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292 REVEREND EZRA FISHE*

extraordinary spirit of enterprise with the spirit of the gospel. Yours in gospel bonds,

E. FISHER.

Oregon City, Ore., Nov. 31st, 1849. Rev. Benj. M. Hill,

Cor. Sec. A. B. H. M. Soc. Dear Br. :

After a long delay in consequence of our unsettled affairs as Baptists in Oregon, and the multiplicity of cares that come upon me, both of a religious and domestic character, by means of my absence in California, I now take my pen in hand to write you as near as possible the present state of things with us and to answer a few of your inquiries. And, first, I will acknowledge the receipt of a list of letters which I have received from you: One under date of July 20th, 1848; one July 29, 1848; also the box of goods enclosing with them the bill of lading. Goods were received in good order. With this I have an inventory and bill of lading of goods shipped on board the Serampore. One under date of Aug. 8th, 1848, and with it, I think, a commission No. 1281, April 1, 1848. Also a commission for Elder V. Snelling, Br. Snelling is yet in the gold mines and will not probably return until next spring, consequently he will not be able to fill that appointment. One under date of October 2, 1848; one from Jas. M. Whitehead, Nov. 1st, 1848; one from your- self under date Nov. 1, 1848, accompanying an invoice of goods shipped on board the bark Whiton, Roland Gelston, master, with the bill of lading. Goods all arrived safe and in good order, except that the shoes and donation goods had become somewhat moldy not materially damaged. Also one under date of Nov. 23, 1848. I have just written and forwarded a letter to Rev. S. S. Cutting, editor of the N. Y. Recorder; also one to the ladies of the First Bap. Church in N. Y., acknowledging receipt of their valuable donation.

On the twenty-third of August I arrived in Clatsop Plains from California, after a passage of twenty-six days. Found