Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1895-12-06
Whitman's Heroism Proved by
Unnoubted Testimony.
is A STRONG ARRAY OF FACTS
Mr. George H. Hines Makes an Effective
Reply to the Rev. II. X. Hines
Recent Review.

contributes a valuable addition to the
proofs already advanced to sustain the
claim that DR.. Marcus Whitman made
his memorable winter ride to save Ore
gon; that he was directly and indirect
iy instrumental in inducing large i'm
migration in 1843, which he piloted
across the plains and over the noun
tains; and that his influence saved Ore
gon to the Union. Mr.. Hines article
Is published by the Oregonian, and is
reply to Rev. H. X. Hines review of
DR.. o. w. Nixon's new book, How
Marcus Whitman Saved Oregon"
After advancing numerous interest
ing facts about Whitman's work In
bringing wagon over the Rocky
mountains, Mr.. Hines turns his atten-
ton to Whitman's trip to Washington
and Its political Significance, and says:
The letter to James NJ Porter, secre-
tary OF war, written in 1S43, after Whit
mans return to Oregon, and received
at the war department, Washington,
June %, 1874. In addition to much other
evidence, settles that question conclu-
sively. That this trip was taken sole
ly or even chiefly" for political reasons,
DR.. Hines says is romantic assump-
tion." Hon. J. w. Nesmith, who had
every opportunity to know the facts,
says Whitman visited Washington to
intercede in behalf of the interests of
this coast" A. l.. Lovejoy, of the 1912
company, Whitman's travelling compan-
lon. says under date of Nov. 6, 1869:
Previous to our leaving Waiilatpu, 1
often had conversations with the doc
tor touching the prospects Of this coast.
He was alive to Its interests, and man.
Tested warm desire to have his coun-
try properly represented at Washing
ton." LoveJoy and Whitman separated
at Bent's Fort January Z, 1913, and did
not meet again until July following.
Then LoveJoy says Whitman told him
how he was received at Washington:
OF his interviews with President Tyler.
Secretary Webster and members of
congress. touching Oregon interests,
urging the immediate termination of
the treaty with Great Britain relative
to the joint occupancy of this country,
and the extension of the laws Of the
United States and necessity of provid-
Ing liberal inducements to immigrants.
He also refers to the chagrin of the doc
tor at the lack Of interest in, and
knowledge of, Oregon, and to the doc
tors statement about his cold recep-
ton by the American board at Boston,
and to the censure he received for leav-
ing his post at such a time February
IA, 1870, in answering an inquiry of DR..
George H. Atkinson, Mr.. Lovejoy in
substance repeats the foregoing state
ments.
DIR. HENRY M. FIELD.
DR.. Henry M. Field. editor of the
New York Evangelist for the last 40
years. in the winter Of 1s42-4s was pas
tor of Presbyterian church In st. Lou
10. He says: II there met and welcomed
DR.. Whitman, still bearing on his per-
son the marks of his fatiEues and suf-
ferings; ana was one of those who
cheered him on this way to Washing
ton, where he made reports to the gov
eminent, based upon q personal knowl-
edge Of the country, of which hardly
another man at the capital knew any
thing" Another thing Dr. Field says,
speaking Of How Oregon Was Saved:
1T was chiefly. II not wholly, due to
the prompt action of an American mis-
sionary, who, having gone to the coast
to labor among the Indians, and lived
there for seven years. knew the coun-
try as no other man this side Of the
Rocky mountains could know 1t. He
also knew the danger to which 1t was
exposed. England and the United
States were negotiating about the
northwest boundary, and, in the gen.
eral ignorance Of the country, Oregon
might, for slight consideration, or for
none at all, be surrendered, and become
a part Of the territory of British Column
bia-a result which the great Hudson's
Bay Company was using all Its power
to accomplish" Further, DR.. Field
says: "As to the service thereby rem
dered the country, 1t Is enough to quote
the very words of Daniel Webster, who
was then secretary of state in the cab
met Of President Tyler. who afterwards
said, without reserve, that Our country
owes 1t to DR.. Whitman and his assoc
ciates that all the territory west Of the
Rocky mountains and south as far as
the Columbia river Is not owned by
England and held by the Hudson's Bay
Company" This II confirmed by the
late Rev. ]. G. Craighead. D. D., Wash
ington, D. c.. who says Mr.. Webster
made the statement to 4 personal
friend. The New York Independent, in
January. 1870. says: "A personal friend
of Mr.. Webster. legal gentleman, with
whom he conversed several times on
the subject, remarked to the writer of
this article" and then repeats in SUBJ
stance what DR.. Field and DR.. Craig
head testify to.
Add to the foregoing the testimony
of Gray, Eells, Walker, Spalding, Hin
man. p. B. Whitman and others, as to
Whitman's main purpose being "polit-
ical," then add what Medorem Craw-
ford QS42) says: when we arrived at
DR.. Whitman's, he was preparing to
cross the Rocky mountains on his way
to Washington, and induced Lovejoy
to accompany him." Can any reason
able person have any doubt as to his
political intent? Mrs. Whitman, in
letters written in the fall Of 1912, hints
at the chief cause OF his going east.
October %, 1912, she says: 1T prefer that
you stay just as long as It is necessary
to accomplish all your hearts desire
respecting the interest of this country.
SO dear to us both-our home"
wHITMAN'S OWN TESTIMONY.
II more testimony Is needed, the fol-
lowing may be added: DIR. Whitman
himself. in q letter dated Vancouver.
April /. 1s47. written to the American
board. Boston. says:
ST often reflect on the fact that you
told me you were sorry that I came
(sast). It did not then. nor has It since.