Page:Journal of John H. Frost, 1840-42 part 1.pdf/1



members of the great Methodist missionary reinforcement sent to Oregon in the Lausanne in 1840 was the Reverend John H. Frost, his wife and young son Emory. The Oregon Historical Society has recently received the manuscript journal of Mr. Frost, covering the dates from October 9, 1839 to July 20, 1863.

The journal begins with the departure of the ship from New York harbor. The trip was without incident and the entries from day to day are little more than records of the direction of the wind, the state of health of the passengers, who suffered a good deal from seasickness, and the devotional services which occupied most of their time. Occasionally they met another vessel, and mention is made of passing some French war vessels. They landed at Rio December 9. That city made an unfavorable impression on the journalist and he was "truly glad when the ship was ready to leave that place of wickedness." February 19, 1840, they were at Valparaiso, where Frost was surprised to meet an old acquaintance from Poughkeepsie, who was in business at Valparaiso. They remained in that harbor till the 22nd. Frost's visit on shore brought forth the comment, "This is called the vale of Paradise, but it is a filthy Paradise." On leaving Valparaiso they did not land again until they reached Oahu, April 10, 1840. After a very pleasant sojourn at the islands, with visits to the American Board missions and participation in the services for the natives, and an interview with King Kamehameha, on April 28 they left Honolulu and arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River May 21, and reached Fort Vancouver June 1, 1840. Frost, with W. W. Kone as associate, was sent to establish a mission at Clatsop Plains.

Wilkes visited his station in May, 1841, and recorded in his diary that Mr. and Mrs. Frost "possess little of the missionary spirit." However Mr. Frost remained at his post for three