expressing my opinion respecting its correctness: He remarked that he would pledge himself to outfit a mission of equal numbers, take them across the country, and sustain them in their work three years for the same amount, i.e. about $7000.[1]
Both Whitman and Spalding resented the criticism, especially of Parker, and sent replies. Whitman, whose remembrance of his trip to the mountains with Parker in 1835 was not of the happiest, wrote:
If Mr. Parker was to contract and take a party across the mountains and sustain them in this field, I think no one would be found satisfied with the arrangements he would make.[2]
To the Revd Prudential Committee of the ABCFM
The undersigned respectfully present the following Schedule of the Receipts & Expenditures accruing to the Columbia Mission. Viz—
Mr. Spalding from Pittsburgh
Doct Whitman from home
Mr Gray from home
| Traveling & Provisions | $590.98 |
| Labor | 275.75 |
| Sadellery & Harness | 267.13 |
| Cattle | 118.00 |
| Indian goods to trade for horses & provisions | 222.25 |
| Horses & Mules | 926.00 |
| Tools & Furniture | 219.03 |
| Guns & Ammonition | 91.44 |
| Clothing | 208.05 |
| Books & Stationery | 74.57 |
| Seeds | 7.17 |
| Medicines & Surg instruments | 28.39 |
| Incidentals | 35.20 |
| Money on hand | 210.00 |
| $3273.96 |
| Mr Spalding on hand | $197.00 |
| Dr Whitman on hand | 166.96 |
| Jointly at Cincinnati | 2000.00 |
| Mr Gray on hand | 125.00 |
| At St Louis Mo | 25.00 |
| Mr Spalding Dr Whitman Mr Gray Jointly at Lexington Mo |
800.00 |
| $3273.96 |
