Page:History of Oregon Newspapers.pdf/86

Rh his own opposition to Russell's having anything to do with the new publication:

"Taking all things into consideration (Bush wrote) I am positive that it would be better if he was not connected with it. And I had much rather be alone in the concern. Russell makes a bad impression wherever he goes. So they all tell me. But he is here, and of course I would not want to tell him so. We must make the best of it now. . . I have not opened a law office, and am not sure that I shall."

In another letter, written by Thurston to Bush, January 27, before he had had time to receive the foregoing, the delegate deferred approvingly to another bit of Bronx-cheering by Bush for Russell. Thurston wrote:

"Now as to [Russell] . . .I am obliged to your for your seasonable hints, as they are my sentiments precisely. In no case should I have advanced another dollar for him, for he owes me about $175 now. I desire you reserve this for me, when you get to work, for I have Russell's agreement that it was to have been paid the first money he made in Oregon. In no case is he to have any control over the editorial part of the paper. It was understood that he was to be, with Stockwell, the mechanical partner. . . Now, sir, in no event allow him to manage the finances of the concern. . . If you allow him to run the firm in debt on any account, you will be in trouble. . . I am afraid Russell will not do. Be be extremely prudent, and if you find him too difficult to manage, your only plan will be to purchase him out in a friendly manner."

In all the Thurston-Bush correspondence there is evident a note of confidence on the part of the delegate in the young editor. The suggestion that Bush buy out Russell appears to have been already carried out in advance of Thurston's suggestion, for there was executed at Oregon City, December 19, 1850 a bill of sale transferring all Russell's "right, title, and interest in the Oregon Statesman, the press and materials designed for printing the same, and everything appertaining thereto, also all my right and interest in a certain contract and assignment executed by Wilson Blain in favor of Russell and Bush (Stockwell doesn't appear in the Oregon City picture at all, apparently) and in consideration of the foregoing the said Bush agrees to assume all my liability under said contract."

Meanwhile, Blain wrote Bush a boost for Thurston, saying, further, with his mind apparently more on his school than on politics, that he had his schoolhouse (in Linn county) up and would open in April. "As I shall have more scholars than we can accom-