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 1834 Correspondence
June 3, 1834: Dr. Whitman
to Dr. Wisner
Dr. Whitman: provides information about his
childhood, education, religious background and medical training;
expresses his enthusiasm for the missionary cause and his willingness
to become a missionary.
June 27, 1834: Dr. Whitman to
Dr. Wisner
Dr. Whitman: describes his health and medical
problems; provides references for his application to become a
missionary; and describes his preferences for potential mission
fields.
December 2 , 1834: Dr. Whitman
to Dr. Wisner
Dr. Whitman: agrees to accompany Reverend Samuel
Parker on an exploring trip beyond the Rocky Mountains.
RETURN:
Marcus Whitman Correspondence by Year
June 3, 1834
Comments:
From Dr. Whitman in Wheeler, N.Y., to Dr. B. B.
Wisner, Boston.
Original letter begins below:
Wheeler, Steuben Co, N. Y.
June 3, 1834
Rev. Doct. Wisner,
Sir, I received a letter from Rev. H P Strong
Saying he had written you on my behalf and that you desired information
upon the subject of my Parentage Education +c.
My Father died when I was about Seven years old
and I was Sent to reside with my Father's Brother in Massachusetts
Where I received, my early education and Religious instruction.
my Grand Father (for he resided in the Same family) and Uncle were
both pious + gave me constant religious instruction and care. I
was under their care mostly for ten years.
My Mother is living and profeses a hope but is
not attached to any church. My preliminary education consists of
the english Branches together with Some knowledge of the Lattin
+ some little of the Greek. In my profession I studied and practised
regularly with a good Physician and attend the lectures two full
courses and Graduated at the Medical and Surgical College at Fairfield
N Y.
Five years that I resided in Mass - I attended
the ministration of Rev Moses Hallock at which time I was awakened
to a sense of my sin and danger and brought by Divine grace to rely
on the Lord Jesus for pardon and salvation During this Summer (the
summer after I was sixteen) I attended bible-clas under the instruction
of Deac Js Richards. I have attend as a schollar teacher or Superitendant
in Sabbath Schools ever since
I did not unite withe the Church untill I returned
to Rushville (my native place) I regard the Missionary cause as
based upon the Atonement. + the commands, and promises of the Lord
Jesus Christ to his Ambasadors and Church; and that it involve the
holines and happiness of all that may be reclaimed from Sin, I regard
the Heathen as not having [retained] the knowledge of the true God
and as perishing as described by St. Paul. I esteem it the duty
of evry Christian to seek the advansment of the caus of Christ more
truely than they are wont to their own favourit objects
I pray that I may have only such feelings in
desireng to be received as a helper in the Missionary cause
I am willing to go to any field of usefulnes
at the direction of the A. Board, I will cooperat as Pysician Teacher
or Agriculteralist So far as I may be able, if required
I am not marid and I have no presant arangement
upon that Subject. Yet I think I should wish to take a wife, if
the service of the of the Board would admit.
I am in my thirty Second year My mind has long
been turned to the missionary subject For the last Six months I
have been mor inten unpo it than bfore, I wish soon to have a definit
course
Rev H P Strong desired me to say by way of explanation
that the Church at Rushville pays more than one hundred dollars
and that Mr Strongs Family pay more than twele to the A. B. C. F.
Return to List of 1834 Letters
June 27, 1834
Comments:
From Dr. Marcus Whitman in Wheeler, N. Y., to
Dr. B. B. Wisner, Boston.
The original document starts below:
Wheeler, Steuben. Co. N. Y. June 27 - 1834
Dr. Wisner,
Dear Sir,
I received your letter of the 14th instant upon
the 23d, And in answer will give a general description of my health.
I have one of the best constitutions + have enjoyed almost uninterrupted
health untill within three or four years. In the fall 1830 I gave
up the practice of my profesion and entered upon a course of study
preparitory to the Ministry. I had not continued long when for want
of active exercis I fond my health became impaired by a pain in
the left side which I attrebuted to an inflamation of the spleen,
I immediately resorted to remidies with apparently full relief,
but resumed Study So Soon that it caused a return of the pain, +
again I used remedies with partial relief. Then I used exercise
+ continued it for a number of months when I found I was not able
to Study + returned to the practice of my profession, I have not
used remedies but in some few instances Since + Except for the last
two or three weeks I have had but trifling inconvenience + nothing
of organic or functional derange I have not been for any length
of time withot a slight pain + for the last two or three weeks there
has been an agrivation of pain + Soreness So that I have used remides
+ shall have to use more still, I have thought for the last year
or more that my health was nearly restored + I am in hopes that
I shall still find my expectations realised in this respect In conversation
with Mr Strong I meant to be understood as saying that the circumstances
of my health were the only reasons that discouraged me from offering
myself to the Board + in speaking of stations I said I thought I
could endure any temperat climat + in that way alluded to a station
among the Indians. I had no hope of changing my circumstances for
the better with regard to health. I only sought to see whether my
health would admit of my being usefull in such a station. The reason
upon which I decided that it would were my general good constitution
+ the slight degree of local affection + the absence of functional
drangement. As also that that I had been accustomed to active exertion
without inconvenience. The only circumstance that gives me inconvenience
is sitting.
I resided in Cummington Ms. + the last few years
in Plainfield. You may enquire of [Euastus?] Bates Esq (Memb. of
East Lynn Assem. Ms.) Plainfield + of Rev. Moses Hallock Plainfield
Perhaps he may recolect me I was under his tuition + his sons for
a time I left Mss in 1820. In N. Y. of Rev. J H Hotchkin our paster,
Wheeler, + Elisha Loomis, former Missionary Printer to Sandwich
Island Rushville or of Rev Chauncy Eddy Agent for the Board.
I have examined the Herald upon the Marqussion
Mission + should have no objection to go except from the climate
I have some fears of a hot climate I have some lands in possession
which I should wish to Sell + considerable business to settle if
the board Should approve of me; It shall be done as Soon as I am
notified to that effect
Return to List of 1834 Letters
December 2, 1834
Comments:
From Dr. Marcus Whitman in Rushville, N. Y., to
Dr. B. B. Wisner, Boston.
The original document starts below:
Rushville Dec 2 - 1834
Doct B B Wisner,
Dear Sir,
I have had an interview with the Rev Samuel Parker
upon the Subject of Missions and have determined to offer myself
to the A. M. Board to accompany him on his Mission or beyond the
Rocky Mountains My health is so much, restored that I think it will
offer no impediment I find no Sensible inconvenience from my former
difficultys and think I shall not from the climate or labour of
such a Mission.
In accordance with Mr Parkers direction I send
Some testimony I think I have deliberately and prayerfully considered
the subject and shall acquiesce in the decision of the Board
P S Direct as before to Wheeler, Steuben, N. Y
Return to List of 1834 Letters
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