Notes to reader:
The following transcriptions have tried to maintain
the original spelling,capitalization and punctuation of the original
letters. In his letters Dr. Whitman often used "+" for "and" and
"+c" for "etc." Comments by the transcriber are enclosed in square
brackets, [].
"Islands" refers to the Sandwich Islands
(Hawaii), where the American Board had established missions. Any
mention of Fort Walla Walla or the place "Walla Walla"
refers to the Hudson's Bay Company post at the confluence of the
Walla Walla and Columbia rivers. The US Army's Fort Walla Walla
did not exist until after the deaths of the Whitmans.
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List of Selected 1840 Correspondence
March 27, 1840: Dr. Whitman to
Reverend David Greene
Dr. Whitman: discusses the impacts of a visit
by a Catholic Priest; discusses the tribe's progress from a migratory
lifestyle to one of "settled habits"; mentions a new
book for the mission school; notes the leaving of the Halls; mentions
Mr. Munger employed as carpenter for the mission; and discusses
financial dealings with Fort Vancouver.
October 15, 1840: Dr. Whitman
to Reverend David Greene
Dr. Whitman: discusses the arrival of supplies;
includes details about the expense report; lists who is currently
at the mission; ponders how to handle independent missionaries;
describes problems securing help; desribes the harvest; describes
the death of Iosapa Mahi (Joseph Maki); states that the Catholics
have had minimal influence on the Indians; provides arguments
against closing the mission; provides arguments for sending a
minister and a farmer to Waiilatpu; and includes the sailing schedule
between Ft. Vancouver and the Sandwich Islands.
October 29, 1840: Dr. Whitman
to Reverend David Greene
Dr. Whitman discusses the arguments for and
against selling the Waiilatpu station to the Methodists.
RETURN:
Marcus Whitman Correspondence by Year
March 27, 1840
Comments:
From Dr. Whitman, Waiilatpu Mission, to Reverend
David Greene, Boston.
Original letter begins below:
Waiilatpu Oregon Territory
March 27th 1840
Rev
David Greene
Sec + c A B C F M
Dear Sir.
I wrote you last fall by ship giving you an account
of things as they were at that time. There have been no important
changes among the People since. After the Catholic Priest past things
settled down to their usual state.
The Young Chief of this tribe has had a house built
for him on the Iutilla River (by Mr Pambrun of Walla Walla) about
thirty miles from here. He has shown an aversion to hear instruction
from us since the baptism of his child by the Priest
The people have been away for the winter only a
few remaining with us There migrations must occur every year untill
they have more comfortable food + are inclined to more settled habits.
The most of them are now here in order to prepare for planting. There
is no abatement in interest for cultivation. A spirit of independance
is manifesting itself among them which is seen in a desire to purchase
plough's + hoes for themselves. if they could be obtained. They appear
not to feel now as they used too formerly that it was to accomodate
us that they plant + cultivate their lands.
For three months during the winter our school averaged
ten scholars + was taught by Mrs Whitman. Since it has been increacing
At present it consists of from thirty to fifty + so far as we can
both of us employ ourselves in teaching. The Book which the Annual
Meeting of the Mission, appointed me to write I employed Mr Smith
+ Mr Rogers to write as being better qualified to do it than myself
+ so much of my time being taken up in making Medical calls for the
mission. It is now printed + makes a fine edition to our means of
instruction, + must supercede the one written by Mr Spalding, as it
is much more correct in language + orthography - It contains fifty
two pages + an edition of eight hundred copies are printed
Mr Hall commenced printing it but being in haste
to return to the Islands - Mr Rogers was employed to finish it.
At Mr Halls advise we have employed him to do the
printing for the Mission at £ 30 sterling per anum + his
board - His knowledge of the Native language makes him very useful
in any department of labour.
Mr Hall was with us at this station six months -
but has now gone to Vancouver to return to the Islands. Mrs Hall was
recovering very much at the time they left. During the first part
of her stay in this country nothing could be done for her to any effect
on account of her being in a state of pregnancy. I trust she will
have received so much benefit as to be in a good degree comfortable
when they arrive at the Islands. Their visit to us will be long +
greatfully remembered by us. + we trust has + will prove to have been
an essential benefit to the missionary cause among us.
Mr Munger who came out with Mr Griffen as a self
supporting Missionary has been at work for me five months + a half
at eight dollars. per month. + house room + provisions for his family.
furnished. He is now engaged for six months at £ 3 sterling.
per Month + furnished as above. He is a good house carpenter. In that
time I hope he will finish our house + make some comfortable furniture
+ some farming implements. We still live in the old house. although
we have very much feared it would fall upon us from a recurance of
high water.
I felt in hopes my bill from Vancouver would have
been sent before this time that I might give you my expences. I shall
not draw for more than four hundred dollars on the Treasury. There
is some specie which we brought over with us - which was deposited
in accordance with a vote of the Mission for the purpose of purchasing
cattle. But having failed we shall not now buy any. I shall appropriate
what is in my hands for current expences. For the year to come my
expences may be five hundred dollars as I shall have to perfect my
buildings +c. - I feel to regret the joint letter sent by Mr Spalding
+ myself in 1838 as containing a forced view of things calculated
to excite hopes not to be realized. This I have wished to avoid in
all my correspondence - The letter was written in Mr S peculiar stile
for which I do not feel responsible. But the signing I regret + also
that such a bill of Indian goods was asked for + fear you may have
sent them.
We had better take every such thing from the company
rather than to have them sent from home so long as we are so dependant
upon them for storeage + transportation + besides they now say plainly
that they wish to furnish us our supplies for which they have made
preparation.
Yours Truly
Marcus Whitman
P S
Walla Walla March 30th 1840
I have just drawn the bills for the payment of the
bills of this Mission for 1839 + for Mr Halls expences in this Country
I wrote above that some specie in the hands of this
Mission or rather in Mr Spaldings + mine would be payed But it was
utterly refused by the accountant So that part of it may be expended
here + part sent to the Sandwich Islands by Mr Hall
Yours
Marcus Whitman
Return to List of 1840 Letters
October 15, 1840
Comments:
From Dr. Whitman, Waiilatpu Mission, to Reverend
David Greene, Boston.
Original letter begins below:
Waiilatpu. Oregon Territory.
Oct. 15.th 1840.
Rev.
David Greene
Cor. Sec. of A B C F M
Dear Sir
Yours of 6th Sept and Oct 5th 1839 and a duplicate
of your letter to me + Mr Spalding are before me.
All the goods shiped for us have been delivered
at Vancouver. I am not able to say in what state they are. Mr Rogers
is now at Vancouver to arrange them. Most of the crockery is broken.
My propable expences for the present year will be
seventy five pounds to be drawn for in this country. My report of
current expences is sent with this.
It was expected I might be able to adjust the bills
so that the several reports might just cover the amount of the draft,
but it is impossible for me to do it, as I find I cannot tell what
portion of certain expences each individual has taken upon him self.
They will not greatly vary + any discrepancy you will see is owing
to not being together when each took his part of the bill.
In one case I see Messrs Walker + Eells have taken
more than their part. For the future I hope our Bills will be adjusted
at the meeting of Mission.
Mr Hall took one hundred + twenty three dollars
on my account which he will deliver to Mr Chamberlin.
Mr Castle has sent me twenty dollars + sixty three
cents worth of goods from the Sandwich Islands which he will charge
to me + report to you.
I feel it due, for me to say something about my
situation, in order for you fully to appreciate my circumstances,
+ responsibilities. I am near Fort Walla Walla which causes nearly
all passers of the Company to call on us. And being in the route from
the United States I have to entertain most strangers on arriving in
the Country. Mr Hall spent six months with us last winter. At presant
Mr Gray + family are here to remain while Mrs G may be confined. Mr
Munger a Mechanick + family, who came out as a self supporting missionary
with Mr Griffin, but having left him by Mr G's direction. + having
no place to go, I employed him during the last winter at eight dollars
per month + provisions for his family. In March I renewed the bargain,
+ agreed to give three pounds per Month + provisions. The bargain
was for six months but having lost time he is not yet through.
Mr Griffin + wife came here the first week in July
+ has been here ever since, his wife being unable to ride from spinal
affection, + his having no place to go.
Rev. H. Clark Messrs Littlejohn + Smith + their
wives came here the middle of August. They are here yet + have been
except a short absence to explore. They are self supporting missionaries
also. They have not located yet but expect to leave in a few days,
either to locate, or to winter among the Snakes in order to acquire
the language. With ourselves + company we are seven families to be
housed + fed besides our domesticks. Mr Gray I am happy to have here
at present + hope he may be able to stay for the winter or at least
untill associates arrive.
I do not know how to get along with the Free Missionaries.
I do not wish to be a supplier for them, + yet I do not see how I
can refuse them some grain. I have told them to take what they need
to sustain themselves, for the winter + go + do the best they can.
Mr Griffen is to go with them. If I could get rid of all further interruptions,
I would be willing to let them have provisions for a year or so. But
situated as I am I do not know when it will cease. To sell to them
I do not feel free or authorized. Mr Griffen has been here three months
+ rising without the attempt to aid me, although I have had most of
the wheat corn peas + potatoes to secure in the same time. The wheat
required all my time to cut thrash + clean, but he did not aid me.
Messrs Littlejohn + Smith of Mr Clarks party helped
me in thrashing + cleaning the wheat. I much fear if they get away
that it will turn out so that they will come back to winter at least,
a part of them. If they should wish to work for me in order to get
provisions I should not know how to do. It is evident they have no
funds to buy of the Company. I dare not oppose them. I dare not sell
to them. To give them I am not able, and I cannot let them suffer.
We fear that another Board will grow out of what they are doing. So
that to do or not to do is the question.
I have had far more to contend with here than my
Brethren at any of the other Stations in the Country. As to expense
of Company; difficulty of building for want of timber + difficulty
of employing Indians for want of proper pay. I cannot give much powder,
as I am so near the Fort. Tobacco I will not sell. + shirts were not
to be had to any extent; so that my labour has had to be either white
men or Hawaiians in general.
I have much house room as the old one is yet habitable
+ the new one far along. The new house will be in all respects good
convenient + sufficiently (large.
For further particulars of the station the station
report to the Gen - meeting will be sent as I brought it home with
me from the meeting + have not been able to copy + send it in time
for Mr Smith to use in his letter embodyed from the station reports.
My crops were good having two hundred + fifty bushels
of wheat, one hundred + thirty of corn, peas not known + a good supply
of potatoes.
I have had an unusual share of labour falling on
me. Before the Annual Meeting of the Mission Iosapa Mahi our Hawaiian
was sick, but recovering he + wife accompanyed us to the meeting After
our return he appeared unusually well. We had done but little towards
cutting our wheat when he was taken ill again but taking medicine
soon recovered so as to be about quite well; but did not go to work.
From some cause perhaps eating unripe melons he was taken again with
inflamation of the bowels, which proved rapid + incurable. He died
August 8th leaving us to mourn a Brother + fellow labourer.
His death was one of great peace + triumphant hope.
After expressing his strong love, for missionaries + in particular
to Mr Bingham Mrs Whitman + myself, he said he came here to live +
die for the good of the Indians, + it was good to die here He wished
to die no where else. He wanted this told to Mr Bingham, saying, "He
laboured with his hands to aid me while his heart went up to God.
He had become deeply interested in every thing that pertained to the
instruction of the Indians + in all the concerns of the station He
was greatly beloved by all who knew him + his death leaves a blank
in our family not easily filled, A wise Providence has ordered it
+ we feel to acquiesce + say, "The Lord gave + the Lord hath
taken away Blessed be the name of the Lord."
Mrs Whitman has been sick for nearly two months
having first an attack of inflamation of the kidneys from which she
is not perfectly recovered
You will wish to know the present state of the Indians.
And first as to Catholics; Their influence has not been felt much
here this season. One of the priests made a tour to Colvile + its
region + spent some time at Walla Walla on his return, but it caused
no excitement among the Indians. I have been pressing them with their
lost ruined + condemned state in a particular manner; in order to
remove the hope that worshiping will save them. It has stired up no
little opposition of heart to the truth, but I trust it may result
in striping them from a reliance which I think was given them, before
we came into the Country; that worshiping would save them. I feel
what is wanting, is time to spend in private with them, + at their
lodges.
We have been looking for a reenforcement, which
Mr Hall wrote us had left New York in Jan - last We need a Minister
at Walla Walla + Colvile. A religious influence will go forth from
these places, + it ought by all means to be by one, of our Mission.
A Catholic priest came up across the mountains from
the states this year who is operating among the Flat Heads. I do not
feel that any new cause is operating in this part of the field to
discourage us. The natives are far better prepared now to understand
the truth than at any former period. We shall now have another year
without further interruptions from the Catholics
Mr Walker writes me that he has written you in favour
of the Boards withdrawing this Mission on account of so many coming
in among + arround us. I feel to say, No; Do not withdraw it. We have
not done what we could, + ought to do. It could not be withdrawing
the mission, so to speak; but abandoning the cause of the Indians.
Rather let us be reenforced to enable us to act more efficiently.
I feel it a great trial to be in the most responsible part of the
field, to fill alone, as I have done, the station of a public teacher
or minister school teacher, Physician, farmer, +c. If a Minister was
stationed at Walla Walla it would be better than to have him here,
if we can have but one. He would have nothing to do to support himself
but could easily get it from here.
A farmer could be more useful here than at any of
the other stations. The missions have voted one of the mills to this
station.
If a farmer were here he could supply this station
+ who ever should be at Walla Walla, + by supplying the Company here
or at W. W. we might exchange for provisions that have to come from
Colvile, for W. W. + the Snake Expedition; + in that way save the
Company bringing down such supplies, And, for which, in exchange,
whoever we should have at Colvile + those at Tshimkain + in that region
might obtain a supply of flour +c. with a little arrangement, this
station may be made to support nearly all the others at a small expense.
Mr Gray has lately informed me that letters have
been sent by him + others, setting forth difficulties that have existed
in this mission It was never my intention to trouble you with them.
I have thought them of such a nature that Mrs Whitman + myself must
leave the mission; + so strong was this feeling that I should have
left, previous to the convening of the mission in Sept 1839, had not
the Providence of God arrested me in my deliberate determination to
do so by taking away our dear child in so sudden a manner by drowning.
Since that time many appearances have changed, + I have not seen it
my duty to leave. But for your information + to settle more fully
every point + policy of the mission as well as to adjust what ever
may be wrong in the feelings of its members, I would advise + request
that one of the members of the Sandwich Island mission, or some Agent
of the Board be sent here with such power + instruction as you may
see necessary.
Some of the members of the S - I - mission might
come here for health + a change of climate + in the mean time do all
you should direct, without at all attracting the attention of the
public. There is a ship of the Company's which comes from England,
+ arrives here from the Islands, generally in May or June. It then
returns to the Isl - + back again in the summer + the last of Oct
or first of Nov leaves for England. There is another which goes out
in Nov - to winter at the Isl - + comes back in March. This is nearly
the order which has existed since we have been here. This year it
has been the same with the exception that two trips have been made
by way of return by California for cargos of sheep for this Country.
An extra ship has been expected by the Com - from Eng. but as she
delays her arrival they think she did not start. It was in this ship
we looked for our reenforcement. If she does not come I fear we shall
not see them soon.
The mission would unite if they could - but if you
send an Agent you will be able to obtain all that will be necessary
to enable you to act. I hope the policy of of the mission will be
to concentrate so that if some of us must go home the Mission will
not receive a shock.
I feel the utmost confidence in the wisdom of any
measure you may adopt + be assured I shall always feel it a great
pleasure to cooperate with you in all you may see fit at any time
to advise.
I have to leave this letter in an unfinished state
to be copyed + sent.
You will feel to excuse any want of care or fullness
of expression when you know that on this morn - 18th Oct I am called
to leave in great haste to go to Mr Smiths relief. I have but little
doubt we shall remove him directly as an example to the Indians.
Mr Gray will give you the particulars.
Yours in the most perfect Confidence
and submission
Marcus Whitman
Return to List of 1840 Letters
October 29, 1840
Comments:
From Dr. Whitman, Waiilatpu Mission, to Reverend
David Greene, Boston.
Original letter begins below:
Waiilatpu. Oct 29th 1840.
Rev
David Greene
Sec. of the A. B. C. F. M.
Dear Sir.
Last evening I arrived home from my trip to Mr Smith's
aid.
I left my hired man with him to make a canoe for
them to come down by water in case he still finds it necessary to
leave this fall. If he does not leave this fall, he thinks he shall
in the spring. Mrs Smith is indeed very lonely I think they both suffer
much from this cause. I regret much that Mr Smith should have been
so anxious to go where he is, as he so easily falls into loneliness
+ despondency.
The Indians it is true are very anxious to obtain
property, but I do not think we shall be in danger of violence from
them.
You will see by Mr Smith's letter a proposition
to relinquish this Mission + sell out in favour of the Methodist -
together with such reasons as occured to his mind. Some of those reasons
are apparent to every one + I shall not repeat them. To some of them
he gave my name + assent, as also my opinion in favour of selling
to the Methodist.
The reasons which affect my mind most forcibly in
favour of such a measure were not named by him.
One was what Mr Walker wrote me concerning his advise
to the Board, to withdraw the Mission Another is the want of harmony
+ the apparent difficulty in producing a reconciliation.
And a third, that which Mr Smith has himself wrote
you, as contained in his request to be removed to another field or
go home. I had learned before I went to see him that he intended to
go to the Islands in the coming spring + wait for the decission of
the Board concerning him.
In such event Mr Gray would leave + also Mr Rogers
and only Mr Spalding + myself would be left in the Nez Perces language.
While all this would be going on, a bad influence would be exerted,
+ it would not be well for Mr S + myself to be left alone under such
circumstances. I think enough will be before you on this point so
that I need say nothing more.
We shall be led into close contact with the Methodist
as they claim the Walla Walla language. When this station was taken,
it was thought that taking the people in that language who understood
the Nez Perces it would give as many to this station as to the other
taken by Mr Spalding.
The attendance on this station has been greatly
increased in this way, + we fondly hoped to take the children of that
language + teach them the Nez Perces book, indeed many have already
been taught, for a large share of them are speaking more or less Nez
Perces.
The Methodist think it an encroachment for us to
take a station in that language as we voted to do at our last meeting.
If we give up this point. this station will be surround on two sides
by their circuits.
I do not think Indians can be collected together
so as to make a settlement in any one place on account of difficulties
that will arise among themselves. They will not fence well enough
to avoid difficulty, as one reason + another the pretended owners
of the soil will drive them off. + again At the several locations
of the Indians they have many substantial advantages which must be
relinquished in order to come together in a settlement.
One other + the greatest reason for abandoning the
Mission is to try to get the Board out of the embarrassment into which
it must be brought by what will be laid before them by some members
of the Mission.
Thus far in favour of relinquishing to the Methodist.
I wrote you in my last that I did not approve of
Mr Walkers advise to withdraw the Mission my reasons are the following.
First, The eye + hope of the church is on this mission.
Second, Nothing in the Indians themselves forbids
the hope of speedy conversion, were we in a proper state of feeling
among ourselves It has come to a point with them to discriminate between
mere form of worship, and an entire change of heart which will not
make it seem strange that opposition is felt. An unusual interest
+ attention has been given to instruction at this station this fall.
+ we have been looking for a revival. Some it is true tried to frightened
me to prevent me from being so plain in talking to them about the
consequences of sin, but I did not feel it a discouragement.
More people are brought to hear instructions in
this Mission than most of the Missions of the Board - I do not feel
that we should measure the importance of the work by the number of
the people alone, it should be taken into consideration what effect
will its abandonment have upon the Churches at home.
Will it not cause the Churches + free missionaries
to form another Board, to send missions to the Indians? Will not the
enemy triumph? Will it not be abandoning the Indians + in that way
Western America to the Catholics? Will not the Catholics unite all
the coast from California to the North? should it not be held as a
work which unites with it all the importance of missions to the Indians?
Is it best to flee before an onset is fairly made? In future we might
hope to live on less expense + labour with more facility.
The language is acquired; we are on the ground,
and have lost much time + spent much money to prepare for our work.
It will cost much to take us home or to another field + prepare us
for the work. All these things + more you will readily see.
And finaly; the state of suspense which will intervene,
between our leaving and the Methodist coming in + the time it will
take for them to learn the language + meet the wants of the people.
It will require an Agent in case you sell, in order
to make the arrangements
Messrs Walker + Eells are notified + will give their
views. In case all agree to sell, some one may go to see the Methodist
+ make proposition, in time to write by the Company's Express, by
way of Montreal in March next.
I see no way but for the Methodist to send some
of their number among us, to be acquiring the language while we remain.
My feelings are to live + labour for this people
- There is work enough for us all to do + for more if they were here.
I would that the true causes were given for relinquishing
the mission, as they exist in us + not altogether in the people +
things more remote. It does not become me to speak by way of complaint
of any one; but I may safely say we are greatly wanting in spirituality
faith prayer + expectation of success. We cannot keep the mission
together at our general meetings long enough to settle upon any principle
of action. It has always been the case that we must break up our meetings
before any of the work necessary for harmonizing the Mission was entered
upon. To me it has seemed we should never seperate untill there was
no more to be done to facilitate our work. But it has invariable been
the case that some of the members, would set a time to leave, + then
every thing must come to that time let what would be the state of
the Mission. I would much rather we had had but one station in this
language than the three as they now exist, or as we voted a fourth
at Samnap. I have ever opposed the increase of stations + of having
all our Ministers farmers as at present. I have felt ready, if I could
have had a minister with me to be farmer not only to supply this station
but any that could depend upon it for supplies. But why all must grow
grain for themselves is more than I can say. But I do know that no
minister would receive his support from any one else in the Mission.
No fair trial has yet been made by us. For every one to be his own
farmer, house builder +c, is too much to look for great or good results
in our missionary work. For one to be alone is to limit his time so
much to the care of his family that little can be done for the Indians
It may not be known to you that Mr Gray came home
in direct opposition to his + my arrangement when he left me to go
to the Flat Heads, as you may see by my letter written at that time
I did not wish to send home so soon
Some of the reenforcement have never seemed to feel
satisfied with being here. Mr Smith has always felt he brought it
on himself as a judgement for being in so much haste to be sent out.
(or in other words to get married) Mr Walker would come under the
same class of circumstances. Mr Eells would have been no where else
but here - for he saw the hand of the Lord in sending him into this
field.
If you sell out the Mission you will be at liberty
to send me to any field where I may be needed as Physician, but not
as here to fill the place of Minister a thing I have [Blurred spot]
in vain to avoid. By this I do not mean [Blurred spot] say I wish
to shrink from any responsibility Providence may lay upon me, but
that I find it to much for one man to fill so many trusts as I am
called to here.
But if no such place is needed to be filled I will
take care of myself by going to the U - States or else by going to
the lower settlements of the Columbia
I am Dear Sir
Your Obedient Servant
Marcus Whitman
Return to List of 1840 Letters
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