Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/301



OREGON MISSION RECORD BOOK 253

as taught at your establishment For I have seen with my own eyes Children who two years since were roaming their own native wilds in a state of savage barbarism now being brought within the knowledge of moral and religious instruction, becoming useful members of society by being taught the most useful of all arts, Agriculture and all this without the slightest compulsion.

As an evidence of my good will towards the laudable efforts you are making in this remote quarter, debared of almost every comfort, deprived of the associations of Kindred & of Home, I beg you to accept herewith the sum of Fifty Dollars Only regreting that my means at present will not allow me to add more I pray you to accept my dear Sirs the assurance of the unfeigned regard of your friend & obb svt

WM. A. SLACUM

U. S. N. To the Rev. Messrs. Lee

Messrs. Shepard & Edwards

Mission House Willamette

Tuesday 21st Feb. 1837.

Have been greatly afflicted with sickness in our family for a week past an unusually severe cold or influenza having suddenly seized most of the children seventeen of them have been nearly confined to their beds for sev- eral days requiring care both night & day so that we are nearly worn out with labour and watching. Some of them are now getting better. This evening died Mosley Dwight infant son of Welap-tu-lekt and Maria aged five months and fifteen days his disease appeared to be croup several of the other children have also to appear- ance had a touch of that disease.

Wednesday 22d Feb 1837.

Funeral of Mosley.

Wednesday 15th March.

Died Samuel son of Welap-tu-lekt between one & two years old his Funeral was on the following day.