of the Oregon Country, Dr. John McLoughlin stands supremely first--there
is no second. In contemplating him all others sink into comparative
insignificance. You may search the whole world, and all its histories
from the beginning of civilization to today, and you will find no
nobler, no grander man than Dr. John McLoughlin. His life and character
illustrate the kinship of man to God. He was God-like in his great
fatherhood, in his great strength, in his great power, and in the
exercise of his strength and of his power; he was Christ-like in his
gentleness, in his tenderness, in his loving-kindness, and in his
humanity.
ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THE TEXT
DOCUMENT A
_Article 3 of the Convention between the United States of America and
Great Britain, signed at London, October 20, 1818._
"It is agreed that any country that may be claimed by either party on
the north-west coast of America, westward of the Stony Mountains, shall,
together with its harbors, bays, and creeks, and the navigation of all
rivers within the same, be free and open for the term of ten years from
the date of the signature of the present convention, to the vessels,
citizens, and subjects, of the two powers; it being well understood that
this agreement is not to be construed to the prejudice of any claim
which either of the two high contracting parties may have to any part of
the said country, nor shall it be taken to affect the claims of any
other power or state to any part of the said country; the only object of
the high contracting parties, in that respect, being to prevent disputes
and differences among themselves."
DOCUMENT B
_Convention between the United States of America and Great Britain,
signed at London, August 6, 1827._
"Article 1. All the provisions of the third article of the convention
concluded between the United States of America and his majesty the king
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, on the 20th of
October, 1818, shall be, and they are hereby, further indefinitely
extended and continued in force, in the same manner as if all the
provisions of the said article were herein specifically recited.
"Art. 2. It shall be competent, however, to either of the contracting
parties, in case either should think fit, at any time after the 20th of
October, 1828, on giving due notice of twelve months to the other
contracting party, to annul and abrogate this convention; and it shall,
in such case, be accordingly entirely annulled and abrogated, after the
expiration of the said term of notice.
"Art. 3. Nothing contained in this convention, or in the third article
of the convention of the 20th October, 1818, hereby continued in force,
shall be construed to impair, or in any manner affect, the claims which
either of the contracting parties may have to any part of the country
westward of the Stony or Rocky Mountains."
DOCUMENT C
_Statement concerning merger of Hudson's Bay Company and North-West
Company; and grant to Hudson's Bay Company of 1821 and 1838 to trade in
the Oregon Country._
A great enmity arose between the Hudson's Bay Company and the
North-West Company. In 1815 a regular war broke out between the two
companies, which was, for some time after, openly carried on. In 1821 a
compromise was effected, by which the North-West Company became united
with, or rather merged, in the Hudson's Bay Company. In connection with
this merger the British Parliament July 2, 1821, passed an act entitled,
"An act for regulating the fur trade and establishing a criminal and
civil jurisdiction in certain parts of North America," containing every
provision required to give stability to the Hudson's Bay Company, and
efficiency to its operation. Under this act of Parliament, the King was
authorized to make grants or give licenses for the exclusive privilege
of trading with the Indians in all such parts of North America, not
being parts of the territories previously granted to the Hudson's Bay
Company, or of any of His Majesty's provinces in North America, or of
any territories belonging to the United States of America; "provided,
however, that no such grant or license shall be given for a longer
period than twenty-one years; that no grant or license for exclusive
trade, in the part of America west of the Rocky mountains, which, by the
convention of 1818 with the United States, remained free and open to the
subjects or citizens of both nations, shall be used to the prejudice or
exclusion of citizens of the United States engaged in such trade; and
that no British subject shall trade in those territories west of the
Rocky mountains without such license or grant."
December 21, 1821, the King of England granted a license for twenty-one
years, to the Hudson's Bay Company and to W. McGillivray, S.
McGillivray, and E. Ellice (representing the North-West Company) "the
exclusive privilege of trading with the Indians, in all such parts of
North America, to the northward and westward of the lands and
territories belonging to the United States of America, as shall not form
part of any of our provinces in North America, or of any lands or
territories belonging to the said United States of America, or to any
European government, state, or power." Said grant also provided: "And we
do hereby declare that nothing in this our grant contained shall be
deemed or construed to authorize the said Governor and Company, or W.
McGillivray, S. McGillivray, and E. Ellice, or any person in their
employ, to claim or exercise any trade with the Indians on the
north-west coast of America, to the westward of the Stony Mountains, to
the prejudice or exclusion of any citizen of the United States of
America, who may be engaged in the said trade: Provided always, that no
British subjects other than and except the said Governor and Company,
and the said W. McGillivray, S. McGillivray, and E. Ellice, and the
persons authorized to carry on exclusive trade by them on grant, shall
trade with the Indians within such limits, during the period of this our
grant." Under this license, the parties to whom it was granted continued
their operations until 1824, when the claims of the North-West Company
were extinguished by mutual consent; the Hudson's Bay Company then
became the sole possessor of the privileges conceded, which were
enjoyed by that body until the expiration of the grant. Previous to that
period, 1838, a new grant was made to the Company, entitled, "Crown
Grant to the Hudson's Bay Company of the Exclusive Trade with the
Indians in certain parts of North America, for a term of twenty-one
Years, and upon Surrender of a former Grant."
Said grant of 1838 provided: "We do hereby grant and give our license,
under the hand and seal of one of our principal secretaries of state, to
the said Governor and Company, and their successors, for the exclusive
privilege of trading with the Indians in all such parts of North
America, to the northward and to the westward of the lands and
territories belonging to the United States of America, as shall not form
part of any of our provinces in North America, or of any lands or
territories belonging to the said United States of America, or to any
European government, state, or power, but subject, nevertheless, as
hereinafter mentioned: And we do, by these presents, give, grant, and
secure, to the said Governor and Company, and their successors, the sole
and exclusive privilege, for the full period of twenty-one years from
the date of this our grant, of trading with the Indians in all such
parts of North America as aforesaid (except as hereinafter mentioned)."
Said grant of 1838 also provided: "But we do hereby declare that nothing
in this our grant contained shall be deemed or construed to authorize
the said Governor and Company, or their successors, or any persons in
their employ, to claim or exercise any trade with the Indians on the
northwest coast of America, to the westward of the Stony Mountains, to
the prejudice or exclusion of any of the subjects of any foreign states,
who, under or by force of any convention for the time being, between us
and such foreign states, respectively, may be entitled to, and shall be
engaged in, the said trade."[60]
DOCUMENT D
_Excerpts from Manuscript Journal of Rev. Jason Lee._
The following excerpts are taken from the manuscript journal of Rev.
Jason Lee, all of which is in his handwriting. This original journal is
now in the possession of the Oregon Historical Society.
"Vancouver, Teus[day], Sept. 16, 1834.----Arrived at Fort Vancouver 3
o'clock found the Governor and other Gentlemen connected with the Fort
on shore waiting our arrival and conducted us to the Fort and gave us
food which was very acceptable as we had eaten our last for breakfast.
We received every attention from these Gentlemen. Our baggage was
brought and put into a spacious room without consulting us and the room
assigned for our use and we had the pleasure of sleeping again within
the walls of a house after a long and fatiguing journey replete with
menacies, deprivations, toil and prosperity.
"I have been much delighted today in viewing the improvements of the
farm, &c. The dinner was as good and served in as good stile as in any
gentleman's house in the east. Fine mus[k] & water melons and apples
were set before us which were indeed a luxury after the dry living we
have had for some time. After dinner took a turn in the Garden and was
astonished to find it in such a high state of cultivation. The orchard
is young but the quantity of the fruit is so great that many of the
branches would break if they were not prevented by props.
"Dr. McLoughlin the Governor of the Fort seems pleased that Missionaries
have come to the country and freely offers us any assistance that it is
in his power to render. It is his decided opinion that we should
commence somewhere in this vicinity. O Lord do thou direct us in the
choice of a location. This evening received the joyful inteligence that
Capt. Wyeth's Brig was in sight. It is a matter of joy because the last
we heard it was on a sand-bar some 70 mi. below and we found we should
be obliged to go down for our goods. Is not the hand of Providence in
all this? Would to God that I could praise him as I ought for his
gracious dealings with us. It is now past 11 o'clock and I must commend
myself to divine care and retire.
"Friday Sep. 19, 1834.----Daniel and myself are now on the bank of the
Willamette River a little distance from Mr. McKay's place. Wednesday
expected that the Brig would come up to Vancouver and we should receive
our goods there but the want of wind prevented her coming up. Went on
board just at night and ascertained that we could not get them until the
cargo was taken out. Slept on board and walked to the Fort 3 mi. in the
morning and commenced preparations for a trip up the Willamette. Dr. Mc.
made all the necessary preparations of men, boat, food, &c. and we were
off about 4 o'clock. Camped upon the sand. Started early this morning
and came to the mouth of the W. [Willamette] and found the Brig there.
Took breakfast on board. Waited while Capt's Lambert, Wyeth & Thing
explored the vicinity in search of a place to suit their business but
the[y] could find none to please them. Left them with the expectation
that they will unload some of their goods and arms at or near the place
where they now are. Arrived 1/2 past 1 o'clock."
After an exploring trip up the Willamette River, which is described in
his journal, Jason Lee sets forth: "Sat. 27 [Sept.]. Arrived at the Fort
g. h. found our brethern well.
"After mature deliberation on the subject of our location and earnest
prayer for divine direction I have nearly concluded to go to the W.
[Willamette]."
"Sun. 28 Sep. 1834.--A. M. Assayed to preach to a mixed congregation
English French scotch Irish Indians Americans Half Breeds Japanese &c.
some of whom did not understand 5 words of english. Found it extremely
difficult to collect my thoughts or find language to express them but
am thankful that I have been permited to plead the cause of God on this
side the Ry. Mountains where the banners of Christ were never before
unfurled. Great God grant that it may not be in vain but may some fruit
appear even from this feeble attempt to labour for Thee.
"Evening Preached again but with as little liberty as in the morning,
but still I find it is good to worship God in the public congregation."
"Mon. Sep. 29, 1834. This morning began to make preparations in good
earnest for our departure to the W. [Willamette] and after dinner
embarked in one of the Company's boats kindly maned for us by Dr.
McLoughlin who has treated us with the utmost politeness, attention and
liberality. The Gentlemen of the Fort accompanied us to the boat and
most heartily wished us great success in our enterprise. Arrived at the
lower mouth of the W. where Capt. Wyeth's Brig is late in the evening."...
"Wednes[day] Sep. 31, 1834. This morning put Br's D. Lee & Edwards on
shore to go to Mr. MKay's place to get horses and we pursued our course
up the river. Met Capt. Wyeth on his return from his farm and shall not
see him again til summer. Camped on a small prairie about 9 mi. from the
Falls and found here the men which the Dr. had sent with the cattle he
has lent us 8 oxen 8 cows & 8 calves."
After November 9, 1834, there is no entry in this journal until August
18, 1837, where there is an entry by Jason Lee, saying that he has not
kept up his journal. There is no further entry until July 28, 1838,
which was written at North Fork, Platte River, when he was on his first
trip to the eastern states. He says in his journal that on February 16,
1838: "The 16 Feb. [1838] I set out for Umpqua, and after 23 days, of
toil and hard-ship reached home in safety, and after a few days rest
found myself rather better for the trip. This was encouraging,
considering the difficulties encountered such as being drenched in rain
many times, fording creeks high enough to wet our feet, sleeping in wet
clothes, and blankets, very bad roads and sometimes hard marching, &c.
The subject of the necessity of some one of the Mission Family visiting
the U. S. had been agitated during the winter, and it was at length
decided by a majority that it was expedient for _me_ to go. Previous to
leaving for Umpqua, I had written Dr. McLoughlin, requesting a passage,
in the companies Boats, with himself by the Hudson Bay route. This I
greatly preferred to the route I came, as less fatiguing, less
dangerous, better calculated to restore my debilitated system, and much
more likely to afford new, interesting and useful information. The
answer was near when I left, and was to be brought me by a man, who was
to overtake us the second day, but by mistake he sent it to my house,
hence I did not get it till my return. The Dr. could not grant my
request, and expressed himself 'doubly mortified;' because he could not
do me the favour, and should also be deprived of my company." The
remainder of the journal is taken up with the account by Jason Lee of
his trip East. March 26, 1838, there is an entry that he left the
Mission House on the Willamette for the United States. March 28 he
arrived at Fort Vancouver. On April 4 he left Fort Vancouver in company
with a Hudson's Bay Company's party bound for the Rocky Mountains. The
rest of the journal is taken up with his trip Eastward. The last entry
in his journal says that on July 17, 1838, he was at Sweet Water River.
DOCUMENT E
_Rev. Jason Lee's visit to the Eastern States in 1838; and his Report
to the Missionary Board at New York in 1844._
On arriving in the Eastern States in 1838 Rev. Jason Lee seems to have
become imbued with the zeal and fervor of an evangelist in regard to
christianizing the Oregon Indians, and the necessity of more
missionaries in Oregon. Rev. Dr. Hines in his _Missionary History of the
Pacific Northwest_, p. 194, says: "Mr. Lee devoted the winter of 1838
and the summer of 1839 to traveling and delivering missionary addresses
in the cities and larger towns of the Atlantic states. He was
accompanied in his journeys by the two Indian boys, Wm. Brooks and
Thomas Adams, brought with him from his missionary school in Oregon,
whose presence and intelligent speeches added greatly to the popular
enthusiasm. Lee's appeals were irresistible. The fire of his zeal caught
on the altars of the church everywhere. Oregon and the Oregon Mission
fired the heart of the church as no mission ever did before. The age of
apostolic fervor seemed to have returned, and Lee was in the eye of the
church like the great Apostle to the Gentiles building on no other man's
foundation. The thought of distant wilds, where uncounted red men waited
and longed for deliverance from the darkness of heathenism that had
wrapped all their race for all these ages became an ever present vision
to the church of the United States." In this _History_, p. 195, Dr.
Hines also says: "Poverty donated its little; wealth gave its 'gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.'... The culture of Boston responded; the pride
of New York cast its jewels into the treasury. The staid sobriety of
Philadelphia wept and shouted and gave. Baltimore out-did the renown of
her ancient missionary fame. Lee, erst the lumberman of Canada, later
the pioneer missionary, who had dipped his banner in the spray of the
Pacific was the hero of the hour." But in his oral report to the
Missionary Board in July, 1844, after quoting the following from the
letter of a complaining fellow missionary who went to Oregon on the
Lausanne: "And indeed they [the Indians] have no life or energy and are
a melancholy, doomed race," Jason Lee said: "I think this is in part
true, the Indians on the Willamette will become, as a distinct race,
extinct. But I think there will be more Indian blood through
amalgamation, running in the veins of white men a hundred years hence,
than would have been running in the veins of the Indians, if they had
been left to themselves."
In July, 1844, Rev. Jason Lee made an oral report to the Missionary
Board in New York. This report was not reduced to writing in full but a
brief statement of it was made. A copy of this report, as reduced to
writing, corrected by, and in Jason Lee's handwriting, is in the
possession of the Oregon Historical Society. The principal serious
charges made against Jason Lee, and which caused his summary removal as
Superintendent of the Oregon Methodist Mission, had been made secretly,
and without notice to him, by members of the Oregon Mission. Lee
answered these charges in detail, occasionally with some indignation.
These charges against Jason Lee were: using the Mission's funds for
speculation for his own use; misuse of Mission funds; and failure to
report concerning the property of the Mission.
In this report Jason Lee said of certain Methodist missionaries:
"In one of Bro. Abernethy's letters, he tells you that the
Superintendent [Jason Lee] refused to send the report of the state of
the property home. There is some error in this. I cannot, I will not,
believe that A. intended to charge me with opposing the sending of that
report.
"Before I had left Oregon I was aware that Bro. Hines had written to the
Board. He had read part of his communication to some persons, who had
hinted to me about it. He started from Oregon with me, and I was in
hopes we should have met face to face before this Board. He returned,
however, from the Sandwich Islands to Oregon.
"Bro. Kone complains of my treatment of him, and professes to know my
secret reasons for wishing to keep all in the field. I never had any
_secret_ reasons.... Bro. Kone by his injudicious remarks caused great
excitement among the laymen, and made much difficulty.
"He considered Dr. Richmond his enemy because he had so declared
himself, and sent word to him [Mr. Lee] that he was his antagonist. And
he hoped as they had heard his enemy they would hear him.
"Of Bro. Frost I cannot say much. He has made no thorough effort to
bring sinners to God. I mean such an effort as would render it probable
that these Indians could not be benefited by the Gospel."
In this report Jason Lee also spoke of some other Methodist missionaries
who had made charges against him, without giving their names.
As the Board seems to have exonerated Jason Lee from all charges, it
must have found that these charges made in Oregon were untrue, or
unfounded, or not justified. Exonerating Jason Lee was, in effect,
condemning those persons who made the charges, and finding that their
charges were false. In this report Rev. Jason Lee also said: "When the
Board sent out its last large reinforcement, its object in my view and I
believe in theirs was that Methodism should spread throughout Oregon;
for what purpose else, I ask, did so large a number of laymen go out? If
it was only to form one or two stations, it appears to me that both the
Board and myself as their agent must have taken leave of our senses. If
my associates had stood firm to their post, and persevered willingly in
the work consigned them, I have not a doubt but far more favorable
accounts would have reached you from that distant country. The plans I
assert were well formed and had I been sustained the object would have
been accomplished. A great mistake was made in selecting some of those
who were sent out. I allude not to the number but the qualifications of
certain individuals. I forewarned the Oregon Committee that if the
persons who applied for situations were not examined by a proper
committee the plan would fail. Such proved to be the case. As proof I
aver that we had not reached our first stopping place in South America,
before some desired to return to the United States, and even after
touching at the S. [Sandwich] Islands before we had reached Oregon one
wanted to return and secure the Chaplaincy at the Islands. I have had
much to contend with, and I regret that men of more steadfast minds had
not been chosen. Such persons do more injury to a distant Mission than
they do good, and no one knows the difficulties I have had to pass
through."
In this report Rev. Jason Lee said further: "He [Dr. McLoughlin] is a
Catholic. Previous to the Priests going there, I was his intimate
friend,--his confidant. Such was my influence with the Canadian part of
the settlement, that they would have been pleased to give me their
church and have no Priest come. Since my return I have not time to
instruct their children as we used to do, and the Priests have taken
them."
DOCUMENT F
_Excerpts from Narrative of Commodore Charles Wilkes, U. S. N.,
published in Philadelphia in 1845._
Commander Charles Wilkes of the United States Navy, (afterwards
Commodore) had charge of an exploring expedition during the years
1838-1842, which came to the Oregon Country in 1841. His squadron
consisted of six vessels, which arrived at Puget Sound in 1841. He left
his ships at Puget Sound and came overland to Vancouver in May, 1841. In
his narrative of his exploring expedition, published in 1845, Wilkes
says, (vol. IV, p. 327): "He [Dr. McLoughlin] is a tall fine-looking
person, of a very robust frame, with a frank, manly, open countenance,
and a florid complexion; his hair is perfectly white. He gave us that
kind reception we had been led to expect from his well known
hospitality. He is of Scotch parentage, but by birth, a Canadian,
enthusiastic in disposition, possessing great energy of character, and
extremely well suited for the situation he occupies, which requires
great talent and industry. He at once ordered dinner for us, and we soon
felt ourselves at home, having comfortable rooms assigned us, and being
treated as part of the establishment." And on page 331 he says: "The
liberality and freedom from sectarian principles of Dr. M'Loughlin may
be estimated from his being thus hospitable to missionaries of so many
Protestant denominations, although he is a professed Catholic, and has
a priest of the same faith officiating daily at the chapel. Religious
toleration is allowed in its fullest extent. The dining-hall is given up
on Sunday to the use of the ritual of the Anglican Church, and Mr.
Douglass or a missionary reads the service.... Messrs. Griffith and
Clarke were entirely disappointed in finding self-support here, and had
it not been for the kindness of Dr. M'Loughlin, who took them in, they
would have suffered much. They were advised to settle themselves on the
Faulitz Plains, where I have understood they have since taken land, and
succeeded in acquiring quite respectable farms."