Page:Letter from the Secretary of the Interior, re Whitman Massacre, 1871.pdf/19

18

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON TERRITORY, March 24, 1869.

JAMES BLAKELEY, and others, committee to examine executive document 38:

GENTLEMEN: In reply to your circular of 4th instant, we would say that we cheer fully concur in the sentiments set forth in the printed memorial accompanying it; and further, from reliable information, and in part from our own knowledge, we accord with the statements contained in the letter of J. W. Anderson, esq., former Indian agent in charge of the Nez Perces nation, as to the influence of the Rev. H. H. Spalding over said tribe.

We also answer that it is our belief that it was by the labors and self-denials of the Protestant missionaries, and their heroic wives, at an early day in Oregon–through the information given by them, both to the people and the Government of the United States—that this whole region was secured. We further believe it to be true that it was through their efforts that the country was thrown open to and settled by the of the United States; and that in an especial degree are we indebted to the amented Whitman, whose presence at the city of Washington, in March, 1843, very opportunely prevented the consummation of a transfer of Oregon to England.

GEO. F. WHITWORTH,

Chief Clerk Indian Irepartment, including Nez Perces Nation, and Minister Reunited Presbyterian Church.

D. BAGLEY,

Presiding Elder Protestant Methodist Church.

J. D. DRIVER,

M. E. Church, Agent American Bible Society.

G. H. GREER,

C. H. HALE,

Former Superintendent Indian Affairs, including Nez Perces Nation.

C.T. HUNTINGTON,

Chief Clerk Indian Department, W. T.

From Governor Evans, Chief Justice Hewet, &c.

OLYMPIA, March 26, 1869.

We, the undersigned, citizens of Washington Territory, have read the foregoing me morial praying the appointment of the Rev. H. H. Spalding as superintendent of in struction for the Nez Perces tribe of Indians, and cordially concur in said prayer, as also in the reasons for said action as set forth in said memorial.

S. D. HOWE,

Assessor Internal Revenue and former Commissioner Nez Perces treaty, 1863.

S. GARFIELDE,

Surveyor General W. T., Delegate to Congress.

A. G. COOK,

Attorney at law.

T. W. REED,

Former Speaker of Legislative Assembly. W. T. and I. T.

C. C. HEWET,

Chief Justice Washington Territory.

B. T. YANTIS.

T. F. MCELROY.

H. K. HINES,

Presiding Elder Methodist Episcopal Church.

ELWOOD EVANS,

Late Secretary W. T., including Nez Perces Nation.

E. S. SMITH,

Secretary Washington Territory.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, the Baptist, the Christian, the Congregational, the Presbyterian Church, the United Presbyterian Church, and reunited churches, in their ecclesiastical bodies, have concurred in said memorial.

''What two missionary women hare done for the country–Hon. Elwood Evans-Success of missions the wealth of the nation.''

After the discovery of America by Columbus, it was not long before the Atlantic Ocean had ceased to be regarded as a great barrier to an advent to the Atlantic shores of the American continent. Indeed, long before the first settlement of New England the continent itself was the obstacle to westward progress, then already the path to