Chapter M: M. McCARVER (8)

DEAR SIR: Your letter of 3d received [asking for data on
early schools in Lane County.] In response would say the
first two schools I remember in our district were taught by
Mr. James M. Parker and Mr. H. Clay Huston, in a log house
on my claim in Lane County. The branches taught were A B
C's, spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar,
geography. I do not recollect which of these two gentlemen
taught first. I taught many terms of three months each in
various districts. In early days most districts were weak
financially, and but few could afford more than one term in
a year. Public money from school funds would not be quite
enough to pay the bill, and rate bill would be made for
balance and collected from patrons. The method of making
rate bills would be to average and find price per day per
scholar, and number of days' attendance per rate would be
each scholar's fee. Sometimes a subscription school would be
gotten [up] at so much per scholar for the term, the teacher
taking the subscribers for pay.

The houses were either log, frame, or box, principally log,
but as fast as district became able improvements were made.
Some had huge fireplaces where red hot coals assisted the
teacher's switch to keep the outer boy and girl warm while
he stored away his A B C's or fed his mind on ab, ib, ob.
Some were heated by stoves. Some would have long, narrow
windows, one on each side of the house, and under them long
desks fastened to the walls to write on, and long benches
for the writers to sit on; others would be constructed with
plenty of windows and reasonably comfortable seats and
desks.

The books principally used were Sanders' and Webster's
elementary spelling books, Sanders' first, second, third,
and fourth readers. I think Montieth's geographies,
Thompson's arithmetics, Smith's and Clark's grammars.
Teachers set most of copies for writers, but some copy
plates were used. Classes would be formed as much as
possible. A-B-C scholars would have to be heard singly, and
those just commencing to spell. Those in arithmetic would
have to be attended to singly except in general exercises on
blackboard. Four lessons a day in A B C's, spelling, first,
second, and third readers; two in the fourth reader,
besides closing spelling classes at noon and night. Often
these would consist of two classes, one class containing the
smaller, the other the larger scholars. One geography, one
grammar, one blackboard exercise for each class--about
fifteen or twenty minutes, set apart especially in fore and
afternoon for writers, so teachers could give them close
attention. Commencing with the A B C's first, after calling
school to order, then the spellers, next first, second,
third, and fourth readers; mingled with this would be the
necessary assistance to the arithmeticians, geographers,
grammarians. Classes having recited, then write geography,
grammar,--and blackboard exercise heard, usually in the
afternoon. Quiet could be better kept by requiring the
scholars to ask permission to speak when they wanted to
whisper, to leave their seats when wanting something in
another part of the room, or to go out when they wanted to
leave the room. Compositions would be better written,
speeches committed to memory, and read and delivered at
stated times; spelling schools in winter at night, and
sometimes examination or exhibition on last day. Christmas
times were apt to be jolly times. The scholars made it a
point to get to the schoolhouse before the teacher and
either bar him out or catch him before he got in, carry him
to a pond of water, and make him treat. Teachers would
sometimes board around among the scholars and sometimes
board at one place. The easiest, best way to control the
school was to make no rules only as needed; when
irregularity occurred, correct as required, with the
understanding that no such would be allowed the second time.

Patrons of the school furnished fuel, usually hauling wood,
wagon lengths, about ten or twelve feet long. Teacher and
larger scholars would chop it up for fires. Teacher or large
scholars did the sweeping.

Respectfully.

JOS. H. SHARP.

THE MONTURES ON FRENCH PRAIRIE.

In his history, H. S. Lyman speaks of "Montour, a character considered fabulous by Bancroft, but said to have made a settlement on French Prairie."

Referring to notes given me by Mr. L. H. Ponjade, one of the old residents on French Prairie, I found the following:

My father, the old French doctor, had studied at Montpelier,
and after receiving his diploma as surgeon and physician,
was immediately taken into the service of Napoleon, and
served three years as surgeon on the army of France, mostly
in Spain. He naturally did not wish to serve in the army
again, so came to America, found his way to Oregon, and from
force of associations, made his home on French Prairie.

Our first camp was at the ranch of old man Monture, that at
that time looked like an old farm, as it was well improved.
Peter Depot then owned the claim where Gervais is now
situated, and I understood that he got it from Monture some
time previous to that, but do not know the particulars.

Monture had two sons, named George and Robert. Whether they
were both sons of the wife he then lived with I do not know,
as morals were rather loose previous to arrival of the
missionaries. There was a custom among ex-servants of the
Hudson Bay Company to claim a wife wherever they might be
among the Indians. After the arrival of Father Blanchet they
were allowed to have but one wife.

I remember that George Monture was a very large man and very
powerful; must have weighed 350 pounds. I have seen him
lasso wild cattle and hold them to be branded without any
cinch or other thing to hold the saddle on the horse. He did
it by mere weight and bodily strength. He would do this for
half a day together at a time.

Bob--as he was called--was not so large, but was stout and
active. He was a fine shot with his rifle.

When I saw this mention of "Montour," I wrote to my old friend, L. H. Ponjade, to ask if his mention of Monture meant the same that Lyman thus referred to, and he confirms it as the same, and adds: "The old place where they lived was about one quarter of a mile west of Parkersville. Every man with any knowledge of old settlers knows of the Montures."

S. A. CLARKE.

DOCUMENTS.

OREGON MATERIAL TAKEN FROM A FILE OF AN INDEPENDENCE (MO.) AND WESTON (MO.) PAPER FOR 1844 AND 1845; ALSO SOME MINOR EXTRACTS FROM OTHER PAPERS IN THAT VICINITY.

During this time these towns were important outfitting points for Oregon pioneers. The Oregon fever was raging throughout the surrounding country, the frontier counties of Missouri. The newspapers, Democratic and Whig, in this vicinity appreciated the interest in the Oregon Country and in the movement of emigration thither. Their columns were open to reports of travelers returning from the Columbia. Letters sent back by pioneers in the Willamette Valley seemed to be in great demand. The documents printed below contain two noteworthy letters from persons who were in the great migration of 1843. Contemporary sources of the history of that epochal event are especially valuable.

[These extracts were made from the files of these papers in the possession of the Missouri Historical Society, Saint Louis, Mo.]

From the _Independence Journal_, September 12, 1844.

(Vol. I, No. 1, G. R. Gibson, editor.)

"Civis," in a communication, dwells upon the importance of
the Independence trade in outfitting Santa Fé traders. One
hundred and fifty thousand dollars are annually expended at
Independence for this purpose. There are good reasons for
believing that in a few years it will quadruple that amount.
Concerning the outfitting of the Oregon pioneers, he says:

"The Oregon emigrants will, no doubt, continue to rendezvous
near this place, and will number annually 1,500 persons, the
outfit for which number will cost $50,000, and all of which
our citizens may furnish."

Mountain trade, now of inconsiderable importance, will be
worth $10,000 per annum. "Civis" is urging the establishment
of a turnpike to the Missouri River.

* * * * *

From the _Independence Journal_, September 12, 1844.

OREGON TERRITORY.

Last Saturday's _Expositor_ contains a long letter from
Peter H. Burnett, dated Linnton, Oregon, July 25, 1844,
which we shall publish in our next; not having received it
in time for this week's paper.

* * * * *

From the _Independence Journal_, September 12, 1844.

OREGON EMIGRANTS.

We have news from the Oregon emigrants up to the 3d of
August, at which time they left Fort Laramie. They expected
to reach their destination about the beginning of October.
They were deficient in breadstuffs and could not procure any
at the fort without money. They expected to obtain a supply
at Buffalo, five or six days' journey from the fort. Some
fears were entertained that the Sioux Indians would steal
their stock, and otherwise give them trouble. Altogether
they appear to have got along very well, considering the
unusual weather they experienced between this and the Big
Platte.

The _Independence Journal_ of September 19, 1844, gives Peter H. Burnett's letter, written from Linnton, Oregon, July 25, 1844. [This letter was printed in the June QUARTERLY, 1903, pages 181-184 of this volume. It was taken from the _Ohio Statesman_, which quoted it from the _Washington Globe_.]

In the _Independence Journal_, September 19, 1844, under the caption of "Independence: Its Trade and Prospects," the high state of prosperity of the town is spoken of. Wagon makers are employed to build seventy-five wagons for the Santa Fé traders by next spring, in place of only fifty made the present year. Santa Fé road within the State must be improved. United States Government should give it a port of entry, and the State legislature should locate a branch of State Bank there to accommodate Santa Fé traders and commerce of western part of State.

* * * * *

From the _Independence Journal_, October 24, 1844.

Mr. Gilpin, of this place, who went out to Oregon about
eighteen months since, arrived on Tuesday last with several
other persons. They left Bent's Fort on the 22d of
September. All was quiet and well at the fort, but there
was a difficulty between the Santa Féans and Eutaw Indians.
The Spaniards had killed some Eutaws; and the head chief and
five other principal chiefs went to Santa Fé to receive
compensation. The Governor gave them what he could, or what
he thought was enough, and, refusing to give more, the head
chief, in a passion, pulled his beard, when he seized his
sword and killed him and another, and the guards, being
called, fell upon the other four and killed them. The
Indians who accompanied them immediately left, and killed,
on their retreat, several Spaniards who were going from Taos
to Santa Fé. Altogether they had killed ten or twelve
Spaniards. A war between the Indians and Santa Féans, of
course, was expected. Some Spaniards, who were out on a
buffalo hunt, met Colonel Owens' company at the Cimmaron,
and dispatched immediately an express to Santa Fé. They made
up a company at Santa Fé, on receipt of the intelligence,
among whom were Messrs. Chavis, Armigo, and Percas, to
escort him to Santa Fé; and brought out fresh mules, and
everything they would probably need. Colonel Owens
accompanied them to Santa Fé, where a ball was to be given
him. They met Charles Bent, Mr. Alvarez (our consul at Santa
Fé), and Mr. Ferguson, at Choteau's [Chouteau's] Island,
about three days' travel this side of Bent's Fort. Mr. St.
Vrais [Vrain?] was this side of Corn Creek with waggons,
going on well. Doctor Connolly, with Lucas, was between Ash
Creek and Pawnee Fork, twenty-five miles ahead of Mr.
Speyers' company, which was near Walnut Creek. Mr. Speyers'
mules were poor and much worn out; they had left several on
the road, beside ten or fifteen lost shortly after they left
Independence. All the teams of Messrs. Bent and Connolly
were in good order, and they were getting along well.

We are indebted to a Spaniard, who accompanied Mr. Gilpin,
for the foregoing. We have not heard anything of particular
importance from Oregon. Mr. Gilpin brought a large number of
letters, but we have not, as yet, been favored with the
perusal of any. The emigrants, we understand, were generally
getting along well.

The _Independence Journal_, October 31, 1844, under the heading "Oregon and Colonel Polk," gives an extract of a speech delivered by Colonel Polk in Congress on a bill for extending jurisdiction of the laws of the United States over all the people of Oregon Territory, and directing officers of the Government to take possession of the mouth of Columbia River, and establish a fort there. This, it says, will show whether he (Polk) is for immediate occupation of it or not; and that his opinions coincide with Mr. Clay's upon this subject. Gives an extract of Polk's speech to substantiate its claim that Polk was no more radical than Clay on this Oregon question. (_Independence Journal_ was supporting candidacy of Clay.)

_Weston Journal_, January 4, 1845 (Vol. 1, No. 1), Geo. R. Gibson, editor (the same who edited _Independence Journal_ in 1844), in leader: "To the Patrons of the _Journal_," he refers to recent political campaign, and says, among other things:

We shall advocate the annexation of Texas, but we wish to do
it without dishonor and by common consent. We shall advocate
the occupation of the Oregon Territory, and the erection of
a chain of posts from Missouri to the mountains; to protect
and extend facilities to companies, etc. Proposes to open
correspondence as soon as possible with mountain traders and
the settlers in Oregon.

The _Weston Journal_ prospectus contained regularly this paragraph:

From the great intercourse between this place and the
mountains, the editor will pay special attention to the news
from that quarter, the Oregon Territory, and the whole
Indian country. The Oregon Territory, attracting at the
present time the public attention, the patrons of the
_Journal_ may expect to find in its columns everything of
interest which may be gathered either from public or private
resources, relative to a country of such vast extent, varied
scenery, and diversified soil and climate.

* * * * *

From the _Weston Journal_, January 4, 1845.

LETTER FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS, OREGON, CALIFORNIA,
EMIGRATION, ETC.

We publish the subjoined letter, received by one of our
citizens a few days since, from a gentleman who accompanied
the Oregon emigration last year [1843]. We give it entire,
that our readers may have all the information that can be
gathered from this section of the country. It is not so
favorable, in some respects, of the Oregon Territory, as the
accounts of others, but it is by no means disparaging. Mr.
Gilpin thinks that corn can be raised to advantage, and says
that the reason why they have none, is--because they plant
none. It is undoubtedly a fine country for all the small
grains and is unsurpassed as a grazing country. The
emigrants who went out the past season have made a great
change in business, and money now circulates on the
Columbia as well on this side of the mountains, and
everything begins to assume the appearance of civilization,
business, trade, and the refinements this side the
mountains. We see that Mr. Cushing, our minister to China,
has returned by way of the city of Mexico; and here we have
a letter from one of our enterprising citizens from the
_halfway house_--the Sandwich Islands.

We have been in the habit of looking to Europe for Asiatic
news; let our government establish a chain of posts from
this to Oregon, an overland mail will speedily follow, and
the China and East India trade will pour into our channels
of commerce from the gorges of the Rocky Mountains: and a
journey from New York to China, by way of Oregon, will be
less thought of than it formerly was to Saint Louis. The
Government should consider that a little enterprise will
place the East India trade at our door; and the sooner the
better. We hope Congress, this winter, will take active
measures to bring about such a state of things. What is a
few thousand dollars compared with the object to be
acquired?

LAHIANA, MAUI, Sandwich Islands, July 17, 1844.

_J. Wells, Esq._--

DEAR SIR: In a few days the first ship that has left this
place for the States, since my arrival here, will sail, and
I take this opportunity to tell you something of my journey
and Oregon, etc., though probably you have heard all the
news long before you get this. I should have written you ere
this, had an opportunity offered. But to tell you of the
trip: I left the Shawnee mission on the 29th of May; our
route was through the Caw Indian country, which is good, has
considerable timber, and is well watered. It is a bad
country for wagons to travel through, having so many sloughs
and bad creeks; the teams were often stalled, and made very
slow progress. We had three rivers and creeks to cross
before we reached the Platte River. The Platte River has
good grass--plenty of it--but is destitute of timber; here
we saw the first buffalo--they were poor and tough. We saw a
few of the Pawnee Indians. They are fine looking fellows,
and no doubt, live well on buffalo meat; they are quite
treacherous. We reached the crossing of Platte on the
twenty-sixth day of July, a little more than one month out.
The traveling up the Platte is very good, level, and hard.
We struck from this to the north fork of the Platte, one
day's travel. On the 13th of July we arrived at the crossing
of Laramie's Fork, at the fort of the American Fur Company;
before arriving here we saw many splendid sights; also many
of the dog towns that you have heard of. I saw quantities of
the dogs; they are small, round animals, the size of a cat.
Certain it is that there are owls that visit them, also
rattlesnakes, but for what reason is a matter of dispute.
After we left Laramie we came to the Black Hills, the worst
of all traveling,--hilly, sandy, and full of wild sage--'tis
death on a wagon. The country is all of this barren, sandy
kind, until we reach Fort Hall and destitute of timber.
Arrived at Fort Hall the 13th of September, after
experiencing some cold rains, snow, hail, etc. At Fort Hall
we could get no provisions, and were obliged to go down the
river (Snake), and depend on getting fish to subsist on;
this was the reason of my going to Oregon instead of
California. The country down Snake River is hilly, rocky,
sandy, no timber, but an abundance of sage, until we get to
the Blue Mountains; here is plenty of pine, the country very
broken, and bad traveling, though the wagons went through.
After getting through the Blue Mountains we came to a
splendid country of grass, where there were thousands of
Indian horses grazing. About twenty miles from this, we come
to the Walla Walla Valley. There is a missionary
establishment here. They raise grain and vegetables, but no
timber, except for firewood. About twenty miles from this we
came to the Columbia River. Many of the emigrants sold their
cattle here, and went down the river by water, as they could
not cross the Cascade mountains with their wagons, though
they could go down one hundred miles farther and then take
water, as many did. The country on the Columbia is only fit
for grazing, being good grass, but sandy soil. On the 3d of
November arrived at Fort Vancouver, just as the rainy season
had commenced; and it was very disagreeable and rained most
of the time I was there. I then went to the Willamette
Falls; quite a town here--forty houses, four stores, two
sawmills, one flour mill, and another to be erected soon.
This country is not capable of half as large a settlement as
people represent; there is much timber, and it can not be
cleared in many years, so as to be capable of great
production; and what prairie there is will not produce as
much as your land; but the wheat is better. Neither do many
think the soil will last long, but that it is rather
shallow; and there is much fever and ague. Besides, the
winters are so wet 'tis impossible to do much out of doors.
It has the advantage that grain (wheat) is worth eighty
cents per bushel, and cattle will winter themselves. Take it
all in all, 'tis nothing like your country.

After my arrival there, finding that I could not get to
California until spring, I concluded to take a vessel for
the Sandwich Islands, and then go from here to California,
so I concluded to stay. It [this] is a fine climate--a
perpetual summer, and little rain. The natives require but
little clothing, and, in fact, some of them do not wear any.

I hardly know what to write about Oregon, or what you would
like to know; though if I was where you are, and should see
some one from Oregon, I could ask him a hundred questions,
as you could me. The report of Wilkes that you had is very
correct. There are thousands of salmon here [Oregon]--some
wild game, plenty of ducks, geese, and swans, and some good
wet places to raise more of them--as there must be some wet
places, being so much rain in the winter, and no snow.

There is scarcely any corn raised--it will not do well. I
saw a little, but it was poor. Most other kinds of grains do
well. There is no money in Oregon; although most of those
who have been farming a few years have made property, as
grain is high and cattle take care of themselves, and sell
high. Oxen are worth $75 to $125 per yoke; beef, six cents
per pound. Many of the people who went to California have
left it and gone to Oregon. I saw many of them while there,
and they gave as one of the reasons of leaving--trouble with
the Spaniards.

Truly yours,

JOHN BOARDMAN.

* * * * *

From the _Weston Journal_, January 11, 1845.

THE OREGON.

The editor of the _New York Commercial_ has read letters
from the Oregon Territory, brought overland and mailed at
the extreme western frontier of the United States. They are
as late as June 17th, from the Methodist missionary station
at Willamette. The Rev. Mr. Gary, who was sent out by that
missionary society, had arrived at Willamette _via_ the
Sandwich Islands, himself and wife in good health. Mr. Gary
had been but a short time in Oregon when an opportunity
offered of sending a communication to the Board of Missions
by a small party who were about to return to the United
States. He had, however, seen all the mission family, except
Rev. Mr. Perkins, who was at a distant post. The
missionaries and their families were in good health at the
date above mentioned. No event of special interest regarding
the mission had taken place since last previous advices. Mr.
Gary concurs, with several missionaries who have returned
from that far country, in the opinion that the natives are a
degraded race of beings, and that there is little prospect
of doing them permanent good by any ministerial labor which
may be expended among them.

* * * * *

From the _Weston Journal_, January 18, 1845.

OREGON AND CALIFORNIA.

A gentleman well qualified for the task has prepared a
pamphlet, called a guide to Oregon and California, which
will probably be published during the present winter. The
readers of the _New Era_ will recollect several well written
communications on that subject published during the past
year, which emanated from the same pen. The writer has lived
in Oregon and California, has traveled different routes to
and from those regions, and is well qualified to give full
and satisfactory information to emigrants and other persons.
Success to his efforts.--_New Era._

* * * * *

From the _Weston Journal_, January 25, 1845.

OREGON.

(Editorial.)

Congress may provide for the occupation of it--for the
formation of a territorial government--they may establish
posts and a military road across the mountains, and
encourage emigration in every possible manner, and the whole
will not contribute so much towards its settlement as the
negotiations of a treaty with China, opening to us a market
for our products in that country. If the one now before
Congress has done so, Great Britain may set her claim to the
Columbia--it will be a claim for but a short time. Our
shipping, farmers, merchants, and tradesmen will soon find a
road to a country possessing the advantages the west side of
the American continent would possess, in that event, and but
a short time would elapse before China would be supplied by
American skill and industry, from the mouth of the Columbia,
with all she would admit.

The _Weston Journal_, March 1, 1845, under heading, "Oregon Territory," speaks of a bill introduced into the Senate proposing that Oregon include: All the territory lying west of the Missouri River south of the forty-ninth degree of north latitude and east of the Rocky Mountains, and north of the boundary line between the United States and Texas, not included within the limits of any State, and also over the territory comprising the Rocky Mountains, and country between them and the Pacific Ocean south of fifty-fourth degree and forty-nine minutes of north latitude, and north of the forty-second degree of north latitude, etc. [!!!]

* * * * *

From the _Weston Journal_, March 1, 1845.

RAILROAD TO OREGON.

The _Philadelphia Ledger's_ Washington correspondent says
that Mr. Whitney, of New York, contemplates the construction
of a railroad from the western shore of Lake Michigan, in a
direct line through to the Columbia River, covering the
distance of some 2,100 miles, which shall be the point of
debarkation to China.

The cost of the road, when completed, is estimated at fifty
millions of dollars, and twenty-five years would be required
to perfect the scheme. Eight days would be about the
traveling time from New York City to the terminus of the
road, and if [steamship?] facilities were employed, some
twenty-five more would convey one to Amoy, in China, so that
by this short cut, a journey across the globe might be
accomplished within the narrow limit of a single month.

By the establishment of this means of communication, we
should be enabled to command the Chinese market, and to
extend our commerce with South America, Mexico, India, and
other parts.

And, in addition to the vast results that would necessarily
ensue from this work by the force of circumstances, we should
secure the transportation of the English trade on account of
the great shortening of time.

All the coöperation and assistance that Mr. Whitney asks the
government is a grant of sixty miles wide of the public
land, from one terminus of the contemplated road to the
other, for which a full consideration would be given in
carrying the mails, and transporting ammunition stores,
soldiers, and all public matters free of cost.

* * * * *

From the _Weston Journal_, March 15, 1845.

OREGON EMIGRANTS.

Preparations are making on the whole frontier, by the Oregon
emigrants, to leave at an early day. One company goes from
Savannah, another from some point between that and this, and
the company from this county, we understand, will leave at
Fort Leavenworth, or its neighborhood. One of the emigrants
who goes with the Savannah company informs us that not less
than one hundred families will leave at Elizabethtown, and
thirty families from the other points. The number from this
county we do not know. * * * A committee has submitted some
rules and regulations for the intending emigrants. They have
not yet had a meeting to adopt them, but they no doubt will
do so. They go about it in the right way, and the rules and
regulations are such as to secure order and method. They
expect to leave about the first of April, if the grass is
sufficient, or as soon thereafter as it is.

* * * * *

REPORT

Of the committee appointed to draft a constitution for
"Savannah Oregon Emigrating Company."

Whereas, in order the better to prepare the way for and to
accomplish our journey to Oregon with greater harmony, it
was deemed advisable to adopt certain rules and regulations;
and whereas the undersigned, having been appointed a
committee to draft and prepare said rules and regulations,
and having given the subject that attention which its
importance demands, beg leave respectfully to report the
following as the result of their deliberations, viz:

§ 1. This association shall be known by the style and name
of the "Savannah Oregon Emigrating Company."

§ 2. Any person over the age of sixteen may become a member
of this company by subscribing to this constitution and
paying into the treasury the initiation fee of one dollar.

§ 3. No person under the age of twenty-one years can become
a member without the consent of their legal guardian.

§ 4. No person shall be admitted whose intention is
obviously apparent to avoid payment of his debts.

§ 5. A majority of the members shall have power to expel any
member for good cause.

§ 6. The officers of this company shall consist of a
president, commandant captain, lieutenant, secretary,
treasurer, and executive council of thirteen, the commandant
being one thereof, and such other inferior military officers
as the executive council shall determine.

§ 7. The president shall be elected on the adoption of this
constitution, and shall continue in office until the
commandant captain shall be elected, when his functions as
presiding officer shall cease.

§ 8. The secretary shall be elected on the adoption of this
constitution, and shall continue in office until the
completion of the objects of this company; and he shall keep
a record of the transactions of the company, and perform
such other duties as usually pertain to his office.

§ 9. The treasurer (ditto as to election) shall collect and
safely keep, and at the direction of the commandant shall
disburse all moneys belonging to the company.

§ 10. The commandant captain, lieutenant, and such other
military officers as the council shall determine, shall be
elected when the company shall assemble at rendezvous
preparatory to a final start; and they shall hold office
until the completion of their journey, and shall perform
such duties as usually appertain to military officers of
their respective grades.

§ 11. The executive council, to consist of twelve men,
beside the commandant, shall be elected when assembled at
the rendezvous, and shall have general superintendence of
the affairs of the company, and perform such other duties as
may be assigned to them.

§ 12. The company shall elect, at least one month before the
rendezvous, three inspectors (not members of the company),
whose duty it shall be, after taking oath, to perform all
duty faithfully, to inspect the wagons, teams, cattle, and
provisions, and report to the executive council, who shall
determine upon their report as regards the outfit of all
members of the company; said inspectors to be paid a sum not
exceeding one dollar for every day actually engaged in such
services.

§ 13. The funds of the company shall be faithfully applied
for contingent expenses in furthering the objects of the
association.

§ 14. The necessary outfit shall consist of 150 pounds of
flour, or 200 pounds of meal, and 60 pounds of bacon for
every person (excepting infants) in the company.

§ 15. The wagons shall be expected to be able to carry
double the amount of their loads, and the teams to be able
to draw double the amount the wagons are capable of bearing.

§ 16. All cattle, excepting teams in use, shall be
considered as common stock; an inventory of age, brand,
kind, and number, shall be handed in by the contributor to
the secretary, and at the termination of the journey the
company shall account to each contributor for the amount
inventoried.

§ 17. The number of cattle thus inventoried and put in shall
never exceed fifty to one driver.

§ 18. No ardent spirits to be taken or drank on the route,
except for medicinal purposes, and if smuggled in shall,
when discovered, be destroyed under the control of the
commandant.

§ 19. Every person over the age of sixteen shall furnish
himself with a good and sufficient rifle, ---- pounds of
powder, and ---- pounds of lead, to be inspected by the
inspector, and reported on as in other cases.

§ 20. All members of this association shall assemble at
----, and on the ---- day of ----, 1845, and organize for
the final trip.

§ 21. * * * This constitution may be altered or amended at
any time by a vote of two thirds of the members present at
any regular meeting of the company, or at any special
meeting called by the commandant.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

JAMES OFFICER,
WM. DEAKINS,
B. M. ATHERTON,
C. F. HALLY,

_January 4, 1845._ Committee.

* * * * *

From _Western Journal_, March 15, 1845.

LETTER FROM OREGON.

The following extracts from a letter written by one of the
emigrants of 1843, will be particularly interesting at this
time, and should be carefully read by those going out this
spring. It will be particularly useful to emigrants who
leave from this part of the country:

FORT VANCOUVER, November 11, 1843.

DEAR SIR: We were six months to-day, from the time we left
home, in getting to this place, though we might have arrived
one month sooner had we not unnecessarily wasted time on the
way. To give you a full description of our travels would
occupy more time than I have to spare. I will, however, give
you and my friends a short sketch. We left Westport on the
27th of May, and crossed the Kansas River near the old
village: thence up the north side of the Kansas, where we
had a great deal of rain and stormy weather to encounter
which made it very disagreeable traveling. We then crossed
over [to] the Platte, about eighty miles above the Pawnee
village; thence up the Platte about fifty miles above the
forks, where we crossed the South Fork. We then struck over
on to the North Fork and traveled up it until we came to
Fort Laramie. We then crossed Laramie's Fork of Platte,
which we found very difficult to pass. We still kept up the
North Fork to within forty miles of the Rocky Mountains,
where we crossed it. We came to a small stream, called
Sweetwater, one of the streams of the northern branch of
Platte; we traveled up this until we passed through the
Rocky Mountains, which we found to be as good as any part of
our road. We then came to the waters of Green River, which
is one of the branches of the Colorado--then to Fort Bridges
[Bridger], which is on the waters of Green River; from there
we next struck Bear River, which empties into the Great Salt
Lake. We traveled several days down this river, then crossed
over on to the Snake River, and arrived at Fort Hall on the
25th day of August. Here I found some of the best beef I
ever saw. From here we traveled down Snake or Lewis River,
crossing and recrossing the same to Fort Bosie [Boisé];
thence to Fort Walla Walla, crossing the Blue Mountains in
our route. We passed them much easier than I expected.

At Walla Walla myself and Reeves, and many others of the
emigrants, exchanged cattle [for cattle] at Vancouver. We
got age for age and sex for sex. Here we found it advisable
to take [to the] water and travel down the great Columbia,
which we did with some difficulty. Those who did not
exchange their stock went to the Methodist mission at the
foot of the Cascade Mountains. Here they carried their
wagons by water and drove their stock through by land. A
large portion of the emigrants have arrived, and the
remainder will be here in a few days. Those who have been to
the Willamette Valley say it is a rich and beautiful
country, but to what extent they know not, as they have not
had sufficient time to examine it. I find any quantity of
provisions can be had here. Doctor McLoughlin, of Vancouver,
has rendered great assistance to the emigrants in loaning
them his boats and furnishing them with provisions to take
back to the companies that are yet behind--at the same time
refusing any compensation for either. We have found the
Hudson Bay Company at all the forts very accommodating. The
road from Independence to Fort Hall is as good a road as I
would wish to travel,--from Fort Hall there is some bad road
and some good. The reason why we did not try to take our
wagons across the Cascade Mountains was that the season had
so far advanced it was thought to be a dangerous undertaking
through so much snow and cold weather. We will prepare a
road across these mountains next summer, so that the next
emigration can bring their wagons through without any
difficulty. Some of us will meet the next emigration at Fort
Hall.

I will now give you a description of the necessary outfit
each person should have to come to this terrestrial
paradise. Your wagons should be light, yet substantial and
strong, and a plenty of good oxen. Though I wrote while on
the Sweetwater that mule teams were preferable, but after
seeing them thoroughly tried I have become convinced that
oxen are more preferable--they are the least trouble and
stand traveling much the best--are worth a great deal more
when here. Load your wagons light and put one third more
team to them than is necessary to pull the load. Bring
nothing with you except provisions and a plenty of clothes
to do you one year from the time you leave. They can all be
had on as good terms here as in Missouri, and even better;
bring but few bedclothes, for they will be worn out when
they arrive here--they can be had here on good terms. Your
oxen will not require shoeing. Bring a plenty of loose
cattle, cows and heifers particularly, as they are but
little trouble and are worth a great deal. Bring mules to
drive your loose stock. Bring a few good American mares, but
use them very tenderly or you will not get them here.
American horses are worth considerable in this country.
Horses can not get here except they are well used, and you
should have two or three pairs of shoes and nails for them
and your mules. You should bring 200 pounds of flour, 100
pounds of bacon, for every member of the family that can
eat, besides other provisions. Make no calculation on
getting buffalo or other wild meat, for you are only wasting
time and killing horses and mules to get it. Have your wagon
beds made in such a manner that they can be used for boats;
you will find them of great service in crossing
streams--have your wagons well covered, so that they will
not leak, or your provisions and clothes will spoil. Have
your tents made water tight; start as early as possible; let
your teams and stock all be in good order. Start as soon as
your stock can get grass enough to travel on, for the grass
will be getting better every day until you arrive at Fort
Hall; after that you will find the grass bad in places until
you get to the Blue Mountains. You will find plenty of grass
from there to the Willamette Valley. Our cattle are in
better order than they were one month ago. Large flintlock
guns are good to traffic with the Snake Indians. Bring a
plenty of cheap cotton shirts to trade to the Indians on
this side of the mountains. You might start with calves and
kill them on the way, before they get poor, for fresh
eating. You will find some beans, rice, and dried fruit of
great use on the road. You should travel in companies of
forty wagons, and continue together the whole route. You
will find some ship biscuit to be of great use at times when
you can not find fuel sufficient to cook with.

Be sure and bring nothing except what will be of material
use to you on your journey, for, depend upon it, if you
overload you will lose your team, wagon, and goods. You will
find good stout young cows to answer in place of oxen, in
case you should not have sufficient; let them be about
middle size; let them be good, sound oxen, that have never
been injured. I am satisfied from the products of the
country that a man can live easier here than he can in any
part of the United States. If he raises any produce he is
sure of getting a good price for it in anything he may call
for, money excepted. There is very little money in this
country, though it is very little use when a man can get
anything he wants without it. The merchants here will sell
their goods cheaper for produce or labor than they will for
cash, because they make a profit on the commodities they
purchase, while there is no profit on cash. In fact,
business is done here altogether by exchanging commodities.
We can purchase anything of the Hudson Bay Company cheaper
by promising wheat next year than we can for cash in hand.
Cows are worth (that is, American,) from $30 to $50;
American horses from $60 to $100; oxen $60 to $80; wheat $1
per bushel; oats, 40 cents; potatoes, 40 cents; peas the
same; beef, 6 cents; pork, 10 cents; butter, 20 cents;
common labor, $1.50; mechanics, $2 to $3.

The next emigration will get their cattle and wagons through
quite easy, if they will start early and travel constantly
though slow; they must not push.

Persons on the north side of the Missouri should rendezvous
on the south side of the river, opposite the Blacksnake
Hills, and go up the Nemaha and strike the Platte near the
Pawnee village; by so doing they will avoid crossing the
Kansas, and avoid some bad roads, and go 100 miles nearer.

We were not troubled with the Indians in the dangerous part
of the country, for this reason, I have no doubt,--we kept a
strong guard in nighttime and a sharp lookout in daytime.
After we passed Green River we abandoned guarding and broke
up into small companies, though advised to the contrary, and
in passing from the Blue Mountains to the valley some of the
emigrants were imposed on, in fact, some of them were
robbed, though it was their own fault for not sticking
together. You should start with some medicine, for you will
have more or less sickness until you get to Fort Hall. Be
sure and take good care not to expose yourself
unnecessarily, for people have to go through a seasoning on
the road, which makes the most of them sick. We are now
eating apples which grew at Vancouver. They are now
gathering their apples, peaches, and grapes, etc.; these are
the only fruits tried as yet; they are fine.

The missionaries here have done more toward Christianizing
the Indians in five years than has been done in the States
in twenty years. Numbers of them who can not speak one word
of English hold regular family worship. They are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church. I am convinced it is in
consequence of not being able to get liquor. The Hudson Bay
Company and missionaries and settlers have taken a bold
stand against the introduction of ardent spirits into this
country, and I am convinced while they continue this
praiseworthy course we all will see more satisfaction and
pleasure, and our little colony will profit thereby.

S. M. GILMORE.

* * * * *

From _Weston Journal_, April 5, 1845.

CORRESPONDENCE.

MR. EDITOR: I desire to recommend, through your paper, to
all emigrants to Oregon, to pass by the Council Bluffs. The
road from Weston to the Bluffs is now in fine order. All the
streams are bridged or have ferries, so that there is no
obstacle to cause an hour's detention until the company
shall reach the Bluffs. The best route is that crossing the
Nishnebatona at Huntseeker's Ferry; thence by the residence
of Major Stephen Cooper to Port au Poule, where a good
ferry-boat is now in preparation to cross the Missouri. From
the Missouri, at that point, to the Pawnee villages, the
road is much better than on the lower route, and the
distance is about the same.

ONE WHO KNOWS.

_Weston, April 2, 1845._

* * * * *

From _Weston Journal_, March 15, 1845.

OREGON! OREGON!! OREGON!!!

MR. EDITOR: I wish to give notice, through your paper, to
all those parties who intend to emigrate to Oregon, that
arrangements have been made to cross the Missouri River at
two different points, the one in Andrew, the other in
Buchanan County. Some of the citizens of Andrew have made an
arrangement with the Sacs Indians for the privilege of
range, wood, and water, opposite Elizabethtown.

They have promised the Indians six two-year-old beeves, to
be paid by that portion of the Oregon company which may
cross at Elizabethtown. This point is very suitable for
crossing the Missouri River. The rates of only about half
what is usual at the common ferries on the Missouri.

The company expect to rendezvous in the Indian country,
opposite Elizabethtown, between the first and tenth of
April. A number of excellent citizens expect to cross at
this place. This is the point from which a portion of the
Oregon company started last spring. Taking all things into
consideration, this is probably the best route to cross the
Missouri at Elizabethtown (where there is an excellent
large, new ferry-boat), and fall over on the Platte,
opposite the Pawnee village, and thence pass along up the
south side of the Platte River.

A MEMBER OF THE OREGON COMPANY.

_March 8, 1845._

* * * * *

From _Cherokee Advocate_, Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation,
February 27, 1845.

LATER FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS AND OREGON.

Advices are to September 4th. The United States ship
_Warren_, Hull, sailed on the 8th of August from Honolulu
for Mazatlan, by way of California. The _Delaware_, Carter,
which arrived at Honolulu with naval stores from Valparaiso,
September 1st, reports having seen a large vessel, probably
the United States ship _Savannah_, entering Honolulu Bay.
The _Polynesian_ contains intelligence from Oregon to August
2d.

The legislature of Oregon adjourned a few days before the 3d
of July, having passed some important laws. One of its acts
is: "Any person who shall make, sell, or give away ardent
spirits in Oregon, south of Columbia River, shall forfeit
and pay $100 for each and every such offense." The
legislature is called the "Legislative Committee," and
consists of nine persons elected by the people. The officers
of the Oregon Territory consist of three governors, called
the Executive Committee, a Supreme Judge, and a Legislative
Council. The laws are the same as those governing the
Territory of Iowa. The government is purely democratic
republican. Doctor Babcock is the supreme judge. The name of
only one of the governors, Doctor Bailey, is mentioned. On
the 1st of August a Belgian brig arrived at the Oregon city,
having on board a number of nuns and several Catholic
priests from Antwerp, sent out to Oregon by the church of
Rome.

The colony is in a most encouraging condition. The crops
were giving promise of an abundant harvest.

People were coming into the territory in large numbers, and
the country is filling up with thriving and energetic
colonists. Doctor Babcock, "the supreme judge," went to
Oregon as physician to the Methodist mission family. Doctor
Bailey was from this city, where his family now
resides.--_New York Evening Post._

* * * * *

From _Cherokee Advocate_, February 27, 1845.

A large company of emigrants are expected to leave
Independence, Missouri, about the first of May for Oregon.

* * * * *

From _Cherokee Advocate_, Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation,
February 27, 1845.

PRINTING PRESS FOR OREGON.

We see by the _Commercial_ that the proprietors of that
paper forwarded one of Hoe's best printing presses to Oregon
last week, with type, printing ink, paper, etc., for the
newspaper about to be established in Oregon. The paper is to
be connected with the missionary station there.--_New York
Sun, 27th ultimo._

* * * * *

_Missouri Statesman_, September 1, 1843.

The _Western Expositor_ is the name of a new Democratic
paper published in Independence. Editor, Robert G. Smart,
Esq. It takes the place of the _Western Missourian_.

* * * * *

CORRECTION.

NOTE.--"William Marshal," on page 11 of the March QUARTERLY,
should read "James Wilson Marshall."

THE QUARTERLY
OF THE
OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

VOLUME IV. DECEMBER, 1903 NUMBER 4

THE ORIGIN AND AUTHORSHIP OF THE BANCROFT PACIFIC STATES PUBLICATIONS: A HISTORY OF A HISTORY.--I.

By WILLIAM ALFRED MORRIS.

The true student of history, when confronted for the first time with a statement of what purports to be an historical fact, weighs at the outset, as all-important, the evidence of its accuracy. If there be at hand no means of verifying the statement, the only ground of assurance is a knowledge of who is speaking, how likely he is to know the truth, and how well fitted he is to tell it; for to be a writer of accurate history one must not only know facts, but must also be truthful, and so far above bias upon his subject as to be able to treat it fairly, openly, and without false coloring of any part. It is therefore the first canon of historical criticism to accept as authority no statement unless it be known who is making that statement.

The greater our interest in a given subject, the more important to us becomes the question of the authority for all statements concerning that subject. As the field of history is narrowed down to a single state or to a single locality, where every man may to a certain extent be an historian, an anonymous written account, though excellent in itself, will still be viewed with suspicion. The fact that there is a good local knowledge of the subject by no means removes the necessity of determining authorship.

Fortunate it is for the Pacific States and Territories of the United States that data concerning their history from its beginning were collected during the lifetime of men who laid the foundations of these commonwealths. It is then a matter of the highest importance to the people of this vast empire to know who wove this material together, and wrote the only attempt at a full and connected history of the Pacific Coast which has ever been published.

The completion of the Bancroft series of Pacific Slope histories, to which reference is here made, marks an event unique in the annals of history writing. At no other time and in no other land has there been carried to completion a work of like character and magnitude. There had previously been written a few histories of Oregon and California covering a certain period, and designed chiefly to give a treatment of a certain institution or political subject, but so far as the thorough working up of the whole ground was concerned, a virgin field presented itself.

Moreover, the undertaking was an unusually inspiring one. It was none other than that of tracing from the days when Europeans first trod the Pacific shores of America the sequence of events by which these lands were acquired and occupied by their present holders, political governments organized, and the development of resources entered upon; in short, it was the following up of the successive steps by which the institutions and industries of a nineteenth century civilization were established in a western wilderness. When we remember that the greater part of this record could at the time of writing be made from information furnished directly by the men who made this history, and that the lack of material which so often embarrasses the writer could not here be a cause of complaint, we may well conclude that such an opportunity had never before fallen to the lot of the historian.