Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 37/Letters of Dr. John McLoughlin
LETTERS OF DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN
Edited by Jane Lewis Chapin
The Oregon Historical Quarterly, December, 1935, and March, 1936, printed letters from Dr. John McLoughlin, most of them written to his uncle, Dr. Simon Fraser, which were presented to McLoughlin House, Oregon City, by a member of the Fraser family.. Recently the same donor has sent several more letters, which fit in with those already printed. The complaints of Dr. McLoughlin about his compensation in the North West Company and his concern over the medical education of his brother David are here continued. As in the case of the former letters, these are chiefly interesting for the glimpse they reveal of McLoughlin's personality, especially his parental solicitude as expressed in the letter of admonition to his son.
Dr. John McLoughlin to Dr. Simon Fraser
Kamanistiquia, 11th August 1806
Dr. Simon Fraser,
Terre-Bonne
My Dear Sir:
I wrote you a few days ago and if I write now it is not because I have anything new to mention but I want to tell you (which I hope that you are well aware of before) that my sense of gratitude to you for your very kind attention is still the same. Now, as to my practice which has been very extensive this summer, among my patients I had one with the King's evil whom I cur'd by applying the common sorrel in form of a poultice to the part affected. The manner of preparing the poultice is as follows: To as much of sorrel as you think proper, pound it in a mortar till it is reduced to a kind of pulp, then put it into an unglas'd earthen pot and allow it to macerate in its own juice over a gentle fire until it becomes of a proper consistency and to be applied in as warm as the patient can endure to the naked sore. The patient I had complain'd it hurt him much and on the very first application the sore assumed a red colour. I have adopted Dr. Darwin's theory i.e. that ulcers of this nature are from deficiency of irritability, and I imagine that there is an assumption of oxigene from the sorrel that gives the sore the red colour and irritates the part to a discharge of matter, in short, gives it the irritability it want'd before. I have had no other case of consequence. I read much on the virtues of Phosphate of Lime in this disease. I would be much obliged to you if you could send me a little as this is a common disease with the indians and in return I would give you an account of its success. Now as to myself who am going to winter in about ten days march from this at a new place, I am told it is a very good country thereabouts. I would be much oblig'd if you saw or heard of any new publication worth studying that you would procure it for me and give to any safe person to give it to me, also if you would let me know of any new discovery in medicine you hear off. I would not trouble you if I did not think but that you would take pleasure in doing me any little kindness as this in your power.
I am, Dear Sir,
Your affectionate nephew,
John McLoughlin
Dr. John McLoughlin to Dr. Simon Fraser
Fort William, 13th July 1808
My Dear Sir,
I sit down to write under a very dejected state of mind, as three days ago I had a meeting with Mr. McGilivray and the terms he offer'd were one hundred and fifty pounds with expectations only as other young men.
These terms on two accounts I reject'd the 1st because they were less than Dr. Munro, although I had serv'd an apprenticeship to them of 5 years for 100£., whereas Dr. Munro had a hundred a year the first four years and two hundred every year after. My 2nd objection was that I had expectations (indeed I understood it so) that my serving an apprenticeship gave me a certain right to look to prospects in the country in a short time after my indentures. Even the comparison of 150£ to 200£ is disgusting enough to make me leave the country. I will give you an account of our meeting as it happen'd, Mr. McGilivray sent for me and after his explaining for what he told me the salary, and seem'd to wait for my answer, on which I ask'd him what prospects I had in the country, he quickly answer'd those of other young men of character. I told him I understood otherwise on my engaging to the Company for that I would not have given five years of my time after studying a profession for the paltry sum of 100£. With that, he told me to think of his offers and give him an answer that he would not stand on a triffle, but it was impossible for him to give me expectations. I told him that I did not like the proposals and therefore was going down. You now see the whole. I suppose that you are of my mind that the first proposal was not equal to my hopes and what this triffle in the other is I do not know. It is certainly very hard for me to lose my time but it cannot be help'd. I am determined to go and settle at Detroit. It is certain that I will not lay up that sum but I will live in a Christian Country and live more happy than I do here. At the same time, I will have this consolation-I am my own master. It is true that I have but little to begin with but little will do. However, there is one thought that unmans my fortitude and that is the fear that my brother David should finish his education through want of means. It was and is still (if I should remain) my intention to help him as much as possible, indeed to be answerable for what necessary amount he should require. Now that you have my thoughts and actions in full view I hope that you will judge with candour, which you have had the goodness always to do, and depend that if I did not accept these offers it was not from whim but from a certain degree of independence that makes a man act with virtuous pride.
I remain, My Dear Sir,
Your affectionate nephew
John McLoughlin
N. B. My mind is distress'd, so beg you will excuse the incoherency of my stile. I will not write all this to my Uncle Alexander, but beg you would send him this. I am, Dear Sir,
Your affectionate nephew
John McLoughlin
Fort William, 13th July 1808
In course of conversation, I mention'd to Mr. McGillivray that I would never have serv'd them had I not understood that my five years apprenticeship gave me a certain right to look to expectations at their expiration or a short time after... He told me no promise of the kind could be made by any body.
Dr. John McLoughlin to Dr. Simon Fraser
Fort William, 11th August 1808
Dr. Simon Fraser
Terre Bonne
Dear Sir,
I have to beg you will be so good as cause my brother if he is in want of it to get the 100£ sterling I mention in the inclos'd as I agreed with Mr McKenzie that I might draw it (indeed he has the goodness to allow me to draw it in advance). I am Dear Sir, in an uncommon degree
Your oblig'd and affectionate nephew
John McLoughlin
N. B. You will believe my sincerity I hope when I tell you that nothing but my brother's situation could occasion my drawing money before it was due. Please also to address the inclos'd.
Dr. John McLoughlin to Dr. Simon Fraser
Fort William, June 27, 1810
Dear Sir,
I am sorry that my being just now inform'd that Mr. Ogilby is going away tomorrow at one A. M. prevents my having it in my power to write you as long a letter as I wish. I shall there fore make this only a letter of business. In the first place, I am sorry you did not commit me in writing the account regarding my engagement as I request'd of you in fall 1807, as it might then have been of great use to me, but I shall write you this more fully in next. This therefore, is only to request your causing my Brother David (if he requires it) to receive one hundred pounds, on my account, for which Sum I will get you credit'd by the house in Montreal. As you may perhaps see my uncle Alexander before I write him, be so good as to remember me to him and assure him I am very sensible of his good intentions to wards me, and by the next opportunity I will write him so my self, and likewise to my good grandfather, Col Fraser, to whom I shall likewise write. Pray remember me to Mr. R. McKenzie. He has been my best friend of a stranger I ever found. Inform him likewise I have done what I promis'd and he requir'd, and that I will send him it by the next opportunity. The short notice I receiv'd prevents my writing him, as for yourself, Sir, I hope you are well assur'd that I am with sincerity,
Your affectionate nephew
John McLoughlin
To Dr. Simon Fraser
Terrebonne.
DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN TO DR. SIMON FRASER
Fort William 2nd August 1810
Dear Sir,
In a day or two I take my departure for my winter quarters, which perhaps will be the last I will pass in this country, though I have not given my Employers any formal information of this yet. I have told several that I thought I would go down next year but whether I came back again or not was uncertain. My uncle Alexander writes me that on his retireing from being an active partner in the business he wish'd to make a transfer of his interest in my favor for which I should have been accountable for the value to him or else appoint me his attorney. Mr. McGilivray told him it could not be done nor would it add to my advantage, and that I was afraid of (not) getting an interest in the Country as soon as any of the Gentlemen of my standing. This is directly contrary to what you told and wrote me, your words in your letter of the 20th May last are: "When I engag'd you to the N W Co., Mr. McTavish told me the Company would allow you a hundred pounds per annum if requir'd to practice as a surgeon, but he would not advise you to take it for if you went on the common wages the Company would take into consideration the time you serv'd as an apprentice to a surgeon, that is to say, would recon your services from 1797, that in consequence of this you should be bound for five years only whilst others were for seven years.” You see how different the answer my uncle Alexander got is to the promises made you. It is well known that even while Dr. Munro was in the Country I act'd always as surgeon and that he only act'd now and then when he happen’d to be here before I came from my wintering place or remain’d after I was gone and receiv'd only one hundred pounds for my five years service. So much for myself. As to the other part of your letter regarding my Brother, I am happy that you have remit'd him the hundred pounds but, by the by, I had given orders to that effect and, if my memory does not fail me, with both you, my grandfather and my uncle Alexander, to advance that sum on my account. And this year if you or my uncle Alexander should require it, the Company's Agents will pay you a hundred pounds on my account to be remitt'd if necessary to David. I do not know where I would advise David to settle, and therefore leave it all to himself, and will conclude my letter with the usual way, though I hope you will do me justice to believe that with sincerity and esteem,
I am, Dear Uncle,
Your affectionate nephew
John McLoughlin
Dr. John McLoughlin to John Fraser
Fort Vancouver 17th March 1826
My Dear Cousin
I have observed your note at the end of my Uncle's letter and see you write a very good hand for a Boy and that if you chuse you will write very well. Now mind what I say take pains and learn and every one will be fond of you but if you do not mind your book and take pains to learn no one will care for you nor will look at you so you see it will be your fault if people are not fond of you. I expect a very long letter from you and that I will be able to shew to every one and tell them this is my cousin John's letter, he is only seven years of age, see what a fine hand he writes and
I am Dear John
Your affectionate cousin
John McLoughlin
Master John Fraser
Care of Dr. Fraser
Terrebonne
Dr. John McLoughlin to John McLoughlin, Junior
Fort Vancouver 1st February 1830
My Dear Boy,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 27th last April and am surpris'd after the refusal I gave your Request to come and join me you should again make it. You ought to know that if I conceived it to your advantage I would have acced'd to your wish and I have written my friends to consider what Business you are qualifi'd for and to place you accordingly. But of this they will judge as I am afraid you are not yet sufficiently advanced in your education and if they leave you at school I Desire you will particularly apply yourself to study the English and French Grammar so as to be able to write in both languages correctly. I am happy to see the great improvement in your hand writing since the date of your preceding though I must say (as you are now of age when the truth should be told you, to enable you to judge correctly) that your hand writing is not such as it ought to be considering your age and the time you have been at school (it is very inferior to your sisters writing) which is certainly owing to yourself and shews you did not apply as much as you ought. Recollect that any Man can Accustom himself to write a good hand and that while learning you are working for yourself and at the very best and most profitable kind of employment) you can have and that a school master may be as able and exert himself as much as possible still his scholars will only improve in proportion to their own exertions and their own Real Anxious Desire to Learn. Men form their opinion of young people (And it is correct) from the real with which they see them Apply to their Studies and the progress they make and there never was yet a person of a Good Disposition who did not give proofs of it (when he had an opportunity) by his application to his Studies. you are now a Man and ought to be able to perceive what I state is correct and if you feel that pride and ambition (which I hope you have) to Rise in the world, you must see that the only way you can succeed is by Applying yourself Mont diligently to your Education. You must employ every Moment that you have to spare from your meals and sleep to improve yourself and take pains to do with all care imaginable As well as you possible can. Education May be said to consist of two parts—to improve the mind and acquire Manners to regulate our Intercourse with others but you must see that in proportion as you improve your Mind you will acquire manners if you apply to your Studies you will become Modest, Respectful, Sensible, anxious to give satisfaction to those with whom you have Intercourse and see the necessity, the absolute necessity, every Man is under of acquiring the Good Will of others. On the other hand, if you are an Idler you will be stubborn, conceited, assuming and self willed—be you cautious then of never being Idle. As Idleness is the root of all Evil, and Bear in mind that as the Labour of the Mind is superior to that of the Body by so much is a well informed Man superior to an Ignorant Laborer. At the same time that application to our Studies increases our knowledge it improves our hearts and elevates our Mind to the Great Author of our Being-points our Duty to him and makes us preserve the Advantage to ourselves in discharging them with cheerfulness and pleasure. Be you therefore most attentive Morning and Evening to address your prayers to the Almighty Father of all to Return him thanks for the Great Benefits that you have received at his hands and to implore him to Grant you the Grace so to Regulate your conduct as to deserve a continuance of the same and if you punctually do this you may depend you will succeed in the World and be a Credit to yourself and to your friends. I expect you to pay particular attention to every thing my uncle Desires you as also your school master as a complaint from them would Expose you to my Displeasure. It is impossible to send you shoes from this as the people who go from this with Letters can only take them and their provisions across the mountains. May God Bless you.
[John McLoughlin]