made in the resolutions, White declined to relinquish them, returning instead the following epistle:
"To the Honorable, etc.—Gentlemen: Being on my way, and having but a moment to reflect, I have been at much of a loss which of your two resolutions most to respect, or which to obey; but at length have become satisfied that the first was taken most soberly, and, as it answers my purpose best, I pledge myself to adhere strictly to that. Sincerely wishing you good luck in legislating, I am, dear sirs, very respectfully yours, E. White."
This saucy defiance of the legislative body of Oregon marked the disappearance of White from colonial politics. The resolutions last passed, declaring him not a proper person to fill any office in the country, together with the changes which had occurred in Washington, utterly defeated all aspirations in that direction,[1]
although he had the temporary distinction of being treated like a delegate from the provisional government, while the duplicate copies of the legislative documents, with their appended injurious
- ↑ White's adventures in crossing the plains with his small party consisting of Harris, Edmonds, Brown, Saxton, Du Guerre, Chapman, and another unknown man, are briefly given in his Ten Years in Oregon. See also Niles' Reg., lxix. 224. Slight as is the narrative, I think it may safely be inferred that the unfortunate attempt of a portion of the immigration of this year to make a road up the Malheur River, and into the upper part of the Willamette Valley, was the result of his advice. Certain it is that he met all the different companies, and talked with them, and had he advised them not to attempt a new route, they would have obeyed him. Had they succeeded in finding one, he would have taken to himself the credit of giving the information.
White returned to the Pacific coast in 1861, as a special Indian agent under Lincoln's administration, a position obtained by representing himself as better acquainted with Indian affairs than any man in the department of the west. He did not long hold the unnecessary office, and failing at Baker Bay, where he endeavored to build a town called Pacific City, finally settled in San Francisco, where he died in March 1879, as before stated. He was thoroughly disliked by the western men who assumed the direction of Oregon affairs, for what they termed his smooth-tongued duplicity. That he was a sycophant to a certain extent is true. His character is revealed in a single sentence of his own concerning his reception in Washington by the Missouri delegation, to whom he was instructed to report. 'He returned to his lodgings, scarcely repressing a smile at the seeming importance a four years' residence in the Oregon woods had given him.' Ten Years in Or., 316. Notwithstanding his faults, it cannot be said that he was ever an enemy to good order or good government. See p. 291, note 34, this volume.
