Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/354

344 was a native of Virginia, and descended from Richard Lee, founder of the Old Dominion family of that name. He was well educated and prepared himself for the ministry, but did not follow that profession because some doubts arose in his mind as to the inspiration of the Bible. He came to Oregon in 1843 and spent the first winter at Wai-il-et-pu. He was a man of much more than average ability, but very reticent when speaking of himself or family. In December, 1847, he assisted in raising the first company of volunteers to punish the Cayuse Indians for the murder of Dr. Marcus Whitman, his wife, and twelve others, and was elected captain. Soon after he was promoted to major, and a little later appointed peace commissioner. Not long after that he was chosen colonel of the regiment to succeed Col. Cornelius Gilliam, who lost his life by an accident, but returned his commission because he thought it should be given to Lieut. Col. James Waters. When the war was ended he was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs by Governor George Abernethy, and rendered good service in treating with the Indians. After that duty was performed he went to the California gold mines and was successful. Upon returning, he brought a stock of goods, and formed a copartnership with S. W. Moss, having already been married to his daughter. In the fall of 1850 he went to New York with a large sum of money, to buy more goods, and on his return trip he had an attack of the Panama fever, which caused his death. If he had lived to return he doubtless would have figured largely in the political affairs of the then young territory.

In the Spectator of July 9, 1846, there is a full account of the first 4th of July celebration in Oregon, and probably on the Pacific Coast. Thirteen regular toasts were given, and the last one is in these words: "The American ladies—accomplished, beautiful, and useful. If every