Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/241

Rh them on horseback to the mission site, and also furnished a boat and crew to transfer their supplies from the brig in which they were successful about October 6, 1834. Lee preached a sermon at Vancouver on September 28, 1834, and again on December 14, 1834.

Mr. Bancroft, speaking of Jason Lee, says:

"At the time of his appointment to a position destined to be more conspicuous in Oregon's history than at that time he could have surmised, Jason Lee was about thirty years of age, tall and powerfully built, slightly stooping, and rather slow and awkward in his movements; of light complexion, thin lips, closely shut, prominent nose, and rather massive jaws; eyes of superlative spiritualistic blue, high, retreating forehead, carrying mind within; somewhat long hair, pushed back, and giving to the not too stern but positively marked features a slightly puritanical aspect; and withal a stomach like that of an ostrich, which would digest anything. In attainments there was the broad open pasture of possibilities rather than a well-cultivated field of orchard, grain and vine land. He believed in the tenets of his church; indeed, whatever may become of him, howsoever he may behave under those varied and untried conditions which providence or fortune holds in store we may be sure that at this beginning, though not devoid of worldly ambition, he was sincere and sound to the core. Strong in his possession of himself, there was nothing intrusive in his nature. Though talking was a part of his profession, his skill was exhibited as much in what he left unsaid as in his most studied utterances. Frank and affable in his intercourse with men, he inspired confidence in those with whom he had dealings, and was a general favorite. If his intelligence was not as broad and bright as Burke's, there was at least no danger of the heart hardening through the head, as with Robespierre and St. Just."

His subsequent work justifies the estimate of the historian. While his first and dominating purpose was the work of the mission, he saw at once the possibilities of government and its close relation to the cause in which he was ostensibly and directly engaged. He prepared a petition and forwarded the same to Congress, and Caleb Cushing of Massachusetts requested further information from him. Lee had returned to New England, and on January 17, 1839, wrote from Middletown, Connecticut, that there were in Oregon belonging to the Methodist