Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 21.djvu/51



LETTERS OF REV. WM. M. ROBERTS 41

on long and perilous journeys. There is no Barn at the Insti- tute and the Brethren spend nearly one third of their working hours in hunting and catching their horses, and sometimes fail to get to their work because no horse can be found. This must not be and I have no alternative but to build. I have already built one in this place. Bro. Leslie 1 now lives at this place in a house which I hold at present but which may be redeemed at any time until the 23d of February next. They have given me due notice that it will be redeemed and then he must vacate the premises; at that time there will be two of us to live with our families in one little one story house 18 by 22 or one of us must go to the Barn, for it is by no means certain that any house can be had for love or money. I refer to these things not to distress you much less to com- plain, for we are very happy a mid it all and would be in a dungeon. But for the purpose of saying it is necessary to build a house for the Superintendent to live in. Arid all this costs money, and is a different course pursued by my predecessor. 2

In both the fact and manner of these expenditures, I shall pursue the most rigid economy : now if I had some tea, coffee, flannell, Crockery, Calico stuff for pants, coarse Box coats or Blanket Coats, made or unmade, some stout shoes or (Boots) (nothing is fit for this country that is not very durable), I could after supplying ourselves dispose of them to the greatest advantage, together with the funds we have in this country in paying workmen &C.

It may seem strange to you that I make these suggestions in regard to goods: but if you were to hear the constant enquiry Can't you furnish me with a pair of shoes ? I will do anything for you for a coat, there is no coffee that I can get &C. &C. you would feel as I do that for the present, the truest economy is to keep a moderate supply of these necessaries of life in the mission. We have had an abundant supply of stockings and shirts, and a little Calico they have been a blessing indeed. We want some small Books for presents for children : I find the Sunday School Books we brought were very appropriate, but I want to have some, more immediately intended as presents.

There are a few Local Preachers comeing in this season, and one (Rev. Asa White) to whom I was introduced on Saturday last, one (an Itenerant, who may help us to some