Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 15.djvu/191



DIARY 179

Cayuse War debt. I also called on John Bell about the Indian bill. He has not yet reported it, but says he will soon. I also carried my letter to the Intelligencer to publish. In the evening I received a mail from Oregon, but nothing from my wife. I also wrote many letters and did not go to bed till one A. M. January 15, 1850 Went through the usual routine.

January 16, 1850 This day was spent by the House in attempting to elect doorkeeper. Today I wrote a letter to Col. Benton in answer to his inquiring about negro's rightf in Oregon. Attended the session of the House, franked 14 Pat. Repts. to Oregon, wrote several letters, and attended the Smithsonian lecture in the evening. Wrote letter to the Oregon Spectator, and went to bed at twelve.

January 17, 1850 This day the agents of the Pacific Mail steamers called on me about the harbors in Oregon. I wrote a letter to Robt. Moore about it. Also wrote six pages for the Ohio Statesman in answer to inquiries attended the ses- sion of the House, and talked with members of the House and Senate relative to what I supposed was going about the Pacific line. Was quite unwell during the day and night. Went to bed at eleven.

January 18, 1850 Wrote letters today to some two or three relative to Oregon, one to Franklin Jenkins, who asked me to assist him to Oregon. Mr. Aspinwall called on me today with Mr. Bartlett who called yesterday. We had a long talk about matters and things connected with the steamers, and he told me he thought the steamers would go to Oregon before the time set by the Sec. of the Navy. I got from them Sir Geo. Simpson's letter, and copied it, and sent the same with a short letter to Robert Moore. After various other bus- iness, being quite unwell all the time, I went to bed at 11.

January 19, 1850 This day, soon after breakfast, the fol- lowing gentlemen called, Henry Chancy, Edwin Bartlett, G. G. Howland, and S. S. Howland, relative to the Pacific Mail Steamers. They assured me they would accomodate Oregon. At their request to name some person whom they could employ