Willamette Valley. In his account of this trip he says in his narrative,
(vol. IV, pp. 343-344): "We reached the falls about noon, where we found
the missionary station under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Waller.... There
was a petty dispute between Mr. Waller and the [Hudson's Bay] Company,
and he complained of them. It seems that the Company refuse to buy any
beaver-skins, except from the hunters and trappers; and he accuses them
of monopoly in consequence. The Company, on the other hand, say that
they have no idea of selling goods out of their own stores, for the
purpose of enabling others to enter into competition with them; and that
they will spare no expense to keep the trade, as long as they can, in
their own hands. This is certainly not unfair. I cannot help feeling it
is quite unsuited to the life of a missionary, to be entering into trade
of any kind. To embark in traffic must, I think, tend to destroy the
usefulness of a missionary, or divert his attention from the great cause
in which he is engaged. I am very far from attaching any blame on this
account to the missionaries, whose avowed object is to teach the arts of
civilization, as well as the Word of God, and I have no doubt that they
are doing all in their power to promote the latter object; but I am
disposed to think, that any complaints against the Hudson Bay Company
for endeavouring to keep the trade in their own hands, comes with an ill
grace from the members of a Mission who are daily receiving the kindest
attentions and hospitality from its officers." In vol. IV, p. 351, he
says: "The lands of the Methodist Mission are situated on the banks of
the Willamette river, on a rich plain adjacent to fine forests of oak
and pine. They are about eight miles beyond the Catholic Mission,
consequently eighteen miles from Champooing, in a southern direction....
We had the expectation of getting a sight of the Indians on whom they
were inculcating good habits and teaching the word of God; but with the
exception of four Indian servants, we saw none since leaving the
Catholic Mission. On inquiring, I was informed that they had a school of
twenty pupils, some ten miles distant, at the mill; that there were but
few adult Indians in the neighborhood; and that their intention and
principal hope was to establish a colony, and by their example to induce
the white settlers to locate near those over whom they trusted to
exercise a moral and religious influence."
In vol. IV, p. 352, he says: "The next day the gentlemen of the Mission
proposed a ride to what they term 'the Mill,' distant about nine miles,
in a southeast direction.... We reached 'the Mill' by noon, which
consists of a small grist and saw mill on the borders of an extensive
prairie. They are both under the same roof, and are worked by a
horizontal wheel.... From the number of persons about the premises, this
little spot had the air and stir of a new secular settlement; and I
understood that it is intended to be the permanent location of the
Mission, being considered more healthy than the bank of the Willamette.
The missionaries, as they told me, have made individual selections of
lands to the amount of one thousand acres each, in prospect of the whole
country falling under our laws."
On page 355 of the same volume he says: "I am aware that the
missionaries come out to this country to colonize, and with the
Christian religion as their guide and law, to give the necessary
instruction, and hold out inducements to the Indians to quit their
wandering habits, settle, and become cultivators of the soil. This
object has not been yet attained in any degree, as was admitted by the
missionaries themselves; and how it is to be effected without having
constantly around them large numbers, and without exertions and
strenuous efforts, I am at a loss to conceive. I cannot but believe,
that the same labour and money which have been expended here, would have
been much more appropriately and usefully spent among the tribes about
the Straits of Juan de Fuca, who are numerous, and fit objects for
instruction." And on page 356 Commander Wilkes says: "Three years
since, O'Neill came to the valley with only a shirt to his back, as he
expressed it; he began by working part of this farm, and obtained the
loan of cattle and other articles from Dr. M'Loughlin, all of which he
has, from the natural increase of his stock and out of his crops, since
repaid. He has bought the farm, has two hundred head of stock, horses to
ride on, and a good suit of clothes, all earned by his own industry; and
he says it is only necessary for him to work one month in the year to
make a living; the rest of the time he may amuse himself. He spoke in
the highest terms of Dr. M'Loughlin, and the generous aid he had
afforded him in the beginning."
The Peacock, one of the vessels of the squadron, was wrecked July 18,
1841, on a spit near Cape Disappointment on the north side of the
entrance to the Columbia River, ever since known as Peacock Spit. The
vessel was a total loss. Commander Wilkes says that the crew of the
Peacock were supplied with clothing through the kindness of Dr.
McLoughlin and the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company. Wilkes further
says that "every facility has been at all times extended [by Dr.
McLoughlin] to newcomers and settlers; it is sufficient that they are of
good character, and the use of cattle, horses, farming utensils, and
supplies, is invariably extended to facilitate their operations, until
such time as they are able to provide for themselves." At the time of
the wreck of the Peacock, there was lying at Astoria the American brig
Thomas H. Perkins. She was under charter to the Hudson's Bay Company.
Dr. McLoughlin readily agreed to surrender the charter party for a small
consideration, if the goods he had on board were delivered at Fort
Vancouver. This Wilkes agreed to and purchased the brig. He changed her
name to the "Oregon." In August, 1841, the Oregon was taken to Fort
Vancouver to be repaired and outfitted. In the meantime Wilkes proceeded
slowly up the Columbia River in the naval gun-brig Porpoise, of two
hundred and thirty tons, making a survey of the river. The Porpoise
arrived at Fort Vancouver August 28, and remained there until September
14, 1841. The expedition was treated with kindness and courtesy while at
Fort Vancouver.
Fresh beef seems to have been scarce even in 1841. Wilkes in his
narrative says that on September 27, 1841, the Porpoise was at Puget's
Island, near Cathlamet. Here he was joined by Michel La Framboise, in
the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company, "who brought a supply of fresh
beef for the crew, which they were much in need of." On leaving the
Columbia River, Wilkes addressed a letter from Baker's Bay, dated
October 5, 1841, to Dr. McLoughlin and James Douglas as Chief Factors of
the Hudson's Bay Company, giving thanks "for the important aid and
facilities which you have afforded the Expedition on all occasions, for
carrying out the object of our visit to this part of the world;" and
saying, "be assured it will prove a very pleasing part of my duty to
make a due representation of it to my government." And also saying:
"Your personal kindness and friendly attention to myself and officers,
from our first arrival, and also to Captain Hudson and his officers
after the wreck of the Peacock, have laid me under many obligations
which I trust it may be at some future day in our power to return."
(Vol. V, p. 147).
DOCUMENT G
_Letter from Henry Brallier to Frederick V. Holman of October 27, 1905._
Since I delivered my address on McLoughlin Day, I have received the
following letter. The persons referred to are probably a small party,
who came to Oregon prior to 1840. There were several small parties of
immigrants to Oregon, who came prior to 1842. Robert Shortess came
overland in 1839 and 1840 to Oregon with one of these parties.
"Seaside, Oct. 27, 1905."
"Mr. Frederick V. Holman,
"Portland, Oregon.
"Dear Sir: In the Sunday _Oregonian_ of the 15th of this month
I see an interesting account of Dr. McLoughlin, but one act of
his that showed his human kindness, I have never seen in print.
This a man by the name of Marechell told me. He was an old
Hudson's Bay man who died here in his eighty-sixth year. He
could not recollect the exact year, but it was a year or two
after Wyeth came, the emigrants got lost in the head waters of
Snake River, and would have all perished but the Indians
brought word from one tribe to another about them being there,
until it reached Fort Vancouver. When the Doctor heard it, he
rushed around like one wild and called, 'Where is Marechell!
Where is La Framboise.' He started them with a lot of
provisions in their canoes, with some others to help to the
Cascades, there to pack them over, then get them in their
canoes again, take them to The Dalles, and there they got
ponies to pack them on their journey to the emigrants, a weary
trip. And after some two weeks' trip, they found the emigrants
encamped in a small valley, there still to live a short time
and then starve to death. He said if ever it tried a man's
soul, then it did his. The poor women came running to him, fell
on their knees, hugging them and crying. Men crying and
blessing them and the Doctor for sending them. I often think if
there is an upper seat around the throne of God, that the
Doctor and some of those men that were so kind to others, are
there now.
"This man Marechell came with the Hudson's Bay Company, when he
was 12 years of age, with his father. As near as he could tell
he was about 22 years of age when he took the trip to find the
emigrants.
"I came to the Coast in early '52; to Oregon in '58; to Astoria
in '63, and to Seaside soon after. So I knew Marechell well,
and did see La Framboise a number of times. So what Marechell
told me I believe is true.
"Beg pardon if this intrudes on your time and patience.
"Respectfully,
"HENRY BRALLIER,
"Seaside, Oregon."
DOCUMENT H
_Shortess Petition; excerpts from Gray's "History of Oregon" relating
to Shortess Petition; and excerpt from speech of Samuel R. Thurston in
Congress, December 26, 1850, as to author of Shortess Petition._
"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 leave
respectfully to represent to your honorable body:
"As has been before represented to your honorable body, we consider
ourselves citizens of the United States, and acknowledge the right of
the United States to extend its jurisdiction over us; and the object of
the present memorial is to ask that the protection of the United States
Government may be extended to us as soon as possible. Hitherto, our
numbers have been small, and the few difficulties that arose in the
settlement were speedily and satisfactorily settled. But as our
settlement increases in numbers, so our difficulties increase in number
and importance; and unless we can have laws to govern us that will be
respected and obeyed, our situation will be a deplorable one. Where the
highest court of appeal is the rifle, safety in life and property cannot
be depended on.
"The state of the country, its climate, resources, soil, productions,
&c., has already been laid before your honorable body, in Captain
Wyeth's memoir and in former memorials from the inhabitants of this
place.
"Laws are made to protect the weak against the mighty; and we feel the
necessity of them in the steps that are constantly taken by the
honorable Hudson Bay Company, in their opposition to the improvement and
enterprise of American citizens. You have been apprized already of their
opposition to Captains Wyeth, Bonneville, and others; and we find that
the same spirit dwells with them at the present day. Some years ago,
when the Hudson Bay Company owned all the cattle in Oregon, they would
not sell on any conditions; but they would lend their cows to the
settler--he returning to the company the cows loaned, with all the
increase; and, in case of the death of a cow, he then had the privilege
of paying for it. But, after the settlers, at great risk and expense,
went to California, and purchased cattle for themselves, and there was a
fair prospect of the settlement being supplied, then the Hudson Bay
Company were willing to sell, and at lower rates than the settler could
sell.
"In the year 1841, feeling the necessity of having mills erected that
could supply the settlement with flour and lumber, a number of the
inhabitants formed themselves into a joint stock company, for the
purpose of supplying the growing wants of the community. [Many of the
farmers were obliged to leave their farms on the Willamette, and go six
miles above Vancouver, on the Columbia River--making the whole distance
about sixty miles--to get their wheat ground, at a great loss of time
and expense.] The company was formed, and proceeded to select a site.
They selected an island at the falls of the Willamette, and concluded to
commence their operations. After commencing, they are informed by Dr.
McLoughlin, who is at the head of the Hudson Bay Company's affairs west
of the Rocky Mountains, that the island is his, and that he (although a
chief factor of the Hudson Bay Company) claims all the lands at the east
side of the Willamette, embracing the falls down to the Klakamus river,
a distance of about two miles. He had no idea, we presume, that the
company would succeed. However, he erected a shed on the island, after
the stuff was on the island to build a house, and then gave them
permission to build under certain restrictions. They took the paper he
wrote them, containing his conditions; but did not obligate themselves
to comply with the conditions, as they did not think his claim just or
reasonable.
"Many projects had been started by the inhabitants, but, for want of
means and encouragement, failed. This fate was predicted for the Milling
Company. But, after much labor and difficulty, they succeeded in getting
a saw mill erected, and ready to run; and entered into a contract to
have a grist mill erected forthwith. And now, as they have succeeded,
where is the Hudson Bay Company? Dr. McLoughlin employs hands to get out
a frame for a saw mill, and erect it at the Willamette falls; and we
find, as soon as the frame is up, the gearing which has been made at
Vancouver is brought up in boats; and that which caused a feeble
company of American citizens months of toil and embarrassment is
accomplished by the chief factor of the Hudson Bay Company in a few
weeks; (he has men and means); and it is said by him, that in two weeks
his mill will be sawing. And what will be the consequences? Why, if the
Milling Company sell for $15 per thousand, he can sell for $12; if they
reduce the price to $10, he can come to $8, or $5, or $2 per thousand.
He says he will have a grist mill started as soon as he gets the saw
mill in operation.
"All the wheat raised in Oregon they are anxious to get, as they ship it
to the Russians on the Northwest coast. In the first place, they
measured the wheat in a half bushel, called by them imperial measure,
much larger than the standard measure of the United States; this not
answering, they next proceeded to kick the half bushel with the foot, to
settle the wheat; then they brought up a measure larger than the former
one; and now they fill this measure, then strike it three times with a
stout club, and then fill it up, and call it fair measure. Against such
proceedings we need law that will be respected and obeyed.
"About twelve or fourteen years ago the Hudson Bay Company blasted a
canal a few feet to conduct water to a mill they were going to build,
the timber for which is now lying at the falls rotting. They, however,
abandoned the thing altogether, and built their mills on the Columbia,
about six miles above Fort Vancouver, on the north side of the river.
"In the year 1838, agreeably to orders left by Mr. Slacum, a house was
erected at the falls, to secure the claim for him.
"In 1840, the Methodist mission erected buildings at the falls, and
stationed two families there, and made a claim to sufficient land for
their buildings, not interfering with any others who might wish to
build. A short time previous to this, Dr. McLoughlin had a storehouse
erected for the company, not occupied, however, further than to store
wheat and other articles in, and as a trading house during the salmon
season.
"After this, in 1841, a shantee was erected, and a man kept at the
falls, whose business it was to trade with the Indians for furs and
salmon, and look out for the Doctor's claim, he said, and to forbid
persons building at the falls, as some had built, and others were about
building. This man was, and still is, a servant of the Hudson Bay
Company.
"During the years 1841 and 1842, several families settled at the falls,
when Dr. McLoughlin, who still resides at Fort Vancouver, comes on the
ground, and says the land is his, and any person building without his
permission is held as a trespasser. Without reference to any person's
right or claim, he employs a surveyor to lay out the plat; and as a bill
was before the Senate of the United States to grant to every white male
inhabitant a mile square, he has a mile run out to suit his views, and
lays out a town plat at the falls, and calls it Oregon City. And
although some, for peace sake, asked him for the lots they had already
in possession, and which he appeared very willing to grant, the Doctor
now felt himself secure, and posted up the annexed paper, (marked A)
which is the original; and all who had lots were required to pay Mr.
Hastings five dollars for a deed of land which they knew very well the
grantor did not own, and which we hope he never will own, but that
Congress will pass a special act granting to each man his lot and
improvements. Those that applied received (if they had a house on the
lot) a deed, a copy of which is annexed, (marked B); if they had no
house, a bond was given for five dollars, a copy of which is annexed,
(marked C). To those that applied and paid their five dollars, all was
right with the Doctor; while those who considered his title to the land
not good, and that therefore he had no right to direct who should build
and who should not, had their lots sold to others. In one case the
purchaser came to the original claimant, and ordered him to stop digging
the ground which he was preparing for a garden, and commanded him to
remove his fences, as he had Dr. McLoughlin's bond in his pocket for the
lots; and if he did not move his fence he would, and take forcible
possession. Those who desired to have no difficulty, and did not apply
for a deed, have lost their lots, the Doctor's promise, and all. And Mr.
Hastings (the Doctor's agent) is now offering for sale the lots on which
part of the mission buildings stand; and if he succeeds in finding a
purchaser, they must either contend or lose their buildings.
"Dr. McLoughlin had held claims in other places south of the Columbia
river--at the Tualatin plains and Klakamus plains he had huts erected,
to prevent others from building; and such is the power of Dr.
McLoughlin, that many persons are actually afraid to make their
situation known, thinking, if he hears of it, he will stop their
supplies. Letters were received here from Messrs. Ladd & Co., of the
Sandwich Islands, in answer to a letter written by the late Mr. Ewing
Young, for a few supplies, that orders were received, forbidding the
company's vessels carrying any goods for the settlers of Oregon. Every
means will be made use of by them to break down everything that will
draw trade to this country, or enable persons to get goods at any other
place than their store.
"One other item, and we are done. When any United States Government
officers of distinction arrive, Vancouver is thrown open, and every
facility afforded them. They were even more condescending to the
settlers during the time the exploring squadron was in the Columbia;
nothing was left undone to give the officers a high opinion of the
honorable Hudson Bay Company. Our Indian agent is entirely dependent on
them for supplies and funds to carry on his operations.
"And now your memorialists pray your honorable body, that immediate
action of Congress be taken in regard to this country, and good and
wholesome laws be enacted for our Territory, as may, in your wisdom, be
thought best for the good of the American citizens residing here.
"And your memorialists will ever pray.
"Robert Shortess, A. E. Wilson, William C. Remick, Jeffrey Brown, E. N.
Coombs, Reuben Lewis, George Davis, V. Bennet, J. Rekener, T. J.
Hubbard, James A. O'Neil, Jer. Horregon, William McKarty, Charles Compo,
John Howard, his + mark, R. Williams, G. Brown, John Turner, Theodore
Pancott, A. F. Waller, John Hofstatter, G. W. Bellamy, William Brown, A.
Beers, J. L. Parrish, William H. Gray, A. D. Smith, J. C. Bridges, Aaron
Cook, A. Copeland, S. W. Moss, Gustavus Hines, George W. LeBreton, J. R.
Robb, J. L. Morrison, M. Crawford, John Anderson, James M. Bates, L. H.
Judson, Joel Turnham, Richard H. Ekin, H. Campbell, James Force, W. H.
Willson, Felix Hathaway, J. Lawson, Thomas J. Shadden, Joseph Gibbs, his
+ mark, S. Lewis, Jr., Charles Roy, William Brum, S. Davis, Joseph
Yatten, Daniel Girtman, C. T. Arrendrill, A. Tonner, David Carter, J. J.
Campbell, W. Johnson, John Edmunds, W. Hauxhurst, W. A. Pfeiffer, J.
Holman, H. B. Brewer, William C. Sutton.
"Willamette, Oregon Territory, March 25, 1843."
A.
NOTICE
"Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern, that those
who have obtained grants of lots in Oregon City will be
expected to call upon L. W. Hastings, my authorized agent at
Oregon City, and obtain a bond for a deed or deeds, as the case
may be. Those who hold claims to any lot, and who comply with
the above requisite on or before the first day of February
next, will be entitled to their lot or lots; otherwise, the
lots upon which they hold a claim will thereafter be subject to
any disposition which the undersigned may think proper to make
of them.
"JOHN McLOUGHLIN."
"January 18, 1843."
"Oregon City, March 27, 1843."
"We, the undersigned, do hereby certify that the within [above]
notice of John McLoughlin was posted up in the most public
place in this town.
"R. SHORTESS."
"A. E. WILSON."
B.
DEED--JOHN McLOUGHLIN TO WALTER POMEROY
"Know all men by these presents, that I, John McLoughlin, of
Fort Vancouver, in the Territory of Oregon, for and in
consideration of the sum of one dollar, to me in hand paid by
Walter Pomeroy, of Oregon City, of the Territory aforesaid, the
receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have this day, and do
by these presents, remit, release, and forever quit claim, unto
the said Pomeroy, his heirs and assigns, all and singular the
following piece, parcel, and lot of land, bounded and described
as follows, to wit: commencing at the northeast corner, running
thence southerly sixty-six (66) feet to a stake; thence
westerly one hundred (100) feet to a stake; thence northerly
sixtysix (66) feet to a stake; thence easterly one hundred
(100) feet to a stake at the place of beginning--being lot
number four, (4,) in block number three, (3,) in the town of
Oregon City, in the Territory of Oregon, which will more fully
appear from a reference to the map and plan of said town:
"To have and to hold the same, together with all and singular
the privileges and appurtenances thereunto in any wise
appertaining or belonging, unto the said Pomeroy, his heirs,
executors, administrators, or assigns, forever.
"And I, the said McLoughlin, for myself, do avouch and declare,
that I am the true and proper claimant of and to the said
premises and lot of land, and that I have in myself full power,
good right, and sufficient authority, to remit, release, and
quit by claim, to all and singular my right, title, interest,
and claim, in and to said lot and premises, in manner and form
aforesaid.
"And I, the said McLoughlin, do hereby covenant and agree to
warrant and defend the said premises, together with the
privileges and appurtenances thereunto appertaining or
belonging, to the said Pomeroy, his heirs and assigns, against
all lawful claims of all persons whomsoever, the claims of the
Government only excepted.
"In testimony whereof, I, the said McLoughlin, have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal, this the 2d day of March, A.
D. 1843.