​
182 SAMUEL .ROYAL THURSTON
authorizing the agent at Springfield, 111., to pay the balance due from Sept. 4, 1848, to March 4, 1849, on my receipt to him. This letter with my receipt I sent to the agent at Springfield. Wrote to Robt. Moore to pay over the 144 dolls, to Mr. Payne, and I would lay out that sum for him for paper. I wrote a note to the Spectator to notify Mr. Payne of the fact. I also received a letter from Wm. H. Wilson of Hebron, Ind., telling me to send the 20 dolls sent by Blain by mail, and making inqui- ries about the mails to Oregon and the cost and time of getting there. I replied according to facts and told him I would send the money in a day or two, as I had no paper now. I also went to see Bell again about the Indian bill. Attended the session of the House and endeavored to offer some resolutions, but could not under the rule, as objections were made. I attended the Smithsonian lecture in the evening, and franked papers to Oregon, and went to bed at 12.
January 25, 1850 This day the House was not in session. We adjourned yesterday over till Monday. Today I have worked hard all day till now, ten o'clock P. M., writing letters to persons who have writtten for information about Oregon, and in preparing resolutions, looking up matters &c. I have just finished a letter to Phillip Painter, Avon Post Office, St. Genevieve Co., Mo., relative to money &c, &c. I had some time ago written and informed him that there was on deposit for him 553 dolls, at the Mint, and other matters, but it seems when he wrote to me January 8th, he had not received my letter. I am now very much fatigued, and am going to bed.
January 26, 1850 This day the House was not in session. I devoted the whole day to writing. Went to see the Secretary about the appointment of surveyors. Did not see him, but learned none were yet appointed.
January 27, 1850 Today was Sunday. Did not attend Class meeting. Attended preaching and with some interrup- tion, spent the rest of the day in writing a long letter to J. H. Watson of Ohio in answer to inquiry about Oregon. ​
DIARY 183
January 28, 1850 Today the House was in session. Oc- cupied the forenoon in finishing the letter commenced on yes- terday. The House did not get through with the States in the call for petitions, so I got no chance to offer anything for Oregon. In the evening finished the above letter, went to see Bell about the Indian bill, and went to bed, after franking documents, about 11 o'clock.
January 29, 1850 This day went to see Bell again. He said he had the bill ready and would report it next day. Went to see the Secretary about the appointment of the surveyors of Portland and Nesqually. He said Porter would be appointed, but gave me to understand King would not. I had recom- mended these men, one from each party, so that King might be appointed. Meredith said if he appointed King, the Whigs of Oregon would find fault. I replied that half was fair, and that if all Whigs were appointed, it would arouse party feeling in Oregon. I insisted King was a good man, lived at Port- land, and ought to be appointed. I told him Mr. Hunt would recommend King. He then wanted I should wait till Hunt came.
I went home and in the evening wrote him a private letter to the same effect and stated to him that the effect would be, if he should refuse to appoint any Democrat in Oregon, to raise a party excitement which the Whigs themselves in Ore- gon professed not to want. I then wrote a confidential letter to King on the subject confidential because I did not wish to hurry party excitement in Oregon. This day I received a letter from S. Coffin, dated Oct. 31, stating he had written twice to Lownsdale, Portland, to pay up the Abernethy $700 note (seven hundred) &c. and that if I paid his draft as I have he would owe me one thousand besides the redemption of the note. Attended the session of the House and the Smith- sonian Lecture in the evening. Saw Atchison about the In- dian bill.
January 30, 1850 Attended session of the House. Went to see Douglas in the morning about the Oregon Indian bill. Went to see Corwin about the same after the House adjourned, ​
184 SAMUEL ,ROYAL THURSTON
and Benton. After supper went to the Senate printer to get the bill printed and have it laid on the table in the morning. Wrote letters in the evening, and corrected proof sheet of a long letter to sundry individuals inquiring about Oregon, and went to bed at 11 P. M.
January 31, 1850 Today I went to the Intelligencer office to see the proof sheet of my letter corrected. Attended session of the House which adjourned on the announcement of the death of a member from Ohio. Saw Dodge to get him to in- troduce a resolution about Geological Survey of Oregon. Saw Dickinson and Whitcomb to get them to help on my Indian bill. Came down to my room and wrote a long letter to Capt. Geo. Kimball of "The California Packet" now lying at Boston with a load of emigrants bound to form an agricultural town. I endeavored to persuade him that his company should go to Oregon. I had previously written to Green, editor of the Boston Post, for information about the company and to get him to suggest the propriety of the company's going to Ore- gon. Then wrote a letter to W. Blain 1 to get him to correspond with the N. Y. Herald in order to have our country repre- sented in the columns of that paper. Having heard Douglas was about to report a bill for the admission of California, into the Union, with the southern boundary extending only to where the coast mountains meet the spur of the Sierra Nevada, I went to see him and entreated him not to let slavery touch the Pacific. Told him that no project would do which did not give to California at least to the Sierra Nevada and so following on the dividing ridge between the waters flow- ing into the Pacific from those flowing into the great basin and the Colorado, and extending to the southern line of Cal- ifornia. He assured me he was in favor of admitting California anyhow, rather than that she should not be admitted. He appeared to approve my idea, and I don't believe he will vote for any project to allow any territory to embrace any part of California west of said dividing ridge. We next had a
i Wilson Blain, editor of the Spectator, Oregon City, and a pioneer of 1848. ​
DIARY 185
conversation about the railroad, and he favors the northern pass and the terminus Puget Sound.
I then went to the printing office and got the Oregon Indian bill, and sent a copy to the Spectator, accompanied by a letter. Next attended the Smithsonian lecture. Next wrote a letter to the Boston Cultivator, to see on what terms the paper could be sent to Oregon to subscribers. Franked some docu- ments and went to bed at 11.
February 1, 1850 This day I got a resolution passed bring- ing our Indian affairs before the committee. Spoke to sundry individuals about the bill reported in the Senate. Got the Intelligencer containing my long letter, and sent to sundry papers requesting them to publish.
February 2, 1850 This day the House did not sit. Wrote a letter to Albert Small of Cedarville, Ohio, relative to Oregon, in answer to inquiry made by him, also wrote to Seth May same, attended Smithsonian lecture on agriculture, sent to Oregon two notes from Post Office department announcing the establishment of P. O. at Milwaukie and Tualatin Plains, with sundry other letters and things during the day, and went to bed at eleven.
February 3, 1850 Wrote a letter to my wife, one to B. Simpson, confidential, one to A. VanDusen, one to Mr. Sim- mons, sent with a paper, wrote a long letter to the Secretary of War explaining to him the situation of the roads by Mt. Hood and the canyon, and their importance to emigrants. Urged him to send an order to Oregon to have soldiers sent to repair those roads previous to the arrival of the emigrants. Wrote a short note to the Spectator to urge the early ascer- tainment of the amount of the Cayuse war debt and have the amount with the vouchers accompanied by a request from the Governor that the same might be paid. Wrote a letter to S. Burch, Jacob Conser and to E. H. Bellinger. Sent them papers and went to bed, half past ten.
February 4, 1850 This day went to see Ewing, Secy, of the Interior, to see if I could get an order on the Governor of Oregon to remove the Indians from Linn City. 1 Received
i The site of Linn City was on the west bank of the Willamette river, oppo- site Oregon City, and it was washed away by the flood of December, 1861. ​
186 SAMUEL .ROYAL THURSTON
a letter from Secretary of State relative to Russian ports on the Pacific, a copy of which, with a short note of my own, I sent to Spectator for publication. Also wrote a letter to Secretary of State reminding him that a previous letter of mine to him about printing U. S. laws in Oregon paper had not been answered, and desired him to let me know of his de- cision in the case. Attended the session of the House, but Oregon was not reached in the call for resolutions. Went to see the chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs about getting through my Indian bill. Wrote a letter to Secretary of the Treasury relative to the H. B. Company's paying duties under the treaty. Got 12 Pat. Reports and franked them to Oregon. Also got ten Treasurer's Reports and franked them, and after writing sundry letters to others, went to bed at twelve.
February 5 and 6, 1850 Went to see Orlando Brown, Com- missioner of Indian Affairs, to get the order on Lane. He promised to give it. Went to the House which adjourned on the 5th in consequence of announcement of death of member. Heard Clay's speech. Wrote a letter to Ewing, stating to him how I wanted the order to run. On the 6th I introduced sundry resolutions in the House also two bills.
February 7th, 1850 This day filed a memorial under the rule praying for appropriation for penitentiary in Oregon. Also got the Committee to consent to report a joint resolution for the Exploring Expedition works for the Oregon Territorial Library, which I drew up for them and which Boyd is to report. Also saw members of the other committees about other meas- ures in Oregon. Attended the Smithsonian lecture in the evening by Dr. Potter, and came home and answered three letters about Oregon and people in Oregon, and went to bed at 12. I should have said that I saw Ewing today, and he said the order should go.
February 8, 1850 This morning went to see Secretary of Navy by his request by note yesterday, relative to mail service in 2 steamers to Oregon, post offices and mail routes in same. Wished me to communicate to him by letter. I am to do so. ​
DIARY 187
Received a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury in answer to one of mine relative to the liabilities of the H. B. Co. and British subjects trading with the same to pay duties on goods imported into Oregon. Sent a copy of the same with a letter of mine on the same to Oregon Spectator for publica- tion. Attended session of the House, attended Smithsonian lecture by Bishop Potter, wrote a letter to A. W. Stockwell of Chicopee, and several to others ; went to bed at 12 at night.
February 9, 1850 House did not sit today. Went to see Brown, Indian Com., about removing the Indians from Linn City. Went in the evening to see Ewing about it. Did not find him at home. Wrote sundry letters today to persons in- quiring about Oregon.
February 10, 1850 This day was Sunday. Did not attend meeting. Received Oregon mail in the morning which took some time to read, also Oregon papers. Wrote a long letter to Mr. Blain relative to matters and things here. Wrote sundry other letters, and went to bed about 11.
February 11, 1850 This morning went to introduce my- self to the California reps. Went to see the Secretary of the Treasury about printing the laws. Went to see Ewing and Commissioner on Indian Affairs to see about getting the In- dians removed from Linn City. Attended session of the House, made a short speech in Committee of the Whole. In the evening wrote a lot of letters.
February 12, 1850 This, morning ordered one hundred Daily Globes and in the evening franked them home. Wrote sundry letters on matters connected with Oregon. Attended session of the House. Went before the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads to get our post routes established. Had a letter from Capt. Kimball about the company bound to California, one from F. & D. Fowler inquiring after H. H. Hunt. Replied to them. Went to bed past 12 P. M.
February 13, 1850 This morning I got resolutions passed referring the matter of our improvements at the mouth of the river and Puget Sound to the Committee on Commerce. Attended the session of the House. Got the Committee on ​
188 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
Territories to report a joint resolution giving a copy of the narrative and scientific works of the Coast Survey to Oregon Territorial Library. Also went before the committee about increasing our appropriation for public buildings, also to get them to report a bill for appropriation for Penitentiary in Ore- gon. Franked a large lot of papers to Oregon. Wrote letters to Capt. Kimball of the California Packet, one to Editor Ver- mont Gazette, one to Ills., and others, all about Oregon. Went to bed at eleven.
February 14, 1850 Attended session of the House. Called on Mr. Gilbert and got some facts relative to movements in California. Spent the evening in preparing items for a speech on the admission of California. Wrote reply to letters about Oregon. Wrote to Captain Kimball; sent him map of Ore- gon. Went to bed at eleven.
February 15, 1850 Went to see Capt. Wilkes to get infor- mation about California, harbors &c. Next wrote reply to four letters, three about Oregon. Attended session of the House. Went to see Thos. Ewing, Secretary of the Interior, and carried him the Indian bill. Went to see Messrs. Wright, Howland, and Aspinwall, to get a chance for to go to Oregon. Went and carried a letter to Butler King asking him certain questions about California. In the eve, Aspinwall called to see me, and we had a talk about chartering a vessel to carry passengers to Oregon. Wrote a number of letters to Oregon. In the evening, Secretary of the Navy sent for me. Could not go because I was under previous engagement to wait for Aspin- wall. Franked papers and went to bed at 12 o'clock.
February 16, 1850 Today the House did not sit. In the morning I went to see Secretary of the Navy at his request. He wished to see me about the regularity of the mails to Ore- gon. One Mr. Allen in California, had certified that the mails had been carried to Oregon with all desirable dispatch. I wrote him a letter on that and on P. O. and post routes, and went to see A. Dodge and Jesse Bright to get letters they had from Pratt and Bryant on the irregularity of the mail to Oregon. Sent them to the Secretary. Also wrote two long ​
DIARY 189
letters out to Ohio about Oregon. Got the nomination of J. A. Cornwall's son, and sent it to his father. Sent several papers and letters to Oregon, and occupied the evening in preparing material for a speech on the admision of California. And here I will record a fact. Some time ago I learned from Jesse Bright that he had received letters from Jos. Lane. I went to him and looked him full in the eye and asked him if Lane said nothing about me. He paused a moment, and then replied he said he would show me his letters, but never has. I was fully satisfied at the time that Lane had written some- thing about me, from the manner Bright answered. He told me a few days ago that he got another letter from Lane. I indifferently inquired what he said. B. replied that he did not write much. I appeared perfectly indifferent, and soon he handed me a letter, and said, "Here is Lane's letter." I read it. It was but a few lines, merely informing Bright that his son Nat had come after his family. Then in another section he said, "Let no man say I have not discharged my duties well as Governor and Indian Agent." I thought at the time three things: first, that this was not all the letter Lane wrote him, 2nd, that the letter and latter section was intended for me first to make me believe that Lane had not attacked me to Bright, and second to awe me lest I might charge him with negligence and third, that there was a conspiracy to injure me. Now, when I called on Bright today I became fully satisfied; in the course of the conversation I found Lane had written Bright another letter by the last mail, besides the one shown me. I found too that Lane had been writing Bright about Dr. McLoughlin's claim. I talked indifferently. Bright asked me if Dr. McL. was in favor of my election, or opposed me. This led me to suppose Lane had been writing to Bright to get him to secure McLoughlin's claim to McL, and that he had told him that I would oppose it because Dr. McL. had opposed me. He then asked me if Dr. McL. had an agent here. I purposely replied that I did not know who he was. Bright then said he thought he had not. I replied purposely, to ascertain his motive for asking the question, "I would like ​
190 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
to have you make me believe that." Bright immediately looked surprised, and inquired what I meant, and his countenance be- trayed his heart fully. I replied that Dr. McL. had had an agent at Washington for ten years in my opinion. Bright then asked if I knew his name. I said, "No." He then asked me how Lane and McL. got along. I replied that I did not know; guessed well enough. He also talked round in such a way for some time, and it perfectly satisfied me that Lane had written him all about matters and had been laboring to secure the Oregon City site for Dr. Me. Bright had before dropped the remark something about Lane's letter being 16 pages. I have recorded these while they are all distinct and fresh, lest I might forget them or be liable to mistake in case they should come in play. Went to bed at 12^ o'clock.
February 17, 1850 This day was Sunday. Wrote my wife a letter in the morning. Then went to class meeting. Next went to the Reps Hall to meeting, but it looked so gloomy that I did not stop. Came home. Fixed my scrap book, prepared some points for a speech, and then walked out. Came home, prepared more points, wrote three letters, franked some papers, and went to bed about 11.
February 18, 1850 From this up to 20th, routine as usual.
February 21, 1850 First thing in the morning, wrote a letter to B. W. Hampoon about Oregon. Next went to see Mr. Grinnell, of the Committee on Commerce, to get him to recom- mend appropriation for light-houses in Oregon. Next went to the House and wrote a long letter to Rev. J. P. Millar, 1 in answer to his letter to me about Oregon. He informed me that there are forty or fifty families there who wish to go to Oregon. Sent him three letters containing my letters published. Next came down to my room and worked on my speech and wrote on that till eleven in the evening. Had another letter tonight from Michigan about Oregon. I am completely ex- hausted, and therefore go to bed at 12.
Father of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Millar Wilson, of The Dalles. ​
DIARY 191
February 22nd, 1850 I have become of late very forgetful. From the 22nd I have been busy writing my speech on the admission of California. Have not forgot Oregon, however. Have attended to various of her wants. Last Monday got a set of resolutions through instructing the Committee on Territories to make sundry inquiries. Got the Committee on Indian Affairs to report Indian bill. The H. H. Hunt affair also engrossed my attention somewhat. It is now the morning of the 27th of February.
February 27th, 1850 Before breakfast wrote on my speech. Attended session of the House. Went to the Senate to get Bell to call up the Indian bill. Saw Hall of the House about the same. Came down and wrote on my speech. Got a letter from H. H. Hunt in the evening. He is sick at Wheeling, Va. Wanted me to send him 300 Dollars. Wrote the fact that I had heard from him to Blain, Lownsdale, Alta California, and to F. & D. Fowler. Went to bed at 12 at night.
February 28, 1850 This morning went to see Atchison about the Indian bill. Wrote a letter to H. H. Hunt. Attended session of the House. Went to see Bell to get him to call up the bill. Could not succeed. Sent two papers to Walker of Coshocton, Ohio. Finished my speech and commenced taking abstract of it in order to speak. Went to bed at 11.
March 1, 1850-March 14, 1850 From the 1st to the 14th I was at Springfield, Mass., and going to negotiate for a paper to be started at Oregon City. The parties are A. W. Stockwell and Henry Russell. I arrived back here today. Have attended session of the House. This evening visited G. W. Fitch to get him to report on my resolutions in favor of donating land to the Oregon emigrants. Also found that P. Painter had drawn a draft on me for twelve hundred dol- lars, that I shall make arrangements to pay tomorrow. Have been answering letters about Oregon for two hours. I am now going to bed at 12 o'clock.
March 15th, 1850 This morning, before breakfast, I went to see J. K. Miller [of Ohio], on the H. B. Company resolu- tions ; prepared a resolution to call on the President for infor​
192 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
mation. After breakfast I went before the committee to get them to agree to it. They did so. Attended the session of the house, after which, till 1 1 o'clock I was busily engaged answer- ing letters about Oregon. Went to bed half past 11.
March 16th, 1850 This day House did not sit. Went in the morning to see Thos. Ewing about our Indian Affairs. He requested me to call at 2 P. M. I came home and wrote busily to correspondents. Went at two. He gave me Governor Lane's report on Indians in Oregon, requested me to read the same and make such suggestions as I thought proper after reading same. I still kept writing and got my table clear late in the evening. I have also had an interview relative to H. B. Co.'s rights with Mr. Tappan, of Ohio. This Co. is intriguing as usual. I am to meet G. W. Fitch tomorrow night to draw up land bill for Oregon.
March 17th, 1850 This day was Sunday. I attended class meeting, but did not attend church. Wrote most of the day. Read two articles. Visited Fitch in the evening about the Oregon bill not very right I admit. Came home and after going over other matters, went to bed.
March 18th, 1850 This day I went to see Land Com- missioner about our laws in Oregon. Went to see Ewing about our Indian matters and Meredith about our appropria- tions for light houses. Attended session of the House, and got the floor when the House adjourned. Spent the evening in looking over my speech.
March 19th, 1850 This morning, at request of Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, I gave way for the present the making of my speech, attended session, got Mr. Grinnell of the Committee of Commerce to write to the Secretary of the Treasury about our lighthouses and buoy appropriations. I also wrote John Wentworth about the improvements in our rivers. I wrote Mr. Post in reply about Mr. Hunt, and a letter about Oregon. After session, franked documents, went to see Governor Fitch about our land bill. Received three letters tonight about Oregon which I shall answer in the morning. Went to bed half past eleven. ​
DIARY 193
March 20th, 1850 This day and the twenty-first did the usual routine. Visited the Secretary of the Treasury to get him to make his estimate for lighthouses and buoys, prepared some remarks to offer on my amendment of the Deficiency Appropriation bill, and visited several members to get them to support same. Wrote numerous letters in reply about Oregon.
March 23rd, 1850 This morning prepared my amendment and went and attended the session of the house all day till late to get a chance to offer my amendment appropriating ten thou- sand for Indian service in Oregon. The Chairman ruled me out of order. I appealed from his decision, and the Com- mittee sustained. Then modified my amendment and it carried unanimously, save one. Made a short speech and handed it written out to the reporter. In the eve had ten letters making many inquiries &c. In the evening attended on the printer, corrected the proof sheet, wrote and went to bed at 12.
March 24th, 1850 It is now the 28th. All this time I have been engaged about my speech, printing and correcting it &c. Called on Taylor tonight, and recommended A. A. Skin- ner to be appointed Judge vice Bryant if Bryant resigned, as I hear today he has or will. I have been directing documents this evening. It is now 9.
March 29th, 1850 This day attended the session of the House. Franked some of my speeches to different papers, wrote letters &c. Mr. Stockwell left here today. Went to bed at 11.
March 30, 1850 It is now April 6th, and I have forgotten all this time to make my record. I will try again. All this forenoon till 2 P. M. I was busy writing letters to inquiries about Oregon. I then for the balance of the day occupied myself in preparing some law for a speech in support of the Oregon Land bill. In the evening I went to the lodge and took three degrees in Odd Fellowship. Came home and found four more letters inquiring about Oregon. My Oregon mail did not reach here today. Today Dana Miller, an old chum of mine at Dartmouth College, called on me, whom I had not seen for ten years. I knew him at a glance. I am now going to bed as it is 11 o'clock. ​
194 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON
April 7th, 1850 This day I received the mail from Oregon not a word from my wife. Was much grieved to think of it. Wrote her three or four letters about it. Also wrote a letter to the Spectator contradicting a lying report about my pledges to Portland. Had a letter from J. M. Moore, two from Blain, two from Holderness, one from Cornwall, one from Sulger, one from Coffin, one from Lownsdale, &c., &c. I wrote all day till twelve o'clock at night, and went to bed. Also one from Johnson.
April 8th, 1850 This day I got four postmasters appointed for Oregon. Wrote three letters to Oregon Spectat L r, several others to Oregon, one to my wife, attended session i/f House, saw Col. Warren about appointing two other Po- [masters in Oregon. Wrote letters in the evening and frankc.l papers home. Had a letter from A. Post about Hunt in the evening, also one from Ernest Schueller about Oregon. Went to bed at 11.
April 9, 1850 This morning I got Harrison Wright ap- pointed P. M., also John Lloyd. Got A. Van Dusen appointed Sub Indian Agent, and Theo. Magruder appointed Pension Agent in Oregon. Called on the Secretary of the Treasury, and he is to furnish me a copy of his correspondence about lighthouses for Oregon. Attended session of the House. Got a letter from General Adair. Went to see Pleasants in the evening. Called on the chief clerk of the Survey Department of the Land Office. He is to draw the land bill for Oregon. Wrote many letters to Oregon, two to the Spectator, &c. Went to bed at 11.
April 10, 1850 This dayi I went to get the Sec. of the Interior to send some money to our martial [marshal]. He refused on the ground that no bonds had even been filed. I wrote home to this effect. Then went and saw Dickinson about the $10,000 for Indian purposes. He said he would go for it. Saw several other senators about same. Then went with Judge Potter to fix our post roads. Attended on session of the House. Received copy of Secretary of Treasury's correspond- ence about our lighthouses and buoys. Sent the same home ​
DIARY 195
for publication, with a letter of mine. Then wrote several letters home, franked documents, &c. Also received notice of Wright's and Lloyd's appointments as postmasters. Went to bed at 11.
April 11, 1850 Attended session of the House, wrote letters to frank, and several other persons about going to Oregon. Wrote letters to Oregon. In the evening, Mr. - called who is going to Oregon as head of a milling company. Two Methodist ministers called from Indiana. One of them talks of going to Oregon. Went to bed at 11.
April 12th, 1850 Today the clerk of the House died. At- tended session of the House, received a letter from Capt. Rau- lett, saying that the Columbia Steamer would be sold. Wrote a reply. Sent R.'s letter to Port. Consulted with Grinnell about our lighthouses. Talked with members of land com- mittee about our land bill. With members about the $10,000 appropriation for Indians, and against being connected with California in any offices &c. Went to bed at 11.
April 13, 1850 This was Saturday. I went up to the Land Office to see that our Land bill was ready by Monday. Oc- cupied myself in writing letters away and seeing some of the members about our land bill. Went to bed at ten.
April 14 This was Sunday. Wrote number of letters, one being [to my] wife, one to Misses Morrill, one to Miss - two to persons inquiring about Oregon. Went to meeting and went to bed at ten.
April 15, 1850 I have forgotten again. It is now the 18th, but all these three days I have worked with my land bill. Got a unanimous report in the Comt. on Ter. in its favor, got it introduced into the Senate and referred to Committee on public lands. Received notice meanwhile that Howland and Aspinwall had bought the Hunt steamer. Wrote to Frank three times about going to Oregon, and answered to many others. Today I wrote eight answers, all inquiring about Ore- gon. One answer covered 8 pages foolscap. Have also visited Senators on Land Committee, and same in the House, to get them to help my bill. These three days I have worked very hard. Now I go to bed. ​
196 SAMUEL ^ROYAL THURSTON
April 19, 1850 It is now the 21st and Sunday. Yesterday I was writing on an address to my constituents; same today. Went to hear Morgan preach today. No letter from Stock- well yesterday. He saw H. Clarke in New York. C. told him discouraging tales about going to Oregon. Went to see Senators about my land bill, &c., &c.
April 22nd, 1850 This day paid up my washwoman entire. Mr. Dart called on me. Wrote a little on my address. Went before the committee on public lands of the Senate. Got my Indian Bill passed the senate today. Got the Land Committee of the Senate to report my land, bill. Got the land: bill re- ported to the House by Territorial committee, and referred to committee on Public Lands. Went to see James Wilson to get him to manage the west Senators and those of Rhode Island and saw some of the members about my land bill, &c. This day, by talking with Bright, came to the conclusion that Lane had been managing with him to prevent donations of land, particularly of mill sites and land sites, &c. Wrote on my address. Agent of P. M. S. Company called on me.
April 23, 1850 This morning went round to see the mem- bers of the Land Committee to get them to meet to act on my bill. The bill came up before them, and was postponed till Friday for further action. After the House went into Com- mittee of the Whole, took Bowland & Hoagland to the Com- mittee room to read the bill. After adjournment went and got some medicine. Franked some documents. Wrote in the evening on my address to my people.
April 25th, 18501 forgot again from the 23rd till now. I was engaged today, being busy in franking documents. Wrote a few letters. Went to the President's. I wrote him a letter to nominate Wilson Surveyor General of Oregon. Also called on a Mr. Hobbie to see if any bids had been put in for carrying the mail from Oregon City to Astoria. I desired to have Howland and Aspinwall put in a bid if there were none. I shall know by the first of May ; if none are in, they can bid. I was also busy yesterday and today getting rpts favorable to Oregon land bill. Yesterday Henry H. Sibley 1 and I got a bill
i Henry Hastings Sibley, delegate from Minnesota territory. ​
DIARY 197
reported to elect our judges. I am intending, if I get my bill reported tomorrow morning, to leave for New York in the evening.
April 26th, 1850 From this to May 11, I was absent, seeing about a press, &c., &c. I returned on May 11, in the morning. Visited the Department of the Interior and Treasury Depart- ment, to see if the Indian appropriation could be sent. The bill had not passed the Senate. I sent the Sec'y Treas. Adams letter and requested means forwarded to Oregon to pay the legislature. It was taken into consideration, and will be sent by the Empire City. Was occupied all the day in answering letters and writing to Oregon, the day, today, the 12th, until 11 o'clock P. M.
May 13, 1850 This day I endeavored to get up my Indian bill in the House. Did not succeed. Had an interview with General Rusk about a bill he introduced into the Senate for carrying the mail and establishing on the Pacific. Had an interview with Clayton about the Nicaragua matter, the trade with the Russian possessions, &c. He told me confidentially what the treaty was. Had an interview about our officers with Yulee. Notified the committee on Post Offices and Post Roads to meet at ten tomorrow to consider my matters. Met Grinnell in the Commerce Committee room and fixed our appropriation for lighthouses, buoys, &c. Wrote letters to Oregon and several to persons in the States. Gentry called on me relative to a judgeship in Oregon. In the evening, E. Gibbons from Delaware, called on me for information about Oregon. His two brothers are going there in June. Went to bed at half past eleven.
May 14, 1850 Today visited Butler, chm. Jud. Committee, Senate, about Holbrook's rejection. Also saw several senators about it. Added my amendments to Rusk's Pacific Post Office and Mail bill and gave the same to him. Visited P. M. Genl. and Major Hobbie about the overland mail and about having our own Auditor and Deputy, P. M. Genl., &c., to write letter to P. M. Genl. to get him to order consul at Panama to put the mails lying at that place, on the arrival of intermediate ​
198 SAMUEL -ROYAL THURSTON
steamers, on board. Wrote the P. M. Co. about taking the same free of charge. Visited General Wilson to get him to see John Davis about my land bill. Filed memorial to get appropriations for territorial roads in Oregon. Was visited in the evening by Mr. Taylor of Tennessee about his going to Oregon. Did sundry other things and went to bed at eleven.
May 15, 1850 This day Douglas and I went to the P. O. Dept. and War Dept. to see about the overland Oregon route. The Californians and Benton are trying to divert the route from Oregon to San Francisco. Called on John Davis, this morning, and again this evening about our land bill. Notified the committee to meet on Friday morning about same. Wrote three letters in answer to inquiries about Oregon, and after sundry other business, went to bed at 11.
May 16, 1850 It is now the 20th. During these four days, aside from my usual duties, I have been laboring most assidu- ously electioneering for my land bill. Judge Bryant is here, and I have set him to work upon the Indian accts. I hope to get it through.
May 21, 1850 From this time to now which is June 13th, I have neglected to make a record by reason of being perfectly overwhelmed. During the time I have got my Indian bill through and the bill appropriating $20,000 for a penitentiary and $20,000 for public buildings. Today I have attended ses- sion of the House, seen Indian committee of the Senate to get them to act on A. Dart's nomination to be Supt. Indian Affairs for Oregon. Franked my letters and papers to Ore- gon. Wrote a long letter to Aspinwall, about the steamers, &c.
June 14, 1850 This morning went up to see the Sec. of the Interior about the Indian appointments in Oregon. Did not see [him] ; wrote him a letter and urged haste. Attended session of the House. Got Linn Boyd to report a bill allowing our assembly to hold its next session 90 days, and got the bill passed. Went to see Mr. Underwood of the Senate about getting the law changed for taking the census in Oregon and California. Franked my letters to Benton and Linn counties. Went to bed at eleven. ​
DIARY 199
June 15, 1850 This day I attended the session and had some talk about calling up the land bill, but there being ob- jections among its friends, I did not make the trial. Wrote Mr. Atchison, chairman Committee on Indian Affairs, request- ing him to have the confirmation of the Indian officers in Ore- gon acted upon. Franked my printed letters home to Wash- ington county and spent the evening in writing to my wife. Went to bed at eleven.
June 16, 1850 Yesterday and today nothing new transpired. Sunday I finished writing to my wife and did several other things, and yesterday attended session of the House, but dare not attempt to get up my bill. Directed some documents home, &c.
June 18, 1850 This the 19th, 20th and 21st, the House was engaged on the bill making donations of land to soldiers of the various wars. Meanwhile I was attending to the appoint- ments under my Indian law, franking documents, writing letters, &c., &c. It was very warm and oppressive during these days.
June 22, 1850 This has been an extremely hot day. I bought me a pair of pants, and two thin coats, and carried my Manila hat to Todd's to be whitened, &c. Wrote a letter to A. Bush about going to Oregon, one to Mr. Curtis request- ing him to call on me. Directed documents home. Have not been well today a disturbance of the bowels, and fear a bilious attack. Read a hundred pages of Story on Contracts, and some in Seaman on the Progress of Nations. Went to bed at eleven.
June 23rd, 1850 This was Sunday. I did not go to meet- ing. Read 30 pages in Story on Contracts, wrote a letter to my wife, a letter to B. Jones about Oregon, and a long letter to W. Shannon. Was not right well. Went to bed at eleven, but did not sleep well.
June 24, 1850 Here it is the 27th. During these three days, have been trying to get a bill establishing mail routes in Oregon, through the Senate. Have been trying to get Elias Wampole appointed Indian agent in Oregon. Have received ​
200 SAMUEL P.OYAL THURSTON
a mail from Oregon but not a single letter whatever; papers down to April 18th. Have sent home some public documents, distributed the number of the Spectator sent me to western members for distribution. The chief clerk of the Dept. In- terior told me this morning that Wampole would be nominated today. Called on Commissioner Indian Affairs today, and am to write him out instructions or points of instruction for Sup- erintendent of Indian Affairs, &c. Wrote a long article today for the Ind. State Sentinel to be inserted as an editorial. Also wrote a letter to J. McBride suggesting to him the idea of circulating libraries in Oregon. Wrote to Linn City on the same subject. Wrote several letters to Oregon.
June 28, 1850 This day went to see President about nom- inating Wampole, to see Preston about the P. M. Steamers, to see the P. M. Genl. to get him to recommend my post route bill to press, to see Gwin and Fremont about going to see the P. M. Genl. tomorrow. Set 11 A. M. to see Douglas in the evening with Fish, Rabbit & Bernheisel about the over- land mail. Wrote Aspinwall ; wrote a long letter to Com- missioner Indian Affairs about instructions to be given to Dart. Wrote Perrin Whitman about being interpreter. Wrote P. M. Genl. about nominating Holland P. M. at Oregon City. Wrote Porter about taking the office of Surveyor and Inspector of Nesqually. Wrote Col. King about that of Port- land. Wrote F. Holland. Franked number of papers and bound documents to Oregon, and went to bed at 11 P. M.
June 29, 1850 Wrote a leader for the Oregon Spectator. Went to see Hobbie about the Pacific Mail and the 2nd Asst. P. M. Genl. about appointing Frank Holland P. M. for Ore- gon City. Went to see Col. Fremont, Gwin, and Gilbert about Pacific Mails. Attended session of the House. Wrote letters and directed a large amount of documents.
June 30, 1850 Washed all over. I then wrote a letter to my wife, to Col. King, Col. Ford, Alvis Kimsey, W. Blain, Col. McClure, Philip Foster, man in Michigan, General Lane, James McNary, and John Lloyd. Went to bed at 11. ​
DIARY 201
July 1, 1850 This day and the 2nd I was operating to get a mail contract for parties in New York to carry the mail from Astoria to Oregon City by steamboat; succeeded. Wrote several letters home, one to Judge Bryant, one to Aspinwall, directed a large number of documents, &c. Also was attending to carrying the mail from Mo. via Salt Lake to Oregon. Did not get it done. Will try again.
July 3, 1850 This day had a letter from Wampole. Mr. Mcllvaine from Ohio called on me. Is to address me a letter about education in Oregon. Wrote a letter to Mrs. Higgins. Read 20 pages law ; some in the history of the Mexican War. Went to bed at 11 P. M.
July 4, 1850 Wrote a long letter to a minister in Ohio, relative to sending teachers to Oregon. Read 30 pages of law, some in the history of the Mexican War. Attended the fireworks in the evening. Wrote a letter to my wife and to Susan, and went to bed at 11.
In the night, in a dream, it seemed as though I was in the Capitol, and I thought persons were at work on one side of the Capitol knocking out the underpinning and basements of that half of it, and as they proceeded, I seemed to hear the building begin to separate in the center, by cracking and giving away little by little. It seemed as though the building was going to divide in the center and that half where they were knocking out the basements would separate from the other half still standing erect, and that it would fall over. I wondered at the folly of the movement, and was surprised that the building had been so built that it could be so separated in that way, just in the center, lengthwise, and that one-half could thus tip over and fall down leaving the other half standing. But the workmen proceeded, and by the cracking of timber and joints I perceived the progress was still more rapid, until at length the building began to divide at the top so that I could see sky through the crevice. Next, that half of the building began to careen over, the gap becoming wider, and it seemed that I was temporarily in it, but was watching an opportunity to get into the other side where I thought there was more ​
202 SAMUEL. ROYAL THURSTON
safety. At length the half fell over so far that the floor became like the roof of a house, so that it was dangerous to stand thereon. At length a little pause ensued, and I sprang from the side of the falling half to the other, and it seemed that others were doing the same. But as we were passing the chasm from the falling to the standing side, it seemed that some persons were leaving the standing and going to the fall- ing side. It seemed, as I have said, that those who were un- dermining the half that fell over were in that half to work, and that they were continually knocking away the basement, until the half they were in fell over. As I got across into the standing side of the Capitol, I was so grieved to see the edifice thus mutilated, that I awoke amidst the greatest anxiety. And as soon as I awoke, the dream seemed to be a foreshad- owing of the dissolution of the Union, and so wrought upon was I that I had no more quiet sleep for the night. May God grant that the wretches who shall attempt to knock out the basements from under this nation or from under any part of it, may be crushed with the ruins if it falls.
July 5, 1850 Time spent about as usual.
July 6, 1850 This day I found that Ewing had withdrawn the name of Elias Wampole as Indian agent and had got nominated a single man by the name of Saunders in New Jer- sey. This was a most mean act, for Wampole had been nomi- nated once, and was sent home on the assurance that he would be, sold part of his property to get ready, and is now disap- pointed. Spent the balance of the day as usual.
July 7, 1850 This day was Sunday and I wrote quite a number of letters to Oregon and read considerable on the His- tory of the Mexican War. Went to bed at 10 P. M.
July 28, 1850 Here all this time I have been so busy and sick that I have neglected to record. I now renew. I have learned the interpretation of my dream it was the death of Taylor. This day wrote to wife, letters of introduction to Bush, letters to Blain, and sundry other work. Am quite unwell. Franked quite a number of papers, received a letter from Nathl. Knight and one from J. A. Bolles, Boston. Sent ​
DIARY 203
them to my wife. Very hot and sultry today. Went to bed between ten and eleven.
July 29, 1850 Endeavored today to get up my land bill. Could not succeed. Spent the day as usual. Received a letter from Governor Slade about sending teachers to Oregon. Wrote him a reply, and sent his letter to Oregon for publication with a short note of mine. Franked some documents, &c.
July 30, 1850 Today I wrote a letter to Spectator. Went to see Commissioner of Indian Affairs about Oregon matters. Introduced resolution to make my land bill special order. Did not succeed. Received Cleveland Herald containing my let- ter to Rev. Mr. Maltby. Sent one to Mr. Moore and one to Dr. McBride. Franked some papers. Received a letter from Judge Bryant. Went to bed between ten and eleven.
July 31, 1850 Here it is August 11. I have skipped all this time but I have been to work night and day. Got my land bill through last week.
August 12, 1850 Today I wrote home to Oregon, and the most of the day was feeling about among the senators about my land bill.
August 13, 1850 I attended committee on Public Lands and labored all day among different senators about my land bill. Shields appears to be taking the same course that Bowlin did. I have no doubt myself that the agents of Dr. McLoughlin are operating against it. Received and wrote letter from and to Judge Bryant, urging him to come on to help me get the bill through.
August 14, 1850 All this day I have labored extremely hard trying to get the Land Committee to agree as to the amendments of my bill, and in writing numerous letters to different persons about Oregon. It is extremely vexing to have the Land Committee now dally along, the tendency of all of which is to prevent the passage of my bill. I will win, not despair, but will fight on while a hair remains on my head. Oregon shan't be overreached if vigilance will prevent it. H. B. Company appear to have many friends. ​
204 SAMUEL OYAL THURSTON
August 15, 1850 I have skipped again to August 22. Busi- ness presses so hard that I forget.
August 22, 1850 Today I attended a long session of the house to get a chance to move an amendment to the appropria- tion bill for $25,000 for survey of the western coast. Moved it, and it was under discussion when the House adjourned. Wrote several letters to individuals about Oregon, and sat up till after twelve o'clock to read the proof sheet of my remarks.
August 23, 1850 Tried to get an appropriation for the sur- vey of the western coast. Failed. Attended session all day. Electioneered with some senators for my bill; franked many documents. Wrote a letter to Lovejoy and others in Oregon, and went to bed tired at ten.
August 24, 1850 Attended session. Attended to my post route bill and wrote a number of letters, and franked docu- ments home. Received a letter from Bryant from Indiana and one from A. L. Lovejoy.
August 25, 1850 Today I wrote and read all day. Ex- pected the Pacific Mail, but it did not come. So I have to wait. Read Macaulay's History of England in the evening, and went to bed at ten.
August 26, 1850 (Sunday).
August 27, 1850 Got my mail route through the House. Wrote and went to see Sec. of War about Astoria and the mili- tary of Oregon. Wrote very hard all day and evening.
August 28, 1850 Got post routes through Senate. Was writing all day and evening and getting things ready about my land bill in the Senate.
August 29, 1850 [The last entry.] ​
DIARY 205
The following note in his own handwriting was found at- tached to the back fly-leaf of Mr. Thurston's Diary : "If I buy the office at Chicopee, I will want to buy same heading, 'Oregon Statesman/ fifty pounds ink, hundred pounds glue, roller mould, 30 bundles paper, and ten reams common writing paper, 1.50 cts. per ream." The foregoing was material needed in connection with the establishment of the "Oregon States- man," which was issued at Oregon City on March 21, 1851, with the late Asahel Bush, the well known banker of Salem, as editor and proprietor. ​
LETTER OF JOHN McLOUGHLIN 1
My Dear Sir: Fort Vancouver> lst March> 1832 .
I have now before me your kind letter of 2nd July by which I am happy to see that you are safely returned from across the Atlantic after having, I presume, the pleasure of seeing your friends. By the by, you omit mentioning whether you had an explanation about your Columbia affair and how things at present stand at home; I hope if an opportunity offered that you produced my letters to you on the subject. As to us here we go on in the old way. Ogden is at Nass. Last year though three vessels only two could go on the coast and one was only fifteen days and the other was only three months still the coast- ing trade will clear itself ; and this year when we have nothing to interrupt our proceedings we intend to give it the first fair trial it has had and from what has been done this year we have every reason to expect it will do well.
Our other branches of business go on in the usual way ; our farm yielded
1200 bushels barley
600 bushels pease
400 bushels Indian corn 6000 bushels potatoes
I dare say the last article would be enough for all the King's posts.
As to returns you know I cannot give you any information on that head as the accounts are not made out, though I sup- pose they are about the usual quantity. I suppose you heard of the fever and ague being prevailing here in 1830, and I am sorry to say that it raged with greater violence in 1831 and for a time put an entire stop to all our business. But, thanks be to God for his mercies, my family and me enjoyed good health. I cannot but shudder when I think of Harriott's poor wife. Poor fellow, it has affected him much.
i The original of the above letter is on file in the Dominion archives at Ottawa, Can. T. C. Elliott ​
LETTER 207
With best wishes for your welfare, believe me to be, Yours truly,
(Sgd) JOHN McLOUGHLIN. To John McLeod, Esq. Norway House. ​
JESSE APPLEGATE
NEW LIGHT THROWN UPON His EARLY LIFE BY A LETTER FROM J. M. PECK TO GEN. JOSEPH LANE, DELEGATE IN CONGRESS FROM OREGON.
"Rock Spring (Shiloh P. O.), Illinois, March 19, 1852. "Hon. Joseph Lane, Delegate from Oregon Territory,
Washington, D. C, "Sir:
"Apologies take up a gentleman's time and do no good. I write to make some special inquiries about one of your constit- uents, Jesse Applegate, esq., whose name I see in your com- munication to the President of December 12, 1851, as having done much to open up a new route for emigrants, explore the country, etc. My object is to learn what I can about his cir- cumstances, his family, his habits, and his pursuits in life. The following brief sketch will explain my motives, and the reasons why I take this interest in his welfare. In 1827, 'Rock Spring Seminary' (from which subsequently originated Shurtleff Col- lege) was opened at this spot, and Mr. Applegate, then about 16 or 17 years of age, one of its first pupils. It is no disparage- ment to him, or any American, to state he was then a poor boy, had but a single dollar in his pocket, which he paid for entrance fee, and clothing barely sufficient for the winter. His chance for education had been poor nothing superior to a 'back-woods' log-cabin, and a little instruction in the elements of an English common school education. He soon discovered unwearied industry, incessant application, and an inclination to learn beyond all ordinary students. One of the teachers was the late John Messenger, esq., an old surveyor, a most expert and self-taught mathematician, & a singular mechanical genius. He devoted extra attention to Applegate at night, and he made such proficiency that in the spring of 1828, the trustees made him a tutor, while he continued his lessons. On leaving the institution, after a period of some 12 or 15 months, he had paid all his expenses, procured clothing, and had some $8.00 or $10.00 left for pocket money. He then taught school in the interior of St. Louis county, and pursued his mathematical ​
LETTER 209
studies with the late Col. Justus Post with the same untiring industry and success. After that he got a berth in the sur- veyor general's office in St. Louis, under the late Colonel Mc- Rae. Thus he arose step by step by the most singular industry, sobriety and good conduct. He had put on his hands and skill some of the most difficult contracts for surveying in Missouri, and I understood that before he left Missouri he was worth perhaps $10,000. I have thus given you a mere sketch to explain why I feel no ordinary interest in the prosperity of Mr. Applegate. There are many of his associates in school who often inquire about his welfare. Will you please commu- nicate such facts as are convenient and furnish me his post- office address. I beg leave to refer you to my friends, Col. W. H. Bissell and Gen. James Shields, from this county, for information concerning the individual who, though a stranger, presumes to address you in this manner. Respectfully yours,
J. M. PECK. ​
LETTER OF QUINCY ADAMS BROOKS
(Mr. Brooks was born of English ancestry in Washington County, Pa., May 22, 1826. His occupation was that of a lawyer. He started to Oregon from Pittsburg on April 2, 1851, crossing the plains, and arrived at Olympia, Oregon Territory, September 20th. He was Deputy Collector of Cus- toms for the Puget Sound District in 1851-2 ; was the first Pros- ecuting Attorney north of the Columbia river, being appointed by Gov. John P. Gaines ; was a member of the Convention at Monticello, Cowlitz county, which took the initial step towards creating the Territory of Washington, the enabling act being passed by Congress on March 2, 1853 ; was secretary to the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon and Washington, 1856-1860 ; was married to Miss Lizzie Cranston, Salem, Octo- ber 24, 1858; served as Assistant Quartermaster General of Oregon State troops in Modoc war of 1872-73 : was Col- lector of Customs of Puget Sound District, 1886-89; died at Port Townsend, Washington, July 6, 1908. This letter was pre- sented to the Oregon Historical Society by Mrs. Cornelia J. S. Greer, Dundee, Oregon, August 6, 1914. George H. Himes, Assistant Secretary.)
Milwaukie, Oregon Territory, November 7, 1851. Dear Ruter:
I suppose you were somewhat surprised at receiving such a miserable scroll of a letter as the one I sent you by the last mail. I sat down with the intention of writing letters to Mrs. Alden, Mr. Arthurs and yourself. I was disappointed as to the time the mail closed, and having commenced the other letters first, I was informed when I had nearly finished them, that the steamer was about to leave, and that I had only ten minutes to get my letters into the mail. I then determined at least to write you a note and enclose it in Mr. Arthur's letter ; but when I was nearly done I remembered that that would be in violation of Post Office Laws, and concluded to give it a sep- arate address. So much for my excuse. I presume you read my letter to Mr. Arthurs or to Mrs. Alden, and I shall not speak of any of the matters mentioned therein in this letter. ​
LETTER 211
I promised to say something in my next letter about our trip across the Plains. Do not suppose that I can give anything like a satisfactory account of it in a letter; to do justice to the subject, it would require a volume. I would like above all things to see you once more in propria persona, spend a few quiet evenings with you as of old, and then over our cigars I could give you a more satisfactory account than I possibly can in a letter. But as I must not hope for so great a pleasure for a long time to come, I must, in the meanwhile, content myself with saying something about it, however brief, meagre, and un- interesting it may be.
We crossed the Missouri River on the 4th day of May last, and then commenced our long solitary journey through the Indian Territory. Our company consisted of 18 wagons, about 150 head of cattle, 8 women with their children, and 40 men fit for duty. In my wagon there were 4 yoke of oxen, and 1 yoke of cows. My messmates were Dr. Eggers, a lawyer from Western, Mo., by the name of Hardin, and our Dutch driver, Shadel. Mr. Cartwright and I purchased a horse in partner- ship, intending to use him jointly. Soon after we had started, however, Mr. C.'s feet became sore by walking, and he wished me to part with my interest in the horse so that he might ride all the time. To accommodate Mr. C. I let him have the horse, expecting to be able to get one on the route from the Indians or traders; in this, however, I was disappointed, and was compelled to take it on foot to Green River, a distance of 1200 miles.
The first river we came to was the Big Blue ; this we found so swollen that it was impossible to ford it. To work we all went, cutting down trees and digging out canoes, and in two days we got safely across, taking our wagons and provisions in two canoes lashed together, and swimming our horses and cattle.
Soon after we crossed this river we had a terrible stampede. A stampede is a sudden and unaccountable panic taken by the cattle and horses, in which they become unmanageable and run away. The 12th of May last was a delightful day on the Plains. ​
212 QUINCY ^AJDAMS BROOKS
At noon-day we were quietly pursuing our way along the route; the prairies were clothed in a carpet of green inter- spersed with beautiful flowers ; the face of the earth was as level as a floor ; not a single tree, hill or shrub could be seen to vary the monotony of sky and grass. The wagons, jogging along leisurely, were separated some distance from each other, so that the whole line of the train was about a mile long. There was a young mare belonging to one of our company, running loose, and eating grass leisurely along by the road side, at some distance behind the train. Finding that she was getting left behind, she quit eating to catch up with the other horses, and feeling, no doubt, very happy on the occasion, thought she would try how fast she could run. After kicking up her heels and snorting, away she started pelmell as fast as she could run. The clattering of her hoofs, as she neared the loose cattle be- hind the train, startled them, and when she came a little closer away they started too; as they came nearer to the train the oxen in the hindmost wagon became unmanageable, and when they came up, each ox gave a frightful bawl, and started out, with elongated tail, at full speed. I shall never forget that ter- rific bawl; it spread from wagon to wagon along the whole line with the velocity of a telegraph dispatch. The ox, you know, has the reputation of being rather a slow animal, but, upon my honor, in a stampede, I don't think I ever saw any- thing run so fast. The proper way to manage oxen when they take a stampede in the wagon is not to attempt to manage them at all "Let them rip." If you do not attempt to control them they will run in a straight line; but if you attempt to stop or control them, they will take a short turn, when at full speed, upset the wagon, dash everything to atoms, break their own necks, and kill the driver. I was in advance of the train when the affair occurred, and could see everything. As soon as I saw what was up, I dismounted mighty quick, and it was with great difficulty that I could hold my horse. It was indeed a strange spectacle to see such unwieldy animals, that seemed formed by nature to move at no faster pace than a snail's gal- lop, travelling so rapidly then to see the drivers endeavoring ​
LETTER 213
in vain to stop them to see men, women and children getting pitched out of the wagons to hear them scream and the driv- ers shouting. I shall never forget the occurrence. One man got his shoulder dislocated and was otherwise badly bruised; several others were somewhat injured some of the women were rather roughly handled, but no serious accident occurred. Several oxen got their necks broken. Our driver had been engaged for some time in driving for the Government on the Santa Fe route, and was somewhat acquainted with the nature of stampedes. When the affair took place, he was sitting on the tongue of the wagon smoking his pipe. As soon as he heard that terrible bawl he jumped, dropped his pipe and whip, and took to his heels for the "dear life," to get out of the way. Fortunately no accident occurred to my wagon or team, and I am disposed to attribute the credit of it all to the wise and prudent management of our Dutch driver. As soon as the stampede was over (it did not last over 3 minutes) we went to work mending up things, and, in an hour afterwards, we were travelling on as usual. We had several stampedes after this, but I cannot find room or time to describe them.
When we reached Fort Kearney, we had one of the greatest storms I ever experienced. It rained almost incessantly for three days. The hail stones were as large as peaches. The whole surface of the ground was covered with water to the depth of six inches. Whilst we were in our tent, which afforded some little protection, the wind and hail beat it down with us in it. When it came down, we became entangled in its folds, and there we lay for some time, in the water, unable to extricate ourselves, all the while the wind blowing furiously, and the wet tent-sheet flopping up and down and beating us over our backs and heads with the tent pins. After this rain, we had no more rain until we got to Oregon ! !
Soon after we started out I had our train christened the "Tornado Train." Your humble servant was elevated to the honorable post of "Sergeant of the Guard." The duty of stand- ing guard is the most disagreeable, irksome, and fatiguing duty I had to perform on the whole trip. As might be expected, ​
214 QUINCY" ADAMS BROOKS
we had some cowards in our train. It was very difficult to get these fellows to stand their regular guard at night, particu- larly if we happened to be in a district where the Indians were said to be troublesome ; and it was amusing to listen to the mis- erable pretences upon which they sought to be excused. I en- joyed excellent health all the way, never sought to be excused from standing guard, and was never caught napping at my post.
After we left Fort Kearney, we followed the South Fork of the Platte River some hundred miles from thence we crossed over Ash Hollow on the North Fork of the Platte, and traveled along its bank some 400 miles. If I had time I would like to tell you about the Platte River the large herds of buffalo we saw along it, the elk, the antelope, deer, prairie dogs, black and white wolves, etc. Also about Chimney Rock, Castle Rock, Scott's Bluffs, Fort Laramie, Laramie Peak, Black Hills, the large lakes of pure saleratus that we saw, long deserts of sand and sage bushes that we passed, and the various tribes of In- dians that we came through, but I have not time. We reached "Rock Independence" on the 23d of June. This is the point where the road enters the Rocky Mountains. We had quite a pleasant time of it through the mountains. These mountains are composed of granite and trap rock; they are not, like the Allegheny Mountains, composed of fragments of stone, but each mountain has the appearance of being one entire solid piece of rock. The surface of the mountain does not present the sharp projections of rocks, but everything is smooth and round. They are generally of a dark blue color, like soap- stone, and in some places they have, at a distance, the appear- ance of huge mounds of that stone. In the valleys or plains, no scattered rocks and stones mark the vicinity of mountains they spring right up out of the plain in solid rock and tower to a tremendous height, generally destitute of anything like vege- tation, and so smooth that were a man on the top to slip, he would not stop until he reached the base. We were in sight of snow all the way through the tops of the mountains being covered with it. We passed the Pacific Springs on the 26th ​
LETTER 215
of June, and arrived at Green River on the 4th of July.
I have no time to write any more. I have been so busy since the last mail that I have had no time to write until today, and the mail will close in a few minutes. I intended to have sent out letters, this mail, to Mrs. Alden and Mr. Arthurs, but I have had time to write only to you. I will tell you about the balance of my trip again. Please remember me to Mr. Arthurs and give my excuse for not writing also to Mrs. Alden and family. I have received but one letter from my friends in Pittsburg since my arrival, and that was from Mr. Arthurs. Do not fail to write to me. Is Miss Johnston in the city yet? As soon as I get settled and have leisure, I will write her a long letter. Remember me to Tom Mahon, tell him I am going to write to him. How is our friend Reinhart, and Fleming. At this date (Nov. 7) cucumbers and strawberries are growing here. I will not exhort any of my friends at home, who are dis- posed to emigrate, to come out here until I have travelled all over the country and selected the very best place in it. I may go out to Puget Sound before Spring, but it is not probable.
Remember me to your mother and family, and all my friends. Tell little Augusta I have not forgotten her yet. Do write to me as soon as you can find time.
Your old friend,
(Signed) QUINCY A. BROOKS. ​
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF DAVID THOMPSON
In the year 1897 Francis P. Harper of New York published in three volumes "The Manuscript Journals of Alexander Hen- ry and of David Thompson," edited by the late Dr. Elliott Coues, who had previously edited the Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition for this same publisher, 1893 edition. On page twenty-three of the Editor's Preface to the Henry and Thompson Journals, Dr. Coues refers to a manuscript writ- ten by David Thompson late in life in the form of a "summary autobiography," and which had passed into the hands of Mr. J. B. Tyrrell, of Toronto. This manuscript has since been loaned by Mr. Tyrrell to the Champlain Society, of Toronto, and is now being published by that Society. Mr. T. C. Elliott, of the Oregon Historical Society, has prepared annotations for that portion of the MSS. relating to the Columbia river and its tributaries, the Kootenay and Pend d'Oreille ; and Mr. Tyrrell has prepared the preface and annotations for the greater part which deals with the rivers of Canada draining into Hudson's Bay, over many of which he has personally / traveled in the practice of his profession. He has also had access to the original survey notes of Mr. Thompson, of which a portion have been printed in the earlier numbers of this volume of this Quarterly. When issued this volume (or volumes) will be a valuable addition to the bibliography of the Columbia river, but unfortunately will be available only through the member- ship of the Champlain Society, which membership includes the larger libraries of the United States. The publication is de- layed by the European war that now prevails. T. C. E. ​
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF OREGON
COMPILED BY GEORGE H. HIMES.
This convention was held in Salem, the territorial capital. August 17-September 18, 1857. The following table gives the name of each delegate, the date of his birth, the state or country of his nativity, residence when starting to Oregon, date of arrival, county represented, and occupation:
Name. Born.
Native. Came from.
Arrived.
County. Occupation.
Anderson, Levi
.1818
Ky.
Iowa
1852
Washington
Farmer
Applegate, Jesse
.1810
Ky.
Mo.
1843
Umpqua
Farmer
Bibcock, A. D
1818
N. Y.
Ind.
1852
Polk
Lawyer
Boise, Reuben P
.1819
Mass.
Mass.
1850
Polk
Lawyer
Brattain, J. H
.1813
Tenn.
Iowa
1846
Linn
Farmer
Brattain, Paul
. 1801
N. C.
Iowa
1852
Lane
Farmer
Bristow, Wm. W
.1826
Ky.
111.
1846
Lane
Farmer
Burch, Benj. F. .
1825
Mo.
Mo.
1845
Polk
Farmer
Campbell, A. J
.1828
Ind.
Ind.
1853
Lane
Mechanic-
Campbell, Hector
.1794
Mass.
Mass.
1849
Clackamas
Farmer
Chadwick, Stephen F.
.1825
Conn.
N. Y.
1851
Douglas
Lawyer
. 1821
Mo.
Mo.
1851
Lane
Farmer
Cox, Joseph
.1811
Ohio
Mo.
1847
Marion
Farmer
Coyle, Reuben F
1821
Ky.
111.
1847
Linn
Farmer
Crooks, John T
.1807
Va.
111.
1848
Linn
Farmer
Deady, Matthew P...
.1824
Md.
Ohio
1849
Douglas
Lawyer
Dryer, Thomas J
.1810
N. Y.
Calif.
1850
Multnomah
Editor
Duncan, L. J. C
1818
Tenn.
Ga.
1850
Jackson
Miner
Elkins, Luther
.1809
Me.
Ohio
1852
Linn
Farmer
Fitzhugh. Solomon . . .
.1804
Ky.
Mo.
1850
Douglas
Farmer
Farrar, William H....
1826
N. H.
Mass.
1853
Multnomah
Lawyer
Grover, L. F
.1826
Me.
Pa.
1851
Marion
Lawyer
Hendershott, S. B, ,
.1832
111.
Iowa
1853
Josephine
Miner
Hoult, Enoch
.1820
Va.
111.
1853
Lane
Farmer
Kelly, James K
.1819
Pa.
Pa.
1851
Clackamas
Lawyer
Kelsay, John Kinney, Robert C
.1819 .1813
Ky. 111.
Mo. Iowa
1853 1847
Benton Yamhill
Lawyer Farmer
.1810
N. Y.
Mo.
1845
Benton
Farmer
Logan, David
.1826
N. C.
111.
1849
Multnomah
Lawyer
1811
Mass.
Mo.
1843
Clackamas
Lawyer
Marple, P. B
1819
Va.
Mo.
1851
Coos
Lawyer
Matzger, William ....
,1819
Hanover
111.
1847
Benton
Mechanic
McBride, John R
18-52
Mo.
Mo.
1846
Yamhill
Lawyer
McCormick, S. T
1828
Ireland
N. Y.
1851
Multnomah
Printer
Meigs, Charles R
.1830
Conn.
Ohio
1855
Wasco
Lawyer
Miller, Richard
.1802
Md.
Mo.
1847
Marion
Farmer
Moores, Isaac R
.1796
Ky.
111.
1852
Lane
Farmer
Newcomb, Daniel ....
.1800
Va.
111.
1853
Jackson
Farmer
Nichols, H. B
1821
Conn.
Iowa
1852
Benton
Farmer
Olds, Martin
.1799
Mass.
Mich.
1851
Yamhill
Firmer
Olney, Cyrus
1815
N. Y.
Iowa
1851
Clatsop
Lawyer
Packwood, William H.
.1832
111.
111.
1849
Curry
Miner
Peebles, J. C
1826
Pa.
Ind.
1850
Marion
Farmer
Prim, P. P
,1822
Tenn.
Tenn.
1851
Jackson
Lawyer
Reed, J. H
.1824
Pa.
Mo.
1855
Jackson
Lawyer
Robbins, Nathaniel . . .
.1793
Va.
Ind.
1852
Clackamas
Farmer
Shannon, Davis
.1815
Ind.
111.
1844
Marion
Farmer
Shattuck, Erasmus D.
.1824
Vt.
Vt.
1853
Washington
Lawyer
Scott, Levi
.1797
111.
Iowa
1844
Umpqua
Farmer
Shields, James
181 1
Ky.
Mo.
1852
Linn
Farmer
Short, Robert V
.1823
Pa.
111.
1847
Yamhill
Surveyor
,1803
Tenn.
Mo.
1846
Marion
Farmer
fmith, Delazon
1816
N. Y.
Iowa
1852
Linn
Lawyer
tarkweather, W. A..
.1822
Conn.
Ohio
1850
Clackamas
Farmer
Watkins. William H..
.1827
N. Y.
N. Y.
1852
Josephine
Physician
Watts, John W
.1830
Mo.
Mo.
1852
Columbia
Physician
White, John S
1828
Tenn.
Tenn.
1845
Washington
Farmer
Whitted, Thomas
.1832
Pa.
Ind.
1850
Douglas
Farmer
1807
Ohio
Mo.
1845
Polk
Mechanic
Williams, George H..
.1823
N. Y.
Iowa
1853
Marion
Lawyer ​
SUMMARY CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Connecticut Cliadwick, Meigs, Nichols, Starkweather 4
Hanover.Germany.Matzger i
Illinois Hendershott, Kinney, Packwood, Scott 4
Indima Campbell (A. J.), Shannon 2
Ireland McCormick i
Kentucky Anderson, Applegate, Coyle, Fitzhugh, Kelsay, Moores, Shields,
Bristow 8
Maine Elkins, Grover 2
Maryland Deady, Miller a
Massachusetts ...Boise, Campbell (Hector), Lovejoy, Olds 4
Missouri Burch, Cox (Jesse), McBride, Watts 4
New York Babcock, Dryer, Lewis, Olney, Smith, Watkins, Williams 7
North Carolina. . .Brattain (Paul), Logan 2
Ohio Cox (Joseph), Waymire 2
Pennsylvania Kelly, Peebles, Reed, Short, Whitted 3
New Hampshire. .Farrar i
Tennessee Brattain (J. H.), Duncan, Prim, Shrum, White 5
Vermont Shattuck i
Virginia Crooks, Hoult, Marple, Newcomb, Robbins 5
60 Occupations.
Editors i Physicians 2
Farmers 30 Printers i
Lawyers 19 Surveyors i
Mechanics 3
Miners 3 60
Members of the convention who afterwards filled important public positions in the state and nation:
Boise, Reuben P., Associate Justice for many years; Chief Justice, 1862-1864, 1868-1870.
Chadwick, Stephen F., Secretary of State, Sept. 14, i87O-Feb. i, 1877; Acting Governor, from latter date to September n, 1878.
Deady, Matthew P., Associate Judge, Oregon Territory, 1853-1859; United States District Judge, District of Oregon, 1859 to date of death in 1893.
Farrar, William H., Mayor of Portland, 1862.
Grover, L. F., Governor, Sept. 14, i87o-Feb. i, 1877; United States Senator, March 4, i879-March 3, 1885.
Kelly, James K., United States Senator, March 4, i87i-March 3, 1877; Chief Justice, 1878-1880.
Login, David, Mayor of Portland, 1863.
McCormick, Stephen J., Mayor of Portland, 1859.
Prim, Paige P., Chief Justice, 1879-1880.
Shattuck, Erasmus D., Associate Justice for many years; Chief Justice, 1866-1868.
Smith, Delazon, United States Senator, Feb. 14, iSsg-March 3, 1859.
Williams, George H., Chief Justice, 1853-1859; United States Senator, March 4, i86s-March 3, 1871 ; one of the Joint High Commissioners in settling the "Alabama Claims," 1871; United States Attorney-General, 1872-1875; Mayor of Portlan
* ↑ Read before the annual meeting of the American Historical Association, December, 1911. Reprinted from the Annual Reports of that association for 1911, pp. 187–195.
* ↑ Calhoun to Coryell, Nov. 7, 1846. Jameson, "Corresp. of Calhoun," 710.
* ↑ Von Holst "Const. Hist. of the United States" (Lalor's transl.), II, 306.
* ↑ Von Holst, II, 15-16.
* ↑ "Westward Extension." Amer. Nation series, XVII, 355.