[Footnote 10] They reached Fort Hall in safety, but there, in the absence of Dr. Whitman from their camp, they were told by Captain Grant, in the interest of the Hudson's Bay Company, as others had been told before, that it was idle for wagons to attempt to reach the Columbia. For a time there was a heaviness of spirit among those families, which, like the Israelites of old, had penetrated the depths of the "great and terrible wilderness." But Dr. Whitman, on ascertaining what had happened, reassured them by his bold and manly words, saying to them, "My countrymen! you have trusted me thus far; believe me now, and I will take your wagons to Columbia River;" and he did so, and Oregon was saved by his patriotism to the Union. CHAPTER XXXVIII. Petition of the citizens of Oregon in 1843.--Complaints against the Hudson's Bay Company.--The Milling Company.--Kicking the half-bushel.--Land claims of Dr. McLaughlin.--Names of the signers.--Reasons for not signing.--Notice, deed, and bond of John McLaughlin.--Claim of Alvin F. Waller. _Petition of Citizens of Oregon in 1843._ To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled:-- We, the undersigned, settlers south of the Columbia River, beg leave respectfully to represent to your honorable body: As has been before represented to your honorable body, we consider ourselves citizens of the United States, and acknowledge the right of the United States to extend its jurisdiction over us; and the object of the present memorial is to ask that the protection of the United States may be extended to us as soon as possible. Hitherto, our numbers have been small, and the few difficulties that arose in the settlement were speedily and satisfactorily settled. But, as our settlement increases in numbers, so our difficulties increase in number and importance; and, unless we can have laws to govern us that will be respected and obeyed, our situation will be a deplorable one. Where the highest court of appeal is the rifle, safety in life and property can not be depended on. The state of the country, its climate, resources, soil, productions, etc., has already been laid before your honorable body, in Captain Wyeth's memoir, and in former memorials from the inhabitants of this place.