Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 15.djvu/99



FIRST PRESBYTERIANISM ON PACIFIC COAST 91

ing press, with types, etc., to the value of $450. The first book printed west of the Rocky Mountains, so far as known, was issued that Fall in the Nez Perces language and also in that of the Spokane. (Page 225, "The Conquerors.") This inter- esting relic, with several booklets in the Nez Perce language, can be seen in the rooms of the Oregon Historical Society, Portland.

The Protestant missionaries, Jason Lee, Dr. Parker, Marcus Whitman and others, together with laymen like W. H. Gray, were important factors in winning Oregon to the United States. At this early period ( 1834-1843) it was problematical as to just how the question of sovereignty would be settled. England and America were contending, each with valid claims, for the great Northwest. Jason Lee was a colonizer the greatest this country and state has ever produced' through his efforts, mainly, the American population was largely increased. The question was practically settled in favor of the United States when, at a public meeting, on May 2, 1843, held at Champoeg, then the seat of principal settlement on the Willamette River, it was decided to organize a Provisional Government. The adherents of Great Britain voting fifty against and the Amer- icans fifty-two in favor of the resolution.

WHITMAN'S RIDE.

On October 3, 1842, Dr. Whitman left Waiilatpu with a single companion, Amos Lawrence Love joy, a young man from Boston, and the guide, destined for the "States." Each mem- ber of the party had a horse; mules were used to carry the supplies. Other remarkable rides have occurred in America's history. The story of the ride of Paul Revere, immortalized by Longfellow in his famous poem; Sheridan's ride during our Civil War. These rides, however, were of short duration a few hours or a single night at the most.

Whitman's ride was the heroic deed of one man with a single companion, covering a distance of 3000 miles, occupying be- tween four and five months. Many snow storms and blizzards were encountered; frozen streams were crossed; wild beasts