Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/113

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Diary of Rev. George Gary 97 a chance to sail, which is no small consideration. Our title as a Mission to the claims of land, is, in my opinion, just good for nothing at all. Such is the state of public feeling in reference to the Mission having many sections of good land not occupying them themselves, and not suffering others to occupy them. A strong reaction is about meeting us, and the sooner we are freed from these land claims, the better, if I judge right. This Mission farm of Mr. Beers has done the best of any of our farm business here, yet I doubt if everything was taken into account, of its more than sustaining itself. Possibly it may a little more than that this year. Friday 12. This day I received a list of charges against Brother A. F. Waller, prepared by Doct. E. White. These charges relate mostly to the controversy between B. [rother] Waller and Doc. McLaughlin [John McLough- lin] in reference to a land claim at Willamette Falls. B. Waller says he cannot safely meet these charges without Rev. Judson [Jason] Lee as a witness in the case. After considerable consultation upon the subject with Brother Waller and others, I came to the conclusion to give Brother Waller the call of the Bishop to return to the states and take his place as a member of the Genessee Conference, designing to send the charges to said con- ference with the evidence. Doctor White may present evidence on the subject, giving an opportunity to Brother Waller to obtain the testimony of Judson Lee in the case. The parties agree in the arrangement. My reasons for this are, I think we can spare Brother Waller from the Mission. Doctor McLaughlin, at the head of Hudson Bay Company in this region, has almost unbounded in- fluence, and Doctor White claims to act as his agent in this matter, consequently I fear for the witnesses what they may say in the prosecution. We cannot form a committee according to the form of discipline, not having traveling preachers enough for such committee, and I dread the tide of sympathy Doctor McLaughlin may