Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/85



CARVER'S SOURCE FOR OREGON 57

Gage, then in command at New York of the British forces in America, and Sir William Johnson, Supt. of Indian Affairs in America, were not pleased with the instructions sent them to appoint Major Rogers to the important position at Mackinac. They did not consider that his career as a "Ranger" fitted him for garrison duty or that he had ability or self-control for mak- ing a safe administration of civil affairs, and they had knowl- edge of heavy personal indebtedness and other habits all too common among army officers. They also feared his influence among the Indians. They knew that the Indians of the West, as well as of New York and Canada, held the name of Rogers in high esteem, from his bravery, wonderful feats of endurance and daring, and narrow escapes during the late war. In the eyes of the Indians Rogers held a charmed life. Supt. Johnson in particular was very emphatic in his suspicions, and planned to keep the new governor within bounds by means of written regulations and instructions as to the conduct of affairs. These suspicions seem to have been justified, for Major Rogers re- mained in authority at Mackinac less than a year and a half, and the manner of his retirement was spectacular. This has been referred to in a previous chapter of this discussion. But it should be understood by the reader that Rogers' side to that story has not yet become fully known and final judgment of his acts and plans then should be withheld. The authorities used by the writer have already been mentioned and the theme is inviting for further research.

Major Rogers had returned from London in December, 1765, but consumed nearly six months with preparations for taking up the duties of his position. He needed to see others than Captain Carver in the development of his plans, and his wife had decided to accompany him. She was the daughter of a prominent clergyman of Portsmouth, N. H., and the undertak- ing was a considerable one for her. They probably traveled by the old Mohawk Trail from the Connecticut Valley to the Hudson so as to obtain final instructions from Sir William Johnson at the famous "Johnson Hall," not far from Troy, New York. Who "grubstaked" Carver for this journey is