The quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. 4, March, 1903-December, 1903Oregon Historical Society
History
The quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. 4, March, 1903-December, 1903
Oregon Historical Society
Oregon -- History -- Periodicals
"I arrived at this place (Ft. Hall) on the 13th inst., with
my part of the caravan all safe and in tolerable order. * * *
(Unimportant part skipped). Lt. Fremont, whom I parted
with on the South fork of the Platte, and expected to meet
at this place, joined us yesterday after making a survey of
the Salt Lake, which he has done much to his satisfaction.
The exploration and new routes which we have taken have made
our trip tedious and very laborious, but, I hope it will be
satisfactory to the Department. We leave tomorrow for the
lower country, and find it necessary to let some of our men
off on account of the scarcity of provisions, which are not
to be had at this place. The full objects of the expedition,
will, I hope, be completed ere we return. I shall leave the
party in a few days for Walla Walla, or perhaps lower down,
to provide necessary supplies for the completion of the
business in that quarter. I can not say what time we will
return to St. Louis; it is to be hoped before the
adjournment of Congress. The emigrants passed this place
some short time since, pretty well worn down and scarce of
food. The Indians on the Columbia are expected to become
troublesome to these newcomers. It is supposed they are
induced to acts of violence by some persons as yet unknown.
They have already burned Dr. Whitman's mill, and I fear it
is not the last spark which will be kindled in the
settlement and occupation of this country. The Hudson's Bay
Company are improving and pushing their business, perhaps
with greater energy than usual, Dr. McLoughlin is laying off
towns on the Willamette, selling lots, etc. This is the
report, and you can see that the Dr. is in advance of Dr.
Linn's bill."
The foregoing is the latest news from Oregon, and may be
relied upon as correct. Not the least interesting part of it
is that which relates to the disposition of the Indians
towards the emigrants. We have always believed that the
Indians, backed and incited as they will be by agents and
emissaries of the Hudson's Bay Co., and furnished as they
doubtless will be, with arms and means of warfare from some
source, would oppose the emigrants in making their
settlements. That the country must be conquered before it is
attained, we hardly entertain a doubt, and if we did, the
supineness of our Government would only strengthen the
belief. Why is it that our Government is so indifferent to
the claims of the nation upon this territory, its wealth and
possessions?
* * * * *
St. Louis _Reveille_, Oct. 21, 1844.
The Platte _Argus_ contains a letter from "Multnomah City,"
Oregon, from which we make the following extracts. The
killing of the Indian has been briefly mentioned
heretofore.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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