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 1844 Correspondence
May 18, 1844: Dr. Whitman to Reverend
David Greene
Dr. Whitman: summarizes the health of the missionaries; mentions books Mr. McKinlay had ordered; discusses some of the possible effects of settlers on the area; and expresses optimism over the future of sheep, cattle and other types of development in the area.
November 11, 1844: Dr. Whitman
to Reverend Elkanah Walker
Dr. Whitman: invites Reverend Walker to send his children to school at Waiilatpu; mentions the Sager orphans; and discusses the Oregon Trail emigrants and his food supplies.
RETURN:
Marcus Whitman Correspondence by Year
May 18, 1844
Comments:
From Dr. Whitman, Waiilatpu Mission, to Reverend David Greene, Boston.
Original letter begins below:
Waiilatpu May 18th 1844
Rev
David Greene
My Dear Sir
I have not any thing new to write since I wrote
by the Companies express. But I do not want to let the opportunity
pass without letting you know how we are situated The health of Mrs
Whitman as also the lameness of my foot are better than when I wrote
before Mr Walker + Family were all here a short time since + are in
health as also Mr Eells family. At the last dates Mr Spaldings family
were also well
One hundred dollars was deducted from our bill which
was sent out this spring on account of the books I desired you to
send Mr McKinlay. They have not yet arrived but may have come in one
of the three vessels lately in the mouth of the River.
In my last I wrote you about land claims + the importance
of securing the use of the lands occupied by the stations for the
benefit + use of the Mission The only way the Mission can hold land
will be for the use of the Mission which is worth comparatively nothing
at all. For as soon as the Mission becomes in the way of settlers
they will get rid of it
I have no hope that the interests of the Mission
can so be reconciled as to Stand long after Settlers come into this
part of the Country. I was anxious to so manage as to cause the Indians
+ the Mission to so far supply the wants of the Imigration in transit
as not to force the early occupancy of this part, Nothing however
can long delay such a result It can do no good to the Indians for
us to endeavour to alter the tendency. The Indians want settlers among
them in hope to get property from them. If we interfere directly or
indirectly with their wishes in these matters we shall be brought
into collision with settlers + the government. I do not want to abandon
the Indians but I am well assured when the Mission ceases as hithertoo
to be beneficial to settlers it cannot remain in peace. The only way
we can stay will be to take the relation of settlers also. Men and
things that stand in the way of the interest of such men as are settling
this country will + must be got out of the way. As the Board can hold
no claim to lands + in view of the probability of such changes as
soon to alter the situation of the Missionary I think it may become
his duty to embrace the opportunity of locating lands even if he has
to withdraw from the Board in order to make a legal claim. This could
be done in such a way as still to continue the operations of the Mission
either by being allowed a salary or in some way least objectionable
We could dissolve our presant relations and after having changed our
residence which might be done with the consent of the Board without
moving away from the Station either by making an addition to our houses
on our own private account which would be considered our private Residence
if we located the Stations or even if we located the immediate adjoining
lot to the Station the same could be done. By being disconnected with
the Board + having a private house + farm under cultivation we could
at the same time be employed by the Board as their Servants or Agents
in Such a maner as might be advisable. Although the Indians are doing
much by obtaining Stock + cultivating as well as advancing in knowledge,
still it cannot be hoped that a settlement will be so delayed as to
give time for the advance to be made so that they can stand before
a white Settlement For when has it been known that an ignorant, indolent
man has stood against Money, inteligence + enterprise And besides
is not the Providence of God in this matter in one respect if no more
For the command is multiply + replenish the earth neither of which
the Indians obey Their indolence, violence + blood shed prevent the
first + indolence + improvidence the second. How then can they stand
in the way of others who will do both And most especially who will
counteract the desire for Settlers among them + the influence of money
in affecting it? And why should we desire either? For first if Protestants
are not among them the Papists would be and if an American colony
were not to settle this country an English would. This is only one
of the onward movements of the world and it is quite in vain for us
to wish it to Stand Still.
Rather let us fall in and guide + aid with proper
institutions. Why should we not have a share of eastern men to aid
us with institutions of learning + Religion as also in Commerce +
Manufactories Why should not the sheep grower be induced to come here
where he could keep from two to four times as many sheep even without
the labour of preparing the barns + filling them as he could feed
in New England or N York out of the best of barns after all was secured
+ filled. And even more may be said of cattle. For there is not a
month in the year but we can kill better beef out of the plains than
is ever killed from the fattening stall. The fattening is equal +
the feed, air, exercise + water are better With such advantages in
addition to a mild congenial climate, abundant arable soil, timber,
water power + the finest Ocean coast who can limit the growth of the
country One great advantage of this country is its being a western
coast + in consequence the westerly, South westerly + South winds
which are the predominant ones are ocean breeses The easterly winds
are only local and unimportant It is most important to the Missionary
cause in the Islands of the Pacific + even in Asia that the institutions
of Religion + commerce of the country be of the proper character
There is no danger but there will be western men
enough to settle this country
The example of last year shows the way it will be
done. A farmer startes with Such team Stock +c as he has + brings
all to Oregon. Mr Daniel Waldo left 24 hundred acres of land in Missori
+ three hundred acres under improvement. He had more than 90 head
of cattle besides his tiam. A brother of his who married Mr Vail's
(late a Missionary of the Board) daughter is to come this year
If a person is once on the border + has the means
of a team of cows + oxen with a wagon he can come without farther
expense if he takes nothing but provisions as loading avoiding evry
thing else except a very limited supply of things to be used on the
road Cows are the best part of a team for they perform well on the
road and are worth more here than in Missori. Proper information on
these points + I have no doubt we should have many good people from
New England + N York. I have been trying to get Rev David Malin to
become interested in our case + to undertake to be the founder of
our institutions of learning + Religion. Our relation of Foreign Missionaries
Shuts us out from a participation in all these but I do not think
they should make us indiferent to them. At no time can these things
be done so well as now; by inducing men to come who will be interested
for the objects. And by securing the expected bounty of the government
By such men a vast amount of aid will also be secured. I know the
Board wil not divert from its object But by its Agents + in various
ways a great amount of [influence] could be given which in this case
could not be wrong for it would interfere with the rights of no one.
I have been thus particular trusting you might be able in Some way
to use the information to advantage Only one letter from Mr Chamberlin
has reached us by the late Vessel More may be expected
With much esteem Yours Truely
Marcus Whitman
Return to List of 1844 Letters
November 11, 1844
Comments:
From Dr. Whitman, Waiilatpu Mission, to Reverend Elkanah Walker, Tshimakain.
Original letter begins below:
Waiilatpu Nov 11th 1844
Dear
Brother
I write in haste in order to Send to Walla Walla
in hopes an opportunity will offer to forward it to you. My main object
is to let you know I have hired a school Teacher a native of New York
+ that the school is to open to day in order invite you to Send Cyrus
Our family is large but it will make no difference
for us to have the addition of Cyrus I expect Mr Spalding will send
Eliza if not Henry + have invited Mr McKinlay to send Mr Ogdens two
children
We have taken a family of seven Orphans The two
oldest of which are boys + the rest girls The youngest is not six
months old Both parents died on the road. I had thought to send the
boys to you + Mr Eells by first opportunity but have concluded it
is best to keep them at school and to assist in the kitchen for the
presant
I do not know whether the Mission will advise to
keep these children or to deliver them up to the Probate Court in
the spring
Do not be afraid of troubling us as we can get as
much female help as we desire from those who are to winter with us
The school will be large enough as a good many children belong to
the families who are going to winter All have gone on but seven Wagons
who must be here in a few days
The most went directly down the Utilla only Sending
here for provisions
My Mill has done as well as I could hope having
been my own Mill wright but as soon as all are passed + we have a
stock ground to last I intend to have it rebuilt as a Mill wright
is going to winter We cannot be eaten out as we must have a hundred
busels of wheat + two or more of corn left yet + more than a thousand
bushels of potatoes + plenty of beef + hogs A Gun + Black smith winters
with us Ellis takes this and is waiting to go so good by
Hoping you may come + bring Cyrus
Yours Truely
Marcus Whitman
Return to List of 1844 Letters
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