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A HISTORY OF O R E G O N,
A HISTORY OF O R E G O N,
1792 - 1849, DRAWN FROM PERSONAL OBSERVATION AND AUTHENTIC INFORMATION. BY W. H. GRAY, OF ASTORIA. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR FOR SUBSCRIBERS. PORTLAND, OREGON: HARRIS & HOLMAN. SAN FRANCISCO: H. H. BANCROFT & CO. NEW YORK: THE AMERICAN NEWS COMPANY. 1870....
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CORRECTIONS:
CORRECTIONS:
FIRST LETTER. 4th page, 2nd line from bottom, after the word horror, read at . 6th page, 2nd line from bottom, “ quote. 7th page, end of paragraph, ”. 23rd page, in place of 283, page 273. 24th page, after zealous priest of, read the . 26th page, 5th line, for missionaries, read missions . SECOND LETTER. 5th page, first word, for abrogate, read arrogate . 8th page, in this letter, read in his letter. 23rd page, for unmbers, read numbers . 29th page, 1st paragraph, for dispersing, read dispensing
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INTRODUCTORY.
INTRODUCTORY.
The reader will observe that when we commenced furnishing the historical articles for the Marine Gazette , we did not know that they would be of sufficient interest to justify arranging them in book form; but few articles had been given, however, before there was a call for back numbers of the paper, which were not on hand. It was then decided to continue the articles, giving an opportunity to correct errors in statement of historical facts, and collect such as were printed, with all just critic
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
First discovery of the river.—Natives friendly.—British ship.—Brig Jennet .—Snow Sea Otter .—The Globe .— Alert. — Guatimozin. — Atahualpa. —Lewis and Clarke.—Vancouver.—Hamilton.—Derby.— Pearl. — Albatross. —First house built in 1810.—Astor’s settlement.—The Tonquin .—Astor’s Company betrayed to the Northwest Company. In all countries it is difficult to trace the history of their early discovery and settlement. That of Oregon is no exception. The Spanish claim, and it is generally conceded, tha
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
The country restored.—The order.—Description of Astoria.—Different parties.—Northwest Fur Company.—Astor’s plan.—Conflict of the two British fur companies.—The treaties.—The Selkirk settlement.—Its object.—The company asserts chartered rights as soon as united. As stated in our first chapter, the English government, by its Canadian Northwest Fur Company, and the arrival of the British sloop of war, Raccoon , during the war of 1812-13, took possession of Oregon, and held it as British territory t
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
English Hudson’s Bay effort to secure Oregon.—British claim to Oregon.—Dr. McLaughlin’s relation to the company.—Treatment of Red River settlers.—A mistake.—Sir Edward Belcher.—Duplicity of the Hudson’s Bay Company.—A noble man.—An Englishman’s opinion of the Hudson’s Bay Company.—Sir James Douglas’s testimony.—J. Ross Browne.—Duty of an historian.—Cause and effect. Since commencing this work we have, by the kindness of friends who have taken a deep interest in all that relates to this country,
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Care of Great Britain for her fur companies.—Columbia Fur Company.—Astor’s second fur company.—Major Pilcher’s fur company.—Loss of the ship Isabel .—Captain Bonneville’s expedition.—Cause of his failure.—Captain Wyeth’s, 1832.—Indians ask for missionaries in 1833.—Methodist Mission.—Fort Hall established.—Fort Boise. By reference to the act of the British Parliament of June 2, 1821, it will be seen that the affairs of the North American British Fur companies were in a fair way to defeat all Bri
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Extent and power of Hudson’s Bay Company.—Number of forts.—Location.—Policy.—Murder of Mr. Black.—McKay.—Manner of dealing with Indians.—Commander of fort kills an Indian.—Necessity of such a course.—Hudson’s Bay Company not responsible for what their servants do. Having briefly traced the operations of the two foreign fur companies in Oregon, a knowledge of the location of their several trading establishments will enable the reader to comprehend their power and influence in the country. Fort Um
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CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VI
Murder of John McLaughlin, Jr.—Investigation by Sir George Simpson and Sir James Douglas. Very different was the course pursued by Sir George Simpson and Mr. (now Sir James) Douglas in the case of conspiracy and murder of John McLaughlin, Jr., at Fort Wrangle, near the southern boundary of Russian America. In this case, Sir George Simpson went into a partial examination of the parties implicated, and reported that Dr. John McLaughlin, Jr., was killed by the men in self-defense. This report, from
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Treatment of Indians.—Influence of Hudson’s Bay Company.—Rev. Mr. Barnley’s statement.—First three years.—After that.—Treatment of Jesuits.—Of Protestants.—Of Indians.—Not a spade to commence their new mode of life.—Mr. Barnley’s statement.—Disappointed.—His mistake.—Hudson’s Bay Company disposed to crush their own missionaries. Rev. Mr. Beaver says of them: “About the middle of the summer of 1836, and shortly before my arrival at Fort Vancouver, six Indians were wantonly and gratuitously murder
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Petition of Red River settlers.—Their requests, from 1 to 14.—Names.—Governor Christie’s reply.—Company’s reply.—Extract from minutes.—Resolutions, from 1 to 9.—Enforcing rules.—Land deed.—Its condition.—Remarks. Before closing this subject we must explain our allusion to the Red River settlement, and in so doing illustrate and prove beyond a doubt the settled and determined policy of that organization to crush out their own, as well as American settlements,—a most unnatural, though true positio
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Puget Sound Agricultural Company.—Its original stock.—A correspondence.—No law to punish fraud.—A supposed trial of the case.—Article four of the treaty.—The witnesses.—Who is to receive the Puget Sound money.—Dr. Tolmie, agent of the company.—The country hunted up.—Difficult to trace a fictitious object.—Statement of their claim.—Result of the investigation. The Puget Sound Agricultural Company, now claiming of our government the sum of $1,168,000, was first talked of and brought into existence
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Case of The Hudson’s Bay Company v. The United States.—Examination of Mr. McTavish.—Number of witnesses.—Their ignorance.—Amount claimed.—Original stock.—Value of land in Oregon.—Estimate of Hudson’s Bay Company’s property.—Remarks of author. I have carefully reviewed all the testimony in the above case, on both sides, up to May 1, 1867. On April 12, the counsel on the part of the United States having already spent twenty-five days in cross-examining Chief-Factor McTavish, so as to get at the re
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Quotation from Mr. Swan.—His mistake.—General Gibbs’ mistake.—Kamaiyahkan.—Indian agent killed.—I. I. Stevens misjudged. The gigantic fraud of slavery fell, in our own land, in the short space of four years; but that of this company—holding and destroying as many lives as the African slave trade—holds its own, and still lifts its head, under the patronage of a professed Christian nation; and claims to be an honorable company, while it robs and starves its unnumbered benighted Indians, and shuts
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
Review of Mr. Greenhow’s work in connection with the conduct and policy of the Hudson’s Bay Company.—Schools and missionaries.—Reasons for giving extracts from Mr. Greenhow’s work.—Present necessity for more knowledge about the company. As stated by General Gibbs, Mr. Greenhow has given us a complete history of the discovery of Oregon. At the point where he leaves us the reader will observe our present history commences. We did not read Mr. Greenhow’s very elaborate and interesting history till
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
Occupants of the country.—Danger to outsiders.—Description of missionaries. In 1832, this entire country, from the Russian settlement on the north to the gulf of California on the south, the Rocky Mountains on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west, was under the absolute and undisputed control of the Honorable Hudson’s Bay Company; and the said company claimed and exercised exclusive civil, religious, political, and commercial jurisdiction over all this vast country, leaving a narrow strip o
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Missionary outfit.—On the way.—No roads.—An English nobleman.—A wagon taken along.—Health of Mrs. Spalding.—Meeting mountain men and Indians.—A feast to the Indians. The mission party had brought with them a full supply of all the supposed et cæteras for a life and residence two thousand miles from any possible chance to renew those supplies when exhausted, having the material for a blacksmith shop, a plow, and all sorts of seeds, clothing, etc., to last for two years. Gray found his hands full
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
Arrival at American rendezvous.—An Indian procession.—Indian curiosity to see white women.—Captain N. Wyeth.—McCleod and T. McKay.—Description of mountain men.—Their opinion of the missionaries. In two days’ easy travel we arrived at the great American rendezvous, held in an extensive valley in the forks formed by Horse Creek and Green River, on account of the abundance of wood, grass, and water all through the valley. Each party selected their own camp grounds, guarding their own animals and go
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
Missionaries travel in company with Hudson’s Bay Company’s party.—The Lawyer’s kindness.—Arrival at Fort Hall.—Description of the country.—The Salmon Indians.—The Hudson’s Bay Company’s tariff. Letters all written to friends, and everybody supposed to have any particular interest in the person or individual who wrote them; the letters placed in the hands of Captain Wyeth; mission camp overhauled and assorted; all goods supposed unnecessary, or that could be replaced, such as irons for plows, bla
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
An explanation.—Instructions of company.—Their tyranny.—Continuation of journey.—Fording rivers.—Arrival at Boise.—Dr. Whitman compelled to leave his wagon. It may be asked why the writer gives this explanation of trade and intercourse with the Indians and missionaries before they have reached the field of their future labors? For the simple reason that the party, and the writer in particular, commenced their education in the Rocky Mountains. They learned that in the country to which they were g
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Arrival at Fort Wallawalla.—Reception.—The fort in 1836.—Voyage down the Columbia River.—Portage at Celilo.—At Dalles.—A storm.—The Flatheads.—Portage at the Cascades. Next day Mr. McLeod left the train in charge of Mr. McKay, and started for the fort, having obtained a fresh horse from the Cayuse Indians. The party, with Hudson’s Bay Company’s furs and mission cattle, traveled slowly, and in two days and a half reached old Fort Wallawalla, on the Columbia River,—on the second day of September,
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
Fort Vancouver in 1836.—An extra table.—Conditions on which cattle were supplied to settlers.—Official papers.—Three organizations. Fort Vancouver was a stockade, built with fir-logs about ten inches in diameter, set some four feet in the ground, and about twenty feet above, secured by pieces of timber pinned on the inside, running diagonally around the entire stockade, which at that time covered or inclosed about two acres of ground. The old fort, as it was called, was so much decayed that the
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
Settlers in 1836.—Wallamet Cattle Company.—What good have the missionaries done?—Rev. J. Lee and party.—The Hudson’s Bay Company recommend the Wallamet.—Missionaries not dependent on the company.—Rev. S. Parker arrives at Vancouver. There were in the country, in the winter of 1836, besides those connected with the Hudson’s Bay Company and the missions, about fifteen men, all told. The two missions numbered seven men and two women, making the American population about twenty-five persons. To brin
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CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
Arrival of Rev. Mr. Beaver and wife.—His opinion of the company.—A double-wedding.—Mrs. Spalding and Mrs. Whitman at Vancouver.—Men explore the country and locate stations.—Their opinion of the country.—Indian labor.—A winter trip down Snake River. Nothing of note occurred till about the middle of August, 1836. The bark Nereus arrived from England, bringing back Rev. Daniel Lee, recovered from his sickness while in the Sandwich Islands, and Rev. Mr. Beaver and lady, an English Episcopal clergyma
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CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
The French and American settlers.—Hudson’s Bay Company’s traveling traders.—The Flatheads.—Their manner of traveling.—Marriage.—Their honesty.—Indian fight and scalp dance.—Making peace.—Fight with the Sioux.—At Council Bluffs. The reader is already acquainted with all of the first missionaries, and with the governing power and policy of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and of the different parties and organizations as they existed. We will now introduce parties of men as we find them in the Wallamet s
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CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Re-enforcement to the Methodist Mission.—Re-enforcement to the mission of the American Board. We will leave Gray and party on their way down the Missouri River, and return to Oregon to introduce to the reader a re-enforcement to the Methodist Mission, consisting of Dr. Elijah White, a man that few who have dealt with can speak well of, utterly destitute of all morality and genuine piety, assuming the garb of religion to cover his baseness of heart and meanness of life. He arrived at the Columbia
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CHAPTER XXIV.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Arrival of Jesuit missionaries.—Toupin’s statement about Rev. A. B. Smith.—Death of Mrs. Jason Lee.—First express.—Jesuits at work.—The first printing-press.—The Catholic tree. A short time after the arrival of the re-enforcement to the mission of the American Board, Rev. F. N. Blanchet and Rev. Demerse arrived at Wallawalla by the annual overland boats of the Hudson’s Bay Company. While at Wallawalla, they induced a Cayuse, Young Chief, to have one of his children baptized, Mr. Pambrun being sp
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CHAPTER XXV.
CHAPTER XXV.
Independent missionaries arrive.—Their troubles.—Conversion of Indiana at the Dalles.—Their motives.—Emigrants of 1839.—Blubber-Mouth Smith.—Re-enforcement of the Methodist Mission in 1840.—Father De Smet.—Rev. Harvey Clark and associates.—Ewing Young.—Names of missionaries and settlers. In the fall of 1839, the Rev. J. S. Griffin and wife arrived at Dr. Whitman’s station. Mr. Griffin had undertaken an independent mission, in company with a Mr. Munger and wife. They had received an outfit from s
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CHAPTER XXVI.
CHAPTER XXVI.
1840.—Petition to Congress of United States.—British subjects amenable to the laws of Canada.—Esquire Douglas as justice of the peace.—Mr. Leslie as judge. Eighteen hundred and forty finds Oregon with her little population all active and busy, laboring and toiling to provide the necessaries of life—food and raiment. And if a man did not wear the finest of broadcloth, his intelligence and good conduct secured him a cordial welcome to every house or shanty in the country among the American or Fren
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CHAPTER XXVII.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Death of Ewing Young.—First public attempt to organize a provisional government.—Origin of the provisional government.—First Oregon schooner. In the early part of this year, about the 15th of February, 1841, Mr. Ewing Young, having been sick but a short time, died. He left a large band of cattle and horses and no will, and seems to have had no heirs in the country. On the 17th we find most of the settlers present at the funeral. After burying Mr. Young, a meeting was called, over which Rev. Jaso
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Lee and Hines explore the Umpqua River.—Hines tells a story.—Massacre and plunder of Smith’s party by the Indians.—Sympathy of the Hudson’s Bay Company.—Extract from the San Francisco Bulletin . The reader is requested to note the statements that follow, as they show influences operating that tell how active the enemies of the Protestant missions had been. Mr. Hines admits that he owed his own and Mr. Lee’s life to the wife of Guinea. (See his journal, page 109.) He says: “During the evening Mr.
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CHAPTER XXIX.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Missionaries leaving.—Hudson’s Bay Company’s Gold Exchange.—Population in 1842.—Whitman and Lovejoy start for the States.—The Red River emigration.—American merchants.—Settlers not dependent on the Hudson’s Bay Company.—Milling Company.—The Oregon Institute.—Dr. Elijah White.—Proceedings and resolutions of a public meeting at Wallamet.—Correspondence with the War Department. Rev. A. B. Smith and wife, Cornelius Rogers, and W. H. Gray and wife had left the mission of the American Board, on accoun
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CHAPTER XXX.
CHAPTER XXX.
Dispatch of Dr. White to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.—He praises the Hudson’s Bay Company.—His account of the Indians.—Indian outrages.—Dr. White’s expedition to the Nez Percés.—Indian council.—Speeches.—Electing a chief.—Laws of the Nez Percés.—Visit to the Cayuses.—Doings of the missionaries.—Drowning of Mr. Rogers and family.—George Geere.—Volcanoes.—Petition against Governor McLaughlin. Oregon , April 1, 1843. Sir ,—On my arrival, I had the honor and happiness of addressing you a brie
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CHAPTER XXXI.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Letter of H. H. Spalding to Dr. White.—Account of his mission among the Nez Percés.—Schools.—Cultivation.—Industrial arts.—Moral character.—Arable land.—Letter of Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of War. My Dear Brother ,—The kind letter which our mission had the honor of receiving from yourself, making inquiries relative to its numbers, the character of the Indian tribes among whom its several stations are located, the country, etc., is now before me. The questions referring to I
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CHAPTER XXXII.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Dr. E. White’s letter to the Secretary of War.—Excitement among the Indians.—Visit to Nez Percés, Cayuses, and Wallawallas.—Destitution and degradation of the Coast Indians.—Dr. White eulogizes Governor McLaughlin and the Hudson’s Bay Company.—Schools and missions.—Mr. Jesse Applegate.—Dr. White’s second letter.—Letters of Peter H. Hatch and W. H. Wilson.—Seizure of a distillery.—Search for liquor.—Letter of James D. Saules.—Fight with Indians.—Death of Cockstock.—Description and character of hi
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
First council to organize a provisional government.—Library founded.—Origin of the Wolf Association.—The Methodist Mission influence.—Dr. White exhibits his credentials.—First “wolf meeting.”—Proceedings of the second “wolf meeting.”—Officers.—Resolutions.—Bounties to be paid.—Resolution to appoint a committee of twelve for the civil and military protection of the settlement.—Names of the members of the committee. A consultation was held at the house of Gray to consider the expediency of organiz
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
First meeting of the committee of twelve.—All invited to participate.—The Rev. J. Lee and Mr. Abernethy ridicule the organization.—Mr. Lee tells a story.—Letter from Governor Abernethy.—The main question at issue.—Drowning of Cornelius Rogers and party.—Conduct of Dr. White.—Methodist Mission.—Catholic boasts of conversions. By mutual understanding the committee of twelve first met at Wallamet Falls, about the middle of March, 1843. My impression is that Dr. Babcock was not present with the comm
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CHAPTER XXXV.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Meetings to oppose organization.—Address of the French-Canadians.—Criticisms on it by the author.—The Jesuits.—Jesuit oath.—Article from the Cincinnati Beacon . Between the meeting of the committee of twelve at Wallamet Falls, about the 16th of March, and the called meeting by that committee on the 2d of May, the priests and the Hudson’s Bay Company were not idle. They held two distinct meetings, one at the falls and one at Vancouver, and two in the French Prairie at the Catholic church. At all
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The meeting at Champoeg.—Tactics of the Jesuit party.—Counter-tactics of the Americans.—A division and its result.—Public record.—Opposition to clergymen as legislators.—Mr. Hines as an historian.—His errors.—Importance of Mr. Hines’ history.—Extract.—Difficulty among the Indians.—Cause of the difficulty. The 2d of May, the day fixed by the committee of twelve to organize a settlers’ government, was close at hand. The Indians had all learned that the “Bostons” were going to have a big meeting, a
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CHAPTER XXXVII.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Whitman’s visit to Washington.—A priest’s boast.—A taunt, and Whitman’s reply.—Arrival in Washington.—Interview with Secretary Webster.—With President Tyler.—His return.—Successful passage of the Rocky Mountains with two hundred wagons.—His mill burned during his absence. In September, 1842, Dr. Whitman was called to visit a patient at old Fort Wallawalla. While there, a number of boats of the Hudson’s Bay Company, with several chief traders and Jesuit priests, on their way to the interior of th
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CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Petition of the citizens of Oregon in 1843.—Complaints against the Hudson’s Bay Company.—The Milling Company.—Kicking the half-bushel.—Land claims of Dr. McLaughlin.—Names of the signers.—Reasons for not signing.—Notice, deed, and bond of John McLaughlin.—Claim of Alvin F. Waller. Petition of Citizens of Oregon in 1843. To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled:— We, the undersigned, settlers south of the Columbia River, beg le
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CHAPTER XXXIX.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Extracts from Mr. Hines’ history.—Attempt to capture an Indian horse-thief.—Dr. McLaughlin refuses to sell supplies to the signers of the petition.—Excitement in the settlement.—Interview with Dr. McLaughlin at Vancouver. “April 14.—Information was brought to the settlement from the Clackamas tribe of Indians, who live three miles below the falls of the Wallamet, which served to increase the excitement occasioned by the reports from the interior. It appears that an Indian of the Molalla tribe, c
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CHAPTER XL.
CHAPTER XL.
A combination of facts.—Settlers alive to their danger.—Mr. Hines’ disparagement of the Methodist Mission.—Indians want pay for being whipped.—Indian honesty.—Mr. Hines’ opinion of the Indians’ religion.—Mr. Geiger’s advice.—Dr. McLaughlin’s answer to Yellow Serpent.—Baptiste Doreo.—Four conflicting influences. We now have before us a combination of facts and statements that no one living at the time they occurred will attempt to deny. Shortess and others still live to vouch for the truth of wha
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CHAPTER XLI.
CHAPTER XLI.
Governor Simpson and Dr. Whitman in Washington.—Interviews with Daniel Webster and President Tyler.—His cold reception in Boston by the American Board.—Conducts a large emigration safely across the Rocky Mountains into Oregon.—The “Memorial Half-Century Volume.”—The Oregon mission ignored by the American Board.—Dr. McLaughlin.—His connection with the Hudson’s Bay Company.—Catholic Cayuses’ manner of praying.—Rev. C. Eells.—Letter from A. L. Lovejoy.—Description of Whitman’s and Lovejoy’s winter
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CHAPTER XLII.
CHAPTER XLII.
Assembly of the Nez Percés, Cayuses, and Wallawallas.—Mock fight.—Council with the Indians.—Speeches by Yellow Serpent, Tilokaikt, the Prince, and Illutin.—The secret of the whole difficulty.—John, the Kanaka.—A cow for a horse.—Killing of a medicine woman. We will return to Rev. Mr. Hines’ narrative of his trip among the Cayuses, May 22, 1843. “As the Indians refused to come together unless Ellis and his men came down to meet us, we informed them that we would go up and see Ellis in his own cou
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CHAPTER XLIII.
CHAPTER XLIII.
The Legislative Committee of nine.—Hon. Robert Moore, chairman.—Description of the members.—Minutes of their proceedings.—Dr. R. Newell, his character.—Two specimens of his speeches.—The dark clouds. In 1843 the people of Oregon showed signs of life, and sprang into existence as an American Territory with their provisional government, which we have allowed to be silently forming in the Wallamet Valley, while we have traced the operations of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and Dr. Whitman to Washington
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CHAPTER XLIV.
CHAPTER XLIV.
Fourth of July, 1843.—Oration by Mr. Hines.—Meeting of July 5.—Debate on the land law.—How the Jesuits and the Hudson’s Bay Company secured their land claims.—Speech of the Rev. G. Hines against the proposed Executive Committee.—The committee supported by O’Neil, Shortess, and Lee.—W. H. Gray closes the debate.—The report of the committee adopted.—Committee appointed to report to Congress, another to make a Digest of Territorial laws, and a third to prepare and administer an oath of office. On t
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CHAPTER XLV.
CHAPTER XLV.
Organic laws.—Resolutions.—Districts.—Militia law.—Land claims.—Certificate. The Legislative Committee recommend that the following organic laws be adopted:— We , the people of Oregon Territory, for purposes of mutual protection, and to secure peace and prosperity among ourselves, agree to adopt the following laws and regulations, until such time as the United States of America extend their jurisdiction over us:— Section I. Be it enacted by the free citizens of Oregon Territory , That the said T
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CHAPTER XLVI.
CHAPTER XLVI.
Description of the State House.—Conduct of the French settlers.—Arrival of Dr. Whitman’s party of immigrants.—Prosperity of the settlers.—Change in the policy of the Hudson’s Bay Company.—Their exorbitant claims. A primitive State House was built with posts set upright, one end in the ground, grooved on two sides, and filled in with poles and split timber, such as would be suitable for fence rails; with plates and poles across the top. Rafters and horizontal poles held the cedar bark, which was
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CHAPTER XLVII.
CHAPTER XLVII.
Actions speak louder than words.—Efforts of the Hudson’s Bay Company to discourage immigration.—Account of the two Jesuits, F. N. Blanchet and P. J. De Smet.—Protestant missionaries discouraged.—Important position of the Rev. G. Hines.—Recall of the Rev. Jason Lee.—Efforts of the Hudson’s Bay Company to prevent emigration to the Territory.—Statement of General Palmer.—Indian combinations.—The Donner party.—Mr. McBean’s character.—Extent of Oregon at this time. Reaching thoughts by actions. This
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CHAPTER XLVIII.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
1844.—The settlements alarmed.—Indian attack.—Death of G. W. Le Breton.—Meeting at Mr. La Chapelle’s.—Volunteer company formed.—The Modeste in the Columbia River.—The Legislative Assembly.—Names of the members.—Peter H. Burnett.—Mr. David Hill.—Oregon social standard.—M. M. McCarver.—“Old Brass Gun.”—A. L. Lovejoy.—Daniel Waldo.—Thomas B. Keizer.—Black act.—Prohibitory liquor law. 1844.—March 9th of this year found our settlements alive and in great alarm. The Indians in the vicinity of Oregon C
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CHAPTER XLIX.
CHAPTER XLIX.
Message of the Executive Committee.—Observations on the message.—Generosity of the Hudson’s Bay Company.—The Methodist Mission.—The Oregon Printing-press Association.—George Abernethy, Esq. To the Honorable the Legislative Committee of Oregon: Gentlemen ,—As the expectation of receiving some information from the United States relative to the adjustment of the claims of that government and of Great Britain upon this country, was the principal cause of the adjournment of this assembly from June la
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CHAPTER L.
CHAPTER L.
Dr. White’s report.—Seizure and destruction of a distillery.—Homicide of Joel Turnham—State of the Territory.—Trials of Dr. White.—The liquor law.—Revenue act.—Case of the negro Saul.—The Indians kill an ox.—Other Indian difficulties.—Indian expedition to California.—Death of the Indian Elijah.—State of the Territory.—Claim of the Hudson’s Bay Company on the north bank of the Columbia.—Letter of Peter H. Burnett.—The Nez Percés and Cayuses.—Extract from the report of the United States Senate. We
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CHAPTER LI.
CHAPTER LI.
1845.—Public meetings to elect delegates to convention.—Candidates for governor.—Members elected to the Legislative Committee.—Oath of office.—Mr. Applegate’s announcement.—Dr. McLaughlin’s amphibiousness.—Description of the members of the Legislative Committee.—Business of the session.—Ermatinger’s election contested.—Mr. Garrison’s resolutions.—Anti-slavery resolution.—Organic law revised.—Improvements and condition of the country. 1845.—Public meetings had been held in most of the districts,
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CHAPTER LII.
CHAPTER LII.
1845.—Second session of the Legislative Committee.—Mr. McCarver removed from the office of Speaker.—Mr. Applegate’s resolutions.—Protest of Gray, Foisy, and Straight.—A legislative incident.—Law against dueling.—Dr. White addresses the Legislature.—Resolutions.—Dr. White denies the right of the settlers to organize a provisional government.—McCarver signs documents without authority.—Resolutions by the house on the subject.—Impertinent letter from Dr. White to the house.—White cornered by Presid
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CHAPTER LIII.
CHAPTER LIII.
The liquor law.—Amended act of 1845.—Message of the governor on the same.—Repeal of the prohibitory and passage of the license law.—Letter of James Douglas.—Reply of Mr. Samuel Parker.—Dr. Tolmie’s resolution on the judiciary.—The governor’s veto of the license law.—Immigration for Oregon and California in 1846.—Arrival of the brig Henry.—The Oregon Printing Association.—The Spectator , the first newspaper in Oregon.—W. G. T. Vault, first editor.—H. A. G. Lee, second editor.—G. L. Curry, third e
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CHAPTER LIV.
CHAPTER LIV.
The Whitman massacres.—Narratives of, by J. B. A. Brouillet and J. Ross Browne.—Extract from the New York Evangelist. —Statements of Father Brouillet criticised.—Testimony of John Kimzey.—Dr. Whitman at Umatilla.—Returns home. We have before us two works purporting to give a true and authentic account of the Whitman massacre,—the one prepared by a Jesuit priest, J. B. A. Brouillet; the other by one J. Ross Browne, special agent of the United States revenue department. As this part of our history
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CHAPTER LV.
CHAPTER LV.
Occupations of the victims immediately before the massacre.—Description of the mission buildings.—The Doctor called into the kitchen to be murdered.—Joe Lewis, the leader in the massacre.—The scene outside.—The Doctor’s house plundered.—Mrs. Whitman shot.—Brutalities to the dead and dying.—Escape of some and murder of others.—Safety of the French Papists and the servants of the Hudson’s Bay Company.—Fate of Joe Lewis. Joseph Stanfield had brought in the ox from the plains, and it had been shot b
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CHAPTER LVI.
CHAPTER LVI.
Comments on Vicar-General Brouillet’s arguments against the Whitman massacre being the act of Catholics.—Joe Stanfield: Brouillet’s story in his favor.—Murders on the second day.—Deposition of Daniel Young.—More murders. Vicar-General Brouillet, in his narrative of “Protestantism in Oregon,” says: “I could admit that Joseph Lewis , Joseph Stanfield , and Nicholas Finlay , who may have been seen plundering” (as proved on the trial of Stanfield), “ were Catholics , without injuring in the least th
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CHAPTER LVII.
CHAPTER LVII.
How the country was saved to the United States.—Article from the New York Evening Post .—Ingratitude of the American Board.—Deposition of Elam Young.—Young girls taken for Indian wives.—Statement of Miss Lorinda Bewley.—Sager, Bewley, and Sales killed. In taking up our morning Oregonian of November 16, 1866, our eye lit upon the following article from the New York Evening Post , which we feel assured the reader will not regret to find upon these pages, and which will explain the desperate effort
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CHAPTER LVIII.
CHAPTER LVIII.
Vicar-General Brouillet’s statement.—Statement of Istacus.—The priest finds the poison.—Statement of William Geiger, Jr.—Conduct of Mr. McBean.—Influence of the Jesuit missions. We left Vicar-General Brouillet and Bishop Blanchet and his priests on their way to their station on the Umatilla, where they arrived on November 27. On the 28th, Brouillet says, page 47: “The next day being Sunday, we were visited by Dr. Whitman, who remained but a few minutes at the house, and appeared to be much agita
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CHAPTER LIX.
CHAPTER LIX.
Continuation of Miss Bewley’s evidence.—The priests refuse her protection.—Forcibly taken from the bishop’s house by Five Crows.—Brouillet advises her to remain with her Indian violator.—Indecent question by a priest.—Mr. Brouillet attempts to get a statement from her.—Two questions.—Note from Mrs. Bewley.—Bishop Blanchet’s letter to Governor Abernethy.—Comments on the Jesuits’ proceedings.—Grand council at the bishop’s.—Policy in forcing Miss Bewley to Five Crows’ lodge.—Speeches by Camaspelo a
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CHAPTER LX.
CHAPTER LX.
The Hudson’s Bay Company’s and the priests’ part in the massacre.—McBean’s messenger.—Plot divulged to Hinman, Ogden, and Douglas.—Douglas’s remark to Hinman.—McBean’s letter.—His perversion of facts.—Comments.—Sir James Douglas’s letter to Governor Abernethy.—His Sandwich Islands letter.—Its falsehood and absurdity.—Mr. Hinman’s letter to Governor Abernethy.—The dates.—Assertion of Robert Newell.—Hudson’s Bay Company v. United States. We learn from Mr. McBean’s letter, given below, that his hor
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CHAPTER LXI.
CHAPTER LXI.
Preliminary events of the Cayuse war.—Message of Governor Abernethy.—Journal of the house.—Resolutions.—Assembling of the people at the call of the governor.—Enlisting of men.—Names of the volunteers.—Names of the officers.—Their flag.—Their departure.—Letter to Sir James Douglas.—His reply.—Commissioners return.—Address to the citizens.—Public meeting.—Report of commissioners to the Legislature.—Messenger sent to Washington.—Memorial to Congress.—Champoeg County tax.—Strength of the settlement
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CHAPTER LXII.
CHAPTER LXII.
The Cayuse war.—Letter of Captain Lee.—Indians friendly with the Hudson’s Bay Company.—Conduct of Mr. Ogden.—His letters to Mr. Walker and Mr. Spalding.—Note of Rev. G. H. Atkinson.—Sir James Douglas’s letter to Governor Abernethy.—A rumor.—The governor’s reply.—Another letter from Sir James.—Mr. Ogden.—Extraordinary presents to the Indians of arms and ammunition.—Colonel Gilliam’s campaign.—Indian fight.—Property captured.—The Des Chutes Indians make peace.—Captain McKay’s company of British su
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CHAPTER LXIII.
CHAPTER LXIII.
Letter to General Lovejoy.—Call for men and ammunition.—Yankama chief.—His speech.—Small supply of ammunition.—Letter of Joseph Cadwallader.—Claim and a girl.—Combined Indian tribes.—Ladies of Oregon.—Public meeting.—A noble address.—Vote of thanks.—Address of the young ladies.—Death of Colonel Gilliam.—His campaign.—Colonel Waters’ letter.—Doubtful position of Indians.—Number at Fort Wallawalla.—Results of the war.—Jesuit letters.—Fathers Hoikin and De Smet.—The Choctaws.—Indian confederacy.—La
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CHAPTER LXIV.
CHAPTER LXIV.
Missions among the Western Indians.—The Cœur d’Alêne Mission.—Protestant and Catholic missions compared.—What the American Protestant missionaries have done for the country and the Indians.—Extent of their influence, progress, and improvements.—Patriotism of Dr. Whitman. Any person who has read the previous pages of this volume will not charge us with being ignorant of missionary operations on our western coast. Though we were but eight years connected in mechanical and business relations with t
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CHAPTER LXV.
CHAPTER LXV.
Description of the face of the country.—Agricultural and mining productions.—Timber.—The Wallamet.—Columbia.—Dalles.—Upper Columbia.—Mountains.—Rivers.—Mineral wealth.—Climate.—The Northern Pacific Railroad.—Conclusion. Thus far I have confined myself to the history of the Hudson’s Bay Company, the early settlement of the country, its public men, the provisional government, adverse influence, and the American and Jesuit missions. We will now proceed to describe its geographical and physical posi
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CONCLUSION.
CONCLUSION.
As the reader will have discovered, we commenced our history with Oregon as it was in 1792. With the single exception of the feeble effort made by Mr. Astor in 1810-11, and Captain Wyeth in 1834-5, no one ever attempted any thing like an organized opposition to the British fur companies on the Pacific coast. In regard to Captain Wyeth, we admit with Mr. Newell that he was driven from the country “not by fair and open competition in the trade,” and that he is entitled to much credit for his disce
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