Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/32

22 Mr. Mercer to give impressions of Seattle far below the truth. There is much more of comfort and refinement than I expected. But the one tiling above all others with which I am satisfied is the complete justification of Mr. Mercer's expedition, which I find in the facts stated publicly by Rev. Mr. Bagley. It is unfortunate that times have changed since the beginning of the enterprise, but surely that is no fault of Mr. Mercer's. For myself, I think the party is obtaining situations quite as rapidly as could be expected under the most favorable state of affairs, and I believe that is the opinion which the party generally holds. I am happy to say, also, that they have experienced the same agreeable surprises in regard to the country and the people which I have expressed above."

December 18, 1865, Governor Pickering received a dispatch from Mr. Mercer in New York, asking for a loan of three thousand dollars, and announcing that the party would sail on the 22d of that month. The Governor had no private fortune and was unable to respond in any sum, but at once called on the legislature, then in session at Olympia, to make an appropriation from the territorial treasury.

Accordingly the ways and means committee of the House of Representatives presented "House Bill No. 42 An act appropriating certain moneys to aid Mr. Mercer."

The majority of the committee recommended the appropriation of four thousand dollars for the following reasons:

""1. The reputation of the territory is, in a measure, at stake."

"2. The bare idea that five hundred ladies should be left in the City of New York disappointed and unprovided for, when they have come from their homes in good faith, is not to be entertained for a moment by any man claiming to be actuated by the feelings of humanity.""

The minority submitted an adverse report, and after the bill reached its third reading it failed to pass by a vote of eight for and eighteen against it.

From San Francisco, besides the dispatch sent to Governor Pickering, mentioned by Mr. Mercer, he also sent the following: