Page:The Whitman Controversy.pdf/11

 Mrs. Victor intimates that the Doctor told an untruth when he, on his visit to the States, told those desirous of crossing the plains, that they could bring their wagons through the Rocky Mountains, as he had done that thing six years before; but if she will state the geographical fact that Forts Hall and Boise are both west of the Rockies, then she will find that it is only she that has made a mis take, and not Whitman. Between the years 1826 and 1843, Col. Joe Meek, Mrs. Victor's "hero," had solved the remainder of the problem of crossing the continent in wagons, by taking a wagon from Fort Hall to Whitman's mission. She reluctantly gives Whitman credit for assisting in marking out the route from Fort Hall to Grand Ronde—she gives John Gaunt credit for piloting the main body of immigration as far as to Fort Hall, but fails to say that seven years before, Dr. Whitman had, with his own wagon tires, marked this portion of the route for John Gaunt. So chary is she of giving credit to the Doctor that she quotes Applegate as saying that the Doctor's principal service was in showing one wing of the emigrants where to ford Snake river, and in the next note she quotes the same man as saying that he alone paid the Doctor $45. For what?. For showing him where to ford the river? If the lady is really digging for a truth mine she certainly has not struck it in paying quantities in this place.

No one will claim that Dr. Whitman, alone, saved Oregon to the United States, yet we have no record of any one who under went such hardships and perils as he did for the purpose. On the other hand, it can not be successfully maintained that he was an unimportant factor in accomplishing the end he aimed at. Certain it is that he worked zealously at Washington, and it is not probable that his words and deeds were forgotten, even when the administration changed, and when the Oregon question was finally settled three years later.

While it can not be truly said, as some of his admirers have claimed, that he raised an emigration and brought them out to occupy the country, it is, nevertheless, true that he gave all the advice, counsel and encouragement to those who were desirous of making the trip that he could, before starting, and that he rendered them great assistance throughout the journey, as guide and other wise. As an offset, Mrs. Victor tells us that the emigrants hauled the Doctor's provisions. She tells us that he had been six years with the Indians without having benefited or conciliated them; yet he and his associates had printed books in the Indian tongue;