Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/434



406 EZRA FISHER

The spirit of immigration is great this year, yet it is im- practicable to tell exactly the number of souls which will cross the mountains this summer. 83 200 wagons have already passed this place and the immediate vicinity, and probably twice that number have passed Independence. It is judged that from 5000 to 15000 souls will pass the mountains this summer. Br. Johnson probably will not go this summer, yet I trust that he will next spring. If not, I think your Board will not delay to have a missionary ready next spring for Oregon. I am more and more convinced of the importance of the enterprise and desire to become more like our Divine Master in temper and activity in His cause. But God must bless, or all is in vain. The care of the camp at this particular time urges brevity. When we arrive at Fort Laramie I will probably write you again. I hope to be able to keep a journal through my journey.

Yours in great haste,

EZRA FISHER.

Indian Territory, Nemaha Agency, 25 miles west of St. Joseph,

Mo., May 23, 1845. Dear Br. Hill:

At the suggestion of Br. Johnson, I submit to you the pro- ceedings of the meeting of the New London Emigration Company for Oregon, of which Br. Johnson and myself, with our families, form a part.

At a meeting of the emigrants convened at this place, on motion Elder E. Fisher was called to the chair and J. H. Rinearson was appointed secretary.

On motion a committee of seven were appointed to draft a constitution and rules for the government of the company on their way to Oregon, to wit: Ezra Fisher, A. Hackelman, Eckenburg, Knox, Gallaheir, Hezekiah Johnson and Wm. Bruck. Adjourned to 2 o'clock P. M.

83 The immigration to Oregon in 1845 was the largest up to that time. Bancroft says that it numbered about 3,000. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 1 1508. About 150 more went to California. Bancroft, Hist, of Cal. IV 1571. British officers in Oregon in 1845-6 estimated the immigration at 2,000. Warre and Vavasour, ed. by J. Schafer, in Ore. Hist. Soc. Quar. X:so.