Oregon,"[17] says: "In the autumn of 1840 there were in Oregon
thirty-six American male settlers, twenty-five of whom had taken native
women for their wives. There were also thirty-three American women,
thirty-two children, thirteen lay members of the Protestant Missions,
thirteen Methodist ministers, six Congregational ministers, three Jesuit
priests, and sixty Canadian-French, making an aggregate of one hundred
and thirty-six Americans, and sixty-three Canadian-French [including the
priests in the latter class] having no connection as employees of the
Hudson's Bay Company. [This estimate includes the missionaries who
arrived on the Lausanne.] I have said that the population outside of the
Hudson's Bay Company increased slowly. How much so, will be seen by the
fact that up to the beginning of the year 1842, there were in Oregon no
more than twenty-one Protestant ministers, three Jesuit priests, fifteen
lay members of Protestant churches, thirty-four white women, thirty-two
white children, thirty-four American settlers, twenty-five of whom had
native wives. The total American population will thus be seen to have
been no more than one hundred and thirty-nine." (This was prior to the
arrival of the immigration of 1842.)
[Illustration: DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN
_Taken from a miniature of Dr. John McLoughlin painted on ivory. This
miniature was probably painted in 1838 or 1839, when he was in London.
The original miniature belongs to the widow of James W. McL. Harvey, now
living at Mirabel, California. Her husband was a grandson of Dr.
McLoughlin._]
In his _Missionary History_ Rev. Dr. Hines says (page 249) that in 1841
and 1842, prior to the arrival of the immigration of 1842, the Oregon
Methodist Mission "comprised nearly all the American citizens of the
country." And on page 239 he says: "Up to 1840 it [the Methodist
Mission] had been entirely an Indian Mission. After that date it began
to take on the character of an American colony, though it did not lay
aside its missionary character or purpose." He also says that in 1840
there were only nine Methodist ministers in the Oregon mission. Some of
the lay members, of which J. L. Parrish was one, became ministers, which
probably accounts for the difference in the estimates of Thornton and of
Dr. Hines. In the summer of 1843 Rev. Jason Lee was removed, summarily,
as Superintendent of the Oregon Methodist Mission by the Missionary
Board in New York, and Rev. George Gary was appointed in his place, with
plenary powers to close the Mission, if he should so elect. He closed
the Mission in 1844.
When the Lausanne arrived June 1, 1840, Dr. McLoughlin's power and
fortunes were almost at their highest point. During his residence of
sixteen years in the Oregon Country he had established the business of
his Company beyond all question, and to the entire satisfaction of its
board of directors. The Indians were peaceable and were friendly and
obedient to him and to his Company. He was respected and liked by all
its officers, servants, and employees. With them he was supreme in every
way, without jealousy and without insubordination. He had become, for
those days, a rich man, his salary was twelve thousand dollars a year,
and his expenses were comparatively small. He was then fifty-six years
old. He had prepared to end his days in Oregon on his land claim. His
children had reached the age of manhood and womanhood. Few men at his
age have a pleasanter, or more reasonable expectation of future
happiness than he then had.
The half-tone portrait of Dr. McLoughlin, shown facing page 62, was
taken from a miniature, painted on ivory, in London, probably when he
was in London in 1838-9. It portrays Dr. McLoughlin as he was in his
happy days. This miniature now belongs to the widow of James W. McL.
Harvey, who was a grandson of Dr. McLoughlin. It was kindly loaned by
her so that the half-tone could be made for use in this address.
_Provisional Government._
For convenience I shall tell of the Provisional Government of Oregon
before I speak concerning Dr. McLoughlin's land claim.
About 1841, owing to the death of Ewing Young, intestate, leaving a
valuable estate and no heirs, the residents of the Oregon Country in the
Willamette Valley saw the necessity of some form of government until the
Oregon Question should be finally settled. As under the Conventions of
1818 and 1827 there was joint-occupancy between the United States and
Great Britain, the Oregon Country was without any laws in force. It was
commonly understood, at that time, that most of the Americans in Oregon
favored a provisional organization--one which would exist until the laws
of the United States should be extended over the Oregon Country. It was
also commonly understood that the British residents in Oregon opposed a
provisional government, as it might interfere with their allegiance to
Great Britain. As there was a joint-occupancy, and the British were
legally on an equality with the Americans, each had equal rights in the
matter. February 17 and 18, 1841, a meeting of the inhabitants was held
at the Methodist Mission. Although attempts were then made to form a
government, several officers were appointed, and a committee appointed
for framing a constitution and a code of laws, the movement failed. The
matter lay dormant until the spring of 1843. The immigration of 1842,
although small, and although about half of them went to California in
the spring of 1843, materially increased the strength of the Americans
in Oregon.
After several preliminary meetings had been held, the momentous meeting
of May 2, 1843, was held at Champoeg, when, by the vote of 52 in favor
and 50 against, the Provisional Government of Oregon was created.
Certain officers were elected and a legislative committee of six was
appointed, the latter to report July 5, 1843. On the latter day most of
the report was adopted, an executive committee of three persons, David
Hill, Alanson Beers, and Joseph Gale, was chosen in place of a governor,
and Oregon had at least a _de facto_ government, which, with some
changes, continued until Oregon had a Territorial Government, in 1849.
George Abernethy, the steward of the Methodist Mission, was elected
Governor in 1845, and by re-election continued to be Governor until the
arrival of Gen. Joseph Lane, the first Territorial Governor, in March,
1849. The Mission Party was one of the strongest and most influential
political parties in Oregon until the election of Governor Joseph Lane
as Delegate to Congress, June 2, 1851.[18] At the time of the formation
of the Provisional Government, the residents of Oregon seem to have been
divided into three classes, or parties: one favored a provisional
government, favorable to the United States; another favored an
independent government, which would be neutral as between the United
States and Great Britain; the third believed that matters should remain
_in statu quo_. For some reason Jason Lee and George Abernethy, and some
others of the Methodist missionaries, seem originally to have belonged
to or to have favored the third class.[19] In the "Political History of
Oregon" by J. Henry Brown, he says (page 95) that at a meeting of the
committee held at Oregon City, in March, 1843, "Rev. Jason Lee and Mr.
Abernethy were disposed to ridicule the proposed organization [_i.e._,
the Provisional Government] as foolish and unnecessary, and repeated
some anecdotes to illustrate their meaning."
Dr. McLoughlin was not originally in favor of the Provisional
Government. It was openly and avowedly advocated as being in favor of
the United States, and against Great Britain. Once started, without a
trial, no one could know where it would end. Already some of the
Americans had denounced the Hudson's Bay Company and Dr. McLoughlin, and
had made threats against the property of the Company. His loan of cattle
had been misunderstood and denounced. Some of the Americans seemed not
to be aware that the Hudson's Bay Company was lawfully in the Oregon
Country, under the Conventions for joint-occupancy. To aid or to assist
the establishment of a government, owing exclusive allegiance to the
United States, would be, or might be disloyalty by Dr. McLoughlin to his
Country and be injurious or fatal to his Company in Oregon. By the
constitution or compact of the Provisional Government, as established in
1843, each officer was required to take an oath or affirmation "to
support the laws of the territory," without qualification. There was,
too, his land claim at Oregon City, which the land laws of the
Provisional Government, as established, sought to deprive Dr.
McLoughlin of, and to give, at least a part of it, to the Methodist
Mission. About the status of his land claim I shall presently explain.
There was, also, the cry of "54-40 or fight" and the chance of war over
the Oregon Country between the United States and Great Britain. Dr.
McLoughlin appealed to the directors of his Company for protection to
their property, but none came. In June, 1844, he received an answer from
his Company that it could not obtain protection from the British
Government, and that the Hudson's Bay Company must protect itself the
best it could. The fortifications at Fort Vancouver were strengthened.
There was threatened trouble in the air. It looked as though there might
be war in Oregon.
In 1845 the Provisional Government attempted to extend its jurisdiction
north of the Columbia River. It became a question of acquiescence or
actual opposition by the Hudson's Bay Company. Jesse Applegate, one of
the best and noblest of Oregon's pioneers, who was a member of the
Provisional Legislature and one of a committee, privately interviewed
Dr. McLoughlin. After consulting with James Douglas, his chief
assistant, a compromise was finally agreed to by which the Hudson's Bay
Company would be taxed only on goods sold to the settlers. August 15,
1845, the Hudson's Bay Company, with all the British residents, became
parties to the Oregon Provisional Government. The oath of office as
provided by the compact of 1843 had been changed by what is called the
"Organic Act" of the Provisional Government, adopted by the people, by
popular vote, July 26, 1845. As so amended the oath of office required
each officer to swear that he would "support the organic laws of the
Provisional Government of Oregon, so far as said organic laws are
consistent with my duties as a citizen of the United States, or a
subject of Great Britain." The land law of 1843 was also changed by said
vote of the people, July 26, 1845, by which the objectionable features,
so far as Dr. McLoughlin's land claim at Oregon City was concerned, were
largely eliminated. Under the circumstances joining the Provisional
Government was a good and wise move on the part of Dr. McLoughlin. But
he was severely criticized therefore by his Company. Unknown to Dr.
McLoughlin, there was then a large British fleet of war in the Pacific
Ocean.
A few days after Dr. McLoughlin, for himself and his Company, had thus
joined the Provisional Government, he was surprised by the arrival from
Puget Sound of Lieut. Wm. Peel, son of Sir Robert Peel, and Captain Park
of the Royal Marines, with a letter from Captain Gordon, commanding the
British 50-gun ship-of-war America, then in Puget Sound, and also a
letter from Admiral Seymour, commanding the British fleet, that "firm
protection" would be given British subjects in Oregon. Subsequently the
British war sloop, Modeste, 18 guns, arrived at Fort Vancouver, where
she remained until the boundary treaty of 1846 was entered into.[20]
_Immigration of 1842._
In 1842 came the immigration of that year, which is now counted the
first real immigration of American settlers to Oregon. I believe,
however, that the immigration of 1843 should be called the first
immigration of Oregon home-builders. But that question is not material
in this address. The number of the immigrants of 1842 has been variously
estimated, but, after a somewhat careful examination of the matter, I
believe there were all told about one hundred and twenty-five. Of this
number about fifty-five were men over eighteen years of age. These
immigrants left their wagons at Fort Hall and used pack horses. They
came from The Dalles to Oregon City, overland, by the Indian trail which
passed near Mt. Hood.[21]
Many of the immigrants of 1842 were disappointed in Oregon. The country
was then very new, and they became discontented. Dr. McLoughlin engaged
many to labor at fair wages, and furnished goods on credit to those who
could not make immediate payment. Some of them were of a roving or
adventurous class, ever seeking new places. In the spring of 1843 nearly
half of them went to California, leaving on their journey May 30, from
Champoeg. Dr. McLoughlin furnished these emigrants to California with
supplies, upon their promise to pay for the same to W. G. Rae, the
Hudson's Bay Company's agent at Yerba Buena (now San Francisco). Most of
them did not pay, and Dr. McLoughlin personally assumed the payment of
this indebtedness.
_Immigration of 1843._
In 1843 came the first great immigration to Oregon. As if by a common
impulse, and without preconcert, the immigrants met at Independence,
Missouri, leaving there for Oregon, May 20, 1843. Peter H. Burnett,
afterwards a Chief Justice of the Oregon Provisional Government, and the
first Governor of the State of California, was the first Captain. J. W.
Nesmith, afterwards United States Senator from Oregon, was Orderly
Sergeant. About eight hundred and seventy-five men, women, and children
composed this immigration. Of these there were two hundred and
ninety-five men, over the age of sixteen years. In this immigration were
my grandfather, John Holman, and his son, Daniel S. Holman, then nearly
twenty-one years old.
After first arriving at the Columbia River, they straggled and struggled
along the Columbia River to Fort Vancouver--a few driving cattle, going
overland by the Indian trail from near The Dalles to Oregon City. There
was not then any way to take wagons by land from The Dalles to the
Willamette Valley. A few of the immigrants went down the Columbia River
to The Dalles in boats. In one of these parties three persons were
drowned by the capsizing of boats. The rest of the immigrants went to
The Dalles overland with their wagons. From The Dalles to the Cascades
some of them went by boats, others went on rafts, which they
constructed. There was great difficulty in going from the Upper Cascades
to the Lower Cascades. The rafts could not be taken over the rapids. It
took about two weeks to cut a trail around the Cascades. The rains set
in. The position of the immigrants was desperate. Some did not arrive at
Fort Vancouver until about Christmas. They had not anticipated such
hardships and privations as they were then suffering. Few had sufficient
food or raiment, many were absolutely destitute. Dr. McLoughlin sent
supplies to be sold to those who were able, and to those who could not
buy, the supplies were furnished on credit, or given to them. He
furnished boats to carry them from the Cascades to Fort Vancouver. He
caused the sick to be attended to, and nursed at the Company's hospital
at Fort Vancouver. He furnished them every assistance as long as they
required it. Time will not permit me to go into the details.
When the immigrants of 1843 were thus coming along the Columbia River,
some helpless and almost hopeless, there was a plot by the Indians to
massacre these Americans. It was prevented by Dr. McLoughlin. The effect
of such a massacre would have been tremendous. It would have, probably,
prevented the further settlement of Oregon for years. Had the United
States sent troops to punish the Indians in the disputed Oregon Country,
it would have almost certainly precipitated a war with Great Britain.
In presenting the McLoughlin Document to the Oregon Pioneer Society, in
1880, Col. J. W. Nesmith said: "I had intended reading it to you as a
part of my address, but, having already trespassed too long upon your
patience, I shall hand the document to the secretary of the Society,
with my endorsement of the truth of all its statements that came within
my own knowledge.... I desire to say, what I believe all old pioneers
will agree to, that the statements of this paper furnished a ...
complete vindication of Dr. McLoughlin's acts and conduct, and that the
integrity of his narrative cannot be impeached by any honest testimony."
In the McLoughlin Document Dr. McLoughlin says: "In 1843, about 800
immigrants arrived from the States. I saw by the looks of the Indians
that they were excited, and I watched them. As the first stragglers were
arriving at Vancouver in canoes, and I was standing on the bank, nearer
the water there was a group of ten or twelve Indians. One of them bawled
out to his companions, 'It is good for us to kill these Bostons
[Americans].' Struck with the excitement I had seen in the countenances
of the Indians since they had heard the report of the immigration
coming, I felt certain they were inclined to mischief, and that he spoke
thus loud as a feeler to sound me, and take their measures accordingly.
I immediately rushed on them with my cane, calling out at the same time,
'Who is the dog that says it is a good thing to kill the Bostons?' The
fellow, trembling, excused himself, 'I spoke without meaning harm, but
The Dalles Indians say so.' 'Well,' said I, 'The Dalles Indians are dogs
for saying so, and you also,' and left him, as, if I had remained longer
it would have had a bad effect. I had done enough to convince them I
would not allow them to do wrong to the immigrants with impunity. From
this Indian saying, in the way he did, that The Dalles Indians said it
was good to kill the Bostons, I felt it my duty to do all I could to
avert so horrid a deed.
"Mr. P. L. Edwards, whom I mentioned, came in 1834, with the Messrs.
Lee, and left in 1838, and sent me a letter by Gen. McCarver, stating he
had given a letter of introduction to me to P. H. Burnett, Esq. I
immediately formed my plan and kept my knowledge of the horrid design of
the Indians secret, as I felt certain that if the Americans knew it,
these men acting independently of each other, would be at once for
fighting, which would lead to their total destruction, and I sent two
(2) boats with provisions to meet them; sent provisions to Mr. Burnett,
and a large quantity of provisions for sale to those who would purchase,
and to be given to those who had not the means, being confident that the
fright I had given (as I already stated) the Indians who said it was a
good thing to kill the Bostons was known at The Dalles before our boats
were there, and that the presence of the Hudson's Bay Company people,
and the assistance they afforded the immigrants, would deter the Indians
from doing them any wrong, and I am happy to be able to say that I
entirely succeeded."
Dr. McLoughlin then says, in this Document, that about a month after
this incident he told Dr. Marcus Whitman what had occurred. Dr.
McLoughlin thought the trouble might have been started by some Iroquois
Indian in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company, and Dr. McLoughlin was
anxious "to find that rascal out to punish him as an example to deter
others." Dr. Whitman then said that he had known of this trouble among
the Indians for about two years, although he had said nothing to Dr.
McLoughlin about it, and that the trouble was caused by a Shawnee Indian
named Tom Hill, who is said to have been educated at Dartmouth College.
He had urged the Indians to allow no Americans to settle on their lands,
as the Americans had driven out the Shawnees, and that the Indians about
Walla Walla said the Cayuses were inclined to follow the advice by
killing the immigrants who first came. It will be remembered that the
Cayuses were the Indians who caused the Whitman massacre in 1847. Dr.
McLoughlin, in this Document, then says that he believes the Indians
would have killed these immigrants of 1843 but for the decided and
cautious manner in which he acted. Dr. McLoughlin continues: "And the
reason the Indian made use of the expression he did was because I
punished the murderers of the Smith party; and, before acting, they
wanted to know how I would treat them. And most certainly if I had not
been most anxious for the safety of the immigrants, and to discharge to
them the duties of a Christian, my ear would not have caught so quickly
the words, 'it is a good thing to kill these Bostons,' and acted as I
did."
Then there was the question how these immigrants of 1843 should be
provided for during the winter and until the next harvest. They had no
implements, no seed. There was a crisis impending. Without waiting to be
asked, Dr. McLoughlin gave credit, furnishing these immigrants with
food and clothing for the present, and also farm implements and
seed-wheat to begin their farming. He exacted no collateral, he gave
time without interest. All this was against the rules of the Hudson's
Bay Company. He made himself personally liable for all these debts. He
also loaned these immigrants cattle, including cows, and also hogs.
Col. J. W. Nesmith, one of the immigrants of 1843, in his address before
the Oregon Pioneer Association in 1876 said: "Dr. John McLoughlin, then
at the head of the Hudson's Bay Company, from his own private resources,
rendered the new settlers much valuable aid by furnishing the destitute
with food, clothing, and seed, waiting for his pay until they had a
surplus to dispose of." Peter H. Burnett, of whom I have already spoken,
was one of the immigrants of 1843. He started a town and called it
Linnton, which was situated where the present town of Linnton is
situated--eight miles north of Portland on the Willamette River, and
about half way between Portland and Vancouver by water. He kept a
journal of his travels, which was published, in part, in the _New York
Herald_ in 1844. Part II of the _History of Oregon_ by George Wilkes,
published in 1845, is largely taken from this journal.[22] In this
journal Burnett says:[23] "On my arrival I was received with great
kindness by Doctor McLoughlin and Mr. James Douglass, the second in
command. They both tendered me the hospitalities of the fort, which
offer, it is scarcely necessary to say, I accepted willingly and with
pleasure.... His hospitality is unbounded, and I will sum up all his
qualities, by saying that he is beloved by all who know him.... The
kindness of Dr. McLoughlin to this emigration has been very great. He
furnished them with goods and provisions on credit, and such as were
sick were sent to the Hospital free of expense, where they had the
strict and careful attendance of Dr. Barclay, a skillful physician, and
an excellent and humane man. The Chief Factor [Dr. McLoughlin] likewise
lent the emigrants the Company's boats, to bring down such of the
families and baggage as had been left at the Cascades by the advance
guard of the expedition, which had preceded me; and he also furnished
them with the facilities for crossing the river with their cattle, at
Vancouver. Had it not been for the kindness of this excellent man, many
of us would have suffered greatly.... It is certain that the Doctor
himself has uniformly aided settlers, by supplying them with farming
implements, and with seed-grain, as a loan, to be returned out of the
succeeding crop. He even went so far as to lend them hogs, to be
returned two or three years afterward, by their issue of the same age;
to furnish oxen to break their ground, and cows to supply milk to their
families. This certainly appears to me to be a very poor way to retard
the settlement of the region, and to discourage adventurers who arrive
in it."