Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/444

 t to settle

there, and aided them substantially in making their homes; furnished them plows and cattle, and assured them the protection of the great company. Even at that early date Dr. McLoughlin was convinced that this settlement was des- tined to be an American settlement.

The material for conversion to Christian and civilized liviag, was not the most hopeful. After three-quarters of a century the problem of education for the Indian is still a doubtful one. Jason Lee's idea of teaching the children of the mission to do useful work as well as study, seems to have been followed and approved by missionaries and teachers to this day. His work and methods were approved by men qualified to judge. Rev. Samuel Parker who visited the mis- sion in 1835, while investigating the conditions for the establishment of American Board missions among the Pacific coast Indians, records his approval and ad- miration of the mission ; and its head, Dr. McLoughlin, a year and a half after the mission was begun, sent to Mr. Lee, one hundred and fifty dollars which had been contributed by himself and other gentlemen of the post, with this noble letter of commendation :

"I do myself the pleasure to hand you the enclosed subscription, which the gentlemen who have signed it request you will do the favor to accept for the use of the mission; and they pray our Heavenly Father, without whose assistance we can do nothing, that of His infinite mercy, He will vouchsafe to bless and prosper your pious endeavor ; and believe me to be, with esteem and regard, your sincere well-wisher and humble servant."

"John McLoughlin.

"Fort Vancouver, First of March, 1836."

Toward the end of the same year, Mr. Wm. A. Slacum, naval agent of the United States, visited the mission and all the families of the "Prairie."

Mr. Slacum wrote Jason Lee a letter of high approval, and enclosed a gift of fifty dollars, " as an evidence of my good will toward the laudable efforts you are making, regretting that my means will not allow me to add more. ' '

Mr. Slacum and Jason Lee discussed the situation of the settlers in the Willam- ette, and Mr. Slacum gave important aid to an enterprise of vital interest to the country. Cattle were still very scarce, and a company was formed, by the settlers who had money, to bring a large band of cattle from California. Jason Lee was a leader, if not, if not, as seems probable, the leader in this effort.

Ewing Young, another of the early Americans, went as captain of the expedi- tion. Mr. Slacum took those who went from the valley on this errand in the "Loriot" to San Francisco without cost, and Mr; Edwards, who came out in Jason Lee's party, accompanied these pioneer cowboys as treasurer of the cattle company. The animals were driven up the Sacramento, and then to Oregon, closely following the present route of the railroad. The cost delivered at desti- nation was eight dollars per head. Probably this large influx of Spanish blood is responsible for many of the gifted fence-.jumping bovines that still roam our fields.

reinforcements arrive

In January, 1838, Jason Lee set out upon a journey to the Umpqua valley, to see about establishing a mission there. He spent two months on this quest,