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.

List of Selected 1847 Correspondence

April 1, 1847: Dr. Whitman to Reverend David Greene

Dr. Whitman notes that he had received letters and supplies from the Board; mentions the severity of the winter; talks about the settlers who had spent the winter at his station; explains his reasons for going back east in 1842; defends his actions in dealing with the Oregon Trail emigrants; talks about the mission school; requests more sermons be sent; mentions having arranged for about 20,000 fence rails to be split for the Cayuse; and discusses the situation of the Waiilatpu and Lapwai mission stations.

September 13, 1847: Dr. Whitman to Reverend David Greene

Dr. Whitman notes that The Dalles mission is now under American Board control; describes clashes between Natives and settlers; notes that Perrin Whitman is learning the Natives' language; provides an update on the activities of the Catholic missionaries; mentions injuries acquired from a horse falling on his knee; and discusses his expectations that large numbers of emigrants will stop at his station during the coming fall.