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 1845 Correspondence
April 8, 1845: Dr. Whitman to
Reverend David Greene
Dr. Whitman: discusses the Oregon Trail emigrants and some financial issues; mentions his saw mill in the Blue Mountains; requests more plow components for the natives; explains that it had been necessary to borrow food from Reverend Spalding; discusses the impact of the death of Elijah Heading; mentions that the Catholics might soon set up a mission in the area; includes his current views on the Cayuse; discusses his optimistic views on the future development of the area and about the next annual missionary meeting; mentions the translation of the Gospel of Matthew into Nez Perce; explains that the missionaries were going to try teaching the Natives in English; notes that Mrs. Spalding has had another daughter; discusses the status of education for the emigrants, missionary children, and natives; and describes some views of Ellis, a Nez Perce chief.
November 25, 1845: Dr. Whitman
to Reverend Cushing Eells & Reverend Elkanah Walker
Dr. Whitman: describes how he had been threatened
by some of the natives; and describes some Natives' views concerning
Christianity.
RETURN:
Marcus Whitman Correspondence by Year
April 8, 1845
Comments:
From Dr. Whitman, Waiilatpu Mission, to Reverend David Greene,
Boston.
Original letter begins below:
Waiilatpu April 8th 1845
Rev
David Greene
Sect A B C F M.
Mission House Boston
My Dear Sir
I have received no letters from you since I wrote
last fall. I write this to send by way of Montreal. I will speak
of the particulars of our mission affairs first before any remarks.
The Immigration were late before all came along.
After supplying all that came with provision and urging all to go
on that could, twelve familes wintered with us - besides a family
of seven orphans whose father + mother both died on the way. These
last we took into our own family + have them yet and shall be likely
to keep them. The two oldest are boys the eldest fourteen - The
others are girls - the youngest was only five months old when she
arrived and much emaciated - and sick - but with all the others
is now healthy and strong.
I paid on our bill in cash - and Doctor White's
orders £ 50 - 4 - 4, and to Mr Littlejohn $128.36 in cash - besides
$507.07 in notes yet due on the people who went to the Willamette.
I am endeavouring to make these notes answer to pay as fast as I
can - I took some ten or twelve oxen also by way of exchange. And
partly in order to give employment to those who wintered with us,
but more from the necessity of having boards and timber for the
use of the Station and supply the Indians - last but not least to
prepare fencing for ourselves + the Indians, I have been building
a Saw mill - which is now in a state of forwardness + which I hope
to start soon after planting is over - I have mostly paid for the
work as I went along in provisions.
The mill is about twenty miles off in the Blue
mountains where we have an abundance of timber - and a fine seat
with a good road to reach it We had most of the irons on hand. The
flour mill has no house over it and all my roofs are to be repaired
besides the various other demands for lumber. I am satisfied it
is best to build the Saw mill for it would cost as much to get what
lumber we want for the Station only, and in this way the mill will
be ready for future use - for our selves the Indians and perhaps
a Settlement. I do not think it will detract from my ability to
meet my expenses as most of whom I employed would owe me and not
be able to pay - and in as much as it will soon save other expences.
Some of the Indians are hiring land broken for
them by those who are here still - which is done at the rate of
from three to five acres for an inferior horse. Ploughs are in great
demand - I have sold even my last cast plough from the States -
as they are the ones prefered by the Indians. Will you please send
the castings without wood - for twenty five ploughs of a small and
middle size pattern - and the same number next year or if more convenient
fifty at once as I have no doubt all will be taken in one year.
A horse is given for a plough and the horses are sold for from ten
to fifteen dollars to meet expences. Extra points are desired and
bolts if required
I am now drawing on Mr Spalding. I had to do the
same last year. We have not entered into regular accounts with each
other - but shall do so if thought best. It is impossible for us
to refuse those who are hungry even although they cannot pay us
and in some cases can not even secure payment. Situated as we are
- necessity compells us to becom supplyers to Immigrants and we
may as well make the best of it we can - I mean to get means of
payment for my expences - but I do not want to make gain. As I now
have three boys who are able to take care of herds and another who
even now can help, I am trying to see what I can make out of the
cattle + sheep of our old stock disposing of the males + keeping
the increase females. The cattle I buy in payment for provision
- I sell again mostly to Indians - but in a way to meet expences.
So you see I use all my available means to meet current expenditures
Last year a small party of Waiilatpu Walla Walla
Indian and one Spokan went to California to explore the way and
prepare to get cattle by bringing a few - By some imprudence of
theirs and probably intemperance and haste of Capt Suture and some
Americans who live on his possessions - Elijah Heading a fine young
man son of the Walla Walla Chief was killed being shot down while
in the fort without arms - and with but four companions - Elijah
was educated by the Methodist mission - and was hopefully pious
well behaved towards whites - This occasioned the hasty return of
the party leaving the Cattle they had bought + bringing the horses
and mules about which the dispute arose that caused the death of
the young man. Upon their return we had a great deal of excitement
and rumors but they have shown much forbearance to other whites
and are likely to continue at peace with them. It is now a trying
era in their history for their intercourse with Americans is increasing
and with it their temtation and avarice.
A cause of much anxiety to me has arisen in connexion
with these things and the death of a young man by apoplexy. It is
the custom of the Canadians - who are as superstitious as the Indians
themselves - to awe them through their superstition of sorcery -
by telling them that such and such white men are more largely endowed
with supernatural power - than even there own Tewats (Sorcerers).
I have been one who even before I came among them from the time
Mr Parker was here - who have been held forth to them as a sorcerer
of great power. Much of this was well enough intended on account
of my medical profession but ill timed. I imagine partly to test
the question - and partly from superstition they have been saying
- I caused the death of the young man who died of apoplexy - and
such like things. An impression of this kind among them if strengthed
by such circumstances - and by the countenance of such men as the
Canadians - and perhaps by Priests - would make my stay among them
useless + dangerous - and might induce me to leave at once - Some
very trying remarks have been made also on the occasion of the death
of the Chief Waptashtakmahlin. His son came to me as he was dying
- and in a passion told me "I had killed his Father - and that
it would not be a difficult matter for me to be killed -" You
are aware already of their habit to kill their own Medicine men
as they are commonly called when an excuse offers by the death of
some of their friends. Two of the Gentlemen of the Hon Hudson B.
Company have fallen in this way since we have been in this country
-
We look for a Jesuit Station some where in this
vicinity as Mr DeSmit has appointed to meet the Indians at Walla
Walla some time in this month to arrange for this I do not think
they have gained any favours for some time past - but still no doubt
they will get enough to encourage a station among them as they think
it will create competition in such supplies as the mission is wont
to furnish them - I do not think I could be induced to come to such
a people were it to be done again - with the present experiance
- it is quite different when the question is of continuance or abandonment
- I look upon our situation here as having done enough for the cause
of Christianity + Civilization to more than compensate for all the
labour + expence involved even aside from the Indians - A vast change
has already been wrought among them There are but few who have not
cattle - a number have sheep + nearly all have plantations, more
or less - These things will be likely to deter them from acts of
violence to the whites lest they become the greatest sufferers in
case of war. They are putting forth vigorous efforts at the call
of Doct White to restore any horses or cattle which have been left
by the Immigrants in passing such as were stolen lost or gave out
by the way. This is done in order to prevent a contemplated attacked
of the Willamette settlement upon them for the animals lost as above
described. Doct White has invited the chiefs to visit him on the
Willamette in order to concert for a good understanding in such
matters and also in regard to the death of Elijah Heading.
This has been one of the mildest winters we have
ever seen in this country - I think very many would leave Vermont
and all the Eastern States and middle as well as the Western in
order to come to the country if the facts were known. I killed a
Bullock - for example the tenth day of March which was but two years
old this spring and which had never been fed any thing either to
fatten or raise him - besides he was only a common example of bullocks
of that age in the country - which weighed six hundred pounds and
gave sixty five pounds of tallow with the tallow of only one hind
quarter.
The fact that the best grass known abounds native
and remains good at all times untill fresh grass grows - which will
be at any season as soon as rains fall - is more to recommend this
country than any with which I am acquainted - to which add a most
mild equable climate + many of the best advantages for manufactories
and commerce and what can limit its propects? I wish very much you
would aid me in inducing Rev David Malin or some one in his place
to adopt the interests of this country + to lay the foundation for
our religious + Literary institutions - I hope it will not be left
for this the only spot on the western coast of America where Protestantism
can soon gain a footing to be added to the Jesuit dominions of this
coast It only needs the line to be settled and then no doubt arrangements
will be made at once to settle this upper county - It is here we
hope to see a balance of eastern men - + no where on the Globe can
a place be found where they can take the lead in settling a section
so well - and where all the advantages of Climate Health Agriculture
Pasturage Manufactories and Commerce can so confidently be expected
-
We expect an Annual meeting of the mission on
the eight of May at this place - I have no doubt it will be one
of interest and harmony as I trust a spirit of kindness prevails
throughout the Mission -
The translation of the Gospel of Mathew by Mr
Spalding has been accomplished in a most satisfactory manner and
altogether in so brief and explicit a form as fully to remove any
imputation of Mr Smiths that the Nes Perces language was not adequate
for that purpose - English words rather than Greek or Hebrew have
been used where foreign words were needed - as the expectation is
to assimulate to that language.
We hired a Printer the past winter to print the
translation of Mathew and also a small book in native + English
in order to try the effect of teaching English.
Mrs Spalding was blessed with the addition of
a daughter born on the 20th of March. Her health as also that of
Mrs Whitmans is better than it was feared they would be a year ago
We have had an excellent school for our family
and those who wintered here - Mr Spalding [also?] sent his eldest
daughter. The teacher Mr Alonson Hinman is a young man from the
state of New York. He has become hopefully pious since his residence
with us. We hope to keep him for next winter as he wishes to spend
his time in reading + study - He now teaches a part of the day for
his board to which I intend to add some
It will be a great blessing if a minister is found
to come for this station.
We have had no native school - nor is it likely
we can have before next winter.
Ellis the Nes Perces Chief who was educated at
the Red River by Mr Cockran says he wants the Nes Perces to have
only protestant teachers and they would be most thankful for a man
to take Mr Smiths place at Kamiah -
I hope Mr McKinlay's books have been sent as he
paid $100, on our bill last year.
With much esteem
I am your Obedient Servant
Marcus Whitman
Return to List of 1845 Letters
November 25, 1845
Comments:
From Dr. Whitman, Waiilatpu Mission, to Reverend Cushing Eells
& Reverend Elkanah Walker, Tshimakain.
Original letter begins below:
Waiilatpu Nov 25th 1845
Messrs Walker + Eells
Dear Brethren
I write you as this time to inform you that I
have given the Indians from now to next Spring to consider whether
I shall leave them or not My reasons for doing so arise out of a
talk I had yesterday with the young Chief (Tauatui) and a Nezperces
by the name of One sid croped (Croped hair) I spoke to the young
chief about Sending to school when I was met by a long list of events
wherin he brought up the authority of Such as he though their [intence?]
friends to show that his Nephew was killed at the Red River He also
brought up the fact that Elijah was sent by them to be educated
and was regarded by them as a proper person to introduce them to
the whites but that he was killed by Americans; inasmuch as Capt
Suture was the only person at the place who was not an American
or a Frenchman
That he could not be expected to send more of
his connexions to be educated while the death of Elijah was unrequited
and he was unremunerated for his property left in California He
spoke of the Americans as having a design to obtain their country
+ property and He spoke also of their being prepared with with pioson
and infection to accomplish their purpose At this I alluded to his
remark last spring about my having poison to kill the people with
He went on to State what he knew about poison + that for himself
he always eat with the whites with the desparation that he felt
he was liable to be poisoned with the food they gave him He spoke
of Doct whites saying to Baptist [?] as he went up the Utilla this
fall This is good land Here the Americans will dwell He also alluded
to the death of a friend of his last year who died of Dysentry with
two of his children as the result of disseas which Americans placed
among them + that the Americans had expressed themselves with great
astonishment that it was So difficult to spread dissease among them
and that it should only have killed on family As he advanced in
his remarks he made me resposible either for or conniving at these
things or as having all these agents at my disposal; not perhaps
to be used as an attack upon their lives + liberty but to be held
in reserve by me as a means of revenging for any act of theirs for
which I might wish to retaliate. I told them I was ignorant of any
Such causes in operation and that I was not aware that I myself
was either accountable for such base thing as they might have been
told or that I was thuss prepared to avenge myself upon them or
that I felt myself able (that is capable) to perpetrate such deeds
They both consoled themselves most calmly by saying It is not to
be expected that you would confess it even were it true. I have
only given a faint view of the matter as it occurred and by no means
a full account. I have written with such interruptions + while I
am So nervous that I cannot govern my hand So that you will excuse
me I told them I did not think they themselves would cause me to
to be killed but that I was aware if they hold Such language to
me it would remove all restraint from the reckless and that I would
have no assurance but that I might be killed on the most slight
or sudden occasion
I do not intend to alter my arrangements at all
but on the other hand try to have all the property in the best repair
possible in case I might have to leave it It is not best for us
to say much to any body in the case be swift to hear but slow to
speak The young Chief Said he was aware that I had called on the
people to Send me off if they did not want me to Stay but he Said
he did not like to have me put them to that test But if I wanted
to go away it was his wish I should go away if I did go upon my
own account He Said he had had advise to that effect That is perhaps
he must not let the Indians have the resposibility of Sending us
off but only aggitate enough to get us to go as it were of ourselves
Ellis was here + he Said he felt assured the Indians
had a design to drive us off by these measures both at Lapwai +
here He thought they began to feel that they were wise enough +
had enough in their hands So that they might spare us well enough
Ellis brought in Tom Hill last evening for a talk
when he and all his friends were most effectually better in all
their positions and confounded Tom Said he had been much deceived
by reports of the Indians from this quarter which he was Surprised
to find were all false
Their main position was that religion was too
sacred a thing for failable beings to practice and in as much as
they could not so keep its holy requirements as not to come short
and Sin it was better to have nothing to do with it. Another position
was that those who proffessed to follow the practices of religion
came so far short that it led them to think it was better for them
not to have any thing to do with it or with the Bible but to take
their own judgment in the matter In giving their creed they drew
so largely from Bible revelation that I took notice of it before
the Indians with great effect I have no more to Say at present but
hope Mungo may bring Cyrus and if consistent Sarah for School
With esteem Yours Truely
Marcus Whitman
Return to List of 1845 Letters
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