LETTER FROM DR. W. C. McKAY.
The various contributions to the Whitman controversy which have recently appeared in the Oregonian have been read with a great deal of interest. It seems, after all the chaff is sifted away, that the great point in dispute is whether Dr. Whitman visited Washington in the spring of 1843, or not. The following letter will supply another link in the chain of evidence bearing on that point. It is written by Dr. Wm. C. McKay, of Pendleton, Oregon, who is a son of Thomas McKay, of pioneer fame. Thomas McKay came out in the Tonquin with Astor's unfortunate expedition, occupying the position of clerk for the Pacific Fur Company. His father, Alexander McKay, was one of the partners in that enterprise, and perished a few weeks after his arrival, at the time the Tonquin's crew were massacred on the coast of Vancouver Island. Thomas entered the employ of the Northwest Company, successor to the Pacific Fur Company, and later of the Hudson's Bay Company when it absorbed its great rival in 182 1. He afterwards became an American citizen and settled in the Willamette Valley. He commanded one of the volunteer companies in the Cayuse War. Dr. W. C. McKay was born at Astoria about 1826. His letter explains the other points necessary to show his value as a witness in this controversy. He related the facts several years ago, and this letter is In response to a request to put them in writing, made since the beginning of the controversy in the Oregonian:
Dear Sir:— I take pleasure in complying with your request. I am always glad to do what I can to set Dr. Whitman right before the people. His only critics, it seems, are those who did not come here till long after his death; and the only persons who have the temerity to question his character or throw aspersions upon his motives, are those who never saw or heard of him while in the flesh.
Briefly stated, the facts are as follows:—
In 1838 my father decided to send me to Scotland to be educated, the intention being for me to cioss the continent by the Manitoba route in company with the regular Montreal Express. My
