In the light of this correspondence with Mr Cushing, Jason Lee's object in demanding so large a reënforcement of laymen is unmistakable. His declarations present him unequivocally as a missionary colonizer; and though born a British subject, and with no evidence to show that he ever became a naturalized citizen of the United States, yet he talks glibly of appealing to 'our own beloved' country for the establishment of laws.
In August 1838, at Lynn, Massachusetts, the old home of Cyrus Shepard and Miss Downing, a society called the Oregon Provisional Emigration Society was organized. The intention of this association was to send to Oregon at the outset not less than two hundred men with their families, to be followed by other divisions at intervals, until thousands should settle in the country. The constitution debarred all persons from becoming members who were not of good moral character and believers in the Christian religion, and the general expenses of the enterprise were to be paid out of a joint-stock fund, no member to be assessed more than three dollars a year. The society published a monthly paper devoted to the exposition of its objects, called the Oregonian. The officers were Rev. Samuel Norris, president; Rev. Sanford Benton, vice-president; Rev. F. P. Tracy, secretary; Rev. Amos Walton, treasurer. The committee consisted of fourteen members, ten of whom were ministers.[1]
While Mr Cushing was in correspondence with Jason Lee, he received letters from the secretary of this organization, and in reply to inquiries as to its object, was told in a letter of the 6th of January, 1839, that it was designed, first, to civilize and christianize the Indians, and secondly, to avail themselves of the advantages offered by the territory for agriculture, commerce, and manufactures.
"Having reached the territory," says the secretary,
- ↑ 25th Cong., 3d Sess., H. Rept. 101, 25, 28.
