Class 
 
 BookJ^-V^i 
 
/ 
 
 MR5. WHITMAN'S LETTERS 
 
 [An additional number of the letters written by Mrs. Nar- 
 cissa Whitman to her relatives in New York, have recently been 
 secured, together with some very important ones from Dr. Whit- 
 man himself, incidentally alluding to matters which of late years 
 have been the subject of much controversy. The originals of the 
 letters in this pamphlet, as well as those in the Transactions of 
 this Association for 1891, are in my possession as a permanent 
 contribution to the archives of our Association. At my earnest 
 solicitation they were donated to us by Mrs. Harriet P. Jackson, 
 a sister of Mrs. Whitman, who lived at Oberlin, Ohio, in 1893, 
 to whom we owe a vote of thanks. The letter of Rev. H. H» 
 Spalding to Mrs. Whitman's father, giving probably the first ac- 
 count of the massacre, also appears in this pamphlet. — Geo. H. 
 HlMES, Secretary.] 
 
 Vancouver, July nth, 1843. 
 
 My Beloved Sister Jane: — Your letters of March'and April, '42, 
 I received about three weeks since, and can assure you I was not 
 a little rejoiced in hearing from you, they being the first I have 
 received from you since March, '40, by Mrs. Littlejohn. I have 
 written you and Edward several times since — indeed, I always 
 write you every opportunity, whether you get them or not. I 
 heard of the death of dear sister Judson last September through 
 Lawyer Divin, but no particulars until your letters came. About 
 the same time one came from poor brother Judson, the only one 
 I have received from him or Mary Ann since '39. My last from 
 dear parents and Harriet was in September, '40; so you see I have 
 not the means of knowing but little about you all, yet I trust that I 
 am truly thankful for that little. It is a great cordial to me. I 
 
Fsso 
 
 £1 
 
 54 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 love you all with an undying love, and every fresh breeze I re- 
 ceive fans it into a burning flame. I feel not the least disposi- 
 tion to shed a tear on dear sister Judson's account, but rather to 
 rejoice that she is so safely harbored in the bosom of her and 
 our Saviour's love; but for the sake of those who still live and 
 whom she might be the means of leading to Christ, I could mourn 
 and weep in bitterness of soul. I rejoice, too, that the sustaining 
 grace of God was so manifest to her beloved bereaved husband, 
 and our dear parents, as well as you all, under the afflictive dis- 
 pensation. My first thought when I heard of her death was that I 
 should be the next to go; but it may be otherwise, the'Lord only 
 knows. This I do know, His time will be the best time, and my 
 chief concern is, and shall be, to be ready and have my work done 
 and well done. But O, what a poor weak creature I am; how lit- 
 tle I can do to glorify His great Name. What poor returns I make 
 daily for His unbounded goodness to me. If I am saved I am sure 
 it will not, it cannot, be because of any intrinsic worth in me, or 
 an)' of my friends, but solely and alone for His sake who gave His 
 own life a ransom to save a lost world. 
 
 Dear Jane, I have the privilege of once more addressing you 
 from Vancouver where I am spending a little time very pleasantly, 
 and where I am favored with the medical advice and treatment 
 of two very able physicians, Doctors Barclay and Tolmie. It will 
 soon be seven years since I first saw this place. I should not be 
 here now if my husband had not gone home and left me, or, I 
 should have said, if my health had been sufficient for me to have 
 continued at my post of labor among the Indians. Doctor White, 
 the government Indian agent of this country, advised me to avail 
 myself of this opportunity to rid myself from care and labor, come 
 here and attend to the advice of Doctor Barclay for the perfect 
 restoration of my health, and I have no reason to regret it so far. I 
 feel that my health is improving, I hope, permanently. 
 
 You speak of Mr. and Mrs. Abernethy. I have seen your letter 
 to them and have only seen him a short time since I have been 
 here. I hope to see them both in a few days, for I am waiting a 
 
:d 
 
 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 55 
 
 convenient opportunity to go to the Willamette, where I expect 
 to visit the different members of the Mission and spend a pleas- 
 ant season among them. The two Missions are three hundred 
 miles apart and it is not easy to visit back and forth, especially 
 where all hands are full of business each in his own field of 
 labor. 
 
 You almost make me feel, from your letters, that you will 
 accept of my invitation and come over and live with me and help 
 me teach the poor Indians. Indeed! are you not now almost here 
 with my beloved husband? The time draws near when I hope to 
 see his dear face again, and O! am I to greet a beloved sister with 
 him, and, perhaps, a dear brother, too? I know not what inex- 
 pressible joys or sorrows are before this frail, trembling heart of 
 mine; I feel that I could not survive an excess of either, my ner- 
 vous system is so much impaired. But I know assuredly that the 
 same grace that has sustained me hitherto under fiery trials, is 
 able and will sustain in time to come. I am in His hand. The 
 nine months past that I have been separated from my precious 
 husband, have been months of His special favors to me in this 
 dreary land of heathenish darkness. The sacrifice, if I may call 
 it so, has been a very great one — much more so than I at first 
 thought it could be, even to exceed that of leaving my native 
 land and beloved friends, and coming to dwell among the hea- 
 then. But the precious promises have" been fulfilled in my case 
 leaving all for Christ's sake, as J trust I did in coming to this 
 country, and freely consenting to be left so feeble and lonely 
 in such a lonely situation, by my earthly protector, my husband. 
 I feel that I have indeed received manifold more in this present 
 time with an assured hope of receiving in the world to come life 
 everlasting. 
 
 I am pleased to hear so good an account of dear E.'s progress 
 in study and piety, and sincerely hope he will be a useful and 
 devoted Christian minister. I wish he would write me more, for 
 his own sake as well as mine. 
 
 Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, Alleghany County, 
 
 New York, U. S. A. 
 
56 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 Waiilatpu^Oregon Territory, \ 
 
 April 12th, 1844. j 
 
 My Beloved Father: — I was coming up the Columbia river from 
 the Willamette and Vancouver with Rev. Jason Lee when your 
 welcomed letter reached me. My husband had each of the sta- 
 tions of the Mission to visit before he could come after me. Mr. 
 Lee brought me on my way home as far as The Dalles, to Mr 
 Perkins, one of their stations, where I spent the winter of my 
 husband's absence. I remained there a few days, and my long 
 absent doctor came for me. It was a joyful and happy meeting 
 and caused our hearts to overflow with love and gratitude to the 
 Author of all our mercies, for permitting us to see each other's 
 faces again in the flesh. We came home immediately after a 
 short visit with friends there. My health, which had been quite 
 poor some of the time of his absence, was somewhat improved, 
 but the voyage up the river, or rather the exposure of rain, cold 
 and fatigue, and also the journey from Walla Walla here, proved 
 injurious to me. I was so unwell when I reached home that I 
 could scarcely get about the house for several weeks. I continued 
 to decline, or, rather, had two attacks of remittent fever until the 
 last of December, when I was taken with a very severe attack of 
 inflammation of the bowels and bloating which threatened almost 
 immediate death. The second night of the attack, we almost 
 despaired of my living. From the first, I was taken with excruci- 
 ating pain and spitting bilious fluid from the stomach, and could 
 keep nothing down, nor effect a motion of the bowels sufficient 
 to afford a permanent relief ; a clyster of salts was introduced into 
 the bowels with a long tube and stomach pump the second night, 
 and followed by a portion of the same medicine in the morning, 
 which soon gave signs of relief. The cathartic operated favorably 
 and thoroughly, and I recovered almost immediately so as to be 
 able to sit up and be about the room. Previous to this, and al- 
 most as soon as husband returned and inquired into my case, he 
 discovered a beating tumor near the umbilicus and fears it is an 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 57 
 
 aneurism of the main aorta below the heart. If what he fears is 
 true, he says there is no probability or possibility of a cure, or of 
 my ever enjoying anything more than a comfortable degree of 
 health, and I am liable at any moment to a sudden death. While 
 I was at Vancouver, I placed myself under Doctor Barclay's care, 
 a surgeon of the H. B. Company's. He discovered that I had an 
 enlargement of the right ovary and gave me iodine to remove it. 
 I was very much improved by his kind attentions for that com- 
 plaint, and had it not been for the other difficulty of the aorta 
 which was not at that time discovered by Doctor Barclay, although 
 it existed, I might have recovered my health. But the medicine 
 I took for the cure of one tumor was an injury to the other, and 
 for three months after my husband's return, my situation was a 
 source of deepest anxiety to him and he greatly feared that he was 
 about to be bereaved. But the Lord dealt in infinite loving kind- 
 ness to us both, and in answer to prayer, raised me up again. Yes, 
 beloved parents, while I was in that precarious state, and almost 
 without hope that I should survive many hours, dear brother 
 Littlejohn, who is now with us, prayed for me with the full assur- 
 ance that the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord 
 heard and answered. 
 
 I am now much more comfortable than at that time husband 
 expected I ever could be. I am able to take the whole care of my 
 family and aid in doing the most difficult part of the work, or 
 that that I cannot get done by others. During the first three 
 months after my return to the station, husband was confined 
 with the care of me and was obliged to have the whole care of 
 the family upon his mind at the same time with his other duties. 
 Our family was large and at the time I arrived, there were two 
 large families of the emigrants in our house besides Mr. Little- 
 john's, and our own consisted of six children and two hired men. 
 We have written about our half breed children, those we had before 
 the doctor left; in addition to those is Perrin, our nephew, and two 
 English girls of the emigrating party of last year. One of them is 
 thirteen and the other six; they are motherless; they have both re- 
 
58 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 quired much training, but I hope to realize much benefit from 
 them if I should succeed in keeping them. 
 
 This paper is so rough that it makes my writing look very 
 miserable and I fear father and mother will scarcely be able to 
 read it. I should take common-sized letter paper did I not wish to 
 write more than one sheet. Last fall I did not write a single 
 letter home. I was not able to, and feared I should never have 
 the privilege again. Writing injures me very much, and unless I 
 feel more than usually well I find it exceedingly difficult to 
 attempt it, especially as I am situated; having just as much labor 
 and care as a weak person ought to have, and much more that 
 needs to be done. 
 
 My beloved parents need not be surprised should they hear of 
 my death soon. Ever since the fall of 1840, the sickness I had at 
 that time, I have been declining. Every spring I revive and feel 
 quite well, and feel as if I should regain my health again, but 
 every fall and winter I am very miserable. I may live several 
 years yet, with care and favoring myself, but I do not expect it. 
 My dear parents must wish to know how my mind stands affect- 
 ed in view of death. I can sincerely say that "I would not live 
 always." Yet so long as I can be permitted to live and be a bene- 
 fit to the living and the cause of Christ, I desire to. At times I 
 long to be at rest, to be free from sin and its defilements and be 
 made complete in the righteousness of our dear Saviour. Earth 
 and the things of this world in themselves considered have no 
 charms for me. I can resign them all for a place in the presence 
 of Jesus. I feel that I am a miserably poor sinner, and unworthy 
 of a name or a place among the "sons and daughters of the Lord 
 God Almighty." Yet I hope and trust alone in the merits of him 
 who is infinitely worthy, for salvation from all sin and unright- 
 eousness. He is my all, and I desire to be His entirely. 
 
 Last winter I felt in some considerable degree what is one of 
 the missionary's greatest trials, to be sick and nigh unto death, 
 and to die away from father, mother, brothers and sisters, and 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 59 
 
 sympathizing friends. It is, indeed, no small trial for flesh and 
 blood to endure, but thanks to God, His cheering presence can 
 more than supply the absence of all these. Do my dear parents 
 cease not to pray for your afflicted daughter that I may be pre- 
 pared; ready, watching and waiting for the summons to depart 
 and be with Christ "which is far better." For His sake and the 
 missionary cause, I could live long and toil and labor through 
 many a wearisome day and night to aid in accomplishing His 
 great work. But as He directs, so I desire to follow, and to say, 
 "The will of the Lord be done." 
 
 I have something to say concerning the manner in which I 
 spent my time last summer while the doctor was gone. I forget 
 when was the last time I wrote you. I think, however, it was 
 last spring. I came from Mr. Perkins in April and visited the 
 station and went to Walla Walla in May to avail myself of the 
 opportunity of a passage in the brigade boats the first of June. 
 We reached Vancouver in five days, remained there until the mid- 
 dle of July and then went to the Willamette Falls, where I spent 
 three weeks very pleasantly in the families of Mr. Abernethy and 
 Mr. Walters of the Methodist Mission. In August, the Company's 
 ship was about leaving in which Mr. and Mrs. Lee of Waskopum 
 was about to depart in her; also Dr. Babcock and wife and Mr. 
 and Mrs. Frost, all Methodist missionaries. I went down to the 
 mouth of the Columbia river to see them depart and to get a 
 view of the Pacific <">cean. I enjoyed the voyage down and my 
 visit there very much. The scenery of the ocean and the bar was 
 new to me. I also had a visit with the families of the Mission at 
 the Clatsop station. Mr. and Mrs. Parrish, Mr. and Mrs. Ray j 
 mond, Mr. and Mrs.Judson and family, and Mrs. Olley [Olney?] 
 had come down for the benefit of Mrs. Judson's health. Mr. Leslie 
 and Mr. Jason Lee were there also. I spent a day or two on board 
 ship with Mrs. Lee, in whose society I enjoyed so much satisfaction 
 while at Waskopum. Visited the celebrated Astoria, now Fort 
 George, and the day the ship sailed went round Clatsop Point to 
 the station and spent nearly a week there and enjoyed some prec- 
 ious religious privileges with the brethren and sisters there and re- 
 
60 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 turned with Mr. J. Lee and Mr. Leslie to the Willamette Falls, and 
 immediately proceeded up the river to the upper Mission and 
 visited the families of Rev. Mr. Hinds, Mr. Beers and others, and 
 also Mr. and Mrs. Gray, my old associates. While there a camp- 
 meeting was held near by, which I attended and a precious season 
 it was to my soul. To witness again the anxious tear and hear the 
 deep-felt inquiry, "What must I do to be saved?" as I once used to, 
 filled me with joy inexpressible. It continued four days and re- 
 sulted in the conversion of almost all the impenitent on the 
 ground. From this precious season, after a week or two, we came 
 to the Falls where a protracted meeting was held. While that 
 was in progress, the news came that my husband was on his re- 
 turn with a hundred and forty wagons containing an immense 
 party of emigrants, and that probably he was now at Waiilatpu. 
 This was cheering news, as I had just heard from the Islands 
 through Mr. Hall that, iu recent news from the States to the Islands 
 down as late as April, 1843, no mention was made of his arrival. 
 This had given me much anxiety, but it was not long before the 
 other intelligence came. The last week in September, I left the 
 Falls for Vancouver and The Dalles in company with Mr. J. Lee, 
 the Superintendent of that Mission, and turned my back upon 
 many dear friends in Christ with whom I was permitted to form 
 an acquaintance and a Christian attachment never to be for- 
 gotten. 
 
 Having been so long secluded, I was well prepared to enjoy 
 society and 1 may well say that some of the moments spent there 
 with Christian friends were among the happiest in my life. We 
 made a short stay at Vancouver and then proceeded on our way 
 up the river. Passing the Cascades and making the portage, we 
 had continual rain, and before we reached The Dalles, I took cold 
 to my great injury, as it afterwards proved. Between the Cascades 
 and The Dalles, I received father's letter with several others from 
 friends, also sisters Jane, C. and H; I am greatly obliged to them 
 for writing. Mr. Lee waited at The Dalles until the doctor came. 
 It was pleasing to see the pioneers of the two Missions meet and 
 hold counsel together. Soon we parted and I turned my face with 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 6l 
 
 my husband toward this dark spot, and dark, indeed, it seemed 
 to be to me when compared with the scenes, social and religious 
 which I had so recently been enjoying with so much zest. 
 
 When we parted with Mr. Lee, we little thought that our first 
 news from him would be, that he had set his face toward his na- 
 tive land. But it was, indeed, so. He has gone again and I should 
 rejoice if dear father and mother would see him. He has shown 
 me great kindness during niy lonely state, and may the Lord 
 reward him for it. He has been deeply afflicted in his domestic 
 relations. He has buried two excellent wives, and a little son. 
 A little daughter of his last wife, still survives to comfort and 
 cheer him in his loneliness. She has gone with him to the States; 
 and so has Rev. Mr. Hinds and his wife. As they are from the 
 region of Allegheny county, I hope father will see them. 
 
 It must appear singular to friends at home to hear of the re- 
 turn of so many missionaries from Oregon. So it seems to us; 
 but we have not the discouragements which our friends of that 
 Mission have. The Indians of the Willamette and the coast are 
 diminishing rapidly; but they have another work put into their 
 hands. Settlers are coming into the country like a flood and 
 every one of these need the gospel preached to them as much as 
 the heathen. That Society have been and are doing a great deal 
 of good in the lower country. Mr. Clark and Mr. Griffin, minis- 
 ters of our denomination, are settled near on the Tualatin plains 
 and are doing much good in the way of schools and preaching. I 
 did not visit them, although greatly urged to; on account of my 
 health I could not ride there, as it was some distance from the 
 river. 
 
 I was greatly disappointed in not seeing Jane when the doctor 
 returned. I fancied he would bring her, and so he would have 
 done had a family been coming with whom it would have been 
 prudent for her to come. I still hope some day to see her here. 
 But I know not how. This I do know, that no one of my friends 
 at home know of how much comfort she would be to me if she 
 was here. 
 
62 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 Sister Littlejohn is a great comfort to me. She acted the 
 part of a sister to me during my sickness, but I do not always 
 expect to keep her. Mr. Littlejohn is in poor health and unable 
 to labor. His mind suffers greatly from dejection and melan- 
 choly, and he longs to go back so the States again. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Spalding and two children have been deeply 
 afflicted the past summer, just before the doctor's return, with 
 sickness, especially Mrs. S. She lay for several days expecting 
 every moment would be her last, and no physician near. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Littlejohn was there at that time, and as soon as possi- 
 ble Mr. Geiger, who was at this station, was sent for, also Mr. 
 Walker, to preach her funeral sermon — expecting she would die 
 before he reached there. Her husband and children were sick at 
 the same time and all must have perished had it not been that 
 Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn were providentially there, having a short 
 time before returned from Mr. Walker's. God in mercy spared 
 them all and restored them back to health again. But Mrs. S. is 
 feeble, and like myself, we feel cannot be expected to live long. 
 
 Since my return to the station, Mrs. S. has written me very 
 kindly, showing that her feelings have undergone a change dur- 
 ing her sickness, while in the near view of death and expecting 
 every moment to enter the dark valley. This is a great consola- 
 tion to us, and we hope and believe that they both feel different 
 toward us from what they did, and surely they have great reason 
 to, from husband's account of his visit to the rooms in Boston. 
 
 I desire never to pass through such scenes of trial as I have 
 done, and God grant that I may never be called to. We both have 
 spent a happy winter in each other's society. Having those un- 
 happy difficulties removed makes a change in our every day feel- 
 ings. We are happier in each other and happier in God and in 
 our work than we could have been while laboring under those ex- 
 citing difficulties — yea! soul-destroying difficulties, I may well say. 
 
 For more than a year past I have enjoyed an unwonted quiet 
 resting upon God my Redeemer, especially during my husband's 
 
OREGON" PIONEER ASSOCIATION 63 
 
 absence. Truly my Saviour was with me in those trying hours, 
 and sustained me far beyond what I deserve. A calm, peaceful 
 sense of His abiding presence was what I almost daily realized. 
 Being free from any distracting cares of my family and the sta- 
 tion, I had nothing else to do but rest myself in my Saviour's 
 arms; and it would be well for me now if I were to do the same, 
 instead of attempting to shoulder my cares, as I often do — to cast 
 them on Him who has said " Cast thy burdens upon the Lord and 
 He will sustain thee." I know this, and believe it, too, for I have 
 sometimes realized it. But to have the constant habit of doing so 
 is what I would gladly obtain, and I know I may with diligence 
 and prayerful watching thereunto. 
 
 I see I have almost exceeded my limits, and must think of 
 closing. Father's letters are choice gems to me, and I hope he 
 will continue to write as long as I live. O! that dear mother 
 would put some of her thoughts on paper for the consolation of 
 my heart. She does not know what joy it would give me. I am 
 a thousand times thankful for all the favors I receive from home, 
 and shall write to alias many and as much as my weak state will 
 admit. 
 
 Love to all, in which husband unites. I am sorry he did not 
 have time to make a longer visit after going so far. Farewell, 
 dear father and mother, and if I never write again till we meet 
 in heaven, 
 
 Your ever affectionate daughter, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, Allegheny Co., 
 
 N. Y., U. S. A. 
 
64 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 FROM DR. WHITMAN 
 
 WaiilaTpu, May 16th, 1844. 
 
 My Dear Father and Mother : — A little more than a year has 
 elapsed since I had the pleasure of seeing you. The remembrance 
 of that visit will never be effaced from my mind. I did not mis- 
 judge as to my duty to return home; the importance of my ac- 
 companying the emigration on one hand and the consequent 
 scarcity of provisions on the other, strongly called for my return, 
 and forbid my bringing another party that year. 
 
 As I hold the settlement of this country by Americans rather 
 than by an English colony most important, I am happy to have 
 been the means of landing so large an emigration on to the shores 
 of the Columbia, with their wagons, families and stock, all in 
 safety. 
 
 The health of Narcissa was such in my absence and since my 
 return as to call loudly for my presence. We despaired of her 
 life at times and for the winter have not felt she could live long. 
 But there is more hope at present, although nothing very decisive 
 can be said. While on the way back, I had an inflammation in my 
 foot which threatened to suppurate, but I discussed it and thought 
 nothing more of it until I got home, when I found I had a tumor 
 on the instep. It appears to be a bony tumor and has given me 
 a good deal of apprehension and inconvenience, but is now some 
 better, but not well. 
 
 It gives me much pleasure to be back again and quietly at 
 work again for the Indians. It does not concern me so much 
 what is to become of any particular set of Indians, as to give them 
 the offer of salvation through the gospel and the opportunity of 
 civilization, and then I am content to do good to all men as "I 
 have opportunity." I have no doubt our greatest work is to be to 
 aid the white settlement of this country and help to found its re- 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 65 
 
 ligious institutions. Providence has its full share in all these 
 events. Although the Indians have made and are making rapid 
 advance in religious knowledge and civilization, yet it cannot be 
 hoped that time will be allowed to mature either the work of 
 Christianization or civilization before the white settlers will de- 
 mand the soil and seek the removal of both the Indians and the 
 Mission. What Americans desire of this kind they always effect, 
 and it is equally useless to oppose or desire it otherwise. To guide, 
 as far as can be done, and direct these tendencies for the best, is 
 evidently the part of wisdom. Indeed, I am fully convinced that 
 when a people refuse or neglect to fill the designs of Providence, 
 they ought not to complain at the results; and so it is equally 
 useless for Christians to be anxious on their account. The Indians 
 have in no case obeyed the command to multiply and replenish 
 the earth, and they cannot stand in the way of others in doing so. 
 A place will be left them to do this as fully as their ability to 
 obey will permit, and the more we can do for them the more fully 
 will this be realized. No exclusiveness can be asked for any por- 
 tion of the human family. The exercise of his rights are all 
 that can be desired. In order for this to its proper extent in re- 
 gard to the Indians, it is necessary that they seek to preserve their 
 rights by peaceable means only. Any violation of this rule will 
 be visited with only evil results to themselves. 
 
 The Indians are anxious about the consequence of settlers 
 among them, but I hope there will be no acts of violence on either 
 hand. An evil affair at the Falls of the Wallamett, resulted in 
 the death of two white men killed and one Indian. But all is 
 now quiet. I will try to write to Brother Jackson when I will 
 treat of the country, etc. 
 
 It will not surprise me to see your whole family in this 
 
 country in two years. Let us hear from vou often. Narcissa may 
 
 be able to write for herself. We wish to be remembered with 
 
 your other children in your prayers. 
 
 Your affectionate son, 
 
 Marcus Whitman. 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, Allegheny Co., 
 
 New York. 
 
66 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 WaiilaTpu, Oct. 9th, 1844. 
 
 Beloved and Honored Parents: — I have no unanswered letters 
 on hand, either from dear father and mother or any of the family, 
 yet I cannot refrain from writing every stated opportunity. The 
 season has arrived when the emigrants are beginning to pass us 
 on their way to the Willamette. Last season there were such a 
 multitude of starving people passed us that quite drained us of 
 all our provisions, except potatoes. Husband has been endeavor- 
 ing this summer to cultivate so as to be able to impart without 
 so much distressing ourselves. In addition to this, he has been 
 obliged to build a mill, and to do it principally with his own 
 hands, which has rendered it exceedingly laborious for him. In 
 the meantime, I have endeavored to lighten his burden as much 
 as possible in superintending the ingathering of the garden, etc. 
 During this period, the Indians belonging to this station and the 
 Nez Perces go to Forts Hall and Boise to meet the emigrants for 
 the purpose of trading their wornout cattle for horses. Last week 
 Tuesday, several young men arrived, the first of the party that 
 brought us any definite intelligence concerning them (having 
 nothing but Indian reports previous), among whom was a youth 
 from Rushville formerly, of the name of Gilbert, one of husband's 
 scholars. 
 
 Last Friday a family of eight arrived, including the grand- 
 mother, an aged woman, probably as old, or older than my mother. 
 Several such persons have passed, both men and women, and I 
 often think when I gaze upon them, shall I ever be permitted to 
 look upon the face of my dear parents in this land? 
 
 25th — When I commenced this letter I intended to write a 
 little every day, so as to give you a picture of our situation at this 
 time. But it has been impossible. Now I must write as briefly 
 as possible and send off my letter, or lose the opportunity. The 
 emigration is late in getting into the country. It is now the last 
 of October and they have just begun to arrive with their wagons. 
 The Blue mountains are covered with snow, and many families, if 
 not half of the party, are back in or beyond the mountains, and 
 what is still worse, destitute of provisions and some of them of 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 67 
 
 clothing. Many are sick, several with children born on the way. 
 One family arrived here night before last, and the next morn a 
 child was born; another is expected in the same condition. 
 
 Here we are, one family alone, a way mark, as it were, or 
 center post, about which multitudes will or must gather this 
 winter. And these we must feed and warm to the extent of our 
 powers. Blessed be God that He has given us so abundantly of 
 the fruit of the earth that we may impart to those who are thus 
 famishing. Two preachers with large families are here and wish 
 to stay for the winter, both Methodist. With all this upon our 
 hands, besides our duties and labors for the Indians, can any one 
 think we lack employment or have any time to be idle? 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn left us in September and have gone 
 below to settle in the Willamette. We have been looking for 
 associates this fall, but the Board could get none ready, but say, 
 they will send next year. Am I ever to see any of my family 
 among the tide of emigration that is flowing west? 
 
 Our mill is finished and grinds well. It is a mill out of doors 
 or without a house; that we must build next year. 
 
 We have employed a young man of the party to teach school, 
 so that we hope to hav« both an English school and one for the 
 natives. My health has been improving remarkably through the 
 summer, and one great means has been daily bathing in the river. 
 I was very miserable one year ago now, and was brought very low 
 and poor; now I am better than I have been for some time, and 
 quite fleshy for me. I weigh one hundred and sixty-seven pounds; 
 much higher than ever before in my life. This will make the 
 girls laugh, I know. Mrs. Spalding's health is better than last 
 year. She expects an increase in her family soon. 
 
 This country is destined to be filled, and we desire greatly to 
 have good people come, and ministers and Christians, that it may 
 be saved from being a sink of wickedness and prostitution. We 
 need many houses to accommodate the families that will be obliged 
 to winter here. All the house room that we have to spare is filled 
 
68 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 already. It is expected that there are more than five hundred 
 souls back in the snow and mountains. Among the number is 
 an orphan family of seven children, the youngest an infant born 
 on the way, whose parents have both died since they left the 
 States. Application has been made for us to take them, as they 
 have not a relative in the company. What we shall do I cannot 
 say; we cannot see them suffer, if the Lord casts them upon us. 
 He will give ns His grace and strength to do our duty to them. 
 
 I cannot write any more, I am so thronged and employed 
 that I feel sometimes like being crazy, and my poor husband, if 
 he had a hundred strings tied to him pulling in every direction, 
 could not be any worse off. 
 
 Dear parents, do pray earnestly for your children here, for 
 their situation is one of great trial, as well as of responsibility. 
 
 Love from us both to you all. I am disappointed in not 
 getting letters from some of the dear ones this fall, but so it 
 must be and I submit. 
 
 Your affectionate daughter, 
 
 Narcissa. 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, Allegheny Co., 
 
 New York. 
 
 WAiitATPU, April 8th, 1845. 
 
 My Dear Father: — It gives me pleasure to write you at this 
 time, as I know you will be anxious to hear how we prosper. The 
 health of Narcissa is very much improved from what it was when 
 I came home and the winter following, yet it is not good, nor is 
 it likely to be again. She is, however, able to take the charge of 
 the family, and to perform much important labor. Our family 
 had the important addition of an orphan family of seven chil- 
 dren whose parents both died on the road to this country. The two 
 oldest are boys, the oldest is fourteen, and the rest are girls; the 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 69 
 
 youngest was only five months when she came here. It did not 
 seem likely the little one could have lived many days more, but 
 she is now strong and healthy, as are all the rest. 
 
 I have thought much for the last winter that I should be 
 glad if you were in this country. The immigrants are benefiting 
 themselves much by coming here, as they take each a mile square 
 of land and will hold it, as they make such regulations among 
 themselves, in accordance with the bill of Mr. Linn, formerly in 
 the Senate of the U. S. 
 
 No country now open to settlers presents such a field for en- 
 terprise, as this near vicinity to the Pacific ocean offers large 
 promise of commercial advantage. The salubrity of the climate 
 is such here that I am every year only the more and more admir- 
 ing it. Flowers have been in blossom in this valley this year 
 since the middle of January, and the grass is as fine for the whole 
 winter as in almost any other country in June. 
 
 I have had much to do with supplying immigrants for the 
 last two years. 
 
 My mill was burnt soon after I left for the States, but I have 
 rebuilt it, and have a saw-mill in a state of forwardness, which I 
 hope to start soon after planting. It is about twenty miles from 
 the house and situated in the Blue mountains. It is necessary to 
 have a saw-mill, as we are in want of conveniences, and our houses 
 are to be roofed anew, as we have only dirt roofs at present, and 
 besides we have no house over our flour-mill, and we need store- 
 houses. 
 
 We must also use a saw-mill for fencing, as timber is so scarce 
 except in the mountains. The Indians are doing more this year 
 at farming than before and fencing much better — a thing much 
 needed, for most of them are now getting more or less cows and 
 other cattle. I have killed nineteen beeves, of course mostly to 
 supply immigrants. The last was but two years old when killed 
 the 10th of March and weighed six-hundred, and the tallow, after 
 one hind quarter was sold, weighed 65 lbs. This will show a spec- 
 
70 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 imen of my stock, as we never feed either to raise or fatten, and he 
 was only an ordinary animal. I have four two year old heifers (this 
 spring only) which have each better yearlings sucking them, prob- 
 ably than any that can be shown in the state of New York, except 
 they have had more than one cow's milk. 
 
 We have above eighty sheep, a large part ewes, as we kill the 
 wethers — besides all that have been killed by dogs, wolves, etc., 
 and besides a good many furnished the Indians. All these came 
 from one ewe brought from the Sandwich Islands in '38 and two 
 more brought in '39. We shall have more than a hundred when 
 the spring lambs have come. 
 
 Let us hear from you, and if any of you think to come here. 
 
 I have had many a rebuke by Narcissa, because I did not 
 bring Jane with me when I came back. Edward might do well 
 in this country, and we shall be glad to see him when his educa- 
 tion is completed, if he is to complete it; but if not, still let him 
 come, but only with a wife. You can come in wagons all the way, 
 but bring nothing but provisions and necessary clothing — nothing. 
 Accept our love for you all. And believe us. 
 
 Your affectionate children, 
 
 Marcus Whitman. 
 
 My Dear Parents: — I have now a family of eleven children. 
 This makes me feel as if I could not write a letter, not even to my 
 dearest friends, much as I desire to. I get along very well with 
 them; they have been to school most of the time; we have had an 
 excellent teacher, a young man from New York. He became 
 hopefully converted soon after entering our family, and mother, I 
 wish you could see me now in the midst of such a group of little 
 ones; there are two girls of nine years, one of seven, a girl and boy 
 of six, another girl of five, another of three and the baby, she is 
 now ten months. I often think of mother when she had the care 
 of Henry Martin Curtis. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 7 1 
 
 It would make me indescribably happy to have father and 
 mother and some of the children come to Oregon; but it is such a 
 journey I fear mother would be sorry she undertook it, if she should 
 conclude to come, but if once here I think there would be no cause 
 of regret. Families can come quite comfortable and easy in wag- 
 ons all the way. But why should I wish thus? It cannot be pos- 
 sible that I shall see my beloved parents again — is it?- -until I meet 
 them in heaven. The Lord only knows; I will leave it with Him 
 to direct all these things. We have had some serious trials this 
 spring with the Indians. Two important Indians have died and 
 they have ventured to say and intimate that the doctor has killed 
 them by his magical power, in the same way they accuse their 
 own sorcerers and kill them for it. Also an important young man 
 has been killed in California by Americans; he was the son of the 
 Walla Walla chief and went there to get cattle, with a few others. 
 This has produced much excitement also. We are in the midst of 
 excitement and prejudice on all sides, both from Indians and 
 passing immigrants, but the Lord has preserved us hitherto and 
 will continue to, if we trust Him. Love to all, as ever and forever. 
 
 Your affectionate daughter, 
 
 Narcissa. 
 
 Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, New York. 
 
 Waiilatpu, April 9th, 1846. 
 
 My Dear Mother: — It is now ten years since I left the paternal 
 roof of my home east of the Rocky mountains, and how much 
 have I been thinking of the scenes that transpired at that time, 
 and of the dear, dear friends, I have left behind. My father, my 
 mother, venerable friends — shall I ever behold your faces again in 
 the flesh? O, how I long to see you, yet I dare not indulge the 
 thought lest I should be found to murmur. If it would give such 
 joy and satisfaction to meet again in this world, to interchange 
 thoughts and feelings, what will it be to meet above, when we 
 
72 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 shall be free from sin and sorrow, in the immediate presence of 
 our Saviour to adore and wonder together and praise God and the 
 Lamb before the throne. My thoughts have been very much in 
 heaven, on heavenly subjects for two or three months past, hav- 
 ing been permitted to accompany a fellow traveler down to the 
 gates of death and to see him pass the dark waters triumphantly 
 and enter joyfully the New Jerusalem above. O, what a glorious 
 sight, and I may say that reluctantly I turned away, mourning 
 that I was not permitted to follow him in reality as with an eye 
 of faith. The individual I refer to, was not a relative, or I could 
 not have stood and looked on with such composure and quietness, 
 he was a young man nearly thirty- two years of age; far gone in 
 the consumption when he arrived here last fall, as one of last im- 
 migration — Joseph S. Findly, from Illinois, and without friends 
 and money, left here to die among strangers. His brother went 
 on past to the Willamette, and he stopped here because it was 
 more unfavorable for an invalid there in the winter time then 
 here. We had assistance, however, in taking care of him until the 
 last month of his life, when the sole care devolved on me and tho 
 children; my health very poor all the time. You can see, beloved 
 parents, what my work was, when I tell you that when he came 
 here, he was without a Saviour. This gave deep anxiety of mind 
 and earnest prayers, until the Lord was pleased to bring him to 
 himself, but the evidence was not always so clear as to feel very con- 
 fident in his case, so that, during the whole time, I felt a tender 
 anxious watchfulness for him, which led me to be constantly 
 seeking an opportunity of nourishing and cherishing him as I 
 would a little child. Blessed be the Lord, he did not suffer me to 
 labor in vain, but from time to time gave me evidence to believe 
 that the good which he had begun, was progressing. Along in Feb- 
 ruary he manifested a desire to unite with the church. An oppor- 
 tunity was presented. 
 
 Mr. Spalding and family visited us the last of February, and 
 on the 26th, he with Mr. Rogers, another young man that had 
 been employed as teacher of our children, offered themselves and 
 were received most joyfully into our little church here in the 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 73 
 
 wilderness. He was unable to sit up, consequently we were gath- 
 ered around his sick and dying bed, to commemorate with him 
 for the first and last time the dying love of our blessed Redeemer 
 before he left us to join the church triumphant above. From this 
 time on his evidence of an acceptance grew brighter and stronger, 
 yet it never exceeded a calm and steady trusting in the Saviour, 
 sometimes doubting almost that such a sinner could be saved. 
 I never could discover anything like ecstasy, joy, or rejoicing at 
 any time in his state of mind. He never had received very much 
 religious instruction in his youth, his mother having died when 
 he was quite young. 
 
 Many, very many, precious seasons I have spent with him, 
 reading, conversing, and praying with him, and I have been very 
 much refreshed myself in doing it. Although I had more work 
 and care on my hands than I could do, without him, in the care 
 of my eleven children, yet I felt that it was work that the Lord 
 put in my hands and He would and did give me strength to 
 do it. He died on Saturday, 28th of March, few minutes past one, 
 He was more than two hours dying. Mr. Spalding was provi- 
 dentially present at the time of his death. When I discovered a 
 change had taken place in his breathing, I went to him and 
 told him that I thought Jesus was about to take him away, 
 and asked him if he did not rejoice? He said he did, if he 
 knew what rejoicing was. Soon he said, " Lord, help me now," 
 and then asked Mr. Spalding and myself if we thought he was 
 smothering, meaning that he was distressed to get his breath; we 
 told him we thought he was dying, and asked if he did not wish 
 Mr. Spalding to pray? He said, "Yes;" and we united in fervent 
 prayer that the Lord would not forsake him now in this trying 
 hour, and commended his departing spirit into the hands of his 
 Saviour. 
 
 The family were called in. I asked him if he felt the Sav- 
 iour present with him now? He said deliberately, "I think He 
 is." Occasionally ejaculations "like these would be heard from 
 him as we stood watching around him, "Lord, help me now; Thy 
 will be done." After a little he looked up and around and said, 
 
74 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 "Farewell to this world;" then, some moments after, "Father, 
 Thy will be done." Afterwards he reached his hand to husband 
 and I, with a look of gratitude and thankfulness for the kindness 
 he had received from us. Soon after Mr. Spalding asked him if 
 the Saviour was with him? After a moment he said, " I think so." 
 Shortly after he ejaculated, "Jesus, save me." Mr. Rogers stood 
 by him holding his hand. In a few minutes he looked at us 
 with inexpressible sweetness depicted in his countenance, and 
 said, "Sweet Jesus! sweet Jesus! sweet Jesus!" as if anxious that 
 we should receive the evidence of his Saviour's presence with him 
 and the token he had just received from Him. It was like a ray 
 of glory bursting through him upon our minds. It completely 
 melted us all. From this time on he lay breathing still more 
 and more laborious, and he desired us to try and turn him to see 
 if he could not find relief; but the change of position made it still 
 more difficult, and he wished to lie back again as he was before, 
 exclaiming, " Sweet Jesus! sweet Jesus!" as if the Saviour had 
 again given him another taste of His sweetness, and assurance 
 that rest or ease was not for him in this world. After this the 
 occasional uttering of these words, " Sweet Jesus!" led us to think 
 that his communion was more with the inhabitants of the heav- 
 enly world [than with us, although he was most perfectly con- 
 scious of every thing that passed up to the last moment. A little 
 after one o'clock he uttered "Sweet Jesus!" sweet Redeemer!" 
 and then " Farewell, farewell, farewell!" and, indistinctly, " I am 
 going!" and thus expired, sweetly yielding up his spirit into the 
 hands of his Redeemer. 
 
 This was new and unexpected to Mr. Spalding and Mr. Rog- 
 ers, they having never seen the like before. As for me, I had been 
 asking that the Lord might be glorified in his death, and thus we 
 were left without a doubt that our brother, on whom we had be- 
 stowed so much anxious care, had gone to be forever with the 
 Lord; feeling, too, that we had been more than amply rewarded 
 for the labor bestowed upon him. He was always so grateful for 
 the attention shown him, particularly for the instruction and re- 
 ligious help he received — said if he had ever in his life had such 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 75 
 
 instruction, he would never have lived so far from the Saviour as 
 he had done. He felt that I had been a mother to him, for he 
 never received such attention before from any one, and he said it 
 weeping. But it was all of the Lord to dispose my heart in kind- 
 ness toward him when I am always so weak and burdened with 
 cares. "I was a stranger, and ye took me in; sick, and ye minis- 
 tered unto me" — these and similar passages all the way through 
 were my support; and I pray God I may always be in a frame of 
 mind to apply this scripture, " Be not forgetful to entertain 
 strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." 
 
 April 10th, 1846. 
 
 My Dear Father: — I have received no letters from father, 
 mother or any the sisters or brothers in Allegheny county since 
 husband returned. I wonder why, sometimes, and feel a little 
 like complaining. Nothing I receive from the United States 
 gives me so much comfort as letters from my dear parents. I am 
 sure those sisters and brothers might write oftener if they would 
 think so. It ina}- be that you are feeling as if I had not been as 
 faithful lately as formerly; true, I have not, but it is not for the 
 want of a disposition. The greatest reason is want nf health, then 
 the care of a large family of eleven children, aside from our com- 
 plicated duties to the Indians. Think of our being the sole in- 
 structors spiritually and mentally of so many children, except 
 during the winter, we hire a teacher; otherwise all these mental 
 and physical instructions devolves upon us, and no responsibility 
 is greater than the care of so many immortal souls to train up for 
 God, and we must be the ministers, Sabbath school teachers, par- 
 ents and all to our children. I am sometimes about ready to sink 
 under the weight of responsibility resting upon me, and should, 
 were it not that an Almighty hand sustains me. Bringing up a 
 family of children in a heathen land, where every influence tends 
 to degrade rather than elevate, requires no small measure of faith 
 and patience, as well as great care and prayerful watchfulness. 
 Under such circumstances, how comforting could I call in the 
 
76 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 superior wisdom and experience of my beloved parents to aid us 
 in times of emergency. As a substitute for this, however, and for 
 it I desire to be thankful, the influence of the impressions made 
 upon my young mind by those beloved ones are now being called 
 forth and acting upon other minds to a degree that astonishes me 
 many times, and I may say that almost always those impres- 
 sions are of such a nature, that if faithfully carried out, would 
 greatly tend to promote the honor and glory of God. Children 
 of such parents have much, very much, to praise God for, and if it 
 should be found at last that any of them have not borne fruit to 
 His Name's glory, how great will be their condemnation. 
 
 There has been considerable evidence of the movings of the 
 Holy Spirit upon the minds of the children since the first of Jan- 
 uary, as well as upon some that wintered here. For ourselves, we 
 feel that our own souls have been greatly revived, and I hope and 
 pray that we may never again relapse into such a state of insensi- 
 bility and worldly-mindedness as we many times have found our- 
 selves in. This may seem strange to my dear father, that mission- 
 aries should ever become worldly-minded; and it should be strange, 
 for it never ought to be; but situated as we are, with every thing 
 of a temporal nature to see to, in supplying our own family 
 with food and clothing, to try and save expenses to the churches, 
 and also to relieve as much as possible a starving immigration as 
 they pass, together with the temporal and spiritual calls of the In- 
 dians — what time is there left for the care of one's own heart? 
 If there is any, it may all be required to restore our over-exhaust- 
 ed natures, which often groan under their burden and will sooner 
 or later tumble and fall down. I would not plead any excuse; if 
 there is fault any where it is in undertaking to accomplish too 
 much of a worldly nature. When I say this, a thought comes in: 
 Where shall we draw the line? As it is, we but just make the ends 
 meet, and sometimes with the greatest difficulty, too. Much, very 
 much, is left undone that might be done to make us more com- 
 fortable and save labor. Thus we struggle on from year to year. 
 
 How cheering under such circumstances, when the heart is 
 weighed to the earth with a burden too heavy for mortal man to 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 77 
 
 sustain, to have an aged Christian, a minister whose heart is al- 
 ways glowing with love to God and for the souls of men, call in, sit 
 and converse awhile and draw the mind to heavenly things and 
 sympathize and pray with us. To me it would seem to fill my 
 soul with such ecstacy that I should want nothing more. It 
 would be a heaven on earth. Perhaps, dear father will say that I 
 can draw a richer draught from the fountain head, Jesus, oftener 
 and easier than that. True, I may; but that requires effort and 
 energy of mind more than I at all times possess, laboring as I am 
 under the infirmity of a debilitated nervous system. But why 
 should I be indulged in such a melancholy strain? Can it be that 
 I wish to excuse myself for negligence on my part? This, I con- 
 fess, is too often a fault; for if it were otherwise, I should not be 
 mourning for my beloved Jesus as I often find myself now, not- 
 withstanding His permitting me to speak of His faithfulness and 
 of His tender care and love for me, unworthy as I am. He gives 
 me now and then streams from which to gather refreshing sweet- 
 ness. But the fountain head oftener pours its healing waters into 
 my weary, sin-sick soul. Instead of complaining that I enjoy so 
 little, rather let me rejoice that my mercies and spiritual com- 
 fort and enjoyments are so many and great. 
 
 If my dear father and mother were here, I think they would 
 be very well contented, for we could give them a very comfortable 
 home and enough to eat and do, and if the distance were not so 
 great, I should hope the) - would come and finish their days with 
 us. But it is a dreadful journey to perform to get here, and I 
 ought not to ask such a sacrifice of them for my own comfort, 
 merely; but if there could be a design worthy of the sacrifice and 
 fatigue to such elderly people, I should ask it with all my heart, 
 if there was a willing mind. I know tather once used to think 
 he should come to Oregon; but if I recollect right he wrote me 
 that he had given it up. It is not so difficult to get here now as 
 when I came, for families come in wagons all the way. The fa- 
 tigue is great, however, and the dust from Fort Hall here is very 
 afflicting; aside from that, with food enough and teams enough, 
 no loading except necessary clothing, it would not be difficult. 
 
78 *r\VENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 Father, if you would send word from Fort Hall we could send 
 and meet you and assist you on. But the greatest affliction would 
 be to the pious soul — it is so continually vexed with the ungodly con- 
 versation and profanity of the wicked, and is so often brought 
 into straitened circumstances with regard to his own duty in 
 obeying the commands of God, such as keeping the Sabbath, etc., 
 that he often is wounded to that degree that it requires many 
 months, if not years, before he is restored to his wonted health 
 again. To be in a country among a people of no law, even if they 
 are from a civilized land, is the nearest like a hell on earth of 
 anything I can imagine. I do not say that the journey cannot be 
 performed and the Christian enjoy his peace of mind and contin- 
 ued communion witb God all the way. But this I know, that the 
 experience of all proves it to be exceedingly difficult, if not impos- 
 sible. It is often said that every Christian gets so that he can 
 swear before the journey is completed. One thing has been true 
 of almost every party that have crossed the mountains; Christians 
 are not warned of their danger before starting, and are conse- 
 quently off their guard. If I had to ever again, I should try and 
 pray more, both in secret, family and social meetings, but above 
 all in secret, for if faithful there the soul is kept alive and in health, 
 Generally speaking, every religious duty has been neglected and 
 probably none more so than reading the 3ible, consequently dearth 
 prevails over the whole mind. 
 
 If I am not permitted to see my dear parents here, I hope I 
 shall hear from them often. I love to have them both write; when 
 they receive this, they will know how to pray for us, and will I 
 trust most fervently. 
 
 From your most affectionate child, 
 
 Narcissa. 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, Allegheny Co., 
 
 New York. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 79 
 
 Waiii.aTpu, April 13th, 1846. 
 
 My Dear Harriet: — 1 believe I have not written you since the 
 Lord brought this orphan family under our care. How could I, 
 for I have been so unwell and had this increase of care upon my 
 mind, that I have written to no one in the States, as I recollect. 
 I find the labor greater in doing for so many, especially in in- 
 structing them — where they come in all at once — than if they 
 had come along by degrees and had received a start in their edu- 
 cation, one before the other; whereas all their minds appear to be 
 alike uninstructed, especially in the great truths of Christianity. 
 
 I would like to know how you and Clarissa get along in un- 
 folding the minds of your little ones. I hope you both feel that 
 the immortal part is of the greatest moment in all your strivings 
 for them, and to educate the physical in such a way as to give the 
 immortal part the utmost vigor and energy possible. 
 
 I used to think mother was the best hand to take care of babies 
 I ever saw.but I believe, or we have the vanity to think, we have 
 improved upon her plan. That you may see how we manage with 
 our children, I will give you a specimen of our habits with them 
 and we feel them important, too, especially that they may grow 
 up healthy and strong. Take my baby, as an example: in Octo- 
 ber, 1844, she arrived here in the hands of an old filthy woman, 
 sick, emaciated and but just alive. She was born some where on 
 the Platte river in the first part of the journey, on the last da}' of 
 May. Her mother died on the 25th of September. She was five 
 months old when she was brought here — had suffered for the want 
 of proper nourishment until she was nearly starved. The old 
 woman did the best she could, but she was in distressed circum- 
 stances herself, and a wicked, disobedient family around her to 
 see to. 
 
 Husband thought we could get along with all but the baby — 
 he did not see how we could take that; but I felt that if I must 
 take any, I wanted her as a charm to bind the rest to me. So we 
 
80 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 took her, a poor, distressed little object, not larger than a babe 
 three weeks old. Had she been taken past at this late season, 
 death would have been her portion, and that in a few days. The 
 first thing I did for her was to give her some milk and put her in 
 the cradle. She drank a gill, she was so hungry, but soon cleared 
 herself of it by vomiting and purging. I next had a pail of warm 
 water and put her in it, gave her a thorough cleansing with soap 
 and water, and put on some clean clothes; — put her in the cradle 
 and she had a fine nap. This I followed every day, washing her 
 thoroughly in tepid water, about the middle of the forenoon. 
 
 She soon began to mend, but I was obliged to reduce her milk 
 with a little water, as her stomach was so weak she could not 
 bear it in its full strength. 
 
 Now I suppose you think such a child would be very trouble- 
 some nights, but it was not so with her; we put her in the cradle 
 and she slept until morning without waking us more than once, 
 and that only for a few of the first nights. Her habits of eating 
 and sleeping were as regular as clock-work. She had a little gill 
 cup which we fed her in; she would take that full every meal, and 
 when done would want no more for a long time. Thus I contin- 
 ued, giving her nothing else but milk, she only required the more 
 until her measure became half a pint. In consequence of the 
 derangement of her digestive powers, which did not recover their 
 healthy tone, she had a day of sickness some time in Dec. when 
 we gave her a little oil and calomel; this restored her completely, 
 and since that time, and even before, she has nothing to do but to 
 grow, and that as fast as possible; she is as large or larger than her 
 next older sister Louisa was when she came here, thennearly three 
 years old. She now lacks a month and a half of being two years 
 old. She is strong, healthy, fleshy, heavy, runs any where she is 
 permitted, talks everything nearly, is full of mischief if I am out 
 of the room. She is energetic and active enough, and has a dis- 
 position to have her own way, especially with the children, if she 
 is not prevented. 
 
 She contended sharply for the mastery with her mother before 
 she was a year old, but she, of course, had to submit. Since then 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 8 1 
 
 she has been very obedient, but frequently tries the point to see 
 if her parents are steadfast and uniform in their requirements or 
 not. She will obey very well in sight, but loves to get out of 
 sight for the purpose of doing as she pleases. She sings a little, 
 but not nearly as much as Alice C. did when she was of her age. 
 Thus much for my baby, Henrietta Naomi Sager. She had 
 another name when she came here, but the children were anxious 
 to call her after her parents. Her father's name was Henry and 
 her mother's was Naomi — we put them together. 
 
 What I call an improvement upon mother's plan is the daily 
 bathing of children. I take a child as soon as it is born and put 
 it in a washbowl of water and give it a thorough washing with 
 soap. I do this the next day and the next, and so on every day as 
 long as the washbowl will hold it; when it will not, then I get a 
 tub or something larger, and continue to do it until the child is 
 able to be carried to the river or to go itself. Every one of my 
 girls go to the river all summer long for bathing every day before 
 dinner, and they love it so well that they would as soon do with- 
 out their dinner as without that. In the winter we bathe in a 
 tub once a week at the least. This is our practice as well as the 
 children. I do not know but these are your habits, but if they 
 are not, I should like to have you try them just to see the benefit 
 -of them. I never gave Henrietta any food but milk until she 
 was nearly a year-and-a-half old. She never wanted anything 
 else. I avoid as much as possible giving my children candies, 
 sweetmeats, etc., such as many parents allow their children to in- 
 dulge in almost all the while; neither do I permit them to eat 
 cakes and pies very often. 
 
 It is well to study these things with regard to our children, 
 for it saves many a doctor bill; and another thing with our chil- 
 dren, we never give medicine if we can help it. If children com- 
 plain of the headache, or are sick at the stomach, send them to 
 bed without their supper or other meals; they are sure to get up 
 very soon feeling as well as ever. 
 
 My husband says many times when a physician is called to 
 see a patient he finds nothing ails him but eating too much. If 
 
82 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 he is told this he will be offended, so he is obliged to give him 
 something, when all he needs is to do without a meal or two and 
 to fast a day or two and drink water gruel. 
 
 Doubtless you will think this a strange letter, Harriet, but 
 you must take it for what is worth and make the best of it. 
 
 We sleep out of doors in the summer a good deal — the boys 
 all summer. This is a fine, healthy climate. I wish you were 
 here to enjoy it with me, and pa and ma, too. We have as happy 
 a family as the world affords. I do not wish to be in a better sit- 
 uation than this. 
 
 I never hear as much as I wish about Stephen's children. I 
 should think Nancy Jane might write her aunt now — tell me 
 something about them. 
 
 O, how I wish you were all here. I could find work enough 
 for you all to do; and every winter we have a good school, so 
 that our children are learning as fast as most children in the 
 States. 
 
 Harriet, I do want you and that good husband of yours to come 
 here and bring pa and ma. I know you will like it after you get 
 here, if you do not like the journey. There are many of the last 
 immigration that came without their families, that are now go-, 
 ing back to bring them as quick as possible, and are only sorry 
 they did not bring them last year. Bring as many girls as you 
 can, but let every young man bring a wife, for he will want one 
 after he gets here, if he never did before. Girls are in good 
 demand for wives. I hope Edward and Jane will come. I have 
 written to them to come. Judson wants to come, too. I hope he 
 will, and many other Christians. Where is Jonas G.? Why does 
 he not come? Poor man, I never can think of him without sorrow. 
 
 Love to all, and a kiss for all those little ones. 
 
 Narcissa. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 83 
 
 TSHIMAKAIN, April 22, 1846. 
 
 Miss Prentiss: — An apology is due in my attempting to write 
 to you, being an entire stranger, although I feel almost as though 
 I had been well acquainted with you for years, having become so 
 much attached to Mrs. Whitman. 
 
 Some days before I left Dr. Whitman's for this place, Mrs 
 Whitman was speaking of having a great number of letters to 
 write to the States, and in her pleasant way wished to know if I 
 would not write some for her. To which I replied, I would rather 
 engage her to write for me, as she could do it so much better; but 
 said, finally, that I would write one to any of her friends, if she 
 would do the same for me. 
 
 To this she agreed and gave me your name. I desired her to 
 write to my mother, who is living near Monmouth, Warren county, 
 Illinois, where I have been living for the last ten years before the 
 spriug of '45, at which time I left home with the desire of seeing 
 the far West. 
 
 As I learned from Mrs. Whitman that you and your brother 
 had some thought of coming to this country, you will doubtless 
 feel more or less interested in some of the difficulties and trials 
 that one has to encounter on the way. One of the greatest trials 
 that a religious mind has to encounter on the way is the com- 
 pany one is often compelled to travel with. There is no place 
 where one can better see all the varieties of civilized life than 
 here. You can see from the highest to the lowest grade. You 
 may see all these at home, it is true, but you can't see them all 
 brought so closely together, and under so many vicissitudes of 
 life as have to be passed through on the way — hunger and thirst 
 and fatigue, cold and wet weather. Now you have bad roads and 
 no grass for your cattle; now, perhaps, some one will tell you there 
 is much danger from Indians. After traveling all day through 
 dust that is almost insupportable, you will come into camp at 9 
 or 10 o'clock at night and feel almost as though you did not care 
 
84 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 whether scalped before morning or not. And to make the trouble 
 greater the cattle have almost nothing to eat, and may be you 
 have no water within a mile, and perhaps no wood. Under such 
 circumstances who is there among the sons of men that would 
 not be likely to feel somewhat peevish, so much so that almost 
 anything would throw him off his balance, and be likely to go 
 beyond the bounds of propriety. Sure I am that nothing but 
 "much of the mind of Christ," will support one under such trials. 
 You must not think that the whole journey is just such as I have 
 described. By no means. I have given you about as dark a picture 
 as is likely to be met with on the^road. But I must confess that 
 I endured more fatigue during the six months we were on the 
 way than I had ever before undergone in the same length of time. 
 No one need think that it is like traveling in the stage or on the 
 steamboat; yet one is not often vexed with high prices, nor 
 are they in danger of being robbed as they are on steamboat. 
 
 One is not very likely to spend a great deal by the way, with- 
 out ha does it in gambling, which he may do here as well as any 
 where if he wishes, as it is almost always the case that some one 
 was thoughtful enough to bring a deck of cards with him; and 
 if they have none of them, they bet on the distance to some hill, 
 or on the distance traveled during the day, or that my oxen can 
 draw more than yours. 
 
 Another trial that one has often to meet on the way is disre- 
 gard for the Sabbath. I suppose there was about as much conten- 
 tion arose on that subject in the company in which I came as 
 any another. A good part of the company cared nothing about 
 that, or any other religious question, and if it suited them they 
 wished to travel on that day as well as any other. And even when 
 they did stop on that day it was only to mend their wagons, or 
 wash their clothes. I do not say that all did so, for there were 
 some of the company that were devotedly pious. There were 
 three ministers in the company, one a Seceder minister from 
 about Burlington. The other two were Baptist ministers, one 
 from Iowa, the other from Rock Island county, 111., whose name 
 was Fisher, and who was formerly of Quincy, and is doubtless well 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 85 
 
 known there. He manifested more of the true spirit of Christ 
 while on the road than any other man with whom I was ac- 
 quainted. Sometimes one is compelled to travel on the Sabbath, 
 even if the company were willing to stop, as it happens that pas- 
 ture cannot be found insufficient quantities, though this does not 
 often occur, but it is often made a plea for traveling on that 
 day when there would be plenty if they wished to stop to hunt 
 buffalo. The company in which I came, traveled, may be, half 
 the Sabbaths on the way. We had preaching most of the days 
 on which we stopped. But I am dwelling too long on this subject, 
 perhaps. 
 
 I desire to say to you, if you have any influence with respect 
 to this country, I hope you will use it in endeavoring to have it set- 
 tled with pious Yankees. Although not one myself, yet, as west- 
 ern people say, " I have a mighty liking to them." I do hope that 
 it may be another New England, and I would to God that the 
 mothers of this country could only be from Yankee land. Per- 
 haps I have said more than I ought, but such are the sentiments 
 of my heart, and I have ventured to express them. Let me but 
 have the choice of the mothers of any country, and I will feel well 
 satisfied as to the destiny of that country, either as to its moral, 
 literary or civil aspect. But ^the moral prospect of this coun- 
 try is not very encouraging at this time. The " man of sin" ap- 
 pears to be making considerable progress in the lower settlements. 
 One thing that makes much in his favor is, he has the influence 
 of the H. B. Company ; though it is to be hoped that God will 
 thwart his plans, and that He will "overturn, overturn till He come 
 whose right it is to reign." "Till the stone cut out of the moun- 
 tain shall fill up the whole earth." May God hasten it in His day, 
 is my earnest desire and prayer. 
 
 It may be interesting to you to know any one with whom I 
 have been formerly acquainted. Mr. Bacon used to be my precep- 
 tor in music, whom I suppose you have often seen. I would like 
 much to be remembered to him, if he is living there. 
 
 I have, perhaps, said more now than you will think worth 
 sending more than two thousand miles, but I must say in conclu- 
 
86 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 slon, that Dr. and Mrs. Whitman seem very near to me. It ap- 
 peared almost like parting with my mother when I left there to 
 come to this place (which you will find marked on the map of 
 Oregon in the November number of the Missionary Herald.) I 
 have spent many very pleasant hours in her company and hope 
 to spend more ere life closes. 
 
 Should you ever receive this, a letter as long as you wish to 
 write would be most acceptable. News from the States is always 
 scarce at Tshimakain and Waiilatpu. 
 
 Your true friend, 
 
 Andrew Rogers, Jr. 
 Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 
 
 Quincy, Adams Co., 
 
 Illinois, U. S. A. 
 
 Waiilatpu, Sept. nth, 1846. 
 
 Mr. Harvey P. Prentiss, Mrs. Livonia L Prentiss, My Dear 
 Brother and Sister: — It is but a few days since I received that 
 good family letter bearing date of March, 1836, [1846?]. Since 
 that time my mind has been much upon you for this reason: I 
 hear you are removing to the South for the sake of a warmer cli- 
 mate. I had much rather you would come this way, and have been 
 studying ever since to see if I could not induce you to come. There 
 are many reasons why we wish you to come, but my time is so 
 limited that I can give you but a few of them now. I shall write 
 again this fall to some or all of you, if permitted. We wish you 
 were here to assist us in our work; we have more than we can do> 
 and if you were here now we could give you both labor and sup- 
 port and would be glad to do it. I know you would like this 
 mild and healthy climate better than the one where you have 
 gone, at least we think so. Take the map, if you please, and just 
 look at our situation on this Western coast. The Sandwich Is- 
 lands and China are our next door neighbors. I see I cannot en- 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 87 
 
 large upon this subject. I was going to speak of the facilities for 
 acquiring competency, if not wealth, in this country, but my 
 time will not permit. 
 
 A little reflection will show you what I wish to say and I 
 hope induce you to come. If you will only manage to get here, 
 we are here to assist you all you need to get a start, if you should 
 not wish to continue with us. Do not be anxious for your chil- 
 dren ; here is a good place for them to do well for themselves, both 
 as to education and getting a living. We have a good English 
 school here every winter and eventually intend to have an acad- 
 emy or college. Do come. I say this with all my heart. You 
 will find the journey a trying one, but there is no difficulty in 
 getting here. A good wagon with an ox team, and cows to change 
 with, will in time bring you here, and then I wish you would 
 bring Jane. I want her here very much as a teacher*, and Edward, 
 too. If you come they will come, I have no doubt, for last year 
 they wrote us proposing to come if we wanted them. The Board 
 had rather we would employ a farmer than appoint one and send 
 to us. We expect the line will be settled with England soon, if 
 it is not already, and that the United States will extend her juris- 
 diction over us; when that is done, we expect there will be a flood 
 of emigrants rolling this way. For three years past there has 
 been large companies of from 500 to 700 wagons each year to Ore- 
 gon and California. 
 
 Brother Kinny says he would come to Oregon, if he had no 
 wife. Please tell him he is in a much better situation for coming to 
 Oregon as a settler than if he had none, for nothing makes bach- 
 elors feel so much like getting a wife as to come here and find 
 none to be had. Many are often disposed to degrade themselves 
 enough to take a native. 
 
 I see Congress is talking about starting a mail across the 
 mountains. When that is accomplished, I shall hope to hear from 
 home friends oftener and more regular. Mother thinks if she 
 should come here she would be afraid of the Indians. It might 
 be, yet I think she would soon get over it. They never were more 
 quiet and peaceable than now, and appear to be getting more so. 
 
88 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 We feel that your going to Virginia will not be in trie way of your 
 coming, for we think you will be more likely to come here, for hav- 
 ing come thus far. I hope you will write us and tell us all about 
 it. As I know not where to direct this letter, I shall send it to 
 father to have him forward it. I have written this in great 
 haste, for the Indian post is waiting to take this, with many other 
 letters, to Walla Walla, where the boats will leave to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 My health is quite good for me. All of the family are well; 
 indeed, we have no sickness at all in the family scarcely, although 
 the orphan family, before they came here, were quite subject to 
 sickness. 
 
 Please give our united love to all our dear friends, and be- 
 lieve me 
 
 Affectionately your sister, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, Alleghany Co., 
 
 New York. 
 
 Waiilatpu, Oregon Territory, \ 
 Nov. 3rd, 1846. / 
 
 Mrs. Clarissa Prentiss, Honored and Beloved Mother:- -It is with 
 indescribable pleasure I received and perused those excellent lines,, 
 penned by that hand that has been so much of my life devoted 
 to my comfort, and dictated by that heart that has so often 
 beat with emotion for my good, too deep for utterance. It really 
 seemed as if the very fountains of my heart were broken up and 
 my whole soul was filled with emotions indescribable. O, my 
 mother, my dear mother, and father! How I love to dwell upon 
 these blessed sounds. Do I love these dear ones less, as I grow in 
 years and as separation widens? Surely not. Yea, my heart clings 
 to them with an undying grasp; and I bless God that we have 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 89 
 
 the assurance that this union is not to end in this life, but will 
 exist, yea, and increase, too, through an unending eternity. 
 
 It was but a few mornings ago that I was reading mother's 
 letter to the children, and husband was sitting by. Afterwards I 
 handed it to him, and looking at it, he said (the tears filling his 
 eyes), " Mother writes well for one that writes so seldom;" said he 
 "she writes better than any of her daughters." And so I think, 
 too. I hope mother will be encouraged, when she finds her letters 
 so acceptable and doing so much good, to write oftener, at least 
 once a year, if not twice. 
 
 I have not yet received father's promised letter; it may be it 
 failed to be in time for the opportunity of a transport across the 
 mountains. Mother's, dated March 26th, 1846, was sent from Bos- 
 ton to Westport and reached me in about five months after it was 
 mailed. This brings me very near home. Indeed, it is the first I 
 have received since those sent by husband. It would be well to 
 send everything direct to Westport, to the care of Boone & Ham- 
 ilton, and in the summer and fall to Boston, and they will be 
 most sure to reach us. There is a prospect of a monthly mail to 
 be established soon from St. Louis to Oregon — so we judge from 
 movements in Congress; when that is accomplished a new era 
 will commence in our western world and a happy one, too, to us, 
 if our friends will write us ot'ten. 
 
 Since writing the above we have been assembled for our Tues- 
 day evening concert, established more than seven years ago by 
 ■the two Missions, to pray for the cause of Christ in Oregon. We 
 have evidence to believe that this concert of prayer has been 
 greatly blessed to us, and this infant country. We feel that God 
 has heard prayer, for many precious souls give evidence of having 
 passed from death to life, some among the Indians and many 
 more among our own countrymen. The standard of piety and 
 morals in the Willamette is good for so new a country. Many 
 pious people and professing Christians have found their way 
 here, and many ministers of different denominations; yet there 
 is a want of able ones. Mother asks what sort of people come to 
 this country. There are very many intelligent and excellent peo- 
 
90 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUM, REUNION 
 
 pie, and also many others who are lawless and ignorant. It would 
 be well for the Home Missionary Society, in her benevolence, to 
 look this way, for this country is destined to exert an influence 
 that will be felt the world over. The Papists are at work with 
 all their might to get the control of the country, and have been 
 ever since we have been here, nearly. We hope they will not 
 succeed. Protestants need to be up and doing in order to save 
 this the only spot of the whole western coast of North America 
 from their iron grasp. God grant we may. For this purpose we 
 need more active Christians, teachers, and ministers to come to 
 this country from the East, and my dear father will, I hope, use 
 all his powers in persuading such to come. I cannot bear the 
 thought that my brothers and their families should go to Virginia 
 to settle. Why will they not come here? It is both warm and 
 healthy. Here they would be exerting an influence that would 
 be felt for good, and here they would make a comfortable living 
 without so much hard labor. I have written to Brother H. urging 
 him to come here. We want him to help us very much. I hope 
 he will get the letter. Brothers H. and C. I think would like the 
 country, if once here. His being a married man is no objection, 
 but rather a good reason why he should come, for with his family 
 here, he would be worth something to the country. O, how I 
 have desired, and still desire, to have Jane and Edward come as 
 teachers. The Lord grant that they may, and that soon, too. I 
 could wish that the Prattsburg colony might be turned this way, 
 instead of going to Virginia. They are much needed here, and 
 in the end would be much better satisfied, we have no doubt. I 
 would ask father to come, but mother says she would be afraid of 
 the Indians. I have a widow lady in my family who came over 
 this fall that is fifty-seven years old. She is an excellent woman, 
 so kind and motherly. She makes me think of my own dear 
 mother every day, and what it would be to have her here. 
 
 Mother wishes me to write about my children. I wrote last 
 spring very fully about them all, and if I had room I might 
 again say much more. 
 
 We have a good school taught by Mr. Geiger, son of Deacon 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 9 1 
 
 Geiger, formerly of Angelica. He is an excellent young man and 
 superior teacher — children all happy and learning fast.. Brother 
 Spalding's two eldest board here and go to school, and we are 
 expecting three from Brother Walker's. We set the table fr>r 
 more than twenty every day three times, and it is a pleasing 
 sight. Mr. G. serves the children. Mr. Rogers, the young man 
 that taught last winter, is still with us studying for the ministry. 
 He is a good young man and his Christian society affords me 
 much comfort. He is an excellent singer and has taught the 
 children to sing admirably. When they came here not one of 
 them could make even a noise towards singing; now they consti- 
 tute quite a heavy choir. None of them could read except the 
 three eldest very poorly; now they are quite good scholars and are 
 making good progress. 
 
 Six families of immigrants winter with us, and some young 
 men. Three of them are at the saw-mill twenty miles from here. 
 The children of the three families that remain here go to school; 
 when the}- arrived here, several were quite sick; one woman re- 
 mains so still, having been afflicted with the inflammation of the 
 lungs. 
 
 Last Saturday, Marcus was called to attend a woman at the 
 mill at the birth of a son. We find it quite agreeable to have 
 neighbors to winter with us, but this may be the last, as a good 
 southern route is now open into the head waters of the Willam- 
 ette, and all will wish, probably, to go that way, as it will be 
 much nearer and better. 
 
 I must tell mother of a luxury we enjoy very much, and one 
 that has a tendency to make us very cheerful and happy. For me 
 it has done much toward restoring my health to be so much bet- * 
 ter than it has been for several years. It is daily cold bathing. 
 Our students and teachers go out every morning, winter and sum- « 
 mer and jump into the river. Husband does it frequently, but 
 not so regular, on account of his business. The children all de- 
 light in it. Both would be glad to, all winter, if we had conven- 
 iences. In the summer I go with them to the river, and now 
 when it is warm enough, and when it is cold we take ihe tub in 
 
92 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 the house. I know father would like to live here on that account, 
 and he would enjoy it so much, too, as some of our folks do. The 
 climate is so mild and exhilarating. Husband is doing all he can 
 to induce friends to come. He has written to Father Hotchkiss 
 inviting him, and requested him to copy and send the letter to 
 father, and many others. 
 
 I see I must soon stop for the want of room. The children all 
 send their love to their grandparents, and aunts and uncles; some 
 of them will be able to write soon to some of you. 
 
 I have spoken of many things and subjects, but one still re- 
 mains about which I should like to write, and that is the other 
 half of self. I wish mother was more acquainted with him; he is 
 all benevolence, has amazing energy of thought and action, 
 nothing is too hard or impossible for him to do, that can be done. 
 I often think he cannot last always; indeed, his strength is not 
 what it used to be, although his health is quite good. 
 
 We try to do good to our neighbors that winter with us. I 
 hold a prayer meeting with the females on Wednesday, which is 
 precious to us. Thursday evening is the children's meeting, which I 
 superintend, also. Saturday evening, Mr. Rogers has a Bible class, 
 in which the children bring forth the text of Scripture they have 
 selected on a given subject. Last week it was " Prayer"; the pres- 
 ent week it is the "Sabbath." Besides this, the children commit a 
 verse a day which is got in the morning as their first lesson to be 
 recited in Sabbath school. 
 
 By this mother will see that both my hands and heart are 
 usefully employed, not so much for the Indians directly, as 
 my own family. When my health failed, I was obliged to with- 
 hold my efforts for the natives, but the Lord has since filled my 
 hands with other labors, and I have no reason to complain; when 
 I am not overburdened with work and care, I am happy and 
 cheerful, but as I many times am straitened with more than I 
 can do and no one to assist but my children, I become fretful and 
 impatient. I am most happily provided for now. I have a good 
 girl in the kitchen, and the old lady, which relieves me a great 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 93 
 
 deal; and Mr. Geiger is such a good governor and teacher, that 
 the children give me little, if any, trouble as to that part. Of 
 course I take the place of moderator out of school. We pay the 
 girl one dollar and a half a week; the widow is a boarder, but 
 does a great deal in keeping things straight in the kitchen; do 
 not charge her for her board. 
 
 If this goes from the Islands to Panama and across the Isthmus, 
 mother will receive it in a short time; if otherwise, it may be 
 some time before it will reach home, if it ever does. I would be 
 glad to speak of the Indians, but one sheet is too small to contain 
 all. I would be glad to say to my dear parents, the Indians are 
 kind and quiet and very much attached to us, none the less so 
 for having so many children about us. Many that were on the 
 stage when we came here, are dead and new ones have taken their 
 places. And as husband has just written to our Board, he says 
 he never has felt more contented and that he was usefully em- 
 ployed than for the last year and the present. May the Lord in- 
 cline the hearts of my dear parents and friends to pray especially 
 for us this winter that He would send His Spirit urging us that 
 new souls may be born into His kingdom. 
 
 We send much love to all our relatives and friends. 
 
 Ever your dutiful and affectionate daughter, 
 
 Narcissa. 
 Mrs. Clarissa Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, Allegheny Co., 
 
 New York, U. S. A. 
 
 Oregon City, April 6, 1848. 
 
 To Stephen Prentiss, Esq., and Mrs. Prentiss, the Father and 
 Mother of the late Mrs. Whitman of the Oregon Mission — My Dear 
 Father and Mother in Christ : — Through the wonderful interposi- 
 tion of God in delivering me from the hand of the murderer, it 
 has become my painful duty to apprise you of the death of your 
 beloved daughter, Narcissa, and her worthy and appreciated hus- 
 
94 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 band, your honored son-in-law, Dr. Whitman, both my own en- 
 tirely devoted, ever faithful and eminently useful associates in the 
 work of Christ. They were inhumanly butchered by their own, 
 up to the last moment, beloved Indians, for whom their warm 
 Christian hearts had prayed for eleven years, and their unwearied 
 hands had administered to their every want in sickness and in 
 distress, and had bestowed unnumbered blessings ; who claimed 
 to be, and were considered, in a high state of civilization and 
 Christianity. Some of them were members of our church; others 
 candidates for admission; some of them adherents of the Catho- 
 lic church — all praying Indians. They were, doubtless, urged on 
 to the dreadful deed by foreign influences, which we have felt 
 coming in upon us like a devastating flood for the last three or 
 four years; and we have begged the authors, with tears in our 
 eyes, to desist, not so much on account of our own lives and pro- 
 perty, but for the sake of those coming, and the safety of those al- 
 ready in the country. But the authors thought none would be in- 
 jured but the hated missionaries — the devoted heretics, and the 
 work of hell was urged on, and has ended, not only in the death 
 of three missionaries, the ruin of our mission, but in a bloody 
 war with the settlements, which may end in the massacre of 
 every family. 
 
 God alone can save us. I must refer you to the Herald for 
 my views as to the direct and remote causes which have conspired 
 to bring about the terrible calamity. I cannot write all to every 
 one, having a large family to care for; Mrs. Spalding is suffering 
 from the dreadful exposure during the flight and since we have 
 been this country— destitute of almost every thing, no dwelling 
 place as yet, food and raiment to be found, many, many afflicted 
 friends to be informed, my own soul bleeding from many wounds; 
 my dear sister, Narcissa, with whom I have grown up as a child 
 of the same family, with whom I have labored so long and so in- 
 timately in the work of teaching the Indians, and my beloved 
 Dr. Whitman, with whom I have for so many years kneeled in 
 praying, taking sweet connsel, have been murdered, and their 
 bones scattered upon the plains — the labors and hopes of many 
 years in an hour at an end, the house of the Lord, the mission 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 95 
 
 house, burned, and its walls demolished, the property of the Lord 
 to the amount of thousands of dollars, in the hands of the rob- 
 bers, a once large and happy family reduced to a few helpless 
 children, made orphans a second time, to be separated and com- 
 pelled to find homes among strangers; our fears for our dear 
 brothers Walker and Eells of the most alarming character ; our 
 infant settlements involved in a bloody war with, hostile Indians 
 and on the brink of ruin — all, all, chill my blood and fetter my 
 hands. 
 
 The massacre took place on the fatal 29th of November last, } ^ 
 commencing at half past one. Fourteen persons were mur- 
 dered first and last. Nine men the first day. Five men es- 
 caped from the Station, three in a most wonderful manner, one 
 of whom was the trembling writer, with whom I know you will 
 unite in praising God for delivering even one. The names and 
 places of the slain are as follows: The two precious names already 
 given, my hand refuses to write them again. Mr. Rogers, young 
 man, teacher of our Mission school in winter of '46; since then 
 has been aiding us in our mission work and studying for the 
 ministry, with a view to be ordained and join our Mission; John 
 and Francis Sager, the two eldest of the orphan family, ages 17 
 and 15; Mr. Kimball of Laporte, Indiana, killed second day, left a 
 widow and five children; Mr. Saunders of Oskaloosa, Iowa, left a 
 widow and five children; Mr. Hall of Missouri, escaped to Fort 
 Walla Walla, was refused protection, put over the Columbia river, 
 killed by the Walla Wallas, left a widow and five children; Mr. 
 Marsh of Missouri, left a son grown and young daughter; Mr. 
 Hoffman of Elmira, New York; Mr. Gillan of Oskaloosa, Iowa; 
 Mr. Sails of latter place; Mr. Bewley of Missouri. Two last 
 dragged from sick beds eight days after the first massacre and 
 butchered; Mr. Young, killed second day. Last five were un- 
 married men. Forty woman and children fell captives into the 
 hands of the murderers, among them my own beloved daughter, 
 Eliza, ten years old. Three of the captive children soon died, left 
 without parental care, tw'o of them your dear Narcissa's, once a 
 widow woman's. The young women were dragged from the 
 house by night and beastly treated. Three of them became wives 
 
96 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 to the murderers. One, the daughter of Mrs. Kimball, became 
 the wife of him who killed her father — often told her of it. One, 
 Miss Bewley, was taken twenty miles to the Utilla and became 
 the wife of Hezekiah.a principal chief and member of our church 
 who, up till that time, had exhibited a good character. Eight 
 days after the first butchery, the two families at the saw-mill,, 
 twenty miles distant, were brought down and the men spared to 
 do work for the Indians. This increased the number of the cap- 
 tives to forty-seven, after the three children died. In various 
 ways they were cruelly treated and compelled to cook and work 
 late and early for the Indians. 
 
 As soon as Mrs. Spalding heard of my probable death and the 
 captivity of Eliza, she sent two Indians (Nez Perces) to effect her 
 deliverance, if possible. The murderers refused to give her up 
 until they knew whether I was alive, as I had escaped their hands, 
 and whether the Americans would come up to avenge the death of 
 their countrymen. Should the Americans show themselves, every 
 woman and child should be butchered. The two sick men had 
 just been beaten and cut to pieces before the eyes of the help- 
 less children and women, their blood spilled upon the floor, and 
 their mangled bodies lay at the door for forty-eight hours, over 
 which the captives were compelled to pass for wood and water. 
 
 Eliza says when she heard the heavy blows and heard dying 
 groans, she stopped her ears. Such was and such had been for 
 several days the situation of Eliza, when the two Nez Perces, par- 
 ticular friends to our children, told Eliza they must return with- 
 out her. The murderers would not give her up. She had given 
 up her father as dead, but her mother was alive and up to this 
 hour she hoped to reach her bosom, but now this hope went out, 
 and she began to pine. Besides, she was the only one left who 
 understood the language, and was called up at all hours of the 
 night and kept out for hours in the cold and wet, with almost 
 no clothing left by the hand of the robbers, to interpret for whites 
 and Indians, till she was not able to stand upon her feet, and 
 then they beset her lying upon the floor — bed she had none — 
 till her voice failed from weakness. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 97 
 
 I had reached home before the Indians who went for her re- 
 turned, and shared with my wife the anguish of seeing the Indians 
 return without our child. Had she been dead, we could have giv- 
 en her up; but to have a living child a captive in the hands of 
 Indians whose hands were stained with the blood of our slain 
 friends, and not able to deliver her, was the sharpest dagger that 
 ever entered my soul. Suffice it to say, we found our daughter at 
 Fort Walla Walla with the ransomed captives, too weak to stand, 
 a mere skeleton, her mind as much injured as her health. Through 
 the astonishing goodness of God she has regained her health and 
 strength, and her mind has resumed its usual tone. 
 
 The captives were delivered by the prompt interposition and 
 judicious management of Mr. Odgen, Chief Factor of the H. H. B. 
 Co., to whom too much praise cannot be awarded. He arrived at 
 Walla Walla Dec. 12th. In about two weeks he succeeded in 
 ransoming all the captives for blankets, shirts, guns, ammuni- 
 tion, tobacco, to the amount of some five hundred dollars. They 
 were brought into the fort on Dec. 30th. Myself and those with 
 me arrived on the first of January. Oh, what a meeting — remnants 
 of once large and happy families; but our tears of grief were 
 mingled with tears of joy. We had not dared to hope that de- 
 liverance could come so soon and so complete. 
 
 For some time previous to the massacre the measles, followed 
 by the dysentery, had been raging in the country. The families 
 at Waiilatpu had been great sufferers. I arrived at Waiilatpu the 
 22nd of November; eight days before the dreadful deed. All the 
 .doctor's family had been sick, but were recovering; three of the 
 children were yet dangerously sick; besides Mr. Osborn, with his 
 sick family, were in the same house. Mrs. Osborn and three chil- 
 dren were dangerous; one of their children died during the week. 
 A young man, Mr. Bewley, was also very sick. The doctor's hands 
 were more than full among the Indians; three and sometimes 
 five died in a day. Dear sister Whitman seemed ready to sink 
 under the immense weight of labor and care. But like an angel 
 of mercy, she continued to administer with her ever-ready hand 
 to the wants of all. Late and early, night and day, she was by 
 
98 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 the bed of the sick, the dying, and the afflicted. During the week, 
 I enjoyed several precious seasons with her. She was the same 
 devoted servant of the L/Ord she was when we enjoyed like prec- 
 ious seasons in our beloved Prattsburg many years ago, ready 
 to live or die for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Saturday 
 the Indians from the Utilla, sent for the doctor to visit their sick. 
 He wished me to accompany him. We started late, rode in a 
 heavy rain through the night, arrived in the morning. The doc- 
 tor attended upon the sick, and returned on the Sabbath on 
 account of the dangerous sickness in his family. I remained till 
 Wednesday. Monday morning the doctor assisted in burying an 
 Indian; returned to the house and was reading- -several Indians, 
 as usual were in the house; one sat down by him to attract his 
 attention by asking for medicine; another came behind him with 
 tomahawk concealed under his blanket and with two blows in 
 the back of the head, brought him to the floor senseless, probably, 
 but not lifeless; soon after Telaukaikt, a candidate for admission 
 in our church, and who was receiving unnumbered favors every 
 day from brother and sister Whitman, came in and took particu- 
 lar pains to cut and beat his face and cut his throat; but he still 
 lingered till near night. As soon as the firing commenced at the 
 different places, Mrs. Hayes ran in and assisted sister Whitman 
 in taking the doctor from the kitchen to the sitting-room and 
 placed him upon the settee. This was before his face was cut. 
 His dear wife bent over him and mingled her flowing tears with 
 his precious blood. It was all she could do. They were her last 
 tears. To whatever she said, he would reply "no" in a whisper, 
 probably not sensible. John Sager was sitting by the doctor 
 when he received the first blow, drew his pistol, but his arm was 
 seized, the room filling with Indians, and his head was cut to 
 pieces. He lingered till near night. Mr. Rogers, attacked at the 
 water, escaped with a broken arm and wound in the head, and 
 rushing into the house, shut the door. The Indians seemed to 
 have left the house now to assist in murdering others. Mr. Kim- 
 ball, with a broken arm rushed in; both secreted themselves up- 
 stairs. Sister Whitman in anguish, now bending over her dying 
 husband and now over the sick; now comforting the flying, scream- 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 99 
 
 ing children, was passing by the window, when she received the 
 first shot in her right breast, and fell to the floor. She immedi- 
 ately arose and kneeled by the settee on which lay her bleeding 
 husband, and in humble prayer commended her soul to God and 
 prayed for her dear children who were about to be made a second 
 time orphans and to fall into the hands of her direct murderers. 
 I am certain she prayed for her murderers, too. She now went into 
 the chamber with Mrs. Hayes, Miss Bewley, Catharine, and the 
 sick children. They remained till near night. In the meantime 
 the doors and windows were broken in and the Indians entered 
 and commenced plundering, but they feared to go into the cham- 
 ber. They called for sister Whitman and brother Rogers to come 
 down and promised they should not be hurt. This promise was 
 often repeated, and they came down. Your dear Narcissa, faint 
 with the loss of blood, was carried on a settee to the door by 
 brother Rogers and Miss Bewle}'. Every corner of the room was 
 crowded with Indians having their guns ready to fire. The chil- 
 dren had been brought down and huddled together to be shot. 
 Eliza was one. Here they had stood for a long time surrounded 
 by guns pointing at their breasts. She often heard the cry "Shall 
 we shoot?" and her blood became cold, she says, and she fell upon 
 the floor. But now the order was given, "Do not shoot the chil- 
 dren," as the settee passed through the children over the bleeding, 
 dying body of John. Fatal moment! The settee advanced about 
 its length from the door, when the guns were discharged from 
 without and within, the powder actually burning the faces of the 
 children. Brother Rogers raised his hand and cried, "my God," 
 and fell upon his face, pierced with many balls. But he fell not 
 alone. An equal number of the deadly weapons were leveled at the 
 settee and, oh ! that this discharge had been deadlly. But oh ! Father 
 of Mercy, so it seemed good in thy sight. She groaned, she lingered. 
 The settee was rudely upset. — Oh, what have I done? Can the 
 aged mother read and live? Think of Jesus in the hands of the 
 cruel Jews. I thought to withhold the worst facts, but then they 
 would go to you from other sources, and the uncertainty would 
 be worse than the reality. Pardon me, if I have erred. 
 
 Francis at the same time was dragged from the children and 
 
IOO OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 shot; all three now lay upon the ground, groaning, struggling, dy- 
 ing. As they groaned, the Indians beat them with their whips and 
 clubs, and tried to force their horses over them. Darkness dis- 
 persed the Indians, but the groans of the dying continued till in 
 night. Brother Rogers seemed to linger the longest. A short 
 time before Mr. Osborn and family left the hiding place, he was 
 heard to say in a faint voice, "Lord Jesus, come quickly," and all 
 was silent. The next morning they were seen to be dead, by the 
 children. But what a sight for those dear lambs — made a second 
 time fatherless, motherless; and my dear Eliza stood with them, 
 but she covered her face with her hands — she says she could not 
 look upon her dear Mrs. Whitman, always like a mother to her. 
 The dead bodies were not allowed to be removed till Wednesday 
 morning, when they were gathered together. Eliza and some of 
 the other girls sewed sheets around them,'a large pit was dug by a 
 Frenchman and some friendly Indians, and they were buried to- 
 gether, but so slightly that when the army arrived at the station, 
 they found that the wolves had dug them all up, eaten their flesh, 
 and scattered their bones upon the plains. "O God, the heathen 
 are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled 
 The bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the 
 fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the 
 earth. Their blood have they shed like water round about Jeru- 
 salem; and there was none to bury them. Help us, O God of our 
 Salvation, for the Glory of thy name." 
 
 Some hair from the sacred head of your dearest daughter was 
 found by the army, I believe rolled in a piece of paper, doubt- 
 less cut and put away by her own hand some two 3^ears ago. A 
 lock was obtained by Dr. Wilcox of East Bloomfield, New York, 
 which was handed to me the other day. With great satisfaction I 
 send it to her deeply afflicted father and mother. Precious relic! 
 
 And now, shall I attempt to sooth your bleeding hearts? It 
 would be like one drowning man stretching out his hand to 
 hold up another. I, myself, am in the deepest waters of afflic- 
 tion. My dear brother and sister Whitman no more; their mis- 
 sion house demolished; myself and family driven from our first 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION IOI 
 
 own home, and the little church which we had been gathered 
 around; our brothers, Walker and Eells, perhaps, slain and their 
 wives and children captives in the hands of the murderers. "But 
 why art thou disquieted, oh my soul?" "Even so, Father, for so it 
 seemeth good in Thy sight." "This world is poor from shore to 
 shore." There is no place like heaven, and it has seemed doubly 
 precious since the day my dear associates ended their toils, and 
 left this world of blood and sin to enter upon the unending song 
 of Moses and the Lamb. I know where you will go, my honored 
 father and mother in Christ, when you have read this letter, you 
 will go to the Mercy Seat, and there you will find balm for your 
 deeply wounded souls, for you know how to ask for it. And when 
 there, you will not forget the scattered sheep and the trembling 
 lambs of our broken mission. 
 
 At the time of the massacre, Perrin Whitman, nephew of Dr. 
 Whitman, was at The Dalles in the family of Mr. Hinman, whom 
 we had employed to occupy thestation which had been lately trans- 
 ferred to our mission by the Methodist mission. On hearing of 
 the bloody tragedy, they left the station and came to the Wal- 
 lamette. He is here. The little half-breed Spanish boy by the 
 name of David Malin was retained at Walla Walla. I fear he 
 will fall into the hands of the priests who remain in the country. 
 Catherine, Elizabeth, Matilda, Henrietta and Mary Ann,we brought 
 with us to this place; Mary Ann has since died. For the other 
 four we have obtained good places and they seem satisfied and 
 happy. Catharine is in the family of the Rev. Mr. Roberts, Super- 
 intendent of the Methodist mission. 
 
 Three Papists, one an Indian formerly from Canada and late 
 from the state of Maine, had been in the employ of the doctor a 
 few weeks; one a half breed with Cayuse wife, and one a Canadian 
 who had been in the employ of the doctor for more than a year, 
 seemed to have aided in the massacre, and probably secured most 
 of the money, watches and valuable property. The Canadian came 
 down with the captives, was arrested, brought before a justice, 
 bound over for trial at next court charged with having aided in 
 the murders. The night before he was arrested, he secreted in the 
 
102 TWENTIETH ANNUAE REUNION 
 
 ground and between the boards of a house considerable of 
 Mr. Hoffman's money and a watch of one of the widows. The 
 Canadian Indian, Jo Lewis, shot Francis with his own hand and 
 was the first to commence breaking the windows and doors; is now 
 with the hostile Indians. The half-breed named Finley was 
 camped near the station, and in his lodge the murderers held their 
 councils before and during the massacre. He was at the head of 
 the Cayuses at the battle near the Utilla; managed by pretended 
 friendship, to attract the attention of our officers, while his war- 
 riors, unobserved, surrounded our army. As soon as they had 
 gained their desired position, he wheeled and fired his gun, as the 
 signal for the Indians to commence. Although they had the ad- 
 vantage of the ground, far superior in number, and the first fire, 
 they were completely defeated, driven from the field and finally 
 from their possession of the country, and expect to fortify at the 
 mission station at Waiilatpu. The Cayuses have removed their 
 families and their stock over Snake river into the Palouse coun- 
 try in the direction of brothers Walker and Eells. Our army came 
 upon them at Snake river as they about were to cross. About 1,500 
 head of cattle and the whole Cayuse camp were completely in their 
 hands. But here our officers were again for the third and fourth 
 time outwitted by some Indians riding up to them and pretend- 
 ing friendship, saying that some of their own cattle were in the 
 band, and begged time to separate them. Our commander having 
 received orders not to involve the innocent with the guilty, gave 
 them till morning. It is said his men actually wept at the terri- 
 ble mistake. Next morning, as might be expected, most of the 
 cattle and nearly all the Cayuse property had been crossed over 
 and were safe. Our army started away with some 500 head. The 
 Indians, with the pretended friendly ones at the head, fought all 
 day. At night, being double the number of the whites, the In- 
 dians retook their cattle. The whites were obliged to retreat to 
 the station. The Indians continued to fight them through the 
 night and the next day. The third day the officers reached the 
 station, none killed, but seven wounded, one badly, six of the In- 
 dians killed and some thirty wounded. The commander and 
 half of the army immediately started for this country for provis- 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 103 
 
 ions, ammunition and more men. If the few left are not soon 
 reinforced and supplied, they will be in danger of being cut off, 
 and the Indians will be down on the settlements. The com- 
 mander was accidentally killed on his way down. 
 
 The Lord has transferred us from one field of labor to an- 
 other. Through the kindness of Rev. Mr. Clark, Mr. Smith and 
 others, we have been brought to this place, "Tualatin Plains." 
 Mrs. Spalding has a large school, and I am to preach, God assist- 
 ing, at' three stations through the summer. 
 
 As I cannot write to all, I wish this letter printed and copies 
 of the papers sent to Rev. David Greene, Mission House, Boston, 
 Mass.; Dudley Allen, M. D., Kinsman, Trumbull Co., Ohio; Rev. 
 C.F. Scoville, Holland Patent, Oneida Co., New York.; Calvin C. 
 Stowe, Lane Seminar}', Cincinnati, Ohio; Mr. Seth Paine, Troy, 
 Bradford Co., Penn.; Mr. G. W. Hoffman, Elmira, Chemung Co., 
 New York; Hon. Stratton H. Wheeler, Wheeler, Steuben Co., 
 New York, and Christian Observer, Phildelphia, Penn. 
 
 Yours in the deep waters of affliction, 
 
 H. H. Spalding. 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, Esq., 
 West Almond, 
 Allegheny Co., New York. 
 
ADDITIONAL LETTERS 
 
 [The following letters of Mrs. Whitman, with an occasional 
 one from her husband, were secured after those preceding were 
 arranged for printing. This statement is made to show why 
 there is a break in the chronological arrangement. — GEO. H. 
 Himes, Secretary.] 
 
 Platte River, Just above the Forks,") 
 June 3d, 1836. J 
 
 Dear Sister Harriet and Brother Edward: — Friday eve, six 
 o'clock. We have just encamped for the night near the bluffs 
 over against the river. The bottoms are a soft, wet plain, and we 
 were obliged to leave the river yesterday for the bluffs. The face 
 of the country yesterday afternoon and today has been rolling 
 sand bluffs, mostly barren, quite unlike what our eyes have been 
 satiated with for weeks past. No timber nearer than the Platte, 
 and the water tonight is very bad — got from a small ravine. We 
 have usually had good water previous to this. 
 
 Our fuel for cooking since we left timber (no timber except 
 on rivers) has been dried buffalo dung ; we now find plenty of it 
 and it answers a very good purpose, similar to the kind of coal 
 used in Pennsylvania (I suppose now Harriet will make up a face 
 at this, but if she was here she would be glad to have her supper 
 cooked at any rate in this scarce timber country). The present 
 time in our journey is a very important one. The hunter brought 
 us buffalo meat yesterday for the first time. Buffalo were seen today 
 but none have been taken. We have some for supper tonight. Hus- 
 band is cooking it — no one of the company professes the art but 
 himself. I expect it will be very good. Stop — I have so much to 
 say to the children that I do not know in what part of my story 
 to begin. I have very little time to write. I will first tell you 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 105 
 
 what our company consists of. We are ten in number; five mis- 
 sionaries, three Indian boys and two young men employed to as- 
 sist in packing animals. 
 
 Saturday, 4th. Good morning, H. and E. I wrote last night 
 till supper; after that it was so dark I could not see. I told you 
 how many bipeds there was in our company last night; now for 
 the quadrupeds : Fourteen horses, six mules and fifteen head of 
 cattle. We milk four cows. We started with seventeen, but we 
 have killed one calf, and the Fur Company, being out of provision, 
 have taken one of our cows for beef. It is usually pinching 
 times with the Company before they reach the buffalo. We have 
 had a plenty because we made ample provision at Liberty. We 
 purchased a barrel of flour and baked enough to last us, with 
 killing a calf or two, until we reached the buffalo. 
 
 The Fur Company is large this year; we are really a moving 
 village — nearly 400 animals, with ours, mostly mules, and 70 men. 
 The Fur Company have seven wagons drawn by six mules each, 
 heavily loaded, and one cart drawn by two mules, which carries 
 a lame man, one of the proprietors of the Company. We have 
 two wagons in our company. Mr. and Mrs. S., husband and my- 
 self ride in one, Mr. Gray and the baggage in the other. Our In- 
 dian boys drive the cows and Dulin the horses. Young Miles 
 leads our forward horses, four in each team. Now E., if you want 
 to see the camp in motion, look away ahead and see first the pilot 
 and the captain, Fitzpatrick, just before him; next the pack ani- 
 mals, all mules, loaded with great packs; soon after you will see 
 the wagons, and in the rear, our company. We all cover quite a 
 space. The pack mules always string along one after the other 
 just like Indians. 
 
 There are several gentlemen in the company who are going 
 over the mountains for pleasure. Capt. Stewart (Mr. Lee speaks 
 of him in his journal — he went over when he did and returned) 
 he is an Englishman and Mr. Celam. We had a few of them to tea 
 with us last Monday evening, Capts. Fitzpatrick, Stewart, Major 
 Harris and Celam. 
 
Io6. OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 I wish I. could describe to you how we live so that you can 
 realize it. Our manner of living is far preferable to any in the 
 States. I never was so contented and happy before, neither have 
 I enjoyed such health for years. In the morning as soon as the 
 day breaks the first that we hear is the words, "Arise ! Arise !" — 
 then the mules set up such a noise as you never heard, which puts 
 the whole camp in motion. We encamp in a large ring, baggage 
 and men, tents and wagons on the outside, and all the animals 
 except the cows, which are fastened to pickets, within the circle. 
 This arrangement is to accommodate the guard, who stand regu- 
 larly ever}' night and day, also when we are in motion, to protect 
 our animals from the approach of Indians, who would steal' them. 
 As I said, the mules' noise brings every man on his feet to loose 
 them and turn them out to feed. 
 
 Now, H. and E., you must think it very hard to have to get 
 up so early after sleeping on the soft ground, when you find it 
 hard work to open your eyes at seven o'clock. Just think of me 
 - — every morning at the word, " Arise !" we all spring. While the 
 horses are feeding we get breakfast in a hurry and eat it. By 
 this time the words, " Catch up! Catch up," ring through the 
 camp for moving. We are ready to start usually at six, travel 
 till eleven, encamp, rest and feed, and start again about two; 
 travel until six, or before, if we come to a good tavern, then en- 
 camp for the night. 
 
 vSince we have been in the prairie we have done all our cook- 
 ing. When we left Libert}' we expected to take bread to last us 
 part of the way, but could not get enough to carry us any dis- 
 tance. We found it awkward work to bake out of doors at first, 
 but we have become so accustomed to it now we do it very easily. 
 
 Tell mother I am a very good housekeeper on the prairie. I 
 wish she could just take a peep at us while we are sitting at our 
 meals. Our table is the ground, our table-cloth is an India-rubber 
 cloth used when it rains as a cloak; our dishes are made of tin — 
 basins for teacups, iron spoons and plates, each of us, and several 
 pans for milk and to put our meat in when we wish to set it on 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION . IO7 
 
 the table. Each one carries his own knife in his scabbard, and it 
 is always ready for use. When the table things are spread, after 
 making our own forks of sticks and helping ourselves to chairs, 
 we gather around ihe table. Husband always provides my seat, and 
 in a way that you would laugh to see. Tt is the fashion of all this 
 country to imitate the Turks. Messrs. Dunbar and Allis have 
 supped with us, and they do the same. We take a blanket and 
 lay down by the table, and those whose joints will let them fol- 
 low the fashion; others take out some of the baggage (I suppose 
 you know that there is no stones in this country; not a stone have 
 I seen of any size on the prairie). For my part I fix myself as 
 gracefully as I can, sometimes on a blanket, sometimes on a box, 
 just as it is convenient. Let me assure you of this, we relish our 
 food none the less for sitting on the ground while eating. We 
 have tea and a plenty of milk, which is a luxury in this country. 
 Our milk has assisted us very much in making our bread since we 
 have been journeying. While the Fur Company has felt the want 
 of food, our milk has been of great service to us; but it was con- 
 siderable work for us to supply ten persons with bread three times 
 a day. We are done using it now. What little flour we have left 
 we shall preserve for thickening our broth, which is excellent. I 
 never saw any thing like buffalo meat to satisfy hunger. We do 
 not want any thing else with it. I have eaten three meals of it 
 and it relishes well. Supper and breakfast we eat in our tent. 
 We do not pitch it at noon. Have worship immediately after 
 supper and breakfast. 
 
 Noon. — The face of the country today has been like that of 
 yesterday. We are now about 30 miles above the forks, and leav- 
 ing the bluffs for the river. We have seen wonders this forenoon. 
 Herds of buffalo hove in sight ; one, a bull, crossed our trail and 
 ran upon the bluffs near the rear of the camp. We took the 
 trouble to chase him so as to have a near view. Sister Spalding 
 and myself got out of the wagon and ran upon the bluff to see 
 him. This band was quite willing to gratify our curiosity, seeing 
 it was the first. Several have been killed this forenoon. The 
 Company keep a man out all the time to hunt for the camp. 
 
108 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 Edward, if I write much more in this way I do not know as 
 you can read it without great difficulty. I could tell you much 
 more, but as we are all ready to move again, so farewell for the 
 present. I wish you were all here with us going to the dear In- 
 dians. I have become very much attached to Richard Sak-ah- 
 too-ah. 'T is the one you saw at our wedding; he calls me moth- 
 er; I love to teach him — to take care of him, and hear them talk. 
 There are five Nez Perces in the company, and when they are to- 
 gether they chatter finely. Samuel Temoni, the oldest one, has 
 just come into the camp with the skin and some of the meat 
 of a buffalo which he has killed himself. He started this fore- 
 noon of his own accord. It is what they like dearly, to hunt buf- 
 falo. So long as we have him with us we shall be supplied with 
 meat. 
 
 I am now writing backwards. Monday morning. — I begun to 
 say something here that I could not finish. Now the man from 
 the mountains has come who will take this to the office. I have 
 commenced one to sister Hull which I should like to send this 
 time if I could finish it. We have just met him and we have 
 stopped our wagons to write a little. Give my love to all. I have 
 not told you half I want to. We are all in health this morning 
 and making rapid progress in our journey. By the 4th of Jul}- 
 our captain intends to be at the place where Mr. Parker and 
 husband parted last fall. We are a month earlier passing here 
 than they were last spring. Husband has begun a letter to pa 
 and ma, and since he has cut his finger so it troubles him to 
 write to the rest. As this is done in a hurry I don't know as you 
 can read it. Tell mother that if I had looked the world over I 
 could not have found one more careful and better qualified to 
 transport a female such a distance. Husband says, " stop." 
 
 Farewell to all. 
 
 Narcissa Prentiss. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION IO9 
 
 On Platte River, 30 Miles above the Forks,) 
 
 June 4th, 1836. J 
 
 Dear Father and Mother Prentiss: — You will be anxious to 
 hear from us at this distance and learn our situation and pro- 
 gress. We have been greatly blest thus far on our journey. We 
 have had various trials, it is true, but they have mostly been over- 
 ruled for our good. Narcissa's health is much improved from 
 what it was when she left N. Y. We failed of going from Liberty 
 to Bellevue as was expected in the Fur Co's. steamboat. We were 
 waiting at Liberty for the boat for some time and thought we 
 would go on with our cattle, horses and wagons, and let Mr. All is 
 from the Pawnee agency stay with the ladies and go on the boat. 
 Accordingly Messrs. Spalding and Gray went on and I was to join 
 them at Cantonment Leavenworth. In the meantime Mrs. Sat- 
 terlee died and the boat passed but refused to stop for us. Mr. 
 Spalding wrote me he would wait eight miles the other side of 
 the garrison until I came up, so that when the boat passed I did 
 not send an express as I otherwise should have done, but proceeded 
 to hire a team to take us on; but when we arrived at the 
 garrison he had crossed the river and gone directly on for Belle- 
 vue and had been gone for three days, which caused me to have 
 to send an express for him, which did not overtake him until they 
 were within forty miles of the Platte. I followed with the women 
 and baggage, with a hired team. We met our teams the fourth 
 day on their return. From that on we were greatly favored with 
 fair weather, never having to encounter any rainstorm or serious 
 shower. We have not been once wet even to this time, and we 
 are now beyond where the rains fall much in summer. 
 
 We had several days delay from my going ahead to see Maj. 
 Dougherty's brother, who was very sick and sent for me when he 
 learned I was coming. It was Sabbath and we were within iN 
 miles of the Otto Agency, which is on the Platte, where Mr. 
 Dougherty lives. On Monday I sent the man who came for me af- 
 ter the party, and I went to see Fitzpatrick, the leader of the Fur 
 caravan, with whom we were to travel. I found him encamped 
 
IIO OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 ready for a start on Thursday morning, about 25 miles from the 
 Otto Agency. When I returned our party had not arrived and did 
 not come in until Wednesday, the man who was to pilot them 
 having lost his way. 
 
 We had great difficulty in crossing the Platte which, together 
 with repairs to our wagons, detained us until Saturday noon, May 
 21st, and he (Fitzpatrick) had been gone from Sunday. We felt 
 much doubt about overtaking them, but we pushed on, and after 
 ferrying the Horn in a skin boat and making a very difficult ford 
 of the Loup, we overtook the Company at a few miles below the 
 Pawnee villages on Wednesday evening, We then felt that we 
 had been signally blessed, thanked God and took courage. We 
 felt it had been of great service to us that we had been disap- 
 pointed in these several particulars, particularly as it tested the 
 ability of our ladies to journey in this way. We have since made 
 good progress every day, and are now every way well situated, 
 having plenty of good buffalo meat and the cordial co-operation 
 of the company with whom we are journeying. 
 
 June 6th. — We have just met the men by whom we can send 
 letters and have to close without farther particulars or ceremony. 
 
 With Christian regards to your family, farewell. 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 Marcus Whitman. 
 
 WiELETPOO.July 4th, 1838. 
 
 My Dear Sister Perkins: — Your letter was handed me on the 
 8th inst., a little after noon, and I must say I was a little sur- 
 prised to receive a return so soon. Surely, we are near each other. 
 You will be likely to have known opportunities of sending to us, 
 more frequently than I shall your way, which I hope you will 
 not neglect because you have not received the answer to yours. I 
 do not intend to be so long again in replying as I have this time. 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION III 
 
 When I received yours, I was entirely alone. My husband had 
 gone to brother Spalding's to assist him in putting up a house, 
 and soon after, we had the privilege of preparing and entertain- 
 ing Mr. and Mrs. McDonald and family of Colville. They came 
 by the way of brother Spalding's, spent nearly a week with 
 them and then came here. They left here last Thursday, and are 
 still at Walla Walla. Had a very pleasant, agreeable visit with 
 them. Find Mrs. McDonald quite an intelligent woman; speaks 
 English very well, reads and is the principal instructor of their 
 children. She is a correspondent, also, with myself and sister 
 Spalding. She appears more thoughtful upon the subject of re- 
 ligion than any I have met with before, and has some consistent 
 views. What her experimental knowledge is, I am unable to say. 
 It would be a privilege to have her situated near us, so that we 
 could have frequent intercourse; it would, no doubt be profitable. 
 
 You ask after my plan of proceedings with the Indians, etc. 
 I wish I was able to give you satisfactory answers. I have no 
 plan separate from my husband's, and besides you are mistaken 
 about the language being at command, for nothing is more diffi- 
 cult than for me to attempt to convey religious truth in their 
 language, especially when there are so few, or no terms expressive 
 of the meaning. Husband succeeds much better than I, and we 
 have good reason to feel that so far as understood, the truth affects 
 the heart, and not a little, too. We have done nothing lor the 
 females separately; indeed, our house is so small, and only one 
 room to admit them, and that is the kitchen. It is the men only 
 that frequent our house much.. Doubtless you have been with 
 the Indians long enough to discover this feature, that women are 
 not allowed the same privileges with the men. I scarcely see 
 them except on the Sabbath in our assemblies. I have frequently 
 desired to have more intercourse with them, and am waiting to 
 have a room built for them and other purposes of instruction. 
 Our principal effort is with the children now, and we find many 
 very interesting ones. But more of this in future when I have 
 more time. 
 
 Mr. Pamburn has sent a horse for me to ride to his place to- 
 
112 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 morrow. Mrs. Pambrun has been out of health for some time, 
 and we have fears that she will not recover. As I have consider- 
 able preparations to make for the visit, must defer writing more 
 at present. In haste, I subscribe myself, 
 
 Your affectionate sister in Christ, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 
 P. S. — I long to hear from Mrs. Lee. 
 
 Walla Walla, nth. 
 
 My Dear Sister: — I am still here. The brigade arrived yester- 
 day and having time and opportunity to send home for this letter, 
 both are sent by the return boats. We have just received three 
 or four letters from our friends at home, they being the first news 
 received since we bade them farewell. Find it good to know 
 what is going on there, although all is not of a pleasing character. 
 Our Sandwich Island friends give us pleasing intelligence of the 
 glorious display of the power of God in converting that heathen 
 
 people in such multitudes. 
 
 Ever yours, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 Rev. Mrs. H. K. W. Perkins, 
 
 Wascopum, 
 
 La Dalls. 
 
 WlELETPOO, Nov. 5th, 1838. 
 
 My Dear Sister Perkins: — I did not think when 1 received 
 your good long letter that I should have delayed until this time 
 before answering it. But so varied are the scenes that have 
 passed before me, so much company and so man)' cares, etc., be- 
 sides writing many letters home, that I beg you will excuse me. 
 Notwithstanding all this, I have often, very of ten, thought of you 
 and wished for the privilege of seeing you. I must confess I do 
 not like quite so well to think of you where you now are as when 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION I 13 
 
 you were nearer. Why did you go? Some of our sisters here 
 might just as well as not have spent a short season with you this 
 fall (for they have nothing else to do, conparatively speaking) 
 rather than to have you and your dear husband lose so much 
 time from your interesting field of labour; and besides we fear 
 the influence of the climate of the lower country upon your 
 health. Our prayer is that the Lord will deal gently with you 
 and bless and preserve you to be a rich and lasting good to the 
 benighted ones for whom you have devoted your life. 
 
 How changed the scene now with us at Wieletpoo from what 
 it has been in former days. Instead of husband and myself 
 stalking about here like two solitary beings, we have the society 
 of six of our brethren and sisters who eat at our table and expect 
 to spend the winter with us. This is a privilege we highly praise, 
 especially when we come to mingle our voices in prayer and praise 
 together before the mercy seat, and hear the word of God preached 
 in our own language from Sabbath to Sabbath, and to commune 
 together around the table of our dear Son and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ. Those favours, dear sister, almost make us forget we are 
 i>u heathen ground. Since I last wrote you we have enjoyed re- 
 freshing seasons from the hand of our Heavenly Father in the 
 conviction and conversion of two or three individuals in our 
 family. Doubtless Brother Lee has given you the particulars, yet 
 ! wish to speak of it for our encouiagement who have been en- 
 gaged in the concert of prayer on Tuesday evening for the year 
 past. I verily believe we have not prayed in vain, for our revival 
 seasons have been on that evening, and I seem to feel, too, that 
 the whole atmosphere in all Oregon, is effected by that meeting, 
 for the wicked know far and near, that there are those here who 
 pray. We have every reason to be assured tha* were there more 
 faith and prayer and consecration to the work among ourselves, 
 we should witness in the heathen around us many turning to 
 the Lord. If I know my own heart I think I, too, desire to be 
 freed from so many worldly cares and perplexities, and that my 
 time may be spent in seeking the immediate conversion of these 
 dear heathen to God. O, what a thought to think of meeting 
 
114 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 them among the blood-washed throng around the throne of God! 
 Will not their songs be as sweet as any we can sing? What joy 
 will then fill our souls to contemplate the privilege we now enjoy 
 of spending and being spent for their good. If we were constantly 
 to keep our eyes on the scenes that are before us, we should 
 scarcely grow weary in well doing, or be disheartened by the few 
 trials and privations through which we are called to pass. 
 
 Dear sister, I have written in great haste and hope you will 
 excuse me. Wishing and expecting to hear from you soon, of 
 your prosperity and happiness, with much love and sisterly 
 affection to you and yours, believe me, 
 
 Ever yours in the best of bonds, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 Rev. Mrs. H. K. W. Perkins, 
 
 Wallamette. 
 
 WiELETPOO, Feb. 18th, 1839. 
 
 My Dear- Sister:—! received your letter last week, although 
 written in Dec. We had some time ago the pleasure of reading of 
 your husband's visit to the Willamette, in an acccount which he 
 gives the particulars relative to the protracted meeting there. Be 
 assured we rejoiced with you and angels in heaven at such a glor- 
 ious display of the power of our God, and stretch out our hearts 
 to desire a like blessing upon ourselves and our heathen neigh- 
 bors. 
 
 I am much interested in the people at Vancouver, and am 
 pleased to hear of the ladies' improvement, and earnestly hope the 
 good work may extend to that place also, and jthat your deten- 
 tion there may result in great good to many souls. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 115 
 
 • 
 The Lord will take care of those Roman priests there. It is 
 
 doubtless for some wise purpose he has permitted them to enter 
 this country. May we be wise and on the alert, and show our- 
 selves as true, faithful, energetic in our Master's work as they do, 
 and we shall have no cause to fear, for there are more for us than 
 against us. I trust it has had some influence upon us, their pres- 
 ence in this country; at least we feel it our duty to use every 
 possible effort to obtain the language of the people, and not hav- 
 ing as good an opportunity amid the cares of our family as we 
 could wish, we, husband, self and little Alice, left our dwelling 
 and went about sixty-five miles to a camp of Indians, in January, 
 and was gone nearly three weeks, and received much benefit. Pre- 
 vious to this, husband had been over to Brother S.'s to attend a pro- 
 tracted meeting, held at the same time with yours at the W. And 
 now we are on the eve of another departure. We expect to-mor- 
 row morn to start on a visit to Brother S.'s to attend a meeting of 
 the mission, and also another protracted meeting with the Indians, 
 when it is expected that nearly all the Nez Perces will be present. 
 We feel deeply anxious for our people, and it seems sometimes as 
 if the blessing was almost within reach for them, but it is with- 
 held, and doubtless because the Lord sees that we are not pre- 
 pared to receive it. O, for that deep humility, strong faith, re- 
 pentance and union of soul in prayer which was the secret of suc- 
 cess in your meeting, and which characterizes every revival of re- 
 ligion. But 1 must be excused from writing more at this time. 
 Shall want to hear from you just as soon as you shall have ar- 
 rived home. Should judge from sister Walker's letter from you 
 that the dear little babe, Henry Johnson, had got considerable 
 hold of its mother's affections already. Precious trust, that, dear 
 sister — an immortal mind to rear for Eternity. The Lord bless 
 you and give you grace and wisdom to train that child for His 
 glory, both in this world and hereafter, and make you feel contin- 
 ually that, what ever you do for him, you do it as belonging to 
 the Lord, as given to Him and only a lent blessing to you, to train 
 up for Him. But more of this another time. 
 
Il6 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 With kind regards to your husband and Brother Lee, who we 
 hope is again cheered with the society of his fellow associates 
 by this time, and a kiss for the little one, 
 
 I ani your affectionate sister, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
 P. S. — Mrs. VJ. will tell you her stor}' herself as she has more 
 time than I at present. 
 
 c-w, N - w - 
 
 Rev. Mrs. Perkins, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 
 Care of 
 
 Lieut. P. C. Pambrun, 
 
 Fort Walla Walla. 
 
 WiELETPOO, March 23, 1S39. 
 
 My Dear Sister : — Yours of theSth inst. I received the evening 
 of my return to this place from Clearwater. It had been waiting 
 me but a day or two, I believe. I am happy to hear that you are 
 once more so near us again. I received a hint from Sister White 
 in her last letter that yourself and husband were on the way, or 
 soon would be, to pay us a visit. I fear my last letter informing 
 you of my absence has discouraged your coming. Had I received 
 the least intimation that it were possible for you to visit us while 
 our sisters were all here, I would have been at home without fail. 
 The open winter and spring has made it more favourable for 
 them to leave for the upper station much earlier than was ex- 
 pected. They left the first of March just before I returned. We 
 tnet them, however, on the Palouse, after they had been out five 
 <la\s. All was well; the babe was enduring the journey as well as 
 could be expected. I hope you will still think of coming this 
 season. We shall be happy to see you. 
 
 I visited Mrs. Pambrun on Monday of this week — found her 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 117 
 
 in much better health than I once feared she ever would be 
 again. She certainly talks English very well. I found myself 
 able to obtain all the information concerning Vancouver I could 
 wish. Maria has been with me a short time, and for her sake I 
 would have been happy to have had her remain longer; but she 
 could not be persuaded to stay from her mother any longer. We 
 have a daughter of Mr. McKay's with us now — for little more 
 than a year. She improves very much and promises to make a . 
 valuable person if she can be kept long enough. 
 
 You wished me to write something about my little girl. I do 
 not know what to tell you than to say she is a large, healthy and 
 strong child, two years old the 14th of this month. She talks 
 both Nez Perces and English quite fluently, and is much inclined 
 to read her book with the children of the family, and sings all 
 our Nez Perces hymns and several in English. Her name is Alice 
 Clarissa. You dreamed of seeing her, you say. I hope it will be 
 a reality soon, for I am very anxious to see young Henry John- 
 son, too. I am glad he learns to bear the yoke so well, not in his 
 youth, but in his infancy. Exposures in journeyings in this 
 country appear to be a benefit rather than an injury to our chil- 
 dren. I have taken several with Alice, and they have generally 
 been in the winter. When she was nine months old we went to 
 Brother Spalding's to attend upon our sister at the birth of their 
 child. It was in November, and we returned in December by 
 way of Snake river, in a canoe. It was a tedious voyage, but we 
 neither of us received any injury. 
 
 We intend to be very free from worldly cares this season, and 
 apply ourselves entirely to the missionary work of studying the 
 language and teaching. After our successful trial of last winter's 
 encamping with the Indians husband feels that he has n'o excuse 
 for not taking me again and again, and I can make no objec- 
 tion, notwithstanding it would be far easier for me to stay at 
 home with my child, and perhaps better for her; but the roving 
 habits of the Indians make it necessary for us either to do so, or 
 else spend the greater part of our time alone, during their ab- 
 from the Station. Husband is appointed to commence an out-sta- 
 
Il8 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 tion on the Snake river at the mouth of the Tukanon, and besides 
 spending some time there during the fishing season, we intend 
 to go to Grand Round with the Kayuses. 
 
 Brother and Sister Smith will probably go somewhere in the 
 heart of the Nez Perce country, beyond Brother Spalding's, in or- 
 der to commence translating the Scriptures immediately. We 
 find work enough to do for all hands, and our daily prayer is 
 that God will pour out His spirit on these benighted minds and 
 turn their darkness into light, and make them His. 
 
 I hope you will continue to write often and freely. I do not 
 see how you get along and learn so many languages. What is 
 the particular benefit? We hear many spoken, but we intend to 
 learn only one, and make that the general one for the country. 
 We are all enjoying good health. Received a letter from Sister 
 Spalding saying that Sister Gray was happily the mother of a 
 little son — had a remarkably short and easy sickness and is doing 
 well. The *babe weighed nine pounds. 
 
 Please give my kind regards to your husband and Brother 
 Lee. Hope he finds the monotony of Wascopam much changed 
 by the return of its former occupants, particularly when there is 
 such a pleasing addition. 
 
 Yours in love, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
 Rev. Mrs. Perkins, 
 
 Wascopam. 
 
 Wieletpoo, Walla Walla River, Oregon Territory, \ 
 
 May 17th, 1839. i 
 
 My Dear Jane : — This is a late hour for me to commence my 
 home correspondence. Yesterday Mr. Ermatinger, who com- 
 mands the expedition instead of Mr. McLeod and McKay, left 
 here, after spending a night with us, for the mountains. We have 
 
 *Capt. J. H. D. Gray, of Astoria. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 119 
 
 felt much uncertainty about letters sent this way reaching you, 
 this year. There is some doubt in Mr. E.'s mind about his being 
 able to go as far as the American Rendevous; if he does not, there 
 probably will be no one to take them and bear them on, and it 
 must be a known hand, too, for it is not safe to trust letters to 
 those reckless beings who inhabit the Rocky Mountain's. Besides 
 this reason, we have b°en so much on the wing since the first day 
 of January, that it has not been easy to write. If you have re- 
 ceived my fall letters, they will show you where and how we were 
 situated for the winter. In December, just three months afteu 
 the arrival of the re-enforcement, Mrs. Walker gave birth to a fine 
 son, here in our house. Mr. Smith had but just removed into the 
 new house built last fall and winter after my husband's return 
 from Vancouver. She did not recover without three relapses; suf- 
 fered much from sore breasts and nipples, and what to me would 
 be the greatest affliction, no nipples at all. Her poor babe had to 
 depend upon a foreign native nurse or milk from the cows. 
 
 Mrs. Gray had a son born in March, the twentieth — recovered 
 in a short time. 
 
 I said to you that we had been on the wing. January the first 
 day, husband started to go to Brother Spalding's to attend a pro- 
 tracted meeting; after the close, and on his return, he formed a 
 plan of going and living with the Indians for the benefit of having 
 free access to the language and to be free from care and company. 
 He had no difficulty to persuade me to accompany him, for I was 
 nearly exhausted, both in body and mind, in the labour and care 
 of our numerous family. Accordingly we left home on the 23rd 
 of January. It was about fifty miles from our place; we arrived 
 on the third day; had a pleasant journey and quite warm for the 
 season of the year; we slept in a tent and made a fire before the 
 mouth of it. We had not been there but two or three days before 
 it became very cold and snowed some. This with the smoke 
 made Alice cry some, and we were obliged to put up a lodge 
 around the fire at the mouth of the tent to prevent the smoke 
 from troubling us. While there I attempted to write you about 
 
120 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNJON 
 
 us, but was soon obliged to give it up. I will make one extract 
 from what I did write : 
 
 "Sab. at Tukanon, Jan. 27, 1S39. — This has been a day of pe- 
 culiar interest here. Could you have been an eye witness of the 
 scenes you would, as I do, have rejoiced in being thus privileged. 
 The morning worship at daybreak I did not attend. At midday 
 I was present. Husband talked to them of the parable of the rich 
 man and Lazarus; all listened with eager attention. After 
 prayer and singing, an opportunity was given for those who had 
 heavy hearts under a sense of sin, and only those, to speak if they 
 wished it. For a few moments all 6at in silence; soon a promi- 
 nent and intelligent man named Timothy broke the silence with 
 sobs weeping. He arose, spoke of his great wickedness, and how 
 very black his heart was; how weak and insufficient he was of 
 himself to effect his own salvation; that his only dependence 
 was in the blood of Christ to make him clean and save his soul 
 from sin and hell. He was followed by a brother, who spoke 
 much to the same effect. Next came the wives of the first and of 
 the second, who seemed to manifest deep feelings. Several others 
 followed; one in particular, while confessing her sins, her tears 
 fell to the ground so copiously that I was reminded of the weep- 
 ing " Mary who washed her Saviour's feet with her tears." All 
 manifested much deep feeling; some in loud sobs and tears; oth- 
 ers in anxious and solemn countenance. You can better imagine 
 my feelings than I can describe them on witnessing such a scene 
 in heathen lands. They bad but recently come from the meeting 
 at Brother Spalding's. We know not their hearts or motives of 
 action, but our sincere prayer is that they all may be gathered to 
 His fold as the children of His flock. 
 
 " O, my dear Jane, could you see us here this beautiful eve, 
 the full moon shining in all her splendor, clear, yet freezing cold, 
 my little one sleeping by my side, husband at worship with the 
 people within hearing, and I sitting in the " door of the tent" 
 writing, with my usual clothing except a shawl, and handker- 
 chief on my head, and before me a large comfortable fire in the 
 open air. Do you think we suffer? No, dear Jane; I have not 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 121 
 
 realized so much enjoyment for a long time as 1 have since I 
 have been here. I know mo her will say it is presumption for 
 them to expose themselves and that child to the inclemencies of 
 such a season. We are all much better prepared to endure and 
 secured from the cold than any we see about us, and ought not 
 to say we suffer; and besides, Alice's health has improved since 
 she left the house. But the advantages we expect to derive from 
 associations with and benefiting them will more than compen- 
 sate us for the little inconvenience we now experience. The 
 meeting is closed and I write no more." 
 
 I was not able to write more after this. We stayed into the 
 third week and were necessarily called home sooner than was ex- 
 pected. We had been home but just a week when husband was 
 called to attend the meeting of our mission. I was permitted to 
 accompany him. We started on Tuesday noon in a rainstorm, 
 and reached there on Friday a little after noon, making no miles' 
 in three days on horseback, Alice riding with her father. This 
 was in Feb. In March we returned, but not in the same way. 
 Here F think I must stop, for if I should go into particulars it 
 would take more time than 1 can command at present. 
 
 .Mr. Hall and wife have arrived from the Sandwich Islands. 
 They have come for the benefit of Mrs. H.'s health; brought a 
 printing press, which is stationed at Mr. S.'s, and next week hus- 
 band expects to go there to make arrangements for the benefit of 
 Mrs. H.'s health. She is affected with a spinal irritation and ap- 
 pears just like L. Linslev; sits up but very little; was carried 
 there in a boat up the Snake river. He thinks he can cure her. 
 He has had several cases since he has been here, all with good 
 success. Others write us if Mrs. Hall is benefited, they will prob- 
 ably come. We feel closely united to that mission. Our number 
 of correspondents increase. Mrs. Judd and Mrs. Whitney write l<> 
 me. 
 
 The Indians we encamped with were Xez Perces. The most 
 of them were not so hardened in sin; or, rather, they were not so 
 proud a people as our people, the Wieletpoos, are; the most of ours 
 have been absent during the winter, and returned just the time 
 
122 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 we returned from Tukanon. Husband spent more than usual 
 time in worship and instructing them, and instead of yielding to 
 the truth they oppose it vigourously, and to this day some of 
 them continue to manifest bitter opposition. 
 
 You know not how much we are expecting Brother and Sister 
 Judson, and if we do not see him in July by the ship, I shall feel 
 that he is coming across the mountains with Brother Lee. We 
 need help very much, and those who will pray, too. In this we 
 have been disappointed in our helpers last come, particularly the 
 two Revs, who have gone to the Flatheads. They think it not 
 good to have too many meetings, too many prayers,and that it is 
 wrong and unseemly for a woman to pray where there are men, 
 and plead the necessity for wine, tobacco, etc.; and now how do 
 you think I have lived with such folks right in my kitchen for 
 the whole winter? If you can imagine my feelings you will do 
 more than I can describe. To have such dampers thrown upon us 
 when we were enjoying such a precious revival season as we were 
 when they came, is more than I know how to live under. This, with 
 so much care and perplexity, nearly cost me a fit of sickness; and 
 I do not know but it would have taken my life had it not been 
 for the journey I was permitted to take the last of the winter. 
 What I write here had better be kept to yourselves lest it should 
 do injury. 
 
 We have just this moment received the news that the ship 
 from England had arrived, but has brought no letters for us from 
 our dear friends, because the ships had not arrived from the States 
 to the Islands when she passed. We know not when we shall 
 hear from home. I do not know where to send this because you 
 say you visit Onondaga next summer. O, how I long to hear 
 about them there. O, that you would all write me, and each take 
 a different subject, so as to tell me all the news you can. 
 
 With much love from husband, Alice and myself to you all 
 and all with whom you are concerned, adieu. 
 
 Your sister, in haste, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION I 23 
 
 P. S. — A. C. talks much, sings much, loves to read her book, and 
 every morning at worship repeats her verse as regularly as morning 
 comes; and appears to take a part in the worship, especially in 
 the singing, as if she was as old as her mother; and often is very 
 much disappointed if we do not give the tunes she is acquainted 
 with; and she and her mother often talk about her relatives in 
 the States. I might write half a sheet about our dear daughter, 
 but have not time. Mr. Hall says much to us about the evils of 
 allowing her to learn the native language, as well as our corres- 
 pondents there. I can assure you we feel deeplv for her. We 
 know not what is our duty concerning her. In order to prevent 
 it it appears that I must take much of my time from intercourse 
 with the natives. I cast myself upon the Lord. I know He will 
 direct in every emergency, and so farewell. Pray for us and the 
 heathen. We hope and pray for a revival of religion. If our own 
 hearts were united and right we should see it soon, and a general 
 one, too. M. W. 
 
 N. W. 
 
 A. C. W. 
 Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 
 
 Quincy, 
 
 Illinois. 
 
 Wihletpoo, June 25th, 1839. 
 
 My Dear Sister: — Your letter of April inst. I received but a 
 few days ago, or it would have been answered much sooner. You 
 make some important inquiries concerning my treatment of my 
 precious child, Alice Clarissa, now laying by me a lifeless lump of 
 clay. Yes, of her I loved and watched so tenderly, I am bereaved. 
 My Jesus in love to her and us has taken her to himself. 
 
 Last Sabbath, blooming in health, cheerful and happy in 
 herself and in the society of her much loved parents, yet in one 
 moment she disappeared, went to the river with two cups to get 
 some water for the table, fell in and was drowned. Mysterious 
 event! we can in no wav account for the circumstances connected 
 
124 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 with it, otherwise than that the Lord meant it should be so, 
 Husband and I were both engaged in reading. She had just a 
 few minutes before been reading to her father; had got down out 
 of his lap, and as my impression, was amusing herself by the door 
 in the yard. After a few moments, not hearing her voice, I sent 
 Margaret to search for her. She did not find her readily, and in- 
 stead of coming to me to tell that she had not found her, she 
 went to the garden to get some radishes for supper; on seeing her 
 pass to the water to wash them, I looked to see if Alice was with 
 her, but saw that she was not. That moment I began to be 
 alarmed, for Mungo had just been in and said there were two cups 
 in the river. We immediately inquired for her, but no one had 
 seen her. We then concluded she must be in the river. We 
 searched down the river, and up and down again in wild dismay, 
 but could not find her for a long time. Several were in the river 
 searching far down. By this time we gave her up for dead. At 
 last an old Indian got into the river where she fell in and looked 
 along by the shore and found her a short distance below. But it 
 was too late; she was dead. We made' every effort possible to 
 bring her to life, but all was in vain. On hearing that the cups 
 were in the river, I resolved in my mind how they could get 
 there, for we had not missed them. By the time I reached the 
 water-side and saw where they were, it came to my recollection 
 that I had a glimpse of her entering the house and saying, with 
 her usual glee, "ha, ha, supper is most ready" (for the table had 
 just been set), "let Alice get some water," at the same time taking 
 two cups from the table and disappearing. Being absorbed in 
 reading I did not see her or think anything about her — which 
 way she went to get her water. I had never known her to go to 
 the river or to appear at all venturesome until within a week past. 
 Previous to this she has been much afraid to go near the water 
 anywhere, for her father had once put her in, which so effectually 
 frightened her that we had lost that feeling of anxiety for her in 
 a measure on its account. But she had gone; yes, and because my 
 Saviour would have it so. He saw it necessary to afflict us, and 
 has taken her away. Now we see how much we loved her, and 
 you know the blessed Saviour will not have His children bestow 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 25 
 
 an undue attachment upon creature objects without reminding 
 us of His own superior claim upon our affections. Take warning, 
 dear sister, by our bereavement that you do not let your dear babe 
 get between your heart and the Saviour, for you like us, are sol- 
 itary and alone and in almost the dangerous necessity of loving 
 too ardently the precious gift, to the neglect of the giver. 
 
 Saturday evening, 29 — After ceasing effort to restore our dear 
 babe to life, we immediately sent for Brother Spalding and others 
 to come to sympathize and assist in committing to the grave her 
 earthly remains. Tuesday afternoon Mr. Hall reached here. Mr. 
 S. and wife took a boat and came down the river to Walla Walla, 
 and reached here Thursday morning, nine o'clock, and we buried 
 her that afternoon, just four days from the time her happy- 
 spirit took its flight to the bosom of her Saviour. When I write 
 again, I will give you some particulars of her short life, which 
 are deeply interesting to me, and will be to you, I trust, for you, 
 too, are acquainted with a mother's feelings and a mother's heart. 
 
 Probably we may return to Clearwater with Brother and 
 Sister S., as it is necessary for my husband to go on business for 
 
 the mission. Dear sister, do pray for me in this trying bereave- 
 ment, for supporting grace to bear without murmuring thought, 
 the dealings of the blessed God inward us, and that it may be 
 sanctified to the good of our souls and of these heathen around 
 us. 
 
 O! on what a tender thread hangs these mortal frames*, and 
 how soon we vanish and are gone. She will not come to me, but 
 I shall sm hi go to her. Let me speak to you of the great mercj 
 of my Redeemer toward one so unworthy. You know not, neither 
 can I tell you, how much He comforts and sustains me in this 
 trying moment. He enables me to say, "The Lord gave and the 
 Lord hath taken away, blessed, ever blessed, be the name of the 
 Lord." 
 
 Sister Spalding sends love to you and will write you soon. 
 
 In haste, as ever your affectionate, but now afflicted sister in 
 Christ, N. Whitman'. 
 
 Rev. Mrs. II. K. W. Perkins, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 
126 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 WlELETPOO, July 26th, 1839. 
 
 Very Dear Sister: — You know not how like an angel's visit 
 your dear husband's presence has been to me, now in my truly 
 lonely situation, for my dear husband has been absent for a week. 
 This added to the death of my precious Alice has almost over- 
 come me. He proposes to leave early in the morning; I would 
 gladly detain him if I could till my husband's return. I thought 
 I must write a few lines to endeavor to persuade you to under- 
 take a visit to us when he comes to go to the general meeting. I 
 think I have removed all his objections and made it appear easy 
 for him to carry your dear babe. Now if you knew how easy we 
 get along in traveling with children, you would not hesitate for 
 a moment. I need not say that I want to see you very much and 
 shall expect you will come, and we will go together to brother 
 Spalding's. Do come; it will do you good; it will do us all good 
 to meet together and mingle our prayers and tears before the 
 throne of grace. 
 
 I have been talking to your husband much about Alice. 
 When I see you I can tell you all. I am not able to say any- 
 thing about her now for want of time. It would do me much 
 good to see little Henry, and I shall feel that you will come and 
 will have no occasion to regret or feel that you have lost time by 
 it. We shall expect to have a meeting of our National Associa- 
 tion, which we anticipate will be interesting to us all, especiall}- 
 mothers. 
 
 You will excuse this hasty note, I trust. I will write more 
 next time, if you do not come. 
 
 Believe me ever your affectionate sister in the Lord. 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
 P. S. — I ought to have said before this that your kind and 
 sympathizing letter was a cordial to my afflicted heart. Remem- 
 ber me to Brother Lee and. kiss the babe for me. 
 
 N. W. 
 Rev. Mrs. H. K. W. Perkins, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 27 
 
 Waiilatpu, Jan. 1st, 1840. 
 
 My Dear Sister Perkins: — I have been trying to imagine a rea- 
 son for so long silence, for I have received no letters from you 
 since writing my two last. Hope you have not been sick. You 
 have had much company, I know, as well as we here. We hear 
 from you, notwithstanding, and our hearts greatly rejoice to learn 
 of the success of your labours there. Brother Hall has favoured us 
 with the perusal of your husband's letters. O, that we could be 
 with 3'ou in the gracious visitations. My soul longs, yea, thirsts, 
 for seasons like many I have been witness and partaker of, in my 
 native land. I am tired of living at this poor dying rate. To be 
 a missionary in name and to do so little or nothing for the bene- 
 fit of heathen souls, is heart-sickening. I sometimes almost wish to 
 give my place to others who can do more for their good. With us 
 we need more prayer and lioly living. But with our hearts divid- 
 ed between our appropriate missionary work and getting a living, 
 how can we expect it otherwise? — yet this is no excuse. We think 
 of you often, and daily are you remembered at the Throne of Grace. 
 We rejoice that our Indians attend your meetings. O, that their 
 hardened hearts might be touched by the power of Divine Truth, 
 and they be made to taste the dying and redeeming love. A very 
 few are with us for the winter and I have a school of about twen- 
 ty. Their being absent so much of the time is exceedingly try- 
 ing to us. Do write me and let me learn how you enjoy the prec- 
 ious seasons your husband writes of. 
 
 How does young Henry do? Sweet babe, I should like dearly 
 to see him and his mother, also. Sister Spalding has a son. 
 
 Kind regards to your husband and believe me as ever, 
 
 Your affectionate sister, in bonds of Christian love, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
128 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 Waiilatpu, W. W. River, Oregon Territory, 
 
 Oct. ioth, 
 
 liTory, 1 
 1840. f 
 
 My Dear Father: — It does us a great deal of good to receive 
 letters from our dear parents, although it is no oftener than once 
 in two years. I am sorry my letters are so long in reaching home, 
 and can see no good reason for it, especially after they get into 
 the States. I write twice a year regularly many letters, but do not 
 receive answers to all I write. I am happy to hear that father 
 and mother have found a permanent resting place and did not re- 
 move to the west. It is a pleasure to me to think of them as sta- 
 tionary and not moving about. It does us good to know all the 
 particulars about those we love, and we may rest assured that the 
 Lord will take care of them, and not leave them to suffer when 
 old age is upon them. We have recently heard much about home 
 and friends from Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn, who are now with us. 
 She was the Miss Sadler that lived a,^ Brother Hall's, when I left. 
 It makes me leel quite acquainted with home scenes once more. 
 It is good to associate with warm-hearted revival Christians on?e 
 more. We have none in our mission of as high-toned piety as we 
 could wish, especially among those who came in our last re-en- 
 forcements. They think it is wrong for females to pray in the pres- 
 ence of men, and do not allow it even in our small circles here. 
 This has been a great trial to me, and I have almost sunk under 
 it. Mr. Clark and company have been with us now for nearly 
 two mouths past, and we have had many precious seasons of 
 prayer and social worship together, which seems like revival sea- 
 sons at home that I used to enjoy. 
 
 We wish they had come out under the Board, both for our 
 sakes, theirs and the mission cause. We fear they will suffer. At 
 any rate, they cannot do any thing at present, and for a good 
 while to come, of missionary work, but take care of themselves. 
 We hope no more will come in this way. Those who came last 
 year got themselves into difficulty when they first started; it in- 
 creased all the way, and they still are not reconciled and we fear 
 never will be. They are living upon us; have done nothing yet 
 but explore a little, and appear to know not what to do, but 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 29 
 
 rather die than to give up their plans and say to the Christian 
 world, it is wrong to go out in opposition to the Board. 
 
 Mr. Munger we have employed to finish our house. Men of 
 great funds might go into the field and do good, but poor Chris- 
 tians cannot, even if they depend upon irresponsible churches. 
 What the Lord will do with them we know not. Mrs. Griffin's 
 health was poor when she came, and since she has been with us 
 this summer she has been quite laid by with spinal complaint. 
 
 But enough of this. Our trials dear father knows but little 
 about. The missionaries' greatest trials are but little known to 
 the churches. I have never ventured to write about them for 
 fear it might do hurt. The man who came with us is one who 
 never ought to have come. My dear husband has suffered more 
 from him in consequence of his wicked jealousy, and his great 
 pique towards me, than can be known in this world. But he suf- 
 fers not alone — the whole mission suffers, which is most to be de- 
 plored. It has nearly broken up the mission. This pretended 
 settlement with father, before we started, was only an excuse, and 
 from all we have seen and heard, both during the journey and 
 since we have been here, the same bitter feeling exists. His prin- 
 cipal aim has been at me; as he has said, "Bring out her charac- 
 ter," "Expose her character;" as though I was the vilest creature 
 on earth. It is well known I never did anything before I left 
 home to injure him, and I have done nothing since, and my hus- 
 band is as cautious in speaking and thinking evil of him or treat- 
 ing him unkindly, as my own dear father would .be, yet he does 
 not, nor has he, received the same kindness from him since we 
 have been missionaries together. 
 
 Every mind in the mission that he has had access to, he has 
 tried to prejudice against us, and did succeed for a while, which 
 was the cause of our being voted to remove and form a new station. 
 This was too much for my husband's feelings to bear, and so many 
 arrayed against him and for no good reason. He felt as if he 
 must leave the mission, and no doubt would have done it, had 
 not the Lord removed from us our beloved child. This affliction 
 softened his feelings and made him willing to suffer the will of 
 
 I 
 
130 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 the Lord, although we felt that we were suffering wrongfully. 
 The death of our babe had a great affect upon all in the mission; 
 it softened their hearts towards us, even Mr. S.'s for a season. I 
 never have had any difficulty with his wife; she has treated me 
 very kindly to my face, but recently I have learned that she has 
 always partook of the feelings of her husband. I have always 
 loved her and felt as if no one could speak against her. The Lord 
 in His providence has brought things around in such a way, that 
 all see and feel where the evil lies, and some of them are writing 
 to the Board and proposing measures to have an overture and set- 
 tlement made, and it may require his removal or return to effect 
 it; not so much for his treatment toward us as some others also. 
 A particular charge brought against him is duplicity. It is pain- 
 ful for me to write thus concerning us here; and this is but a 
 small item of what might be said. I have long had a desire 
 to have some few judicious friends know our trials, so that 
 they may understand better how to pray for us. If this mission 
 fails, it will be because peace and harmony does not dwell among 
 its members. Our ardent desire and prayer is that it may not 
 fail. It is this state of things among us that discourages us. 
 When we look at the people and the providence of God, we are 
 more and more encouraged every year. 
 
 Since the return of the Indians this fall, it has seemed as if 
 we were on the eve of a revival. Many of the principal Indians are 
 deeply affected by the truth; some manifest it by bitter opposi- 
 tion, which does not discourage us, although our faith is greatly 
 tried. 
 
 19th — Dear Father: — I have been interrupted in writing this 
 letter on account of ill health. It affects me unfavorably to write 
 much; indeed, I am pretty much confined to my room, which is a 
 very comfortable place, the most so of any I have found since I have 
 been here. Since writing the above on the morning of the 16th, 
 a message arrived and took my husband away as in a moment. 
 It was from our Brother Smith, about a hundred and eighty miles 
 from here. He wrote that the Indians were asking him to give 
 them property and food, and wishing him to pay for the land he oc- 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 131 
 
 cupied. He told them he could not say anything about it; they be- 
 came very angry and told him to move off to-morrow; he said he 
 could not, but they still insisted upon it with great insolence, until 
 he was obliged to tell them he would go. Sister Smith writes me 
 that they are afraid for their lives and the}- ask for help irumediatelv 
 to come and remove them. Husband has gone and expects to be 
 obliged to bring them away here. What the result will be the Lord 
 only knows. The two principal instigators are brothers to the 
 Indian who went to the United States for some one to come and 
 teach them, that we read about as the first news west of the Rocky 
 mountains. How transient is the missionaries' home. I believe 
 we most of us feel that "we have no abiding city here." 
 
 I seldom write home without speaking of one or both of us 
 being absent or about to be. We journey a great deal and that, 
 with other causes, has nearly worn me out, and my husband, too. 
 I cannot say all I should like for want of time and strength. 
 Part of the contents of this sheet, ought not to be circulated; it 
 may do hurt. I do not wish it made public, for any one to muke 
 an ill use of it. 
 
 I am almost discouraged about Marcus ever finding time to 
 write many letters to our friends at home; he has written none for 
 a year past; he would if he could; he is away now and I do not 
 know when he will return. 
 
 I began to write about the state of the people. Of late mv 
 heart yearns over them more than usual. They feel so bad, dis- 
 appointed, and some of them angry because husband tells them 
 that none of them are Christians; that they are all of them in 
 the broad road to destruction, and that worshipping will not save 
 them. They try to persuade him not to talk such bad talk to 
 them, as they say, but talk good talk, or tell some story, or his- 
 tory, so that they may have some Scripture names to learn. Some 
 threaten to whip him and to destroy our crops, and for a long 
 time their cattle were turned into our potato field every night to 
 
132 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 see if the}- could not compel him to change his course of instruc- 
 tion with them. 
 
 These things did not intimidate us; it only drove us to a 
 throne of grace with greater earnestness to plead for blessings to 
 descend upon them. Our hearts only pant for time to have our 
 whole minds given up to instructing them without being distract- 
 ed with so many cares which are necessarily upon us, not for our- 
 selves so much as for others. It has and still seems as if a rich 
 blessing was near at hand for us and them, and sometimes I al- 
 most seem to grasp it. Why does the blessing stay ? Is it be- 
 cause there is so few hands to labour and there is much rubbish 
 to be cleared away? Or is it because of our unbelief and impiety 
 of heart? Doubtless, both. O, for more deep and ardent piety in 
 every heart; but particularly in my own and husband's. Will 
 dear father pray that missionaries may be more holy and heaven- 
 ly-minded, and less selfish. Could the churches at home be set 
 down in heathen lands and see and know their missionaries as 
 they know themselves, O how they would pray for them and feel 
 and sympathize with them. 
 
 When will Christians cease to feel that their missionaries 
 are such good people that they do not need to feel and pray for 
 them as they pray for one another. 
 
 Dear Sister Jane writes that the Lord will do wonders for the 
 heathen world this year, and we expect it, too, and may our 
 hopes be realized. 
 
 I wish it did not hurt me so to write. I am very weak and 
 feeble, and much thinking or excitement overcomes me. I should 
 have got well long ago, I think, if it were possible for me to be 
 quiet, with so many people about me and so much transpiring. 
 Rest is not for us in this world. Dear mother says it seems as 
 if she might see us again in this world. I do not know as I have 
 such a thought; although it may not be impossible. I have 
 long felt it more probable that we should never meet, and 
 have thought more of meeting my friends in heaven than in 
 this world, unless the Providence of God should make it neces- 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 33 
 
 sary for us to leave the field. Our united choice would be to live 
 and die here — to spend our lives for the salvation of this people. 
 Yes, dear parents, we have ever been contented and happy, not- 
 withstanding all our trials, and let come what will, we had 
 rather die in the battle than to retreat, if the Lord will only ap- 
 pear for us and remove all that is in the way of His salvation; 
 take up every stumbling block out of our hearts and from this 
 mission, and prosper His own cause here. Our ardent prayer is y 
 Lord let not this mission fail; for our Board says it is the last 
 effort they shall make for the poor Indians: — and may the dear 
 Christians at home feel to urge up their requests to God in our 
 behalf. This is what we need more than anything else. 
 
 Once more, dear father, farewell. The Lord deal gently with 
 my beloved parents in the decline of life; support them in deatb, 
 and safely house them and us in His presence forever. 
 
 As ever, I remain, your affectionate daughter, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 
 
 Angelica, 
 
 Allegheny County 
 
 New York, U. S. A. 
 
 Waiieatpu, W. W. River, Oregon Territory,! 
 
 Oct. 9th, 1840. j 
 
 My Dear Mother: — I cannot express the satisfaction we en- 
 joyed in receiving, beholding and perusing dear mother's own 
 letter; her own words and thoughts, written with her own hand. 
 It arrived the first of June. An Indian brought it with other 
 letters from Walla Walla after dark. We were in bed and had 
 just got to sleep when he announced that letters had come. We 
 could not wait until morning, but lighted a candle and read 
 them. I received no other communications except what was con- 
 
134 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 tained in that sheet from father, mother and Harriet, from the 
 States; but some from the Islands. It was enough to transport 
 me in imagination to that dear circle I loved so well, and to pre- 
 vent sleep from returning that night. I have long looked and 
 longed for something that would seem like conversing with dear 
 mother once more, and now it has arrived; I know not how to ex- 
 press my gratitude to her for it. O, could my dear parents know 
 how much comfort it would be to their solitary children here, 
 they would each of them fill out a sheet as often as once a month 
 and send it to the Board for us. How I should like to know 
 what each of them are doing and how they feel from week to week. It 
 would be better to me than books, papers, or clothing. I have 
 enough of everything and more than I can find time to read. If 
 dear father can afford to pay the postage on my letters home and 
 his own and mother's to me as often as I want to hear from them, 
 we will be perfectly satisfied. I ask for nothing else. The Beard 
 are constantly sending us books and papers and boxes of cloth- 
 ing. There are two barrels now at Vancouver for us from Brother 
 Judson, and have been since June; also one from Rushville and a 
 box from Lysander. I expect we have letters in Brother Judson's 
 barrel, which accounts for our not receiving any from them. We 
 are looking for them up every day now. In some of my first 
 letters I did ask for some clothing to be sent me. It was more 
 because Mrs. Hull made me promise to write for what I wanted, 
 than because I needed them. I do not need to have dear father 
 send me anything, for others do, and what is not sent I can do 
 without. We are well provided for; the churches take good care of 
 their missionaries. Our chief desire is to be found faithful stew- 
 ards in that which is committed to our trust. 
 
 I received a letter in August from Sister Jane written in March. 
 I am happy to hear that she and Edward are so wisely engaged. 
 Hope they will let nothing interrupt them in their studies until 
 E. becomes fitted for the ministry and the missionary field. Jane 
 says she has had a call to go to the Sandwich Islands; I am glad 
 she does not go. If she goes anywhere single, she must come and 
 live with us; shall write to her to that effect. I wrote to father 
 and mother in May last and sent them across the mountains; 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 35 
 
 hope they have been received by this time. In that I mentioned 
 we were about to start to Colville on a medical visit. Mrs. Walk- 
 er has a little daughter — second child. We went and returned 
 in little less than three weeks, 130 miles. This is hard riding for 
 us. Husband is gone so much of his time and has so many im- 
 portant duties at home, being alone, that he feels as if he must 
 perform his journeys as rapidly as possible. On our return we 
 moved into our new house — find it very comfortable and much 
 easier to do our work. Mrs. Munger was confined the 25th of 
 June; recovered well — had a daughter. We left immediately for 
 Mr. Spalding's to attend the general meeting of the mission. 
 Soon after we returned the Lord was pleased again to visit our 
 family with sickness and death. Mother will recollect that in the 
 spring of 1838 we had a man and his wife sent us from the Sand- 
 wich Island (natives) as missionaries. They came to assist us in 
 our domestic labours. He was taken sick before we went to the 
 meeting, but recovered and he and his wife went with us. He 
 was sick and recovered several times, but every relapse brought 
 him much lower than before. He died the 8th of August of in- 
 flammation of the bowels. Our loss is verv great. He was so 
 faithful and kind — always ready and anxious to relieve us of everv 
 care, so that we might give ourselves to our appropriate mission- 
 ary work — increasingly so to the last. He died as a faithful 
 Christian missionary dies — happy to die in the field — rejoiced 
 that he was permitted to come and labour for the good of the 
 Indians, while his heart was in heaven all the time. Who that 
 could witness him in his dying moments and see the calm and 
 sweet serenity of his countenance, but what would feel it a priv- 
 ilege to be a missionary — to be the means of saving one such soul 
 from the midst of heathen darkness. His wife is just so faithful, 
 but she is a feeble person. I know not how I could do without 
 her; so we feel concerning him. But the Lord saw different. He 
 had higher employment for him in heaven. Dear mother, we feel 
 that the Lord means something by his repeated affliction; everv 
 year we have had a death in our family since we have been here. 
 I feel as if it would be our turn soon and we know not how soon. 
 In about a month after Joseph's death, 1 was taken with in- 
 
136 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 flam mat ion of the'kidneys and was brought very low. But the Lord 
 in mercy raised me up again and I got able to be about in a short 
 time; but since that I got down again and have been ever since 
 unable to^see to my work. Have been taking medicine now for 
 some time and begin to feel as if I should be quite well again; 
 but do not expect to be able to engage in teaching again this 
 winter. It is quite a trial to be laid aside when so much needs to 
 be done. But missionaries wear out quick where they have al- 
 ways so much to do, and it will be so, so long as there are so few 
 in the field. ' 
 
 We are thronged with company now and have been for some 
 time past, and may be through the winter. I often think of 
 what mother used to say — "I wish Narcissa would not always 
 have so much company." It is well for me now that I have had 
 so much experience in waiting upon company, and I can do it 
 when necessary without considering it a great task. As we are 
 situated, our house is the missionaries' tavern, and we must accom- 
 modate more or less the whole time. Mr. Gray and family are 
 removed from Lapwai (Mr. Spalding's station) and are now with 
 us until they can build anew, or rather until after his wife's con- 
 finement. He has an Hawaiian wife lately from the Islands. 
 Mr. Griffin and Mr. Munger and their wives, who came out last 
 summer as self-supporting missionaries, are here also. In August 
 Rev. Mr. Clark, Philo Littlejohn, and Mr. Smith with their wives, 
 arrived; they have come independent of the Board, also. We have 
 no less than seven missionary families in our two houses. We 
 feel that we need much patience and wisdom to get along with 
 so many, and much strength. We are in peculiar and somewhat 
 trying circumstances in relation to them. We are under the Ameri- 
 can Board and the}- have come out in opposition, or in other words to 
 try to live independently of the Board. This they will find very diffi- 
 cult, or next to impossible to do, and some of them begin to see 
 it so. We cannot sell to them, because we are missionaries and 
 did not come to be traders; and if we did we should help them to 
 establish an opposition Board. But we can give them, and report 
 to the Board, which is not so agreeable to them. Their means are 
 very limited and they will suffer before they can get help from 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 1 37 
 
 the churches, if they have it at all. Those who have come this 
 year are excellent people and we wish they were under the Board, 
 for we need their labours very much. We should keep Mr. Little- 
 john and his wife with us if we had any claim upon them. Ma 
 is acquainted with them; he is Augusta's brother. 
 
 What a comfort it is to us that mother and father still live to 
 pray for us, and may they long continue to. For they can never 
 realize how much grace and wisdom, patience, forbearance 
 brotherly kindness, love and charity; yea, every Christian grace,, 
 meekness and humility, their daughter needs. 
 
 Once more, dear mother, farewell. 
 
 From your ever affectionate daughter. 
 
 Narcissa. 
 
 P. S. — Your children both send much love. I had hoped that 
 ma would have received a letter at this time from her son Mar- 
 cus; but it is almost like hoping against hope, so long as his 
 cares and duties are so complicated. 
 
 Oct. 20th, 1840. 
 
 My Dear Sister Harriet: — Y r our letter, although short, was 
 very good and pleased me much; and now what do you think 
 it would have been to me, how much good would it have done 
 your brother and me, if it had been a whole sheet and well filled 
 as I fill mine. I have written you separately a long letter, and 
 one to Edward. You did not tell me that you had received any. 
 Always tell me how many letters of mine you have received, and 
 what their dates are, and then I shall know if you get all I write 
 home. When I write you, I always wish to have you receive them, 
 and if I know what you receive, then I shall know what you 
 hear from me. 
 
 You did not tell me what you are doing and what company 
 you keep; what female meetings you attend, and whether you are 
 doing good in the cause of Christ. What books do you read? Do 
 
138 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 you comfort ma by reading to her such books as Dwight's The- 
 ology, Doddridge's Rise and Progress, Milner's Church History, 
 etc., as Narcissa used to do in her younger days? What progress 
 are you making in the divine life? You see there are many 
 things I wish you to tell me — enough to fill more than one sheet. 
 I am happy to hear that J. and E. have gone to prepare to become 
 missionaries, and that you have a wish to be here with me. I 
 should like to have you here very much, and I hope you will pre- 
 pare yourself for it. I know dear mother would willingly give 
 up Harriet to go to the heathen if the Lord should call her. This 
 is what you ought to live for as well as me, for there is nothing 
 so desirable. I may send for you yet, and you would do well to 
 prepare yourself. I think of proposing to Jane to come and 
 teach school here next time I write her. Dear Harriet, honour 
 the Saviour every where you go; be entirely devoted to Him. You 
 will never regret it. Do write me of ten and fully. Write a little 
 oftener and send me more than one sheet a year. It will be good 
 for you to cultivate the talent of writing. Yes, do more than I 
 used to, and then you will not regret that you did not do it more, 
 as I do now when I am obliged to write so often and so much. 
 Those of the family that do not write me, I am afraid I shall for- 
 get to inquire after them, or write them. You all have more time 
 than I, and more strength, too. 
 
 Your dear brother is not at home; if he was he would send 
 much love. As it is I send it for him. Think of him traveling 
 alone this cold weather. The first after he left his warm home, 
 the wind blew very hard and cold, — he with but two blankets, 
 sleeping on the ground alone; and since, it has rained almost 
 every day, and sometimes snowed a little. I do not know when 
 he will come home. 
 
 Farewell, dear Harriet. Pray much for your sister who loves 
 you and sends much love to you and all the brothers and sisters. 
 
 Tell me more about Stephen's children and H.'s and E.'s; you 
 know, Harriet, mine is dead. Before this I have written all about 
 her; tell me if you have seen it. Adieu, 
 
 Your affectionate sister, 
 
 Narcissa. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 39 
 
 Waii i.aTit, March 2nd, 1S41. 
 
 My Dear Sister: — We are in deep trial and affliction. Our 
 Brother Mnnger is perfectly insane and we are tried to know- 
 how to get along with him. He claims it as a duty we owe him, 
 as the representative of Christ's church, to obey him in all things. 
 He is our lawgiver, as Moses was to the children of Israel. Last 
 Sabbath was the accomplishment of all things to him — a glorious 
 Sabbath; the bringing in of all things — the Judgment Day. 
 Brother Perkins will recollect some features in his prayers while 
 he was here, which we now see indicated a mind not sound on 
 all points. Now don't let your faith in God be staggered by 
 what has happened unto him. He has been thinking upon some 
 points so long and so deeply that his mind has lost its balance. 
 He has been nearly so before, his wife tells me, but not so entire- 
 ly gone. Poor Sister M. — her trials are very great. To see him 
 die in a happy state of mind would be, comparatively, a light 
 affliction. He has been inclining this way so long we see but 
 little or no hope he will ever be any better. 
 
 When your husband left us we -were all of us at work with 
 our own hearts to get them right for the blessing of God upon 
 us. He was pleased to show some of us our hearts; at least me mine 
 as I never saw it before, and I trust it has been a profitable lesson to 
 me. The work seemed to go on gradually and we hope effectually, 
 but frequently during this time we all felt our feelings destroyed 
 by Brother Munger's prayers, and ventured to speak to him of it, 
 but to our surprise he did not receive it with that Christian 
 meekness and improvement we expected in him, but appeared to 
 be more and more strengthened in his preconceived notions and 
 feelings of himself, until he plainly convinced us by his strange 
 actions that he was deranged. 
 
 Efforts have been made by my husband and Mr. Gray to re- 
 store him, but all prove ineffectual. He sent to be present at our 
 family worship this morning, but we felt it would be no wor- 
 ship and deferred his coming until after, and now he is waiting 
 
140 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 for his troops to come in who, some of them, appear very unwill- 
 ing to obey orders. 
 
 Brother Littlejohn has gone to see Mr. Clark at Mr. Smith's. 
 We are expecting his return this week, also Mr. C. What will be 
 done with him, we know not, but preparations must be made to 
 take him home, if possible. 
 
 Do pray for his afflicted wife, and may the Lord teach us all 
 a lesson for our profit, and show us the debt of gratitude we owe 
 him for the merciful preservation of our reason to us. 
 
 I could say much more, but I have snatched this moment to 
 write what I have, and must close. 
 
 Give much love to the Sisters Brewer and Lee, if with you. 
 
 Affectionately your sister in Christ, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
 Mrs. Elvira Perkins, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 
 Waiilatpu, May 30th, 1841. 
 My Dear Brother Edward: — Yesterday Mr. Ermatinger left us 
 to go to Fort Hall and the Rendezvous, and we sent our package 
 of letters to our friends by him. There being still another oppor- 
 tunity of writing, I embrace it for tomorrow. Husband is to send 
 an Indian to overtake him on account of some business forgotten 
 to be attended to while he was here. Mr. and Mrs. Munger, who 
 I hope you will see, left more than three weeks ago with the main 
 party who have the goods, and Mr. E. is to overtake them. 
 
 Since writing Jane's letter, much has transpired of interest to 
 us. Mr. Pambrun, of whom you have often heard me speak, re- 
 ceived an injun- while riding out a little way from his fort by 
 his horse losing the rope out of his mouth and running and surg- 
 ing, which threw him repeatedly upon the horn of his saddle and 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 141 
 
 finally upon the ground. He was so bruised and maimed in the 
 abdomen, that he was unable to move and was carried to the house 
 on blankets. He died in four days after the injury, a most pain- 
 ful death. He died as he lived, saying that he was a Christian, 
 but giving no evidence that he was one in heart. He was a Ro- 
 man Catholic. Your brother went and stayed with him during his 
 sickness until he died. He was so anxious to die to be relieved 
 from pain and suffering, that he plead with the doctor to give him 
 something to stupefy him so that he might die quick. When he 
 was in the last agonies he insisted on having an emetic given him 
 ana when he could not prevail on the doctor or Mr. Rogers, who 
 was with him when he was hurt and sick, he sent for his men to 
 take him and carry him out so that he might get it himself, but 
 he did not succeed and gave up to die without it. 
 
 His poor familv feel the loss very much; he was their main 
 support; had nine children, the youngest an infant three weeks 
 old. His wife is a half-breed. He gave me his little daughter, 
 Harriet, the one named just before he died. We know not what 
 the Lord means by this providence, but we hope good will result 
 to His cause and his afflictions may be sanctified to the living. 
 
 Dear brother, this is the Sabbath day. At this time you are 
 doubtless engaged in the worship of God in the sanctuary, a priv- 
 ilege I once enjoyed, but now am deprived of. Our minds suffer 
 for the want of such privileges. Yet in our deprivation we have 
 our enjoyments, for we can worship God in our own dwellings 
 and find Him here present with us. At times the special presence 
 of His Holy Spirit appears to be manifest, and he seems to be 
 reaching down His hand filled with blessings to this dying people. 
 The work is a great work; but how few and feeble are the labourers 
 already in the field. Our earnest prayer is that more labourers 
 might be sent to aid us in our work; men after God's own heart, 
 and not easily discouraged. 
 
 The present is a time of unusual quiet — not an Indian is to be 
 seen about us all are scattered in little groups far and near, dig- 
 ging their kamas root, and taking salmon. Here is the mission- 
 
142 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 ary's trial in this country. The people are with him so little of 
 the time, and they are so scattered that he cannot go with them, 
 for but few are in a place. Notwithstanding our discouragements, 
 I feel that we would not be situated differently if we could. We 
 would not be out of the field for any consideration whatever, so 
 long as the Lord has any work for us to do here. I wish Jane was 
 here to help me. When I hear from you again I shall know what 
 to do about sending to the Board to have her come, if Edward can 
 spare her and will still go on with his studies. I hope you will 
 remember what I have written to you in the other letter, and do 
 as I have asked you to do, for your own sake as well as mine. You 
 seem to be very near to us. It is almost June now, and I hope 
 this letter will reach you in safety and speedily. Mrs. Littlejohn 
 has become the mother of a fine Oregon boy; they will go home 
 now as soon as they can get an opportunity by ship. Whether 
 you see them or not, after they return I know not. Many others 
 are getting discouraged and wishing to leave, and others are great- 
 ly disappointed in the country. I went to Walla Walla two weeks 
 ago to attend Mr. P.'s funeral and spent about two weeks with 
 the family. They sent for rne to come home, for Mrs. Littlejohn 
 was sick, but I did not get home until her babe was born. She is 
 doing well and her babe also. 
 
 Dear Jane, I hear much of your watching and taking care of 
 the sick. Do be more careful of your own health; I fear for you; 
 you will wear out too soon. I have not been able to do much such 
 work since I have been here. 
 
 Your brother often speaks of you and has intended to write 
 
 you both, but has been pulled this way and that, so that he has 
 
 not had time. Adieu; our love to you both. I have not written 
 
 to pa and ma, as I intended, but husband has, which you may 
 
 read if you see Mrs. Munger. 
 
 Your sister, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
 Dear Sister Jane: — It would be a pleasure to see you, and I am 
 meditating how it could be, as you have come almost half way. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 143 
 
 I was just telling Narcissa what an interest I had taken in your- 
 self ever since I was introduced to you at your father's house by 
 Mr. Hamilton at the close of a prayer meeting. That was the first 
 introduction to the family. From that moment my heart has 
 been towards the family. But you smile, I suppose, and say it 
 was Narcissa; no, it was Jane; Narcissa was in Butler. I presume 
 you will have no recollection of the introduction; if so, let it rest 
 on my recollection, which is vivid. I trust you are happily em- 
 ployed in aiding Edward. It is a noble work. Encourage him 
 to study and toil. Tell him to finish his education before he gives 
 his mind any liberty to rove. Let usefulness be his motto. Ob- 
 stacles can be overcome. With much love to you both, 
 
 Your brother, 
 
 Marcus Whitman. 
 
 I would send you some specimens of the country if it were 
 not so difficult to pack them across the mountains. 
 
 May 17th, 1842. — I send this for the scrap my dear husband 
 has written you, more than for what I have written. It may do 
 you good to get even that from him who is so dear to your sister 
 and to you, I trust. It was returned last spring, and I could not 
 send it by ship. Rogers has just said that he would call on you, 
 so that you can ask him as many questions as you can think of, 
 and if he returns you can send by him next spring. 
 
 Adieu, dear E. Your sister, 
 
 N. W. 
 
 WAIJXA.TPU, March 1st, 1842. 
 
 My Dear Jane and Ed-ward: — I was busy all the forenoon in 
 preparing my husband for his departure. He left about two 
 o'clock p. m. to go on a professional visit to3rother Walker's, and 
 I am once more left alone in this house with no other company 
 than my two little half-breed girls, Mary Ann Bridger and Helen 
 Mar Meek. Since he left I have copied a letter of one sheet and 
 
144 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 a half for him to Brother Spalding and written a short one to 
 Sister S., besides, which kept me until nearly dark, although I 
 wrote with all my might, for we had detained an Indian who 
 was going that way, to take them, and before I could get them 
 completed he began to be quite impatient. I, however, pacified 
 him by giving him something to eat to beguile his time, and 
 when he left gave him a good piece of bread to eat on the way. 
 The Indians do us many favours in this way, and get as many 
 from us in return, for they are always glad of something from us 
 to eat on the way. Since I got my letters off I regulated my 
 house some, got my own and little girl's supper and some toast 
 and tea for a sick man who has been here a few days, from Walla 
 Walla to be doctored; attended family worship and put my little 
 girls to bed, and have set me down to write a letter to Jane and 
 Edward, my dear brother and sister that I left at home in Angel- 
 ica more than six years ago. Since or just as I seated myself to 
 write, Brother Gray came in to get some medicine for the sick 
 man. He is in Packet's lodge a few steps from the door, and he 
 is the man who attends to my wants, such as milking, getting 
 water, wood, etc. He is a half-breed from the east side of the 
 mountains and was brought up at Harmony mission, but came 
 to the mountains about eight years ago and has since become a 
 Catholic. Brother Gray has built him a new house and it is 
 quite a piece from us. Thus lonely situated, what would be the 
 enjoyment to me if E. and J. would come in and enjoy my soli- 
 tude with me. Surely solitude would quickly vanish, as it almost 
 appears to, even while I am writing. Jane, I wish you were here 
 to sleep with me, I am such a timid creature about sleeping alone 
 that sometimes I suffer considerably, especially since my health 
 has been not very good. It, however, gives me the opportunity 
 for the exercise of greater trust and confidence in my heavenly 
 protector in whose hands I am always safe and happy when I 
 feel myself there. My eyes are much weaker than when I left 
 home and no wonder, I have so much use for them. I am at 
 times obliged to use the spectacles Brother J. G. so kindly fur- 
 nished me. I do not know what I could do without them; so 
 much writing as we have to do, both in our own language and 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 145 
 
 the Nez Perces; and, besides, we have no waj' to feast our minds 
 with knowledge necessary for health and spirituality without 
 reading, and here the strength of the eyes are taxed again. 
 
 Out of compassion to my eyes and exhausted frame, dear 
 ones, I must bid you good-night. You may hear from me to- 
 morrow, perhaps, if I am not interrupted with company. 
 
 2d — After attending to the duties of the morning, and as I was 
 nearly done hearing my children read, two native women came 
 in bringing a miserable looking child, a boy between three and 
 four years old, and wished me to take him. He is nearly naked, 
 and they said his mother had thrown him away and gone off 
 with another Indian. His father is a Spaniard and is in the 
 mountains. It has been living with its grandmother the winter 
 past, who is an old and adulterous woman and has no compas- 
 sion for it. Its mother has several others by different white men, 
 and one by an Indian, who are treated miserably and scarcely 
 subsist. My feelings were greatly excited for the poor child and 
 felt a great disposition to take him. Soon after the old grand- 
 mother came in and said she would take him to Walla Walla 
 and dispose of him, there and according^- took him away. Some 
 of the women who were in, compassionated his case and followed 
 after her and would not let her take him away, and returned 
 with him again this eve to see what I would do about him. I 
 told her I could not tell because my husband was gone. What I 
 fear most is that after I have kept him awhile some of his rela- 
 tives will come and take him away and my labour will be lost or 
 worse than lost. I, however, told them they might take him 
 away and bring him again in the morning, and in the meantime I 
 would think about is. The care of such a child is very great at 
 first — dirty, covered with bod}' and head lice and starved — his 
 clothing is apart of a skin dress that does not half cover his 
 nakedness, and a small bit of skin over his shoulders. 
 
 Helen was in the same condition when I took her, and it was 
 a long and tedious task to change her habiits, young as she was, 
 but little more than two years old. She was so stubborn and fret- 
 
146 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 ful and wanted to cry all the time if she could not have her own 
 way. We have so subdued her that now she is a comfort to us, 
 although she requires tight reins constantly. 
 
 Mary Ann is of a mild disposition and easily governed and 
 makes but little trouble. She came here last August. Helen 
 has been here nearly a year and a half. The Lord has taken our 
 own dear child away so that we may care for the poor outcasts of 
 the country and suffering children. We confine them altogether 
 to English and do not allow them to speak a word of Nez 
 Perces. 
 
 Read a portion of the Scriptures to the women who were in 
 today, and talked awhile with them. Baked bread and crackers 
 today and made two rag babies for my little girls. I keep them 
 in the house most of the time to keep them away from the na- 
 tives, and find it difficult to employ their time when I wish to 
 be engaged with the women. They have a great disposition to 
 take a piece of board or a stick and carry it around on their 
 backs, if I would let them, for a baby, so I thought I would make 
 them something that would change their taste a little. You won- 
 der, I suppose, what looking objects Narcissa would make. No 
 matter how they look, so long as it is a piece of cloth rolled up 
 with eyes, nose and mouth marked on it with a pen, it answers 
 every purpose. They caress them and carr)' them about the room 
 at a great rate, and are as happy as need be. So much for my 
 children. 
 
 I have not told you that we have a cooking stove, sent us 
 from the Board, which is a great comfort to us this winter, and 
 enables me to do my work with comparative ease, now that I 
 have no domestic help. 
 
 We have had but very little snow and cold this winter in this 
 valley. The thermometer has not been lower than 20 below- 
 freezing; but in every direction from us there has been an unu- 
 sual quantity of snow, and it still remains. Husband expects to 
 find snow beyond the Snake river, which he would cross today 
 if he has been prospered, and may perhaps be obliged to make 
 snow shoes to travel with. Last night was a very windy night, 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 147 
 
 and the same today, but it is still now. Brother Walker is situ- 
 ated directly north of us, so that it is not likely that the snow 
 will decrease any in going. It is uncertain when he will return 
 if prospered and not hindered with the snow. He expects to be 
 gone only four weeks. May the Lord preserve and return him in 
 afety and in His own time, and keep me from anxiety concern- 
 ing him. Goodnight, J. and E. 
 
 3d. — Dear Jane, this has been washing day, and I have cleaned 
 house some; had a native woman to help me that does the hard- 
 est part. I am unable to do my heavy work and have been for 
 two years past. 
 
 This evening an Indian has been in who has been away all 
 winter. I have been reading to him the fifth chapter of Matthew. 
 Every word of it seemed to sink deep into his heart; and O may 
 it prove a savour of life to his soul. He thinks he is a Christian, 
 but we fear to the contrary. His mind is somewhat waked up 
 about his living with two wives. I would not ease him any, but 
 urged him to do his duty. Others are feeling upon the subject, 
 particularly the women; and why should the}- not feel? — they are 
 the sufferers. 
 
 The little boy was brought to me again this morning and I 
 could not shut my heart against him. I washed him, oiled 
 and bound up his wounds, and dressed him and cleaned his head 
 of lice. Before he came his hair was cut close to his head and a 
 strip as wide as your finger was shaved from ear to ear, and also 
 from his forehead to his neck, crossing the other at right angles. 
 This the boys had done to make him look ridiculous. He had a 
 burn on his foot where they said he had been pushed into the fire 
 for the purpose of gratifying their malicious feelings, and because 
 he was friendless. He feels, however, as if he had got into a 
 strange place, and has tried to run away once or twice. He will 
 soon get accustomed, I think, and be happy, if I can keep him 
 away from the native children. So much about the boy Marshall. 
 I can write no more tonight. 
 
148 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 4th. — There has been almost constant high wind ever since 
 husband left and increasingly cold. Feel considerably anxious 
 concerning him, lest the deep snow and cold may make his jour- 
 ney a severe one. At the best it is very wearing to nature to 
 travel in this country. He never has been obliged to encounter so 
 much snow before, and I do not know how it will affect him. He 
 is a courageous man, and it is well that he is so to be a physician 
 in this country.. Common obstacles never affect hirn; he goes 
 ahead when duty calls. Jane and Edward, you know but little 
 about your brother Marcus, and all I can tell you about him at 
 this time is that he is a bundle of thoughts. 
 
 Met this afternoon for a female prayer meeting; only two of 
 us — Sister Gray and myself — yet they are precious seasons to us, 
 especially when Jesus meets with us, as He often does. I am 
 blessed with a lovely sister and an excellent associate in Sister 
 Gray, and I trust that I am in some measure thankful, for I have 
 found by experience that it is not good to be alone in our cares 
 and labours. 
 
 9th. — Last evening received a letter from Sister Walker dated 
 Feb. 21st, in which she expresses some fears lest husband should 
 not arrive in season on account of the deep snow. The probabil- 
 ity is that he has had as much as one day on snow shoes if not 
 more. We are having our winter now, both of cold and snow. 
 During the last twenty-four hours there has been quite a heavy 
 fall of snow in the valley, and it is doubtless doubled in the 
 mountains. 
 
 Last eve I spent at Bro. Gray's, after the monthly concert. 
 We opened some boxes that have just arrived from the Board to 
 the mission, containing carding, spinning and weaving appara- 
 tus, clothing and books. Our goods often get wet in coming up 
 the river, and we are often obliged to open, dry and repack again. 
 We have abundant evidence that our Christian friends in the 
 States have not forgotten us, by the donations we receive from 
 time to time. My work last eve was such cold and damp work 
 that it gave me many rheumatic pains all night, and besides it 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 49 
 
 took us so long that [ feel unable to write much more tonight. 
 There is still another evening's work of the same kind, which 
 must be done as soon as tomorrow. We take the eve because Bro. 
 G. has so much labour during the day, and then our children are 
 all in bed. Goodnight, Jane. 
 
 9th. — While I was thinking about preparing to retire to rest 
 last eve, Bro. Gray came in to see if I could go over and see and 
 aid in the arrangement of the other boxes. I finally mustered 
 courage to go, because they were anxious to have it out of the 
 way. Found it an easier job than was expected, because there 
 was but one that needed drying. 
 
 Attended maternal meeting this afternoon. Sister G. and I 
 make all the effort our time and means will permit to edify and 
 instruct ourselves in our responsible maternal duties. Read this 
 p. m. the report of the New York City Association for 1840, and 
 what a feast it was to us! It is a comforting thought to us in a 
 desert land to know that we are so kindly remembered by sister 
 Associations in our beloved land. But the constant watch and 
 care and anxiety of a missionary mother cannot be known by 
 them except by experience. Sister G. has two of her own and I 
 have three half-breeds. 1 believe I feel all the care and watchful- 
 ness over them that I should it they were my own. I am sure 
 they are a double tax upon my patience and perseverance, partic- 
 ularly Helen; she wants to rule everyone she sees. She keeps me 
 on guard continually lest she should get the upper hand of me. 
 The little boy appears to be of a pretty good disposition, and I 
 think will be easy to govern. He proves to be younger than I 
 first thought he was; he is not yet three years old — probably he 
 is the same age Helen was when she came here. His old grand- 
 mother has been in to see him today, but appears to have no dis- 
 position to take him. She wanted I should give her something 
 to eat every now and then, because I had got the child to live 
 with me and take care of, also old clothes and shoes. So it is 
 with them; the moment you do them a favour you place yourself 
 under lasting obligations to them and must continue to give to 
 keep their love strong towards you. I make such bungling work 
 
150 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 of writing this eve I believe I will stop, for I can scarcely keep 
 my head up and eyes open. So good night, J., for you do not 
 come to sleep with me, and I must content myself with Mary 
 Ann. 
 
 nth. — Dear Jane, I am sick tonight and in much pain — have 
 been scarcely able to crawl about all day. The thought comes 
 into my mind, how good to be relieved of care and to feel the 
 blessing of a sympathizing hand administering to the necessities 
 of a sick and suffering body, and whose presence would greatly 
 dispel the gloom that creeps over the mind in spite of efforts to 
 the contrary. But I must not repine or murmur at the dealings 
 of my Heavenly Father with me, for he sees it necessary thus to 
 afflict me that His own blessed image may be perfected in me. 
 O, what a sinful, ungrateful creature I am — proud and disobedi- 
 ent. I wonder and admire the long-suffering patience of God 
 with me, and long to be free from sin so that I shall grieve Him 
 no more. But there is rest in heaven to the weary and wayworn 
 traveler, and how blessed that we may "hope to the end for the 
 grace that shall be given unto us at the revelation of Jesus 
 Christ." Pray for us, J. and E., for we need your prayers daily. 
 Goodnight. 
 
 12th. — I would that I could describe to you what I have felt 
 and passed through since writing the above. Before I could get 
 to bed last night I was seized with such severe pains in my stom- 
 ach and bowels that it was with difficulty that I could straighten 
 myself. I succeeded in crawling about until I got something to 
 produce perspiration, thinking it might proceed from a cold, and 
 went to bed. About two o'clock in the morning Sister Gray sent 
 for me, for she was sick and needed my assistance. When I was 
 waked I was in a profuse perspiration. What to do I did not 
 know. Neither of them knew that I was sick the day before. I 
 at last concluded that I would make the effort to go, casting my- 
 self for preservation on the mercy of God. Mr. Cook, the man 
 who came after me, made a large fire for me in my room, and I 
 was enabled to dress and dry myself without getting cold, the 
 weather having moderated some from what it was a few days ago. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 151 
 
 I bundled myself pretty well and went with Mr. C.'s assistance, 
 for I felt but very little better able to walk than I did the evening 
 before, yet not in so much pain. When I arrived the babe was 
 born, and Bro. Gray was washing it. In the meantime, after they 
 were informed how I was, the}- sent me word not to come if I 
 was not able. I took the babe and dressed it, and have been there 
 all day with my children, although I have not been able to sit 
 up all day. Both mother and babe are comfortable tonight, and 
 I have come home to spend the night and Sabbath, leaving Mr. 
 G. with the care of them tomorrow. They have a good Hawaiian 
 woman, which is a great mercy. 
 
 Sab. Eve., 13th — Was kept awake last night by the headache 
 considerably, and it has continued most of the day. Bro. G.'s 
 house is very open, and the change from ours affects me unfav- 
 ourably generally. Notwithstanding feeble health, this Sabbath 
 has been a precious day to me. A quiet resting upon God is eve- 
 ry thing, both in sickness and in health. My heart cries, O, for 
 sanctifying grace that I may not become hardened under afflic- 
 tion. 
 
 14th. — I have this day entered upon my thirty-fifth year, and 
 had my dear Alice C. been alive she would have been five years 
 old, for this was her birthday as well as mine. Precious trust! 
 she was taken away from the evil to come. I would not have it 
 otherwise now. All things are for the best, although we may not 
 see it at the time. Spent the day with Sister G., although not 
 able to do much. Have been taking medicine and feel some bet- 
 ter this eve, and hope to be better still tomorrow. 
 
 15th — Have been with Sister Gray all day. There is so much 
 there and all around us to call forth feelings of sympathy* and 
 care, that I have been so excited all day as not to scarcely realize 
 my own state of health until I retire from it, and then I find my- 
 self completely exhausted. Thus it is that the missionary is so 
 soon worn out, and his health fails and he is obliged to leave the 
 field. He constantly sees work enough for his utmost time and 
 strength, and much, very much that must remain undone for the 
 
152 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 1 
 
 want of hands to do it. We feel a merciful and timely relief in 
 the association of Bro. and Sister Gray in our labours at this station. 
 Had we continued much longer without help we should have been 
 obliged, both of us without doubt, to have retired from the field 
 as invalids. Yet still there is just as much as we all can possibly 
 do, and more, too, for every year brings increased labours and de- 
 mands upon us, and doubtless will continue to if there is much 
 emigration to this country. 
 
 Edward, if you are thinking to become a missionary, you 
 would do well to write a sermon on the word PATIENCE every 
 day. Study well its meaning; hold fast on to patience and never 
 let go, thinking all thetime that you will have more need of her by 
 and by than ever you can have while you remain at home. But 
 I must stop before I exhaust myself, and gain strength for the 
 duties of the morrow by rest. 
 
 21st — It will be three weeks tomorrow since dear husband 
 left, and I am feeling tonight almost impatient for his return. 
 It has been stormy and cold every day since he left. Indeed, we 
 have had our winter in this month, and now the rivers are so high 
 that it is almost impossible to cross them without swimming. I 
 feel that the Lord has mercifully and tenderly sustained and kept 
 me from anxious feelings about him thus far during his absence. 
 Doubtless he has suffered much, but the Lord will preserve, I hope, 
 and return him again to me, filled with a lively sense of His 
 goodness to us continually. The Indians feel his absence very 
 much, especially Sabbaths. They are here so short a time they 
 do not like to have him gone. 
 
 Today I have had the care of Sister G.'s two children and my 
 three* which has been a hard day's work for me. I am more and 
 more pleased with my little boy every day. He is so mild and 
 quiet, and so happy in his new situation that I have not had the 
 least regret that I took him in. He is learning to talk English 
 extremely well- -much faster than my two girls did. The second 
 Sabbath he went about the room saying, "I must not work, I 
 must not work," and also a part of a line of a hymn he had heard 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 53 
 
 us sing, "Lord teach a little child to pray," — all that he could say 
 was, "a child to pray, a child to pray." He is learning to sing, 
 also; he seems to have a natural voice, and learns quick. I think 
 husband will have no objections to keeping him when he sees 
 what a promising boy he is. 
 
 Sister Gray is recovering very fast; she came out into the 
 kitchen yesterday to supper, and today she has dressed her babe, 
 which is but ten days old. She took the advantage of me and 
 dressed it before I could get over there this morning. She was 
 going about her own room before it was a week old. Perhaps you 
 will think we do as the natives do when we are among natives. 
 She certainly is very well, and we ought to be very thankful, and 
 I trust we are. We all see so much to do that it is difficult to 
 keep still when it is possible to stir. So goodnight, J. and R., for 
 my sheet is full. 
 
 26th — Husband arrived today about noon, to the joy of all the 
 inhabitants of Waiilatpu. Mr. Eells came with him. His jour- 
 ney was prosperous beyond our most sanguine expectations, for 
 the day that he would have been obliged to take snow shoes was 
 so cold that by taking the morning very early they went on the 
 top of the snow and arrived there in safety the Saturday after he 
 left here. Sister Walker has a son, born on the 16th, four days 
 after the birth of Sister Gray's. They call him Marcus Whitman. 
 So it is, dear J. and E., that the Lord cares for and preserves us; 
 and it seemed more than ever as if He sustained me from anxiety 
 and gave me a spirit of prayer for him, and answered prayer in 
 his safe return with improved health; and O, may the lives which 
 He does so mercifully preserve, be devoted more entirely to His 
 service. 
 
 Bro. Eells came for his boxes and will return next week. We 
 are cheered with an occasional visit from one and another, which 
 is a source of comfort to us in our pilgrimage here. 
 
 This sheet is full, and if you have trouble to read it, say so, 
 
 and I will not do so again. 
 
 Your sister, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
154 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 WaiilaTpu, July 22nd,i842. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Brezcer: — I find the perusal of the Memoirs of 
 Mrs. Smith so deeply interesting to myself, that I desire to ask 
 the privilege of sending it, with your permission, to the different 
 sisters of this mission, as one or two of them have begged the 
 reading of it. It is most too precious a morsel to be enjoyed 
 alone in this desert land. As I am unable to write to Sister 
 Perkins this opportunity, I will just say I forward by this con- 
 veyance a few numbers of the New York Observer, containing 
 several pieces from Dr. Humphries' pen on Education, which she 
 requested in her last letter to me. We value them much and 
 desire to preserve them. 
 
 I am happy to hear of your prosperity in the addition to 
 your family of a little daughter. May she live long to cheer and 
 bless you with her sweet smiles. 
 
 Hoping for the pleasure of receiving a letter from you, I am, 
 dear sister, yours in Christian love. 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 Mrs. H. B. Brewer, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 
 Waskopum, March nth, 1843. 
 
 My Dear Harriet: — I have just been reading your letter, writ- 
 ten more than two years ago. I have been thinking all day of 
 writing you, but can scarcely find courage enough; even now, I 
 feel more like taking my bed rather than writing, much as I long 
 to commune with you. 
 
 From a letter I received last fall from Mr. Dixon, I learn that 
 my dear Harriet is now both a wife and a mother. Tender and 
 endearing relations! May you ever prove worthy of the confidence 
 and affection of your husband, and a tender, wise and judicious 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 55 
 
 mother, and never forget that you are training immortal spirits 
 for an eternal world. If you have never read " Alcott's Young 
 Wife and Young Mother," I beg you will procure and read them. 
 You will derive great benefit from them. You cannot begin too 
 soon to study your duty as a mother. It is a responsible station, 
 and doubtless you feel it to be so. Be sure and make it your busi- 
 ness to train them for the Lord, and hold them not as yours, but 
 His, to be called away at His bidding. This is an interesting theme 
 to me. 
 
 When you write, please tell me about your maternal associa- 
 tion. I want to know all about them, and how the cause prospers. 
 We have an association here consisting of the missionary mothers 
 and two native mothers, who are the wives of the gentlemen of 
 this country. We find it a great comfort to meet together, to pray 
 and sympathise with and for each other in this desert land where 
 we have so few privileges. Please remember me to your associa- 
 tion, and solicit an interest in the prayers of those praying mothers 
 for the missionary mothers of Oregon. 
 
 I hope by this time you have had a good visit with your bro- 
 ther Marcus. I presume it has been a short one. Tell me, you 
 that have enjoyed the sweets of connubial bliss long enough to 
 know the happiness it affords, how would you like to be so wide- 
 ly separated and for so long a time. Think you, it is no trial, no 
 sacrifice of feeling? For what would you be willing to make such 
 a sacrifice? Is there anything in this lower world that would tempt 
 you to it? I presume not; at least I can see no earthly inducement 
 sufficiently paramount to cause me voluntarily to take upon my- 
 self such a painful trial. Painful, I say? yes, painful in the ex- 
 treme to the natural heart. But there is one object, our blessed 
 Saviour, for whose sake, I trust, both you as well as we are willing 
 if called to it, to suffer all things. It was for Him, for the advance- 
 ment of His cause, that I could say to my beloved husband, "Go; 
 take all the time necessary to accomplish His work; and the Lord 
 go with and bless you." Sacrifice made for Him will not go unre- 
 warded. Believe me, this same Heavenly Friend so manifests 
 himself to me, sustains, upholds, and comforts me, and that, too, 
 
156 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 almost continually as to enable me to "glory in tribulation," yea 
 to rejoice that I am counted worthy to suffer for His sake. He 
 has been preparing me for the self-denial for some time past, and 
 no time more effectually than when he was pleased to take my 
 beloved child from me. Once I could not have borne it without 
 the same measure of grace I now enjoy. But blessed be His Holy 
 Name, it is from Him I receive all things, and I desire to be whol- 
 ly consecrated to Him. I feel that I am nothing — Jesus is my all, 
 His righteousness alone I plead; in Him my guilty soul expects 
 to find a full and free salvation. 
 
 I hope the hand and the heart that has got possession of my 
 beloved Harriet's will please accept of a sister's love, although we 
 have never been privileged with an acquaintance, and may never 
 meet in this world. Ma}- I not hope to receive letters from you 
 both, and frequently, too? Can such a thing be under the sun 
 that my husband will prevail on you to come to Oregon to spend 
 your days? I know you would say, I cannot leave pa and ma to go 
 so far. 
 
 Give much love to sister C. and her husband; tell her to please 
 
 consider this as written to her, if I am unable to write her by 
 
 this opportunity. I think of sister Mary Ann as being a guardian 
 
 angel to me sometimes. When shall I be one to you? I think 
 
 sometimes it will not be long. Again I send love to J. G. and all 
 
 the family. Many kisses for all the babies. 
 
 Your affectionate sister, 
 
 Narcissa. 
 Mrs. John W. Jackson, 
 
 Cuba, Allegheny Co., 
 
 New York, U. S. A. 
 
 Fort George, August nth, 1843. 
 
 My Dear Parents: — I .am now at the mouth of the Columbia 
 river. I came down with Rev. Daniel Lee of Waskopum, where I 
 spent the last winter, and Mr. Leslie. He and his family are ex- 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 1 57 
 
 peering to leave in the ship, that is now on its way down the river, 
 for the States. Doctor Babcock and his family of the same mis- 
 sion are going on the same vessel to the Islands, also Mr. Frost 
 and family are leaving the missionary field, by the same opportu- 
 nity and going home. Thus one after another of our Methodist 
 brethren leave the country and go to the States. This is very dis- 
 couraging to those who remain. Some of our number have done 
 the same; — Mr. Smith and Mr. Gray and their families. Ministe- 
 rial and missionary work is increasing in the country, and the la- 
 bourers are decreasing. 
 
 My beloved parents may think it strange that I should wan- 
 der about the country so much when my dear husband is absent. 
 The Lord is very merciful and of great kindness to me in 
 showing me so many favours in my lonely situation. It serves to 
 occupy my mind and keeps me from undue anxiety concerning 
 him; and besides this, journeying is beneficial to my health. I 
 have come down to enjoy the benefit of a sea breeze, and visit the 
 mission station at Clatsop on the Pacific coast. I am now enjoy- 
 ing a friendly visit in the family of Mr. Birnie at this fort. When 
 the ship leaves I shall accompany Rev. Jason Lee to Clatsop, where 
 I expect to spend a few days and return with Mr. Lee and Mr. 
 Leslie to the Willamette and finish my visit there. Everywhere 
 I go I find attention and kindness far more than I deserve. I be- 
 lieve I wrote to pa and ma while I was at Wascopum. I left them 
 and went up the river in the company's boats in charge of Mr. 
 Grant, the first of April, and arrived in safety after a voyage of 
 five days. I went home and arranged affairs, attended upon the 
 company of Doctor White and his party, which consisted of Revs. 
 Hinds and Perkins, who came up to hold a meeting with the In- 
 dians. When the meeting closed I accompanied them to Walla 
 Walla, and on the first day of June left there in the brigade for 
 Vancouver, Mrs. McKiolay accompanying me. In coming, Dr. 
 White recommended me to the attention of Dr. Barclay, an emi- 
 nent physician of the fort. I remained there about two months 
 and attended faithfully to his directions; feeling it is a great fa- 
 vour to have so good an opportunity to attend to my health, and 
 to be so free from care and labour. I left two of the children in 
 
158 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 the care of Mrs. Littlejohn and Mrs. Eells. Helen I have with me 
 About the last of July, I went to the Willamette Falls and spent 
 most of my time in the families of Mr. Abernethy and Mr. Waller. 
 The latter one says he knew pa well ; his circuit was in that region 
 and he resided in Friendship. Last Monday, at sundown, I left 
 them to come down the river to see the mission families leave. 
 
 It is very trying to part with dear Brother and Sister Lee. I 
 have enjoyed such sweet social religious privileges with them the 
 past winter that I feel very much endeared to them. I cannot feel 
 very willing to have them go. It is but very recently that they have 
 talked and made up their minds to go, and it was very surprising 
 to us. They are pious, devoted missionaries, but Mrs. Lee's health 
 has failed, and they feel it their duty to go home. They were from 
 the New England states and very probably pa and ma will not see 
 them. Brother Lee says he will write to pa when he gets home 
 for me. I send this by him. Doctor Babcock goes to the Islands 
 to return again; it is possible he may not. He is from Avoca. I 
 do not know when I shall see my dear husband again. I hope in 
 a few weeks to receive letters from him and then I shall know 
 when to expect him. The Lord be merciful to me and return him 
 to my arms again in peace. I forbear to think much of the future, 
 but rest it with the Lord. I have written this very poorly. The 
 house is full of company and it is difficult to keep my thoughts. 
 My most dearly beloved and excellent parents, please accept of my 
 heartfelt thanks for all your love and kindness to me, and be as- 
 sured of the sincere, devoted love of your unworthy daughter, 
 
 Narcissa. 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, Allegheny Co., 
 
 New York, U. S. A. 
 
 Waskopum, March 31st, 1843. 
 
 My Dear Brother: — Why is it that I never receive a letter 
 from you? Have you no time to write, or have you forgotten me? 
 
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 1 59 
 
 I will not think it; not that you do not love me, for this would 
 make me unhappy. Could you see my heart and know how 
 much I love and think of you and sympathize with you, should I 
 not receive a communication from you and thus be assured of your 
 love and remembrance of me? It is not for the want of a heart 
 that I do not write more and oftener to all my brothers and sisters, 
 but for the want of health and strength to do it. Now I am de- 
 prived of the society of my beloved husband, I realize more than 
 ever your situation; yet not its keeneat pang, for ourselves is 
 a voluntary and temporary separation, while yours is — I hardly 
 know whatto call it — an unwilling and unnecessary separation, at 
 least on your part; yet I hope not a perpetual one. O that I could 
 hear that you were once more united and happy in all thesweets of 
 domestic bliss, for they are many, and when giveu us from the 
 Lord, how we should prize them. Those are tender ties to be 
 separated and hang bleeding all our life, but the Lord permits us 
 thus to be afflicted. We should lean on Him for support. And 
 may you, dear brother, realize as much of the blessed Saviour's 
 gracious presence as I do in my lonely situation, and have it con- 
 tinued to you constantly. I, too, kuow the blessed effects of 
 affliction to purify the heart and sanctify the soul; and, notwith- 
 standing their keen smart and writhing pang, yet it is good to be 
 afflicted; they are choice mercies to us, for when He has tried us, 
 my brother, we shall come forth as gold. Our greatest care should 
 be, not to murmur or complain of His trying dispensations to- 
 wards us, but feel always more anxious to have them sanctified to 
 us than to be delivered from them — for then "patience will have 
 her perfect work." 
 
 O what would I give could I see you, for then I could pour a 
 full heart into your bosom; but you have seen my better self, I 
 hope, and enjoyed a sweet visit with him, for me as well as for 
 him. You will write me, I know, by him, You will doubtless 
 see my letter to father and mother. I have given the particulars 
 of the past to them. 
 
 Recently, intelligence has come to us from above that the In- 
 dians are talking and making preparations for war. The visit of 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 160 
 
 the government's agent last fall has caused considerable excite- 
 ment. All decisive measures and language used to them they 
 construe into threats, and say war is declared and they intend 
 to be prepared. They have heard many unwise remarks which 
 have been made by designing persons, especially a half-breed 
 that came up with the agent last fall. Such as troops are coming 
 into the river this spring and are corning up with Dr. White to 
 fight them. It is the Kaiuses that cause all trouble. There are 
 no tribes in all the country but what are more quiet and peace- 
 able to live with than they are. If any mischief is going ahead 
 they originate and carry forward. They are more difficult to 
 labour among than the Nez Perces. They are rich, especially in 
 horses, and consequently haughty and insolent. A large assem- 
 blage is expected in less than a month to meet in the valley of 
 Walla Walla. What the result of it will be, time will determine 
 From the excitement and talk that has been going on all winter 
 we have reason to fear that it will not be a very quiet time. The 
 Indians of the Buffalo country have been sent for by the high 
 chief of the Nez Perces, Ellis. 
 
 Walla Walla, April 14th, 1843. 
 
 My Dear Brother: — I arrived here last Saturday. Left Was- 
 copum Monday, early April 3rd, and came with Mr. Grant, who 
 was in charge of the Company's boats, three in number; had a 
 pleasant and safe voyage; arrived greatly exhausted with fatigue 
 but feel much benefited by the trip. Two days after I received a 
 letter from Sister Littlejohn at Lapwai (Mrs. Spalding's), giving 
 the afflicting news of the death of her only son by drowning. He 
 fell into the mill floom and floated down out of sight into a deep 
 pit and was not found until it was too late to bring him to life. 
 
 This makes the sixth person that has been drowned since 
 November in this infant country; four adults and two children. 
 Mr. Olley, of the Methodist mission, was drowned in the Wallam- 
 ette about two months before Brother Rogers, and those with him. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION l6l 
 
 What the Lord means by the removal of so many, we know 
 not, but feel admonished to be also ready. Brother and Sister 
 Littlejohn feel their affliction deeply, but are mercifully support- 
 ed under it. 
 
 The excitement among the Kaiuses has abated considerable 
 from what it was when I commenced this letter. Mr. McKinlay 
 of this fort has been to Vancouver and brought back word to 
 them from Dr. McLoughlin that they, the British, do not, neither 
 have they intended to make war upon them. This relieves them 
 considerably. Now their fear is the Americans. They have been 
 led to believe that deceitful measures are being taken to rob them 
 of their land, to kill them all off. Language like this has been 
 told them, and at the meeting last fall, "that if you do not make 
 laws and protect the whites and their property, we will put you 
 in the way of doing it." They consider this a declaration to 
 fight and the} 7 have prepared accordingly. We hope no depreda- 
 tions will be committed upon us or the mission property, and 
 think the difficulties can be removed and adjusted to their minds, 
 but not without the most prudent and wise measures. The agent 
 is quite ignorant of Indian charactex" and especially of the char- 
 acter of the Kaiuses. Husband's presence is needed very much at 
 this juncture. A great loss is sustained by his going to the States, ' 
 I mean a present loss to the station and Indians, but hope and 
 expect a greater good will be accomplished by it. There 
 was no other way for us to do. We felt that we could not remain 
 as we was without more help, and we are so far off that to send 
 by letter and get returns was too slow a way for the present emer- 
 gency. 
 
 I intend to go up to Waiilatpu as soon as the water falls; it 
 is so high now and is rising so that I cannot cross the rivers. I 
 shall write some of the family by the mountain route; this I 
 send by the express to Montreal. 
 
 Would it be a strange thing if I should see you coming to 
 this country with my husband? You will write me to pay for 
 this I hope. Remember I have not heard a word about the death 
 of that sister yet, and perhaps still greater inroads have been 
 
 ) 
 
1 62 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 made in the dear circle that I have yet to be informed of. It 
 will not be many years before we shall all be transplanted, and 
 
 may it be into the paradise above, and not one of us be missing. 
 
 I want very much to hear about your little daughter, your- 
 self and all your affairs, and how you feel and live from day to 
 day, and what you are doing for the cause of Christ. How does 
 the doctor appear to you? How have you enjoyed your visit with 
 him? Living alone in the midst of a savage people, without see- 
 ing much company, we lose our polish and doubtless would ap- 
 quite uncouth to the civilized world. This is one of the mission- 
 ary's trials, because he is apt to be despised for it. 
 
 Love to all. Pray for your loving sister, 
 
 Narcissa. 
 
 Your spectacles are of great use to me. I should not know 
 how to do without them. My eyes have failed me almost entire- 
 ly. I think sometimes I have reason to think of you pretty often. 
 
 1 should like a pair of green double plain glasses. Hope doctor 
 will bring some. Farewell. 
 
 N. 
 Jonas Galusha Prentiss, Esq., 
 
 Angelica, Allegheny County, 
 New York, 
 
 U. S. A. 
 
 Waiilatpu, August 23, 1842. 
 
 Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Allen, Cuba, My Dear Christian Friends: — 
 I have this morning been thinking deeply upon our situation and 
 wants as a mission, the spiritual condition of the native popula- 
 tion, and the interests of the country at large as it respects the 
 prosperity of the cause of Christ on the one hand and the exten- 
 sion of the powers and dominion of Romanism on the other. The 
 thought occurred to me, I will sit down and write to this dear 
 brother and sister, and solicit an interest in their prayers and 
 those of their beloved charge for us; it may be it will give such a 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 163 
 
 spring to the work that angels will strike their harps anew, and 
 a song of praise be put into the mouths of many who are 
 now in the broad road to ruin. Think, if you please, of the soli- 
 tary missionary labouring and toiling, without a single Aaron or 
 Hur to stay up his hands! What slow progress must he make, if 
 any at all, where the preaching and praying are all to be done by the 
 same individual! Perhaps you will say, and justly, too, that we 
 do pray for you continually. My dear friends, let me entreat you 
 to offer up special prayer in our behalf, for we need it more than 
 I can express. In the first place, we need more missionaries, and 
 those of us who are now on the ground need your prayers emi- 
 nently, not as those who have already attained unto perfect men 
 and women in Christ, but as greatly in want of an enlargement 
 in every Christian grace, if not an entire renovation of soul to 
 God. 
 
 The Kayuses, Nez Perces, Spokans, and all the adjacent tribes 
 need your prayers, for they are a dark-minded, wandering people, 
 having hearts, but understand not the truth. I will give you the 
 language of one of them in a talk made three Sabbaths ago. Af- 
 ter listening to an exposition of the truth contained in Proverbs, 
 5th chapter, he said: " Your instruction is good; the wise and dis- 
 creet appreciate it; fur the mass of us, we hear it, but it falls pow- 
 erless upon our hearts, and we remain the same still." I felt it 
 deeply as a reproof for our unbelief, and want of faithful, earnest 
 prayer in their behalf. The present is the harvest time with 
 them. We know not how soon ardent spirits will be introduced 
 into the country to distract and impede our work. Settlers are 
 beginning to come around us, and their influence will not be the 
 most congenial, as they are mostly men living with native wo- 
 men, who have for many years been wandering in the deep re- 
 cesses of the mountains, indulging themselves in every species of 
 vice and wickedness until, as one of them frankly confessed to 
 me a short time since, they were wickeder than the Indians around 
 them. Perhaps most of them have received the elements of a 
 Christian education in their childhood years, and some have 
 Christian parents. These, also, are eminently a subject for 
 your prayers. 
 
164 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 Romanism stalks abroad on our right hand and on our left, 
 and with daring effrontery boasts that she is to prevail and pos- 
 [ sess the land. I ask, must it be so? Does it not remain for the 
 people of God in this and Christian lands to say whether it shall 
 I be so or not? "Is not the Lord on our side?" "If He is for us, 
 who can be against us." The zeal and energy of her priests are 
 without a parallel, and many, both white men and Indians, wan- 
 der after the beasts. Two are in the country below us, and two 
 far above in the mountains. One of the latter is to return this 
 fall to Canada, the States and the eastern world for a large rein- 
 forcement. How true — "while men slept, the enemy came and 
 sowed tares." Had a pious, devoted minister, a man of talent, 
 come into the country when we did and established himself at 
 Vancouver, to human appearance the moral aspect of this country 
 would not be the same as it is now; at least, we think Papacy 
 would not have gained such a footing. But the past cannot now 
 be retrieved. It remains for us to redeem the time; to stand in 
 our lines and fight manfully the battles of the Lord. 
 
 We send our imploring cry to you and ask, who will come to 
 our help and who, remaining, will sustain us in the work by the 
 mighty power of prayer? Without it, our work will be in vain, 
 and perhaps worse than in vain. 
 
 We have a concert of prayer on Tuesday evenings, called the 
 Oregon Concert, in which the members of this mission and our 
 Methodist brethren and sisters in the lower country unite to 
 pray for the success of the cause of Christ in Oregon. 
 
 It may be interesting to you to know something of what has 
 been done since we came here. The missionaries in this field, as 
 all Indian missions, have not only the spiritual wants of the 
 people to attend to, but are obliged to provide for their own sus- 
 tenance and comfort by cultivating land, building houses, mills, 
 etc., and school houses, etc., for the people. These greatly divide 
 his mind from his more appropriate mission work, and fill it 
 with distracting cares, causing him to mourn and be filled with 
 grief that so little is accomplished for the soul, the immortal 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 165 
 
 part of man. Yet we have the satisfaction to feel that good has 
 been and is done to them through this channel, and as well as 
 the more direct way of instruction. 
 
 The Kayuses, almost to a man, have their little farms now in 
 every direction in this valley, and are adding to it as their means 
 and experience increases. 
 
 [Remainder of this letter missing. — Sec'v.] 
 
 -y^Vw^ 
 
 WaiilaTpu, Sept. 29th, 1842. 
 
 My Dear Jane and Edivard: — I sit down to write you, but in 
 great haste. My beloved husband has about concluded to start 
 next Monday to go to the Uuited States, the dear land of our 
 birth; but I remain behind. I could not undertake the journey, 
 if it was considered best for me to accompany him, that is to 
 travel as he expects to. He hopes to reach the borders in less 
 than three months, if the Lord prospers his way. It is a dread- 
 ful journey, especially at this season of the year; and as much as 
 I want to see you all, I cannot think of ever crossing the moun- 
 tains again — my present health will not admit of it. I would go 
 by water, if a way was ever open; but I have no reason to think 
 I ever shall. 
 
 If you are still in Quincy you may not see him until his re- 
 turn, as his business requires great haste. He wishes to reach 
 Boston as early as possible so as to make arrangements to return 
 next summer, if prospered. The interests of the missionary cause 
 in this country calls him home. 
 
 Now, dear Jane, are you going to come and join me in my 
 labours? Is dear Edward so far advanced as not to need your 
 aid any more? Do you think you would be contented to come 
 and spend the remainder of your life on mission ground? If so, 
 make your mind known to husband and he will make arrange- 
 ments for you at Boston to come. Count the cost well before you 
 undertake it. It is a dreadful journey to cross the mountains, 
 
1 66 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 and becoming more and more dangerous every year; but if any 
 mission families come, you will find no difficulty in placing 
 yourself under their protection. Bring nothing with you but 
 what you need for the way, and a Sunday suit, a Bible and some 
 devotional book for your food by the way. Send the remainder 
 by ship. When E. has well finished his education, I hope he will 
 come, also, for there will be work enough here to do by that 
 time. At any rate, if you do not come, spend, if you please, all 
 the time you can in writing me until he comes back, for he wishes 
 to return next summer. Now do not disappoint me, for I have 
 not heard a word from either of you since March, 1840. I have 
 written you much since that time, but it may not have reached 
 you. 
 
 I shall be left alone at this station for a season, until Mr. 
 Gray can send some one up from below to take the charge; and 
 he has left the mission and goes to engage in a public school. I 
 hope to have Mr. Rogers or Mr. Iyittlejohn to winter here — the 
 latter wishes to return to the States iu the spring. 
 
 Now, dear J. and E., adieu. I hope you will see husband 
 long enough to have a good visit with him. I hope he will call 
 as he goes along. If he has time, he will, but his business re- 
 quires haste, if he returns next spring. 
 
 Please give much love to Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley; tell her I 
 shall never cease to remember and love her, and ardently hope 
 they will both write me. I should like to hear of the different 
 members of her family with whom I used to be acquainted. 
 
 Gladly would I write more if I could, but must write a line to 
 other friends. Pray for me and mine while we are separated from 
 each other. 
 
 Much love from myself to you both. 
 
 Affectionately your sister, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
 P. S. — I have forgotten to speak of husband's company in 
 travel. He is Mr. A. L. Lovejoy, a lawyer who came up from the 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 67 
 
 States this summer, and now is willing and anxious to return fur 
 the good he may do in returning. He will probably come back, 
 again. He is not a Christian, but appears to be an intelligent, 
 interesting man. 
 
 N. W. 
 Mr. Edward W. Prentiss, 
 
 Mission Institute, 
 Quincy, Illinois. 
 Favour of Ur. Whitman. Care of Rev. Wm. Beardsley. 
 
 Waiilatpu, Sept. 30th, 1842. 
 
 My Beloved Parents, Brothers and Sisters: — You will be sur- 
 prised if this letter reaches you to learn that the bearer is my 
 dear husband, and that you will, after a few days, have the 
 pleasure of seeing him. May you have a joyful meeting. 
 He goes upon important business as connected with the 
 missionary cause, the cause of Christ in this land, which I will 
 leave for him to explain when you see him, because I have not 
 time to enlarge. He has but yesterday fully made up his mind to 
 go, and he wishes to start Monday, and this is Friday. I shall be 
 left quite alone at this station for a season as Mr. G. and family 
 leave for the Wallamette to engage in a public school, and is dis- 
 missed from this mission. I hope to have Mr. Rogers and wife to 
 come and winter here, or Mr. Littlejohn, perhaps both, and next 
 summer I intend going below and spending some time in visit- 
 ing for the benefit of my health, that is to relieve myself from 
 care so that I shall have an opportunity to recruit. Now, dear 
 mother will wonder why I could not come with him. My health, 
 the season of the year, the speed with which he expects to travel, 
 and the danger of the way, are reasons which make it impossible 
 for me to accompany him. As much as I do desire to see my be- 
 loved friends once more, yet I cheerfully consent to remain be- 
 hind, that the object of his almost immediate presence in the 
 land of our birth might, if possible, be accomplished. He wishes 
 to cross the mountains during this month, I mean October, and 
 
1 68 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 reach St. Louis about the first of Dec, if he is not detained by the 
 cold, or hostile Indians. O may the Lord preserve him through 
 the dangers of the way. He has for a companion Mr. Lovejoy, a 
 respectable, intelligent man and a lawyer, but not a Christian, 
 who expects to accompany him all the way to Boston, as his friends 
 are in that region, and perhaps to Washington. This is a com- 
 fort to me, and that he is not to go alone, or with some illiterate 
 mountain man, as we at first expected he would be obliged to. 
 He goes with the advice and entire confidence of his brethren in 
 the mission, and who value him not only as an associate, but as 
 their physician, and feel, as much as I do, that they know not how 
 to spare him; but the interest of the cause demands the sacrifice 
 on our part; and could you know all the circumstances in the case 
 you would see more clearly how much our hearts are identified in 
 the salvation of the Indians and the interests of the cause gener- 
 ally in this country. 
 
 I cannot write but little, as I wish to give several of my friends 
 at least a line or two to encourage them to remember me when 
 he returns. He hopes to come back next summer, and I do hope 
 each one of my brethren and sisters will tell me their own story 
 on paper themselves, for husband will have so much business on 
 his mind to attend to that he will not remember half you say to 
 him. And will not dear father and mother write me with their 
 own hand long letters? It will be, indeed, such a compensation 
 for our separation, and I trust I shall feel a sufficient reward for 
 permitting him to leave me behind and to make his visit alone 
 to you. Forgive me, dear mother, if he is the sole theme of this 
 letter; I can write about nothing else at this time. He is inex- 
 pressibly dear to me. Once when Mr. Lee left his wife and she 
 died in his absence, I thought I never could consent to be left so, 
 but since the death of our beloved A. Clarissa, the sundering of 
 that strong and tender tie has, I trust, loosened my affections to 
 earthly objects, or in other words divided my heart by removing 
 that tender object of a mother's love to my heavenly home, thus 
 admonishing me to hold my affections more in subserviency to 
 His blessed will for objects of earth, however strong the ties may 
 be, and increased my attachments above. It seems we have an- 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 69 
 
 other object added to increase our attachments to the home, which 
 our Saviour has gone to prepare for us. 
 
 I have just heard of the death of Sister M. A. Judson, but 
 know nothing of the particulars, but hope to this fall by ship. 
 I long to know more about it. I hope Brother J. is supported. 
 
 I hope you will have a long visit with your son and brother, 
 and a profitable one, and be cheered by it, and may he be pre- 
 served to return again. I can write no more. Adieu, my beloved 
 parents, brothers and sisters. May the rich blessings of heaven 
 rest upon us all, and we be so happy as to meet in heaven. 
 
 Affectionately yours, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
 P. S. — I hear that Sister H. is a mother. I hope she and her 
 husband will write me, also sister Clarissa and her husband, and 
 J. G. I have written to that brother, but have received none from 
 him. I would write to brother J. G. if I had time. He and all 
 others must receive my dear husband as my living epistle to them 
 and write me by him. N. W. 
 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 
 
 Angelica, Allegany Co., 
 
 New York. 
 Favour of Dr. Whitman. 
 
 Vancouver, June Sth, 1843. 
 
 My Beloved Brother and Sister Perkins:— I have but a mo- 
 ment's notice of an opportunity of sending to you. Your trunk 
 was forgotten by us all and brought on. I would send it now if 
 I could, but latin says his boat is too small for that and his sheep. 
 I felt very sad after leaving you, particularly as my visit had been 
 so marred with what transpired while passing. I was grieved to 
 see it affect you, as it was very natural it should. Rut there is 
 
170 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 this consolation to comfort you, and in this case it is yours to re- 
 joice when you are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 
 
 I had a very fatiguing journey down; came near drowning 
 in the portage once. One of the boats upset, but no lives lost 
 The boat I was in just escaped capsizing. We arrived here just 
 before sunset, Sabbath; displeased with myself and every one 
 around me because of the profanation of the holy day of the 
 Lord. 
 
 Brother Hinds left this Tuesday morning. Dr. Barclay ad- 
 vises that I remain here nearly a month that he may be able to 
 satisfy himself respecting my case. 
 
 This is but a poor return for the two good long letters I have 
 received from Brother P. and the one from sister, yet I have a 
 heart tilled with gratitude and Christian sympathy and love for 
 you and those little ones associated with you. 
 
 Do write as often as you can, both of you. 
 
 Ever yours, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 Do not pay for these letters. 
 
 Waiilatpu, Jan. 30th, 1844. 
 
 Beloved Sister: — I received your kind letter and the accompany- 
 ing book, a short time since andenjoyed to hear that the blessings 
 of our kind Heavenly Father are still resting upon you and yours. 
 May they still be continued and yfcur precious lives be preserved 
 long for the poor heathen's sake. 
 
 I will do as you desire and forward the memoir of Mrs. Smith 
 to Mrs. Eells, as I shall have a good opportunity by my husband 
 when he goes to attend upon Mrs. Walker, the last of next 
 month. 
 
 After I arrived at Walla Walla last fall, I spent a week there, 
 and during the time I wrote several letters and sent back by the 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 171 
 
 express. Since that time I have not been able to write to any one. 
 I was not well when I left W. W., yet I thought I could endure 
 to ride here in one day in a wagon, but it proved too much for 
 me. We were in the evening late before we could reach home, as 
 they had to go slow on my account, and I took cold. For six 
 weeks after, I scarcely left my room and most of the time was 
 confined to my bed more or less; — could take no care of my family, 
 or but little. Indeed, I was in a much more miserable state than 
 I was last winter while with you. About the twentieth of Dec. 
 I was taken very suddenly with the inflammation of the bowels, 
 and for a few days my life was despaired of. But the Lord in His 
 infinite mercy directed and blessed means for my restoration in 
 answer to pra}er. 
 
 Since that time I have gradually gained my usual strength so 
 that I am able to see to my domestic concerns more than I have 
 any time since my return. I have not suffered from the disease I 
 took medicine for last summer, but a new and more precarious 
 one has discovered itself, since my return, yet of long standing. 
 It consists of an organic affection of the main artery below the 
 heart, a beating tumour which is liable to burst and extinguish 
 life at any moment. There is no remedy for it, so I never expect 
 to enjoy better health than I do at present; never do I expect to 
 continue long on the earth. 
 
 You expressed an assurance that I enjoyed the presence of my 
 Saviour in my affliction. It has, indeed, been so for the most of 
 the time. I feel that His mercies are very great to me and that I 
 can say with the Apostle, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is 
 gain." So long as it pleases Him to spare my life, I should like 
 to live for my family and the poor Indians' sake. Notwithstand- 
 ing I felt such a dread to return to this place of moral darkness, 
 after enjoying so much of civilized life and Christian privileges, 
 yet now I am here, I am happy and love my work and situation 
 and desire to live long to see the cause of Christ advanced 
 in this dark land. Indeed, I think I never enjoyed the privilege 
 of being a missionary better than this winter, although I cannot 
 do but little if any more than instruct my family and pray for 
 and sustain the hands of mv dear husband in his labours. 
 
I72 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 My family consists of six children and a Frenchman that 
 came from the mountains and stops with us without invitation. 
 Mary Ann, however, is with Mrs. Littlejohn now. Two English 
 girls, Ann and Emma Hobson, one 13 and the other 7, of the par- 
 ty stopped with us; husband engaged to take them in the first 
 part of the journey, but when they arrived here they went directly 
 to W. Walla, being persuaded not to stay by some of the party 
 on account of the Indians. When I arrived at W. W. they saw 
 me and made themselves known to me and expressed a desire to 
 come home with me. The girls were so urgent to stop that I 
 could not well refuse them, and their father was obliged to give 
 them up. I felt unwilling to increase my family at that time, 
 but now have no reason to regret it, as they do the greater part of 
 my work and go to school besides. I should like to keep on and 
 tell you how I found things when I reached home; but this sheet 
 is full; I will, however, take another and direct it to Sister Perkins, 
 and as it is but the continuation of this, I presnme she will allow 
 you the privilege of reading it. I sympathize with you and Mrs. 
 M. in the affliction of a broken breast. Please remember me to 
 her if with you. 
 
 We send you a bunch of twine and desire to exchange it for 
 some shoe thread if you are willing and can spare it. 
 
 I often think and dream of you and the scenes of the past. 
 Neither do I forget you in my weak supplications at a throne of 
 grace and the people for whom you labour; but especially at the 
 seasons of our mothers' meetings do I feel a meeting of hearts 
 around the mercy seat clearer and sweeter to me than all this 
 earth can afford. 
 
 Kind regards to your dear husband, and please give many 
 kisses to the sweet babes for me. 
 
 Your sister, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 Mrs. L. E. Brewer, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 73 
 
 WAHXATPU, Jan. 31st, 1S44. 
 
 Beloved Sister: — My story was so long that I could not put it 
 all on one sheet, so I told Sister Brewer I would take another 
 and direct it to you, for I presume you would allow her the pe- 
 rusal. Before I begin, however, I will speak of the interest of this 
 day to us as mothers, it being the last Wednesday of the month, 
 and according to our constitution we have agreed to observe it as 
 a dav of fasting and prayer on our own account and our chil- 
 dren's. It did not occur to me last winter while I was with you. 
 It is a change that has been recently made in our constitution. 
 It is a pleasing thought to feel that on this day our hearts cen- 
 tre at one point, namely, the Mercy Seat, with all our interesting 
 charges in our arms as the mothers of old were agreed in bring- 
 ing their children to the Saviour while on the earth. Although 
 we are so widely separated in person, yet we meet there and feel 
 that our hearts are one for our object is one, and a dear one, too, 
 to every mother's heart. O when shall we be permitted to see 
 these heathen mothers as anxious and enjoy as much comfort in 
 bringing their children to the Saviour in such meetings as is 
 their privilege to? Perhaps you may live to see it, but I have no 
 reason to think 1 shall. I have written to Sister B. the particu- 
 lars concerning my health to which I must refer you. I must 
 begin my story, or I shall not be able to finish it even on this 
 sheet. 
 
 When I arrived home, I found Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn occu- 
 pying my bedroom. She was sick, having been confined a few 
 days before I came. The room east of the kitchen, Mr. East and 
 family occupied — four children, all small. Mr. Looney, with a 
 family of six children and one young man by the name of Smith, 
 were in the Indian room. My two boys, Perrin Whitman and 
 David, slept up-stairs. Alex., the Frenchman, in the kitchen, and 
 Mary Ann and Helen in the trundle-bed in the room with Mr. 
 Littlejohn. The dining room alone remained for me, husband 
 and my two English girls; all of these were fed from our table 
 except Mr. Looney's family, and our scanty fare consisted of 
 potatoes and corn meal, with a little milk occasionally, and 
 
174 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL EEUNION 
 
 cakes from the burnt wheat. This was a great change for me 
 from the well furnished tables of Waskopum and Willamette. 
 
 Thus it continued for four weeks with the exception of the 
 slaying of a lean hog as often as required. Besides those fed at 
 our table, there were three families in Mr. Gray's house that were 
 supplied with provisions by us; one a widow woman with three 
 children, whose husband was drowned in crossing the Snake 
 river, and another with four, and an aged couple. These consti- 
 tute the foreign inhabitants of Waiilatpu. 
 
 In about five weeks after my return, Mr. L. and family re- 
 moved into a room prepared for thein over the cellar, Mr. Looney 
 to the Prince's house up the river, and Mr. East to Mr. Spalding's, 
 taking with them one of the daughters of Mrs. Eyers, the widow, 
 to live with Mrs. S. During all this period and for some time 
 after I was to sick too make any effort at arranging m} r house, or 
 to have the care of my family, and the confusion and noise dis- 
 tressed me exceedingly, for every child about the house, my own 
 with the rest, were as wild and uncontrollable as so many wild 
 animals. 
 
 As soon as Mrs. L. recovered her health and got settled, she 
 opened a school for the children of the white inhabitants which 
 numbers fifteen scholars. Now our children are quite tame and 
 manageable and we feel that they are all enjoying a great privilege. 
 How many times I have thought of Henry and Ellen and wished 
 they could enjoy the same. For about a month past my health 
 has so much improved that I have had strength to set some part 
 of my house in order by degrees and to relieve my husband in 
 his care of the family in a good measure. He never expects 
 me to be anything more than an invalid, consequently my labours 
 will be circumscribed. 
 
 I hope your dear husband will favour us with his presence at 
 our expected meeting, accompanied by Mr. Lee. 
 
 111 all things I desire to be submissive to the will of my Sav- 
 iour, although at times I have felt that it was trying to be taken 
 away in the midst of my days and without accomplishing more 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 75 
 
 for Christ. The Lord's time is the best for us if we can always 
 feel it to be so, which I desire to do. 
 
 Do pray for your unworthy sister, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 Mrs. Elvira Perkins, 
 
 Waskopum. 
 
 Waiilatpu, April 24, 1844. 
 
 Dear Sister Brezcer:— I hear that you are alone and I thought 
 I would write a little to comfort, or at least to assure you that I 
 have not forgotten you or yours, although I am unable to write 
 as much as I would like to. Your letter, together with the accom- 
 paning ones, came in a good time when they did us much good, 
 and I have wanted very much to reply to them earlier, but have 
 felt too unwell most of the time, or had so much caie I could not 
 find time when I was able. You have had the trouble of enter- 
 taining our winter visitors, and longer, too, I fear, than you knew 
 how. I sympathize with you and hope provisions have not been 
 as short with you as us, but fear they have been more so. We were 
 greatly in hopes that we should have one of your number to visit 
 with us this spring, but it seems Mr. and Mrs. P. and family have 
 gone below. I hear nothing from Sister Abernethy nor any of 
 them below; I desire to very much. I wish you could visit us 
 this summer — will you not try? It would be so refreshing. Do 
 come — all of you. How I do desire to enjoy another refreshing 
 season of divine worship and social privileges, such as I used to 
 last summer. But 1 do not know as I may ever in this world. 
 
 Our Indians have been very much excited this spring, but are 
 now quiet. The influx of emigration is net a going to let us live 
 in as much quiet, as it regards the people, as we have done. 
 
 I must close. This is a miserable letter and not worth read- 
 ing; I have written in such haste. But this one thing be assured, 
 I still love and think of you with increased interest, and if we 
 
176 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 meet no rnore in this world, it gives me joy to think we may meet 
 
 in Heaven and there, being washed white in the blood of the Lamb, 
 
 Praise Him continually. 
 
 Affectionately yours, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 Mrs. L. L. Brewer, 
 
 Waskopum. 
 
 Waiilatpu, Oregon Territory,) 
 May 18th, 1844. j 
 
 Mrs. Lydia E. Porter, My Dear Sister: — It is impossible for 
 me to describe the many pleasing associations that entwined 
 around my heart as I perused the three tokens of affectionate re- 
 membrance received by the hand of my husband, from the 
 friends of my early youth, the dearest friends of my heart, and 
 friends of my Saviour, too. It would have been an indescribable 
 favour to have participated with hirn in the visit; but this could 
 not have been, short as it was. It is a great satisfaction to me 
 and was to him to have seen your faces again in the flesh. That 
 I shall ever be permitted to visit my dear native Prattsburg again 
 is very uncertain. I do not desire to, so long as my poor ineffi- 
 cient services are needed here, much as I should enjoy the visit. I 
 had rather try to induce my friends to come and see me and seek 
 a home in Oregon. A wide door of usefulness is open here to 
 the philanthropic and benevolent heart. Multitudes are flocking 
 to this land and will continue to in still greater numbers, and 
 for every purpose. And our anxious desire is that the salt of the 
 earth should be found among them, also that this entire country 
 may be seasoned with heavenly influence from above. The powers 
 of darkness have long held their undivided sway over this land, 
 and we feel that Satan will not quietly yield his dominions to 
 another. He is on the alert with all his hosts, and in as many 
 ways as he has numbers employed to gain the entire victory to 
 keep and drive from the field all who molest or disturb his quiet. 
 Many souls are here for whom Christ died, and multitudes more 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 77 
 
 unconcerned are hastening to this far-distant land to seek their for- 
 tune of wordly goods, regardless of their treasure in heaven. But 
 thanks be to the hearer of prayer, many already have found 
 Christ in Oregon, who have long rejected him in a gospel land. 
 Last summer while husband was absent, I had the unspeakable 
 happiness of attending two meetings of days at different places — 
 while on a visit to the Willamette among our Methodist friends. 
 Almost every soul was affected with divine truth and many, we 
 trust, found peace in believing. 
 
 I left the station soon after husband's departure and spent 
 the winter with Messrs. Lee, Perkins and Brewer's families, of the 
 Methodist mission. My health was quite poor, indeed I was un- 
 able to ride to any of the stations of our mission, and being in- 
 vited and desirous of visiting them, I availed myself of the oppor- 
 tunity of a passage down the river in the express boats. In April, 
 returned to the station, and in June went to Vancouver and the 
 Willamette on a visit, as there was no female society at the sta- 
 tion. I enjoyed my visit much; having been so long from the 
 civilized world, it seemed good to get among Christians once 
 more. I was in the Willamette when husband arrived at this 
 place. He could not come for me as he had to visit Brother Spald- 
 ing's on an express, as Sister S. was then at the point of death 
 and had been dangerously ill for some time. But she has been 
 mercifully spared to us, and is now enjoying comfortable health. 
 From Mr. S. he returned to the station to make arrangements for 
 imparting provisions to the emigrants, which took all the station 
 raised the past year, leaving us to obtain our supplies from 
 Brother Spalding. Immediately he was obliged to go a hundred 
 and sixty miles to Brother Eells to attend Sister E. in her expect- 
 ed confinement. Before he returned I was making my way up 
 the river under the protection of Rev. Jason Lee, superintendent 
 of that mission, who was coming up as far as their mission at 
 the Dalls. It was at this place we met after a separation of 
 little more than a year, rejoicing in the mercy of God to us both 
 in sparing our lives and permitting us to see each other again. 
 We came home immediately and re-organized our family which 
 had increased considerably. My health, which before had been 
 
178 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 very feeble, was most precarious for three months after my re- 
 turn. At one time I was brought very near the gates of death. I 
 am at present by no means perfectly well, but am more comfort- 
 able than I then feared I ever should be. I desire to spend the 
 remnant of my day to the glory of God, and to be in constant 
 readiness for my departure, for I feel that it is not far distant. 
 Truly you and your dear husband have been deeply afflicted 
 in the death of so many members of your beloved families. I 
 feel to sympathize with you and your truly bereaved and aged 
 father. Please present my love and kindest remembrances to him. 
 I could not keep from weeping in hearing my husband's interest- 
 ing description of him. Surely, what has he to bind him to 
 earth when the most of his beloved family is in heaven. I love 
 to think of them there as my own dear friends, for I hope soon to 
 be with them. 
 
 Husband has been writing to Father Hotchkiss concerning 
 this country, what I hope your dear husband will see, and with 
 other friends be prevailed upon to come to this country and 
 adopt it as your own. Be assured nothing would give us greater 
 pleasure than to see some of our Prattsburg friends here in Ore- 
 gon. 
 
 I sincerely hope you will write me often, for I am anxious to 
 hear more particulars concerning Mrs. Iceland's death and her 
 surviving family. You know not how much I enjoyed the read- 
 ing of the Pastor's Wife which Mr. Malin kindly sent me. I had 
 written her, as also Mrs. O. L. Porter, but have received no an- 
 swers. 
 
 Please remember me affectionately to each member of your 
 family, your Brother V. and P.'s family, and all Christian friends 
 who may inquire. Forget not to write concerning your own dear 
 children and your maternal association, for I desire much to 
 know of its prosperity; also of the cause of Christ generally. 
 
 Yours sincerely and affectionately, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 Mrs. Lydia C. Porter, 
 
 Prattsburg, 
 
 Steuben County, N. Y. 
 Favour of W. Gilpin. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 79 
 
 Waiii,atpu, Oregon Territory, ) 
 May 20th 1844. J 
 
 My Dear Clarissa: — I am glarl you have begun to write 
 rue. I hope it will not be the last one I shall receive from you. 
 You cannot do me so much good in any way, except by praying 
 for me, as in writing me all about yourselves and beloved children. 
 I want to see how you look and how you live. I try to be faith- 
 ful on my part, although I have not so much time as you, and 
 many more correspondents. My husband's visit was very short, 
 too much so to gain all the information I was in hopes he would 
 bring me. Yet I am glad he has seen you, although I have not 
 had the privilege. It would give me great eujoyment to visit you 
 once more, but I cannot expect it; I am a missionary, and there- 
 fore cannot seek after comfort merely, but must be content to 
 stay where I am and do the Lord's work. Believe me, dear sister, 
 I am most perfectly so. I would not be otherwise situated so long 
 as the Lord wants me here. 
 
 You and sister Harriet seem anxious to make me laugh. Per- 
 haps if you could see me you would not desire to. I feel but little 
 disposition to, I can assure you, for I have more around me and 
 within, to make me cry than to make me laugh. In the first 
 place, my health is poor, and I feel as if I was not very far from 
 Eternity. My family cares are numerous. I feel sometimes as if 
 I had almost as many children as mother, although they are not 
 my own. Yet I have the same care of them as if I was their own 
 mother; and the native children are more difficult to manage than 
 our own. Besides these, I have a sluggish heart within that requires 
 constant watching. I desire to be cheerful, because that is a duty; 
 but I find it hard work always to be so, especially when husband 
 was gone. But the Lord supported me, else I could not have been 
 at all. 
 
 For two weeks past Mrs. McKinlay has been here. She came to 
 stay during her confinement, as there are no females at the Fort. 
 She boards with Sister Littlejohn, who lives in the east wing of 
 our house over the cellar. This morn we were called about four 
 o'clock and in a short time she was delivered of a fine son. This 
 
l8o TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 is her second child born in this house. She had a daughter born 
 two years ago now that died last fall with the croup. 
 
 Dear C, do you think we shall ever see you in Oregon? Hus- 
 band has been writing to father and others, to hold out induce- 
 ments for our friends to come into this country. 
 
 The Indians are roused a good deal at seeing so many emi- 
 grants, but they are foolish enough to wish to sell their lands. 
 
 Husband tells me that you and mother are in the same house 
 ogether and that Harriet is close by. I think you must be happy 
 n so many of you being so near together and having father and 
 mother with you. 
 
 I wish they would come and live with me. True, they are 
 considerably advanced, and you think too old to cross the Rocky 
 mountains. We wintered an old couple last winter that had fol- 
 lowed their children to this country, for the sake of benefiting 
 them in the things of this world. They were considerable older 
 than father and mother. They came in wagons all the way, and 
 was sick, particularly the woman, most all the way. But the past 
 winter she has fleshed and regained her health, better than it 
 had been for years, notwithstanding our living was very plain — 
 good beef, potatoes and cornmeal — no milk nor butter through 
 the winter. We find it very good to dispense with horse beef and 
 have plenty of cow beef in its place. 
 
 I do not know as I should be more surprised to see them than 
 to see many that I have seen. True, it would be very fatiguing 
 and distressing to both mind and body, for them both. I cannot 
 say that I desire they should endure so much fatigue and suffer- 
 ing in their old age as they would necessarily to come and see 
 me, unless there was a more ennobling object; but for a young 
 couple just beginning in life, perhaps there is not a place where 
 they would do better. Please tell Harriet that I shall not be able 
 to answer her letter at this mail, as I have my Rushville friends 
 to answer yet. Soon we hope to have a monthly mail to pass 
 back and forth from here to the States, then I hope to receive 
 letters often. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 181 
 
 Remember me affectionately to your husband and all the 
 friends there. 
 
 Ever your affectionate sister, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 Mrs. Clarissa P. Kinny, 
 
 Cuba, Allegheny Co., 
 
 New York. 
 Favour of W. Gilpin. 
 
 WaiixaTptj, Aug. 5th, 1844. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Brewer: — Tilaukikt is about starting for the 
 Willamette, and I take the opportunity of replying to yours of 
 June 10th, which was thankfully received. We know well how to 
 sympathize with you in having such boys as Eli and Thomas 
 about you, and for the trouble of those families in passing. We 
 are all of us, I suppose, on the eve of another such scene as last 
 fall — the passing of emigrants — and as it falls the heavier upon 
 my friends at the Dalls, I hope they have laid in a good stock of 
 strength, patience and every needed grace for the siege. We have 
 had no news from that quarter as yet, but cannot think it will 
 be long before we shall hear. 
 
 We hear Mr. and Mrs. Gary are visiting you. Last week we 
 sent an invitation to Mr. G. in a letter to Mr. Perkins, to have 
 him visit us accompanied by Brother P. and any other member 
 of your mission who could conveniently come, and we have been 
 looking for and anxiously desire to see them. Perhaps our letter 
 may not have been received. By the by, we never heard in all of 
 our correspondence from the lower country, that there was a Mrs. 
 Gary until our letters and papers from the Islands arrived. If 
 she is still with you, please do me the favour to present her our 
 Christian salutations and a hearty welcome to Oregon, our 
 adopted home. 
 
 We should be happy to have her visit us at the present time, 
 if convenient. I can imagine myself with you, particularly in 
 
1 82 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 your enjoyments, both social and spiritual, and if it would be 
 right, could envy you. Is Brother and Sister Waller there? We 
 have heard that they were coming to the Dalls, but not that they 
 were come. Do write us when you can. It does us good to 
 know that you all are enjoying such privileges, if we must be 
 deprived of them. I think my husband would have made you a 
 visit if he could have known that it was not convenient for any 
 of your number to come to Waiilatpu. 
 
 I wrote Sister Perkins last week. The Indian leaves this 
 morning, and as I write in haste, you will please excuse the brev- 
 ity of this note. I should like to hear the result of the late camp 
 meeting. 
 
 Love to you all, in which the doctor unites. 
 
 Sincerely and affectionately yours, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 
 Waiilatpu, Feb. 20th, 1845. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Brewer: — I do not recollect that I am indebted 
 to you, but having a favourable opportunity of sending, and feel- 
 ing desirous of a social chat with you, I have seated myself to 
 write, although my baby is whining and the children are busy 
 about me like so many bees. 
 
 I am anticipating very much enjoyment from your contem- 
 plated visit to us this season. I hope you will not disappoint us. 
 Please let me know about the time when you will probably come. 
 
 [ have had a very happy winter in labouring for my family 
 of orphans, and other reasons. The Lord so mercifully provided 
 me with a fellow labourer that I feel I never can be sufficiently 
 thankful. I think I mentioned when I wrote last that we had 
 an excellent school, and that our children were improving rapid- 
 ly; and perhaps I spoke, too, of the conversion of the teacher to 
 God. A kind Providence brought him to our door, and he had 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 183 
 
 not been here many days before, like the prodigal in a far coun- 
 try, he came to himself, and remembering the many prayers and 
 admonitions of parental love, his former convictions and striv- 
 ings of the Spirit, together with the long suffering patience and 
 loving kindness of his Heavenly Father, he resolved to return, 
 and in deep contrition, consecrated himself to his divine Master. 
 Now he contemplates studying for the ministry, and with this 
 view remains with us for a season and will teach school, or, at 
 least, give one lesson a day through the summer, and next winter 
 keep a regular one. 
 
 Since his conversion, Mr. Hinman has laboured indefatigably 
 in Sabbath-school and otherwise for the benefit of the youths 
 and children that have been with us the winter past, and much 
 good seed has been sown which we doubt not will be felt here- 
 after. 
 
 I write in so much confusion, that I shall be obliged to stop 
 before I have said what I wish to. 
 
 Husband is so much engaged in fitting out and settling with 
 the immigrants that he wishes me to apologize to your husband 
 for him. He would write, if possible. He sends some corn as 
 Mr. B. requested. He has none that has been particularly saved 
 for seed; but will, next fall, if desired, save and send some New 
 York corn, which we find to be very suitable for the country. 
 Some beets and acorn squash seeds are in the bag with the corn. 
 The others you requested, we have none. 
 
 Please give m}^ love to Brother and Sister Waller, to your 
 husband and self and all the dear children, and believe me, in 
 haste, 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 N. W. 
 
 Mrs L. L. Brewer, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 
1 84 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 WaiilaTpu, May 19th, 1845. 
 
 My Dear Mrs.Breiver: — My husband and our dear Brother Hin- 
 man are about to visit you, and I wish very much I could enjoy it 
 with them. I have been looking for a visit from you and Brother 
 Brewer, and regret very much that you have not been here at the 
 time you mentioned, for both Mr. Walker's and Mr. Eells' fami- 
 lies have been here. Why did you not come? I am afraid now 
 you will not let me see you this summer; do come if you can when 
 the doctor returns. How I should like to converse with you about 
 your and our trials, hopes, fears and prospects in the missionary 
 work. I cannot write much now, but hope you will enjoy the 
 company of those who go from here and be of mutual benefit to 
 each other. We were permitted while the mission was here to 
 receive Brother Hinman into our church. It was an interesting 
 time not soon to be forgotten. Please give my love to Brother 
 and Sister Waller, your dear husband, and kiss the dear children 
 for me. Have you heard from Brother Perkins lately? and also, 
 Mr. J. Lee, is he coming back? 
 
 Yours in love, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 Mrs. L. L. Brewer, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 
 Favour of Mr. Hinman. 
 
 WaiilaTpu, August 9th, 1845. 
 My Dear Sister: — Your sympathizing letter came in just the 
 time to do me much good. I thank you for it, and for the infor- 
 mation it contained concerning Francisco, and the feelings of 
 the party with whom he traveled, about the orphan children 
 with us. I read your letter to John; he seemed quite hurt about 
 Mr. P.'s charge, and said that he (Mr. P.I asked him several times 
 if he did not wish to go to the Willamette. I saw nothing to 
 
OREGON ASSOCIATION PIONEER 1 85 
 
 make me think that John wished to have his brother go; but, on 
 the contrary, he and all the sisters tried to keep him and ap- 
 peared to feel very bad about his going. If it were otherwise, 
 his actions deceive me very much. 
 
 You are right in saying that I "feel indifferent to what is 
 said about me, so far as I am concerned individually." I endeav- 
 our in all things to act towards the children as if they were my 
 own. My sincere, ardent and abiding wish is to train them up 
 for God and eternity, and not for their transient existence in 
 this life. I try to study my duty towards them in every respect, 
 both carefully and prayerfully. We felt it our duty to have them 
 baptized, as many as were willing to be, and accordingly we did 
 so, the girls only consenting. I felt it a great privilege to do so 
 still, and am greatly strengthened in spirit to labour for them. 
 
 I do not think them difficult children to manage, neither do 
 I have occasion often to use the rod. The little one, as all other 
 little children do, manifested a stubborn disposition at first, 
 which required subduing; since she has appeared well — obeys 
 promptly when spoken to. I have no reason to regret the course 
 I have pursued with her, when I consider the effects upon her dis- 
 position, naturally very obstinate, as well as all the others. Doubt- 
 less this is what has occasioned the remarks, for it took place 
 about the time Francisco went away. Louise, the next older, I 
 have not been able to subdue so completely; but she is much 
 better than when she first came. They were said to be very bad 
 children when they were left; but there was a reason for that. 
 Left without restraint in such a journey, it could not be expected 
 otherwise. Putting them all in school immediately under such 
 a good and faithful disciplinarian as Mr. Hinman, I was entirely 
 relieved of the difficult and hard task of breaking them in to 
 habits of obedience and order. I feel that I never can be too 
 thankful for the mercies of the Lord in placing such a good 
 young man in our family to do this work for us when my health 
 was so inadequate to the work, and the doctor so entirely taken 
 up with other duties with emigrants and Indians. He has also, 
 accomplished the tedious task of starting them all in a, b, c, and 
 
1 86 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 ba, be, etc. They are so well advanced and have been trained to 
 such good habits of study, that my labour is comparatively easy, 
 and I am now taking new delight every day in teaching. All 
 except Louise read and spell well. She is in words of three letters. 
 Some, or all of the older ones, are showing considerable mind and 
 rather seriously inclined. Our Sabbath-school is always an inter- 
 esting season with us — increasingly so. I am desirous to see them 
 Christians. What I do I feel that I ought to do immediately; 
 and will you pray for me, my dear sister, that our instructions 
 may not be lost upon them? I could write much more upon this 
 subject, but have not time. I wish I could see you, then we could 
 open our hearts freely to each other. Do come if you can and 
 see us. 
 
 I do feel, as I have every reason to believe you do, that the 
 receipt of our Mother's Magazine is an unspeakable favour. Situ- 
 ated as we are, away from other help, what a blessing to possess 
 such a pleasing auxiliary in our labours as mothers. I hope and 
 pray that its introduction into this county will be the means of 
 much good. Husband sent the one that came to Mrs. Perkins to 
 Mrs. Willson. Perhaps Mrs. Waller would have preferred to have 
 had it continued to her in the room of Mrs. Perkins. I do not 
 know as Mrs. Willson wishes to become responsible for it; if not, 
 and Mrs. W. would, it can be sent to her. Other numbers can be 
 ordered if desired. 
 
 I received from the editor receipts for each subscriber. Yours 
 I will enclose and forward at this time. If husband had opened 
 my package, he would have been able to have distributed them 
 to all. Y'ou will see that it is given for a little more than the 
 doctor settled for, the bound volume being twenty-hve cents more 
 than the unbound ones. Mrs. McKinlay has all the back bound 
 volumes sent to her order. 
 
 But I must close. If you can read this poorly written letter, 
 I shall be glad. It would be no more than justice to your good 
 sense to copy it, but inability from poor health and numerous 
 cares, pleads to be excused. Please give my love to Brother and 
 Sister Waller and your husband in which husband unites. Please 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 87 
 
 accept of our united thanks for your kindness to him in passing. 
 He enjoyed his visit with you and in the Willamette very much. 
 
 Affectionately yours, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 
 P. S. — John sends an invitation to his brother, and a horse to 
 have him come back. I hope it will have the effect to prevail on 
 him to do so. I feel much for him and wish him to return, as all 
 of us do, and pray the Lord to restore the wanderer to our arms 
 again. 
 
 Waiilatpu, Nov. 28th, 1845. 
 My Dear Mrs. Brewer: — I seize a moment this morning to 
 write you, although it is in the midst of bustle and Indian excite- 
 ment. Mr. Rinearson will hand you this. He has been engaged 
 by us in teaching an Indian school. He is a very agreeable and 
 good young man in every respect, except he lacks the one thing 
 needful. He will be our living epistle to you concerning the state 
 of things with us. It may be that we shall be obliged to leave 
 here in the spring. The state of things looks now very much as 
 though we should be required to. 
 
 We have long been anxious to hear from you. From Indian 
 reports, we fear that you have been through a season of trial and 
 distress the season past before unknown. If so, I hope the strength 
 and grace of God has been your support and consolation through 
 all your afflictions. 
 
 I feel greatly worn out, both physically and mentally, so that 
 I scarcely feel strength enough of mind left to dictate any thing 
 that will be worth reading. But I felt that I could not let this 
 opportunity pass without just saying to you that we often think 
 and speak of you both, and Brother and Sister Waller, too; love 
 and sympathize with you as fellow sharers in the same labour , 
 trials, faith and patience, in the work of our Divine Master. 
 
1 88 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 For the poor Indians' sake and the relief of future travelers 
 to this country, I could wish to stay here longer if we could do it 
 in peace. We fear, sometimes, as if our quietness was past for 
 this country, at least for a season. It may be that you are suffer- 
 ing under the same commotions that affect us, and perhaps more 
 so. If so, you will understand me. Mr. Rinearson has a full view 
 of the subjects agitated, takes a deep interest in our situation and 
 prospects, as well as the interest of the Indians and country. 
 
 I received your letter by Mr. Spalding and was much refreshed 
 by it, and I believe I have not written you since. 
 
 Please give my love to Brother and Sister Waller, and accept 
 
 for yourself and husband our assurances of continued esteem 
 
 and affection. 
 
 Your sister in Christ, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
 Mrs. L/. Li. Brewer, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 Favour of Mr. Rinearson. 
 
 Waiilatpu, April 2d, 1846. 
 
 My Dear Edward: — You can imagine better than I can de- 
 scribe how glad I was to receive your token of remembrance, to- 
 gether with the letters from yourself and Jane last September, as 
 two of the emigrants called on us to deliver them. Your letters, 
 Edward, were just the thing for me. I like such kind of letters 
 as show me the spirit and make of the writer. I cannot see how 
 it should be so difficult for you or the girls to write me, and 
 should think you might write me five or six times a year instead 
 of once in two or more years. I really believe if you were situated 
 as I am you never would write at all. Think of me now while I 
 am attempting to write — half a dozen children making a noise 
 around me, and to put on the climax, the doctor must come in, 
 and taking a paper sit down and read aloud or talk to Mr. Rogers, 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 89 
 
 who is sitting in the room; then in comes an Indian woman or 
 two to sell some dry berries, and I must stop to attend to them, 
 until I am quite lost and scarcely know what I am thinking 
 about, especially when I have nearly twenty letters to write, and 
 but little time to accomplish it in; but enough of this. 
 
 I have just asked the doctor what I should say to you about 
 your coming to Oregon. He says there is no want of inducement 
 for you to come, and he intends to write you some of them at. 
 least; but the only qualification you need, he says, is a wife, and 
 then yon must bring Jane. I do not know what you will say to 
 that. If there were any here to be had, I should prefer to have 
 you come without; but as there is none, and to make the trip 
 twice to get one would be dubious; for this reason, if you could 
 find a good one, by all means get her and come on, and bring 
 Jane with you. You cannot tell how anxious I am to see you. I 
 have been looking for you more or less for several years past. 
 You know not how disappointed I was that the doctor did not 
 bring Jane with him. He wants to have her here as much as I 
 do; but the reason he did not bring her was — (you will laugh 
 when I tell you) — the Indians would say that he had got tired of 
 me and taken another wife, as they do, or was wishing to have 
 two wives. Don't be frightened at this, Jane, and stay away, but 
 by all means come, both of you. We have work enough for all 
 of you to do, and want your help very much. It is a pleasant, 
 health} - country to live in. When once here you will not wish 
 to go away again. It is a bad job to get here, but make the best 
 of that you can and come. I do wish Mr. Pope and his lady 
 would come. Good men are needed here and he would do well 
 for himself. Jane might have come with husband if he had 
 known in season of some good family for her to come in, but it 
 will be pleasanter for her to come with her brother. 
 
 The journey is a trying one to the faith and hopes of Chris- 
 tians. Slvuild you come I hope you will look well to the exercises 
 of your own heart and never neglect to watch and pray. Hold 
 sweet communion with God every day. Make it a point not to 
 neglect this duty and you will be assisted to make the journey 
 
I90 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL EEUNION 
 
 without having to experience the bitter reflection after your 
 arrival of dishonouring God and your profession by the way. 
 
 Dear brother, this is the most important subject to be looked 
 at in making a journey to this country. "See that ye fall not 
 out by the way," was Joseph's advice to his brethren. And it 
 would be well if it were written on every Christian's wagon, or to 
 say the least, his heart, to be called to mind every day or every 
 hour of the day as need be. You will be tried in every point and 
 in many ways you never were before. You may be persecuted 
 and reviled, "but if you suffer for Christ's sake, happy are ye;" 
 but if for your own faults, then it will be trying. Much of this 
 will be avoided if you have a select few who are devoted Chris- 
 tians, united in all points for each others, interest, especially in 
 keeping the Sabbath and social worship, etc. If you come together 
 and keep together all the way, it may be made very agreeable. 
 This, perhaps, may be difficult to find a party sufficiently large 
 to be safe. There are several gentlemen going back this spring 
 that left their families last year and intend returning next year, 
 I believe. I hope 5'ou will have an opportunity of seeing some of 
 them, from whom you may learn more about the journey than I 
 can write. I am not concerned but that you will get here well 
 enough if you start with any suitable arrangement; but I am 
 more anxious lest you should not at all times bring honour upon 
 Christ, our dear Redeemer, who died to save us. The excitement 
 is great and objects of faith are too apt to be lost sight of in 
 objects of sense, and our duty of prayer and watchfulness neglect- 
 ed. When you have experienced what I have, and heard and seen 
 what I have in others, you will believe me if you do not feel the 
 importance now. 
 
 Hoping the Lord will bring you safely here and that we shall 
 be permitted to see each other's faces in the flesh and enjoy His 
 unspeakable favours together in glorifying Him while we live. 
 
 So prays your devoted sister, 
 
 NARCISSA. 
 
 P. S. — There were many very useful articles in the box you sent 
 me for all of which I thank you. I was in hopes of finding one little 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION I9I 
 
 article more that is needed more than most any other because it 
 cannot be obtained here; namely, a pi-la-ain, as the Indians call 
 it (louse trap). You will understand me, I suppose — the finest 
 fine combs cannot be obtained here, for that reason I was in hopes 
 of finding one in the box. I know you would have sent me some 
 if you had kown my need. At any rate, I was very proud to get 
 what I did from you, because it came from you, dear brother. 
 
 WaiilaTpu, April 2, 1846. 
 
 My Dear Jane: — The season for sending letters has nearly ar- 
 rived, and I begin to feel as if I must be about writing to some 
 of my friends or they will complain of my negligence or forget- 
 fulness. I believe I have written very few letters since the doc- 
 tor returned. My health has been so poor, and my family has 
 increased so rapidly, that it has been impossible. You will be 
 astonished to know that we have eleven children in our family, 
 and not one of them our own by birth, but so it is. Seven or- 
 phans were brought to our door in Oct., 1844, whose parents both 
 died on the way to this country. Destitute and friendless, there 
 was no other alternative — we must take them in or they must 
 perish. The 3-oungest was an infant five months old — born on 
 the way — nearly famished and but just alive; the eldest was 13- - 
 two boys and five girls; the boys were the oldest. The eldest 
 daughter was lying with a broken leg by the side of her parents 
 as they were dying, one after the other. They were an afflicted 
 and distressed family in the journey, and when the children ar- 
 rived here they were in a miserable condition. You can better 
 imagine than I can describe my feelings under those circum- 
 stances. Weak and feeble as I was, in an Indian country without 
 the possibility of obtaining help, to have so many helpless chil- 
 dren cast upon our arms at once, rolled a burden upon me insup- 
 portable. Nothing could reconcile me to it but the thought that 
 it was the Lord that brought them here, and He would give me 
 grace and strength so to discharge my duty to them as to be ac- 
 
I92 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 ceptable in His sight. The Lord at the same time sent us a ver}' 
 good young man, originally from New York, whom we employed 
 to teach an English school. He was of great assistance to me in 
 bringing the children into good habits and advancing them in 
 reading, as well as in the government of them. He was not pious 
 when he entered the family, but the influence of being once 
 more in a Christian family, called to his mind the feeling and 
 many prayers and tears of a pious mother and deceased father for 
 him, and overwhelmed him. He went to a retired spot just below 
 the house on the river side and wept bitterly and poured out his soul 
 to God in prayer and consecrated himself to His service. He imme- 
 diately engaged in religious duty and was my associate in instruct- 
 ing and labouring with the children in Sabbath school and other- 
 wise. Several families wintered here, which made the school quite 
 large. At the annual meeting of our mission he united with the 
 mission church. He is now in the Willamette teaching in the 
 Oregon Institute. This was the winter of 1844 and 1845. 
 
 I received no letters from you or Edward that fall and thought 
 it surprising that in all that great company you could not have 
 sent us a single letter. I think I wrote you in the spring by Over- 
 ton's party; hope you have got it by this time. It seems to me 
 the immigration might bring me letters from my friends every 
 year. I have not had a letter from mother in a great while, and 
 I most envy you your privilege and wonder why you did not send 
 it to me, so that I might have the reading also; the last from fa- 
 ther was when doctor returned. I have just been writing to Ed- 
 ward how much we wish to see you both here and hope you will 
 three of you come; there is work enough for you to do. We could 
 give you a school all the time — an English school — our children 
 and the children of the other families of the mission and perhaps 
 some others; also, an Indian school some part of the time. 
 
 Dearest Jane, you know not what special tokens of our dear 
 Redeemer's love and mercy we have been receiving the last three 
 months. Last Saturday, however, was a day of all days never to 
 be forgotten by me, while I live. And can you think what it was, 
 beloved sister? It was this: The triumphant death of a dear 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 93 
 
 brother in Christ. I wish I could enter into particulars and lay 
 out the whole scene before you so that you could see and feel it as 
 I do and those who were witnesses of his glorious departure. The 
 individual was Joseph L. Finley from Illinois, who came over 
 with the last immigration for his health; his disease was consump- 
 tion, and deep-seated when he left the States. He was advised to 
 stop here for the winter because it would be so unfavourable for 
 invalids in the lower country in the winter. You will wonder how 
 I could have the care of him in my feeble state of health and 
 large family. He kept about until about the middle of January 
 and during that time boarded with a cousin that stopped for the 
 winter; when he became confined to his room, I opened my bed- 
 room to him, as there was no other on the premises suitable for 
 a sick man, and a cousin, a young woman, came and took care of 
 him until the families left for the Willamette, the first of March. 
 Mr. Rogers, our school teacher, had the principal care of him, as 
 also during the journey. He was without a well-grounded hope 
 when he came here, and the Lord was pleased to bless our efforts 
 for his salvation. He afterwards desired to unite with our church, 
 and accordingly did Feb. 26th, in company with Mr. Rogers, who 
 had formerly been a member of the Seceders. Being in my fam- 
 ily, I was very much with him and read and prayed with him al- 
 most daily towards the close of his life. He grew in grace stead- 
 ily and felt that he was over-privileged to die in such a quiet 
 place, where he could have the society of those who cared for his 
 soul. Dear sister — he was a stranger, moneyless and friendless, in 
 one sense — no relative who felt the responsibility of caring for 
 him. He was just such a one as the Saviour says, "Inasmuch as 
 ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done 
 it unto me." 
 
 Mr. Finley was nearly 32 years of age — was never married. 
 
 We felt, that is Brother Rogers and myself, that we were 
 abundantly rewarded for all the care and labour we had bestowed 
 upon him. It was such a glorious sight, especially to Brother 
 Spalding and Brother Rogers, who had never seen the like 
 before. Husband and myself saw much the same in Mrs. Sat- 
 
194 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 terlee, at Liberty, when we were coming to this country. Let us 
 praise the Lord, dear sister, and live so that our death may be 
 as triumphantly glorious. 
 
 Affectionately your sister, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 Mr. Edward W. Prentiss, 
 
 Quincy, 
 
 Illinois. 
 
 Waiilatpu, May 15th, 1846. 
 
 Edward and Jane Prentiss, My Dear Brother and Sister: — It 
 gave us much pleasure to receive your letter by the last emigra- 
 tion, but it would have given us more to have seen you both here. 
 If I could have known more when I was home I would have tried 
 to have had you both come out with me. It is now, however, 
 still favourable for you to come. Narcissa wants Jane to come 
 and I want Edward, but it is not for us that you should come but 
 for yourselves and the Lord. Edward would do well to have a 
 wife and then come, and Jane will be agreeable with or without a 
 husband, as suits her best; but if she comes without one, I shall 
 try to convince her of her duty to marry. This country needs 
 those who are able and willing to found and support society, re- 
 ligion, and schools. There are the best inducements to young 
 men to come and locate a mile square of first-rate land in a 
 better climate than in any of the States, with the broad Pacific 
 ocean to open in prospect before them. A good title will be 
 secured to all who locate and reside on or occupy land or mile 
 squares, according to the Oregon laws. 
 
 You must see how fine it is for a settler not only not to have 
 to feed his stock as a general thing, but when he first comes, his 
 poor stock can winter the fir=>t winter without the need of provid- 
 ing for them. We want a school teacher every winter, and shall 
 like to employ you the first winter, at least, until you can look 
 around. We had a good, pious teacher last winter and may have 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 195 
 
 him the next. He adds instruction in musick. I believe he wrote 
 Jane on the spur of Mrs. Whitman's promising to write his mother 
 in case he would write one of her friends. He is studying for the 
 ministry with one of the ministers of our mission, Rev. Elkanah 
 Walker. 
 
 It cannot be much for you to come the rest of the way now 
 you are so near, and more since you have become weaned from 
 favorite spots of your youth. If Father and Mother Prentiss 
 should consent to come with you, I think they would be rejoiced 
 in their old age. A light wagon with an ox team is the best for 
 families, as all must keep company on the road. Eet provisions 
 so far as can be, be the only loading. Necessities for the journey 
 are all you want, unless you have special reasons for bringing 
 something in particular. The intimations in your letter that you 
 might come if we would write you, give us hope to look for you 
 the next year. In the meantime.get Brother Jackson and Kenny, 
 etc., to come with you, as also Galusha and Father and Mother 
 Prentiss. 
 
 It is a hurried letter I have to give you, but I hope it will be 
 taken as a token of our love to you both, with desire to see you. 
 
 With our united love to you both, 
 
 I am your affectionate brother, 
 
 Marcus Whitman. 
 
 Jane, you need not fear what rny husband says. I am not 
 anxious you should without you find a good husband and desire 
 to. But come and see us at any rate. Mr. Rogers has written 
 you and given you much interesting information about the jour- 
 ney, etc. Don't take it amiss that he has written you — he has 
 "illy helped me to tell a part of my story. I should have written 
 to his mother if I could, but I have had to write such a long 
 letter to Mr. Finley's father — the young man that died here — 
 that I could not get the time. 1 wish you could see it. He lives 
 in the same town that Mr. Roger's parents do, so if Edward ever 
 travels there he can inquire for it if you please, and they are 
 willing to show it. E. and Jane, where are you now? Have ymi 
 
I96 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 gone back to see mother again? I wish I could see her, too; but 
 you will not thank me for writing so. I am in a hurry and can- 
 not do otherwise; so this or none. Goodbye; come and see us as 
 soon as you can. Love to all inquiriug friends. 
 
 Your sister, 
 
 Narcissa. 
 Mr. Edward W. Prentiss, 
 
 Quincy, 
 
 Illinois. 
 Care of Mr. Pope. 
 
 WaiilaTpu, July 17th, 1S46. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Brewer: — A long silence has prevailed of late 
 between us as to letter writing, and it is perhaps my fault as much 
 as any one. I find it increasingly difficult for me to command a 
 sufficient relief from the cares of so numerous a family of chil- 
 dren to write as many letters as I desire to. Another reason — I 
 have been looking for a visit from you all summer long, and do- 
 not yet feel willing to give it up. We have heard you started 
 once and came part way and was obliged to return on account of 
 sickness. 1 regret this very much, for had you come at that time 
 you would have met Mr. and Mrs. Eells here, who would have 
 rejoiced very much to see you. Will you not make another effort 
 when Mr. S. returns and accompany him. I should be so delighted 
 to see you and yours once more, and also to become acquainted 
 with Mr. and Mrs. Gary of whom I have. heard much. This is a 
 dry and thirsty land for Christian communion and fellowship. I 
 do long for the society of some Christian sisters. 
 
 We have had a quiet time for a few weeks past, and a precious 
 season of rest it has been to us. We seem to be renewing strength 
 for the season of burthen and trial that generally falls upon us 
 the other portions of the year. I have been trying to read a little, 
 for I find my mind suffers without more food than I am able to 
 give it at some seasons, especially when we are thronged with 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION I97 
 
 company, and many and complicated duties are pressing upon 
 our hands. 
 
 But seasons of rest and quiet are of but short duration both 
 for you as well as us. The Indians tell us that more Americans 
 are coming, so that we shall soon be thronged again. We are 
 looking with some interest for an associate to be among them, 
 and hope we shall not be disappointed. 
 
 The Indians are very quiet now and never more friendly. 
 There has been some deaths among them of the most important 
 Indians, the past winter and spring, and we are not without hope 
 that some of them have gone to be with the Saviour. So far as 
 the Indians are concerned our prospects of permanently remain- 
 ing among them were never more favourable then the present. I 
 feel distressed sometimes to think I am making so little personal 
 effort for their benefit, when so much ought to be done, but per- 
 haps I could not do more than I am through the family. It is 
 a great pleasure to them to see so many children growing up in 
 their midst. Perrin, the eldest, is able to read Nez Perces to them 
 and when husband is gone, takes his place and holds meetings 
 with them. This delights them very much. I have much to write 
 you, but I am still waiting, hoping to see you. But I will give 
 you a specimen of my eligible situation for writing. I have six 
 girls sewing around me, or rather five — for one is reading, and the 
 same time my baby is asking to go and bathe — she is two years 
 the last of May, and her uneasiness and talk does not help me to 
 many very profitable ideas. Now another comes with her work 
 for me to fix. So it is from morning until evening; I must be 
 with them or else they will be doing something they should not, 
 or else not spending their time profitably. I could get along 
 some easier if I could bring my mind to have them spend their 
 time in play, but this I cannot. Now all the girls have gone to 
 bathe and this will give me time for a few moments to close my 
 letter in peace; they are very good girls and soon will be more help 
 to me than they are now, although at present they do consider- 
 able work. Please give my love to all your missionary friends 
 
 and believe me, as ever, 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 N. Whitman. 
 
198 TWENTY-FIRST' 1 ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 Waiii,ATPU, Oct. 19th, 1846. 
 
 Dear Sister: — I have been trying to write you some time, but 
 find it difficult on account of bustle and necessary care, and even 
 now it is not much better. By Mr. Littlejohn we wrote you and 
 Brother Waller, inviting you to send your children to school; as 
 you said nothing about it in your last, we think perhaps you did 
 not receive the letter. Be that as it may, we would be glad to 
 have you send your child if you think she is not too young, and 
 particularly Brother and Sister Waller, as they have expressed a 
 wish to Brother Spalding when he was there. We have an excel- 
 lent school, taught by Mr. Geiger, and when he leaves, Mr. Rogers 
 will continue. We have been looking for Brother Waller to bring 
 his children for some time, and hope he will yet do it. 
 
 I have much to say to you and would be glad to write much 
 longer, but you must excuse me for the present as I have been 
 washing today and am now coloring madder. I send this by 
 some young men of the immigrants who are to leave today, and 
 are the last, among whom there is one from Massachusetts; you 
 will find him intelligent and learn, perhaps, news about your 
 home. He is a member of the Congregational church and re- 
 turns next spring for his father's family. 
 
 Affectionately yours, 
 
 N. W. 
 
 Please excuse so short a letter; I hope to do better soon. Be- 
 cause it is so difficult for husband and self to write, I persuaded 
 Mr. R. to write to your husband. Adieu. 
 
 Mrs. L. L. Brewer, 
 
 Wascopum. 
 Favour of Mr. Imbree. 
 
 Waiilatpu, Nov. 5th, 1846. 
 
 Rev. L. P. Judson, My Dear Brother: — I have a last moment 
 to spare in writing, and I have resolved to write to you, inasmuch 
 as you have given me the hint by the note you appended to a fam- 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 199 
 
 ily letter from Mrs. Whitman's friends. I am going to write 
 plainlv to you, for we love you and do not like to see your 
 influence and usefulness abridged. I have known you long and 
 well — better perhaps than you me. I esteem you for your warm 
 affections and ardent temperament, but although these are ami- 
 able qualities, they are like the health of an infant, of so high 
 and excitable a nature that it is but a step between them and 
 derangement or disease. Mental disease is not suspected by the 
 person who is the subject of it. But do not be surprised at what 
 I am intimating. There are but few who are possessed of perfectly 
 balanced minds. I have felt and acted with you on points to 
 which the public mind was not awake, nor ready for action. It is 
 well to be awake on all important points of duty and truth, but 
 it can do no good to be ultra on any of these points. Why part 
 friends for an opinion only, and that, too, when nothing is to be 
 gained for truth or principle, and much lost of confidence, love, 
 usefulness, enjoyment and interest. 
 
 Why trouble those you cannot convince with any peculiar- 
 ityof your own sentiment, especially if it is likely to debar you 
 from the opportunity of usefulness to them. By one part of your 
 own confession let me confute your ultra perfectionism ; that is, 
 you complain of not being perfect and pray for more sanctifica- 
 tion. Now, brother, let that suffice that as long as you have to 
 pray for sanctification you are not perfect, and that as long as you 
 live y»u will pray for it and then conclude you will be perfect 
 when "this mortal shall put on immortality and this corruption 
 shall have put on incorruption," and not till then; and then let 
 us cry, "Grace; grace unto it." Do not think of being an ultra 
 perfectionist until you could bear to hear a man say, "I have al- 
 ready attained and am already perfect, and to use only thanks- 
 giving to God for his having attained to and being perfect, in- 
 stead of praying for more sanctification." If you could arrive at 
 the point where you felt you were perfect, of course you would 
 no longer pray for sanctification, and what would be your prayer 
 after that? Let the thought awe you, for such cannot be the 
 prayer of mortal in the flesh. Prayer becomes us, and we shall 
 
200 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL EEUNION 
 
 not be fitted in this life to join in the song of praise triumphant, 
 of Moses and the Lamb. And now for Millerism. 
 
 I was in Boston when the famous time came for the end of 
 the world, but I did not conclude that as the time was so short 
 I would not concern myself to return to my family. But I did 
 conclude that inasmuch as you had adopted such sentiments, you 
 were not prepared for any work calling for time in its execution, 
 and thinking the work of time so short with you that it would 
 be in vain to call forth any principle to your mind that would 
 involve length of time for its execution, I was contented to pass 
 you in silence. For to my mind all my work and plans involved 
 time and distance, and required confidence in the stability of God's 
 government and purpose to give the heathen to His son for an 
 inheritance, and among them those uttermost parts of the earth 
 for His possession. 
 
 I had adopted Oregon as my country, as well as the Indians 
 for my field of labour, so that I must superintend the immigration 
 of that y^ar, which was to lay the foundation for the speedy set- 
 tlement of the country if prosperously conducted and safely 
 carried through; but if it failed and became disastrous, the reflex 
 influence would be to discourage for a long time any further at- 
 tempt to settle the country across the mountains, which would be 
 to see it abandoned altogether. Now, mark the difference between 
 the sentiments of you and me. Since that time you have allowed 
 yourself to be laid aside from the ministry, and have parted with 
 tried friends for an opinion only, and that opinion has done you 
 nor no one else any good. Within the same time, I have returned 
 to my field of labour, and in my return brought a large immigra- 
 tion of about one thousand individuals safely through the long 
 and the last part of it an untried route to the western shores of 
 the continent. Now that they were once safely conducted through, 
 three successive immigrations have followed after them, and two 
 routes for wagons are now open into the Willamette valley. 
 
 Mark, had I been of your mind I should have slept, and 
 now the Jesuit Papists would have been in quiet possession of 
 this the only spot in the western horizon of America not before 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 201 
 
 their own. They were fast fixing themselves here, and had we 
 missionaries had no American population to come in to hold on 
 and give stability, it would have been but a small work for them 
 and the friends of English interests, which they had also fully 
 avowed, to have routed us, and then the country might have slept 
 in their hands forever. 
 
 Time is not so short yet but it is quite important that such 
 a country as Oregon should not on one hand fall into the exclu- 
 sive hands of the Jesuits, nor on the other under the English 
 government. In all the business of this world we require time. 
 And now let us redeem it, and then we shall be ready, and our 
 Lord will not come upon us unawares. Come, then, to Oregon, 
 resume your former motto, which seemed to be onward and up- 
 ward — that is in principle, action, duty and attainments, and in 
 holiness. Dismiss all ultraism, and then you will be co-operative 
 and happy in the society of acting and active Christians. I say 
 again, come to Oregon; but do not bring principles of discord 
 with you. 
 
 This is a country requiring devoted, pious labourers in the 
 service of our Lord. There are many and great advantages offered 
 to those who come at once. A mile square, or 640 acres of land 
 such as you may select and that of the best of land, and in a 
 near proximity to a vast ocean and in a mild climate where 
 stock feed out all winter, is not a small boon. Nor should men 
 of piety and principle leave it all to be taken by worldlings and 
 worldly men. 
 
 A man of your stamp can do much by coming to this coun- 
 try, if you adopt correct principles and action. Should you come, 
 the best way is to take a raft at Olean, if you are near Cuba at 
 the time of starting. You will need to bring bedding with you 
 for the journey, so that you can come on a raft, and also take a 
 deck passage on the steamboat if you wish to be saving of money. 
 A piece of cloth painted suitable to spread under a bed will be 
 most useful. Do not bring feathers, but let your bed be made of 
 blankets, quilts, etc. If you want any goods after you get into 
 the country, be sure and have them come around by water, if you 
 
202 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 do not like to trust the shippers in the country. A train of oxen 
 will be the best with a light wagon; no loading except provis- 
 ions. Good sheep are excellent stock to drive, and travel well. 
 Some sheep we imported from the Sandwich Islands in 1838, 
 have increased one hundred and twenty-five per cent, in eight 
 years. Think of what a few good men could do to come together 
 into the country. On the way they could make a party of their 
 own and so rest on the Sabbath. With 640 acres of land as bounty, 
 they could, by mutual consent, set apart a portion for the main- 
 tenance of the gospel and for schools and learning in such form as 
 they felt disposed. 
 
 A large country to the south as far as the California line is 
 now open by the new wagon route made this fall. 
 
 You have a good faculty to be a pioneer and lead out a colony; 
 that is to start people to come. But when once on the way do 
 not over-persuade, but remember that the best of men and women 
 when fatigued and anxious by the way will be very jealous of all 
 their rights and privileges and must be left to take their own way 
 if possible. Restraint will not be borne under such circumstances. 
 
 As I do not know where to sent to reach you, I will direct 
 this to the care of Father Prentiss, who will forward it to you, 
 after reading it himself. 
 
 The Indians are doing very well we think in their way and 
 their habits of civilization. A good attention is paid to religious 
 instruction. Morning and evening worship is quite general in 
 their lodges, and a blessing is strictly regarded as being a duty to 
 be asked upon taking food. 
 
 I do not think you can be ignorant of the advantages of this 
 country, nor of its disadvantages. I wrote a letter to Father Hotch- 
 kiss, which I hope was copied and sent to Father Prentiss, which 
 you may have seen. That applies to this section and climate. 
 The country best suited for settlement are the Willamette valley 
 and the coast west. Then the valley of the Umpqua on the 
 south, and still south the Klamath which takes you south to the 
 California line. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 203 
 
 North of the Columbia, you know, is iu dispute between the 
 British and the States; you may early learn the result. 
 
 The greatest objection to the country west of the Cascade 
 range is the rains in Avinter. But that is more than overbalanced 
 by the exemption from the care and labour of feeding stock. It 
 is not that so much rain falls, but that it rains a great many 
 days from November to April or May. People that are settled do 
 not find it so rainy as to be much of an objection. It is a climate 
 much like England in that respect. 
 
 I hope you will excuse the freedom with which I have writ- 
 ten. If we shall see each other, we can better bring our thoughts 
 to harmonize. 
 
 Narcissa's health is on the gain, and is now pretty good. She 
 joins me in love to yourself and wife, hoping to see you both in 
 due time. 
 
 In the best of bonds, 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 Marcus Whitman. 
 
 Dear Brother Judson: — Husband has written you a long let- 
 ter, for which I am glad, for he can write so much better than I 
 can. I do hope you will accept of his invitation and come to 
 Oregon. We want to see you very much, and there is much good 
 to be done for this country in the cause of Christ. Your heart is 
 here, I believe, and ever has been, and you are just the one to 
 come. Wife and children need be no hindrance, but will be a 
 great comfort — true it is some. 
 
 We feel a deep interest in you and love you still, and ever 
 shall, not only for your own worth, but for her sake who was so 
 dear to both you and us. It is a cause of great gratitude that, 
 although the Lord has broken your heart, he has, as it were, bound 
 it up again, and given you still to enjoy the endearing relation of 
 wife, and what is not a small consideration, that of father to a 
 beloved son. Bless the Lord for these great mercies, my brother, 
 
204 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 for we never know trie full strength- of them until they are sev- 
 ered. Should you be called to lay that little son in the grave you 
 would then know the depths of a father's love. 
 
 Please remember me affectionately to your dear wife, and 
 say to her that I should be most happy to receive a letter from 
 her. I would have written you both by this opportunity upon 
 a separate sheet, but for the want of time. 
 
 My family is large and I have much to see to in the care of 
 so many children. Although they are not mine by birth, yet I 
 am interested in them and am much better pleased than if I had 
 not the opportunity of actiug the part of a mother. It is a satis- 
 faction to feel that we are doing good and saving many individ- 
 uals from being worse than useless in this world and lost in the 
 world to come. 
 
 Henrietta, my baby, is a sweet, interesting child, and loves me 
 as my own Alice used to, and I love her dearly; but that tender 
 anxiety, so peculiar to mothers for their own offspring, is not for 
 me to feel toward her, because it is impossible. She is now two 
 years and five months old, and attends school and is very happy. 
 
 For some reason I feel assured that you will come to Oregon, 
 and that I shall live to see you and converse with you face to face 
 here in our cheerful, happy home. Till then adieu, my dear 
 brother and sister, and may the Lord bless you and make you per- 
 fect unto every work through Him that loved us and gave himself 
 for us. 
 
 As ever, your affectionate sister, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 Rev. Lyman P. Judson, or 
 
 Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 
 
 Cuba, 
 
 Allegheny County, 
 
 New York. 
 
OREGON ASSOCIATION PIONEER 205 
 
 Waiilatpu, Oregon Territory, United States,! 
 
 April 15, 1847. J 
 
 My Dear Jane: — I received your letter of March 27th, 1846, a 
 week ago yesterday, and for a whole day I could think of nothing 
 else but you and weep. Not a letter that I have ever received 
 from home has ever given me such intense feelings as this last of 
 yours. I am glad you wrote me so much about yourself. If you 
 had said a great deal more I would have been much better satis- 
 fied. True, we are strangers to each other as it regards our situa- 
 tion and circumstances; but dear and beloved as ever. Scarcely 
 a week or day passes without some incident or other bringing 
 you to mind, and we often converse about you. Oh! how we wish 
 you were here now, this very moment. It seems to me as if you 
 would be happier than ever in your life before. Perhaps it is be- 
 cause I feel that I should be so, which make me think that you 
 w>uld be; at any rate, I have every reason to feel that you would 
 be far more so than where you now are. There are many happy 
 little beings here that would delight to call you Aunt Jane, and 
 some larger ones, too. Why did you not come with Mr. and Mrs. 
 Tin unton? Had you not the means? Oh! if you could only get 
 here in some safe way, we would be willing to pay most any 
 price for bringing you. You say, "you shall have to see our dear 
 mother first." I do not blame you, I would see her if I could. 
 But seeing you cannot go home, you had better come here than 
 stay there and perhaps after a while we may go together and see 
 our beloved parents. Even now while I am writing I feel that 
 perhaps my dear Jane and Edward are starting, or are on their 
 way here. Oh! if I might indulge this feeling. I do, notwithstand- 
 ing the improbabilities, and that, too, perhaps, to be disappointed. 
 There is work enough here for you, and E., too, and just such 
 work as you delight in, and we have not the afflicting trials of 
 which you speak, opposition from those who ought to support 
 and sustain us. True, we have our trials, but they can be borne with- 
 out so sorely afflicting us. If we could only know when you would 
 come, we would send horses to meet you at Fort Hall. As it is I 
 feel so confident that you may be on your way now that I intend 
 
206 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 writing this spring to a friend of ours, Mr. McDonald of Fort 
 Hall, and request hirn to find you out and assist you down, if you 
 are not so well provided as not to need his assistance. This en- 
 couragement we take from dear Edward's letter written in '45, and 
 we wrote you last spring and particularly insisted on your com- 
 ing immediately. Those letters I think you must have received, 
 as they were put in the hands of Mr. Palmer, who designed to 
 reach the States as soon as possible; and he gave me some en- 
 couragement to believe that he would call on you and deliver the 
 letters with his own hands. He said he should return this spring 
 with his family, and if I had known as much of your circum- 
 stances as I now do, we could have said more to Mr. P. about you, 
 and even engaged him to bring you, and we would have satisfied 
 him for it. 
 
 The Lord bless you, my dear sister, and reward }-ou an hun- 
 dred-fold even in this life for all the trials and afflictions. He 
 calls you to meet with, in your efforts to promote His glorious 
 cause, and blessed be His name that He gives you grace to with- 
 stand temptation, and a time-serving spirit. 
 
 My dear husband is gone to Vancouver and has been absent 
 for several weeks. But I am now looking for him every moment. 
 Indeed, dear Jane, you know not how much of the time he is 
 away, necessarily, from home. That is one very good reason why 
 I want you here. True, I am not without my comforts, even 
 when he is away. The Lord has sent us a dear good brother who 
 has now been with us more than a year, in whose society I find 
 much enjoyment and satisfaction. He is the same who wrote 
 you last spring, and you may judge from his letter something of 
 what he is. We talk, sing, labour, and study together; indeed, he 
 is the best associate I ever had, Marcus excepted, and better than 
 I ever expect to get again, unless you and Edward come and live 
 with me. He has always seemed to me very much like Brother Ste- 
 phen, and I have often fancied myself enjoying his society again. 
 I can assure you it is no small comfort to have someone to sing 
 with who knows how to sing, for it is true, Jane, I love to sing 
 just as well as ever. From what I have heard of Edward, it 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 207 
 
 would be pleasant to hear him again; as for you, kala tilapsa 
 kunka (I am longing for you continually to sing with), and it 
 may be, put us all together, with the violin which Mr. Rogers 
 plays, we should make music such as would cause the Indians to 
 stare. 
 
 May iSth — My Dear /ant': — The time has nearly arrived for 
 sending this. I have just been writing Mr. McDonald of Fort 
 Hall requesting him to find you out and assist you down. Don't 
 go the southern route as Mrs. Thornton did and nearly lost her 
 life by it. They lost everything they had and suffered untold 
 hardships. If I had time I could tell you more about it. I am 
 just now preparing to go toTshimakain station with Messrs. Eells 
 and Walker to attend a meeting of mission. It is 180 miles 
 north of us. I have not made a journey on horseback for six or 
 seven years, and you will doubtless be pleased to hear that mv 
 health is so much improved as to be able to undertake such a 
 journey again. I am going to start in the care of Mr. Rogers, 
 expecting to overtake Mr. Eells, who has just been here on a visit 
 and gone to Walla Walla for some goods. Husband can go much 
 quicker than I like to ride, and as he is obliged to settle with 
 and see to the starting of the immigrants that wintered here, he 
 does not leave home until several days after I do, and then goes 
 by way of Mr. Spalding's, to notify him and see to some business 
 there. So you see my dear Marcus is almost always on the move. 
 A head and heart more full of benevolent plans, and hands more 
 ready in the execution of them for the good of the poor Indian 
 and the white population of the country, you have probably never 
 seen. I would write you several pages, but if this should meet 
 you on the way, and you are soon to be here as we most earnestly 
 desire, I had much rather talk with you than write; but if other- 
 wise — if this still finds you in Ouincy — then be sure and come 
 next year. Do not wait to go and see mother first; corhe and see 
 me and then let us go together, or perhaps she may come and see 
 us. If you are destitute of the means, then get some one to bring 
 you and we will pay them in provisions or any thing else that 
 we have to spare when they arrive. If you had a good horse and 
 a good side-saddle, it would be better for vou than to come with- 
 
208 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 out. I shall not be able to write to father, mother, or any of the 
 family now, but if there is time after we return I may do it then.' 
 Husband is equally pressed and cannot write to any one more 
 than the Board. He would like to write to Mr. Foote, but cannot 
 now. We should have been happy to have had Mr. and Mrs. 
 Thornton to winter with us, but they did not come this way. 
 How many will go the southern route this year I cannot^tell, but 
 I could wish my friends would not. 
 
 I should like to say much about the Indians, but cannot. 
 Our prospects for usefulness among them never have been more 
 encouraging than at present. The field is white for the harvest 
 and labourers are needed to enter in and reap. The Lord has in- 
 clined the heart of Brother Rogers to devote himself to the work, 
 and he is now engaged in studying the language. We have just 
 received a letter from the Dalls, a station of the Methodist mis- 
 sion, wishing this mission to take that station, as they judged 
 best to abandon it. To this mission it is a very important station, 
 and the brethren will probably think it best to occupy it; but we 
 shall need more help still, and God grant to send labourers into 
 His harvest. 
 
 All unite in sending much love to you both, praying and 
 hoping that we may be permitted to see you both here soon, dear 
 sister and brother. 
 
 Affectionately yours, 
 
 Narcissa Whitman. 
 Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 
 
 Quincv, 
 
 Illinois. 
 
 Waiilatpu, Oregon Territory, j 
 July 4th, 1847. / 
 
 Mv Dear Mother: — It was not convenient for me to write to 
 any of my friends in the States, the past spring by the returning 
 immigrants except sister Jane. To her I wrote briefly, in answer 
 to the one received in March by the hand of Mr. and Mrs. Thorn- 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 209 
 
 ton, who came from Ouincy, Illinois. It was nearly a year in 
 reaching me in consequence of Mr. and Mrs. Thornton taking the 
 southern route with the majority of the immigrants. What would 
 dear mother and father think if they knew how anxiously and 
 eagerly I am expecting Jane and Edward to come with the immi- 
 grants of the season. It is, indeed, so. We are looking for them 
 with deep solicitude, and hope and pray that we may not be dis- 
 appointed. From what she wrote me last spring, I think she 
 would have come with Mrs. Thornton, except for her mother; she 
 desired very much to see her first. It was the same with her 
 when Marcus was there. She could not come with him without 
 seeing mother first. Although I think she might have been pre- 
 vailed upon at that time to have come with him, if he could have 
 seen a way to have brought her, when he was in Quincy. He 
 learned afterwards that she might have come very safely and com- 
 fortably with one of the families that were coming at that time. 
 I was greatly disappointed and felt almost inclined to reproach 
 my husband for not making more effort to bring her. But it was 
 all right; he did the best he could under existing circumstances. 
 Since that time I have rather been waiting in hopes Edward 
 would complete his course of study and be appointed by the 
 Board to come and bring her with him. 
 
 From their letters it appears he has not been making that 
 progress desirable, and in his last he intimated that he desired to 
 come to this country and wished to know of us if we would en- 
 courage it. Accordingly, last spring a year, we wrote to them both 
 and set before them every possible inducement to have them come 
 immediately, Consequently we are looking for them and shall 
 be not a little disappointed if they should not come. Perhaps 
 my beloved parents would wish to know some of the reasons why, 
 or the object for which we wish to have them here. I need not 
 speak of the comfort and enjoyment their society would afford us 
 here in this far-distant land. That is self-evident. In a tempor- 
 al view, we feel that they would be better situated here than 
 where they now are. As it regards their usefulness, perhaps no 
 place could be found where they could do more for the advance- 
 ment of the precious cause of our dear Redeemer, and with better 
 
2IO TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 success, than here, whether it be as missionaries to the Indians or 
 as Christian teachers among the white population of this country. 
 Good help of every kind is needed here in our missionary work, 
 and if they were now here we could fill their hands (or the Lord 
 could) and their hearts, too, with just as much missionary work 
 as they could well do. If E. still desires to finish his preparation 
 for the Gospel ministry, we would certainly do all in our power 
 to facilitate him, and at the same time he could render himself 
 useful in teaching a part of the time and be of great service to us. 
 We have now in our family a young man of real worth (and he 
 has been with us almost two years), who came to this country 
 principally forthe benefit of his health, thinking to return again 
 after a season, but finding it improving he has for more than a 
 year past been pursuing a course of reading and study with a view 
 to the ministr)-. He had commenced studying before leaving home, 
 but had been obliged to desist on account of his health. Since 
 living with us, he has had his mind much drawn towards the sub- 
 ject of devoting his life for the benefit of the heathen, and last 
 spring came to the determination of doing so; consequently, he is 
 now pursuing the study of Nez Perces language in connection with 
 his other studies. Thus the Lord has had compassion on us and 
 inclined the heart of one dear youth to enter this field of mission- 
 ary labour. 
 
 We have often asked for more associates of the Beard, and 
 thev have met our solicitations with encouragement and many 
 promises, and at one time had an individual appointed for this 
 station; but he failed to meet his engagements and went over to 
 the Presbyterian Board and was sent by them to some other part 
 of the world. At present we have no encouragement that any 
 will be sent very soon. There seems to be a great destitution of 
 laborers at the present time, or of those who are qualified and 
 willing to go forth to the missionary work. This mission is 
 needing another missionary very much to occupy a new station just 
 offered us by the superintendent of the Methodist Mission. It is 
 the Waskopum station, situated at the Dalls, where I spent the 
 winter while my husband was absent to the States. It is an in- 
 teresting and very imporfant station, particularly so with refer- 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 211 
 
 ence to its locality to this mission, as well as li> the cause of civ- 
 ilization and Christianity in the country at large. Our mission 
 have appointed Mr. Walker, of the Tshiniakain station, to occu- 
 py it for the present, until sonic other oik* can be obtained. 
 
 Tuesday, July 15th — While engaged in writing the above, I 
 
 was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Ilininan from the Willam- 
 ette, lie is the young man thai taught our school the winter of 
 1S44, of whom 1 wrote a-- becoming a Christian and uniting with 
 our church. He has come up to try to obtain the use of the mis- 
 sion press for the purpose of printing another paper in the Wil- 
 lamette. He has now gone on to see the other mem hers of the 
 mission, and will probably visit both stations before he returns. 
 He has given us much intelligence concerning the lower country. 
 Five ships are now in the river from different parts of the world. 
 
 Christians of all denominations are trying to do something 
 for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom in the land; but the ene- 
 mies of the cross of Christ are doing much faster. 
 
 If I had time I might write much concerning the lower coun- 
 try that would be of interest, but for the present I desire to 
 speak of our own prospects as a mission, which we feel 
 were never brighter than the present moment. Shortly after clos- 
 ing my letter to Sister Jane, I took a journey to Tshiniakain to 
 attend a general meeting of our mission. It is now six years this 
 month since I made the same journey. Since that time 1 have 
 been obliged to avoid journeying on horseback, on account of my 
 health until the present season. I am happy to inform you that 
 m\ health has so much improved that 1 endured the journey well, 
 even much better than for three years previous to relinquishing 
 the saddle altogether. For this I desire to be thankful. I was absent 
 from home a little more than three weeks. Our meeting was an inter- 
 estinp; one. Never probably since our existence as a mission, has 
 a meeting been characterized by so great a manifestation of the 
 influence of the spirit of God upon each member, as at that time. 
 All seemed to feel that we had come to an import an t crisis and that 
 God alone could and must direct us. Our Hoard had written and 
 
212 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 advised to abandon the Tshimakain station in consequence of the 
 discouragements under which our brethren of that station were 
 laboring. Mr. Kells was advised to remove to this station, and Mr. 
 Walker to go to Kaniish, the station Mr. Smith formerly occupied. 
 This advice, however, was accompanied with discretionary power. 
 Soon after the arrival of Mr. Greene's letters, came the offer of the 
 station at the Dalls. This all acknowledged to be an important 
 acquisition; but wbo of our limited number should occupy it? 
 After much deliberation and consultation, it was finally determined 
 not to abandon altogether the station at Tshimakain, but that 
 during the winter Mr. Eells with his family remove to this sta- 
 tion to act as a minister in the English language for the benefit 
 of our own families and those who may winter with us, and that 
 during the summer his time be spent at Tshimakain, and in itin- 
 erating among the Indians in that language. This arrangement 
 is very much in consequence of the severity of the winter with 
 them, it occupying so much of their time and strength in caring 
 for themselves and their animals. Mr. Walker is recommended 
 to occupy the station at the Dalls. for the present, at least, or un- 
 til it is thought best to make some other arrangements. 
 
 August 23 — My Dear Parents: — I see I cannot finish my letter 
 without interruptions, and long ones, too. Another resolution of 
 the meeting was that husband see to getting houses built for the 
 mothers of the mission families, so that they could spend the win- 
 ter here for the sake of having the children attend school. This 
 would relieve me greatly of having to board them as I have done. 
 
 Since I commenced this letter many changes have taken place, 
 which entirely prostrate the plans and resolutions of the meeting. 
 Mr. W. is unwilling to remove with his family this year, on ac- 
 count of Mrs. W. being in a state of pregnancy, which was known at 
 the time of the meeting, but not made an objection. Mr. Eells and 
 family must remain with them throughout the winter, and conse- 
 quently will not need a house here as was expected. Mrs. S. and 
 children expect to come and winter here unless circumstances 
 prevent. Marcus has now gone to Vancouver on business to bring 
 up the property of the mission and see to the occupancy of the 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 213 
 
 Dalls station. We are unwilling to let it pass out of our hands and 
 fall into the hands of the Catholics. He expects to hire Mr. Hin- 
 man, as he has a wife now, and both are pious, to take the charge 
 of the secular affairs of the station, and in case we can do no bet- 
 ter, let Perrin (the little boy that was with us in Cuba, but now grow 11 
 to be quite a young man), his nephew, spend the winter with Mr' 
 Hinman, as he is very successful in speaking the language, and 
 can read and talk to them a little. Perrin, with one of our good 
 Indians and Mr. Hinman, we think, will do very well in keeping 
 up the station until a missionary can be sent. Perrin also in- 
 dulges a hope. 
 
 Husband has been absent more than two weeks and it will 
 be three more probably before he returns. 
 
 For the last two weeks immigrants have been passing, proba- 
 bly 80 or 100 wagons have already passed and 1,000 are said to be 
 on the road, besides the Mormons. Sixty have gone the southern 
 route that proved so disastrous last year to all that went that 
 way. I have heard that an individual passed us who had letters 
 for us and others, so that we are deprived of hearing from our 
 friends as soon as we otherwise should. It was just so last 
 year, Mother's letter was carried by to the Dalls and brought 
 up again after a week or two by Mr. Geiger and Mr. Littlejolni. 
 who came up hereon a visit. Mr. G. spent the winter and taught 
 school. Mr. E/ittlejohn and family have gone home to the States; 
 they started this spring and came here while I was absent at the 
 meeting. I was very sorry not to see her. She was Adeline Sad- 
 dler; I presume you knew her. She was very unwilling to leave 
 the country, but her husband has become such an hypochondriac 
 that there was no living with him in peace. He wanted to kill 
 himself last winter, it is well for him that he has gone to the 
 States, where he can be taken care of. Poor woman; she is dis- 
 consolate and sad, and greatly changed from what she used to be. 
 It is difficult to define the cause of his malady. He seems to be 
 very much like Mr. Munger, the individual we had here that he- 
 came crazy, and at last caused his own death by driving two 
 nails into one of his hands, and afterwards putting it into a 
 
214 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 
 
 hot fire until it was burnt to a crisp, as was supposed, to work 
 a miracle. 
 
 1 said in the commencement of my letter that I was expect- 
 ing to see Jane and Edward this fall; but from those who have 
 already passed we can hear nothing from them, notwithstanding 
 they may be on the road, for among so many, it is not expected 
 that all will be known to each other. 
 
 It is difficult to imagine what kind of a winter we shall have 
 this winter, for it will not be possible for so many to all pass 
 through the Cascade mountains into the Willamette this fall, 
 even if they should succeed in getting through the Blue Mountains 
 as far as here. From the Dalls on to the Willamette is considered 
 the worst part of the route from the States to the end, that is, to 
 the Willamette valley. We are not likely to be as well off for 
 provisions this season as usual — our crops are not as abundant. 
 
 Poor people — those that are not able to get on, or pay for what 
 they need — are those that will most likely wish to stop here, judg- 
 ing from the past; and connected with this, is a disposition not 
 to work, at any rate, not more than they can help. The poor In- 
 dians are amazed at the overwhelming numbers of Americans 
 coining into the country. They seem not to know what to make 
 of it. Very many of the principal ones are dying, and some have 
 been killed by other Indians, in going south into the region of 
 California. The remaining ones seem attached to us, and cling to 
 us the closer; cultivate their farms quite extensively, and do not 
 wish to see any Sniapus (Americans) settle among them here; 
 they are willing to have them spend the winter here, but in the 
 spring they must all goon. They would be willing to have more 
 missionaries stop and those devoted to their good. They expect 
 that eventually this country will be settled by them, but they 
 wish to see the Willamette filled up first. 
 
 We wish to employ a teacher for the winter. If J. and l{. do 
 not come, we must look out for someone among the immigrants. 
 We should prefer an accomplished young lady from the Eastern 
 States, if such could be found to teach the children of our families. 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 21 5 
 
 Young ladies arc greatly needed in this country as teachers — also 
 female help of all kinds. Many more men than women come 
 into the country. Almost every body has been sick in the West- 
 ern States which is said to be the cause of so large influx this way. 
 When 1 heard that dear brother Harvey was going to Virginia, I 
 could not but help desiring him to come this way. (), if lie was 
 here now to take our farm, how much better it would be for him 
 and us, too; we need just such a man. 1 would that he would come 
 and two or three others just like him, for their help is greatly need- 
 ed. I wrote him to come, but do not know that he got my letter. 
 Husband is wearing out fast; his heart and hands are so full all 
 the time, that his brethren feel solicitous about him, but cannot 
 help him; his benevolence is unbounded, and he oftens goes to 
 the extent of his ability, and often beyond, in doing good to the 
 Indians and white men. 
 
 It is probably not right forme to desire to have father and moth- 
 er here; but still I cannot help thinking all the time, O, if they 
 were here. God grant that they may live long to pray for their 
 unworthy children among the Indians. 
 
 We hear that a monthly mail route is to be, or already is, 
 established on the coast south — a steamer to take packages from 
 Panama, that come across the Isthmus of Darieu. I hope it will 
 not be so difficult to hear from home as formerly. I intend to 
 send this that way for an experiment. I send this by our man 
 and John, one of the orphan boys, who go with two ox teams to 
 the Dalles to bring up the threshing machine, cornsheller, ploughs 
 for Indians, and other goods for the mission, also books for Mr. 
 Rogers, the pious young man of wdiom I have spoken, that husband 
 brings up in a boat from Vancouver. 
 
 Now I have the care of two additional boys for a year, who 
 are left here by their fathers for the benefit of school; they are 
 native half breeds. May the richest of heaven's blessings ever 
 rest upon my beloved father and mother. 
 
 From your ever affectionate daughter, 
 
 N \KC1SS A. 
 
2l6 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 WaiilaTpu, Oct. 12th, 1847. 
 
 Dear Jane: — Two men are at this place on their way to the 
 States. One of them, Mr. Glenday, intends to return to this coun- 
 try next spring with his fainily. I have importuned him, and 
 made an arrangement to have you accompany them to Waiilatpu. 
 Now Jane, will you do it? I know you will not refuse to come. 
 At least I feel that you must and will come. I wrote you last 
 spring and told you that I was expecting you and E. this fall, 
 and I have been looking for you in every company that have 
 passed. But I have not seen you nor received any letter from 
 either of you. But a week or two ago when I was on the Utilla 
 river, I saw an individual that told me that he had seen a brother 
 of mine that was near Independence with his family, that he was 
 intending to come to Oregon this season, but could not get ready, 
 but would come next year. He furthermore told him that he 
 wished to send a package to us, and would go to his house and 
 get it, which was five miles distant, if he would bring it. This 
 individual said he promised to bring it and would have waited 
 for it had it been possible, but the company with whom he trav- 
 eled started before he expected and he was obliged to leave before 
 he returned with the package. From his description, I was con- 
 fident that it was Brother Harvey, and you can better imagine 
 than I can describe, the joy I felt on receiving such intelligence. 
 I have also received a letter from father and Brother J. G. They 
 tell me that H. was in the West and that you were with him. Mr. 
 Glenday tells me that there is a teacher in Monticello Seminary 
 of the name of Prentiss, and he thinks it must be you. I am 
 at a loss to know where you are. I write you every spring, but 
 I am not informed if you ever receive my letters. 
 
 I will now give you the arrangements we have made with 
 Mr. Glenday to have you come immediately and directly to us. 
 He says when you receive this letter, he wishes you to get into a 
 boat or stage and go directly to St. Charles and see Mrs. Glenday 
 and make her acquaintance. She is a pious woman and he is 
 highly pleased with the idea of your accompanying them to be 
 company for her on the way. He says he will bring you free of 
 
OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 217 
 
 all expense. Of course we shall satisfy him when you arrive. We 
 are confident that you could not have so good an opportunity to 
 come to this country in any other way as with Mr. G. He is ac- 
 customed to travel in an Indian country, and knows how perfect- 
 ly. I am satisfied that if Brother H. and his family and E. and 
 yourself would make the arrangement to come with him and 
 would submit to be controlled by him (as he is coming in a small 
 party by himself), you would be the gainers by it in the end. 
 Perhaps you would think that for so small a party it would be 
 dangerous traveling through the Indian country. Is would be 
 for persons entirely unacquainted with the Indians and with 
 traveling in the Indian country. But you may rely upon Mr. 
 Glenday; that he knows how to travel and can escort you here 
 quicker and safer and with less annoyance from dust and fatigue 
 and worn out cattle and with half the expense that you would be 
 at to come any other way. Notwithstanding if, after consulta- 
 tion and due deliberation, Brother Harvey should think it not 
 best to come with him but to remain with a company of wagons, 
 you had better come with his family, as from what you wrote I 
 judge you must be short of the means to get here comfortably, and 
 I am confident you could not come so well in any other way. 
 You will always hear it said by every one who knows anything 
 about the way, "Bring as few things as possible." I would advise 
 you and my brothers and Sister L. to be governed by Mr. G.'s ad- 
 vice about what you bring, as well as the amount. I will add 
 however, that I would prefer you would not cumber yourself with 
 anything except what you need on the way, and to bring your 
 minds to need as little as possible. I consider Mr. G. capable of 
 giving you directions upon this subject, and such, too, as will meet 
 my mind more fully than I can express by writing. We have 
 enough to supply you when you get here; and if we have not we 
 can get it here. 
 
 You know not how much you are all needed here this present 
 moment; yes, I may say, we are suffering and shall suffer for the 
 want of your assistance and presence here this winter. 
 
 Dear Jane, I have written in great haste, as I have but a 
 
2l8 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 moment to write, and a hurried one at that; for it is all confusion 
 as usual when immigrants are about us. I would write Brothers 
 H. and E. and Sister E., but Mr. G. wishes to be burdened with as 
 little as possible, for he may have to go on snow shoes a part of 
 the way. He wishes to return next spring, and about the last of 
 August encourages me to think that, if spared and prospered, he 
 will set you down at our door. I cannot help feeling rejoiced 
 that Providence has opened up a way, to appearance so favorable, 
 for the safe, easy and speed}' transport of my dear Jane to my 
 arms. I long to see you all, and should much prefer to have you 
 all come with him if you felt it best. But he seems to think 
 that my brothers would not be willing to come with him on 
 account of traveling in so small a party. 
 
 Wednesday morn — Dear Jane and Edward; — I have been talk- 
 ing this morning to Mr. Glenday about you coming with him. I 
 am at a loss how to direct him to find you. I do not know where 
 Brother Harvey is. Father says he is in Ouincy and that you are 
 with him and that Edward is in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. He is 
 confident, however, that he will find you all and Brother H. as he 
 goes in, especially if he is anywhere in the vicinity of Independ- 
 ence. I expect husband will write Harvey if he gets away from 
 his cares long enough; but lest he should not, I will suppose you 
 all together and talk to you en masse, for it is impossible to write 
 separate letters. We, that is husband and self, think it best for 
 you all to come with him; and he is willing, provided you all 
 would be willing to submit to his laws. He is a rigid mountain- 
 eer, and the principal laws in an Indian country are to be partic- 
 ular in guarding your animals lest you be robbed of them and 
 left on foot. You cannot imagine the distress such an event 
 would occasion. Man}' events of that kind have happened to the 
 immigrants of the present year. It is hard work to cross the 
 Rock}' Mountains in the easiest way it can be arranged. If I had 
 the journey to make, and knew as much as I now do about travel- 
 ing, I should by all means, prefer to travel in the camp of such a 
 man as Mr. Glenday. If E. comes as a single man he will employ 
 him and pay him wages to assist in driving sheep; consequently 
 
OREGON ASSOCIATION PIONEER 219 
 
 lie could come without its costiug him anything. If he has a 
 wife in view, he had better marry (that is if he has found a good 
 one) — let his motto be "a good one or none." Mr. G. says he will 
 be to the expense of Jane's outfit, and I think you may rely upon it. 
 When you get this letter you must write him and direct to St. 
 Charles post office, then he will write you and invite you to 
 come. 
 
 It may not be strange for you to be a little unbelieving and 
 think it not true that we have sent for you, but when you see 
 the big mule that we have sent for you, Jane, your heart may 
 faint within you, and you will feel that it is, indeed, so. The 
 name of the big mule is Uncle Sam. He was left here by Fremont 
 when he was here on business for Uncle Sam. Mr. Rodgers is ex- 
 pecting a brother-in-law, sister and parents, some time next 
 summer. 
 
 Jane, there will be no use in your going home to see ma and 
 pa before 3'ou come here — it will only make the matter worse with 
 your heart. I want to see her as much as you. If you will all 
 come here it will not be long before they will be climbing over 
 the Rocky Mountains to see us. The love of parents for their 
 children is very great. I see already in their movements, indica- 
 tions that they will ere long come this way, for father is becom- 
 ing quite a traveler. Believe me, dear Jane, and ?ome without 
 fail, when you have so good an opportunity. 
 
 Farewell, 
 
 N. W. 
 
f. oa 
 
 ■08