The Story of Marcus Whitman; Early Protestant Missions in the Northwest
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THE Story of Marcus Whitman Early Protestant Missions IN THE Northwest REV. J. G. CRAIGHEAD, D.D. Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work, Philadelphia, 1895 '^0 ^^wVnM Copyright, 1895, by THE TRl'STEES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION AND SABBATH- SCHOOL WORK. fZ 31 (oJS i PREFACE. THE incentive to this volume was the wish to vindicate the characters and the work of the early Protestant missionaries in Oregon from aspersions which have been cast upon them ; to show the importance of their labors in the development and settlement of the country ; and to prove that it was through their public-spirited and patri- otic services that a large part of the Northwest territory was secured to the United States. The settlement of Oregon by any organized system began in the year 1834, when Christians in the Eastern States were induced, by the earnest desire of the Indians of the far .West for the Bible and religious instruction, to take active measures to provide them with religious teachers. As soon as practicable, missionaries were sent and mission stations established among them. The influence and ex- ample of the missionaries not only promoted a Christian civilization among the Indians, but also laid the founda- tion of orderly and law-abiding communities wherever they labored. Their coming opened the way for the pioneer settlers of the country ; an^ their stations formed a rallying point for American immigrants who were yearly attracted in large numbers from our Western States, and who afterward obtained ascendency in the new State. Nor is it beyond the facts in the case to say, as did (iii) iv Preface. Judge Boise in his address before the Pioneer Association of Oregon, that "history will record that these holy men were the nucleus around which has been formed and built the State of Oregon." They were ''men who knew how to plant in the virgin soil the seeds of virtue and knowl- edge, and cultivate them as they germinated and grew into churches, schools and colleges." Though the results of Protestant missions among the Indians in Oregon, owing to the peculiarly hostile condi- tions they had to encounter, were not all that the friends of the cause had at first expected, yet the presence and labors of the missionaries at this time were all important, and their effects are still felt in the religion, civilization and education which they introduced and zealously fos- tered. In the preparation of this volume I have, as far as possi- ble, availed myself of all known authorities contempora- neous with the facts discussed. Owing to the protracted controversy which has been waged respecting some of the events narrated, a more exhaustive examination was re- quired than would otherwise have been necessary. In every such instance I have striven to be honest and impar- tial in the testimony adduced. The author will feel amply repaid, if his search for the truth of history shall lead to a more general appreciation of the characters and services of the first Protestant mission- aries of the far West. Washington, D. C. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE. Spain, France, Russia, Great Britain and the United States claim title —First three withdraw—United States claim the country by right of discovery and cession—Long controversy with Great Britain—Finally settled in 1872 9 CHAPTER II. Lewis and Clark's exploration from the Missouri river to the Columbia, in 1805-6—Valuable knowledge obtained—Gov- ernment promotes the settlement of the territory. -. 16 CHAPTER III. Missouri and Pacific Fur Companies—Expeditions by sea and land—Astoria and other posts occupied—Loss of ship Ton- quin—Pacific Fur Company prosperous—War with Great Britain—Fear of capture of fort, fur and supplies—Sale to North West Company by Mr. Astor's agents —Inglorious ending of his company—Treachery charged 21 CHAPTER IV. The North West Company—Its origin, explorations and repressive policy—The Hudson Bay Company, its charter rights and its power—Bloody conflicts with the North West Company—The two united with increased power—Destruction of all rival traders—Indians kept in barbarism—Opposition to all civilized settlement of the country 31 (V) — vi Contents. CHAPTER V. PAGE Indians seeking the Bible—Response of churches—Methodist missionaries—Mission of the American Board —Journey to the Columbia river—Kind reception—Stations selected—Rein- forcements—Success among Indians—Jesuit missionaries Conflicting interests. 41 CHAPTER VI. The missions prosperous —Hudson Bay Company's policy to occupy the country—Americans resist it—Dr. Whitman visits Washington to save Oregon—His perilous winter ride — Ar- rival at Washington—Interviews with President Tyler and leading statesmen—He renders important service—Unwise claims of his friends 58 CHAPTER VII. Dr. Whitman's visit to Boston—Return to Oregon with nearly one thousand immigrants—Services as guide and physician Oregon saved to the United States by this large immigration —American and Hudson Bay policies conflict—Hostility shown to Americans and Protestant missionaries—Acts and motives misrepresented —Sickness among Indians—Massacre of Dr. Whitman and others 74 CHAPTER VIII. Prolonged paper discussion over the massacre—Agent Ross Browne's report—A valuable Senate document—Roman Catholic writers assail and deny its statements—Try to vindi- cate the conduct of their priests—In so doing, make serious charges against Protestant missionaries—Defense of the latter — Their good character and usefulness shown %^ CHAPTER IX. Wisdom and honesty of Protestant missionaries impugned—Their alleged promises to pay Indians for land—Scandals proven — Contents. vii false Their work depreciated on the ground that the Indians were not improved—Vindicated by the facts—Important results of Protestant missions 102 CHAPTER X. Catholic missionaries—Methods of the priests—Wholesale bap- tisms Indians not permanently benefited—Proofs of failure —Their missions reinforced—Complaints of Dr. Whitman— His great generosity—Events prior to the massacre— Indians influenced by priests and others—Destruction of Protestant mission the result 120 CHAPTER XL The controversy over the massacre continued—Defense made by accused parties—Indians hostile to Dr. Whitman had resolved to kill him—Reasons assigned—Charges of taking their lands and poisoning them—Deaths by disease—Accounts of the massacre by priests and Hudson Bay Company—Causes stated inadequate—Some of the statements false—Approximate causes 135 CHAPTER XII. The murderers Cayuse Indians—Roman Catholic half breeds and Hudson Bay employes the instigators—Object to break up the Protestant missions—Catholics and Hudson Bay people un- harmed—Active agency of half-breeds— Indirect influence of priests over Indians—They and Hudson Bay Company blamed—Conclusions from the evidence 152 CHAPTER XIII. Survivors at Waiilatpu—Proper sympathy and aid not extended to them—Hudson Bay Company blamed for not preventing the massacre—Its agents charged with cruelty to Messrs. Hall and Osborne—Miss Bevvley's sufferings— Her deposition Lack of protection at the priests' camp 169 viii Contents, CHAPTER XIV. PAGE. Dr. Whitman's journey East in 1842-43— Its purpose—Visit to Washington and influence there both questioned—Confirmed by his letters, and by a Congressional bill—His patriotic and valuable services —Evidence that he more than any other person, saved Oregon to the United States 1 83 APPENDIX. Letter from Dr. Whitman to James M. Porter, Secretary of War. 197 Whitman's Ride 205 THE STORY OF MARCUS WHITMAN. CHAPTER I. OREGON. THE CONTEST FOR POSSESSION. ORIGINALLY, the territory of Oregon comprised all the country lying between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, bounded on the north by the Rus- sian possessions, latitude 54° 40', and on the south by the northern border of California, latitude 42°. It extended seven hundred and fifty miles from north to south, and about five hundred miles from east to west, being nearly four times the size of Great Britain and Ireland combined. This huge territory was claimed, wholly or in part, by five powers—Spain, France, Russia, Great Britain and the United States. By the law of nations, the title to any country depends upon the first discovery and occupancy of it, or upon pur- chase or cession by treaty from the first discoverer or occupant. "• When a nation takes possession of a country to which no prior owner can lay claim," says Vattel, "it is considered as acquiring the empire or sovereignty of it. When a nation finds a country uninhabited and without an owner, it may lawfully take possession of it ; and after 9 lo The Story of Marcus Whitman. it has sufficiently made known its will in this respect, it cannot be deprived of it by any other nation." It is almost universally conceded that Spanish navi- gators were the first discoverers and first explorers of the northwest coast of America. After their conquests in Mexico they explored the adjacent seas and countries, and in 1543 discovered California. Nine years afterward they extended their exploration of the coast to Cape Blanco, 43° north latitude; in 1582 to 57'^ 40', and in 1588 to Bering Strait. In 1592 Juan de Fuca discovered and en- tered the straits which bear his name, but for nearly two centuries thereafter the Spanish career of discovery v/as substantially at a standstill. In 1774-75 the Viceroy of Mexico fitted out two expeditions which surveyed the coast from Monterey up to latitude 54°, discovering Nootka Sound, the Island of Vancouver and the mouth of the Columbia River. Spanish vessels from Mexico in 1792 also surveyed many of the bays and channels which lie between the 5 2d and 56th parallels. The rights of Spain, founded on discovery, were recog- nized, after a vigorous dispute, in the Nootka Convention of 1790, in which she yielded the right to navigate, trade and fish on the northwest coast, but reserved her sover- eignty over the entire territory described in the opening paragraph of this chapter.