Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/668

484 Lapwai, where the press was located. Mr. Hinman rode there and interviewed Mr, Spalding. He consented to have the press go to the Willamette valley, but not without the consent of Messrs. Walker and Eells, who were at the Spokane mission. Accordingly Mr. Hinman secured an Indian guide and rode thither and obtained their permission, but was referred back to Messrs. Spalding and Whitman. Returning to Lapwai, Mr. Hinman explained the situation to Mr. Spalding, who made conditions which would give him more control over the paper than the Salem parties were willing to grant, hence they declined to take the plant. However, Mr. Spalding sent the press to Dr. Whitman, and he sent it on to Wascopum (The Dalles), where it remained until after the Whitman massacre November 29-30, 1847. Early in March, in 1848, it was transferred by Mr. Spalding to Rev. J. S. Griffin, who took it to the Tualitin plains, near Hillsboro, and that year issued eight numbers of a sixteen-page magazine called The Oregon American and Evangelical Unionist. As it may be of interest to show the scope of this publication, the following is quoted from the prospectus in the first numbers:

"It is devoted to American principles and interests; to evangelical religion and morals; to general intelligence—foreign and domestic; to temperance and moral instrumentalities generally; to science, literature and the arts; to commerce and internal improvements; to agriculture and home manufactures; to the description and development of our natural resources; to the physical, intellectual and moral education of rising generations; and to such well defined discussions generally as are calculated to elevate and dignify the character of a free people. — Edited by Rev. J. S. Griffin, and printed by C. F. Putnam. Issued once in two weeks."

The editor, in his introduction, says: "Our list of subjects, to which we are devoted, is not so much an expression of confidence in our humble ability to treat them all successfully, as to call the attention of the writers generally, each to his chosen department of interest and investigation, that all through a common medium of communication, may mutually instruct and be instructed."

The first issue was on June 7th, although it was not dated. It is evident that it did not appear as originally intended, from the following apologies: "A train of unavoidables has prevented our first number appearing as early as intended, and its execution is by no means what may hereafter be expected. We have much confidence in the young gentleman, Mr. Putnam, our publisher, who, being disappointed in obtaining his new ink roller as expected, was left in the first number to the daubing use of a past recovery dried ink ball. Those acquainted with the difference in the execution of the two instruments, know how to appreciate the apology. Some typographical improvements, as well as improvements in the general execution, may be looked for."

The following is taken from the prospectus: "Terms, $4 currency, or $3 in cash, if paid within three months; $4 cash, or $5 in currency if not paid at the end of three months; if not paid at the end of six months, discontinued at the discretion of the proprietor. Advertisements at $1.50 per square of 16 lines or less, for first insertion; and 75 cents per square for each subsequent insertion. A liberal discount to yearly advertisers.

"N. B.—Companies of ten subscribers may pay in merchantable wheat at merchant prices, delivered at any time (giving us notice), at any principal depot for wheat in the several counties, being themselves responsible for its storage and delivery to our order. Due bills issued by solvent merchants taken at their currency value. We will not declare our days of issuing until the next number, hoping some mail opportunity may be secured, and if so, will issue on the day most favorable for our immediate circulation."

Much space in the magazine is given to the history of the Whitman massacre of November 29-30, 1847, by Rev. H. S. Spalding, together with a discussion pro and con of the causes leading up to it. In this discussion, Peter H. Burnett, a