HALL JACKSON KELLEY—Prophet of Oregon
CHAPTER FIVE
En Route—Boston to Vera Cruz
Failure only seemed to strengthen Kelley's determination to effect his purpose. "I planned anew, enlisting a small party, chiefly with a view of having travelling companions. I now lay my route through Mexico, via Acapulco and the Sandwich Islands."[1]
"That circuitous route, instead of a direct one across the Rocky Mountains, was wholly induced by a desire of effecting some arrangements with officers of the Mexican government and distinguished individuals in that country, relative to the lumber and fish trade between the Columbia River and the Mexican western ports, and for extending, in proper time, my colonizing operations into High California; and, also, by a desire of turning the attention of the people in the cities of Mexico to some better system of education than had ever been adopted by them; and generally, to such internal improvements, moral and physical, as would most likely lay a better foundation for freedom, and multiply in their land the conveniences and comforts of life."[2]
His troubles continued, and there were further delays. This part of the narrative can be best stated in his own words:
"Late in the spring [of 1832] I left [Washington] for N. R to complete arrangements for my final departure for the other side of the continent.
"On my arrival at Palmer, and within sight of home, where my loved family dwelt, I was arrested by an officer, who served upon me a precept which had no foundation in justice,
- ↑ Kelly, Hist. of the Colonization of Oregon, 20–1.
- ↑ Kelley, Narrative of Events and Difficulties, 69–70. Hist. of the Settlement of Oregon, 42. As early as February 12, 1832, however, Kelley, wrote to Edward Livingston, secretary of state, setting forth the impracticability of conducting an expedition including women and children overland via St. Louis later than the month of June, and inquiring as to a feasible route across Mexico.
