The Indians of 1834, in the western Oregon country, were half savage only, the nobler traits of the ancient race being supplanted by the white man's vices. The remoter tribes maintained the tribal customs and manner of living, but from Astoria to Waiilatpu, and for a hundred miles up the Willamette, the tools, trinkets, arms and cast-off clothing of the whites were common enough. The Indians of this locality attempted to imitate the trapper and voyageur. Many hovered about the trading posts, ready to eat the scraps and offal rather than follow the ancient hardy habits of their race. Exceptional Indians foresaw this new order, and were anxious that their children should get the wisdom of the white man, or even his religion. Many such children came under the care of the Willamette mission.
The children of French prairie were more hopeful subjects for instruction, Their fathers were mostly Canadian trappers and voyageurs, formerly servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, who had taken Indian women to wife in their days of wandering, and now domesticated in the heart of the valley, released from service, they were glad to have the mission and school available for their children.
The settlement on the "Prairie" now included in the old Catholic parishes of St. Louis and St. Paul, was begun in 1829. Dr. McLoughlin advised the servants of the Hudson's Bay Company who had served their enlistment to settle there, and he aided them substantially in making their homes; furnished them ploughs and cattle, and assured them the protection of the great company. Even at that early date Dr. McLoughlin was convinced that this settlement was destined to be an American community.
The material for conversion to Christian and civilized living, was not the most hopeful. After three-quarters of a century the problem of education for the Indian is still a doubtful one. Jason Lee's idea of teaching the children of the mission to do useful work, as well as study, seems to have been followed and approved by missionaries and teachers to this day. His work and methods were approved by men qualified to judge. Rev. Samuel Parker who visited the mission in 1835, while investigating the conditions for the establishment of Presbyterian missions among the Pacific coast Indians, records his approval and admiration of the mission and its head. Dr. McLoughlin, a year and a half after the mission was begun, sent to Mr. Lee, $150 which had been contributed by himself and the other gentlemen of the post, with this noble letter of commendation.
"I do myself the pleasure to hand you the enclosed subscription, which the gentlemen who have signed it request you will do them the favor to acccept for the use of the mission; and they pray our Heavenly Father, without whose assistance we can do nothing, that of his infinite mercy He will vouchsafe to bless and prosper your pious endeavor; and believe me to be, with esteem and regard, your sincere well-wisher and humble servant.
John McLoughlin.
Fort Vancouver, 1st March, 1836."
Toward the end of the same year, Mr. Wm. A. Slacum, naval agent of the U. S., visited the mission and all the families of the "Prairie." The precise object of Mr. Slacum's visit was not divulged, but he came in the U. S. brig, "Loriot," which lay several weeks in the Columbia, and his observations are regarded as having been most important to the government in the settlement of the claim of the United States to Oregon.
Mr. Slacum wrote Jason Lee a letter of high approval, and enclosed a gift of $50, "as an evidence of my good will toward the laudable efforts you are making, regretting that my means will not allow me to add more."
Mr. Slacum and Jason Lee discussed the situation of the settlers in the Willamette, and Mr. Slacum gave important aid to an enterprise of vital interest to the country. Cattle were still very scarce, and a company was formed, by the settlers who had money, to bring a large band of cattle from California. Jason Lee was a leader, if not, as seems probable, the leader in this effort. But the
