into the country to look after the intercourse between the natives and citizens of the United States. But as to the office of civil magistrate or governor, that was a commission the president was not prepared to issue; though the settlers, if they chose to do so, could by mutual consent sustain the sub-Indian agent's claim to be regarded as a magistrate among them without definite authority from the United States.
All this having been explained to White, he was commissioned sub-Indian agent, with a salary of seven hundred and fifty dollars, and the guaranty that if Linn's bill, then before congress, passed, his pay should be raised to the full pay of an Indian agent, or fifteen hundred a year. He was also verbally given permission to draw upon government funds for the payment of necessary expenses in the discharge of his duties.[1] His instructions were to lose no time in returning to Oregon, but to proceed at once overland, using by the way every reasonable effort to induce emigrants to accompany him. On reaching home the doctor arranged his affairs, and having been joined by two of his neighbors, and two sons of Thomas McKay, proceeded westward, making known his desire to raise a company for Oregon wherever he went, by advertising in the newspapers, and occasionally lecturing to interested audiences.[2] At St Louis everything relating to Oregon was heard with attention, and the farther he progressed in the direction of Independence, the former recruiting rendezvous of the now disbanded fur companies, the greater was the interest evinced. From this latter place White made excursions through the country, travelling over the counties of Jackson and Platte, from which a large number of immigrants
- ↑ See bill for relief of Elijah White, and report of committee of the senate dated Feb. 2, 1846, in White's Concise View, 64–6.
- ↑ White gives the following glimpse of his emigration efforts: 'Last night all the other appointments were taken up to hear me lecture on Oregon, and as the weather was fine and travelling good, the noble church was filled, the pulpit lined with ministers of all denominations, and I talked an hour and a half with all my might.' Ten Years in Or., 142–3; White's Early Government, MS., 22, 24.
