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In the pamphlet from which the evidence is taken, Dr. S.J. Parker says: "My first memory was, as I wrote to Hon. Elwood Evans, of New Tacoma, Washington Territory, that both went, in a day or two, to Washington, but in this I may be mistaken as to my father. I know that Dr. Whitman went either the next day or a day or two after he came to see my father." Dr. Parker was then 24 years old. He says he has forgotten as to one thing, but has not as to the other. Mrs. Victor concludes that he has forgotten as to both, because he has forgotten as to one. According to that reasoning neither Mrs. Victor, nor myself, or any body else, remembers any thing. We all forget some things; therefore, we forget every thing, according to Mrs. Victor. We all know that such reasoning is false; that we forget some things, and remember some distinctly.
Seventeenth—In the same connection she says: "The second proof is a letter produced from Hon. Alex. Ramsey, who fancies that he remembers meeting Whitman at a certain boarding-house on Capitol hill. This does not tally either with the story of the Doctor's buckskins, which would hardly be allowed in such society. I am convinced, however, that Mr. Ramsey met some Oregon man, probably Dr. White, the difference in names being slight, and in dates but one year." She can not think that Dr. Whitman went to Washington, because Mr. McKinlay and Mr. Applegate knew nothing about it. Governor Ramsey says in his published letter (Eells pamphlet, page 16): "I was first elected to congress from Pennsylvania in October, 1842. For technical reasons the election went for naught, and I was re-elected in 1843. In the winter of 1842-3 I visited Washington, and called upon Mr. Joshua Giddings who was at that time boarding at Mrs. ——, on Capitol hill, in what was then called Duff Green's row. The building is still standing. When so visiting, Mr. Giddings introduced me to Dr. Whitman, who talked to me and others of the difficulties of his journey, of the character of the country, Indian affairs, British encroachments, etc." He remembers that in the winter of 1842-3 he went there, because he was at that time first elected to congress, Mrs. Victor is satisfied that he is mistaken, and went a year before and met Dr. White. Who knows the most about it, Mrs. Victor or Governor Ramsey?
Those buckskin pants seem in several places to trouble Mrs. Victor. According to testimony Dr. Whitman was somewhat care less about his personal appearance, so Mr. Gray states in his history.
