of protection from Indian aggression, but of being supplied with vegetable food while en route.[1]
These documents, which have only been brought to light after nearly half a century of lying perdu, serve to confirm reports concerning his troubles with the Cayuses, and his anxiety for protection.
It was said by persons about Fort Walla Walla, that Dr. Whitman, in his vexation with the Indians, before leaving for the states, threatened them with bringing back many people to chastise them. This threat has been denied by his friends as not consistent with his character as a missionary; but the tone of his letter and bill of 1843 are en-
- ↑ In reading the following letter and bill, it should be borne in mind that they were written after the doctor had been east, had learned the then political prospects of Oregon, and had traveled months in company with intelligent western men, with whom he talked freely, and to whom, according to their evidence, he never disclosed any political motive in going east. What he wanted both before and after going east, it is fair to assume, is set down in these documents, which are interesting as a part of the early history of Oregon, and as an indication of the character and motives of their author. They were received at Washington, June 22, 1844, probably forwarded by the Hudson's Bay Company's annual express via Montreal of that year. Nothing in either of these documents shows any political motive for Dr. Whitman's visit east; but the second paragraph of his letter, in which he says the government will learn through him of the emigration of one thousand persons, shows a singular want in him of a knowledge of the facts, the government keeping a sharp lookout, as well as the newspapers of the day:—
To the Hon. James M. Porter, Secretary of War:
Sir: In compliance with the request you did me the honor to make last winter while at Washington, I herewith transmit to you the synopsis of a bill, which, if it could be adopted, would according to my experience and observation prove highly conducive to the best interests of the United States generally, to Oregon, where I have resided for more than seven years as a missionary, and to the Indian tribes that inhabit the intermediate country.
The government will now doubtless for the first time be apprised through you, and by means of this communication, of the immense migration of families to Oregon, which has taken place this year. I have since our interview been instrumental in piloting across the route described in the accompanying bill, and which is the only eligible wagon road, no less than —— families, consisting of one thousand persons of both sexes, with their wagons, amounting in all to more than one hundred and twenty, six hundred and ninety-four oxen, and seven hundred and seventy-three loose cattle.
The emigrants are from different states, but principally from Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, and New York. The majority of them are farmers, lured by the prospects of government bounty in lands, by the reported fertility of the soil, and by the desire to be first among those who are planting our institutions on the Pacific coast. Among them are artisans of every trade, comprising with farmers the very best material for a new colony. As pioneers, these people have undergone incredible hard ships, and having now safely passed the Blue mountain range with their wagons and effects, have established a durable road from Missouri to Oregon, which will
