vented foreigners of any nation from becoming citizens of Oregon, but bestowed upon every white male inhabitant 640 acres of land, and the Act of Congress of September 27, 1850, commonly called the Donation Act, carried out this purpose and intention, but provided that the grant should be made to a citizen of the United States or one having made a declaration according to law of his intention to become such citizen, or who should make such declaration on or before December 1, 1851.
While thus Lee was actively engaged in the far-seeing work of his mission and assisting in the direction of ultimate American supremacy, those who remained at home and bad influence with the mission board secured his removal from the superintendency of the Oregon Mission. On reaching Honolulu, and before he stepped ashore, Doctor Babcock informed him that he had been superseded in the superintendency of the Oregon Mission by the Rev. George Gary, of the Black River conference, New York, who was then on his way to Oregon to investigate Lee's career since 1840, and he was given authority if he thought proper to close the affairs of the mission. Some of Lee's associates, and some of his rivals, whether from mistaken judgment or envy, had cut short his official career. Lee, while downcast and disappointed, was not discouraged. He was willing to face his accusers and render an account of his stewardship. It was Emerson, I believe, who said: "Cardinal Richelieu was not glaringly wrong, therefore, in the opinion that an unfortunate and an imprudent person are synonymous terms. Every man is placed, in some degree, under the influence of events and of other men; but it is for himself to decide whether he will rule, or be ruled by them. They may operate powerfully against him at times; but rarely so as to overwhelm him, if he bears up manfully, and with a stout, dogged will. In the battle of life we may be drawn as conscripts, but our cour-
